U.S. patent application number 10/749966 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-07 for poker dealing device incorporated with digital recorder system.
Invention is credited to Tain, Liu Gui.
Application Number | 20050148391 10/749966 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34711172 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050148391 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tain, Liu Gui |
July 7, 2005 |
Poker dealing device incorporated with digital recorder system
Abstract
A poker dealing device includes a housing and a card reader. The
housing has a receiving cavity for receiving cards, and a
dispensing slot communicating with the receiving cavity for
allowing the cards to be dispensed therethrough in a one-by-one
manner. The card reader is provided at the dispensing slot at a
position out of the receiving cavity for reading a card value when
the card is dispensed out of the receiving cavity through the
dispensing slot. As a result, it is guaranteed that the card values
of the cards in the receiving cavity would be kept in a secrete
manner until the cards are dispensed out of the receiving cavity
through the dispensing slot.
Inventors: |
Tain, Liu Gui; (Los Angeles,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DAVID AND RAYMOND PATENT GROUP
1050 OAKDALE LANE
ARCADIA
CA
91006
US
|
Family ID: |
34711172 |
Appl. No.: |
10/749966 |
Filed: |
January 2, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/42 ;
273/149P |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2009/242 20130101;
A63F 1/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/042 ;
273/149.00P |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A poker dealing device for dispensing playing cards, each having
a face side and a card value provided thereon, wherein said poker
dealing device comprises: a housing having a receiving cavity for
receiving said playing cards, and a dispensing slot communicating
with said receiving cavity for allowing said playing cards to be
dispensed therethrough in a one-by-one manner; and a card reading
device comprising a card reader provided at said dispensing slot at
a position out of said receiving cavity for reading said card value
of said playing card at a time when said playing card is dispensed
out of said receiving cavity through said dispensing slot, so as to
guarantee said card values of said playing cards in said receiving
cavity in a secrete manner until said playing cards are dispensed
out of said receiving cavity through said dispensing slot.
2. The poker dealing device, as recited in claim 1, further
comprising a card indicator adapted for forming at said face side
of each of said playing cards to represent said card value thereof,
wherein said card indicator is positioned aligning with said card
reader such that said card reader reads said card indicator when
said respective playing card is dispensed out of said receiving
cavity through said dispensing slot.
3. The poker dealing device, as recited in claim 2, wherein said
card indicator comprises a barcode adapted for printing on said
face side of each of said playing cards to represent said card
valve thereof, wherein said card reader is an optical scanning
device reading said barcode of said card indicator on each of said
playing cards.
4. The poker dealing device, as recited in claim 2, wherein said
card indicator comprises a magnetic-sensitive layer adapted for
attaching on said face side of each of said playing cards to
represent said card valve thereof, wherein said card reader is a
magnetic-sensor reading said magnetic-sensitive layer of said card
indicator on each of said playing cards.
5. The poker dealing device, as recited in claim 1, wherein said
housing further comprising a divider inclinedly supported in said
receiving cavity to divide said receiving cavity into a circuit
chamber and a card chamber for receiving said playing cards
therein, wherein said card reading device further comprises an
electric circuitry supported within said circuit chamber to
electrically connect with said card reader for communicating with a
computerized device.
6. The poker dealing device, as recited in claim 3, wherein said
housing further comprising a divider inclinedly supported in said
receiving cavity to divide said receiving cavity into a circuit
chamber and a card chamber for receiving said playing cards
therein, wherein said card reading device further comprises an
electric circuitry supported within said circuit chamber to
electrically connect with said card reader for communicating with a
computerized device.
7. The poker dealing device, as recited in claim 5, wherein said
electric circuitry comprises a digital encoder encoding a card
signal read from said card reader in a digital form and a signal
transmitter electrically connected to said digital encoder for
transmitting said card signal to said computerized device.
8. The poker dealing device, as recited in claim 6, wherein said
electric circuitry comprises a digital encoder encoding a card
signal read from said card reader in a digital form and a signal
transmitter electrically connected to said digital encoder for
transmitting said card signal to said computerized device.
9. The poker dealing device, as recited in claim 7, wherein said
signal transmitter is an infrared transmitting device adapted for
sending said card signal as an infrared signal to said computerized
device, such that said signal transmitter functions as a wireless
communication link for wirelessly communicating said card reading
device with said computerized device.
10. The poker dealing device, as recited in claim 8, wherein said
signal transmitter is an infrared transmitting device adapted for
sending said card signal as an infrared signal to said computerized
device, such that said signal transmitter functions as a wireless
communication link for wirelessly communicating said card reading
device with said computerized device.
