Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTINUOUSLY SHUFFLING AND
MONITORING CARDS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to devices for handling cards, including cards
known as
"playing cards" . In particular, it relates to an electromechanical machine
for continuously
shuffling playing cards, whereby a dealer has a substantially continuously
readily available
supply of shuffled cards for dealing and where cards may be monitored for
security purposes
during play of the game.
Background of the Art
Wagering games based on the outcome of randomly generated or selected symbols
are
well known. Such games are widely played in gaming establishments and include
card
games wherein the symbols comprise familiar, common or standard playing cards.
Card
games such as twenty-one or blackjack, poker, poker variations, match card
games and the
like are excellent casino card games. Desirable attributes of casino card
games are that they
are exciting, that they can be learned and understood easily by players, and
that they move or
are played rapidly to their wager-resolving outcome.
From the perspective of players, the time the dealer must spend in shuffling
diminishes the excitement of the game. From the perspective of casinos,
shuffling time
reduces the number of wagers placed and resolved in a given amount of time,
thereby
reducing revenue. Casinos would like to maximize the amount of revenue
generated by a
game without changing games, without making obvious changes that indicate an
increased
hold by the house, particularly in a popular game, and without increasing the
minimum size
of wagers. One approach to maximizing revenue is speeding play. It is widely
known that
playing time is diminished by shuffling and dealing. This approach has lead to
the
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development of electromechanical or mechanical card shuffling devices. Such
devices
increase the speed of shuffling and dealing, reduce non-play time, thereby
increasing the
proportion of playing time to non-playing time, adding to the excitement of a
game by
reducing the time the dealer or house has to spend in preparing to play the
game.
U.S. Patent 4,515,367 (Howard) is an example of a batch-type shuffler. The
Howard
patent discloses a card mixer for randomly interleaving cards including a
carriage supported
ejector for ejecting a group of cards (approximately two playing decks in
number) which may
then be removed manually from the shuffler or dropped automatically into a
chute for
delivery to a typical dealing shoe.
U.S. Patent 5,275,411(Breeding) discloses a machine for automatically
shuffling a
single deck of cards including a deck receiving zone, a carriage section for
separating a deck
into two deck portions, a sloped mechanism positioned between adjacent corners
of the deck
portions, and an apparatus for snapping the cards over the sloped mechanism to
interleave the
cards.
U.S. Patent 3,879,954 (Erickson et al.) discloses the concept of delivering
cards one at
a time, into one of a number vertically stacked card shuffling compartments.
The Erickson
patent also discloses using a logic circuit to determine the sequence for
determining the
delivery location of a card, and that a card shuffler can be used to deal
stacks of shuffled
cards to a player. U.S. Patent 5,241,140 (Huen) discloses a card dispenser
which dispenses or
deals cards in four discrete directions onto a playing surface, and U.S.
Patents 793,489
(Williams), 2,001,918 (Nevius), 2,043,343 (Warner) and 3,312,473 (Friedman et
al.) disclose
various card holders some of which include recesses (e.g., Friedman et al.) to
facilitate
removal of cards. U.S. Patents 2,950,005 (MacDonald) and 3,690,670 (Cassady et
al.)
disclose card sorting devices which require specially marked cards, clearly
undesirable for
gaming and casino play.
U.S. Patents 5,584,483 and 5,676,372 (Sines et al.) describe batch type
shufflers
which include a holder for an unshuffled stack of cards, a container for
receiving shuffled
cards, a plurality of channels to guide the cards from the unshuffled stack
into the container
for receiving shuffled cards, and an ejector mounted adjacent to the
unshuffled stack for
reciprocating movement along the unshuffled stack. The position of the ejector
is randomly
selected. The ejector propels a plurality of cards simultaneously from a
number of points
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along the unshuffled stack, through the channels, and into the container. A
shuffled stack of
cards is made available to the dealer.
U.S. Patent 5,695,189 (Breeding et al.) is directed to a shuffling machine for
shuffling multiple decks of cards with three magazines wherein unshuffled
cards are cut then
shuffled.
Aside from increasing speed and playing time, some shuffler designs have
provided
added protection to casinos. For example, one of the Breeding (similar to that
described in
U.S. Patent 5,275,411) shufflers is capable of verifying that the total number
of cards in the
deck has not changed. If the wrong number of cards are counted, the dealer can
call a
misdeal and return bets to players.
A number of shufflers have been developed which provide a continuous supply of
shuffled cards to a player. This is in contrast to batch type shuffler designs
of the type
described above. The continuous shuffling feature not only speeds the game,
but protects
casinos against players who may achieve higher than normal winnings by
counting cards or
attempting to detect repeated patterns in cards from deficiencies of
randomization in single
batch shufflers. An example of a card game in which a card counter may
significantly
increase the odds of winning by card counting or detecting previously
occurring patterns or
collections of cards is Blackjack.
U.S. Patent 4,586,712 (Lorber et al.) discloses a continuous automatic
shuffling
apparatus designed to intermix multiple decks of cards under the programmed
control of a
computer. The Lorber et al. apparatus is a carousel-type shuffler having a
container, a
storage device for storing shuffled playing cards, a removing device and an
inserting device
for intermixing the playing cards in the container, a dealing shoe and
supplying means for
supplying the shuffled playing cards from the storage device to the dealing
shoe. The Lorber
shuffler counts the number of cards in the storage device prior to assigning
cards to be fed to
a particular location.
The Samsel, Jr. patent (U.S. Patent 4,513,969) discloses a card shuffler
having a
housing with two wells for receiving stacks of cards. A first extractor
selects, removes and
intermixes the bottommost card from each stack and delivers the intermixed
cards to a
storage compartment. A second extractor sequentially removes the bottommost
card from the
storage compartment and delivers it to a typical shoe from which the dealer
may take it for
presentation to the players.
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U.S. Patent 5,382,024 (Blaha) discloses a continuous shuffler having a
unshuffled
card receiver and a shuffled card receiver adjacent to and mounted for
relative motion with
respect to the unshuffled card receiver. Cards are driven from the unshuffled
card receiver
and are driven into the shuffled card receiver forming a continuous supply of
shuffled cards.
However, the Blaha shuffler requires specially adapted cards, particularly,
plastic cards, and
many casinos have demonstrated a reluctance to use such cards.
U.S. Patent 5,000,453 (Stevens et al.) discloses an apparatus for
automatically and
continuously shuffling cards. The Stevens et al. machine includes three
contiguous
magazines with an elevatable platform in the center magazine only. Unshuffled
cards are
placed in the center magazine and the spitting rollers at the top of the
magazine spit the cards
randomly to the left and right magazines in a simultaneous cutting and
shuffling step. The
cards are moved back into the center magazine by direct lateral movement of
each shuffled
stack, placing one stack on top of the other to stack all cards in a shuffled
stack in the center
magazine. The order of the cards in each stack does not change in moving from
the right and
left magazines into the center magazine.
U.S. Patent 4,770,421 (Hoffman) discloses a continuous card-shuffling device
including a card loading station with a conveyor belt. The belt moves the
lowermost card in a
stack onto a distribution elevator whereby a stack of cards is accumulated on
the distribution
elevator. Adjacent to the elevator is a vertical stack of mixing pockets. A
microprocessor
preprogrammed with a fixed number of distribution schedules is provided for
distributing
cards into a number of pockets. The microprocessor sends a sequence of signals
to the
elevator corresponding to heights called out in the schedule. Single cards are
moved into the
respective pocket at that height. The distribution schedule is either randomly
selected or
schedules are executed in sequence. When the cards have been through a single
distribution
cycle, the cards are removed a stack at a time and loaded into a second
elevator. The second
elevator delivers cards to an output reservoir. Thus, the Hoffman patent
requires a two step
shuffle, i.e., a program is required to select the order in which stacks are
moved onto the
second elevator. The Hoffman patent does not disclose randomly selecting a
pocket for
delivering each card. Nor does the patent disclose a single stage process
which randomly
arranges cards into a degree of randomness satisfactory to casinos and
players. Although the
Hoffman shuffler was commercialized, it never achieved a high degree of
acceptance in the
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industry. Card counters could successfully count cards shuffled in the device,
and it was
determined that the shuffling of the cards was not sufficiently random.
U.S. Patent 5,683,085 (Johnson) describes a continuous shuffler which includes
a
chamber for supporting a main stack of cards, a loading station for holding a
secondary stack
of cards, a stack gripping separating mechanism for separating or cutting
cards in the main
stack to create a space and a mechanism for moving cards from the secondary
stack intb the
spaces created in the main stack.
U.S. Patent 4,659,082 (Greenberg) discloses a carousel type card dispenser
including
a rotary carousel with a plurality of card compartments around its periphery.
Cards are
injected into the compartments from an input hopper and ejected from the
carousel into an
output hopper. The rotation of the carousel is produced by a stepper motor
with each step
being equivalent to a compartment. In use, the carousel is rotated past n
slots before stopping
at the slot from which a card is to be ejected. The number n is determined in
a random or
near random fashion by a logic circuit. There are 216 compartments to provide
for four decks
and eight empty compartments when all the cards are inserted into
compartments. An
arrangement of card edge grasping drive wheels are used to load and unload the
compartments.
U.S. Patent 5,356,14S (Verschoor) discloses another card shuffler involving a
carousel or "rotatable plateau." The Verschoor shuffler has a feed compartment
and two card
shuffling compartments which each can be placed in first and second positions
by virtue of a
rotatable plateau on which the shuffling compartments are mounted. In use,
once the two
compartments are filled, a drive roller above one of the shuffling
compartments is actuated to
feed cards to the other compartment or to a discharge means. An algorithm
determines which
card is supplied to the other compartment and which is fed to the discharge.
The shuffler is
continuous in the sense that each time a card is fed to the discharge means,
another card is
moved from the feed compartment to one of the shuffling comparhnents.
U.S. Patent 4,969,648 (Hollinger et al.) discloses an automatic card shuffler
of the
type that randomly extracts cards from two or more storage wells. The shuffler
relies on a
system of solenoids, wheels and belts to move cards. Cards are selected from
one of the two
wells on a random basis so a deck of intermixed cards from the two wells is
provided in a
reservoir for the dealer. The patent is principally directed to a method and
apparatus for
detecting malfunctions in the shuffler, which at least tends to indicate that
the Hollinger et al.
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shuffler may have some inherent deficiencies, such as misalignments of
extraction
mechanisms.
The size of the buffer supply of shuffled cards in the known continuous
shufflers is
large, i.e., 40 or more cards in the case of the Blaha shuffler. The cards in
the buffer cannot
include cards returned to the shuffler from the previous hand. This
undesirably gives the
player some information about the next round.
