U.S. patent application number 10/285973 was filed with the patent office on 2003-03-20 for device and method for continuously shuffling and monitoring cards.
Invention is credited to Bourbour, Feraidoon, Grauzer, Attila, Helgesen, James Phillip, Nelson, Troy D., Rynda, Robert J., Scheper, Paul K., Stasson, James Bernard, Swanson, Ronald R..
Application Number | 20030052449 10/285973 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32074428 |
Filed Date | 2003-03-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030052449 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grauzer, Attila ; et
al. |
March 20, 2003 |
Device and method for continuously shuffling and monitoring
cards
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.
Inventors: |
Grauzer, Attila; (Las Vegas,
NV) ; Bourbour, Feraidoon; (Minneapolis, MN) ;
Helgesen, James Phillip; (Eden Prairie, 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 W. 76th St.
Edina
MN
55435
US
|
Family ID: |
32074428 |
Appl. No.: |
10/285973 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10285973 |
Oct 31, 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: |
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 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 wherein the system maintains a count of
cards in the card-receiving stacks.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the system maintains a count of
the total number ofcards within the stack of card receiving
compartments and the second card receiver.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second
card moving means for emptying the compartments into the second
card receiver.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a card
present sensor operably coupled to the second card receiver.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein cards are moved from
the compartments into the second card receiver in response to a
reading from the card present sensor.
8. A card handler comprising: 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.
9. The card handler of claim 8 wherein the counting system counts
cards entering and leaving the plurality of card-receiving
compartments.
10. The card handler of claim 8 wherein a card moving system is
present to move cards from the plurality of card-receiving
compartments to a second card receiving area.
11. The card handler of claim 8 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.
12. The card handler of claim 11 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.
13. The card handler according to claim 12, further comprising
inputs operably coupled to the microprocessor for inputting
information into the microprocessor.
14. A playing card handler comprising: 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.
15. The apparatus according to claim 14, 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.
16. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the microprocessor
monitors, records and controls a display for the use of the
apparatus.
17. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising at least one
sensor for monitoring the movement of cards.
18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the data storage
medium is further configured to cause the processing unit to detect
a card jam.
19. 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.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein cards are counted within the
stack of card-receiving compartments.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein cards are counted within the
stack of card-receiving compartments and the second card receiving
area.
22. 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.
23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising using the
microprocessor to designate each card and select a compartment for
receiving each designated card.
24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the designation and
selection is performed before card moving operations begin.
25. A device for delivering shuffled cards comprising: 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.
26. The method according to claim 25, wherein between seventeen and
nineteen compartments are provided.
27. The method according to claim 25, wherein the group of cards
comprises one or more decks of cards selected from the group
consisting of a standard 52 card deck, a standard deck with one or
more wild cards, a standard deck with one or more jokers, a special
deck and a partial deck.
28. The method according to claim 25, wherein every card in the
group is assigned to a compartment before the first card is
delivered.
29. A method of performing a security check on a card handling
system used at a gaming table comprising: 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; 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.
30. The method of claim 29 wherein a total 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.
31. The method of claim 30 wherein the final count of cards is
compared to the total number of cards identified to the
microprocessor prior to starting play of the game.
32. The method of claim 31 wherein only cards within the stack of
card-receiving compartments are counted. The method of claim 31
wherein cards are counted within the stack of card-receiving
compartments and the second card receiving area.
33. A card shuffling apparatus capable of delivering a continuous
supply of shuffled cards on demand, the apparatus comprising: 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.
34. The apparatus of claim 33 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.
35. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the shuffling chamber
comprises a plurality of mixing compartments, wherein the mixing
compartments move relative to the card feeding mechanism.
36. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the mechanism for providing
access to a continuous supply of cards comprises a shoe.
37. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the indication of card count
status comprises a card count.
38. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the indication of card count
status comprises an error signal.
39. A method of performing a security check on an automatic card
handling system comprising: providing a card shuffling chamber;
providing a feed mechanism for delivering cards to the card
shuffling chamber; providing an unloading mechanism for removing
cards from the shuffling chamber; maintaining a current count of
cards in the card shuffling chamber; halting the card shuffling
process; loading all cards outside of the shuffling chamber into
the shuffling chamber; counting cards loaded into the shuffling
chamber after halting the shuffling process; and displaying a sum
of the number of cards present in the shuffling chamber prior to
halting and the cards loaded into the shuffling chamber after
halting.