11. The poker dealing device, as recited in claim 7, wherein said
signal transmitter is a radio frequency transmitting device adapted
for sending said card signal as a radio frequency to said
computerized device, such that said signal transmitter functions as
a wireless communication link for wirelessly communicating said
card reading device with said computerized device.
12. The poker dealing device, as recited in claim 8, wherein said
signal transmitter is a radio frequency transmitting device adapted
for sending said card signal as a radio frequency to said
computerized device, such that said signal transmitter functions as
a wireless communication link for wirelessly communicating said
card reading device with said computerized device.
13. A card dealing system for management and regulation of a card
game incorporating with a plurality of playing cards each having a
face side and a card value provided thereon, wherein said card
dealing system comprises: a poker dealing device, comprising: a
housing having a receiving cavity for receiving said playing cards
and a dispensing slot communicating with said receiving cavity for
allowing said playing cards to be dispensed therethrough in a
one-by-one manner; and a card reading device comprising a card
reader provided at said dispensing slot at a position out of said
receiving cavity for reading said card value of said playing card
to generate a card signal at a time when said playing card is
dispensed out of said receiving cavity through said dispensing
slot, so as to guarantee said card values of said playing cards in
said receiving cavity in a secrete manner until said playing cards
are dispensed out of said receiving cavity through said dispensing
slot; a central management unit for generating a game record
regarding said playing cards that have been dealt in said card
game; and communication means for communicatively transmitting said
card signal from said card reading device to said central
management unit in such a manner that said game record is generated
at said central management unit based on said card signal read from
said card reader with respect to said playing cards dispensed from
said poker dealing device in said card game.
14. The card dealing system, as recited in claim 13, further
comprising a card indicator adapted for forming at said face side
of each of said playing cards to represent said card value thereof,
wherein said card indicator is positioned aligning with said card
reader such that said card reader reads said card indicator when
said respective playing card is dispensed out of said receiving
cavity through said dispensing slot.
15. The card dealing system, as recited in claim 13, wherein said
card reading device further comprises a digital encoder which is
supported within said receiving cavity and electrically connected
with said card reader to encode said card signal therefrom, and a
signal transmitter electrically connected to said digital encoder
to transmit said card signal to said central management unit
through said communication means.
16. The card dealing system, as recited in claim 15, wherein said
signal transmitter is an infrared transmitting device adapted to
sending said card signal as an infrared signal to said central
management unit, and said communication means comprises an infrared
receiver linked with said central management unit, such that said
signal transmitter functions as a wireless communication link
between said card reading device and said central management unit
through said infrared receiver.
17. The card dealing system, as recited in claim 15, wherein said
signal transmitter is a radio frequency transmitting device adapted
for sending said card signal as a radio frequency to said central
management unit, and said communication means comprises a radio
frequency receiver linked with said central management unit, such
that said signal transmitter functions as a wireless communication
link between said card reading device and said central management
unit through said radio frequency receiver.
18. The card dealing system, as recited in claim 16, wherein said
housing further comprising a divider inclinedly supported in said
receiving cavity to divide said receiving cavity into a circuit
chamber for said signal transmitter receiving therein and a card
chamber for receiving said playing cards therein.
19. The card dealing system, as recited in claim 17, wherein said
housing further comprising a divider inclinedly supported in said
receiving cavity to divide said receiving cavity into a circuit
chamber for said signal transmitter receiving therein and a card
chamber for receiving said playing cards therein.
20. The card dealing system, as recited in claim 13, wherein said
central management unit comprises a central processing unit
responsive to said card signal to generate said game record
regarding said card valves of said playing cards dispensed from
said poker dealing device and status of winning and losing and odds
for said card game.
21. The card dealing system, as recited in claim 15, wherein said
central management unit comprises a central processing unit
responsive to said card signal to generate said game record
regarding said card valves of said playing cards dispensed from
said poker dealing device and status of winning and losing and odds
for said card game.
22. The card dealing system, as recited in claim 20, wherein said
central management unit further comprises a result display
displaying said game record regarding said status of winning and
losing and odds after said card game is over.
23. The card dealing system, as recited in claim 21, wherein said
central management unit further comprises a result display
displaying said game record regarding said status of winning and
losing and odds after said card game is over.