Randomness is determined in part by the recurrence rate of a card previously
played
in the next consecutively. dealt hand. The theoretical recurrence rate for
known continuous
shufflers is believed to be about zero percent. A completely random shuffle
would yield a
13.5% recurrence rate using four decks of cards.
Although the devices disclosed in the preceding patents, particularly the
Breeding
machines, provide improvements in card shuffling devices, none describes a
device and
method for providing a continuous supply of shuffled cards with the degree of
randomness
and reliability required by casinos until the filing of copending U.S. Patent
Application Serial
No. 091060,598. That device and method continuously shuffles and delivers
cards with an
improved recurrence rate and improves the acceptance of card shufflers and
facilitate the
casino play of card games.
BRIEF ~UM1VIARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an electromechanical card handling apparatus
and
method for continuously shuffling cards. The apparatus and, thus, the card
handling method
or process, is controlled by a programmable microprocessor and may be
monitored by a
plurality of sensors and limit switches. While the card handling apparatus and
method of the
present invention is well suited for use in the gaming environment,
particularly in casinos, the
apparatus and method may find use in handling or sorting sheet material
generally.
In one embodiment, the present invention provides an apparatus for moving
playing
cards from a first group of unshuffled cards into shuffled groups of cards.
The apparatus
comprises a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single
stack of card-
receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack
generally vertically
movable, an elevator for raising and lowering the stack, a card-moving
mechanism between
the card receiver and the stack for moving cards, one at a time, from the card
receiver to a
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selected compartment, and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving
mechanism and
the elevator so that the cards are moved into a number of randomly selected
compartments.
Sensors act to monitor and to trigger operation of the apparatus, card moving
mechanisms,
and the elevator and also provide information to the microprocessor. The
controlling
S microprocessor, including software, selects or identifies where cards will
go as to the selected
slot or compartment before card handling operations begin. For example, a card
designated
as card 1 may be directed to slot 5, a card designated as card 2 may be
directed to slot 7, a
card designated as card 3 may be directed to slot 3, etc.
An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a programmable card
handling machine with a display and appropriate inputs for controlling and
adjusting the
machine. Additionally, there may be an elevator speed adjustment and sensor to
adjust and
monitor the position of the elevator as cards wear or become bowed or warped.
These
features also provide for interchangeability of the apparatus, meaning the
same apparatus can
be used for many different games and in different locations thereby reducing
or eliminating
the number of back up machines or units required at a casino. Since it is
customary in the
industry to provide free backup machines, a reduction in the number of backup
machines
needed presents a significant cost savings. The display may include a use rate
and/or card
count monitor and display for determining or monitoring the usage of the
machine.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides an
electromechanical
playing card handling apparatus for automatically and randomly generating a
continuous
supply of shuffled playing cards for dealing. Other advantages are a reduction
of dealer
shuffling time, and a reduction or elimination of security problems such as
card counting,
possible dealer manipulation and card tracking, thereby increasing the
integrity of a game and
enhancing casino security.
Yet another advantage of the card handling apparatus of the present invention
is that it
converts a single deck, multiple decks, any number of unshuffled cards or
large or small
groups of discarded or played cards into shuffled cards ready for use or reuse
in playing a
game. To accomplish this, the apparatus includes a number of stacked or
vertically oriented
card receiving compartments one above another into which cards are inserted,
one at a time,
so a random group of cards is formed in each compartment and until all the
cards loaded into
the apparatus are distributed to a compartment. Upon demand, either from the
dealer or a
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card present sensor, or automatically, the apparatus delivers one or more
groups of cards from
the compartments into a dealing shoe for distribution to players by the
dealer.
The present invention may include jammed card detection and recovery features,
and
may include recovery procedures operated and controlled by the microprocessor.
Another advantage is that the apparatus of the present invention provides for
the
initial top feeding or loading of an unshuffled or discarded group of cards
thereby facilitating
use by the dealer. The shuffled card receiving shoe portion is adapted to
facilitate use by a
dealer.
An additional advantage of the card handling apparatus of the present
invention is that
it facilitates and speeds the play of casino wagering games, particularly
those games wherein
multiple decks of cards are used in popular, rapidly played games (such as
twenty-one or
blackjack), making the games more exciting for players.
In use, the apparatus of the present invention is operated to process playing
cards
from an initial, unshuffled new or played group of cards into a group of
shuffled or reshuffled
cards available to a dealer for distribution to players. The first step of
this process is the
dealer placing an initial group of cards, comprising unshuffled or played
cards, into the card
receiver of the apparatus. The apparatus is started or starts automatically by
sensing the
presence of the cards and, under the control of the integral microprocessor,
it transfers the
initial group of cards, randomly, one at a time, into a plurality of
compartments. Groups of
cards in one or more compartments are delivered, upon the dealer=s demand or
automatically, by the apparatus from that compartment to a card receiving shoe
for the dealer
to distribute to a player.
According to the present invention, the operation of the apparatus is
continuous. That
is, once the apparatus is turned on, any group of cards loaded into the card
receiver will be
entirely processed into one or more groups of random cards in the
compartments. The
software assigns an identity to each card and then directs each identified
card to a randomly
selected compartment by operating the elevator motor to position that randomly
selected
compartment to receive the card. The cards are unloaded in groups from the
comparrinents, a
compartment at a time, as the need for cards is sensed by the apparatus. Thus,
instead of
stopping play to shuffle or reshuffle cards, a dealer always has shuffled
cards available for
distribution to players.
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The apparatus of the present invention is compact, easy to set up and program
and,
once programmed, can be maintained effectively and efficiently by minimally
trained
personnel who cannot affect the randomness of the card delivery. This means
that the
machines are more reliable in the field. Service costs are reduced, as are
assembly and set up
costs.
Another concern in continuous shufflers is the fact that there has been no
ability to
provide strong security evaluation in the continuous shufflers, because of the
very fact that
the cards are continuously being reshuffled, with cards present within and
outside the
shuffler. This offers an increased risk of cards being added to the deck by
players or being
removed and held back by the player. This is a particular concern in games
where the player
is allowed to contact or pick up cards during play (e.g., in certain poker-
type games and
certain formats for blackjack). The present invention provides a particular
system wherein
the total number of cards in play at the table may be counted with minimum
game
interruption.
The system of the present invention, in addition to allowing a security check
on the
number of cards present in the collection of decks, allows additional cards,
such as
promotional cards or bonus cards, to be added to the regular playing cards,
the total number
of cards allowable in play modified to the number of regular playing cards
plus additional
(e.g., special) playing cards, allowing the shuffler to be modified for a
special deck or decks)
where there are fewer than normal cards (e.g., Spanish 21~ blackjack game), or
otherwise
modified at the direction of the house. Therefore, the shuffler would not be
limited to
counting security for only direct multiples of conventional 52 card playing
decks. The
shuffler may be provided with specific selection features wherein a game may
be identified to
the microprocessor and the appropriate number of cards for that game shall
become the
default security count for the game selected.
The present invention also describes a structural improvement in the output
shoe
cover to prevent cards that are already within the shoe from interfering with
the delivery of
additional cards to the shoe.
A novel gravity feed/diverter system is described to reduce the potential for
jamming
and reducing the chance for multiple cards to be fed from a card feeder into
selected card
receiving compartments.
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Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully
apparent and understood with reference to the following specification and to
the appended
drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a front perspective view depicting the apparatus of the present
invention as
it might be disposed ready for use in a casino on a gaming table.
Figure 2 is a perspective view, partially broken away, depicting the rear of
the
apparatus of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the card handling apparatus of the
present
invention with portions of the exterior shroud removed.
Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the present invention with the shroud and
other
portions of the apparatus removed to show internal components.
Figure 5 is a side elevation view, largely representational, of the transport
mechanism
and rack assembly of the apparatus of the present invention.
Figure Sa is an expanded side elevation view of a shelf as shown in Figure 5,
showing
more detail of the rack assembly, particularly the shelves forming the top and
bottom of the
compartments of the rack assembly.
Figure 6 is an exploded assembly view of the transport mechanism shown in
Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a top plan view, partially in section, of the transport mechanism.
Figure 8 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the pusher assembly of the
present
invention.
Figure 8a is a perspective view of a pusher assembly of the present invention.
Figure 9 is a front elevation view of the rack and elevator assembly.
Figure 10 is an exploded assembly view of one embodiment of a portion of the
rack
and elevator assembly.
Figure 11 depicts an alternative embodiment of the shelves or partitions for
forming
the stack of compartments of the present invention.
Figure 12 is a simplified side elevation view, largely representational, of
the card
handler of the present invention.
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Figure 13 is a perspective view of a portion of the card handling apparatus of
the
present invention, namely, the second card receiver at the front of the
apparatus, with a cover
portion of the shroud removed.
Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of an electrical control system for one
embodiment
of the present invention.
Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the electrical control system.
Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of an electrical control system with an
opdcally-
isolated bus.
Figure 17 is a detailed schematic diagram of a portion of Figure 16.
Figure 18 is a side elevational view of a device that prevents the dealer from
pushing
cards in the output shoe back into the card way.
Figure 19 a side view of a new feeder system with a novel design for a card
separator
that has the potential for reducing jamming and reducing the potential for
multiple card feed
when a single card is to be fed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
This detailed description is intended to be read and understood in conjunction
with
appended Appendices A and B, which are incorporated herein by reference.
Appendix A
provides an identification key correlating the description and abbreviation of
certain motors,
switches and photoeyes or sensors with reference character identifications of
the same
components in the Figures, and gives the manufacturers, addresses and model
designations of
certain components (motors, limit switches and sensors). Appendix B outlines
steps in a
homing sequence, part of one embodiment of the sequence of operations.
With regard to means for fastening, mounting, attaching or connecting the
components of the present invention to form the apparatus as a whole, unless
specifically
described as otherwise, such means are intended to encompass conventional
fasteners such as
machine screws, rivets, nuts and bolts, toggles, pins and the like. Other
fastening or
attachment means appropriate for connecting components include adhesives,
welding and
soldering, the latter particularly with regard to the electrical system of the
apparatus.
All components of the electrical system and wiring harness of the present
invention
are conventional, commercially available components unless otherwise
indicated, including
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electrical components and circuitry, wires, fuses, soldered connections,
chips, boards and
control system components.
Generally, unless specifically otherwise disclosed or taught, the materials
for making
the various components of the present invention are selected from appropriate
materials such
as metal, metallic alloys, ceramics, plastics, fiberglass and the like, and
components and
materials may be similar to or adapted from components and material used to
make the card
handling apparatus disclosed and described in copending application Serial No.