40. An apparatus for continuously shuffling playing cards, said
apparatus comprising: 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.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is 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,
including cards known as "playing cards." In particular, it relates
to an electromechanical machine for continuously shuffling playing
cards, whereby a dealer has a substantially continuously readily
available supply of shuffled cards for dealing 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. Nos. 5,584,483 and 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
clevatable 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 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
facilitate the casino play of card games.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0026] The present invention provides an electromechanical card
handling apparatus and method for continuously shuffling cards. 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. While the card handling
apparatus and method of the present invention is well suited for
use in the gaming environment, particularly in casinos, the
apparatus and method may find use in handling or sorting sheet
material generally.
[0027] 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.
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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. 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.
[0030] 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.
[0031] The present invention may include jammed card detection and
recovery features, and may include recovery procedures operated and
controlled by the microprocessor.
[0032] 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.
[0033] An additional advantage of the card handling apparatus of
the present invention is that it facilitates and speeds the play of
casino wagering games, particularly those games wherein multiple
decks of cards are used in popular, rapidly played games (such as
twenty-one or blackjack), making the games more exciting for
players.
[0034] 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. 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
dcaler's demand or automatically, by the apparatus from that
compartment to a card receiving shoe for the dealer to distribute
to a player.
[0035] 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 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, a compartment at a time,
as the need for cards is sensed by the apparatus. Thus, instead of
stopping play to shuffle or reshuffle cards, a dealer always has
shuffled cards available for distribution to players.
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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 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 counted with minimum game
interruption.
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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.
[0040] 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.
[0041] 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
[0042] 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.
[0043] FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partially broken away,
depicting the rear of the apparatus of the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the card handling
apparatus of the present invention with portions of the exterior
shroud removed.
[0045] 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.
[0046] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view, largely representational,
of the transport mechanism and rack assembly of the apparatus of
the present invention.
[0047] 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.
[0048] FIG. 6 is an exploded assembly view of the transport
mechanism shown in FIG. 5.
[0049] FIG. 7 is a top plan view, partially in section, of the
transport mechanism.
[0050] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the pusher
assembly of the present invention.
[0051] FIG. 8a is a perspective view of a pusher assembly of the
present invention.
[0052] FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the rack and elevator
assembly.
[0053] FIG. 10 is an exploded assembly view of one embodiment of a
portion of the rack and elevator assembly.
[0054] FIG. 11 depicts an alternative embodiment of the shelves or
partitions for forming the stack of compartments of the present
invention.
[0055] FIG. 12 is a simplified side elevation view, largely
representational, of the card handler of the present invention.
[0056] 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.
[0057] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of an electrical control
system for one embodiment of the present invention.
[0058] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of the electrical control
system.
[0059] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of an electrical control
system with an optically-isolated bus.
[0060] FIG. 17 is a detailed schematic diagram of a portion of FIG.
16.
[0061] 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.
[0062] 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.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0063] 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.
[0064] 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.
[0065] 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.
[0066] 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 and incorporated
herein by reference.
[0067] 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.
[0068] 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.
[0069] 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.
[0070] 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.
[0071] In addition, the present invention generically and
specifically a card handler or shuffling device comprising:
[0072] a card staging area for receiving cards to be handled;
[0073] a plurality of card-receiving compartments, the card staging
area (and a card mover) and the compartments are relatively
movable;
[0074] a card mover generally between the staging area and the
compartments for moving a card from the staging area into one of
the compartments;
[0075] 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;
[0076] a drive system responsive to the microprocessor for
relatively moving the compartments; and
[0077] a counting system for counting cards within specified areas
within the card handler.
[0078] 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).
[0079] 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.
[0080] A playing card handler according to the present invention
may also comprise:
[0081] a stack of compartments for accumulating cards in at least
one compartment;
[0082] 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;
[0083] 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;
[0084] card moving means responsive to output signals from the
microprocessor for moving between the staging area and the stack of
mixing compartments;
[0085] a card mover for moving cards from the compartments to a
second card receiver; and
[0086] the microprocessor performing as a counting system for
counting cards within specified areas within the card handler.
[0087] 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 random 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.