24. The card dealing system, as recited in claim 13, further
comprising a poker table for hosting said card game, wherein said
poker table comprises a tabletop defining a betting area for
restricting a bet therewithin, and a bet senor disposed in
association with said betting area for detecting said bet therewith
to generate a bet signal representing a value of said bet, wherein
said bet signal is transmitted to said central management unit such
that said game record is generated at said central management unit
based on said bet signal corresponding to said card signal.
25. The card dealing system, as recited in claim 15, further
comprising a poker table for hosting said card game, wherein said
poker table comprises a tabletop defining a betting area for
restricting a bet therewithin, and a bet senor disposed in
association with said betting area for detecting said bet therewith
to generate a bet signal representing a value of said bet, wherein
said bet signal is transmitted to said central management unit such
that said game record is generated at said central management unit
based on said bet signal corresponding to said card signal.
26. The card dealing system, as recited in claim 21, further
comprising a poker table for hosting said card game, wherein said
poker table comprises a tabletop defining a betting area for
restricting a bet therewithin, and a bet senor disposed in
association with said betting area for detecting said bet therewith
to generate a bet signal representing a value of said bet, wherein
said bet signal is transmitted to said central management unit such
that said game record is generated at said central management unit
based on said bet signal corresponding to said card signal.
27. The card dealing system, as recited in claim 24, wherein said
bet sensor detects a weight of chips as said bet placed within said
betting area to generate said bet signal representing said value of
said chips.
28. The card dealing system, as recited in claim 25, wherein said
bet sensor detects a weight of chips as said bet placed within said
betting area to generate said bet signal representing said value of
said chips.
29. The card dealing system, as recited in claim 26, wherein said
bet sensor detects a weight of chips as said bet placed within said
betting area to generate said bet signal representing said value of
said chips.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention is related to a poker dealing device
for dispensing playing cards, and more particularly to a poker
dealing device capable of automatically reading the value of the
playing card that is being dispensed through a dispensing slot of
the poker dealing device for further processing for management
purposes.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Arts
[0004] Card games have a long history as an entertainment, and many
of them are potentially suitable for gambling. Poker, baccarat and
blackjack are among the most popular mean of gambling in casinos.
In spite of their own rules, they all based on a standard deck of
playing cards, which includes fifty-two cards separated into four
suits, clubs, spades, hearts and diamonds. The cards are ranked
from high to low in the order of Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8,
7, 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2. Sometimes, more than one deck of cards is used
for certain card games. According to the rules, the combination of
the plays cards determines who wins and who loses.
[0005] In a poker game, each player places an initial bet into the
pot before the cards are dealt. The dealer then deals the cards
face down around the table to the player for many times until each
player has five cards, i.e., a hand. In the course of dealing the
cards, the players decide to place bets or withdraw from the game
and the winner takes the pot. The values of hands are ranked from
high to low in the following order: Royal Flush, Straight Flush,
Four of a Kind, Full Hose, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two
Pair and One Pair. Royal Flush is composed of 10, Jack, Queen, King
and Ace in the same suit. Straight Flush is composed of five cards
in numerical order, all of the same suit. Four of a Kind is
composed of four cards of the same numerical rank and another
random card. Full House is composed of three cards having the same
numerical rank, and two remaining cards also having the same
numerical rank. Flush is composed of five cards of the same suit.
Straight is composed of five cards in numerical order, regardless
of their suits. Three of a Kind is composed of three cards of the
same numerical rank, and two random cards that are not a pair. Two
Pair is composed of two sets of pairs, and another random card. One
pair is composed of one pair and three random cards.
[0006] In a Blackjack game, all face cards have a value of 10. Aces
have a value of either 1 or 10, and other cards are worth their
face value. The dealer deals card to players until they are
satisfied. If the total value of the player's cards exceed 21, the
player "bust" and loses her bet. If the total value is higher than
that of the dealer, the player wins. If the total value is lower
than that of the dealer, the player loses. If the player has the
same total value as the dealer, it is a push. The dealer must draw
cards until she has at least 17 or higher. In other words, if the
dealer gets 16, she must draw another card.
[0007] The goal of Baccarat is to assemble a hand of two or three
cards with a point value as close to nine as possible. Usually, the
game is played by a banker and player. The banker deals two hands
of two cards each, face down. These hands are for the banker plus
the dealer's own hand. Other participants at the table may bet on
either hand or both to beat the banker's hand. If the player
declares "banco", it means they are betting the total value of the
bank's funds and all other bets are withdrawn.