09/060,627,
entitled "Device and Method For Forming Hands of Randomly Arranged Cards",
filed on
April 15, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference.
In the following description, the Appendices and the claims, any references to
the
terms right and left, top and bottom, upper and lower and horizontal and
vertical are to be
read and understood with their conventional meanings and with reference to
viewing the
apparatus generally from the front as shown in Figure 1.
Referring then to the Figures, particularly Figures 1, 3 and 4, the card
handling
apparatus 21 of the present invention includes a card receiver 26 for
receiving a group of
cards to be randomized or shuffled, a single stack of card-receiving
compartments 28 (see
Figures 4 and 9) generally adjacent to the card receiver 26, a card moving or
transporting
mechanism 30 (see Figures 3 and 4) between and linking the card receiver 26
and the
compartments 28, and a processing unit, indicated generally at 54 in Figure 3,
that controls
the apparatus 21. The apparatus 21 includes a second card mover 192 (see
Figures 4, 8 and
8a) for emptying the compartments 28 into a second card receiver 36.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the card handling apparatus 21 includes a
removable,
substantially continuous exterior housing shroud 40. The shroud 40 may be
provided with
appropriate vents 42 for cooling. The card receiver or initial loading region,
indicated
generally at 26 is at the top, rear of the apparatus 21, and the second card
receiver 36 is at the
front of the apparatus 21. Controls and/or display features 32 are generally
at the rear or
dealer-facing side of the machine 21. Figure 2 provides a view of the rear of
the apparatus 21
and more clearly shows the display and control inputs and outputs 32,
including power input
and communication port 46.
Figure 3 depicts the apparatus 21 with the shroud 40 removed, as it might be
for
servicing or programming, whereby internal components may be visualized. The
apparatus
includes a generally horizontal frame floor 50 for mounting and supporting
operational
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components. A control (input and display) module 56 is cantilevered at the
rear of the
apparatus 21, and is operably connected to the operational portions of the
apparatus 21 by
suitable wiring or the like. The control module 56 may carry the
microprocessor (not
shown), or the microprocessor is preferably located on processing unit 54 on
the frame 50
inside the shroud 40. The inputs and display portion 44 of the module 56 are
fitted to
corresponding openings in the shroud 40, with associated circuitry and
programming inputs
located securely with the shroud 40 when it is in place as shown in Figures 1
and 2.
In addition, the present invention generically and specifically a card handler
or shuffling
device comprising:
a card staging area for receiving cards to be handled;
a plurality of card-receiving compartments, the card staging area (and a card
mover) and
the compartments are relatively movable;
a card mover generally between the staging area and the compartments for
moving a card
from the staging area into one of the compartments;
a microprocessor programmed to identify each card in the card staging area and
to
relatively actuate the card mover to move an identified card to a randomly
selected
compartment, wherein the microprocessor is programmable to deliver a selected
number of
cards to a compartment;
a drive system responsive to the microprocessor for relatively moving the
compartments;
and
a counting system for counting cards within specified areas within the card
handler.
The terms "relatively actuate" and relatively move" are used in this
description to emphasize
the point that there should be relative movement between the compartments and
the card
mover/card staging area. Relative movement may be caused by movement of the
rack of
compartments only, movement of the card mover only, or by movement of both the
rack of
compartments and the card mover/staging area. The alignment of the card feeder
and the
feeding of the card may be done as separate (in time) steps or as
contemporaneous steps, with
either the feeder (card mover) moving and being fed a card at the same time or
having the
card fed at a distinct time from the moving of the feeder (card mover).
The card handler counting system preferably counts cards entering and leaving
the
plurality of card-receiving compartments. There may be present a card moving
system to
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move cards from the plurality of card-receiving compartments to a second card
receiving
area. The card handler may have the counting system count cards entering and
leaving the
plurality of card-receiving compartments and cards entering and leaving the
second card
receiving area, and the counting system may maintain a rolling count of the
cards within both
the plurality of card-receiving compartments and the second card receiving
area. This format
could use inputs operably coupled to the microprocessor for inputting
information into the
microprocessor.
A playing card handler according to the present invention may also comprise:
a stack of compartments for accumulating cards in at least one compartment;
a microprocessor programmed to randomly select the compartment which receives
each
card in a manner sufficient to accomplish randomly arranging the cards in each
compartment,
wherein the microprocessor is programmable to deliver a selected number of
cards to a
selected number of compamnents;
a card staging area for receiving a stack of cards to be handled, wherein the
stack of
compartments and the card staging area are movable relative to each other, by
any one being
independently movable or by both being movable;
card moving means responsive to output signals from the microprocessor for
moving
between the staging area and the stack of mixing compartments;
a card mover for moving cards from the compartments to a second card receiver;
and
the microprocessor performing as a counting system for counting cards within
specified
areas within the card handler.
This apparatus may further comprise a data storage medium accessible by the
processing
unit, wherein the data storage medium has a program stored on it, and wherein
the program is
configured to cause the processing unit to cause the card moving means to move
cards from
the staging area to random compartments. The microprocessor may monitor,
record and
control a display for the use of the apparatus. The apparatus may further
comprise at least
one sensor for monitoring the movement of cards and the data storage medium
may be
further configured to cause the processing unit to detect a card jam.
14
CA 02364413 2001-12-05
A method according to the present invention for substantially continuously
replenishing a
group of processed cards may comprise:
providing a card receiver for receiving cards to be processed;
providing a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to
the card
receiver and means for moving the stack relative to a card moving mechanism;
providing a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack for
moving
cards from the card receiver to the card-receiving compartments;
providing a second card receiver for receiving processed cards;
providing a second card moving mechanism for moving cards from the
compartments to
the second card receiver; and
counting cards within specified areas within the card handler.
CARD RECEIVER
Refernng to Figures 3 and 4, the card receiver or loading region 26 includes a
card
receiving well 60. The well 60 is defined by upright, generally parallel card
guiding side
walls 62 and a rear wall 64. It includes a floor surface 66 pitched or angled
downwardly
toward the front of the apparatus 21. Preferably, the floor surface is pitched
from the
horizontal at an angle ranging from approximately five to twenty degrees, with
a pitch of
seven degrees being preferred. A removable, generally rectangular weight or
block 68 is
freely and slidably received in the well 60 for free forward and rearward
movement along the
floor surface 66. Under the influence of gravity, the block 68 will tend to
move toward the
forward end of the well 60. The block 68 has an angled, card-contacting front
face 70 for
contacting the back (i.e., the bottom of the bottommost card) of a group of
cards placed into
the well, and urges cards (i.e., the top card of a group of cards) forward
into contact with the
card transporting mechanism 30. The card-contacting face 70 of the block 68 is
at an angle
complimentary to the floor surface 66 of the well 60, for example, an angle of
between
approximately 10 and 80 degrees, and preferably at an angle of 40 degrees.
This angle and
the weight of the block keep the cards urged forwardly against the transport
mechanism 30.
The selected angle of the floor 66 and the weight of the block 68 allow for
the free floating
rearward movement of the cards and the block 68 to compensate for the rearward
force and
CA 02364413 2001-12-05
movement generated as the top or forwardmost card contacts the transport
mechanism 30 and
begins to move. The well 60 includes a card present sensor 74 to sense the
presence or
absence of cards in the well 60. Preferably, the block 68 is mounted on a
roller 69 for easing
the movement of the block 68, and/or the floor 66 and the bottom of the block
may be formed
of or coated with friction reducing material. As shown in Figure 6, the block
68 may have a
thumb or finger receiving notch 71 to facilitate moving it.
CARD RECEIVING COMPARTMENTS
The assembly or stack of card receiving compartments 28 is depicted in Figures
4, 9
and 10, and may also be referred to as a rack assembly. Refernng back to
Figure 3, the rack
assembly 28 is housed in an elevator and rack assembly housing 78 generally
adjacent to the
well 60, but horizontally spaced therefrom. An elevator motor 80 is provided
to position the
rack assembly 28 vertically under control of a microprocessor, in one
embodiment, generally
part of the processing unit 54. The motor 80 is linked to the rack assembly 28
by a
continuous resilient member such as a timing belt 82. Referring to Figure 10,
which depicts a
portion of the rack assembly 28 and how it may be assembled, the rack assembly
28 includes
a bottom plate 92, a left hand rack 94 carrying a plurality of half shelves
96, a right hand rack
98 including a plurality of half shelves 100 and a top plate 102. Together the
right and left
hand racks 94, 98 and their respective half shelves 96, 10(? form the
individual plate-like shelf
pieces 104 for forming the top and bottom walls of the individual compartments
106. The
rack assembly 28 is operably mounted to the apparatus 21 by a left side rack
plate 107 and a
linear guide 108. It is attached to the guide by a guide plate 110. The belt
82 links the motor
80 to a pulley 112 for driving the rack assembly 28 up and down. A hall effect
switch
assembly 114 is provided to sense the bottom position of the rack assembly 28.
Figure 9 depicts a rack assembly 28 having 19 individual compartments 106 for
receiving cards. Generally speaking, a larger number of individual
compartments is preferred
over fewer compartments, with 17 to 19 compartments being most preferred for
randomizing
four decks of cards, but it should be understood that the present invention is
not limited to a
rack assembly of seventeen to nineteen compartments. Preferably, the
compartments 106 are
all substantially the same size, i.e., the shelves 104 are substantially
equally vertically spaced
from each other. Figure 7 shows, in part, a top plan view of one of the shelf
members 104
16
CA 02364413 2001-12-05
and that each includes a pair of rear tabs 124 located at respective rear
corners of the shelf
member 104. The tabs 124 are for card guiding, and help make sure cards are
moved from
the transporting mechanism 30 into the rack assembly 28 without jamming by
permitting the
leading edge of the card to be guided downwardly into the compartment 106
before the card
is released from the card moving mechanism 30. Generally, it is desirable to
mount the
shelves as close to the transporting mechanism 30 as possible.
Figure 11 depicts an alternative embodiment of plate-like shelf members 104
comprising a single-piece plate member 104'. An appropriate number of the
single-piece
plates, corresponding to the desired number of compardnents 106 would be
connected
between the side walls of the rack assembly 28. The plate 104' depicted in
Figure 11 includes
a curved or arcuate edge portion 126 on the rear edge 128 for removing cards
or clearing
jammed cards, and it includes the two bilateral tabs 124, also a feature of
the shelf members
104 of the rack assembly 28 depicted in Figure 7. The tabs 124 act as card
guides and permit
the plate-like shelf members 104 forming the compartments 106 to be positioned
as closely as
possible to the card transporting mechanism 30 to ensure that cards are
delivered correctly
into a compartment 106 even though they may be warped or bowed.
