U.S. patent application number 12/685559 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-26 for automatic card shuffler with spaced roller pair.
Invention is credited to Kenneth R. Dickinson, Lynn Hessing.
Application Number | 20100213668 12/685559 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41479435 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100213668 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dickinson; Kenneth R. ; et
al. |
August 26, 2010 |
Automatic Card Shuffler with spaced roller pair
Abstract
An automatic card shuffler includes a card input unit, card
ejection unit, card separation and delivery unit and card
collection unit. A card ejection unit ejects cards in a singular
fashion from a stack of cards placed into the input unit. The
ejected cards are passed through a dynamic de-doubler that prevents
more than a pre-established number of cards from passing through.
The dynamic de-doubler is able to shift positions to accommodate
card that are bent, impacted by environmental conditions and
otherwise worn. The cards are ejected to a stop arm maintaining the
entrance to the card separation unit. Upon processor command, the
stop arm raises to allow a plurality of cards to pass under to the
card separation and delivery unit. A series of rotating belts and
rollers act to separate the cards and propel them individually to
the collection unit. A floating gate slightly forward of the stop
arm dictates that a minimum number of cards are managed
simultaneously. The shuffler is controlled by a processing unit in
communication with multiple internal sensors.
Inventors: |
Dickinson; Kenneth R.; (Las
Vegas, NV) ; Hessing; Lynn; (Boise, ID) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mark A> Litman and Associates, P.A.;York Business Center
3209 w. 76th Street, Suite 205
Edina
MN
55435
US
|
Family ID: |
41479435 |
Appl. No.: |
12/685559 |
Filed: |
January 11, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11457119 |
Jul 12, 2006 |
7644923 |
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12685559 |
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10887062 |
Jul 8, 2004 |
7461843 |
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11457119 |
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10757785 |
Jan 14, 2004 |
6959925 |
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10887062 |
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10226394 |
Aug 23, 2002 |
6698756 |
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10757785 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/149R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 1/10 20130101; A63F
1/12 20130101; A63F 1/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/149.R |
International
Class: |
A63F 1/14 20060101
A63F001/14 |
Claims
1-16. (canceled)
17. A method of moving cards and simultaneously preventing damage
to the cards, comprising: positioning a group of cards in a stack,
a face of each card being positioned substantially horizontally;
advancing a card from the stack in a direction parallel to each
card face; providing a pair of opposing, spaced apart substantially
vertical rollers, adjacent two opposite sides of the moving card,
the rollers rotating in opposite directions to maintain an
alignment of cards in the stack and prevent card damage during card
moving.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the rollers are counter-rotated
by means of a belt driven motor.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the rollers are counter-rotated
by means of idler pulleys
20. The method of claim 17, wherein cards are advanced by means of
an ejector.
21. The method of claim 17, wherein a spacing between the vertical
rollers is adjustable.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein a spacing is adjusted by means
of a linkage member.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein a spacing is adjusted by means
of an eccentric sleeve.
24. The method of claim 17, wherein the rollers contact two
opposite edges of the card perpendicular to a direction of movement
of the card during advancing.
25. An apparatus for moving cards from a stack, comprising: a
support surface for supporting a stack of cards; a card mover for
moving individual cards from the stack in a direction parallel to
the support surface; a pair of spaced apart card rollers, each
roller positioned such that two opposite sides of a card being
moved contacts the rollers during card movement; and wherein the
spaced apart card rollers are located at an exit end of the card
support surface.
26. The device of claim 25, wherein the card support surface is
moveable by means of a motor driven drive mechanism.
27. The device of claim 25, wherein the card mover comprises at
least one ejector.
28. The device of claim 27, wherein each ejector is solenoid
driven.
29. The device of claim 25, wherein the support surface is
substantially horizontal and the card rollers have axes that are
substantially vertically disposed.
30. The device of claim 29, wherein the card rollers are moveable
to account for different card sizes.
31. The device of claim 29, wherein the card rollers rotate in
opposite directions.
32. The device of claim 29, wherein the card rollers rotate in
directions that maintain a directional alignment of a card being
moved.
33. The device of claim 28, wherein three ejectors are
provided.
34. The device of claim 33, wherein each ejector fires separately.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 10/887,062 filed Jul. 8, 2004, which is a
continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/757,785 filed Jan.
14, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,959,925, which is a
continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/226,394 filed Aug.
23, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,756.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to devices for shuffling
playing cards for facilitating the play of casino wagering games.
More particularly, an electronically controlled card shuffling
apparatus includes a card input unit for receipt of an unshuffled
stack of playing cards, a card ejection unit, a card separation and
delivery unit and a collector unit for receipt of shuffled
cards.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Automatic card shuffling machines were first introduced by
casinos approximately ten years ago. Since then, the machines have,
for all intents and purposes, replaced manual card shuffling. To
date, most automatic shuffling machines have been adapted to
shuffle one or more decks of standard playing cards for use in the
game of blackjack. However, as the popularity of legalized gambling
has increased, so too has the demand for new table games utilizing
standard playing cards. As a result, automatic shuffling machines
have been designed to now automatically "deal" hands of cards once
the cards have been sufficiently rearranged.