[0008] All the abovementioned card games require extensive dealing
of cards and lengthened procedure of betting, in which some game
participants may be able to gain illegitimate advantages by
cheating. In order to make cheating more difficult, nowadays, most
casinos are using card dealing shoe to reduce the exposure of the
cards to the participant's hands. Traditionally, the card dealing
shoe is shaped as an elongated box having a cavity for receiving
cards. A chute is disposed in the cavity in a downhill manner and a
wedge is placed on the chute pushing the cards received therein
against a dispensing slot of card dealing shoe. The dealer slides
one card through the dispensing slot at one time and delivers the
dispensed card to the players and herself. Because the cards are
preserved in the cavity of card dealing shoe, they are protected
from tempering by the participants of the card game. Furthermore,
the card is dispensed in such a way the each card leaving the card
dispensing shoe has its face down on the table. In other words, no
one is able to learn the value the dispensed card by a quick
glance. Thus, the card dealing shoe reduces the risk of cheating in
a card game.
[0009] Although the card dealing shoe helps reduce cheating for
card games, it is not perfect. Some skillful people may be capable
of switching the dealt cards with prepared substitutes and
therefore acquires a better hand in violation of the game rules.
Sometimes, the cheating is even done by the dealer, who is usually
an employee of casino. For example, the dealer may conspire with a
player and intentionally commits certain technical faults in
dealing the cards. As a general practice, if a round of dealing of
cards is faulty, the players of the round can challenge it and may
be able to set aside the result of the round. The secret knowledge
that a technical fault is committed gives the player an
illegitimate advantage that she may be willing to place a big bet
because she knows that once she loses, she can challenge the round
and has a good chance to successfully set aside the result. These
are the forms of cheating that the traditional dealing shoe is not
capable of remedying.
[0010] A conventional solution to the aforementioned issues can be
found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,582,301 (hereinafter as "the '301 patent")
entitled as "System Including Card Game Dispensing Shoe With
Barrier And Scanner, And Enhanced Card Gaming Table Enabling Waging
By Remote Bettors." The patent discloses a game monitoring and
display device for a card game, which comprises a shoe including a
housing having an outlet slot, and a scanner disposed in the
housing to scan each card dispensed through the outlet slot and to
generate a scanner signal representative of identity of each
card.
[0011] Although the '301 patent provides a scanner to the card
dealing shoe to scan the cards and therefore allowing a player to
participate a card game remotely, it has some drawbacks. The
scanner is disposed in the housing of card dealing shoe, so that
there is a chance that the card received in the housing would be
scanned by the scanner, either accidentally or intentionally. The
dealer may have a chance to know the values of the cards before
they are dealt out of the card dealing shoe. As a result, there is
a light risk of cheating with the card dealing shoe. In order to
get the value of the cards, the scanner scans the image first to
generate image signals and some circuitry provided within the card
dealing shoe processes the image signals for recognition of the
values they represent. The image recognition process is
time-consuming and computing-resource-demanding. Further, it is not
unusual that the results of the image recognition would be
incorrect.
[0012] In addition to reducing the risk of cheating, the casino may
want to collect as much information as possible for card games.
Because a card game is basically gambling on probability, by
collecting the information the card game for analytical and
managerial purposes, the casino may be able to better understand
the profitability of the tables on which the card games are played.
The collected information also helps the casino to early identify
unusually happenings that may indicate managerial problems.
[0013] Thus, what is needed is an apparatus and system that is
capable of identifying the values of the card dealt in a card game
for further processing for management purposes and preventing
cheating.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0014] An objective of the present invention is to provide a poker
dealing device for dispensing playing cards, wherein the poker
dealing device is capable of automatically reading the value of the
playing card that is being dispensed through a dispensing slot of
the poker dealing device in order to prevent cheating in a card
game.
[0015] An another objective of the present invention is to provide
a poker dealing device for dispensing special playing cards having
card indicators representing the values of playing card, so as to
ease the recognition process for the playing cards when the playing
card is being dispensed through a dispensing slot of the poker
dealing device.
[0016] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
poker dealing device for dispensing playing cards, wherein the
poker dealing device is capable of automatically reading the value
of the playing card that is being dispensed through a dispensing
slot of the poker dealing device for further processing for
management purposes.
[0017] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a
poker dealing device for dispensing playing cards, wherein the
poker dealing device is capable of automatically reading the value
of the playing card that is being dispensed through a dispensing
slot and transmitting signals representing the values of the
playing cards dispensed to a remote location for further processing
for management purposes.
[0018] Another objective of the invention is to provide a card
dealing system comprising a central management unit in association
with the previously mentioned poker dealing device for recoding and
processing the values of the playing cards dispensed for prevention
of cheating and better management.