Referring back to Figure 5, an advantage of the plates 104 (and/or the half
plates 96,
100) forming the compartments 106 is depicted. As shown in more detail in
Figure Sa, each
plate 104 includes a beveled or angled underside rearmost surface 130 in the
space between
the shelves or plates 104, i.e., in each compartment 106. Referring to Figure
5, the distance
between the forward edge 134 of the plate 104 and the forward edge 132 of the
bevel 130 is
preferably less than the width of a typical card. The leading edge 136 of a
card being driven
into a compamnent 106 hits the beveled surface 130 and falls down on the top
of cards
already in the compartment 106 so that it comes to rest properly in the
compartment 106 or
on the uppermost card of cards akeady delivered to the compartment. To
facilitate a bevel
130 at a suitable angle 137, a preferred thickness for the plate-like shelf
members 104 is
approximately 3/32 of an inch, but this thickness and/or the bevel angle can
be changed or
varied to accommodate different sizes of cards, such as poker and bridge
cards. Preferably,
the bevel angle 137 is between approximately ten and 45 degrees, and more
preferably is
between approximately fifteen and twenty degrees. Whatever bevel angle and
thickness is
selected, it is preferred that cards C should come to rest with their trailing
edge at least even
with and, preferably rearward of edge 132 of the plate-like shelf members 104.
17
CA 02364413 2001-12-05
The front of the rack assembly 28 is closed by a removable cover 142, which
may be
formed of opaque, transparent or semi-transparent material such as suitable
metal or plastic.
CARD MOVING MECHANISM
Referring to Figures 4, 5 and 6, a preferred card transporting or moving
mechanism
30 linking the card receiving well 60 and the compartments 106 of the rack
assembly 28
includes a card pickup roller assembly 150. The card pick-up roller assembly
150 is located
generally at the forward portion of the well 60. The pick-up roller assembly
150 includes
friction rollers 151A, 151B supported by a bearing mounted axle 152 extending
generally
across the well 60 whereby the card contacting surface of the roller is in
close proximity to
the forward portion of the floor surface 66. The roller assembly 150 is driven
by a pick up
motor 154 operably coupled to the axle 152 by a suitable continuous connector
156 such as a
belt or chain. The card-contacting surface of the roller may be generally
smooth, it may be
textured or it may include one or more finger or tab-like extensions, as long
as card gripping
and moving is not impaired.
With continued reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6, the preferred card moving
mechanism
30 includes a pinch roller card accelerator or speed-up system 160 located
adjacent to the
front of the well 60 generally between the well 60 and the rack assembly 28
forwardly of the
pick-up roller assembly 150. As shown in Figure 7, it is the speed-up system
160 which nests
close to the shelves 104 between the tabs 124 of the shelves. Referring back
to Figures 4, 5
and 6, the speed-up system 160 comprises a pair of axle supported, closely
adjacent speed-up
rollers, one above the other, including a lower roller 162 and an upper roller
164. The upper
roller 164 may be urged toward the lower roller 162 by a spring assembly 166
(Figure 4) or
the roller 162 and 164 may be fixed in slight contact or near to contact and
formed of a
generally firm yet resilient material which gives just enough to admit a card.
Referning to
Figure 4, the lower roller 162 is a driven by a speed-up motor 166 operably
linked to it by a
suitable connector 168 such as a belt or a chain. The mounting for the speed-
up rollers also
supports a rearward card in sensor 172 and a forward card out sensor 176.
Figure 5 is a
largely representational view depicting the relationship between the card
receiving well 60
and the card transporting mechanism 30, and also shows a card C being picked
up by the
18
CA 02364413 2001-12-05
pickup roller assembly 150 and being moved into the pinch roller system 160
for acceleration
into a compartment 104 of the rack assembly 28.
In one embodiment, the pick-up roller assembly 150 is not continuously driven,
but
rather indexes and includes a one-way clutch mechanism. After initially
picking up a card
and advancing it into the speed-up system 160, the pick-up roller motor 154
stops when the
leading edge of a card hits the card out sensor 176, but the roller assembly
150 free-wheels as
a card is accelerated from under it by the speed-up system 160. In one
embodiment, the
speed-up pinch system 160 is continuous in operation once a cycle starts. When
the trailing
edge of the card passes the card out sensor 176, the rack assembly 28 moves
the next
designated compartment into place for receiving a card. The pick up motor 154
then
reactuates.
Additional components and details of the transport mechanism 30 are depicted
in
Figure 6, an exploded assembly view thereof. In Figure 6 the inclined floor
surface 66 of the
well 60 is visible, as are the axle mounted pickup and pinch roller assemblies
150, 160,
respectively, and their relative positions.
Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the transport assembly 30 includes a pair of
generally
rigid stopping plates including an upper stop plate and a lower stop plate
180, 182, .
respectively. The plates 180, 182 are fixedly positioned between the rack
assembly 28 and
the speed-up system 160 immediately forward of and above and below the pinch
rollers 162,
164. The stop plates 180, 182 stop the cards from rebounding or bouncing
rearwardly, back
toward the pinch rollers, after they are driven against and contact the cover
at the front of the
rack assembly 28.
PROCESSING/CONTROL UNIT
Figure 14 is a block diagram depicting an electrical control system which may
be used
in one embodiment of the present invention. The control system includes a
controller 360, a
bus 362, and a motor controller 364. Also represented in Figure 14 are inputs
366, outputs
368, and a motor system 370. The controller 360 sends signals to both the
motor controller
364 and the outputs 368 while monitoring the inputs 366. The motor controller
364 interprets
signals received over the bus 362 from the controller 360. The motor system
370 is driven by
19
~ CA 02364413 2001-12-05
the motor controller 364 in response to the commands from the controller 360.
The controller
360 controls the state of the outputs 368 by sending appropriate signals over
the bus 362.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the motor system 370
comprises
motors that are used for operating components of the card handling apparatus
21. Motors
operate the pick-up roller, the pinch, speed-up rollers, the pusher and the
elevator. The gate
and stop may be operated by a motor, as well. In such an embodiment, the motor
controller
364 would normally comprise one or two controllers and driver devices for each
of the motor
used. However, other configurations are possible.
The outputs 368 include, for example, alarm, start, and reset indicators and
inputs and
may also include signals that can be used to drive a display device (e.g., a
LED display - not
shown). Such a display device can be used to implement a timer, a card
counter, or a cycle
counter. Generally, an appropriate display device can be configured and used
to display any
information worthy of display.
The inputs 366 include information frpm the limit switches and sensors
described
above. Other inputs might include data inputted through operator or user
controls. The
controller 360 receives the inputs 366 over the bus 362.
Although the controller 360 can be any digital controller or microprocessor-
based
system, in a preferred embodiment, the controller 360 comprises a processing
unit 380 and a
peripheral device 382 as shown in Figure 16. The processing unit 380 in the
preferred
embodiment may be an 8-bit single-chip microcomputer such as an 80C52
manufactured by
the Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, California. The peripheral device 382
may be a field
programmable micro controller peripheral device that includes programmable
logic devices,
EPROMs, and input-output ports. As shown in Figure 15, peripheral device 382
interfaces
the processing unit 380 to the bus 362.
The series of instructions stored in the controller 360 is shown in Figure 15
and 16 as
program logic 384. In a preferred embodiment, the program logic 384 is RAM or
ROM
hardware in the peripheral device 382. (Since the processing unit 380 may have
some
memory capacity, it is possible that some of the instructions are stored in
the processing unit
380.) As one skilled in the art will recognize, various implementations of the
program logic
384 are possible. The program logic 384 could be either hardware, software, or
a
combination of both. Hardware implementations might involve hardwired code or
instructions stored in a ROM or RAM device. Software implementations would
involve
CA 02364413 2001-12-05
instructions stored on a magnetic, optical, or other media that can be
accessed by the
processing unit 380. Under certain conditions, it is possible that a
significant amount of
electrostatic charge may build up in the card handler 21. Significant
electrostatic discharge
could affect the operation of the handler 21. It may, therefore, be helpful to
isolate some of
the circuitry of the control system from the rest of the machine. In one
embodiment of the
present invention, a number of optically-coupled isolators are used to act as
a barrier to
electrostatic discharge.
As shown in Figure 16, a first group of circuitry 390 can be electrically
isolated from
a second group of circuitry 392 by using optically-coupled logic gates that
have light-
emitting diodes to optically (rather than electrically) transmit a digital
signal, and photo
detectors to receive the optically transmitted data. An illustration of
electrical isolation
through the use of optically-coupled logic gates is shown in Figure 17, which
shows a portion
of Figure 16 in detail. Four Hewlett-Packard HCPL-2630 optocouplers (labeled
394, 396,
398 and 400) are used to provide an 8-bit isolated data path to the output
devices 368. Each
bit of data is represented by both an LED 402 and a photo detectors 404. The
LEDs emit
light when forward biased, and the photo detectors detect the presence or
absence of the light.
Data is thus transmitted without an electrical connection.
SECOND CARD MOVING MECHANISM
Referring to Figures 4, 8 and 8a, the apparatus 21 includes a second card
moving
mechanism 34 comprising a reciprocating card unloading pusher 190. The pusher
190
includes a substantially flexible pusher arm 192 in the form of a rack having
a plurality of
linearly arranged apertures 194 along its length. The arm 192 is operably
engaged with the
teeth of a pinion gear 196 driven by an unloading motor 198 controlled by the
microprocessor. At its leading or card contacting end, the pusher arm 192
includes a blunt,
enlarged card-contacting head end portion 200. The end portion 200 is greater
in height than
the spacing between the shelf members 104 forming the compartments 106 to make
sure that
all the cards contained in a compamnent are contacted and pushed as it is
operated, even
bowed or warped cards, and includes a pair outstanding guide tabs 203 at each
side of the
head 200 for interacting with the second card receiver 36 for helping to
insure that the cards
are moved properly and without jamming from the compartments 106 to the second
card
21
CA 02364413 2001-12-05
receiver 36. The second card moving mechanism 34 is operated periodically
(upon demand)
to empty stacks of cards from compartments, i.e., compartments which have
received a
complement of cards or a selectable minimum number of cards.
SECOND CARD RECEIVER
When actuated, the second card moving mechanism 34 empties a compartment 106
by pushing cards therein into a second card receiver 36, which may take the
form of a shoe-
like receiver, of the apparatus 21. The second card receiver 36 is shown in
Figures 1, 4, 14
and 16, among others.
