Method and apparatus for synchronization of proximate RFID readers in a gaming environment

1. An improved player tracking system for a gaming environment, said system comprising:

a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) readers for detecting a response signal from an RFID tag;

an RFID tag generating a response signal including identification data in response to an interrogation signal transmitted by one of said plurality of RFID readers;

a random number generator to determine a random time delay, said RFID tag controlling generation of said response signal so that said response signal is sent after said time delay has passed; and

a location manager controlling transmission by said plurality of RFID readers according to at least one collision-avoidance scheme.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one collision-avoidance scheme further includes at least one of:

localized RFID reader managers coordinating electrical operation of said plurality of RFID readers;

an active RFID reader transmitting said interrogation signal and a plurality of passive RFID readers listening for said response signal;

an RFID reader multiplexed through a plurality of antennas;

a time division multiple access (TDMA) synchronization scheme for said plurality of RFID readers;

a carrier detect multiple access (CDMA) synchronization scheme for said plurality of RFID readers; and

a quasi-random synchronization scheme for said plurality of RFID readers.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein said at least one collision-avoidance scheme further includes active synchronization of RFID readers via at least one of a wire-based protocol and a wireless network protocol.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of RFID readers are positioned with respect to a plurality of gaming machines.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein said location manager tracks location of said RFID tag based on information received from at least one of said plurality of RFID readers.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein said location manager communicates with a plurality of localized RFID reader managers to control said plurality of RFID readers.

7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a card, badge, or accessory which includes said RFID tag.

8. A method for synchronizing radio frequency identification readers located in close proximity in a gaming environment, said method comprising:

coordinating a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) readers according to a synchronization scheme;

transmitting an interrogation signal according to said synchronization scheme; and

receiving a response signal generated in response to said interrogation signal, said response signal including identification information for an RFID tag,

generating a random time delay, said RFID tag controlling generation of said response signal so that said response signal is sent after said time delay has passed;

wherein said synchronization scheme includes at least one of:

coordinating electrical operation of said plurality of RFID readers using localized RFID reader managers;

transmitting said interrogation signal from an active RFID reader and waiting for said response signal at a plurality of passive RFID readers;

multiplexing an RFID reader with a plurality of antennas;

using time division multiple access (TDMA) to transmit said interrogation signal from one of said plurality of RFID readers;

using carrier detect multiple access (CDMA) to transmit said interrogation signal from one of said plurality of RFID readers; and

using a quasi-random synchronization scheme to transmit said interrogation signal from one of said plurality of RFID readers.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said synchronization scheme further includes active synchronization of said plurality of RFID readers via at least one of a wire-based protocol and a wireless network protocol.

10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising positioning said plurality of RFID readers with respect to a plurality of gaming machines.

11. The method of claim 8 , further comprising tracking a location of said RFID tag based on said identification information received from at least one of said plurality of RFID readers.

12. The method of claim 8 , further comprising controlling said plurality of RFID readers using a central location manager.

13. A method for improved tracking in a gaming environment, said method comprising:

positioning a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) readers in a gaming environment;

coordinating said plurality of RFID readers according to a collision-avoidance scheme;

transmitting an interrogation signal according to said collision-avoidance scheme;

receiving a response signal generated in response to said interrogation signal, said response signal including identification information for an RFID tag;

generating a random time delay, said RFID tag controlling generation of said response signal so that said response signal is sent after said time delay has passed; and

tracking said RFID tag in said gaming environment based on said identification information.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein said collision-avoidance scheme comprises at least one of:

coordinating electrical operation of said plurality of RFID readers using localized RFID reader managers;

transmitting said interrogation signal from an active RFID reader and waiting for said response signal at a plurality of passive RFID readers;

multiplexing an RFID reader with a plurality of antennas;

using time division multiple access (TDMA) to transmit said interrogation signal;

using carrier detect multiple access (CDMA) to transmit said interrogation signal; and

using a quasi-random synchronization scheme to transmit said interrogation signal.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein said collision-avoidance scheme further includes active synchronization of said plurality of RFID readers via at least one of a wire-based protocol and a wireless network protocol.

16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising positioning said plurality of RFID readers with respect to a plurality of gaming machines.

17. The method of claim 13 , further comprising tracking a location of said RFID tag based on said identification information received from at least one of said plurality of RFID readers.

18. The method of claim 13 , further comprising associating said identification information with a record.

19. The method of claim 13 , further comprising tracking location and activity of a person using information from said RFID tag and at least one of said plurality of RFID readers.

20. A method for improved player tracking in a gaming environment, said method comprising:

coordinating a plurality of readers in a gaming environment to transmit a plurality of interrogation signals according to a collision-avoidance scheme; and

tracking at least one tag in said gaming environment based on a response to at least one of said plurality of interrogation signals; and

generating a random time delay, said tag controlling generation of said response signal so that said response signal is sent after said time delay has passed.