[0004] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,411 ("the '411 patent") to
Breeding and assigned to Shuffle Master, Inc., describes an
automatic shuffling and dealing machine. The '411 patent describes
an automatic method of interleaving cards as traditionally done in
a manual fashion. Once interleaved, the entire stack of shuffled
cards is positioned above a roller that removes and expels a
predetermined number of cards from the bottom of the stack to a
card shoe. Once the predetermined number of expelled cards are
removed from the shoe by a dealer, a second set of cards is removed
and expelled. This is repeated until the dealer has dealt each
player his or her cards and has instructed (e.g. pressed a button
on the shuffler) the shuffling machine to expel the remaining cards
of the stack.
[0005] The '411 patent and related shufflers, having a dealing
means, suffer from the same shortcomings--slowness, misdeals and
failure. However, the machines currently marketed are still favored
over manual card shuffling. On the other hand, since casino revenue
is directly proportional to the number of plays of each wagering
game on its floor, casinos desire and, in fact, demand that
automatic card shufflers work quickly, reliably and
efficiently.
[0006] Accordingly, the present invention utilizes a proprietary
random card ejection technique in combination with a novel card
separation and delivery unit to overcome the aforementioned
shortcomings. The present invention uses random ejection technology
to dispense individual cards from a card input unit to a card
separation and delivery unit of the shuffler. A card stop arm and
floating gate control the number of ejected cards that may, at any
one time, travel to the card separation and delivery unit. The
ejected cards are then separated by a feed roller system which
propels the cards to a collection unit. Once a predetermined number
of cards are propelled to the collection unit, additional cards are
ejected from the card input unit. A shuffler processing unit in
communication with internal sensors controls the operation of the
shuffler.
[0007] An audio system is adapted to communicate internal shuffler
problems and shuffler instructions to an operator. Preferably, the
audio system is controlled by the shuffler processing unit in
communication with a second local processing unit.
SUMMARY
[0008] While the objects of the present invention are too numerous
to list, several objects are listed herein for reference.
[0009] A principal object of the present invention is to provide a
reliable and quick card shuffler for poker style card games.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide
operators with audio outputs of the shuffler=s status during
use.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide
operators with audio outputs of shuffler instructions during
shuffler use.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to utilize random
ejection technology in a shuffler having a means for delivering
card hands.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
shuffler having a card delivery means that infrequently, if ever,
misdeals (e.g. deal four cards instead of three) or jams.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to decrease the
time wasted between deals of any card-based table game.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
shuffler eliminating the need to shuffle an entire deck of cards
for each play of the underlying game.
[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
shuffler having means for accepting and delivering cards of
multiple sizes.
[0017] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
shuffler that can deliver card hands of multiple size (e.g. card
hands of two to seven cards).
[0018] Other objects will become evident as the present invention
is described in detail below.
[0019] The objects of the present invention are achieved by a
shuffler having a card input unit for receipt of unshuffled stacks
of playing cards, a card ejection unit, a card separation and
delivery unit, a delivery unit and a collection unit for receipt of
shuffled cards.
[0020] The card input unit is positioned at the rear of the
shuffler and adjacent to three card ejectors that randomly push
single cards from the unshuffled stack of cards. The input unit is
mounted on an output shaft of a linear stepper motor in
communication with a shuffler microprocessor. The stepper motor
randomly positions a tray of the card input unit with respect to
the fixed card ejectors. Each ejector is then activated in a random
order such that three cards are ejected from the deck. Once the
three cards are ejected, the card input tray is randomly
re-positioned, and the three ejectors are once again activated.
This process continues until the necessary number of cards for two
hands of the underlying game is ejected. The movement of the
ejected cards is facilitated by ejection rollers and a downwardly
inclined card-traveling surface leading to a collection point,
where ejected cards stack behind a stop arm.
[0021] The partially rotatable stop arm is spring loaded such that
a first end opposite the fixed rotatable end applies pressure in a
downward direction onto the card-traveling surface having two
parallel card separation belts. The arm is controlled by a motor
and cam arrangement that acts to intermittently raise the first end
of the stop arm to allow a predetermined number of cards to pass
through to the card separation and delivery unit.
[0022] The card separation and delivery unit includes a separation
belt system, separation rollers and a floating gate. The separation
belt system is comprised of two parallel belts residing in a
cut-out portion of the card-traveling surface. The separation
rollers are above said belts and clutch the cards while the belts
remove cards from the bottom of the stack one at time. A floating
gate is supported by an elongated member having a first end joined
to a first shaft supporting said separation rollers and a second
end joined to a second more forward parallel shaft. The floating
gate is spaced above the card-traveling surface just rear of the
separation rollers and forward of the stop arm so as to prevent no
more than 2 or 3 cards from fully passing under the stop arm
thereby minimizing misdeals or card jams. A protrusion extending
from a bottom portion of the floating gate head is spaced above the
card-traveling surface a minimum distance equivalent to the
thickness of several playing cards. The floating gate eliminates
heretofore common jam and misdeal occurrences. In the unlikely
event of a card jam or misdeal, the present shuffler is equipped
with multiple internal sensors for detecting the same. Moreover,
the sensors are preferably in communication with an audio output
system which alerts the operator of the jam or misdeal. In
addition, the audio system may be used to instruct an operator
during use of the shuffler.
[0023] Once the cards are propelled forward by the separation
belts, the cards encounter a set of feed rollers. The feed rollers
spaced rear of the card collection unit act to feed individual
cards into the collection unit. The rotational speed of the feed
rollers is faster than the separation belts and rollers so that
each card is spaced from the successive card prior to being fed to
the collection unit one at a time. The space between the cards is
detected by appropriately placed sensors such that the
microprocessor stops cards from being fed to the collection unit
when a first full hand (e.g. 3, 5, 7 cards) has been collected.