Referring to Figures 12 and 13, the second card receiver 36 includes a shoe-
like
terminal end plate 204 and a card way, indicated generally at 206, extending
generally
between the rack assembly 28 and the terminal end plate 204. When a
compartment 106 is
aligned with the card way 206, as shown in Figure 12, the card way 206 may be
thought of as
continuous with the aligned compartment. Referring to Figure 4, an optional
cover operating
motor 208 is positioned generally under the card way 206 for raising and
lowering a powered
cover 142 if such a cover is used.
Referring back to Figures 4, 12 and 13, the card way 206 has a double curved,
generally S-shaped surface and comprises a pair of parallel card guiding rails
210, 212, each
having one end adjacent to the rack assembly 28 and a second end adjacent to
the terminal
end 204. Each rail 210, 212 has a card-receiving groove 213. A S-shaped card
support 211
is positioned between the rails 210, 212 for supporting the central portion of
a card or group
of cards as it moves down the card way 206. A pair of card-biasing springs 215
are provided
adjacent to the rails 210, 212 to urge the cards upwardly against the top of
the grooves 213 to
assist in keeping the all the cards in the group being moved into the second
receiver 36 in
contact with the pusher 190. The curves of the card way 206 help to guide and
position cards
for delivery between cards already delivered and the card-pushing block 214,
which is
generally similar to the block 68. The second curve portion 207 in particular
helps position
and align the cards for delivery between cards already delivered and the card
pushing block
214.
22
CA 02364413 2001-12-05
The second card receiver 36 is generally hollow, defining a cavity for
receiving cards
and for containing the mirror image rails 210, 212, the motor assembly 208 and
a freely
movable card pushing block 214. Refernng to Figure 12, the block 214 has an
angled, front
card contacting face 216, the angle of which is generally complementary to the
angle of the
terminal end plate 204. The block 214 has a wheel or roller 218 for contacting
the sloping or
angled floor 220 of the second card receiver 36 whereby the block moves freely
back and
forth. The free movement helps absorb or accommodate the force generated by
the dealer=s
hand as he deals, i.e., the block 214 is free to bounce rearwardly. A suitable
bounce limit
means (such as a stop 221 mounted on the floor 220 or a resilient member, not
shown) may
be coupled near the block 214 to limit its rearward travel. Referring to
Figure 4, a suitable
receiver empty sensor 222 may be carried by the terminal plate 204 at a
suitable location, and
a card jammed sensor 224 may be provided along the card way 206 adjacent to
the guide rails
210, 212. The receiver empty sensor 222 is for sensing the presence or absence
of cards.
The sensor 223 senses the location of block 214 indicating the number of cards
in the buffer,
and may be operably linked to the microprocessor or directly to the pusher
motor 198 for
triggering the microprocessor to actuate the pusher 190 of the second
transport assembly 34
to unload one or more groups of cards from the compartments 106.
As depicted in Figure 13, the terminal plate 204 may include a sloped surface
204'.
The sloped surface 204' has a raised portion closest to the terminal plate
204, and that portion
fits generally under a notch 205' in the terminal plate 204 for receiving a
dealer=s finger to
facilitate dealing and to help preserve the flatness of the cards. The shoe
204', the terminal
plate 204 and a removable card way cover 209 may be formed as a unit, or as
separable
individual pieces for facilitating access to the inside of the second receiver
36.
Figure 12 is a largely representational view depicting the apparatus 21 and
the
relationship of its components including the card receiver 26 for receiving a
group of new or
played cards for being shuffled for play, including the well 60 and block 68,
the rack
assembly 28 and its single stack of card-receiving compamnents 106, the card
moving or
transporting mechanism 30 between and linking the card receiver 26 and the
rack assembly
28, the second card mover 190 for emptying the compartments 106 and the second
receiver
36 for receiving randomized or shuffled cards.
23
CA 02364413 2001-12-05
OPERATION/ USE
Appendix B outlines one embodiment of the operational steps or flow of the
method
and apparatus of the present invention. The start input is actuated and the
apparatus 21
homes (see Appendix B). In use, played or new cards to be shuffled or
reshuffled are loaded
into the well 60 by moving the block 68 generally rearwardly or removing it.
Cards are
placed into the well 60 generally sideways, with the plane of the cards
generally vertical, on
one of the long side edges of the cards (see Figures 5 and 12). The block 68
is released or
replaced to urge the cards into an angular position generally corresponding to
the angle of the
angled card contacting face of the block, and into contact with the pick-up
roller assembly
150. As the cards are picked up, i.e., after the separation of a card from the
remainder of the
group of cards in the well 60 is started, a card is accelerated by the speed-
up system 160 and
spit or moved through a horizontal opening between the plates 180, 182 and
into a selected
compartment 106. Substantially simultaneously, movement of subsequent cards is
underway,
with the rack assembly 28 position relative to the cards being delivered by
the transport
mechanism 30 being selected and timed by the microprocessor whereby selected
cards are
delivered randomly to selected compartments until the cards in the well 60 are
exhausted. In
the unlikely event of a card jam during operation, for example, if one of the
sensors is
blocked or if the pusher hits or lodges against the rack assembly 28, the
apparatus 21 may
flow automatically or upon demand to a recovery routine which might include
reversal of one
or more motors such as the pick-up or speed-up motors, and/or repositioning of
the rack
assembly 28 a small distance up or down.
Upon demand from the receiver sensor 222, the microprocessor randomly selects
the
compartment 106 to be unloaded; and energizes the motor which causes the
pusher 190 to
unload the cards in one compartment 106 into the second card receiver 36. The
pusher is
triggered by the sensor 222 associated with the second receiver 36. It should
be appreciated
that each cycle or operational sequence of the machine 21 transfers all of the
cards placed in
the well 60 each time, even if there are still cards in some compartments 106.
In one
embodiment, the apparatus 21 is programmed to substantially constantly
maintain a "buffer"
(see Figure 12 wherein the buffer is depicted at "B") of a selected number of
cards, for
example 20 cards, in the second receiver. A buffer of more or less cards may
be selected.
24
CA 02364413 2001-12-05
In operation, when sensor 74 detects cards present, the entire stack of
unshuffled
cards in the card receiver 26 is delivered one by one to the card receiving
compartments 106.
A random number generator is utilized to select the compartment which will
receive each
individual card. The microprocessor is programmed to skip compartments that
hold the
maximum number of cards allowed by the program. At any time during the
distribution
sequence, the microprocessor can be instructed to activate the unloading
sequence. All
compartments 106 are randomly selected.
It is to be understood that because cards are being fed into and removed from
the
apparatus 21 on a fairly continuous basis, that the number of cards delivered
into each
compartment 106 will vary.
Preferably, the microprocessor is programmed to randomly select the
compartment
106 to be unloaded when more cards are needed. Most preferably, the
microprocessor is
programmed to skip compartments 106 having seven or fewer cards to maintain
reasonable
shuffling speed.
It has been demonstrated that the apparatus of the present invention provides
a
recurrance rate of at least 4.3%, a significant improvement over known
devices.
In one exemplary embodiment, the continuous card shuffling apparatus 21 of the
present invention may have the following specifications or attributes which
may be taken into
account when creating an operational program.
Machine Parameters - 4 Deck Model:
1. Number of compartments 106: variable between 13-19;
2. Maximum number of cards/compartment: variable between 10-14;
3. Initial number of cards in second card receiver: 20-24;
4. Theoretical capacity of the compartments: 147-266 cards (derived from the
number of
compartments x the preferred maximum number of cards/compartment);
S. Number of cards in the second card receiver 36 to trigger unloading of a
compartment: variable between 6-10;
6. Delivery of cards from a compartment 106 is not tied to a predetermined
number of
cards in a compartment (e.g., a compartment does not have to contain 14 cards
to be
unloaded). The minimum number of cards to be unloaded may range from between 4
to 7 cards and it is preferred that no compamnent 106 be completely full
(i.e., unable
to receive additional cards) at any time.
CA 02364413 2001-12-05
In use, it is preferred that the apparatus 21 incorporates features, likely
associated
with the microprocessor, for monitoring and recording the number of cards in
each group of
cards being moved into the second card receiver 36, the number of groups of
cards moved,
and the total number of cards moved.
In one embodiment, taking into account the above set forth apparatus
attributes, the
apparatus 21 may follow the following sequence of operations:
Filling the machine with cards:
1. The dealer loads the well 60 with pre-shuffled cards;
2. Upon actuation, the apparatus 21 randomly loads the compartments 106 with
cards
from the well, one card at a time, picking cards from the top of the cards in
the well;
3. When one of the compartments 106 receives a predetermined number of cards,
unload
that compartment 106 into the second card receiver 36;
4. Continue with #2. No compamnent loading during second receiver loading.;
5. When a second compartment 106 receives a predetermined number of cards,
unload
that compartment 106 into the second card receiver 36, behind cards already
delivered
to the second receiver 36;
6. The dealer continues to load cards in the well 60 which are randomly placed
into the
compartments 106; and
7 . Repeat this process until the initial number of cards in receiver 36 has
been delivered.
In another practice of the present invention, there are three (or more or
fewer)
separate methods of filling the shoe. The method may be preferably randomly
selected each
time the machine is loaded. Step 3 (above) outlines one method. A second
method is
described as follows: Prior to the beginning of the filling cycle, a distinct
number of
compartments (e.g., four compartments) are randomly selected, and as those
compartments
reach a minimum plurality number of cards (e.g., six cards), those
compartments unload as
they are filled to at least that minimum number. The second method delays the
initial loading
of the shoe as compared to the first method. In a third method, as cards are
loaded into the
rack assembly, no cards unload until there are only a predetermined plurality
number (e.g.,
26
, CA 02364413 2001-12-05
four) compartments remaining with a maximum number (e.g., six or fewer) of
cards. When
this condition is met, the shoe loads from the last plurality number (e.g.,
four) of
compartments as each compartment is filled with a minimum number (e.g., six
cards) of
cards. This third member delays loading even more as compared to the first and
second
methods.
Continuous operation
1 The dealer begins dealing;
2. When the number of cards in the second card receiver 36 goes down to a
predetermined number sensed by sensor 223, unload one group of cards from one
of
the compartments 106 (randomly selected);
3. As cards are collected from the table, the dealer loads cards into the
receiver 60.
These cards are then randomly loaded into compartments 106. In case a
compartment
has received the maximum number of cards allowed by the program, if selected
to
receive another card, the program will skip that compartment and randomly
select
another compartment; and
4. Repeat #2 and #3 as play continues. It is preferable that the ratio of
cards out or in
play to the total number of cards available should be low, for example
approximately
24:208.