[0019] Another objective of the invention is to provide a card
dealing system comprising a poker table and card dealing system in
association with the previously mentioned poker dealing device for
determining the winners and losers and calculating odds and rewards
for each player in a card game.
[0020] Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above objects, the
present invention provides a poker dealing device for dispensing
playing cards, each having a face side and a card value provided
thereon, wherein the poker dealing device comprises:
[0021] a housing having a receiving cavity for receiving the
playing cards, and a dispensing slot communicating with the
receiving cavity for allowing the playing cards to be dispensed
therethrough in a one-by-one manner; and
[0022] a card reader provided at the dispensing slot at a position
out of the receiving cavity for reading the card value of said
playing card at a time when the playing card is dispensed out of
the receiving cavity through the dispensing slot, so as to
guarantee said card values of the playing cards in the receiving
cavity in a secrete manner until the playing cards are dispensed
out of the receiving cavity through the dispensing slot.
[0023] In addition, the present invention also discloses a card
dealing system for management and regulation of a card game,
comprising: the poker dealing device; a central management for
generating a game record regarding the playing cards that have been
dealt in the card game, and communication means for communicatively
transmitting the card signal from the card reading device to the
central management unit in such a manner that the game record is
generated at the central management unit based on the card signal
read from the card reader with respect to the playing cards
dispensed from the poker dealing device in the card game.
[0024] These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is an exemplary illustration of a card dealing system
comprising the poker dealing device, according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the card dealing
system that comprises a poker dealing device, central management
unit and poker table, according to the preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a top view of the poker dealing device according
to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a side view of the poker dealing device according
to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the poker dealing device
according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a top view of an exemplary poker table according
to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, a card dealing system 10 employed in a
casino for better managing and regulating a card game, according to
one preferred embodiment of the present invention. The card dealing
system 10 comprises a poker dealing device 20, a central management
unit 30, a computerized device, communication means 40 and a poker
table 50.
[0032] Accordingly, the card game is incorporated with at least a
deck of playing cards 202 each having a face side and a card value
provided thereon. Each deck of playing cards 202 includes four sets
of face cards and four sets of numerical value cards. Each set of
the face cards includes an Ace, a Jack card, a Queen card, and a
King card and each of said numerical value cards includes a 2 card,
a 3 card, a 4 card, a 5 card, a 6 card, a 7 card, a 8 card, and a 9
card. The four sets of numerical value cards and the four sets of
face cards of each deck can also be identified by different face
signs to include a SPADE group set, a HEART group set, a CLUB group
set, and a DIAMOND group set or other kinds of signs.
[0033] The poker dealing device 20 is capable of dispensing playing
cards to the participants, including the players and dealers, of
the card game. The participants sit around the poker table 50,
receive playing cards dealt from the dealer and place bets on the
poker table 50.
[0034] According to the preferred embodiment, the poker dealing
device 20 comprises a housing 201 having a receiving cavity 207 for
receiving the playing cards 202, and a dispensing slot 203
communicating with the receiving cavity 207 for allowing the
playing cards 202 to be dispensed therethrough in a one-by-one
manner.
[0035] The housing 201 further comprises a circuit chamber 209 and
a divider 204 inclinedly disposed in the receiving cavity 207 into
a card chamber 208 for receiving the playing cards 202 therein. A
wedge 205 having a sloped front side 210 is slidably placed on the
divider 204 behind the playing cards 202 with respect to the
dispensing slot 203. The gravity of the wedge 205 and slope of the
divider 204 pushes the playing cards 202 against the dispensing
slot 203, so as to allow the playing cards being dispensed through
the dispensing slot 203 in a one-by-one manner, as shown in FIGS. 3
and 4.
[0036] The poker dealing device 20 further comprises a card reading
device comprising a card reader 21 provided at the dispensing slot
203 at a position out of the receiving cavity 207 for reading the
card value of the playing card 202 at a time when the playing card
202 is dispensed out of the receiving cavity 207 through the
dispensing slot 203, so as to guarantee the card values of the
playing cards 202 in the receiving cavity 207 in a secrete manner
until the playing cards 202 are dispensed out of the receiving
cavity 207 through the dispensing slot 203.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 5, the card reader 21 is disposed out of
the receiving cavity 207 at the front line of dispensing slot 203,
wherein the card reader 21 is activated only when a playing card
202 moves thereacross. The playing cards 202 are dispensed with
their faces facing down. This arrangement allows the card reader 21
to read the playing card 202 that is dispensing through the
dispensing slot 203, and the playing cards 202 stored in the card
chamber 208 remains secret. As a result, the chance of cheating by
a dealer or casino personnel stealthily learns the values of cards
received in the receiving cavity 207 with the card reader 21. As an
alternative, the card reader 21' may be place at two front sides of
dispensing slot 203, wherein the card reader 21' is also activated
only when a playing card 202 moves thereacross.
