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Card shufflers and dealers

Subclass of:

273 - Amusement devices: games

273148000 - GAMES ACCESSORIES

Patent class list (only not empty are listed)

Deeper subclasses:

Class / Patent application numberDescriptionNumber of patent applications / Date published
273149000 Devices for dealing predetermined hands 2
20080197565Automatic shuffling and dealing machine - An automatic shuffling and dealing machine has a shuffling wheel and a card-input device mounted adjacent to the shuffling wheel. The card-input device is provided for putting a stack of playing card and inserting cards into slots formed around the shuffling wheel. The shuffling wheel can be controlled by a controller to rotate randomly, and has a discharging rod to discharge at least one card in the slots of the shuffling wheel as the shuffling wheel temporarily stop in undetermined angles, such that the card arrangement may be randomized. Besides, the automatic shuffling and dealing machine further has a card-output device or card-output apparatus to deal the discharged cards one by one. With such an arrangement, the automatic shuffling and dealing machine may provide convenience for card games.08-21-2008
20080203658Device and method for continuously shuffling and monitoring cards - The present invention provides an apparatus and method for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into a second group of cards, wherein the second group of cards is randomly arranged or shuffled. The apparatus comprises a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack for moving cards one at a time into a selected one of the compartments, another card moving mechanism for moving cards from one of the compartments to a second card receiver and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanisms and the elevator. A count of cards within specified areas of the card handling system is maintained and card handling is halted and all cards counted by adding a count of all cards not within the specified areas to the total of cards counted within the specified areas.08-28-2008
20080284096Apparatus and method for automatically shuffling cards - An apparatus and method of automatically shuffling a deck of playing cards is described. The apparatus includes three compartments disposed laterally with respect to each other and at least one compartment movable vertically with respect to another other compartment. Cards placed in one of the compartments are dispensed into the other two compartments so as to cut or strip the deck, and are returned to the original compartment by interleaving cards from the other compartments. The process may be repeated to substantially randomize the deck for use in playing a game of cards. The cards may be removed either through a top aperture through which the cards were introduced into the apparatus or using a removable tray.11-20-2008
20080315517CARD SHUFFLING DEVICE AND METHOD - A device for shuffling a deck of playing cards is described. The cards are placed in a compartment having a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and dimensioned so that the cards are constrained in rotation in two of the three axes. The device is oriented so that a thickness dimension of the deck is horizontal, and groups of cards of the deck of cards are ejected in a vertical direction so as to provide a spacing of between a top edge of cards at rest and a bottom edge of the cards being ejected. The time duration of the ejection process is sufficient to effectively randomize the deck of cards. The ejection of cards may be by a plurality of pistons, and the pistons may be actuated by a motor, a solenoid or by air pressure.12-25-2008
20090066021Table game system - A table game system comprises cards and a card shooter apparatus. The cards include code elements that are arrayed as an ultraviolet-ray reaction code indicating at least the number of a card. The card shooter apparatus includes a card housing for containing cards, a card guide unit that guides cards pulled out one by one from the card housing, and one or more black light sensors that read the ultraviolet-ray reaction code from a card guided by the card guide unit.03-12-2009
20090072477Automatic card shuffler - An automatic card shuffler includes two parallel stands, two conveying units respectively mounted in the stands for conveying playing cards out of the associating stands toward a space between the stands, two limiters respectively mounted in the stands for holding playing cards for delivery by the conveying units individually, a card carrier unit set between the stands and controllable to lift a holder plate for collecting playing cards delivered from the conveying units, a constraint mechanism set between the stands for holding playing cards on the holder plate in a stack, and a card dispensing mechanism disposed above the stands for pushing playing cards out of the holder plate of the card carrier unit toward the baffles of the limiters in the working spaces of the stands alternatively.03-19-2009
20090121429Card delivery shoe and methods of fabricating the card delivery shoe - A playing card delivery shoe for a casino table card game and method of fabricating such shoe. The shoe has an adjustable limiter and removable protective cover. The position of the card feed limiter sets a gap size of an opening though which cards pass. The card feed limiter may have openings therein through which a card reading sensor can be accessed. The card reading sensor can be accessed without substantial disassembly of the shoe. The removable protective cover provides a protective shield for the card reading sensor.05-14-2009