Another concern in continuous shufflers is the fact that there has been no
ability to
provide strong security evaluation in the continuous shufflers, because of the
very fact that
the cards are continuously being reshuffled, with cards present within and
without the
shuffler. This offers an increased risk of cards being added to the deck by
players or being
removed and held back by the player. This is a particular concern in games
where the player
is allowed to contact or pick up cards during play (e.g., in certain poker-
type games and
certain formats for blackjack). The present invention provides a particular
system wherein
the total number of cards in play at the table may be verified with minimum
game
interruption. This system may be effected by a number of different procedures,
each of
which is exemplary and is not intended to limit the options or alternatives
that may be used to
effect the same or similar results.
One method of effecting this method comprises a continuous counting, analysis,
reporting based on at least some (but not necessarily all) the following
information provided
27
CA 02364413 2001-12-05
to the microprocessor: the total initial number of cards provided to the
shuffler, the number of
cards dealt to each player, the number of cards dealt in a complete game, the
number of cards
dealt in a round, the total number of cards dealt out since new cards were
introduced, the total
number of cards returned to the shuffler, the difference between the number of
cards dealt out
and the number of cards returned to the shuffler, specific cards removed and
re-supplied to
the shuffler, and the like. It must be noted that continuous shufflers are
intended to run with
no total replacement of the cards to be shuffled, except when the used decks
are replaced with
new decks. As opposed to the more common batch shufflers, where a specific
number of
decks are shuffled, the shuffled decks are cut, the game is played with cards
distributed until
the cut is reached, and then the decks are reinserted into the shuffler for
shuffling, the
continuous shuffler maintains a large stock of cards within the shuffler
assembly, with cards
used in the play of a hand being reinserted into the assembly to be combined
with the stock of
cards that are shuffled and added to the shoe for distribution to the players.
This creates the
card distribution pattern where the cards are ordinarily distributed between
various sections
of a shuffler (e.g., a feeder, a separation rack, a shoe, etc.), a manually
stored portion of cards
on the table, including for example excess cards, discards, cards used in part
or in whole in
the play of the hand, and cards held by a player. This pattern makes it very
difficult to
maintain surveillance of the cards and maintain security with respect to the
number or type of
cards present on the table.
One type of continuous shuffler that is particularly useful in the practice of
the present
invention comprises a shuffler with a feeder zone, separation or shuffling
zone (or "rack,"
depending upon the design) and shoe zone. This shuffling zone could be any
type of
shuffling zone or shuffling process, including those constructions known in
the art, wherein
the novel feature of keeping a card count of cards specifically within a
specific zone within
the system is maintained. This is opposed to a construction where cards are
merely counted
in a batch as they are initially fed into a machine or into a zone. In this
practice, for example,
a constant count of cards is maintained in the shuffling zone by counting the
cards inserted,
the cards removed, and additional cards inserted into the zone. The feeder
zone is a section
where cards are inserted into the shuffling apparatus, usually stacked in a
collection of cards
to be shuffled. The feeder zone is a storage area in the shuffling device that
stores unshuffled
cards and provides or feeds those cards into a shuffling function. The
shuffling or separation
zone is a region within the shuffling or card handling apparatus where
unshuffled cards are
28
CA 02364413 2001-12-05
randomly distributed or separated into compartments or receiving areas to form
subsets of
randomly distributed cards from the unshuffled cards provided from the feeder
zone. The
shuffling zone could be any region within the device that accomplishes
randomization of the
cards while keeping track of the actual number of cards within the zone. The
shoe is the
section of the shuffling apparatus where shuffled cards are stored for
delivery to a) players, b)
the dealer and/or to c) discard or excess piles. The shoe may receive limited
numbers of
cards that are replenished (usually automatically) from the separation area.
The general
operation of this type of system would be as follows, with various exemplary,
but non-
limiting options provided.
Cards are inserted into the feeder region of the shuffler. A number of cards
are fed,
usually one at a time, into the shuffling or separation zone (hereinafter
referred to as the
'shuffling zone'). The number of cards may be all of the cards (e.g., 1, 2, 3,
4,5 or more
decks depending upon the size of the apparatus and its capacity) or less than
all of the cards.
The microprocessor (or a networked computer) keeps track of the number of
cards fed from
the feeder zone into the shuffling zone. The shuffling zone may comprise, for
example, a
number of racks, vertical slots, vertical compartments, elevator slots,
carousel slots, carousel
compartments, or slots in another type of movable compartments (movable with
respect to
the feeding mechanism from the feeder, which could include a stationary
separation
department and a movable feeder).
The shuffling zone can also include a completely different style of
randomization or
shuffling process, such as the shuffling processes shown in Sines U.S. Patents
Nos. 5,676,372
and 5,584,483. Although the described apparatus is a batch-type shuffler, the
device could be
easily modified to deliver cards continuously, with a resupply of spent cards.
The device, for
example, could be adapted so that whenever discards are placed in the infeed
tray, the cards
are automatically fed into the shuffling chamber. The programming could be
modified to
eject hands, cards or decks on demand, rather than only shuffling multiple
decks of cards.
In that type of apparatus, a stack of cards is placed up on edge in the
shuffling zone,
with one group of card edges facing upwardly, and the opposite edges supported
by a
horizontal surface defining a portion of the shuffling chamber. The stack of
cards is
supported on both sides, so that the group of cards is positioned
substantially vertically on
edge.
29
. CA 02364413 2001-12-05
A plurality of ejectors drive selected cards out of the stack by striking an
edge of a
card, sending the card through a passage and into a shuffled card container.
Shuffling is
accomplished in one shuffling step. In this example, by equipping the shuffler
with a feed
mechanism that is capable of counting each card that is loaded, including the
cards added into
the stack during operation, and counting each card ejected from the stack, it
is possible to
keep track of the total number of cards within the shuffling zone at any given
time.
In another example of the present invention, the shuffling chamber may be
similar to
that shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,586,712 (Lorber et al.). That device shows a
carousel-type
shuffling chamber having a plurality of radially disposed slots, each slot
adapted to receive a
single card. A microprocessor keeps track of he number of or empty slots
during operation
(see column 7, lines 5-16).
In the example of a slot-type shuffling apparatus that accepts more than one
card per
shelf or slot, the cards are generally inserted into the particular type of
compartments or slots
available within the system on a random basis, one card at a time. This
creates a series of
segments or sub-sets of cards that have been randomly inserted into the
compartments or
slots. These sub-sets are stored until they are fed into the shoe. The number
of cards
delivered from the shuffling zone into the shoe are also counted. In this
manner, a constant
count of the number of cards in the shuffling zone is maintained. At various
times, either
random times or at set intervals or at the command of the microprocessor,
cards from the
separation zone are directed into the shoe. The microprocessor may signal the
need for cards
in the shoe by counting the number of cards removed from the shoe (this
includes counting
the number of cards inserted into the shoe and the number of cards removed
from the shoe, so
that a count of cards in the shoe may be maintained.
The process may then operate as follows. At all times (continually), the
microprocessor tracks the number of cards present in the shuffling zone. The
dealer or other
floor personnel activates the card verification process, halting the delivery
of cards from the
shuffling zone to the shoe. All cards on the table are then fed into the
shuffling zone. The
total cards in the shuffling zone (e.g., within the rack of compartments or
slots) is determined.
If there are cards in the shoe zone, those cards in the shoe are placed into
the feeder zone.
The cards are fed from the feeder zone into the shuffling zone. The total of
cards 1)
originally in the shuffling zone area and 2) the cards added to the feeder
(and any cards
already in the feeder that had not been sent to the shuffling zone before
discontinuance of the
CA 02364413 2001-12-05
handling distribution functions of the apparatus) and then fed into the
separation zone are
totaled. That total is then compared to the original number or programmed
number of cards
in the system. A comparison identifies whether all cards remain within the
system and
whether security has been violated.
The system may indicate a secure system (e.g., the correct amount or number of
cards) by a visual signal (e.g., LED or liquid crystal readout, light bulb,
flag, etc.) or audio
signal. Similarly, an insecure security condition (e.g., insufficient number
of cards or
plethora of cards) could be indicated by a different visual or audio signal,
or could activate an
unloading sequence. If an insecure system notice is produced, there may be an
optional
function of reopening the system, recounting the cards, pausing and requiring
an additional
command prior to unloading, allowing the dealer to add additional cards
subsequently found
(e.g., retained at a player's position or in a discard pile), and then
recounting some or all of
the cards.
Alternatively, the cards in the shoe may also be accurately accounted for by
the
microprocessor. That is, the microprocessor in the card-handling device of the
present
invention may count the cards in the shuffling zone and the cards in the shoe
zone. This
would necessitate that sensing be performed in at least two locations (from
the feeder into the
shuffling zone and out of the shoe) or more preferably in at least three
locations (from the
feeder to the shuffling zone, from the shuffling zone to the shoe zone, and
cards removed
from the shoe). Therefore, the cards may be counted in at least three
different ways within
the apparatus and provide the functionality of maintaining a count of at least
some of the
cards secure within the system (that is, they cannot be removed from the
system either
without the assistance of the dealer, without triggering an unlock function
within the system,
or without visually observable activity that would be observed by players, the
dealer, house
security, or video observation).
For example, by counting and maintaining a count only within the shuffling
zone,
there is no direct access to the counted cards except by opening the device.
By counting and
maintaining a count within only the shuffling zone and the shoe, there is no
direct access to
the shuffling zone, and the cards may be removed from the shoe only by the
dealer, and the
dealer would be under the observation of the players, other casino workers,
and video camera
observation.
31
CA 02364413 2001-12-05
The initiation of the count will cause a minor pause in the game, but takes
much less
time then a shuffling operation, including both a manual shuffling operation
(e.g., up to five
minutes with a six deck shoe) and a mechanical shuffling operation ( 1-4
minutes with a one
to six deck shoe, which is usually performed during the play of the game with
other decks),
with the counting taking one minute or less. The actual inidarion of the count
must be done
by the dealer or other authorized personnel (e.g., within the house crew),
although the card
handling apparatus may provide a warning (based on time since the last count,
the time of
day, randomly, on a response to instructions sent from a house's control
center, or with other
programmed base) that a count should be performed. The count may be initiated
in a number
of ways, depending upon where the count is being performed. A starting point
would always
be providing an initial total card count of all cards to be used with the
shuffler. This can be
done by the machine actually counting all the cards at the beginning of the
game, by the
dealer specifically entering a number for the total number .of cards from a
keypad, or by
indicating a specific game that is defined by the number of cards used in the
game. The
card verification process is preferably repeated automatically whenever a card
access point is
opened (i.e., a shoe cover or door is opened).