[0038] The card reading device further comprises an electric
circuitry 206 supported within the circuit chamber 209 of the
housing 201 to electrically connect with the card reader 21 for
communicating with the computerized device. The electric circuitry
206 comprises a digital encoder 22 encoding a card signal read from
the card reader 21 in a digital form and a signal transmitter 24
electrically connected to the digital encoder 22 for transmitting
the card signal to the computerized device.
[0039] The arrangement of card reader 21 makes sure that only the
playing cards that have already been dealt would be read and
understood. Thus, there is no risk that the dealer would know the
values and suits of all playing cards stored in the card chamber
208 before they are dispensed, so that the public can be sure that
the dealer cannot cheat via the card reader 21. Moreover, the poker
dealing device 20 is so programmed that the card signals
representing the values of the playing cards that are already dealt
would not be transmitted until all the cards are dealt for a card
game when no one can gain illegitimate advantages by intercepting
the transmitted card signals. As a result, the disclosed poker
dealing device 20 is able to gain the public's faith in the
fairness of card games and eventually make a contribution to the
casino's success.
[0040] According to preferred embodiment, the card reader 21 is
used in association with a card indicator disposed in association
with the playing cards 202 for facilitating the card reading of the
card reader 21. The card indicator is adapted for forming at the
face side of each of the playing cards 202 to represent the card
value thereof, wherein the card indicator is positioned aligning
with the card reader 21 such that the card reader 21 reads the card
indicator when the respective playing card 202 is dispensed out of
the receiving cavity 207 through the dispensing slot 203.
[0041] Two solutions are provided for the card indicators.
According to one solution, the card indicators are embodied as a
set of barcode indicators, each of which represents the value and
suit of its respective playing card 202. The card indicator
comprises a barcode 210 adapted for printing on the face side of
each of the playing cards 202 to represent the card valve thereof,
wherein the card reader 21 is an optical scanning device reading
the barcode 210 of the card indicator on each of the playing cards
202.
[0042] Each barcode 210 is attached on the face side of its
respective playing card 202. When the playing card 202 moves across
the card reader 21, it projects a beam to the barcode 210 of the
card indicator and receives the reflection of the beam to generate
the analog card signal representing the value and suit of the
playing card 202.
[0043] According to another solution, the card reader 21
communicates with the card indicators by means of magnetic
communication, each of which represents the value and suit of its
respective playing card. The card indicator comprises a
magnetic-sensitive layer 211 adapted for attaching on the face side
of each of the playing cards 202 to represent the card valve
thereof, wherein the card reader 21 is a magnetic-sensor reading
the magnetic-sensitive layer 211 of the card indicator on each of
the playing cards 202.
[0044] Each magnetic-sensitive layer 211 is disposed between a face
layer and a back layer of its respective playing card. When the
playing card 202 moves across the card reader 21, it identifies the
value and suit represented by the magnetic-sensitive layer 211 to
generate the analog card signal representing the value and suit of
the playing card.
[0045] The card indicators ease the process of card reading by
avoiding excessive imaging processing. Otherwise, the card reader
21 would have had to catch the whole image data of playing card,
and analyze the image data to know what the value and suit of the
playing card are. Thus, the card indicators may save the processing
time to provide better real-time management, and reduce the
manufacturing cost. It is noted that, the card reader 21 can be any
traditional image sensor that detects the image of the playing
cards 202 to generate image signals for further processing of image
recognition.
[0046] The digital encoder 22 comprises an analog/digital converter
converting the analog card signal into the digital card signal for
purposes of quality of signal communication and ease of data
processing. The electric circuitry 206 further comprises an
amplifier 23 amplifying the digital card signal as an amplified
digital card signal that is more recognizable for a circuitry, and
therefore promoting the convenience of signal communication and
data processing. The amplified digital card signal has the
advantages of less susceptible to noise than an analog signal in
the course of signal communication, and compatible for calculation
of processors.
[0047] The signal transmitter 24 transmits the amplified digital
card signal to a remote location, where the central management unit
30 locates at the computerized device, for further data processing.
The transmission of the amplified digital card signal is in the
form of either infrared signal or radio frequency. It is noted that
the signal transmitter 24 may transmit the amplified digital card
signal by means of wire connection.
