Appeal No. 2004-1251 Page 4
Application No. 09/972,658
the sensor of each exposed face transmitting a “1" signal and the sensor of the face
lying down against the playing surface transmitting a “0" signal, thereby indicating which
face is the uppermost face (i.e., the face opposite the one with a sensor transmitting a
“0" signal). Alternatively, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) transponders or tags
could also be used. If a metal playing surface is used, the RFID tag of the face lying
against the playing surface will not transmit a signal, thereby indirectly identifying the
uppermost face. In a further feature of the invention which protects the electronic die
from being illegally copied, each RFID tag within the die is configured with its own ID
code which is compared with a code transmitted by the computer. It is thus possible to
check the legality or originality of the particular die and whether the game or software
application using the die is a copy or an original. See column 5, line 66, to column 6,
line 8. Sity also discloses the use of a CCD (charge coupled device) camera embedded
into the playing surface which photographs the face landing face down on the playing
surface. In column 6, lines 53-60, Sity teaches that
[i]t will be appreciated by persons knowledgeable in the art,
that the type of read/write unit 14 utilized will be determined
by the type of dice and the method of transmission. For
instance, as in the preferred embodiment, the dice and the
read/write unit 14 will be based on a similar RFID
technology. Similarly, if the dice uses infra-red technology
for transmission then the read/write unit 14 will of course be
configured to receive infra-red technology.
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