U.S. patent application number 10/112587 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-07 for device and method for continuously shuffling and monitoring cards for specialty games.
This patent application is currently assigned to Shuffle Master, Inc.. Invention is credited to Bourbour, Feraidoon, Grauzer, Attila, Nelson, Troy D., Rynda, Robert J., Scheper, Paul K., Stasson, James Bernard, Swanson, Ronald R..
Application Number | 20020163125 10/112587 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46279036 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020163125 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grauzer, Attila ; et
al. |
November 7, 2002 |
Device and method for continuously shuffling and monitoring cards
for specialty games
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for
moving playing cards from a first group of cards into a second
group of cards, wherein the second group of cards is randomly
arranged or shuffled. The apparatus comprises a card receiver for
receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of
card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card
receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for
moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver
and the stack for moving cards one at a time into a selected one of
the compartments, another card moving mechanism for moving cards
from one of the compartments to a second card receiver and a
microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanisms and the
elevator. A count of cards within specified areas of the card
handling system is maintained and card handling is halted and all
cards counted by adding a count of all cards not within the
specified areas to the total of cards counted within the specified
areas. The apparatus may use specialty cards to implement games
such as roulette or craps, with only one or two cards used to
provide the game outcome, and those cards, plus any additional
cards removed from the shuffler, being returned to the shuffler
prior to beginning any subsequent game plays.
Inventors: |
Grauzer, Attila; (Las Vegas,
NV) ; Bourbour, Feraidoon; (Minneapolis, MN) ;
Nelson, Troy D.; (Big Lake, MN) ; Rynda, Robert
J.; (Las Vegas, NV) ; Scheper, Paul K.; (Eden
Prairie, MN) ; Stasson, James Bernard; (Chanhassen,
MN) ; Swanson, Ronald R.; (Watertown, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mark A. Litman & Associates, P.A.
York Business Center, Suite 205
3209 West 76th St.
Edina
MN
55435
US
|
Assignee: |
Shuffle Master, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
46279036 |
Appl. No.: |
10/112587 |
Filed: |
March 29, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10112587 |
Mar 29, 2002 |
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09690051 |
Oct 16, 2000 |
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09690051 |
Oct 16, 2000 |
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09060598 |
Apr 15, 1998 |
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6254096 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/149R |
Current CPC
Class: |
G10L 19/07 20130101;
A63F 1/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/149.00R |
International
Class: |
A63F 001/12 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for continuously shuffling playing cards, said
apparatus comprising: a card counting system that maintains a count
of all cards within the apparatus; a card receiver for receiving a
first group of cards; a single moveable stack of card-receiving
compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, and means for
moving the stack; a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver
and the stack; a processing unit that controls the card-moving
mechanism and the means for relatively moving the stack with
respect to the card receiver so that cards placed in the card
receiver are moved into a selected number of compartments; a second
card-moving mechanism between the stack and the second card
receiver; a second card receiver for receiving cards from the
compartments, and a counting system that counts cards when 1)
passed from the card receiver to the stack of card-receiving
compartments, and/or 2) passed from the stack of card-receiving
compartments to the second card receiver.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the counting system also counts
cards present in said second card receiver.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 having a default function that will not
allow a single set of cards to be delivered to a second card
receiver when the card counting system identifies that an improper
number of cards are within the apparatus.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the microprocessor is
programmed to empty the entire apparatus of cards when the default
function indicates that an improper number of cards are within the
apparatus.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the system maintains a count of
cards in the card-receiving stacks.
6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the system maintains a count of
the total number of cards within the stack of card receiving
compartments and the second card receiver.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second
card moving means for emptying the compartments into the second
card receiver.
8. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a card
present sensor operably coupled to the second card receiver.
9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein cards are moved from
the compartments into the second card receiver in response to a
reading from the card present sensor.
10. A card handler comprising: a card counting system that
maintains a count of all cards within the apparatus; a card staging
area for receiving cards to be handled; a plurality of
card-receiving compartments, the card staging area and the
compartments are relatively movable; a card mover generally between
the staging area and the compartments for moving a card from the
staging area into one of the compartments; a microprocessor
programmed to identify each card in the card staging area and to
actuate the card mover to move an identified card to a randomly
selected compartment, wherein the microprocessor is programmable to
deliver a selected number of cards to a compartment; a drive system
responsive to the microprocessor for providing relative motion
between the card mover and the compartments; and a counting system
for counting cards within specified areas within the card
handler.
11. The card handler of claim 10 wherein the counting system counts
cards entering and leaving the plurality of card-receiving
compartments.
12. The card handler of claim 10 wherein a card moving system is
present to move cards from the plurality of card-receiving
compartments to a second card receiving area.
13. The card handler of claim 10 wherein the counting system counts
cards entering and leaving the plurality of card-receiving
compartments and cards entering and leaving the second card
receiving area.
14. The card handler of claim 13 wherein the counting system
maintains a rolling count of the cards within both the plurality of
card-receiving compartments and the second card receiving area.
15. The card handler according to claim 12, further comprising
inputs operably coupled to the microprocessor for inputting
information into the microprocessor.
16. A playing card handler comprising: a card counting system that
maintains a count of all cards within the apparatus; a stack of
compartments for accumulating cards in at least one compartment; a
microprocessor programmed to randomly select the compartment which
receives each card in a manner sufficient to accomplish randomly
arranging the cards in each compartment, wherein the microprocessor
is programmable to deliver a selected number of cards to a selected
number of compartments; a card staging area for receiving a stack
of cards to be handled, wherein the stack of compartments is
movable with respect to the card staging area; card moving means
responsive to output signals from the microprocessor for moving
between the staging area and the stack of mixing compartments; a
card mover for moving cards from the compartments to a second card
receiver; and the microprocessor performing as a counting system
for counting cards within specified areas within the card
handler.
17. The apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising a data
storage medium accessible by the processing unit, wherein the data
storage medium has a program stored on it, and wherein the program
is configured to cause the processing unit to cause the card moving
means to move cards from the staging area to random
compartments.
18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the microprocessor
monitors, records and controls a display for the use of the
apparatus.
19. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising at least one
sensor for monitoring the movement of cards that comprise cards
representative of dice counts or roulette spins.
20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the data storage
medium is further configured to cause the processing unit to detect
a card count that indicates that an improper number of cards is
present within the apparatus, and upon detection of the improper
card count, to empty the apparatus of all cards.
21. A method of substantially continuously resupplying randomly
arranged cards, said method comprising the steps of: providing a
card receiver for receiving cards to be processed; providing a
single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to
the card receiver and means for moving the stack relative to a card
moving mechanism; providing a card-moving mechanism between the
card receiver and the stack and moving cards from the card receiver
to the card-receiving compartments; providing a second card
receiver for receiving processed cards; providing a second card
moving mechanism for moving cards from the compartments to the
second card receiver; and counting cards within specified areas
within the card handler.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein cards are counted within the
stack of card-receiving compartments.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein cards are counted within the
stack of card-receiving compartments and the second card receiving
area.
24. The method according to claim 20, further comprising provided a
processing unit for controlling the card-moving mechanism and the
means for moving the stack so that cards in the card receiver are
moved into random compartments.
25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising using the
microprocessor to designate each card and select a compartment for
receiving each designated card.
26. A device for delivering shuffled cards comprising: a card
counting system that maintains a count of all cards within the
device; a card receiver for receiving at least one stack of
unshuffled cards; a plurality of individual compartments; a first
card mover for moving each card in the stack individually from the
card receiver to a compartment; a second card mover for moving
cards from a compartment to a second card receiver upon demand; and
a processing unit programmed to control the first card mover and
the second card mover, wherein the processing unit randomly assigns
each card in the stack to a compartment, and controls the first
card mover and the second card movers upon demand.
27. The method according to claim 26, wherein between seventeen and
nineteen compartments are provided.
28. The method according to claim 26, wherein the group of cards
comprises one or more decks of cards selected from the group
consisting of decks of cards having from 60 to 80 cards
representing rolls of a pair of dice or spins of a roulette
wheel.
29. A method of performing a security check on a card handling
system used at a gaming table comprising: providing a card counting
system that maintains a count of all cards within the apparatus;
providing a card receiver for receiving cards to be processed;
providing a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally
adjacent to the card receiver and means for moving the stack;
providing a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the
stack and moving cards from the card receiver to the card-receiving
compartments; providing a second card receiver for receiving
processed cards; providing a second card moving mechanism for
moving cards from the compartments to the second card receiver; and
counting cards within specified areas within the card handler
during a period wherein cards are moved within the card handling
system; delivering a subset of from 4 to 6 cards from the second
card receiver; removing the subset of 4 to 6 cards from the second
card receiver for determining the outcome of a game.
30. The method of claim 29 wherein after a game outcome has been
determined by cards from the subset of 4 to 6 cards, the subset of
cards is returned to the card receiver, and the total number of
cards in the card handling system are counted.
31. The process of claim 30 wherein card movement from the card
receiving compartments to the second card receiver is halted, all
cards in the area of the gaming table and the second card receiver
are retrieved inserted into the card receiver for receiving cards
to be processed, the cards inserted into the card receiver for
receiving cards to be processed are counted as they move to the
stack of card-receiving compartments, and adding the number of
retrieved cards counted to the number of cards counted as within
specified areas within the card handler to provide a final count of
cards.
32. The process of claim 30 wherein after the total number of cards
in the card handling system is counted, that total number of cards
is compared to an original number of cards.
33. The process of claim 30 wherein if the total number of cards
counted does not equal the original number of cards, the card
handling system is disabled from delivering a subset of cards to
determine a game outcome.
34. The method of claim 33 wherein the original number of cards to
be used in the play of a game on the casino gaming table is
identified to a microprocessor prior to starting play of the
game.
35. The method of claim 34 wherein the original number of cards is
compared to the total number of cards identified to the
microprocessor prior to starting play of a game.
36. The method of claim 35 wherein cards are counted within the
stack of card-receiving compartments and the second card receiving
area.
37. A card shuffling apparatus capable of delivering a continuous
supply of shuffled cards on demand, the apparatus comprising: a
card counting system that maintains a count of all cards within the
apparatus; a card shuffling chamber for randomizing cards; a card
receiver and feed mechanism for receiving and feeding unshuffled
cards into the shuffling chamber; at least one sensor for sensing
the presence of a card as the card is being fed into the shuffling
chamber; at least one sensor for sensing the presence of a card as
the card is being removed from the shuffling chamber; a mechanism
for removing cards from the shuffling chamber on demand to provide
a continuous supply of shuffled cards; a visual display; and a
microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor is programmed to:
receive signals from sensors and count cards entering and being
removed from the shuffling chamber and to maintain a count of cards
present in the shuffling chamber; receive instructions from an
apparatus user to initiate a card counting process, wherein the
card counting process includes discontinuing of operation of the
card removal process, pausing until cards outside of the shuffling
chamber are loaded into the feed mechanism, receiving an indication
from the at least one sensor for sensing the presence of a card as
the card is being fed into the shuffling chamber and the at least
one sensor for sensing the presence of a card as the card is being
removed from the shuffling chamber of an indication of current card
count status on the visual display.
38. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the indication from the at
least one sensor for sensing the presence of a card as the card is
being fed into the shuffling chamber and the at least one sensor
for sensing the presence of a card as the card is being removed
from the shuffling chamber indicates the number of cards added and
removed from the shuffling chamber.
39. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the shuffling chamber
comprises a plurality of mixing compartments, wherein the mixing
compartments move relative to the card feeding mechanism.
40. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the mechanism for providing
access to a continuous supply of cards comprises a shoe.
41. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the indication of card count
status comprises a card count.
42. The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the indication of card count
status comprises an error signal.
43. An apparatus for continuously shuffling playing cards, said
apparatus comprising: a card counting system that maintains a count
of all cards within the apparatus; a card receiver for receiving a
first group of cards; a single stack of card-receiving compartments
generally adjacent to the card receiver, said stack generally
vertically movable, and means for moving the stack; a card-moving
mechanism between the card receiver and the stack; a processing
unit that controls the card-moving mechanism and the means for
moving the stack so that cards placed in the card receiver are
moved into a selected number of compartments; and a second card
receiver for receiving cards from the compartments the card
receiver for receiving the first group of cards supporting the
cards so that gravity applies a force against the cards and
maintains an inter-operative position between the cards and the
card moving mechanism.
44. A method of playing a game of chance having rules consistent
with the play of a game of where rolls of dice determine game
outcomes, wherein rolls of the dice are effected by providing a
group of cards having symbols, the cards in the group having a form
representing die values, providing the cards from a continuous
shuffler to represent a roll of dice to determine a game outcome,
and reinserting cards used in each previous roll of dice into the
shuffler, and randomly inserting the reinserted cards into a set of
cards already in the shuffler before any subsequent provision of
any subsequent provision of groups of cards to effect a game
outcome.
45. The method of playing a game of chance according to claim 44
wherein the game of chance comprises a game of craps.
46. The method of playing a game of craps according to claim 45
wherein a shuffler reads specific values from cards leaving the
shuffler to assist in determining game outcomes.
47. The method of playing game of craps according to claim 45
wherein players enter wagers through an electronic data entry
system at each position for each player.
48. The method of playing game of craps according to claim 46
wherein players enter wagers through an electronic data entry
system at each position for each player and wager resolutions are
determined by a microprocessor comparing player wagers and read
values of cards provided to determine game outcomes.
49. The method of playing a game of chance according to claim 44
wherein at least four cards are provided as the cards from a
continuous shuffler, and fewer than four cards are used to
determine a game outcome.