As an example, a situation will be analyzed where the dealer decides that a
count is to
be made in the system where card count is maintained in the shuffling zone
only. The dealer
enters or presets a specific card count of 208 (two hundred and eight cards,
four decks) into
the microprocessor for the shuffler by pressing numbers on a keypad. The
dealer will
deactivate any function of the machine that takes cards out of the shuffling
zone will be
deactivated. All cards on the table and in the shoe will then be added to the
feeder zone. The
cards will be automatically fed from the feeder zone into the shuffling zone
and as a security
function, each counted as it passes from the feeder zone to the shuffling
zone. The count
from this security function (or card totaling of cards not stored in the
shuffling zone) will be
added by the microprocessor to the running or rolling shufling zone card count
to pravide a
total card count. This total card count will then be compared to the preset
value.
In another embodiment, a four deck game of Spanish Twenty-One~ blackjack will
be
played. The dealer indicates the game to be played, and the card handling
device (shuffler)
indicates that 192 (one hundred and ninety-two, that is, 4 x 48 cards) cards
will be used.
After one hour, the shuffler indicates that a count is required for security.
The apparatus
counts all cards in the shuffling zone and the shoe. The dealer closes a panel
over the shoe to
32
CA 02364413 2001-12-05
restrict access to the cards. The players' cards from the last hand, any
discards, and all other
cards not in the shuffling zone or shoe are then added to the feeder zone. The
cards in the
feeder zone are then fed into the shuffling zone and counted as the new card
entry total. That
new card entry total is added to the rolling total for cards held within the
combined shuffling
zone and shoe. If the total is 192, a green light (or other color, or LED or
liquid crystal
display, or audio signal) will indicate that the proper count was achieved. If
the count is
inaccurate, a number of different procedures may be activated, after the card
handling device
has appropriately indicated that there is a discrepancy between the original
or initial card
count and the final card count performed on command by the device. If the card
count finds
an insufficiency (e.g., fewer than 192 cards), the device may pause and the
dealer and/or
other casino employees will visually examine the table to see if cards were
inadvertently left
out of the count. The shuffler may also have the capability that it can abort
a shuffling
procedure and require a reloading of cards. If cards are found, the additional
cards will be
added to the feeder zone, an additional count initiated, and that second count
total added to
the initial final card count total. If the total still lacks correspondence to
the initial count, a
further search may be made or security called to investigate the absence of
cards. If the
device is in a "pause" mode, the dealer may activaye an unloading process or a
recounting
process. A complete separate count may be made again by the machine and/or by
hand to
confirm the deficiency. The indication of an excess of cards is a more
definitive initial
indication of a security issue. After such an indication, security would be
called (either by
floor personnel or by direct signal from the microprocesser) and an immediate
count
(mechanical and/or manual) of all the cards would be made. That issue would be
resolved by
the recount indicating the correct number of cards or an indication that an
excess of cards
actually exists.
The device can be constructed with not only a sensor or sensors to count the
cards, but
also with a scanner or scanners that can read data on the cards to indicate
actual card ranks
and values. In this manner, particularly by reading the cards going into the
shoe and being
removed from the shoe, and/or reading the cards going into distinct
compartments within the
rack, the shuffler may monitor the actual cards within the apparatus, not
merely the number
of cards present. In this manner, as where a jackpot is awarded and the cards
must be
verified, the card handling device may quickly verify the presence of all
cards by number and
rank within the decks. This can also be used to verify a hand by identifying
which cards are
33
CA 02364413 2001-12-05
specifically absent from the total of the cards originally inserted into the
gaming apparatus.
For example, the player's hand with a jackpot winning hand is left in front of
the player. The
apparatus is activated to count and identify cards. If the apparatus indicates
that A-K-Q-J-10
of Hearts are missing from the count and the player has the A-K-Q-J-10 of
Hearts in front of
her/him, then the jackpot hand is verified with respect to the security of the
total of the
playing cards. This is ordinarily done manually and consumes a significant
amount of time.
The system of the present invention, in addition to allowing a security check
on the
number of cards present in the collection of decks, allows additional cards,
such as
promotional cards or bonus cards, to be added to the regular playing cards,
the total number
of cards allowable in play modified to the number of regular playing cards
plus additional
(e.g., special) playing cards, allowing the shuffler to be modified for a
special deck or decks)
where there are fewer than normal cards (e.g., Spanish 21~ blackjack game), or
otherwise
modified at the direction of the house. Therefore, the shuffler would not be
limited to
counting security for only direct multiples of conventional 52 card playing
decks. The
shuffler may be provided with specific selection features wherein a game may
be identified to
the microprocessor and the appropriate number of cards for that game shall
become the
default security count for the game selected.
The present invention also describes a structural improvement in the output
shoe
cover to prevent cards that are already within the shoe from interfering with
the delivery of
additional cards to the shoe. Figure 18 is a side elevational view of an
output shoe 36
incorporating a gate 400 mounted for pivotal movement about an axis 410. The
gate is of
sufficient size and shape to retract and avoid obstruction of card way 206
when cards are
moving into output shoe 36. A leading edge of a group of cards (not shown)
contacts a first
surface 412, moving gate 400 upwardly and substantially in a direction shown
by arrow 414.
Once the group of cards passes into the shoe as shown by the position of the
group of
cards identified as B, the gate lowers by means of gravity to a second
position shown in
phantom at 416, blocking an opening to card way 206. With gate 400 in the
lower resting
position shown at 416, the dealer cannot inadvertently push cards B back into
the card way
206 when removing cards from the shoe 36. In this manner, the card way 206 is
always
capable of passing another group of cards to the shoe 36, assuring a
continuous supply of
cards.
34
CA 02364413 2001-12-05
A novel gravity feed/diverter system is described to reduce the potential for
jamming
and greatly reduces the chance for multiple cards being fed into the shuffling
zone. In this
feature, two separate features are present between the feeder zone and the
separation zone as
shown in Figure 19, which is a side view of a new feeder system with a novel
design for a
card separator that has the potential for reducing jamming and reducing the
potential for
multiple card feed when a single card is to be fed. The two features shown are
adjacent to the
feed tray 10. The feed tray 10 angled (at other than horizontal) with respect
to the horizontal
plane, but could also be substantially horizontal. The cards are urged towards
the features on
a discriminating barrier 500 by a pickoff roller 502. The pickoff roller 502
is shown here as
driven by a motor 504. The shape of the lower edge of the discriminating
barner 500 is
important because it discourages more than one card at a time from passing
from the feed tray
10 to the separation zone 506. In the event that two cards are accidentally
moved at the same
time, the discriminating barner 500, because of the height of a lower edge
508, the barrier
will allow only one card to pass through, with the second (usually top most)
card striking a
braking surface 510 within the discriminating barrier 500 and retarding its
forward
movement.
The braking surfaces 510 are shown as two separate surfaces. However, the
braking
surface 510 can be a single continuous surface or more than two surfaces. It
is important that
a contact surface be provided that inhibits forward movement of a card resting
upon another
card. Since the friction between the two adjacent cards is minimal, the
contact surface does
not need to include sharply angled or substantially vertical surfaces to
inhibit the forward
movement of the card.
Another aspect of the separator of the present invention is the presence of a
brake
roller assembly 511. The assembly includes a stationary top roller 512 and a
driven roller
514. The spacing between top roller 512 and bottom roller 514 is selected so
that only one
card can pass through the barrier 500. Single cards passing through roller
assembly 511 pass
through speed-up roller assembly 516, and into the shuffling zone.
Upon failing to advance, the apparatus may be programmed to treat the presence
of
the additional card (sensed by sensing elements within the shuffler, not
shown) as a jam or as
the next card to be advanced, without an additional card removed from the
feeder zone.
Separating the cards to assure that only one card at a time is fed is critical
to obtaining
CA 02364413 2001-12-05
accurate card counting and verification (unless the counting system is
sufficiently advanced
to enable distinguishing between the number of cards fed and counting that
number of cards).
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully
apparent and understood with reference to the following specification and to
the appended
drawings and claims.
Aunendix A
Motors. Switches and Sensors
Item Name Description
1 ICPS Input Card Present Sensor
2 RCPS Rack Card Present Sensor
3 RHS Rack Home Switch
4 RPS Rack Position Sensor
5 UHS Unloader Home Switch
6 DPS Door Present Switch
7 RUTS Rack Unload Trigger Sensor
8 CIS Card In Sensor
9 COS Card Out Sensor
GUS Gate Up Switch
11 GDS ~ Gate Down Switch
~
36
CA 02364413 2001-12-05
12 SWRTS Shoe Weight Release Trigger Sensor
13 SES Shoe Empty Sensor
14 SJS Shoe Jam Sensor
15 SS Start Switch
Name Description
POM Pick-off Motor
SUM Speed-up Motor
RM Rack Motor
UM Unloader Motor
SWM Shoe Weight Motor
GM Gate Motor
SSV Scroll Switch - Vertical
SSH Scroll Switch - Horizontal
AL Alarm Light
Display Noritake * CU20025ECPB - UIJ
Power SupplyShindengen * ZB241R8, or ZB241R7K2, ZB241R7 or EOS Corporarion
ZUC45TS24E or Qualtek Electric 862-06/002 or Delta 06AR1
37
CA 02364413 2001-12-05
Linear GuideTHK * RSR12ZMLTU + 145 M, or 2RSR12Z MUU + 229I M
Comm. PortDigi * HR021 - ND
Power SwitchDigi * SW 323 - ND
Power EntryBergquist * LT - 101 - 3P
Appendix B
HomiinsJPower-uD
1. Unloader Home
2. Door Present
3. Gate Closed
4. Card Out Sensor (COS) Clear
5. Rack Empty and Home
6. Input Shoe Empty
7. Shoe Empty
8. Card in'Sensor (CIS) Clear.
9. Shoe Jam Sensor Clear
38
~ CA 02364413 2001-12-05
An extremely desirable feature of the shuffler of the present invention is the
system of
monitoring and moving cards. Figure 20 identifies the sensor and motor
locations for a
preferred embodiment of the invention.
Representative sensors are optical sensors with a light emitter and receiver.
An
example of a suitable sensor is a model number EE-SPY401 available from Omron
of
Schaumburg, Illinois. The space constraints and the specific function of each
sensor
described below are factors to be considered when selecting a sensor. Although
optical
sensors are described below, it is possible to use other types of sensors such
as proximity
sensors, pressure sensors, readers for information installed on the cards
(e.g., magnetic
readers) and the like.
