Patent ID: 6254002
Filing Date: 2001-07-03
Classification: G06K,G07F

Abstract:
A method for authenticating or identifying a circular casino chip, betting chip or token having mechanically readable information thereon to identify or authenticate the casino chip, betting chip or token, wherein said chip or token is circular and wherein magnetic information is present in said casino chip, betting chip or token and said magnetic information at least in part comprises a mass of binder containing magnetic material which forms a part of said circular casino chip, betting chip or token, said information comprising encoded information identifying or authenticating said casino chip, betting chip or token which is readable at a radial distance from a central area of said casino chip, betting chip or token by a single pass relative to a mechanical reading element, at least some of said information extending radially to a face of said casino chip, betting chip or token comprisingplacing said casino chip, betting chip or token in position relative to a reading element for reading said information on said circular casino chip, betting chip or token,moving said circular casino chip, betting chip or token relative to said reading element, reading said information from said circular casino chip, betting chip or token, andcomparing said information from said reading to second information relating to authenticity or identifying data for circular casino chips, betting chips or tokens and determining if said circular casino chip, betting chip or token is authentic or specifically identified wherein said circular casino chip, betting chip or token has at least a first and a second magnetic element permanently attached to the casino chip, betting chip or token forming a first source of magnetic information, each magnetic element having at least one mechanically readable magnetic property along the length of said fiber, filament, magnetic mass, or strip or physical spacing from said second magnetic element that is readable as different from a magnetic property or position of the second magnetic element.