50. The method of claim 49 wherein the game comprises craps, and
only one or two cards are used to determine the game outcome.
51. The method of claim 50 wherein four to six cards are provided
as the cards from the continuous shuffler.
52. A method of playing a game of chance having rules consistent
with the play of a game of chance wherein a game outcome is
determined by a single numeric value, wherein determination of the
single numeric value is effected by providing a group of cards
having symbols, the cards in the group having a form representing
single values, providing the cards from a continuous shuffler to
represent the selection of a single value to determine a game
outcome, and reinserting cards used in each previous determination
of a single value into the shuffler, and randomly inserting the
reinserted cards into a set of cards already in the shuffler before
any subsequent provision of any subsequent provision of groups of
cards to effect a game outcome.
53. The method of playing a game according to claim 52 wherein the
game of chance where a game outcome is determined by a single
number comprises a roulette-type game.
54. The method of claim 53 wherein the continuous shuffler has at
least 36 cards in the shuffler before cards are provided to
determine a game outcome.
55. The method of claim 54 wherein the continuous shuffler has
between 36 and 380 cards in the shuffler before cards are provided
to determine a game outcome.
56. The method of claim 55 wherein the game comprises roulette, and
only one is used to determine the game outcome.
57. The method of claim 56 wherein four to six cards are provided
as the cards from the continuous shuffler.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/690,051, filed Oct. 16, 2000 and Titled
"DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTINUOUSLY SHUFFLING AND MONITORING CARDS"
which is in turn a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/060,598, filed Apr. 15, 1998 and Titled "DEVICE AND
METHOD FOR CONTINUOUSLY SHUFFLING CARDS."
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to devices for handling cards,
shuffling cards and/or providing groups of cards for play in a
game. The cards include cards known as "playing cards" or specialty
playing cards. In particular, the invention relates to an
electromechanical machine for continuously shuffling cards such as
playing cards, whereby a dealer has a substantially continuously
readily available supply of shuffled cards for dealing, where
groups of cards may be continuously provided for play in games and
where cards may be monitored for security purposes during play of
the game.
[0004] 2. Background of the Art
[0005] Wagering games based on the outcome of randomly generated or
selected symbols are well known. Such games are widely played in
gaming establishments and include card games wherein the symbols
comprise familiar, common or standard playing cards. Card games
such as twenty-one or blackjack, poker, poker variations, match
card games and the like are excellent casino card games. Desirable
attributes of casino card games are that they are exciting, that
they can be learned and understood easily by players, and that they
move or are played rapidly to their wager-resolving outcome.
[0006] From the perspective of players, the time the dealer must
spend in shuffling diminishes the excitement of the game. From the
perspective of casinos, shuffling time reduces the number of wagers
placed and resolved in a given amount of time, thereby reducing
revenue. Casinos would like to maximize the amount of revenue
generated by a game without changing games, without making obvious
changes that indicate an increased hold by the house, particularly
in a popular game, and without increasing the minimum size of
wagers. One approach to maximizing revenue is speeding play. It is
widely known that playing time is diminished by shuffling and
dealing. This approach has lead to the development of
electromechanical or mechanical card shuffling devices. Such
devices increase the speed of shuffling and dealing, reduce
non-play time, thereby increasing the proportion of playing time to
non-playing time, adding to the excitement of a game by reducing
the time the dealer or house has to spend in preparing to play the
game.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,367 (Howard) is an example of a
batch-type shuffler. The Howard patent discloses a card mixer for
randomly interleaving cards including a carriage supported ejector
for ejecting a group of cards (approximately two playing decks in
number) which may then be removed manually from the shuffler or
dropped automatically into a chute for delivery to a typical
dealing shoe.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,411(Breeding) discloses a machine for
automatically shuffling a single deck of cards including a deck
receiving zone, a carriage section for separating a deck into two
deck portions, a sloped mechanism positioned between adjacent
corners of the deck portions, and an apparatus for snapping the
cards over the sloped mechanism to interleave the cards.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 3,879,954 (Erickson et al.) discloses the
concept of delivering cards one at a time, into one of a number
vertically stacked card shuffling compartments. The Erickson patent
also discloses using a logic circuit to determine the sequence for
determining the delivery location of a card, and that a card
shuffler can be used to deal stacks of shuffled cards to a player.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,241,140 (Huen) discloses a card dispenser which
dispenses or deals cards in four discrete directions onto a playing
surface, and U.S. Pat. No. 793,489 (Williams), U.S. Pat. No.
2,001,918 (Nevius), U.S. Pat. No. 2,043,343 (Warner) and U.S. Pat.
No. 3,312,473 (Friedman et al.) disclose various card holders some
of which include recesses (e.g., Friedman et al.) to facilitate
removal of cards. U.S. Pat. No. 2,950,005 (MacDonald) and U.S. Pat.
No. 3,690,670 (Cassady et al.) disclose card sorting devices which
require specially marked cards, clearly undesirable for gaming and
casino play.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,483 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,372 (Sines
et al.) describe batch type shufflers which include a holder for an
unshuffled stack of cards, a container for receiving shuffled
cards, a plurality of channels to guide the cards from the
unshuffled stack into the container for receiving shuffled cards,
and an ejector mounted adjacent to the unshuffled stack for
reciprocating movement along the unshuffled stack. The position of
the ejector is randomly selected. The ejector propels a plurality
of cards simultaneously from a number of points along the
unshuffled stack, through the channels, and into the container. A
shuffled stack of cards is made available to the dealer.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,189 (Breeding et al.) is directed to a
shuffling machine for shuffling multiple decks of cards with three
magazines wherein unshuffled cards are cut then shuffled.
[0012] Aside from increasing speed and playing time, some shuffler
designs have provided added protection to casinos. For example, one
of the Breeding (similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,275,411) shufflers is capable of verifying that the total number
of cards in the deck has not changed. If the wrong number of cards
are counted, the dealer can call a misdeal and return bets to
players.
[0013] A number of shufflers have been developed which provide a
continuous supply of shuffled cards to a player. This is in
contrast to batch type shuffler designs of the type described
above. The continuous shuffling feature not only speeds the game,
but protects casinos against players who may achieve higher than
normal winnings by counting cards or attempting to detect repeated
patterns in cards from deficiencies of randomization in single
batch shufflers. An example of a card game in which a card counter
may significantly increase the odds of winning by card counting or
detecting previously occurring patterns or collections of cards is
Blackjack.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,712 (Lorber et al.) discloses a
continuous automatic shuffling apparatus designed to intermix
multiple decks of cards under the programmed control of a computer.
The Lorber et al. apparatus is a carousel-type shuffler having a
container, a storage device for storing shuffled playing cards, a
removing device and an inserting device for intermixing the playing
cards in the container, a dealing shoe and supplying means for
supplying the shuffled playing cards from the storage device to the
dealing shoe. The Lorber shuffler counts the number of cards in the
storage device prior to assigning cards to be fed to a particular
location.
[0015] The Samsel, Jr. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,969) discloses a
card shuffler having a housing with two wells for receiving stacks
of cards. A first extractor selects, removes and intermixes the
bottommost card from each stack and delivers the intermixed cards
to a storage compartment. A second extractor sequentially removes
the bottommost card from the storage compartment and delivers it to
a typical shoe from which the dealer may take it for presentation
to the players.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,024 (Blaha) discloses a continuous
shuffler having a unshuffled card receiver and a shuffled card
receiver adjacent to and mounted for relative motion with respect
to the unshuffled card receiver. Cards are driven from the
unshuffled card receiver and are driven into the shuffled card
receiver forming a continuous supply of shuffled cards. However,
the Blaha shuffler requires specially adapted cards, particularly,
plastic cards, and many casinos have demonstrated a reluctance to
use such cards.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,453 (Stevens et al.) discloses an
apparatus for automatically and continuously shuffling cards. The
Stevens et al. machine includes three contiguous magazines with an
elevatable platform in the center magazine only. Unshuffled cards
are placed in the center magazine and the spitting rollers at the
top of the magazine spit the cards randomly to the left and right
magazines in a simultaneous cutting and shuffling step. The cards
are moved back into the center magazine by direct lateral movement
of each shuffled stack, placing one stack on top of the other to
stack all cards in a shuffled stack in the center magazine. The
order of the cards in each stack does not change in moving from the
right and left magazines into the center magazine.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,421 (Hoffman) discloses a continuous
card-shuffling device including a card loading station with a
conveyor belt. The belt moves the lowermost card in a stack onto a
distribution elevator whereby a stack of cards is accumulated on
the distribution elevator. Adjacent to the elevator is a vertical
stack of mixing pockets. A microprocessor preprogrammed with a
fixed number of distribution schedules is provided for distributing
cards into a number of pockets. The microprocessor sends a sequence
of signals to the elevator corresponding to heights called out in
the schedule. Single cards are moved into the respective pocket at
that height. The distribution schedule is either randomly selected
or schedules are executed in sequence. When the cards have been
through a single distribution cycle, the cards are removed a stack
at a time and loaded into a second elevator. The second elevator
delivers cards to an output reservoir. Thus, the Hoffman patent
requires a two step shuffle, i.e., a program is required to select
the order in which stacks are moved onto the second elevator. The
Hoffman patent does not disclose randomly selecting a pocket for
delivering each card. Nor does the patent disclose a single stage
process which randomly arranges cards into a degree of randomness
satisfactory to casinos and players. Although the Hoffman shuffler
was commercialized, it never achieved a high degree of acceptance
in the industry. Card counters could successfully count cards
shuffled in the device, and it was determined that the shuffling of
the cards was not sufficiently random.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,085 (Johnson) describes a continuous
shuffler which includes a chamber for supporting a main stack of
cards, a loading station for holding a secondary stack of cards, a
stack gripping and separating mechanism for separating or cutting
cards in the main stack to create a space and a mechanism for
moving cards from the secondary stack into the spaces created in
the main stack.
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,082 (Greenberg) discloses a carousel
type card dispenser including a rotary carousel with a plurality of
card compartments around its periphery. Cards are injected into the
compartments from an input hopper and ejected from the carousel
into an output hopper. The rotation of the carousel is produced by
a stepper motor with each step being equivalent to a compartment.
In use, the carousel is rotated past n slots before stopping at the
slot from which a card is to be ejected. The number n is determined
in a random or near random fashion by a logic circuit. There are
216 compartments to provide for four decks and eight empty
compartments when all the cards are inserted into compartments. An
arrangement of card edge grasping drive wheels are used to load and
unload the compartments.
[0021] U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,145 (Verschoor) discloses another card
shuffler involving a carousel or "rotatable plateau". The Verschoor
shuffler has a feed compartment and two card shuffling compartments
which each can be placed in first and second positions by virtue of
a rotatable plateau on which the shuffling compartments are
mounted. In use, once the two compartments are filled, a drive
roller above one of the shuffling compartments is actuated to feed
cards to the other compartment or to a discharge means. An
algorithm determines which card is supplied to the other
compartment and which is fed to the discharge. The shuffler is
continuous in the sense that each time a card is fed to the
discharge means, another card is moved from the feed compartment to
one of the shuffling compartments.
[0022] U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,648 (Hollinger et al.) discloses an
automatic card shuffler of the type that randomly extracts cards
from two or more storage wells. The shuffler relies on a system of
solenoids, wheels and belts to move cards. Cards are selected from
one of the two wells on a random basis so a deck of intermixed
cards from the two wells is provided in a reservoir for the dealer.
The patent is principally directed to a method and apparatus for
detecting malfunctions in the shuffler, which at least tends to
indicate that the Hollinger et al. shuffler may have some inherent
deficiencies, such as misalignments of extraction mechanisms.
[0023] The size of the buffer supply of shuffled cards in the known
continuous shufflers is large, i.e., 40 or more cards in the case
of the Blaha shuffler. The cards in the buffer cannot include cards
returned to the shuffler from the previous hand. This undesirably
gives the player some information about the next round.
[0024] Randomness is determined in part by the recurrance rate of a
card previously played in the next consecutively dealt hand. The
theoretical recurrence rate for known continuous shufflers is
believed to be about zero percent. A completely random shuffle
would yield a 13.5% recurrance rate using four decks of cards.
[0025] Although the devices disclosed in the preceding patents,
particularly the Breeding machines, provide improvements in card
shuffling devices, none describes a device and method for providing
a continuous supply of shuffled cards with the degree of randomness
and reliability required by casinos until the filing of copending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/060,598. That device and method
continuously shuffles and delivers cards with an improved
recurrence rate and improves the acceptance of card shufflers and
facilitates the casino play of card games.
[0026] There have been attempts over the years to use cards,
particularly specialty cards, to play other games as a replacement
for other number generating devices. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
4,355,812 describes the use of cards representing dice in a
backgammon game. Pairs of cards are drawn, each card having values
of from 1 to 6 on the cards, as do the faces of die. Selecting two
cards is therefore the equivalent of a roll of the dice.
[0027] The use of cards in a casino environment to replace dice
could be highly desirable for a number of reasons. It is often an
annoyance or a security risk where dice are handled by players and
where dice are thrown from the table. If a secure and player
acceptable system could be devised where cards could replace dice,
there could be benefits to both the player and the casino.