[0048] Accordingly, the signal transmitter 24 is an infrared
transmitting device adapted for sending the card signal as an
infrared signal to the computerized device, such that the signal
transmitter 24 functions as a wireless communication link for
wirelessly communicating the card reading device with the
computerized device.
[0049] Alternatively, the signal transmitter 24 is a radio
frequency transmitting device adapted for sending the card signal
as a radio frequency to the computerized device, such that the
signal transmitter 24 functions as a wireless communication link
for wirelessly communicating the card reading device with the
computerized device.
[0050] The communication means 40 is arranged for communicatively
transmitting the card signal from the card reading device to the
central management unit 30 in such a manner that a game record is
generated at the central management unit 30 based on the card
signal read from the card reader 21 with respect to the playing
cards 202 dispensed from the poker dealing device 20 in the card
game.
[0051] The communication means 40 comprises a signal receiver 41
receiving the card signal from the poker dealing device 20 wherein
the signal receiver 41 is linked to the central management unit 30
such that the card signal sent from the poker dealing device 20 is
sent to the central management unit 30 through the communication
means 40. In other words, the communication means 40 is capable of
receiving signals from the poker dealing device 20 and transmitting
the same to the central management unit 30 so as to extend the
communication range of the central management unit 30 and the poker
dealing device 20.
[0052] According to the preferred embodiment, the signal receiver
41 is affixed on the roof of a game room hosting the poker table 50
and poker dealing device 20, as shown in FIG. 1. The signal
receiver 41' can also be placed on the ground of the game room as
an alternative of the preferred embodiment.
[0053] Accordingly, the signal receiver 41 is embodied as an
infrared receiver linked with the central management unit 30, such
that the signal transmitter 24 functions as a wireless
communication link between the card reading device and the central
management unit 30 through the signal receiver 41 of the
communication means 40.
[0054] Alternatively, the signal receiver 41 is a radio frequency
receiver linked with the central management unit 30, such that the
signal transmitter 24 functions as a wireless communication link
between the card reading device and the central management unit 30
through the signal receiver 41 of the communication means 40. It is
worth to mention that the communication means 40 can be a set of
wires connecting the above-mentioned elements together instead of
wireless communication.
[0055] The central management unit 30 is arranged for generating
the game record regarding the playing cards 202 that have been
dealt in the card game. The central management unit 30 comprises a
signal receiving link 31, a central processing unit 32, data
storage medium 33, a result display 34 and a control panel 35. The
signal receiving link 31 receives the amplified digital data signal
transmitted from the signal transmitter 24 through the signal
receiver 41 of the communication means 40, and forwards the signal
to the central processing unit 32, which responds to the amplified
digital card signal to perform several functions. Accordingly, a
game rule is preloaded in the central processing unit 32 such that
the card signal is input into the central processing unit to
generate the game record regarding the playing cards 202 that have
been dealt in the card game.
[0056] The information related to the playing cards is recorded in
the data storage medium 23, wherein the records comprise the value
and suit of each playing card dealt from the poker dealing device
20, the order of card, the relationship of the card in association
with other cards for making up a hand for a particular round of
card game, and status of winning and losing for a round of card
game.
[0057] According to the preferred embodiment, the result display 34
displays the game record regarding the status of winning and losing
and odds after the round of card game is over. The result display
34, which is linked to the central processing unit 32, selectively
shows the records of information regarding the playing cards 202 on
a screen according to a predetermined program that is performed by
the central processing unit 32.
[0058] The control panel 35 receives input commands of handling the
records regarding the value and suit of each playing card dealt
from the poker dealing device 20, the order of card, the
relationship of the card in association with other cards for making
up a hand for a particular round of card game, and status of
winning and losing for a round of card game. Some input commands
may be converted into digital command signals, which are
transmitted by the signal receiving link 31 to a remote place where
the card game under the monitor of the central management unit 30
is going on, so that the dealer may take certain actions to improve
or remedy the card game according the input commands.
[0059] The association of the poker dealing device 20 with the
central management unit 30 provides certain advantages. Because the
value and suit of each playing card 202 that has been dispensed
from the poker dealing device 20 is known by the central management
unit 30, the chance of cheating by secretly switching the playing
card 202 is reduced. The records preserved in the data storage
medium 33 provides trusted history of every card games as a basis
for challenges by the players. This reduces the chance of cheating
that the dealer and players conspire to challenge the card games in
order to invalidate results of card games. Because the fairness of
card games is one of the most important factors contributing to
public's faith on the games, the present invention helps to build
up public's faith and therefore contributing to the success of a
casino that adopts the card dealing system.