[0088] A method according to the present invention for
substantially continuously replenishing a group of processed cards
may comprise:
[0089] providing a card receiver for receiving cards to be
processed;
[0090] 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;
[0091] providing a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver
and the stack for moving cards from the card receiver to the
card-receiving compartments;
[0092] providing a second card receiver for receiving processed
cards;
[0093] providing a second card moving mechanism for moving cards
from the compartments to the second card receiver; and
[0094] counting cards within specified areas within the card
handler.
[0095] Card Receiver
[0096] 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 forward most 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.
[0097] Card Receiving Compartments
[0098] 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.
[0099] 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.
[0100] 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 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.
[0101] 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.
[0102] 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.
[0103] Card Moving Mechanism
[0104] 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.
[0105] 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.
[0106] 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.
[0107] 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.
[0108] 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.
[0109] Processing/Control Unit
[0110] 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.
[0111] 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.
[0112] 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.
[0113] 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.
[0114] 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.
[0115] The series of instructions stored in the controller 360 is
shown in FIG. 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.
[0116] 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.
[0117] Second Card Moving Mechanism
[0118] 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.
[0119] Second Card Receiver
[0120] 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.
[0121] 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.
[0122] 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.
[0123] 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.
[0124] 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 coveI 209 may be formed as a unit, or as
separable individual pieces for facilitating access to the inside
of the second receiver 36.
[0125] 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.
[0126] Operation/Use
[0127] 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-tip
system 160 and spit or moved through a horizontal opening between
the plates 180, 182 and into a 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 tip or down.
[0128] Upon demand from the receiver sensor 222, 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.
[0129] 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.
[0130] 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.
[0131] 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.
[0132] 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.
[0133] 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.
[0134] Machine Parameters--4 Deck Model:
[0135] 1. Number of compartments 106: variable between 13-19;
[0136] 2. Maximum number of cards/compartment: variable between
10-14;
[0137] 3. Initial number of cards in second card receiver:
20-24;
[0138] 4. Theoretical capacity of the compartments: 147-266 cards
(derived from the number of compartments.times.the preferred
maximum number of cards/compartment);
[0139] 5. Number of cards in the second card receiver 36 to trigger
unloading of a compartment: variable between 6-10;
[0140] 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.
[0141] 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.
[0142] In one embodiment, taking into account the above set forth
apparatus attributes, the apparatus 21 may follow the following
sequence of operations:
[0143] Filling the machine with cards:
[0144] 1. The dealer loads the well 60 with pre-shuffled cards;
[0145] 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;
[0146] 3. When one of the compartments 106 receives a predetermined
number of cards, unload that compartment 106 into the second card
receiver 36;
[0147] 4. Continue with #2. No compartment loading during second
receiver loading.;
[0148] 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;
[0149] 6. The dealer continues to load cards in the well 60 which
are randomly placed into the compartments 106; and
[0150] 7. Repeat this process until the initial number of cards in
receiver 36 has been delivered.
[0151] 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.
[0152] Continuous Operation
[0153] 1 The dealer begins dealing;
[0154] 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);
[0155] 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
[0156] 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.
[0157] Another concern in continuous shuffle-s 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. 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.
[0158] 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.
[0159] 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.
[0160] 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).
[0161] 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.
[0162] 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.
[0163] 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.
[0164] 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
he number of or empty slots during operation (see column 7, lines
5-16).
[0165] 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.
[0166] 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.
[0167] 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.
[0168] 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).
[0169] 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.
[0170] 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. 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).
[0171] 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 will be
deactivated. 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.
[0172] 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 activayc 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 microprocessor) 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.
[0173] 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.
[0174] 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.
[0175] 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.
[0176] 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.
[0177] 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.
[0178] 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.
[0179] 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.
[0180] 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).
[0181] 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.
[0182] 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.
[0183] 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.
[0184] 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.
[0185] 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 as an instruction to deliver
another group of cards to the shoe. This sensor is a back-up
sensor, 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.
[0186] 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.
[0187] 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.
[0188] 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.
[0189] 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.
[0190] 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.
[0191] 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.
[0192] 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.
[0193] 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.
[0194] 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.
[0195] 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.
[0196] 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.
[0197] 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.
[0198] 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.
[0199] 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, Connecticut by ordering part
number M041-47103.
[0200] 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).
[0201] 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.
[0202] 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.
[0203] 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.
[0204] 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.
[0205] 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 microporcessor 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 minimuj number of ards 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.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.
* * * * *