[0028] Similarly with roulette, the use of cards to replace the
spinning wheel would offer some advantages in speed and potential
security issues. Additionally, certain gaming jurisdictions allow
for only the use of playing cards or slot-type gaming apparatus for
wagering, and the ability to play popular games such as craps or
roulette using cards would enable expansion of the types of games
that could be played in such restrictive jurisdictions.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The present invention provides an electromechanical card
handling apparatus and method for continuously shuffling cards and
for providing one or more cards defining a group of cards to be
used in the play of a game. The apparatus and, thus, the card
handling method or process, is controlled by a programmable
microprocessor and may be monitored by a plurality of sensors and
limit switches. The system can be operated to provide a continuous
supply of cards from which groups of cards may be manually removed,
or provide predetermined numbers of cards to simulate the roll of
dice or the spinning of a roulette wheel for the play of games
traditionally played without cards. Groups of cards from which the
play cards are taken in a determined order may also be provided by
the card handling apparatus of the invention.
[0030] In one embodiment, the present invention provides an
apparatus for moving playing cards from a first group of unshuffled
cards into shuffled groups of cards. The apparatus comprises a card
receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of
card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card
receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for
raising and lowering the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the
card receiver and the stack for moving cards, one at a time, from
the card receiver to a selected compartment, and a microprocessor
that controls the card-moving mechanism and the elevator so that
the cards are moved into a number of randomly selected
compartments. Sensors act to monitor and to trigger operation of
the apparatus, card moving mechanisms, and the elevator and also
provide information to the microprocessor. The controlling
microprocessor, including software, selects or identifies where
cards will go as to the selected slot or compartment before card
handling operations begin. For example, a card designated as card 1
may be directed to slot 5, a card designated as card 2 may be
directed to slot 7, a card designated as card 3 may be directed to
slot 3, etc.
[0031] An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a
programmable card-handling machine with a display and appropriate
inputs for controlling and adjusting the machine. Additionally,
there may be an elevator speed adjustment and sensor to adjust and
monitor the position of the elevator as cards wear or become bowed
or warped. These features also provide for interchangeability of
the apparatus, meaning the same apparatus can be used for many
different games and in different locations thereby reducing or
eliminating the number of back up machines or units required at a
casino. Since it is customary in the industry to provide free
backup machines, a reduction in the number of backup machines
needed presents a significant cost savings. The display may include
a use rate and/or card count monitor and display for determining or
monitoring the usage of the machine.
[0032] Another advantage of the present invention is that it
provides an electromechanical playing card handling apparatus for
automatically and randomly generating a continuous supply of
shuffled playing cards for dealing or providing hands or sets of
cards for a round of play from the continuous supply of cards.
These sets of cards represent hand outcomes that would be displayed
to the entire table, not player hands received by the players.
Other advantages are a reduction of dealer shuffling time, and a
reduction or elimination of security problems such as card
counting, possible dealer manipulation and card tracking, thereby
increasing the integrity of a game and enhancing casino
security.
[0033] Yet another advantage of the card handling apparatus of the
present invention is that it converts a single deck, multiple
decks, any number of unshuffled cards or large or small groups of
discarded or played cards into shuffled cards ready for use or
reuse in playing a game. To accomplish this, the apparatus includes
a number of stacked or vertically oriented card receiving
compartments one above another into which cards are inserted, one
at a time, so a random group of cards is formed in each compartment
and until all the cards loaded into the apparatus are distributed
to a compartment. Upon demand, either from the dealer or a card
present sensor, or automatically, the apparatus delivers one or
more groups of cards from the compartments into a dealing shoe for
distribution to players by the dealer.
[0034] The present invention may include jammed card detection and
recovery features, and may include recovery procedures operated and
controlled by the microprocessor.
[0035] Another advantage is that the apparatus of the present
invention provides for the initial top feeding or loading of an
unshuffled or discarded group of cards thereby facilitating use by
the dealer. The shuffled card receiving shoe portion is adapted to
facilitate use by a dealer.
[0036] An additional advantage of the card handling apparatus of
the present invention is that it facilitates and speeds the play of
casino wagering games.
[0037] In use, the apparatus of the present invention is operated
to process playing cards from an initial, unshuffled new or played
group of cards into a group of shuffled or reshuffled cards
available to a dealer for distribution to players or for displaying
game outcomes common to all players. The first step of this process
is the dealer placing an initial group of cards, comprising
unshuffled or played cards, into the card receiver of the
apparatus. The apparatus is started or starts automatically by
sensing the presence of the cards and, under the control of the
integral microprocessor, it transfers the initial group of cards,
randomly, one at a time, into a plurality of compartments. Groups
of cards in one or more compartments are delivered, upon the
dealer's demand or automatically, by the apparatus from that
compartment to a card receiving shoe for the dealer to distribute
to a player.
[0038] According to the present invention, the operation of the
apparatus is continuous. That is, once the apparatus is turned on,
any group of cards loaded into the card receiver will be entirely
processed (or distributed) into one or more groups of random cards
in the compartments. The software assigns an identity to each card
and then directs each identified card to a randomly selected
compartment by operating the elevator motor to position that
randomly selected compartment to receive the card. The cards are
unloaded in groups from the compartments, one compartment at a
time, as the need for cards is sensed by the apparatus, or as the
dealer calls for a new group of cards. Thus, instead of stopping
play to shuffle or reshuffle cards, a dealer always has shuffled
cards available for distribution to players.
[0039] The apparatus of the present invention is compact, easy to
set up and program and, once programmed, can be maintained
effectively and efficiently by minimally trained personnel who
cannot affect the randomness of the card delivery. This means that
the machines are more reliable in the field. Service costs are
reduced, as are assembly and set up costs.
[0040] Another concern in continuous shufflers is the fact that
there has been no ability to provide strong security evaluation in
the continuous shufflers, because of the very fact that the cards
are continuously being reshuffled, with cards present within and
outside the shuffler. This offers an increased risk of cards being
added to the deck by players or being removed and held back by the
player. This is of particular concern in the previous attempts of
play of games using cards as count indicators, especially as with
craps and roulette where pay tables provide for payouts at odds
substantially higher than 1:1. The present invention provides a
particular system wherein the total number of cards in play at the
table may be counted, the total number of cards within the
apparatus at any time can be counted, and other card locating
procedures may be practiced with minimum game interruption.
[0041] The system of the present invention, in addition to allowing
a security check on the number of cards present in the collection
of decks, allows additional cards, such as promotional cards or
bonus cards, to be added to the regular playing cards, the total
number of cards allowable in play modified to the number of regular
playing cards plus additional (e.g., special) playing cards,
allowing the shuffler to be modified for a special deck or deck(s)
where there are fewer than normal cards (e.g., in the play of
roulette games, the decks could have at least 36 cards or multiples
of 37 or 38 cards or numbers of cards between 60 and hundreds of
cards, such as between 36 and 500 cards, between 36 and 200 cards,
or between 70 and 80 cards, such as 77 cards, depending on whether
both a zero and double zero are present on the betting table, and
in the play of craps games, there could be multiples of six cards
[if two cards were used to provide the `roll` of the dice, and
multiples of thirty six cards if single cards were used to replace
the `roll` of the dice, or any number of cards between 21 and
hundreds of cards, such as between 21 and 500 cards, between 21 and
100 cards, and between 70 and 80 cards, such as 73 cards), or
otherwise modified at the direction of the house. Therefore, the
shuffler would not be limited to counting security for only direct
multiples of conventional 52 card playing decks. The shuffler may
be provided with specific selection features wherein a game may be
identified to the microprocessor and the appropriate number of
cards for that game shall become the default security count for the
game selected.
[0042] The present invention also describes a structural
improvement in the output shoe cover to prevent cards that are
already within the shoe from interfering with the delivery of
additional cards to the shoe.
[0043] A novel gravity feed/diverter system is described to reduce
the potential for jamming and reducing the chance for multiple
cards to be fed from a card feeder into selected card receiving
compartments.
[0044] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become more fully apparent and understood with reference to the
following specification and to the appended drawings and
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view depicting the apparatus
of the present invention as it might be disposed ready for use in a
casino on a gaming table.
[0046] FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partially broken away,
depicting the rear of the apparatus of the present invention.
[0047] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the card handling
apparatus of the present invention with portions of the exterior
shroud removed.
[0048] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the present invention
with the shroud and other portions of the apparatus removed to show
internal components.
[0049] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view, largely representational,
of the transport mechanism and rack assembly of the apparatus of
the present invention.
[0050] FIG. 5a is an expanded side elevation view of a shelf as
shown in FIG. 5, showing more detail of the rack assembly,
particularly the shelves forming the top and bottom of the
compartments of the rack assembly.
[0051] FIG. 6 is an exploded assembly view of the transport
mechanism shown in FIG. 5.
[0052] FIG. 7 is a top plan view, partially in section, of the
transport mechanism.
[0053] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the pusher
assembly of the present invention.
[0054] FIG. 8a is a perspective view of a pusher assembly of the
present invention.
[0055] FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the rack and elevator
assembly.
[0056] FIG. 10 is an exploded assembly view of one embodiment of a
portion of the rack and elevator assembly.
[0057] FIG. 11 depicts an alternative embodiment of the shelves or
partitions for forming the stack of compartments of the present
invention.
[0058] FIG. 12 is a simplified side elevation view, largely
representational, of the card handler of the present invention.
[0059] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a portion of the card
handling apparatus of the present invention, namely, the second
card receiver at the front of the apparatus, with a cover portion
of the shroud removed.
[0060] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of an electrical control
system for one embodiment of the present invention.
[0061] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of the electrical control
system.
[0062] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of an electrical control
system with an optically-isolated bus.
[0063] FIG. 17 is a detailed schematic diagram of a portion of FIG.
16.
[0064] FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of a device that prevents
the dealer from pushing cards in the output shoe back into the card
way.
[0065] FIG. 19 a side view of a new feeder system with a novel
design for a card separator that has the potential for reducing
jamming and reducing the potential for multiple card feed when a
single card is to be fed.
[0066] FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0067] This detailed description is intended to be read and
understood in conjunction with appended Appendices A and B, which
are incorporated herein by reference. Appendix A provides an
identification key correlating the description and abbreviation of
certain motors, switches and photoeyes or sensors with reference
character identifications of the same components in the Figures,
and gives the manufacturers, addresses and model designations of
certain components (motors, limit switches and sensors). Appendix B
outlines steps in a homing sequence, part of one embodiment of the
sequence of operations.
[0068] There are significant issues and the potential for desired
differences in the operation of a card handling device for use in
specialty delivery of count cards in the play of non-traditional
card games, as where replication count or specific numbers in the
play of craps and roulette are desired. By the term `specialty
delivery` is meant delivery of non-standard decks of cards, such as
decks with markings other than traditional bridge or poker faces,
and card decks with numbers of cards that differ significantly from
standard decks (with fifty-two cards or up to two more cards, with
the jokers included). In the play of the game of craps using cards
to provide the equivalent of rolls of the dice, for example, a
large number of either single roll cards (cards where a single card
identifies the roll of two dice) or two card roll cards (where two
cards must be used to replicate the roll of two dice, with each
card representing a die) must be used, or the odds on rolls will
significantly change. For example, in a non-continuous
card-providing environment, if out of 360 cards, the first two
rolls were snake-eyes (a 1 and a 1), the informed player would
alter his wagers to eliminate bets on rolls where a one was a
required component (e.g., 1 and 1, and land 2) and increase wagers
on bets with higher odds where 1's could not be a component of the
roll (e.g., hard 4's, 6's, 8's and 10's, and rolls of eleven or
twelve). It is critical that the removal of cards from one or more
rounds of play would not identify to the player a significant
change in statistics and probabilities for cards or values, and
that the removed cards or values be reinserted into the source of
cards or values rapidly and in a random manner. This can be
effected in the practice of the present invention by an apparatus
(and method of play) wherein a collection of cards representing
dice roll values (or roulette positions) in proportion to the
actual statistical occurrence of those values (or positions) are
continuously shuffled, with cards removed from a continuous
shuffler to provide individual game play events in the play of
craps (or roulette).
[0069] An example of a method for the play of a craps game would
be:
[0070] A method of playing a game of chance having rules consistent
with the play of a game of craps wherein rolls of the dice are
effected by providing a group of cards having symbols, the cards in
a form of cards representing die (dice) values, the cards being
provided from a continuous shuffler, and cards used in each
previous roll of dice are inserted back into the shuffler and
randomly inserted into a set of cards already in the shuffler prior
to providing any subsequent groups of cards to effect the next game
outcome. The cards may be provided in a group of cards that is
significantly larger (e.g., at least twice as many) than the number
of cards needed to provide a game outcome. Or, the exact number of
cards needed can be provided. For example, where two cards are
needed to provide the representation of the roll of a dice, at
least four cards, and preferably, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or up to ten cards
are provided by the apparatus, with the dealer exposing only two of
the cards for determination of the game outcome. The delivery of
4-6 cards is one range of cards to be delivered for the set of
cards to determine the game outcome, and is a function of the
number of cards used to deal the game and the number of
compartments available to randomize the cards. The position of the
two displayed cards may be predetermined, such as for example, the
top two cards in the delivered set of cards, the last two cards in
the delivered set of cards, the second and third cards in the
delivered set, and the next-to-last pair of cards in the delivered
set. It is preferable in the play of the game that cards not
involved in the game outcome should remain undisplayed, and remain
face down, so that players cannot see the unused cards.
[0071] There has previously been a significant limitation in the
use of cards in dice games that do not utilized continuous
shufflers. For example, if in a single deck or multiple decks of
card dice, there were thirty `rolls` without an eleven or twelve
occurring (paying 15:1 and 31:1 odds respectively), the statistical
odds would direct the player to start increasing the size of wagers
on those events, since they would no longer be statistical, cards
having been removed from the set. Additionally, there is often
tension at a table when players roll dice in a manner that is
annoying to others (bouncing them off the table, throwing them
short, etc.). This method would actually remove those issues, if
players accept the use of cards.