[0024] Sensors located in the card collection unit detect the
presence of cards in the collection unit. It is from the card
collection unit that the operator (e.g. dealer) of the particular
card game takes the predetermined number of cards and gives them to
a player. Once the cards are removed, sensor outputs cause the
microprocessor to instruct the card separation and delivery unit to
feed a second hand of cards and the ejector unit to eject another
hand of cards. This is repeated until all players have the
predetermined number of cards. Once all cards have been ejected and
dealt, the operator presses a stop button to cease shuffler
operation. Thereafter, once the card game is completed, all dealt
cards are placed back on top of the stack of any remaining cards in
the card input unit. When ready, the operator presses a go or
shuffle button to begin the process for the next game.
[0025] Without random ejection technology it has been necessary to
expel all cards and re-shuffle all cards for each game played.
Therefore, to the delight of players and casinos, the random
ejection technology and other features of the present invention
dramatically speed up the play of all card games.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] It should be understood that all drawings reflect the
present invention with a housing removed.
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of an ejection unit of the
present invention;
[0028] FIG. 1A is a top view of the ejection unit showing internal
features of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the present invention showing
a card input unit and a card ejection unit;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a left side view of the present invention showing
the card input unit and the card ejection unit;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the present invention showing the
card input unit and the card ejection unit;
[0032] FIG. 5 is a front view of the present invention showing a
card separation and delivery unit and a card collection unit;
[0033] FIG. 6 is a right side view of the present invention showing
the card separation and delivery unit and the card collection
unit;
[0034] FIG. 7 is a perspective left side view of the present
invention showing the card separation and delivery unit and the
card collection unit;
[0035] FIG. 8 is a left side view of the present invention showing
the card separation and delivery unit and the card collection
unit;
[0036] FIG. 8A is a left side view showing internal features of the
present invention;
[0037] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an audio output system of
the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of a roller adjustment
mechanism;
[0039] FIG. 11 shows yet another embodiment of a roller adjustment
mechanism;
[0040] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a dynamic
de-doubler;
[0041] FIG. 13 shows a side view of a first embodiment of the
dynamic de-doubler installed in a shuffler;
[0042] FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of
the de-doubler being joined to a shuffler housing; and
[0043] FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
dynamic de-doubler installed in a shuffler.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0044] Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are
referred to by like numerals throughout. FIG. 1 shows an automatic
card ejection unit of a card shuffler. In practice, the card
shuffler includes a housing to protect and conceal the internal
components of the shuffler. The housing includes one or more access
points for inputting cards, clearing card jams and for routine
service and maintenance procedures. Moreover, the housing includes
various operator input means including buttons, switches, knobs,
etc., to allow the operator to interact with the shuffler. For
example, an on-off button and stop and go buttons will be
integrated within said housing.
[0045] It should be understood that all operations of the shuffler
are controlled by an internal processing unit. Preferably, the
processing unit is a microprocessor of the kind known in the art.
The shuffler microprocessor is attached to a standard printed
circuit board along with other electronic components (e.g.
resistors, capacitors, etc.) necessary to support the
microprocessor and its operations. The use of a microprocessor to
control machines of all types is well-known in the art, and
therefore, the specific details are not reiterated herein.
[0046] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a card input unit 10 and card ejection
unit 30 of the shuffler. Other shuffler units include a card
separation and delivery unit 70 and a collection unit 110 (as shown
in FIGS. 5-8A). As referred to throughout, the rear of the shuffler
is defined by the card input unit 10 and ejection unit 30 and the
front of the shuffler is defined by the collection unit 110.
[0047] The card input unit 10 comprises a tray 11 having two
vertical angled walls 12 and two oppositely placed pillars 13
attached thereto. A stack of cards is initially placed into a
recess defined by the angled walls 12 and the pillars 13. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, the card input unit 10, more particularly,
the underside of the tray 11, is attached to an output arm of a
linear stepper motor (not shown). The linear stepper motor randomly
raises and lowers the card input unit 10 for reasons that will be
fully described below.
[0048] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,584,483 and 5,676,372 assigned to the
predecessor in interest of the same assignee as the instant
application are incorporated herein by this reference and provide
specific details of the random ejection technology implemented in
the present invention. The ejection unit 30 comprises three
solenoids 31 driving three plungers 32 incorporating ejector blades
33. The solenoids 31 and corresponding ejector blades 33 are each
placed at different heights to the rear of the card input unit
10.
[0049] Once a stack of cards is loaded into the card input unit 10,
an operator presses an external go, deal, shuffle or start button
to begin the ejection, separation and delivery process. A card
ejecting process begins with the card input unit 10 being raised or
lowered to a random location by the linear stepper motor. The
random location of the card input unit 10 is based on a random
number generated by the shuffler microprocessor or an independent
random number generator. An optical sensor insures that the card
input unit 10 remains within predetermined maximum and minimum
upper and lower input unit 10 positions. Once the card input unit
10 reaches a random location and stops, the solenoids 31 are
activated one at a time causing the ejector blades 33 to project
into the previously loaded stack of cards. Each blade 33 is
designed to eject a single card from the stack. The solenoids 31
are spring biased by springs 39 such that the ejector blades 33
automatically return to their original position after ejecting a
card. Upon being ejected from the deck, each ejected card is
assisted to the card separation and delivery unit 70 by two
oppositely placed roller mechanisms 34A, 34B.
