Multi-Sensor System for Counting and Identifying Objects in Close Proximity

A system for identifying a plurality of objects in close proximity, each of the plurality of objects having a programmable RFID device embedded therein, the programmable RFID device having unique authentication data disposed therein, the system comprising:

• a structure defining a plurality of predetermined spatial positions, the structure being configured to support the plurality of objects, each of the plurality of objects being disposed in corresponding one of the plurality of predetermined spatial positions;
• an optical sensing assembly configured to optically scan each of the plurality of predetermined spatial positions to thereby detect the presence of an object in each of the plurality of predetermined spatial positions if present therein and generate a list of optically detected objects;
• and
• an RFID reader assembly configured to interrogate the plurality of objects disposed in the structure and generate a list of authenticated objects, the RFID reader assembly further generating a system status based on a comparison of the list and count of authenticated objects relative to the number of detected objects counted by the optical sensing assembly.

A system for counting and identifying a plurality of gaming chips having a programmable RFID device embedded therein, the programmable RFID device having unique authentication data disposed therein, the system comprising:

• a tray structure defining a plurality of predetermined chip positions within a multi-dimensional grid, the tray structure being configured to carry the plurality of gaming chips such that each of the plurality of gaming chips are substantially disposed in a corresponding one of the plurality of predetermined chip positions within the multi-dimensional grid, the plurality of gaming chips including American style gaming chips, European style jetons, and/or rectangular European style plaques;
• an optical sensing assembly configured to optically scan each of the plurality of predetermined chip positions to detect the presence of a gaming chip in each of the plurality of predetermined chip positions if present therein and generate a count corresponding to a number of detected gaming chips;
• and
• an RFID reader assembly configured to interrogate the plurality of gaming chips disposed in the tray structure and generate a list of authenticated gaming chips, the RFID reader assembly further generating a system status based on a comparison of the list of authenticated gaining chips relative to the number of detected gaming chips counted by the optical sensing assembly.