[0072] With regard to means for fastening, mounting, attaching or
connecting the components of the present invention to form the
apparatus as a whole, unless specifically described as otherwise,
such means are intended to encompass conventional fasteners such as
machine screws, rivets, nuts and bolts, toggles, pins and the like.
Other fastening or attachment means appropriate for connecting
components include adhesives, welding and soldering, the latter
particularly with regard to the electrical system of the
apparatus.
[0073] All components of the electrical system and wiring harness
of the present invention are conventional, commercially available
components unless otherwise indicated, including electrical
components and circuitry, wires, fuses, soldered connections,
chips, boards and control system components.
[0074] Generally, unless specifically otherwise disclosed or
taught, the materials for making the various components of the
present invention are selected from appropriate materials such as
metal, metallic alloys, ceramics, plastics, fiberglass and the
like, and components and materials may be similar to or adapted
from components and material used to make the card handling
apparatus disclosed and described in copending application Ser. No.
09/060,627, entitled "Device and Method For Forming Hands of
Randomly Arranged Cards", filed on Apr. 15, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No.
6,149,154 issued Nov. 21, 2000 and incorporated herein by
reference.
[0075] In the following description, the Appendices and the claims,
any references to the terms right and left, top and bottom, upper
and lower and horizontal and vertical are to be read and understood
with their conventional meanings and with reference to viewing the
apparatus generally from the front as shown in FIG. 1.
[0076] Referring then to the Figures, particularly FIGS. 1, 3 and
4, the card handling apparatus 21 of the present invention includes
a card receiver 26 for receiving a group of cards to be randomized
or shuffled, a single stack of card-receiving compartments 28 (see
FIGS. 4 and 9) generally adjacent to the card receiver 26, a card
moving or transporting mechanism 30 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) between and
linking the card receiver 26 and the compartments 28, and a
processing unit, indicated generally at 54 in FIG. 3, that controls
the apparatus 21. The apparatus 21 includes a second card mover 192
(see FIGS. 4, 8 and 8a) for emptying the compartments 28 into a
second card receiver 36.
[0077] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the card handling apparatus 21
includes a removable, substantially continuous exterior housing
shroud 40. The shroud 40 may be provided with appropriate vents 42
for cooling. The card receiver or initial loading region, indicated
generally at 26 is at the top, rear of the apparatus 21, and the
second card receiver 36 is at the front of the apparatus 21.
Controls and/or display features 32 are generally at the rear or
dealer-facing side of the machine 21. FIG. 2 provides a view of the
rear of the apparatus 21 and more clearly shows the display and
control inputs and outputs 32, including power input and
communication port 46.
[0078] FIG. 3 depicts the apparatus 21 with the shroud 40 removed,
as it might be for servicing or programming, whereby internal
components may be visualized. The apparatus includes a generally
horizontal frame floor 50 for mounting and supporting operational
components. A control (input and display) module 56 is cantilevered
at the rear of the apparatus 21, and is operably connected to the
operational portions of the apparatus 21 by suitable wiring or the
like. The control module 56 may carry the microprocessor (not
shown), or the microprocessor is preferably located on processing
unit 54 on the frame 50 inside the shroud 40. The inputs and
display portion 44 of the module 56 are fitted to corresponding
openings in the shroud 40, with associated circuitry and
programming inputs located securely with the shroud 40 when it is
in place as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0079] In addition, the present invention generically and
specifically a card handler or shuffling device comprising:
[0080] a card staging area for receiving cards to be handled;
[0081] a plurality of card-receiving compartments, the card staging
area (and a card mover) and the compartments are relatively
movable;
[0082] a card mover generally between the staging area and the
compartments for moving a card from the staging area into one of
the compartments;
[0083] a microprocessor programmed to identify each card in the
card staging area and to relatively actuate the card mover to move
an identified card to a randomly selected compartment, wherein the
microprocessor is programmable to deliver a selected number of
cards to a compartment;
[0084] a drive system responsive to the microprocessor for
relatively moving the compartments; and
[0085] a counting system for counting cards within specified areas
within the card handler.
[0086] The terms "relatively actuate" and relatively move" are used
in this description to emphasize the point that there should be
relative movement between the compartments and the card mover/card
staging area. Relative movement may be caused by movement of the
rack of compartments only, movement of the card mover only, or by
movement of both the rack of compartments and the card
mover/staging area. The alignment of the card feeder and the
feeding of the card may be done as separate (in time) steps or as
contemporaneous steps, with either the feeder (card mover) moving
and being fed a card at the same time or having the card fed at a
distinct time from the moving of the feeder (card mover).
[0087] A particular benefit in the operation of the card handling
apparatus of the present invention in the play of roulette or craps
with specialty cards in the apparatus can be seen in the following
description of the play of the game, using the continuous shuffler
of the invention. The game is initiated with the correct
predetermined number and composition of cards (deck or multiple
decks or complete sets of cards or special sets of cards as defined
in the play of the game) being inserted into the initial card
collection area. These cards are then counted (as an initial count
or as a confirmation count to be compared with a preprogrammed
count of cards for the particular game to be played). The cards
will not be shuffled or otherwise handled by the apparatus if the
card count does not indicate that all cards are present in the
apparatus at that time. The cards are shuffled in the manner
generally described herein, and a randomized group of a
predetermined number of cards (e.g., at least one, if each card can
provide a game outcome, or at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, etc.
cards, preferably between 3 and 8 cards, or between 4-6 cards) is
positioned for removal by the dealer. The cards may even be
provided in a shoe, with the dealer manually removing the desired
number of cards from the shoe, or may be provided in a distinct set
of outcome cards (similar to a hand of cards being provided by the
card handling device). The appropriate number of cards is then
displayed or revealed to the players to determine the game outcome.
As noted above, when excess cards (more cards than are needed for
providing a game outcome) are initially provided, those cards may
or may not be displayed. At the end of the game outcome, all of the
cards that had been delivered to the dealer (both the displayed
cards and the cards that had not been displayed, eg., used and
unused cards) are then reinserted into the card collection chamber
or area, the cards are randomly inserted into the deck, the total
number of cards within the device are calculated, that number of
cards is compared with the number of cards that are required to be
in the device, and a security clearance effected. After the
security clearance has been performed successfully, the machine is
ready for further delivery of a set of game outcome cards either
automatically or after initiation by the dealer. If the counting
function identifies that an erroneous number of cards is present in
-the machine, either too few or too many, a default or error
function is initiated. For example, a red light may be lit on the
machine. In one embodiment, the machine empties itself of all cards
when a default is indicated. The cards may then be reinserted into
the machine for recounting, either directly or after a manual
inspection by the dealer/croupier.
[0088] The card handler counting system preferably counts cards
entering and leaving the plurality of card-receiving compartments.
There may be present a card moving system to move cards from the
plurality of card-receiving compartments to a second card receiving
area. The card handler may have the counting system count cards
entering and leaving the plurality of card-receiving compartments
and cards entering and leaving the second card receiving area, and
the counting system may maintain a rolling count of the cards
within both the plurality of card-receiving compartments and the
second card receiving area. This format could use inputs operably
coupled to the microprocessor for inputting information into the
microprocessor.
[0089] A playing card handler according to the present invention
may also comprise:
[0090] a stack of compartments for accumulating cards in at least
one compartment;
[0091] a microprocessor programmed to randomly select the
compartment which receives each card in a manner sufficient to
accomplish randomly arranging the cards in each compartment,
wherein the microprocessor is programmable to deliver a selected
number of cards to a selected number of compartments;
[0092] a card staging area for receiving a stack of cards to be
handled, wherein the stack of compartments and the card staging
area are movable relative to each other, by any one being
independently movable or by both being movable;
[0093] card moving means responsive to output signals from the
microprocessor for moving between the staging area and the stack of
mixing compartments;
[0094] a card mover for moving cards from the compartments to a
second card receiver; and
[0095] the microprocessor performing as a counting system for
counting cards within specified areas within the card handler.
[0096] This apparatus may further comprise a data storage medium
accessible by the processing unit, wherein the data storage medium
has a program stored on it, and wherein the program is configured
to cause the processing unit to cause the card moving means to move
cards from the staging area to randomly assigned compartments. The
microprocessor may monitor, record and control a display for the
use of the apparatus. The apparatus may further comprise at least
one sensor for monitoring the movement of cards and the data
storage medium may be further configured to cause the processing
unit to detect a card jam.
[0097] A method according to the present invention for
substantially continuously replenishing a group of processed cards
may comprise:
[0098] providing a card receiver for receiving cards to be
processed;
[0099] providing a single stack of card-receiving compartments
generally adjacent to the card receiver and means for moving the
stack relative to a card moving mechanism;
[0100] providing a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver
and the stack for moving cards from the card receiver to the
card-receiving compartments;
[0101] providing a second card receiver for receiving processed
cards;
[0102] providing a second card moving mechanism for moving cards
from the compartments to the second card receiver; and
[0103] counting cards within specified areas within the card
handler.
[0104] Card Receiver
[0105] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the card receiver or loading
region 26 includes a card receiving well 60. The well 60 is defined
by upright, generally parallel card guiding side walls 62 and a
rear wall 64. It includes a floor surface 66 pitched or angled
downwardly toward the front of the apparatus 21. Preferably, the
floor surface is pitched from the horizontal at an angle ranging
from approximately five to twenty degrees, with a pitch of seven
degrees being preferred. A removable, generally rectangular weight
or block 68 is freely and slidably received in the well 60 for free
forward and rearward movement along the floor surface 66. Under the
influence of gravity, the block 68 will tend to move toward the
forward end of the well 60. The block 68 has an angled,
card-contacting front face 70 for contacting the back (i.e., the
bottom of the bottommost card) of a group of cards placed into the
well, and urges cards (i.e., the top card of a group of cards)
forward into contact with the card transporting mechanism 30. The
card-contacting face 70 of the block 68 is at an angle
complimentary to the floor surface 66 of the well 60, for example,
an angle of between approximately 10 and 80 degrees, and preferably
at an angle of 40 degrees. This angle and the weight of the block
keep the cards urged forwardly against the transport mechanism 30.
The selected angle of the floor 66 and the weight of the block 68
allow for the free floating rearward movement of the cards and the
block 68 to compensate for the rearward force and movement
generated as the top or forwardmost card contacts the transport
mechanism 30 and begins to move. The well 60 includes a card
present sensor 74 to sense the presence or absence of cards in the
well 60. Preferably, the block 68 is mounted on a roller 69 for
easing the movement of the block 68, and/or the floor 66 and the
bottom of the block may be formed of or coated with friction
reducing material. As shown in FIG. 6, the block 68 may have a
thumb or finger receiving notch 71 to facilitate moving it.
[0106] In another example of the invention, the stack of cards
being fed rests on a horizontal surface and the weight of the stack
of cards forces the lowest card in the stack to contact a pick-off
roller (not shown). This type of feed mechanism is referred to in
the industry as a gravity feed mechanism.
[0107] Card Receiving Compartments
[0108] The assembly or stack of card receiving compartments 28 is
depicted in FIGS. 4, 9 and 10, and may also be referred to as a
rack assembly. Referring back to FIG. 3, the rack assembly 28 is
housed in an elevator and rack assembly housing 78 generally
adjacent to the well 60, but horizontally spaced therefrom. An
elevator motor 80 is provided to position the rack assembly 28
vertically under control of a microprocessor, in one embodiment,
generally part of the processing unit 54. The motor 80 is linked to
the rack assembly 28 by a continuous resilient member such as a
timing belt 82. Referring to FIG. 10, which depicts a portion of
the rack assembly 28 and how it may be assembled, the rack assembly
28 includes a bottom plate 92, a left hand rack 94 carrying a
plurality of half shelves 96, a right hand rack 98 including a
plurality of half shelves 100 and a top plate 102. Together the
right and left hand racks 94, 98 and their respective half shelves
96, 100 form the individual plate-like shelf pieces 104 for forming
the top and bottom walls of the individual compartments 106. The
rack assembly 28 is operably mounted to the apparatus 21 by a left
side rack plate 107 and a linear guide 108. It is attached to the
guide by a guide plate 110. The belt 82 links the motor 80 to a
pulley 112 for driving the rack assembly 28 up and down. A hall
effect switch assembly 114 is provided to sense the bottom position
of the rack assembly 28.
[0109] FIG. 9 depicts a rack assembly 28 having 19 individual
compartments 106 for receiving cards. Generally speaking, a larger
number of individual compartments is preferred over fewer
compartments, with 17 to 19 compartments being most preferred for
randomizing four decks of cards, but it should be understood that
the present invention is not limited to a rack assembly of
seventeen to nineteen compartments. Preferably, the compartments
106 are all substantially the same size, i.e., the shelves 104 are
substantially equally vertically spaced from each other. FIG. 7
shows, in part, a top plan view of one of the shelf members 104 and
that each includes a pair of rear tabs 124 located at respective
rear corners of the shelf member 104. The tabs 124 are for card
guiding, and help make sure cards are moved from the transporting
mechanism 30 into the rack assembly 28 without jamming by
permitting the leading edge of the card to be guided downwardly
into the compartment 106 before the card is released from the card
moving mechanism 30. Generally, it is desirable to mount the
shelves as close to the transporting mechanism 30 as possible.
[0110] FIG. 11 depicts an alternative embodiment of plate-like
shelf members 104 comprising a single-piece plate member 104'. An
appropriate number of the single-piece plates, corresponding to the
desired number of compartments 106 would be connected between the
side walls of the rack assembly 28. The plate 104' depicted in FIG.