[0050] To prevent undue card wear and tear, in an alternative
embodiment the ejection process utilizes pulse width modulation
("PWM") to control the one or more ejector blades 33. By knowing
the distance from the ejector blades 33 to the loaded stack of
cards, the ejector blades 33 are controlled so that the blades 33
are extended to a position very proximate the stack of cards. Once
the blades 33 are proximate the stack, the ejector blades 33 are
activated to push a card from the stack. In this fashion, the
impact of the blades 33 against the cards is reduced thereby
preventing undue wear and tear on the cards caused by the impact of
the blade 33.
[0051] The roller mechanisms 34A, 34B are counter-rotated by a belt
drive motor 51 in combination with two idler pulleys. Roller
mechanism 34A contacts a first edge of a playing card, and roller
mechanism 34B simultaneously contacts a second edge of a playing
card. The distance between the roller mechanisms 34A, 34B is
adjustable to account for different sized playing cards. A lever 55
protruding through the shuffler housing is joined to an eccentric
sleeve 56 by a linkage member 57. The eccentric sleeve 56 is
positioned below the roller mechanism 34A and may be raised in
response to actuation of lever 55 thereby decreasing the distance
between the roller mechanisms 34A, 34B. The adjustability of the
roller mechanisms 34A, 34B prevents damage to the cards in any
manner. It is imperative that cards not be damaged since damaged
cards provide skilled players with an unfair advantage over the
casino.
[0052] In another embodiment shown in FIG. 10, to accommodate
different sized cards, the roller mechanism 34A resides within a
collar 90 in an off-set fashion. The roller mechanism 34A may then
be adjusted to reduce or increase the distance between the roller
mechanisms 34A and 34B. For adjusting the distance, a multi-segment
lever 91, having segments 91a and 91b, is connected to arm 92 which
is attached to the collar 90. By maneuvering the lever 91, namely
lever segment 91a, the roller mechanism 34A rotates and shifts
position within the collar 90. The shift in position causes the
roller mechanism 34A to move away from, or towards, the opposite
roller mechanism 34B. Optionally, the lever 91 may include
pre-established settings which allow a user to easily adjust the
arm 91 according to each pre-established incremental setting. To
prevent undesired shifting of the roller mechanism 34A during use,
a toothed gear 93 circumscribes an upper portion of the collar 90
such that gear teeth 94 are able to receive a securing device 95
for preventing the undesired movement. The securing device 95 may
be a screw, bolt or similar device which, when inserted through the
shuffler frame 2 for support, is able to then be adjusted to extend
into the gear teeth 94.
[0053] In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 11, roller
mechanism 34A is adjusted by means of an eccentric hex shaft 96
rotatably attached to a bottom of the shuffler and in contact with
a roller mechanism 34A support platform 97. More specifically, a
portion of the hex shaft 96 resides in a cut-out in the support
platform 97. As the hex shaft 96 is rotated by means of an
adjustment knob 98, the support platform 97 moves in a direction
away from, or towards, the opposite roller mechanism 34B.
Consequently, as the support platform 97 moves, so does the
supported roller mechanism 34A. Once the roller mechanism 34A is in
the desired position, a lock nut 99 is tightened thereby applying
sufficient clamping pressure to the support platform 97 preventing
any undesired movement. The ability of the platform 97 to move is
dictated by an elliptical cut-out 100 and pin 101 arrangement. The
pin 101 is secured to the shuffler frame 2 and, along with the
cut-out 100, defines the degree of roller adjustment.
[0054] Although the occurrence of card jams is difficult to
eliminate, the design of the shuffler drastically reduces and, in
fact, minimizes the occurrence of card jams. Preventative measures
include rotatable packer arms 35A, 35B and de-doublers 36. The
de-doublers 36 are integrated into a de-doubler frame 37 having a
plurality of horizontal slots 38 (shown in FIG. 5) for ejected
cards to pass through. Each slot 38 incorporates a de-doubler in
the form of two vertically-spaced rubber elements 36 arranged in
close proximity to prevent more than one ejected card from
simultaneously passing through each horizontal slot 38.
[0055] In other embodiments shown in FIGS. 12-15, the de-doubler
36, which, with the shuffler described herein, prevents more than
one card at a time from being ejected from the card input unit 10
to the card separation and delivery unit 70, is dynamic such that
it is moveable so that it can, based on card ejections, re-position
itself to more effectively prevent more than one card from passing
and card jams. With the shuffler described herein, cards pass
through the de-doubler 250 in a horizontal manner (i.e., face down)
while with prior random ejection shufflers as described in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,584,483 and 5,676,372 the cards pass through the
de-doubler 250 in a generally vertical manner (i.e., face to one
side). Regardless of the configuration of the dynamic de-doubler
250, the premise, as described below, remains the same.
[0056] FIG. 12 shows a dynamic de-doubler 250. Specifically, FIG.
12 shows a perspective view of the dynamic de-doubler 250 removed
from a shuffler. The de-doubler 250 comprises a frame member 255,
formed of a pair of cross-bars 260, and brackets 265 both defining
an opening 270 for the passage of playing cards. The brackets 265
are shaped such that packer arms, like rotatable packer arms 35A,
35B, are able to push back any cards that stop prior to passing
completely through the opening 270. Conventionally, rubber members
adjacent to the opening 270 help prevent unwanted extra cards from
passing through opening 270. However, the instant de-doubler 250
relies on re-positioning itself to a position that better serves to
prevent the likelihood that one card (or any number of desired
cards) pass through the opening 270.