Sensor 600 is the dealing sensor. This sensor is capable of generating a
signal for
every card removed from the shoe. The signals are sent to the microprocessor,
and are used
to determine when the dealer removes the cards.
Sensor 602 is the shoe empty sensor. This sensor generates a signal when no
cards
are present in the shoe. The sensor generates a signal that is sent to the
microprocessor. This
signal is interpreted by the microprocessor as an instruction to deliver
another group of cards
to the shoe. This sensor is a back-up sensor, because the shoe is normally not
empty. The
sensor is used primarily to verify that the shoe is empty when the machine is
initially loaded
with cards.
Unloader trigger sensor 604 senses the amount of cards in the shoe, and
generates a
signal when a predetermined minimum number of cards are present in the shoe.
The signal is
sent to the microprocessor, and the microprocessor interprets the signal as an
instruction to
unload and deliver another group of cards into the shoe. In one example, the
trigger sensor
604 activates a random number generator. The random number generator randomly
selects a
number between zero and three. The selected number corresponds to the number
of
additional cards to be dealt out of the shoe prior to unloading the next group
of cards. If the
randomly selected number is zero, the unloader immediately unloads the next
group of cards.
Unloader extended switch 606 generates a signal that is indicative of the
position of
the unloader. When the unloader is in the extended position, unloader extended
switch 606
generates a signal that is received by the microprocessor. The microprocessor
interprets the
signal as instructions to halt forward movement of the unloader, and reverse
movement.
39
~ CA 02364413 2001-12-05
Staging switch 608 senses the position of the unloader. The sensor 608 is
positioned
at a point along the card way 206. As a group of cards reaches the sensor, the
sensor sends a
signal to the microprocessor to stop forward movement of the unloader. A group
of cards is
therefore staged in the card way 206. The microprocessor also receives signals
from sensor
600 so that the staged group of cards is released while the dealer is removing
cards from the
shoe. This assures that the cards in the shoe, if pushed backwards initially,
are traveling
toward or resting against the exit of the shoe during unloading. In another
example of the
invention, the staging switch 608 unloads only when a signal from switch 600
is interrupted.
Rack Emptying Sensor 610 indicates when a rack has been unloaded. The sensor
is
functional only when the shoe cover is open. This sensor functions during a
process of
emptying cards from the machine. The microprocessor interprets the signal as
instructions to
initiate the emptying or unloading of a rack. When the signal is interrupted,
the
microprocessor instructs the rack to align another compartment with the
unloader.
Shoe Cover Switch 612 indicates the presence of the shoe cover. When the
signal is
interrupted, the microprocessor halts further shuffling. When the signal is
reestablished,
normal shuffling functions resume upon reactivating the machine.
Door Present Switch 614 senses the presence of the door covering the opening
to the
racks. When the signal is interrupted, the microprocessor halts further
shuffling. When the
signal is reestablished, normal shuffling functions resume upon reactivating
the machine.
Card Out Sensor 616 indicates when a card is passing into the rack from the
speed up
rollers 516. The microprocessor must receive the signal in order to continue
to randomly
select a compartment or shelf and instruct the elevator motor 638 to move the
elevator to the
next randomly selected position. If the signal is interrupted, the
microprocessor initiates a
jam recovery routine. To recover from a card jam, the elevator is moved up and
down a short
distance. This motion almost always results in a trailing edge of the jammed
card making
contact with the speed up rollers 516. The speed up rollers then deliver the
card into the
compartment. If the recovery is unsuccessful, the signal will remain
interrupted, operations
will halt. An error signal will be generated and displayed, and instructions
for manually
unjamming the machine will preferably be displayed. The function of the Card
Out Sensor
161 is also critical to the card counting and verification procedure described
above, as the
signal produces a count of cards in each shelf in the rack.
CA 02364413 2001-12-05
Card In Sensor 618 is located on an infeed end of the speed-up rollers 516 and
is used
both to monitor normal operation and to provide information to the
microprocessor useful in
recovering from a card feed jam. During normal operation, the microprocessor
interprets the
generation of the signal from sensor 618, the interruption of that signal, the
generation and
S interruption of card out sensor 616, in sequence as a condition of counting
that card. If a card
would travel in the reverse direction, that card would not be counted. During
the jam
recovery process, the interruption of the signal from sensor 618 tells the
microprocessor that
a jam occurring in the speed up rollers 516 has been cleared.
Card Separator Empty Sensor 620 monitors the progression of the cards as the
cards
leave the brake roller assembly 511. Although there is another card present
sensor 626 as
will be described below in the input shoe 10, sensor 620 senses the presence
of the card
before the signal generated by sensor 626 is interrupted. Because the spacing
between
sensors 620, 626 is less than a card length, the information sent to the
microprocessor from
both sensors provides an indication of normal card movement.
Switch 622 is the main power switch. Upon activating the switch, a signal is
sent to
the microprocessor to activate the shuffling process. In one embodiment of the
invention,
upon delivering power to the shuffler, a test circuit first tests the voltage
and phase of the
power supply. A power adapter (not shown) is provided, and the available power
is
converted to a D.C. power supply for use by the shuffler.
Light 624 is an alarm light. The microprocessor activates the alarm light
whenever a
fault condition exists. For example, if the cover that closes off the mixing
stack or the shoe
cover is not in place, the alarm light 624 would be illuminated. If the card
verification
procedure is activated, and an incorrect number of cards is counted, this
would also cause
light 624 to illuminate. Other faults such as misdeals, card feed jams, card
insertion jams,
card delivery jams, and the like are all possible triggering events for the
activation of alarm
light 624.
Feeder Empty Sensor 626 is an optical sensor located on a lower surface of the
card
receiving well 60. This sensor sends a signal to the microprocessor. The
microprocessor
interprets the signal as an indication that cards are present, and that the
feed system is to be
activated. When the signal is interrupted, indicating that no cards are in the
well 60, the feed
roller 502 stops delivering cards. In one embodiment, the lower driven roller
514 of brake
roller assembly 511 runs continuously, while in the embodiment shown in Figure
19, the
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~ CA 02364413 2001-12-05
lower roller runs only when feed roller 502 runs. Similarly, speed up rollers
516 can run
continuously or only when the feed roller 502 and brake roller 514 is being
driven. In one
example, the operation of rollers 514 and 502 is intermittent, while the
operation of speed up
rollers 516 is continuous.
Referring back to Figure 20, Enter Key 628 and Scroll Key 630 are both
operator
input keys. The Enter Key 628 is used to access a menu, and to scroll down to
a particular
entry. The Scroll Key 630 permits the selection of a field to modify, and
Enter Key 628 can
be used to input or modify the data. Examples of data to be selected and or
manipulated
includes: the type of game being played, the number of decks in the game, the
number of
cards in the deck, the number of promotional cards, the total number of cards
in the machine,
the table number, the pit number, and any other data necessary to accomplish
card
verification. Enter Key 628 provides a means of selecting from a menu of
preprogrammed
options, such as the type of game to be played (such as blackjack, baccarat,
pontoon, etc.), the
number of cards in the deck, the number of promotional cards, the number of
decks, etc. The
menu could also include other information of interest to the house such as the
date, the shift,
the name of the dealer, etc. This information can be tracked and stored by the
microprocessor
in associated memory, and included in management reports, or in other
communications to
the house.
A number of motors are used to drive the various rollers in the feed assembly
(shown
in Figure 19). Feed roller 502 is driven by motor 504, via continuous
resilient belt members
504B and 504C. Brake roller driven roller 514 is also driven by motor 504 via
resilient
continuous member 504B. In another embodiment, rollers 502 and 514 are driven
by
different motors. Speed up roller assembly 516 is driven by motor 507, via
resilient belt
member 507B. Each of the motors is typically a stepper motor. An example of a
typical
stepper motor used for this application is available from Superior Electric of
Bristol,
Connecticut by ordering part number M041-47103.
Motor 636 drives the unloader 190 via continuous resilient member 636B. The
resilient member 636B turns pulley or pinion gear 637, causing lateral motion
of unloader
190. Teeth of pinion gear 637 mesh with openings 194 in the unloader (see
Figure 8).
Rack motor 638 causes the rack assembly to translate along a linear path. This
path is
preferably substantially vertical. However, the rack could be positioned
horizontally or at an
angle with respect to the horizontal. For example, it might be desirable to
position the rack
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so that it travels along a horizontal path to reduce the overall height of the
device. The shaft
of motor 638 includes a pulley that contacts resilient member 82 (Figure 12).
Resilient
member is fixedly mounted to the rack assembly.
Unloader home switch 640 provides a signal to the microprocessor indicating
that the
unloader 190 is in the home position. The microprocessor uses this information
to halt the
rearward movement of the unloader 190 and allow the unloader to cease motion.
Rack home switch 642 provides a signal to the microprocessor that the rack is
in the
lowermost or "home" position. The "home" position in a preferred embodiment
causes the
feed assembly to come into approximate vertical alignment with a top shelf or
opening of the
rack. In another embodiment, the "home" position is not the lowermost position
of the rack.
Gate motor 644 drives the opening and closing of the gate. Gate down switch
646
provides a signal to the microprocessor indicating that the gate is in its
lowermost position.
Gate Up Switch 648 provides a signal that the gate is in its uppermost
position. This
information is used by the microprocessor to determine whether the shuffling
process should
proceed, or should be stopped. The microprocessor also controls the gate via
motor 644 so
that the gate is opened prior to unloading a group of cards.
In a preferred device of the present invention, the number of cards in the
rack
assembly is monitored at all times while the shuffler is in the dealing mode.
The
microporcessor monitors the cards fed into and out of the rack assembly, and
provides a
visual warning that the number or amount of cards in the rack assembly is
below a critical
(predetermined, preset) number or level. When such a card count warning is
issued, the
microprocessor stops delivering cards to the shoe. When the cards are fed back
into the
machine and the number of cards in the rack assembly rises to an acceptable
(preset or
predetermined) level, the microprocessor resumes unloading cards into the
shoe. The number
of cards is dependent upon the game being dealt and the number of players
present or
allowed. For example, in a mufti-deck blackjack game using 208 cards (four
decks), the
minimum number of cards in the rack is approximately 178. At this point, a
signal is sent to
the visual display. When the number of cards drops to 158 (the preset number),
the
microprocessor will stop delivery of cards to the shoe. Limiting the number of
cards outside
the rack assembly maintains the integrity of the random shuffling process.
Although a
description of preferred embodiments has been presented, various changes
including those
mentioned above could be made without deviating from the spirit of the present
invention. It
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CA 02364413 2001-12-05
is desired, therefore, that reference be made to the appended claims rather
than to the
foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.
10
44