11 includes a curved or arcuate edge portion 126 on the rear edge
128 for manually removing cards or clearing jammed cards, and it
includes the two bilateral tabs 124, also a feature of the shelf
members 104 of the rack assembly 28 depicted in FIG. 7. The tabs
124 act as card guides and permit the plate-like shelf members 104
forming the compartments 106 to be positioned as closely as
possible to the card transporting mechanism 30 to ensure that cards
are delivered correctly into a compartment 106 even though they may
be warped or bowed.
[0111] Referring back to FIG. 5, an advantage of the plates 104
(and/or the half plates 96, 100) forming the compartments 106 is
depicted. As shown in more detail in FIG. 5a, each plate 104
includes a beveled or angled underside rearmost surface 130 in the
space between the shelves or plates 104, i.e., in each compartment
106. Referring to FIG. 5, the distance between the forward edge 134
of the plate 104 and the forward edge 132 of the bevel 130 is
preferably less than the width of a typical card. The leading edge
136 of a card being driven into a compartment 106 hits the beveled
surface 130 and falls down on the top of cards already in the
compartment 106 so that it comes to rest properly in the
compartment 106 or on the uppermost card of cards already delivered
to the compartment. To facilitate a bevel 130 at a suitable angle
137, a preferred thickness for the plate-like shelf members 104 is
approximately {fraction (3/32)} of an inch, but this thickness
and/or the bevel angle can be changed or varied to accommodate
different sizes of cards, such as poker and bridge cards.
Preferably, the bevel angle 137 is between approximately ten and 45
degrees, and more preferably is between approximately fifteen and
twenty degrees. Whatever bevel angle and thickness is selected, it
is preferred that cards C should come to rest with their trailing
edge at least even with and, preferably rearward of edge 132 of the
plate-like shelf members 104.
[0112] The front of the rack assembly 28 is closed by a removable
cover 142, which may be formed of opaque, transparent or
semi-transparent material such as suitable metal or plastic.
[0113] Card Moving Mechanism
[0114] Referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, a preferred card transporting
or moving mechanism 30 linking the card receiving well 60 and the
compartments 106 of the rack assembly 28 includes a card pickup
roller assembly 150. The card pick-up roller assembly 150 is
located generally at the forward portion of the well 60. The
pick-up roller assembly 150 includes friction rollers 151A, 151B
supported by a bearing mounted axle 152 extending generally across
the well 60 whereby the card contacting surface of the roller is in
close proximity to the forward portion of the floor surface 66. The
roller assembly 150 is driven by a pick up motor 154 operably
coupled to the axle 152 by a suitable continuous connector 156 such
as a belt or chain. The card-contacting surface of the roller may
be generally smooth, it may be textured or it may include one or
more finger or tab-like extensions, as long as card gripping and
moving is not impaired.
[0115] With continued reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the preferred
card moving mechanism 30 includes a pinch roller card accelerator
or speed-up system 160 located adjacent to the front of the well 60
generally between the well 60 and the rack assembly 28 forwardly of
the pick-up roller assembly 150. As shown in FIG. 7, it is the
speed-up system 160 which nests close to the shelves 104 between
the tabs 124 of the shelves. Referring back to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6,
the speed-up system 160 comprises a pair of axle supported, closely
adjacent speed-up rollers, one above the other, including a lower
roller 162 and an upper roller 164. The upper roller 164 may be
urged toward the lower roller 162 by a spring assembly 166 (FIG. 4)
or the roller 162 and 164 may be fixed in slight contact or near to
contact and formed of a generally firm yet resilient material which
gives just enough to admit a card. Referring to FIG. 4, the lower
roller 162 is a driven by a speed-up motor 166 operably linked to
it by a suitable connector 168 such as a belt or a chain. The
mounting for the speed-up rollers also supports a rearward card in
sensor 172 and a forward card out sensor 176. FIG. 5 is a largely
representational view depicting the relationship between the card
receiving well 60 and the card transporting mechanism 30, and also
shows a card C being picked up by the pickup roller assembly 150
and being moved into the pinch roller system 160 for acceleration
into a compartment 104 of the rack assembly 28.
[0116] In one embodiment, the pick-up roller assembly 150 is not
continuously driven, but rather indexes and includes a one-way
clutch mechanism. After initially picking up a card and advancing
it into the speed-up system 160, the pick-up roller motor 154 stops
when the leading edge of a card hits the card out sensor 176, but
the roller assembly 150 free-wheels as a card is accelerated from
under it by the speed-up system 160. In one embodiment, the
speed-up pinch system 160 is continuous in operation once a cycle
starts. When the trailing edge of the card passes the card out
sensor 176, the rack assembly 28 moves the next designated
compartment into place for receiving a card. The pick up motor 154
then reactuates.
[0117] Additional components and details of the transport mechanism
30 are depicted in FIG. 6, an exploded assembly view thereof. In
FIG. 6 the inclined floor surface 66 of the well 60 is visible, as
are the axle mounted pickup and pinch roller assemblies 150, 160,
respectively, and their relative positions.
[0118] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the transport assembly 30
includes a pair of generally rigid stopping plates including an
upper stop plate and a lower stop plate 180, 182, respectively. The
plates 180, 182 are fixedly positioned between the rack assembly 28
and the speed-up system 160 immediately forward of and above and
below the pinch rollers 162, 164. The stop plates 180, 182 stop the
cards from rebounding or bouncing rearwardly, back toward the pinch
rollers, after they are driven against and contact the cover at the
front of the rack assembly 28.
[0119] Processing/Control Unit
[0120] FIG. 14 is a block diagram depicting an electrical control
system which may be used in one embodiment of the present
invention. The control system includes a controller 360, a bus 362,
and a motor controller 364. Also represented in FIG. 14 are inputs
366, outputs 368, and a motor system 370. The controller 360 sends
signals to both the motor controller 364 and the outputs 368 while
monitoring the inputs 366. The motor controller 364 interprets
signals received over the bus 362 from the controller 360. The
motor system 370 is driven by the motor controller 364 in response
to the commands from the controller 360. The controller 360
controls the state of the outputs 368 by sending appropriate
signals over the bus 362.
[0121] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
motor system 370 comprises motors that are used for operating
components of the card handling apparatus 21. Motors operate the
pick-up roller, the pinch, speed-up rollers, the pusher and the
elevator. The gate and stop may be operated by a motor, as well. In
such an embodiment, the motor controller 364 would normally
comprise one or two controllers and driver devices for each of the
motor used. However, other configurations are possible.
[0122] The outputs 368 include, for example, alarm, start, and
reset indicators and inputs and may also include signals that can
be used to drive a display device (e.g., a LED display--not shown).
Such a display device can be used to implement a timer, a card
counter, or a cycle counter. Generally, an appropriate display
device can be configured and used to display any information worthy
of display.
[0123] The inputs 366 include information from the limit switches
and sensors described above. Other inputs might include data
inputted through operator or user controls. The controller 360
receives the inputs 366 over the bus 362.
[0124] Although the controller 360 can be any digital controller or
microprocessor-based system, in a preferred embodiment, the
controller 360 comprises a processing unit 380 and a peripheral
device 382 as shown in FIG. 16. The processing unit 380 in the
preferred embodiment may be an 8-bit single-chip microcomputer such
as an 80C52 manufactured by the Intel Corporation of Santa Clara,
Calif. The peripheral device 382 may be a field programmable micro
controller peripheral device that includes programmable logic
devices, EPROMs, and input-output ports. As shown in FIG. 15,
peripheral device 382 interfaces the processing unit 380 to the bus
362.
[0125] The series of instructions stored in the controller 360 is
shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 as program logic 384. In a preferred
embodiment, the program logic 384 is RAM or ROM hardware in the
peripheral device 382. (Since the processing unit 380 may have some
memory capacity, it is possible that some of the instructions are
stored in the processing unit 380.) As one skilled in the art will
recognize, various implementations of the program logic 384 are
possible. The program logic 384 could be either hardware, software,
or a combination of both. Hardware implementations might involve
hardwired code or instructions stored in a ROM or RAM device.
Software implementations would involve instructions stored on a
magnetic, optical, or other media that can be accessed by the
processing unit 380. Under certain conditions, it is possible that
a significant amount of electrostatic charge may build up in the
card handler 21. Significant electrostatic discharge could affect
the operation of the handler 21. It may, therefore, be helpful to
isolate some of the circuitry of the control system from the rest
of the machine. In one embodiment of the present invention, a
number of optically-coupled isolators are used to act as a barrier
to electrostatic discharge.
[0126] As shown in FIG. 16, a first group of circuitry 390 can be
electrically isolated from a second group of circuitry 392 by using
optically-coupled logic gates that have light-emitting diodes to
optically (rather than electrically) transmit a digital signal, and
photo detectors to receive the optically transmitted data. An
illustration of electrical isolation through the use of
optically-coupled logic gates is shown in FIG. 17, which shows a
portion of FIG. 16 in detail. Four Hewlett-Packard HCPL-2630
optocouplers (labeled 394, 396, 398 and 400) are used to provide an
8-bit isolated data path to the output devices 368. Each bit of
data is represented by both an LED 402 and a photo detectors 404.
The LEDs emit light when forward biased, and the photo detectors
detect the presence or absence of the light. Data is thus
transmitted without an electrical connection.
[0127] Second Card Moving Mechanism
[0128] Referring to FIGS. 4, 8 and 8a, the apparatus 21 includes a
second card moving mechanism 34 comprising a reciprocating card
unloading pusher 190. The pusher 190 includes a substantially
flexible pusher arm 192 in the form of a rack having a plurality of
linearly arranged apertures 194 along its length. The arm 192 is
operably engaged with the teeth of a pinion gear 196 driven by an
unloading motor 198 controlled by the microprocessor. At its
leading or card contacting end, the pusher arm 192 includes a
blunt, enlarged card-contacting head end portion 200. The end
portion 200 is greater in height than the spacing between the shelf
members 104 forming the compartments 106 to make sure that all the
cards contained in a compartment are contacted and pushed as it is
operated, even bowed or warped cards, and includes a pair
outstanding guide tabs 203 at each side of the head 200 for
interacting with the second card receiver 36 for helping to insure
that the cards are moved properly and without jamming from the
compartments 106 to the second card receiver 36. The second card
moving mechanism 34 is operated periodically (upon demand) to empty
stacks of cards from compartments, i.e., compartments which have
received a complement of cards or a selectable minimum number of
cards.
[0129] Second Card Receiver
[0130] When actuated, the second card moving mechanism 34 empties a
compartment 106 by pushing cards therein into a second card
receiver 36, which may take the form of a shoe-like receiver, of
the apparatus 21. The second card receiver 36 is shown in FIGS. 1,
4, 14 and 16, among others.
[0131] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the second card receiver 36
includes a shoe-like terminal end plate 204 and a card way,
indicated generally at 206, extending generally between the rack
assembly 28 and the terminal end plate 204. When a compartment 106
is aligned with the card way 206, as shown in FIG. 12, the card way
206 may be thought of as continuous with the aligned compartment.
Referring to FIG. 4, an optional cover operating motor 208 is
positioned generally under the card way 206 for raising and
lowering a powered cover 142 if such a cover is used.
[0132] Referring back to FIGS. 4, 12 and 13, the card way 206 has a
double curved, generally S-shaped surface and comprises a pair of
parallel card guiding rails 210, 212, each having one end adjacent
to the rack assembly 28 and a second end adjacent to the terminal
end 204. Each rail 210, 212 has a card-receiving groove 213. A
S-shaped card support 211 is positioned between the rails 210, 212
for supporting the central portion of a card or group of cards as
it moves down the card way 206. A pair of card-biasing springs 215
are provided adjacent to the rails 210, 212 to urge the cards
upwardly against the top of the grooves 213 to assist in keeping
the all the cards in the group being moved into the second receiver
36 in contact with the pusher 190. The curves of the card way 206
help to guide and position cards for delivery between cards already
delivered and the card-pushing block 214, which is generally
similar to the block 68. The second curve portion 207 in particular
helps position and align the cards for delivery between cards
already delivered and the card pushing block 214.
[0133] The second card receiver 36 is generally hollow, defining a
cavity for receiving cards and for containing the mirror image
rails 210, 212, the motor assembly 208 and a freely movable card
pushing block 214. Referring to FIG. 12, the block 214 has an
angled, front card contacting face 216, the angle of which is
generally complementary to the angle of the terminal end plate 204.
The block 214 has a wheel or roller 218 for contacting the sloping
or angled floor 220 of the second card receiver 36 whereby the
block moves freely back and forth. The free movement helps absorb
or accommodate the force generated by the dealer's hand as he
deals, i.e., the block 214 is free to bounce rearwardly. A suitable
bounce limit means (such as a stop 221 mounted on the floor 220 or
a resilient member, not shown) may be coupled near the block 214 to
limit its rearward travel. Referring to FIG. 4, a suitable receiver
empty sensor 222 may be carried by the terminal plate 204 at a
suitable location, and a card jammed sensor 224 may be provided
along the card way 206 adjacent to the guide rails 210, 212. The
receiver empty sensor 222 is for sensing the presence or absence of
cards. The sensor 223 senses the location of block 214 indicating
the number of cards in the buffer, and may be operably linked to
the microprocessor or directly to the pusher motor 198 for
triggering the microprocessor to actuate the pusher 190 of the
second transport assembly 34 to unload one or more groups of cards
from the compartments 106. In another embodiment, transport
assembly 34 may be dealer activated.
[0134] As depicted in FIG. 13, the terminal plate 204 may include a
sloped surface 204'. The sloped surface 204' has a raised portion
closest to the terminal plate 204, and that portion fits generally
under a notch 205' in the terminal plate 204 for receiving a
dealer's finger to facilitate dealing and to help preserve the
flatness of the cards. The shoe 204', the terminal plate 204 and a
removable card way cover 209 may be formed as a unit, or as
separable individual pieces for facilitating access to the inside
of the second receiver 36.