[0057] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the de-doubler 250
is installed and held in position between two pairs of spaced
springs 275 with a pair of springs 275 near each end 280 of the
de-doubler 250. The springs 275 are connected to rigid members 277
(e.g., shuffler housing) on one end thereof and the de-doubler 250
on the other end. A card guide 285 runs along a bottom portion of
the de-doubler 250 near a center section 290 thereof. Each section
295 of the card guide 285 is tapered to direct cards through
opening 300 defined thereby and opening 270. As cards are ejected
from the card input unit 10 they are unlikely to pass directly
through opening 270 but are more likely to strike one section 295
of the card guide 285 which directs the card through opening 270.
Where the cards strike exactly is a function of many changing
variables but card quality, including bends, and environmental
factors, play a key role in the ability of the card to pass through
the card guide 285, even upon direction of the card guide 285. As
card quality diminishes and humidity increases, the likelihood of
cards not passing through, or jamming at, an opening in a static
de-doubler, static de-doubler 36 for example, increases
significantly. Accordingly, as a card strikes one section 295 of
the card guide 285 the resulting force causes the de-doubler 250 to
temporarily shift position as facilitated by the springs 275. In
this embodiment, the de-doubler 250 tends to move to a home or
center position after card contact but the speed at which the cards
are ejected is likely to keep the de-doubler 250 in constant motion
until all cards have been ejected. Consequently, the de-doubler 250
is dynamically flexible and resilient rather than static. Such a
dynamic de-doubler 250 is better able to accommodate the passage of
cards, while preventing multiple cards from passing, and the
occurrence of card jams. FIG. 14 shows a pair of bearings 305 being
inserted through slotted openings 310 in a shuffler housing 315 and
into openings 320 in the cross-bars 260 to moveably attach the
de-doubler 250 to the shuffler. The slotted openings 310 in the
housing 315 are elongated such that the bearings 305 are able to
move commensurate with the range of movements of the de-doubler
250.
[0058] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the de-doubler
250' rests on a pair of parallel, elongated ratchet mechanisms 325.
In this embodiment, an underside of notches 330 are striated such
that the striations fit into corresponding grooves 335 along the
ratchet members 325. Therefore, as cards strike the sections 295 of
the card guide 285, the de-doubler 250' is pushed upward and
laterally depending on which card is ejected from the card input
unit 10. An optional floating wheel 340 on each end of the
de-doubler 250' helps the de-doubler 250' move smoothly along the
ratchet mechanisms 325. In the shuffler described herein, only one
deck is used, but with other random ejection shufflers up to eight
decks are shuffled such that the range of directions of the cards
is more dramatic. With each card ejected, the de-doubler 250' may
re-position itself along the ratchet mechanism 325. Ideally, the
de-doubler 250' moves to an optimum position along the ratchet
mechanisms 325 given the quality of the cards, the environmental
conditions and other factors affecting the quality of the cards.
Thus, the de-doubler 250' calibrates itself and tends to move to an
optimum position thereby eliminating the need for manual
calibration and re-positioning of the de-doubler 250'.
[0059] A guide pin and centering spring 345 integrated on a fixed
bracket 350 positioned adjacent to the de-doubler 250' prevent the
de-doubler 250' from becoming misaligned with the ratchet
mechanisms 325. The guide pin and centering spring 345 rest in
openings 355 in a cross-bar 260 of the de-doubler 250'. In another
embodiment, one or more weak magnets maintain the de-doubler 250'
in releasable connection with the ratchet mechanisms 325.
[0060] In addition, two rotatable card packer arms 35A, 35B are
placed adjacent the card input unit 10 adjacent a card eject area
and opposite the placement of the solenoids 31. Sensors above and
below a leading edge 99 of the card input unit 10 sense the
protrusion of any cards from the card input unit 10. In response to
the detection of protruding cards, the shuffler microprocessor
causes the packer arms 35A, 35B to rotate in the direction of the
leading edge 99 of the card input unit thereby forcing the
protruding cards back into the proper alignment with the remaining
cards in the stack. Each packer arm 35A, 35B is physically joined
to a single rotary solenoid 41 by a linkage system. A first linkage
member 42 is joined to a first arm of a triangular-shaped joint 43
that is rotatably attached to said rotary solenoid 41. A second end
of linkage member 42 attaches to the first packer arm 35A. Second
and third linkage members 44, 45 are connected by a
triangular-shaped rotatable joint 46 spaced from said rotary
solenoid 41. A first end of second linkage member 44 is attached to
a second arm of the triangular-shaped joint 43 and a second end is
attached to one corner of the rotatable joint 46. The third linkage
member 45 is connected to a second opposite corner of the rotatable
joint 46 and extends parallel to linkage member 42. The second end
of the third linkage member 45 attaches to the second packer arm
35B. As the rotary solenoid 41 is instructed by the shuffler
microprocessor to partially rotate in the clockwise direction, the
linkage members 42, 45 each force one packer arm 35A, 35B to rotate
toward the leading edge 99 of the card input unit 10. The packer
arms 35A, 35B each rotate about a pivot 47A, 47B respectively and
strike any protruding cards thereby forcing them back into the card
stack.