[0060] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the poker table 50 comprises a
tabletop 502 having a top surface 506 for dealing the playing cards
202 and placing bets, and supporting member 501 for structurally
supporting the tabletop 506, wherein a plurality of betting areas
503 are provided on the tabletop 502 restricting a bet within one
of the betting areas 503.
[0061] Accordingly, the bet senor 51 detects the bets placed by
players and dealer to generate analog bet signals representing the
values of the placed bets, as shown in FIG. 2. In this preferred
embodiment, the bet sensor 51 detects the weight of chips wagered
to generate the analog bet signal representing the value of the
placed bet. It is noted that other solutions may be adopted for the
bet sensor 51 to detect the value of the placed bets. For example,
the bet sensor 51 may detect the magnetic or optical-sensitive
indicators provided for chips wagered to generate the analog bet
signal representing the value of the placed bet. In other words,
the of bet sensors 51 are disposed in association with the betting
areas 503 for detecting the placed bets to generate the bet signal
representing the values of placed bets. In addition, a concave
portion 504 is formed on the top surface 506 of tabletop 502 for
receiving chips, which may be implemented with optical-sensitive or
magnetic indicators for facilitating the bet sensors 51 to read the
values of placed bets.
[0062] As mentioned above, the bet sensors can simply be weight
sensors that detect the weight of the chips to determine the value
of the placed bets. A game display 55 is provided on the top
surface 506 of tabletop 502 for showing information generated by
the poker table 50 and received from the central management unit
30.
[0063] The poker table 50 further comprises a second digital
encoder 52, a signal processor 53, a control unit 54, game display
55, and a second signal transmitter 56.
[0064] The second digital encoder 52 is embodied as an
analog/digital converter converting the analog bet signal into a
digital bet signal for convenience of signal communication and data
processing. Accordingly, the second digital encoder 52 can be
embodied as the digital encoder 22 of the poker dealing device 20
such that the bet sensor 51 is electrically linked to the digital
encoder 22 of the poker dealing device 20 to encode the bet signal
into the digital form.
[0065] The signal processor 53 responds to the digital bet signal
to generate a bet management signal representing information that
includes status of winning and losing, odds, and rewards for the
placed bet. The game display 55 is adaptive to selectively display
the bet management signal, and the control unit 54 is adaptive to
receive input commands to direct the signal processor 53 in
handling the bet management signal. The second signal transmitter
56 is adaptive to transmit the bet management signal to and receive
a control signal from the central management unit 30 through the
communication means 40 so that the central management unit 30 and
dealer can communicate real-time in the course of the card
game.
[0066] For example, the central processing unit 32 of central
management unit 30 may include a program that calculates the odds
and monetary results for winning and losing parties of the card
games, and the calculated results may be transmitted from the
signal receiving link 31 to the second signal transmitter 56 and
displayed on the game display 55. Thus, the risk of miscalculating
of the odds and winning or losing results by the dealer would be
reduced. It is worth to mention that the second transmitter 56 can
be embodied as the signal transmitter 24 of the poker dealing
device 20 such that the bet senor 51 is electrically linked with
the signal transmitter 24 of the poker dealing device 20 to
transmit the bet signal to the central management unit 30 so as to
minimize the component of the present invention.
[0067] In view of the foregoing description, the disclosed poker
dealing device has the following advantages. First, the poker
dealing device is capable reading the value and suit of a play card
that is dispensing through its dispensing slot, so that a record
tracking the dealt playing card is therefore available. This
reduces the chance of cheating and promotes the public's faith on
the card games that adopt the disclosed poker dealing device.
Furthermore, the poker dealing device may be used in association
with a deck of special playing cards, wherein each playing card has
a card indicator representing its value and suit so as to ease the
processing of the recognition of cards. The central management unit
and poker table make enhanced managerial functions possible,
wherein the calculation of status of winning and losing, odds,
rewards and placed bets can be down accurately by the central
management unit and the related information can be provided to the
dealer immediately. Thus, the disclosed card dealing system greatly
helps the success of casinos' business.
[0068] One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment
of the present invention as shown in the drawings and described
above is exemplary only and not intended to be limiting.
[0069] It will thus be seen that the objects of the present
invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It
embodiments have been shown and described for the purposes of
illustrating the functional and structural principles of the
present invention and is subject to change without departure from
such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all
modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the
following claims.
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