[0135] FIG. 12 is a largely representational view depicting the
apparatus 21 and the relationship of its components including the
card receiver 26 for receiving a group of new or played cards for
being shuffled for play, including the well 60 and block 68, the
rack assembly 28 and its single stack of card-receiving
compartments 106, the card moving or transporting mechanism 30
between and linking the card receiver 26 and the rack assembly 28,
the second card mover 190 for emptying the compartments 106 and the
second receiver 36 for receiving randomized or shuffled cards.
[0136] Operation/Use
[0137] Appendix B outlines one embodiment of the operational steps
or flow of the method and apparatus of the present invention. The
start input is actuated and the apparatus 21 homes (see Appendix
B). In use, played or new cards to be shuffled or reshuffled are
loaded into the well 60 by moving the block 68 generally rearwardly
or removing it. Cards are placed into the well 60 generally
sideways, with the plane of the cards generally vertical, on one of
the long side edges of the cards (see FIGS. 5 and 12). The block 68
is released or replaced to urge the cards into an angular position
generally corresponding to the angle of the angled card contacting
face of the block, and into contact with the pick-up roller
assembly 150. As the cards are picked up, i.e., after the
separation of a card from the remainder of the group of cards in
the well 60 is started, a card is accelerated by the speed-up
system 160 and spit or moved through a horizontal opening between
the plates 180, 182 and into a randomly selected compartment 106.
Substantially simultaneously, movement of subsequent cards is
underway, with the rack assembly 28 position relative to the cards
being delivered by the transport mechanism 30 being selected and
timed by the microprocessor whereby selected cards are delivered
randomly to selected compartments until the cards in the well 60
are exhausted. In the unlikely event of a card jam during
operation, for example, if one of the sensors is blocked or if the
pusher hits or lodges against the rack assembly 28, the apparatus
21 may flow automatically or upon demand to a recovery routine
which might include reversal of one or more motors such as the
pick-up or speed-up motors, and/or repositioning of the rack
assembly 28 a small distance up or down.
[0138] Upon demand from the receiver sensor 222, or an input from
the dealer, the microprocessor randomly selects the compartment 106
to be unloaded, and energizes the motor which causes the pusher 190
to unload the cards in one compartment 106 into the second card
receiver 36. The pusher is triggered by the sensor 222 associated
with the second receiver 36. It should be appreciated that each
cycle or operational sequence of the machine 21 transfers all of
the cards placed in the well 60 each time, even if there are still
cards in some compartments 106. In one embodiment, the apparatus 21
is programmed to substantially constantly maintain a "buffer" (see
FIG. 12 wherein the buffer is depicted at "B") of a selected number
of cards, for example 20 cards, in the second receiver. A buffer of
more or less cards may be selected.
[0139] In operation, when sensor 74 detects cards present, the
entire stack of unshuffled cards in the card receiver 26 is
delivered one by one to the card receiving compartments 106. A
random number generator is utilized to select the compartment which
will receive each individual card. The microprocessor is programmed
to skip compartments that hold the maximum number of cards allowed
by the program. At any time during the distribution sequence, the
microprocessor can be instructed to activate the unloading
sequence. All compartments 106 are randomly selected.
[0140] It is to be understood that because cards are being fed into
and removed from the apparatus 21 on a fairly continuous basis,
that the number of cards delivered into each compartment 106 will
vary.
[0141] Preferably, the microprocessor is programmed to randomly
select the compartment 106 to be unloaded when more cards are
needed. Most preferably, the microprocessor is programmed to skip
compartments 106 having seven or fewer cards to maintain reasonable
shuffling speed.
[0142] It has been demonstrated that the apparatus of the present
invention provides a recurrance rate of at least 4.3%, a
significant improvement over known devices.
[0143] In one exemplary embodiment, the continuous card shuffling
apparatus 21 of the present invention may have the following
specifications or attributes which may be taken into account when
creating an operational program.
[0144] Machine Parameters--4 Deck Model:
[0145] 1. Number of compartments 106: variable between 13-19;
[0146] 2. Maximum number of cards/compartment: variable between
10-14;
[0147] 3. Initial number of cards in second card receiver:
20-24;
[0148] 4. Theoretical capacity of the compartments: 147-266 cards
(derived from the number of compartments x the preferred maximum
number of cards/compartment);
[0149] 5. Number of cards in the second card receiver 36 to trigger
unloading of a compartment: variable between 6-10;
[0150] 6. Delivery of cards from a compartment 106 is not tied to a
predetermined number of cards in a compartment (e.g., a compartment
does not have to contain 14 cards to be unloaded). The minimum
number of cards to be unloaded may range from between 4 to 7 cards
and it is preferred that no compartment 106 be completely full
(i.e., unable to receive additional cards) at any time.
[0151] In use, it is preferred that the apparatus 21 incorporates
features, likely associated with the microprocessor, for monitoring
and recording the number of cards in each group of cards being
moved into the second card receiver 36, the number of groups of
cards moved, and the total number of cards moved.
[0152] In one embodiment, taking into account the above set forth
apparatus attributes, the apparatus 21 may follow the following
sequence of operations:
[0153] Filling the machine with cards:
[0154] 1. The dealer loads the well 60 with washed, pre-shuffled or
unshuffled or unwashed cards;
[0155] 2. Upon actuation, the apparatus 21 randomly loads the
compartments 106 with cards from the well, one card at a time,
picking cards from the top of the cards in the well;
[0156] 3. When one of the compartments 106 receives a predetermined
number of cards, unload that compartment 106 into the second card
receiver 36;
[0157] 4. Continue with #2. No compartment loading during second
receiver loading.;
[0158] 5. When a second compartment 106 receives a predetermined
number of cards, unload that compartment 106 into the second card
receiver 36, behind cards already delivered to the second receiver
36;
[0159] 6. The dealer continues to load cards in the well 60 which
are randomly placed into the compartments 106; and
[0160] 7. Repeat this process until the initial number of cards in
receiver 36 has been delivered.
[0161] In another practice of the present invention, there are
three (or more or fewer) separate methods of filling the shoe. The
method may be preferably randomly selected each time the machine is
loaded. Step 3 (above) outlines one method. A second method is
described as follows: Prior to the beginning of the filling cycle,
a distinct number of compartments (e.g., four compartments) are
randomly selected, and as those compartments reach a minimum
plurality number of cards (e.g., six cards), those compartments
unload as they are filled to at least that minimum number. The
second method delays the initial loading of the shoe as compared to
the first method. In a third method, as cards are loaded into the
rack assembly, no cards unload until there are only a predetermined
plurality number (e.g., four) compartments remaining with a maximum
number (e.g., six or fewer) of cards. When this condition is met,
the shoe loads from the last plurality number (e.g., four) of
compartments as each compartment is filled with a minimum number
(e.g., six cards) of cards. This third member delays loading even
more as compared to the first and second methods.
[0162] Continuous Operation
[0163] 1 The dealer begins dealing;
[0164] 2. When the number of cards in the second card receiver 36
goes down to a predetermined number sensed by sensor 223, unload
one group of cards from one of the compartments 106 (randomly
selected); In another embodiment when the card count goes to zero
in the second receiver 36, the device verifies card count in the
compartments and waits for an input from the dealer to deliver the
next group of cards. If the card count is incorrect, no additional
cards are dealt.
[0165] 3. As cards are collected from the table, the dealer loads
cards into the receiver 60. These cards are then randomly loaded
into compartments 106. In case a compartment has received the
maximum number of cards allowed by the program, if selected to
receive another card, the program will skip that compartment and
randomly select another compartment; and
[0166] 4. Repeat #2 and #3 as play continues. It is preferable that
the ratio of cards out or in play to the total number of cards
available should be low, for example approximately 24:208.
[0167] Another concern in continuous shufflers is the fact that
there has been no ability to provide strong security evaluation in
the continuous shufflers, because of the very fact that the cards
are continuously being reshuffled, with cards present within and
without the shuffler. This offers an increased risk of cards being
added to the deck by players or being removed and held back by the
player. This is a particular concern in games where the player is
allowed to contact or pick up cards during play (e.g., in certain
poker-type games and certain formats for blackjack). The present
invention provides a particular system wherein the total number of
cards in play at the table may be verified with minimum game
interruption. In the case of dealing games such as card craps and
card roulette, the card count is verified prior to each card group
distribution. This system may be effected by a number of different
procedures, each of which is exemplary and is not intended to limit
the options or alternatives that may be used to effect the same or
similar results.
[0168] One method of effecting this method comprises a continuous
counting, analysis, reporting based on at least some (but not
necessarily all) the following information provided to the
microprocessor: the total initial number of cards provided to the
shuffler, the number of cards dealt to each player, the number of
cards dealt in a complete game, the number of cards dealt in a
round, the total number of cards dealt out since new cards were
introduced, the total number of cards returned to the shuffler, the
difference between the number of cards dealt out and the number of
cards returned to the shuffler, specific cards removed and
re-supplied to the shuffler, and the like. It must be noted that
continuous shufflers are intended to run with no total replacement
of the cards to be shuffled, except when the used decks are
replaced with new decks. As opposed to the more common batch
shufflers, where a specific number of decks are shuffled, the
shuffled decks are cut, the game is played with cards distributed
until the cut is reached, and then the decks are reinserted into
the shuffler for shuffling, the continuous shuffler maintains a
large stock of cards within the shuffler assembly, with cards used
in the play of a hand being reinserted into the assembly to be
combined with the stock of cards that are shuffled and added to the
shoe for distribution to the players. This creates the card
distribution pattern where the cards are ordinarily distributed
between various sections of a shuffler (e.g., a feeder, a
separation rack, a shoe, etc.), a manually stored portion of cards
on the table, including for example excess cards, discards, cards
used in part or in whole in the play of the hand, and cards held by
a player. This pattern makes it very difficult to maintain
surveillance of the cards and maintain security with respect to the
number or type of cards present on the table.
[0169] One type of continuous shuffler that is particularly useful
in the practice of the present invention comprises a shuffler with
a feeder zone, separation or shuffling zone (or "rack," depending
upon the design) and shoe zone. This shuffling zone could be any
type of shuffling zone or shuffling process, including those
constructions known in the art, wherein the novel feature of
keeping a card count of cards specifically within a specific zone
within the system is maintained. This is opposed to a construction
where cards are merely counted in a batch as they are initially fed
into a machine or into a zone. In this practice, for example, a
constant count of cards is maintained in the shuffling zone by
counting the cards inserted, the cards removed, and additional
cards inserted into the zone. The feeder zone is a section where
cards are inserted into the shuffling apparatus, usually stacked in
a collection of cards to be shuffled. The feeder zone is a storage
area in the shuffling device that stores unshuffled cards and
provides or feeds those cards into a shuffling function. The
shuffling or separation zone is a region within the shuffling or
card handling apparatus where unshuffled cards are randomly
distributed or separated into compartments or receiving areas to
form subsets of randomly distributed cards from the unshuffled
cards provided from the feeder zone. The shuffling zone could be
any region within the device that accomplishes randomization of the
cards while keeping track of the actual number of cards within the
zone. The shoe is the section of the shuffling apparatus where
shuffled cards are stored for delivery to a) players, b) the dealer
and/or to c) discard or excess piles. The shoe may receive limited
numbers of cards that are replenished (usually automatically) from
the separation area. The general operation of this type of system
would be as follows, with various exemplary, but non-limiting
options provided.
[0170] Cards are inserted into the feeder region of the shuffler. A
number of cards are fed, usually one at a time, into the shuffling
or separation zone (hereinafter referred to as the `shuffling
zone`). The number of cards may be all of the cards (e.g., 1, 2, 3,
4,5 or more decks depending upon the size of the apparatus and its
capacity) or less than all of the cards. The microprocessor (or a
networked computer) keeps track of the number of cards fed from the
feeder zone into the shuffling zone. The shuffling zone may
comprise, for example, a number of racks, vertical slots, vertical
compartments, elevator slots, carousel slots, carousel
compartments, or slots in another type of movable compartments
(movable with respect to the feeding mechanism from the feeder,
which could include a stationary separation department and a
movable feeder).
[0171] The shuffling zone can also include a completely different
style of randomization or shuffling process, such as the shuffling
processes shown in Sines U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,676,372 and 5,584,483.
Although the described apparatus is a batch-type shuffler, the
device could be easily modified to deliver cards continuously, with
a resupply of spent cards. The device, for example, could be
adapted so that whenever discards are placed in the infeed tray,
the cards are automatically fed into the shuffling chamber. The
programming could be modified to eject hands, cards or decks on
demand, rather than only shuffling multiple decks of cards.
[0172] In that type of apparatus, a stack of cards is placed up on
edge in the shuffling zone, with one group of card edges facing
upwardly, and the opposite edges supported by a horizontal surface
defining a portion of the shuffling chamber. The stack of cards is
supported on both sides, so that the group of cards is positioned
substantially vertically on edge.
[0173] A plurality of ejectors drive selected cards out of the
stack by striking an edge of a card, sending the card through a
passage and into a shuffled card container. Shuffling is
accomplished in one shuffling step. In this example, by equipping
the shuffler with a feed mechanism that is capable of counting each
card that is loaded, including the cards added into the stack
during operation, and counting each card ejected from the stack, it
is possible to keep track of the total number of cards within the
shuffling zone at any given time.