[0061] Now referring to FIGS. 5-8A, the card separation and
delivery unit 70 is defined by a shuffler frame 2 defines the
general shape of the shuffler and includes walls and a
card-traveling surface 4 for guiding cards from the card input unit
10 to the card collection unit 110. Cards ejected by the ejection
unit 30 traverse a fifteen degree downwardly inclined
card-traveling surface 4 and encounter a rotatable U-shaped stop
arm 57 blocking an entrance to the card separation and delivery
unit 70. The stop arm 57 is spring loaded about pins 58 so that a
first end of the stop arm 57 contacts the card-traveling surface 4
temporarily halting the progress of the cards. The shape of the
stop arm 57 is such that it facilitates the removal of any cards
which may get jammed in the area of the stop arm 57. The cards
reaching the stop arm 57 collect and form a stack therebehind.
Importantly, the stop arm 57 is positioned such that the stack is
staggered to prevent excess cards from passing under the stop arm
57 when the stop arm 57 is briefly and intermittently raised as
described below.
[0062] A rotatable guide cover 8 resides along an upper section of
the frame 2 such that it covers the card-traveling surface 4 from
the de-doubler frame 37 to a front portion of the stop arm 57. A
forward end of the guide 8 is rotatably joined to the frame 2, and
the rear end is releasably engaged, when closed, to magnet 9
attached to an outer surface of the frame 2 rear of the stop arm
57. The guide 8 functions to navigate ejected cards to the stop arm
57 by forming a chamber with the card-traveling surface 4.
[0063] The stop arm 57 is motor (not shown) and cam 59 driven
whereby the stop arm 57 is intermittently raised from the
card-traveling surface 4 allowing a predetermined number of cards
to pass. A first one of the pins 58 communicates with a toggle
member 60, cam 59 and spring 61 arrangement mounted to an external
surface of said frame 2. As the cam 59 is rotated by the motor, a
cam node 66 engages and rotates said toggle member 60 thereby
causing the stop arm 57 to raise as long as the engagement
continues. Once the cam node 66 disengages said toggle member 60
the stop arm 57 is returned to its original position by the spring
61 attached between the toggle member 60 and an elongated extension
63. The rotation of cam 59 is facilitated by pulley 64 and belt 65.
The microprocessor controls the timing of the card stop arm 57 by
controlling the time of engagement between the cam node 66 and the
toggle member 60.
[0064] A system of rotatable belts incorporated in a cut-out
section 66 of said card-traveling surface 4 and corresponding
rollers provide means for propelling the cards from underneath the
lifted stop arm 57 to the card separation and delivery unit 70 and
ultimately the collection unit 110.
[0065] Three parallel and spaced belts 67-1, 67-2 and 67-3 reside
slightly above the planar card-traveling surface 4. Now referring
to FIG. 8A, three belt pulleys 68-1, 68-2, 68-3 support said spaced
belts 67-1, 67-2, 67-3 from underneath the card-traveling surface
4. The front pulley 68-3 is adjustable, in the forward and rear
direction, to account for differences in manufactured belts and
belt stretching. As cards pass under the lifted stop arm 57, a
first end of the rotating belts 67-1, 67-2, 67-3, in combination
with two upper separation rollers 69, act to remove and advance
only a bottom card from the pack. The upper separation rollers 69
are spring-biased and supported by a first non-rotating shaft 72.
Once a card passes between the separation belts 67-1, 67-2, 67-3
and separation rollers 69, the rollers 69 begin to stop rotating
since they are no longer being acted upon by the rotating
separation belts 67-1, 67-2, 67-3. Additionally, springs 73 provide
friction to more hurriedly impede the movement of rollers 69
thereby causing rollers 69 to clutch all but the bottom card in the
pack. A nub 90 integrated into a split of the middle belt pulley
68-2 contacts the lower most card in the stack so as to encourage
the lower most card in the stack to separate from the stack.
Preferably, the nub 90 operates on the bottom most card of the
stack one time per revolution of the belt pulley 68-2.
[0066] Preferably, a centerline of the middle belt pulley 68-2 is
slightly forward of a centerline of the separation rollers 69 so
that a trailing edge of each passing card is forced downward by
said rollers 69 thereby preventing the next passing card from
becoming situated thereunder.
[0067] A floating gate 74 is supported by an elongated member 75
fixed at one end to the shaft 72 and a second parallel floating
gate shaft 74B spaced forward of the separation roller shaft 72.
The floating gate 74 includes a protrusion 74A extending downwardly
to prevent more than three cards from fully passing under the stop
arm 57 at any given time. In this arrangement, the belts 67-1,
67-2, 67-3 and the rollers 69 only have to manage small (e.g.
three) card stacks. Thus, the risk of more than one card being
propelled to the card collection unit 110 and causing a misdeal is
eliminated. Moreover, the floating gate 74 also controls card
jams.
[0068] As the cards pass under the floating gate 74 they are
propelled by the belts 67-1, 67-2, 67-3 to a pair of upper feed
rollers 76 and lower feed rollers 77 which counter-rotate to expel
individual cards into the collection unit 110. The upper and lower
feed rollers 76, 77 grab opposite surfaces (e.g. the face and back
of the card as it traverses the card-traveling surface 4) of each
card and propel the card into the collection unit 110. The upper
feed rollers 76 are supported by a non-rotating parallel feed shaft
79. The lower feed rollers 77 are driven at a higher speed than
belts 67-1, 67-2, 67-3 and rollers 69 so as to create separation
between the trailing edge of a first card and the leading edge of a
following card. As described below, it is the card separation space
that sensors count to verify the number of cards fed into the
collection unit 110.
[0069] The belts 67-1, 67-2, 67-3 and lower rollers 77 are both
driven by a common motor, timing belt and pulley system. A system
of three pulleys 85-1, 85-2, 85-3 and a timing belt 86 are mounted
on an external surface of the shuffler frame 2 and are driven by a
common internal motor. The lower feed rollers 77 are acted upon by
pulley 85-2 having a smaller diameter than pulley 85-1 that acts
upon belts 67-1, 67-2, 67-3 thereby creating a differential in
rotational speeds.
[0070] Once the separated cards pass the between rollers 76, 77
they are delivered to the card collection unit 110. The collection
unit 110 is inclined downwardly fifteen degrees so that the cards
settle at the front of the collection unit 110 for easy retrieval
by a dealer.
[0071] In another embodiment, the belts 67-1, 67-2, 67-3 and the
feed rollers 76, 77 are driven by individual motors (not shown).
The belts 67-1, 67-2, 67-3 are preferably driven by a stepper motor
and the rollers 76, 77 may be driven by any suitable motor. In this
arrangement, the stepper motor is temporarily shut down in response
to a card being propelled from the shuffler into the Collection
tray 110. As discussed below, sensors detect cards exiting the
shuffler into the collection tray 110. Consequently, the rollers
76, 77, which continue to run during the entire shuffling and
dealing process, hurriedly pull the card through a front portion of
the card delivery unit 70 as the belts 67-1, 67-2, 67-3 remain
static. Then, once the card passes into the collection tray 110,
the stepper motor fires up again causing the belts 67-1, 67-2, 67-3
to act on the next card. Thus, the belts 67-1, 67-2, 67-3 are not
acting upon the next card until the stepper motor starts again.
Based on sensor data, the processor instructs the stepper motor to
stop and start accordingly. This system facilitates complete
separation of cards thereby preventing multiple overlapping cards
from being dealt and counted as a single card by sensors. That is,
should the improper number of cards, according to the game being
played, pass into the collection tray, a misdeal would be declared.
For obvious reasons, casinos and related gaming establishments do
not favor misdeals.
[0072] With the two motor embodiment, the system of three pulleys
85-1, 85-2, 85-3 and the timing belt 86 is replaced with two
individual two pulley systems each having a single belt (not
shown). In a first design, the first two pulleys and corresponding
belt for driving the rollers 76, 77 are mounted externally on a
first side of the shuffler frame 2 and the second two pulleys and
belt for driving the belts 67-1, 67-2, 67-3 are mounted on an
opposite side of the shuffler frame 2. However, both pulley systems
may be mounted on a common external side of the shuffler frame
2.
[0073] The separation shaft 72, floating gate shaft 74B, feed shaft
79, separation rollers 69 and upper feed rollers 76 are joined by
two pair of elongated bars. A first set of bars 81-1, 81-2
rotatably join the outer portions of the separation shaft 72 to the
outer portions of the floating gate shaft 74B. A second set of bars
82-1, 82-2 join the floating gate shaft 74B to the outer portions
of the feed roller shaft 79. The floating gate shaft 74B is further
supported by opposite notches 83 in the frame 2. In this manner,
card jams may be physically cleared by an operator by lifting the
floating gate shaft 74B thereby causing the separation shaft 72 to
move forward and upward. An open slot 84 in the elongated member 75
further allows the elongated member 75 to be rotated away from the
floating gate shaft 74B revealing the card separation and delivery
unit 70 for card removal. Springs 87 incorporated between outer
surfaces of said first bars 81-1, 81-2 and inner surfaces of the
frame 2 return the floating gate shaft 74B to its original position
after a card jam is cleared.
[0074] Multiple sensors are incorporated throughout the shuffler to
track the progression of the cards, inform an operator of shuffler
status and to alert the operator of any internal problems. A first,
preferably optical reflective, sensor 125 is positioned beneath the
card input unit 10 to sense the input of cards into the unit 10.
During normal operation the shuffler will not function until sensor
125 detects the presence of cards in card input unit 10. A first
pair of sensors (emitter and detector) above and below a leading
edge of the card input unit 10 senses the presence of protruding
cards from within the card input unit 10. The shuffler
microprocessor activates the packer arms 35A, 35B in response to
outputs from the first pair of sensors.
[0075] A second pair of sensors spaced forward of the first pair of
sensors detects the ejection of cards from the card input unit 10.
The second pair of sensors detects the number of ejected cards. The
number of cards ejected is predetermined based on the underlying
card game being dealt. The shuffler microprocessor stops the
ejection process once outputs from the second pair of sensors
indicate that two hands of cards have been ejected. The number of
cards per hand is a function of the underlying wagering game being
played. As described below, the shuffler microprocessor re-starts
the ejection process in response to an output from a more forward
pair of sensors.
[0076] Once two hands of cards have been ejected from the card
input unit 10, they come to rest, in a staggered stacked fashion,
against or adjacent to the card stop arm 57. As the second pack is
completely delivered to the card stop arm 57, outputs from the
second pair of sensors inform the shuffler microprocessor that the
two hands have been ejected and to lift said stop arm 57. The
raising of the stop arm 57 permits the previously ejected cards to
partially pass under the stop arm 57 to the floating gate 74.