[0174] In another example of the present invention, the shuffling
chamber may be similar to that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,712
(Lorber et al.). That device shows a carousel-type shuffling
chamber having a plurality of radially disposed slots, each slot
adapted to receive a single card. A microprocessor keeps track of
the number of empty slots during operation (see column 7, lines
5-16).
[0175] In the example of a slot-type shuffling apparatus that
accepts more than one card per shelf or slot, the cards are
generally inserted into the particular type of compartments or
slots available within the system on a random basis, one card at a
time. This creates a series of segments or sub-sets of cards that
have been randomly inserted into the compartments or slots. These
sub-sets are stored until they are fed into the shoe. The number of
cards delivered from the shuffling zone into the shoe are also
counted. In this manner, a constant count of the number of cards in
the shuffling zone is maintained. At various times, either random
times or at set intervals or at the command of the microprocessor,
cards from the separation zone are directed into the shoe. The
microprocessor may signal the need for cards in the shoe by
counting the number of cards removed from the shoe (this includes
counting the number of cards inserted into the shoe and the number
of cards removed from the shoe, so that a count of cards in the
shoe may be maintained.
[0176] The process may then operate as follows. At all times
(continually), the microprocessor tracks the number of cards
present in the shuffling zone. The dealer or other floor personnel
activates the card verification process, halting the delivery of
cards from the shuffling zone to the shoe. All cards on the table
are then fed into the shuffling zone. The total cards in the
shuffling zone (e.g., within the rack of compartments or slots) is
determined. If there are cards in the shoe zone, those cards in the
shoe are placed into the feeder zone. The cards are fed from the
feeder zone into the shuffling zone. The total of cards 1)
originally in the shuffling zone area and 2) the cards added to the
feeder (and any cards already in the feeder that had not been sent
to the shuffling zone before discontinuance of the handling
distribution functions of the apparatus) and then fed into the
separation zone are totaled. That total is then compared to the
original number or programmed number of cards in the system. A
comparison identifies whether all cards remain within the system
and whether security has been violated.
[0177] The system may indicate a secure system (e.g., the correct
amount or number of cards) by a visual signal (e.g., LED or liquid
crystal readout, light bulb, flag, etc.) or audio signal.
Similarly, an insecure security condition (e.g., insufficient
number of cards or plethora of cards) could be indicated by a
different visual or audio signal, or could activate an unloading
sequence. If an insecure system notice is produced, there may be an
optional function of reopening the system, recounting the cards,
pausing and requiring an additional command prior to unloading,
allowing the dealer to add additional cards subsequently found
(e.g., retained at a player's position or in a discard pile), and
then recounting some or all of the cards.
[0178] Alternatively, the cards in the shoe may also be accurately
accounted for by the microprocessor. That is, the microprocessor in
the card-handling device of the present invention may count the
cards in the shuffling zone and the cards in the shoe zone. This
would necessitate that sensing be performed in at least two
locations (from the feeder into the shuffling zone and out of the
shoe) or more preferably in at least three locations (from the
feeder to the shuffling zone, from the shuffling zone to the shoe
zone, and cards removed from the shoe). Therefore, the cards may be
counted in at least three different ways within the apparatus and
provide the functionality of maintaining a count of at least some
of the cards secure within the system (that is, they cannot be
removed from the system either without the assistance of the
dealer, without triggering an unlock function within the system, or
without visually observable activity that would be observed by
players, the dealer, house security, or video observation).
[0179] For example, by counting and maintaining a count only within
the shuffling zone, there is no direct access to the counted cards
except by opening the device. By counting and maintaining a count
within only the shuffling zone and the shoe, there is no direct
access to the shuffling zone, and the cards may be removed from the
shoe only by the dealer, and the dealer would be under the
observation of the players, other casino workers, and video camera
observation.
[0180] The initiation of the count will cause a minor pause in the
game, but takes much less time then a shuffling operation,
including both a manual shuffling operation (e.g., up to five
minutes with a six deck shoe) and a mechanical shuffling operation
(1-4 minutes with a one to six deck shoe, which is usually
performed during the play of the game with other decks), with the
counting taking one minute or less. When the device is programmed
to maintain a continuous supply of cards in the shoe, the actual
initiation of the count must be done by the dealer or other
authorized personnel (e.g., within the house crew), although the
card handling apparatus may provide a warning (based on time since
the last count, the time of day, randomly, on a response to
instructions sent from a house's control center, or with other
programmed base) that a count should be performed. The count may be
initiated in a number of ways, depending upon where the count is
being performed. A starting point would always be providing an
initial total card count of all cards to be used with the shuffler.
This can be done by the machine actually counting all the cards at
the beginning of the game, by the dealer specifically entering a
number for the total number of cards from a keypad, or by
indicating a specific game that is defined by the number of cards
used in the game. The card verification process is preferably
repeated automatically whenever a card access point is opened
(i.e., a shoe cover or door is opened). The apparatus may also be
preprogrammed with a menu of card counts to be used with each type
of game for which the shuffler is to be used. For example, there
may be a program setting for each of a single deck, double deck,
four deck, five deck, six deck and eight deck blackjack, single
card set roulette, multiple card set roulette, single card set
craps, multiple card set craps, and the like. The dealer/croupier
would enter the game designation and the system would require a
specific number of cards associated with that designated game and
format.
[0181] When the device is programmed to provide a single game
outcome as in card craps or card roulette, for example, the device
automatically verifies the card count after the cards are returned
to the shuffler. The device will not deliver the next hand unless
the card count has been verified. In one example, shuffler
operations are aborted.
[0182] As an example, a situation will be analyzed where the dealer
decides that a count is to be made in the system where card count
is maintained in the shuffling zone only. The dealer enters or
presets a specific card count of 208 (two hundred and eight cards,
four decks) into the microprocessor for the shuffler by pressing
numbers on a keypad. The dealer will deactivate any function of the
machine that takes cards out of the shuffling zone. All cards on
the table and in the shoe will then be added to the feeder zone.
The cards will be automatically fed from the feeder zone into the
shuffling zone and as a security function, each counted as it
passes from the feeder zone to the shuffling zone. The count from
this security function (or card totaling of cards not stored in the
shuffling zone) will be added by the microprocessor to the running
or rolling shuffling zone card count to provide a total card count.
This total card count will then be compared to the preset
value.
[0183] In another embodiment, a four deck game of Spanish
Twenty-One.RTM. blackjack will be played. The dealer indicates the
game to be played, and the card handling device (shuffler)
indicates that 192 (one hundred and ninety-two, that is, 4.times.48
cards) cards will be used. After one hour, the shuffler indicates
that a count is required for security. The apparatus counts all
cards in the shuffling zone and the shoe. The dealer closes a panel
over the shoe to restrict access to the cards. The players' cards
from the last hand, any discards, and all other cards not in the
shuffling zone or shoe are then added to the feeder zone. The cards
in the feeder zone are then fed into the shuffling zone and counted
as the new card entry total. That new card entry total is added to
the rolling total for cards held within the combined shuffling zone
and shoe. If the total is 192, a green light (or other color, or
LED or liquid crystal display, or audio signal) will indicate that
the proper count was achieved. If the count is inaccurate, a number
of different procedures may be activated, after the card handling
device has appropriately indicated that there is a discrepancy
between the original or initial card count and the final card count
performed on command by the device. If the card count finds an
insufficiency (e.g., fewer than 192 cards), the device may pause
and the dealer and/or other casino employees will visually examine
the table to see if cards were inadvertently left out of the count.
The shuffler may also have the capability that it can abort a
shuffling procedure and require a reloading of cards. If cards are
found, the additional cards will be added to the feeder zone, an
additional count initiated, and that second count total added to
the initial final card count total. If the total still lacks
correspondence to the initial count, a further search may be made
or security called to investigate the absence of cards. If the
device is in a "pause" mode, the dealer may activaye an unloading
process or a recounting process. A complete separate count may be
made again by the machine and/or by hand to confirm the deficiency.
The indication of an excess of cards is a more definitive initial
indication of a security issue. After such an indication, security
would be called (either by floor personnel or by direct signal from
the microprocesser) and an immediate count (mechanical and/or
manual) of all the cards would be made. That issue would be
resolved by the recount indicating the correct number of cards or
an indication that an excess of cards actually exists.
[0184] The device can be constructed with not only a sensor or
sensors to count the cards, but also with a scanner or scanners
that can read data on the cards to indicate actual card ranks and
values. In this manner, particularly by reading the cards going
into the shoe and being removed from the shoe, and/or reading the
cards going into distinct compartments within the rack, the
shuffler may monitor the actual cards within the apparatus, not
merely the number of cards present. In this manner, as where a
jackpot is awarded and the cards must be verified, the card
handling device may quickly verify the presence of all cards by
number and rank within the decks. This can also be used to verify a
hand by identifying which cards are specifically absent from the
total of the cards originally inserted into the gaming apparatus.
For example, the player's hand with a jackpot winning hand is left
in front of the player. The apparatus is activated to count and
identify cards. If the apparatus indicates that A-K-Q-J-10 of
Hearts are missing from the count and the player has the A-K-Q-J-10
of Hearts in front of her/him, then the jackpot hand is verified
with respect to the security of the total of the playing cards.
This is ordinarily done manually and consumes a significant amount
of time.
[0185] The system of the present invention, in addition to allowing
a security check on the number of cards present in the collection
of decks, allows additional cards, such as promotional cards or
bonus cards, to be added to the regular playing cards, the total
number of cards allowable in play modified to the number of regular
playing cards plus additional (e.g., special) playing cards,
allowing the shuffler to be modified for a special deck or deck(s)
where there are fewer than normal cards (e.g., Spanish 21.RTM.
blackjack game), or otherwise modified at the direction of the
house. Therefore, the shuffler would not be limited to counting
security for only direct multiples of conventional 52 card playing
decks. The shuffler may be provided with specific selection
features wherein a game may be identified to the microprocessor and
the appropriate number of cards for that game shall become the
default security count for the game selected.
[0186] The present invention also describes a structural
improvement in the output shoe cover to prevent cards that are
already within the shoe from interfering with the delivery of
additional cards to the shoe. FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of
an output shoe 36 incorporating a gate 400 mounted for pivotal
movement about an axis 410. The gate is of sufficient size and
shape to retract and avoid obstruction of card way 206 when cards
are moving into output shoe 36. A leading edge of a group of cards
(not shown) contacts a first surface 412, moving gate 400 upwardly
and substantially in a direction shown by arrow 414.
[0187] Once the group of cards passes into the shoe as shown by the
position of the group of cards identified as B, the gate lowers by
means of gravity to a second position shown in phantom at 416,
blocking an opening to card way 206. With gate 400 in the lower
resting position shown at 416, the dealer cannot inadvertently push
cards B back into the card way 206 when removing cards from the
shoe 36. In this manner, the card way 206 is always capable of
passing another group of cards to the shoe 36, assuring a
continuous supply of cards.
[0188] A novel gravity feed/diverter system is described to reduce
the potential for jamming and greatly reduces the chance for
multiple cards being fed into the shuffling zone. In this feature,
two separate features are present between the feeder zone and the
separation zone as shown in FIG. 19, which is a side view of a new
feeder system with a novel design for a card separator that has the
potential for reducing jamming and reducing the potential for
multiple card feed when a single card is to be fed. The two
features shown are adjacent to the feed tray 10. The feed tray 10
angled (at other than horizontal) with respect to the horizontal
plane, but could also be substantially horizontal. The cards are
urged towards the features on a discriminating barrier 500 by a
pickoff roller 502. The pickoff roller 502 is shown here as driven
by a motor 504. The shape of the lower edge of the discriminating
barrier 500 is important because it discourages more than one card
at a time from passing from the feed tray 10 to the separation zone
506. In the event that two cards are accidentally moved at the same
time, the discriminating barrier 500, because of the height of a
lower edge 508, the barrier will allow only one card to pass
through, with the second (usually top most) card striking a braking
surface 510 within the discriminating barrier 500 and retarding its
forward movement.
[0189] The braking surfaces 510 are shown as two separate surfaces.
However, the braking surface 510 can be a single continuous surface
or more than two surfaces. It is important that a contact surface
be provided that inhibits forward movement of a card resting upon
another card. Since the friction between the two adjacent cards is
minimal, the contact surface does not need to include sharply
angled or substantially vertical surfaces to inhibit the forward
movement of the card.
[0190] Another aspect of the separator of the present invention is
the presence of a brake roller assembly 511. The assembly includes
a stationary top roller 512 and a driven roller 514. The spacing
between top roller 512 and bottom roller 514 is selected so that
only one card can pass through the barrier 500. Single cards
passing through roller assembly 511 pass through speed-up roller
assembly 516, and into the shuffling zone.
[0191] Upon failing to advance, the apparatus may be programmed to
treat the presence of the additional card (sensed by sensing
elements within the shuffler, not shown) as a jam or as the next
card to be advanced, without an additional card removed from the
feeder zone. Separating the cards to assure that only one card at a
time is fed is critical to obtaining accurate card counting and
verification (unless the counting system is sufficiently advanced
to enable distinguishing between the number of cards fed and
counting that number of cards).
[0192] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become more fully apparent and understood with reference to the
following specification and to the appended drawings and
claims.