Thereafter, the belts 67-1, 67-2, 67-3 and rollers 76, 77 propel
the bottom card of the stack to the card collection unit 110 until
a first hand has been fed to the card collection unit 110. A third
pair of sensors 141, 142 are located adjacent a card exit area such
that the pair of sensors 141, 142 detects the number of cards being
delivered to the card collection unit 110. Once a first hand is
delivered to the card collection unit 110, the shuffler
microprocessor, using outputs from the third pair of sensors, stops
delivering cards to the card collection unit 110 and re-starts the
ejection process. A fourth pair of sensors 143, 144, located in the
collection unit 110 detects the presence or absence of cards
therein. Once a dealer removes the first card hand from the
collection unit 110, the shuffler microprocessor, using outputs
from the fourth pair of sensors 143, 144 resumes delivering cards
to the card collection unit 110.
[0077] The sensor and shuffler microprocessor driven process
described continues until the requisite number of hands are
delivered to the card collection unit 110 and distributed by the
dealer. Once the requisite number of hands has been delivered and
dealt, the dealer presses a stop button on the shuffler to stop
further card delivery. In an alternative fashion, the shuffler
housing may incorporate a re-eject button that the operator may
press prior to each hand being ejected. In either embodiment, the
ejection unit 30 only need deal the exact number of cards required
for the game and number of players playing the game. Thereafter,
the ejection technology allows the operator to simply place the
played cards on top of the remaining cards in the card input unit
10 and press the go button for the next game. Previous card
shufflers require that all cards be shuffled and delivered for each
game played. The random ejection technology of the present
invention greatly reduces the time between game plays.
[0078] Additional sensors are placed along the card separation and
delivery unit 70 to detect the occurrence of a card jam or other
dealing failure. Upon the determination that a card jam has
occurred, the operator can be notified in any number of ways,
including the use of LED indicator lights, segmented and digital
displays, audio outputs, etc. In one embodiment, the present
invention relies on audio outputs in the form of computer generated
voice outputs to alert the operator of a card jam or to instruct
the operator regarding the status of the shuffler.
[0079] As set forth above, the preferred method of notifying a
shuffler operator of a card jam or the status of the current
shuffle cycle is through an internal audio system. Now referring to
FIG. 9, the audio system utilizes a second microprocessor 151,
preferably a 32-bit microprocessor, interfaced with the shuffler
microprocessor 150. The preferred interface 152 is an RS-232
bi-directional interface. The second microprocessor 151 runs the
audio system and a video capture imaging system fully described in
co-pending patent application Ser. No. 10/067,794 to the same
assignee as the instant application and incorporated herein by
reference.
[0080] A flash storage card 153 stores digital audio messages, in
any language, and communicates said messages to the second
microprocessor through a 32-bit bus 154. The messages are retrieved
by the second microprocessor 151 in response to commands by
microprocessor 150. Microprocessor 150 relies on the outputs of the
multiple shuffler sensors for instructing the second microprocessor
151. For example, should a sensor detect a card jam, the output of
said sensor will cause microprocessor 150 to communicate with
microprocessor 151 instructing the latter that an audio message is
required. Microprocessor 151 will then retrieve the appropriate
message, possibly a message stating "CARD JAM", from the flash
storage card 153 and send the same to a codec 154 (coder-decoder)
for converting the retrieved digital audio signal to an analog
signal. The analog audio signal is then transmitted via a speaker
155.
[0081] The microprocessor 150 also communicates to a flash
programmable gate array 157 through a second 32-bit bus 158. The
gate array 157 further communicates with a repeat switch 159
incorporated with the shuffler housing. The switch 159 allows an
operator to re-play the previous audio message. Said feature is
beneficial during shuffler use in a loud casino environment.
[0082] It is contemplated that stored audio messages besides "CARD
JAM" may include "READY TO SHUFFLE", "REMOVE FIRST HAND", "REMOVE
SECOND HAND", "INPUT CARDS", etc. The number of possible audio
messages depends solely on the various sensor outputs since the
sensors provide microprocessor 150 with the status of the shuffler
at any given time. In a more limited application the audio system
can be used to communicate game related information, to an
operator. For example, the card game known as Pai Gow requires that
a number between 1 and 7 be randomly chosen prior to the deal of
the game=s first hand. The random number determines which player
position, and therefore which player, receives the first hand out
of the shuffler. Typically dice or random number generators in
communication with a display means have been used to generate and
communicate the random number to an operator and players. The audio
system allows the microprocessor 150 to randomly generate a number
between 1 and 7, communicate the number to microprocessor 151,
which sends the number to the codec 154, which causes speaker 155
to output the number in audio form. The repeat switch 159 is very
useful in this limited application because the number is absolutely
essential to properly play the game of Pai Gow. Therefore, the
inability to re-play an unheard or disputed number would cause
great confusion and consternation for players.
[0083] Also illustrated in FIG. 9 are the various components of the
image capturing system, including a graphics display 160, flash ram
161, SDRAM buffer 163, digital (black/white) video camera 164 and
hand recall switch 165. The flash ram 161 initially stores digital
images of every dealt card as they are captured by the digital
camera 164. The SDRAM buffer 163 then stores and assembles the
captured images. The images captured by the digital camera 164 are
sent to the gate array 157 which uses gray scale compression to
compress the images. The compressed images are then sent via 32-bit
bus 158 to microprocessor 151 which then sends the compressed
images to the SDRAM buffer and/or the flash memory 161 via 32-bit
buses 166, 167. When desired the operator presses the hand recall
switch 165 incorporated in the shuffler housing to display the
captured images, in order of deal, on display 160.
[0084] Although the invention has been described in detail with
reference to a preferred embodiment, additional variations and
modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as
described and defined in the following claims.
* * * * *