Appendix A
Motors, Switches and Sensors
[0193]
1 Item Name Description 1 ICPS Input Card Present Sensor 2 RCPS
Rack Card Present Sensor 3 RHS Rack Home Switch 4 RPS Rack Position
Sensor 5 UHS Unloader Home Switch 6 DPS Door Present Switch 7 RUTS
Rack Unload Trigger Sensor 8 CIS Card In Sensor 9 COS Card Out
Sensor 10 GUS Gate Up Switch 11 GDS Gate Down Switch 12 SWRTS Shoe
Weight Release Trigger Sensor 13 SES Shoe Empty Sensor 14 SJS Shoe
Jam Sensor 15 SS Start Switch POM Pick-off Motor SUM Speed-up Motor
RM Rack Motor UM Unloader Motor SWM Shoe Weight Motor GM Gate Motor
SSV Scroll Switch - Vertical SSH Scroll Switch - Horizontal AL
Alarm Light Display Noritake * CU20025ECPB - UIJ Power
SupplyShindengen * ZB241R8, or ZB241R7K2, ZB241R7 or EOS
Corporation ZUC45TS24E or Qualtek Electric 862-06/002 or Delta
06AR1 Linear GuideTHK * RSR12ZMUU + 145 M, or 2RSR12Z MUU + 229I M
Comm. PortDigi * HR021 - ND Power SwitchDigi * SW 323 - ND Power
EntryBergquist * LT - 101 - 3P
Appendix B
Homing/Power-Up
[0194]
2 1. Unloader Home 2. Door Present 3. Gate Closed 4. Card Out
Sensor (COS) Clear 5. Rack Empty and Home 6. Input Shoe Empty 7.
Shoe Empty 8. Card in Sensor (CIS) Clear. 9. Shoe Jam Sensor
Clear
[0195] An extremely desirable feature of the shuffler of the
present invention is the system of monitoring and moving cards.
FIG. 20 identifies the sensor and motor locations for a preferred
embodiment of the invention.
[0196] Representative sensors are optical sensors with a light
emitter and receiver. An example of a suitable sensor is a model
number EE-SPY401 available from Omron of Schaumburg, Ill. The space
constraints and the specific function of each sensor described
below are factors to be considered when selecting a sensor.
Although optical sensors are described below, it is possible to use
other types of sensors such as proximity sensors, pressure sensors,
readers for information installed on the cards (e.g., magnetic
readers) and the like.
[0197] Sensor 600 is the dealing sensor. This sensor is capable of
generating a signal for every card removed from the shoe. The
signals are sent to the microprocessor, and are used to determine
when the dealer removes the cards.
[0198] Sensor 602 is the shoe empty sensor. This sensor generates a
signal when no cards are present in the shoe. The sensor generates
a signal that is sent to the microprocessor. This signal is
interpreted by the microprocessor in one example of the invention
as an instruction to deliver another group of cards to the shoe. In
another example, the signal is interpreted by the microprocessor as
an instruction to initiate a card count feature. The second example
would be particularly useful in games when the cards generate a
game outcome common to all players, such as the games of card craps
and card roulette. This sensor is a back-up sensor in the first
example, because the shoe is normally not empty. The sensor is used
primarily to verify that the shoe is empty when the machine is
initially loaded with cards.
[0199] Unloader trigger sensor 604 senses the amount of cards in
the shoe, and generates a signal when a predetermined minimum
number of cards are present in the shoe. The signal is sent to the
microprocessor, and the microprocessor interprets the signal as an
instruction to unload and deliver another group of cards into the
shoe. In one example, the trigger sensor 604 activates a random
number generator. The random number generator randomly selects a
number between zero and three. The selected number corresponds to
the number of additional cards to be dealt out of the shoe prior to
unloading the next group of cards. If the randomly selected number
is zero, the unloader immediately unloads the next group of
cards.
[0200] Unloader extended switch 606 generates a signal that is
indicative of the position of the unloader. When the unloader is in
the extended position, unloader extended switch 606 generates a
signal that is received by the microprocessor. The microprocessor
interprets the signal as instructions to halt forward movement of
the unloader, and reverse movement.
[0201] Staging switch 608 senses the position of the unloader. The
sensor 608 is positioned at a point along the card way 206. As a
group of cards reaches the sensor, the sensor sends a signal to the
microprocessor to stop forward movement of the unloader. A group of
cards is therefore staged in the card way 206. The microprocessor
also receives signals from sensor 600 so that the staged group of
cards is released while the dealer is removing cards from the shoe.
This assures that the cards in the shoe, if pushed backwards
initially, are traveling toward or resting against the exit of the
shoe during unloading. In another example of the invention, the
staging switch 608 unloads only when a signal from switch 600 is
interrupted.
[0202] Rack Emptying Sensor 610 indicates when a rack has been
unloaded. The sensor is functional only when the shoe cover is
open. This sensor functions during a process of emptying cards from
the machine. The microprocessor interprets the signal as
instructions to initiate the emptying or unloading of a rack. When
the signal is interrupted, the microprocessor instructs the rack to
align another compartment with the unloader.
[0203] Shoe Cover Switch 612 indicates the presence of the shoe
cover. When the signal is interrupted, the microprocessor halts
further shuffling. When the signal is reestablished, normal
shuffling functions resume upon reactivating the machine.
[0204] Door Present Switch 614 senses the presence of the door
covering the opening to the racks. When the signal is interrupted,
the microprocessor halts further shuffling. When the signal is
reestablished, normal shuffling functions resume upon reactivating
the machine.
[0205] Card Out Sensor 616 indicates when a card is passing into
the rack from the speed up rollers 516. The microprocessor must
receive the signal in order to continue to randomly select a
compartment or shelf and instruct the elevator motor 638 to move
the elevator to the next randomly selected position. If the signal
is interrupted, the microprocessor initiates a jam recovery
routine. To recover from a card jam, the elevator is moved up and
down a short distance. This motion almost always results in a
trailing edge of the jammed card making contact with the speed up
rollers 516. The speed up rollers then deliver the card into the
compartment. If the recovery is unsuccessful, the signal will
remain interrupted, operations will hault. An error signal will be
generated and displayed, and instructions for manually unjamming
the machine will preferably be displayed. The function of the Card
Out Sensor 161 is also critical to the card counting and
verification procedure described above, as the signal produces a
count of cards in each shelf in the rack.
[0206] Card In Sensor 618 is located on an infeed end of the
speed-up rollers 516 and is used both to monitor normal operation
and to provide information to the microprocessor useful in
recovering from a card feed jam. During normal operation, the
microprocessor interprets the generation of the signal from sensor
618, the interruption of that signal, the generation and
interruption of card out sensor 616, in sequence as a condition of
counting that card. If a card would travel in the reverse
direction, that card would not be counted. During the jam recovery
process, the interruption of the signal from sensor 618 tells the
microprocessor that a jam occurring in the speed up rollers 516 has
been cleared.
[0207] Card Separator Empty Sensor 620 monitors the progression of
the cards as the cards leave the brake roller assembly 511.
Although there is another card present sensor 626 as will be
described below in the input shoe 10, sensor 620 senses the
presence of the card before the signal generated by sensor 626 is
interrupted. Because the spacing between sensors 620, 626 is less
than a card length, the information sent to the microprocessor from
both sensors provides an indication of normal card movement.
[0208] Switch 622 is the main power switch. Upon activating the
switch, a signal is sent to the microprocessor to activate the
shuffling process. In one embodiment of the invention, upon
delivering power to the shuffler, a test circuit first tests the
voltage and phase of the power supply. A power adapter (not shown)
is provided, and the available power is converted to a D.C. power
supply for use by the shuffler.
[0209] Light 624 is an alarm light. The microprocessor activates
the alarm light whenever a fault condition exists. For example, if
the cover that closes off the mixing stack or the shoe cover is not
in place, the alarm light 624 would be illuminated. If the card
verification procedure is activated, and an incorrect number of
cards is counted, this would also cause light 624 to illuminate.
Other faults such as misdeals, card feed jams, card insertion jams,
card delivery jams, and the like are all possible triggering events
for the activation of alarm light 624.
[0210] Feeder Empty Sensor 626 is an optical sensor located on a
lower surface of the card receiving well 60. This sensor sends a
signal to the microprocessor. The microprocessor interprets the
signal as an indication that cards are present, and that the feed
system is to be activated. When the signal is interrupted,
indicating that no cards are in the well 60, the feed roller 502
stops delivering cards. In one embodiment, the lower driven roller
514 of brake roller assembly 511 runs continuously, while in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 19, the lower roller runs only when feed
roller 502 runs. Similarly, speed up rollers 516 can run
continuously or only when the feed roller 502 and brake roller 514
is being driven. In one example, the operation of rollers 514 and
502 is intermittent, while the operation of speed up rollers 516 is
continuous.
[0211] Referring back to FIG. 20, Enter Key 628 and Scroll Key 630
are both operator input keys. The Enter Key 628 is used to access a
menu, and to scroll down to a particular entry. The Scroll Key 630
permits the selection of a field to modify, and Enter Key 628 can
be used to input or modify the data. Examples of data to be
selected and or manipulated includes: the type of game being
played, the number of decks in the game, the number of cards in the
deck, the number of promotional cards, the total number of cards in
the machine, the table number, the pit number, and any other data
necessary to accomplish card verification. Enter Key 628 provides a
means of selecting from a menu of preprogrammed options, such as
the type of game to be played (such as blackjack, baccarat,
pontoon, etc.), the number of cards in the deck, the number of
promotional cards, the number of decks, etc. The menu could also
include other information of interest to the house such as the
date, the shift, the name of the dealer, etc. This information can
be tracked and stored by the microprocessor in associated memory,
and included in management reports, or in other communications to
the house.
[0212] A number of motors are used to drive the various rollers in
the feed assembly (shown in FIG. 19). Feed roller 502 is driven by
motor 504, via continuous resilient belt members 504B and 504C.
Brake roller driven roller 514 is also driven by motor 504 via
resilient continuous member 504B. In another embodiment, rollers
502 and 514 are driven by different motors. Speed up roller
assembly 516 is driven by motor 507, via resilient belt member
507B. Each of the motors is typically a stepper motor. An example
of a typical stepper motor used for this application is available
from Superior Electric of Bristol, Conn. by ordering part number
M041-47103.
[0213] Motor 636 drives the unloader 190 via continuous resilient
member 636B. The resilient member 636B turns pulley or pinion gear
637, causing lateral motion of unloader 190. Teeth of pinion gear
637 mesh with openings 194 in the unloader (see FIG. 8).
[0214] Rack motor 638 causes the rack assembly to translate along a
linear path. This path is preferably substantially vertical.
However, the rack could be positioned horizontally or at an angle
with respect to the horizontal. For example, it might be desirable
to position the rack so that it travels along a horizontal path to
reduce the overall height of the device. The shaft of motor 638
includes a pulley that contacts resilient member 82 (FIG. 12).
Resilient member is fixedly mounted to the rack assembly.
[0215] Unloader home switch 640 provides a signal to the
microprocessor indicating that the unloader 190 is in the home
position. The microprocessor uses this information to halt the
rearward movement of the unloader 190 and allow the unloader to
cease motion.
[0216] Rack home switch 642 provides a signal to the microprocessor
that the rack is in the lowermost or "home" position. The "home"
position in a preferred embodiment causes the feed assembly to come
into approximate vertical alignment with a top shelf or opening of
the rack. In another embodiment, the "home" position is not the
lowermost position of the rack.
[0217] Gate motor 644 drives the opening and closing of the gate.
Gate down switch 646 provides a signal to the microprocessor
indicating that the gate is in its lowermost position. Gate Up
Switch 648 provides a signal that the gate is in its uppermost
position. This information is used by the microprocessor to
determine whether the shuffling process should proceed, or should
be stopped. The microprocessor also controls the gate via motor 644
so that the gate is opened prior to unloading a group of cards.
[0218] In a preferred device of the present invention, the number
of cards in the rack assembly is monitored at all times while the
shuffler is in the dealing mode. The microprocessor monitors the
cards fed into and out of the rack assembly, and provides a visual
warning that the number or amount of cards in the rack assembly is
below a critical (predetermined, preset) number or level. When such
a card count warning is issued, the microprocessor stops delivering
cards to the shoe. When the cards are fed back into the machine and
the number of cards in the rack assembly rises to an acceptable
(preset or predetermined) level, the microprocessor resumes
unloading cards into the shoe. The number of cards is dependent
upon the game being dealt and the number of players present or
allowed. For example, in a multi-deck blackjack game using 208
cards (four decks), the minimum number of cards in the rack is
approximately 178. At this point, a signal is sent to the visual
display. When the number of cards drops to 158 (the preset number),
the microprocessor will stop delivery of cards to the shoe.
Limiting the number of cards outside the rack assembly maintains
the integrity of the random shuffling process.
[0219] The use of the card handling device of the present
invention, particularly with card reading capability in the card
handling device or as the card exits the card handling device
(e.g., in the exit port, a shoe, or on the table) enables
substantial modernization of the game. The designated card may be
read by the machine and displayed on a panel. The card may or may
not be physically used to confirm the roll count and form. In
addition, electronic display pads may be provided at each player
position, with credit counts maintained on the pads. The players
may enter their individual wagers on the pads, and the reading of
the card and signaling a central controller to resolve wagers based
on the electronically recorded wagers and the electronically read
roll would greatly speed up play. Payments in craps and roulette
can be fairly complex, with multiples and odds being provided that
are not 1:1 or even whole numbers to one. With electronic wagering,
card reading and electronic wager resolution, the game can be sped
up and greater accuracy given to awards and recognition of wagers.
Often times, wagers are thrown onto the table so close to the time
of release of the dice that there is a question of the placement of
the wager. In an electronic system, there could be no contest.
Either the wager was recorded and accepted by the microprocessor,
or the wager cannot be accepted or contested.
[0220] Although a description of preferred embodiments has been
presented, various changes including those mentioned above could be
made without deviating from the spirit of the present invention. It
is desired, therefore, that reference be made to the appended
claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the
scope of the invention.
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