20090134575PLAYING CARD VAULT - A card vault for attachment to an automatic card shuffling machine, card shoe, card verifying machine and card discard rack is disclosed. The card vault facilitates a system of reducing human handling of cards thereby reducing human error and cheating. Cards may be transferred in a card vault directly from the card verifying machine to an automatic card shuffling machine. After being dealt during one or more table games, the cards are placed in a discard rack and transferred to the card vault for transport to a card verifying machine where the deck is verified. The card vault and contained cards are tracked in substantially real-time using wireless technology such as a RFID transmitter and receiver.05-28-2009
20090140492Card reading shoe with card stop feature and systems utilizing the same - A semi-automatic gaming table system is disclosed, comprising; a gaming table surface; at least one playing card delivery device, the playing card delivery device comprising a card storage area, an internal processor, a card moving system, a delivery end and a card imaging system; a plurality of electronic player interfaces mounted in the gaming table surface that communicate with a game controller; a game controller, the game controller programmed to communicate with the internal processor and the player interfaces, to detect at least one condition and respond by instructing the card handling system to stop delivering cards to the delivery end. A method of monitoring play of a casino card game is disclosed, the method comprising: a player electronically making a wager on a semi-automatic gaming system; a dealer dealing physical cards to each player from a card handling device; automatically sensing a rank and/or suit of cards being delivered; automatically determining a number of cards dealt to each player; and when a predetermined condition is sensed, directing a card handling device to cease moving cards to a delivery end, wherein one card is available for removal until the condition is cleared.06-04-2009
20090166970Card Shuffler and dealer - THE CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER is a mechanical devise which shuffles and deals playing cards to two to four players. By rotating the handle of the CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER counter clockwise, the internal mechanism is able to shuffle and deal out the proper number of cards to each player.07-02-2009
20090189346Swivel mounted card handing device - Playing card handling devices, such as shufflers, dealing shoes, discard racks and verification systems are rotatably secured to a gaming table to allow for functional and ergonomic adjustment of the card handling device, without removal from the gaming table. One end of the device, preferably a front end of the device from which playing cards may be removed has a structure that extends through an aperture in the gaming table. The device is movable within the aperture. Movement in the X-Y direction, angular movement and rotational movement, parallel to the movement of the plane of the surface of the gaming table is enabled. The movement of the device about the aperture preferably maintains the base of the device relatively parallel to the plane of the surface of the gaming table.07-30-2009
20090243213SHUFFLING APPARATUS - A shuffling apparatus comprising: at least three card holders, each adapted to hold at least one deck of cards; a conveying mechanism adapted to convey cards between each card holder and at least two other card holders, the conveying mechanism controllable to select a destination card holder of the at least two card holders; and a controller arranged to control the conveying mechanism in a shuffling mode in which cards are sent between a source card holder and selected ones of the at least two destination card holders.10-01-2009
20090267296Automatic Shuffling Machine - An automatic shuffling machine has a shuffling wheel and a card input mounted adjacent to the shuffling wheel for conveying and inserting cards into slots formed in the shuffling wheel. An insertion panel is mounted securely between the card input and the shuffling wheel, may be a curved shape corresponding to the shuffling wheel and has a tangent surface opposite to the shuffling wheel and an abutting portion disposed between an inlet passage of the card input and one corresponding card slot of the shuffling wheel. Thus, by controlling the rotation of the shuffling wheel, the automatic shuffling machine input the cards in a simple and efficient manner.10-29-2009
20090267297CARD SHUFFLER WITH GRAVITY FEED SYSTEM FOR PLAYING CARDS - A card feed system for feeding cards into a card handling system is disclosed. The system includes a card input department with a playing card support surface, a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls. The playing card support surface slopes towards the front wall at an angle between 12 and 22 degrees. A slot is provided in the front wall to allow single cards to pass into the card handling system. The card feed system also includes a card moving system to advance cards through the slot.10-29-2009
20090289414DISPENSER FOR HOLDING PLAYING CARDS - Dispenser (11-26-2009
20090302535Multiple-inlet shuffling machine - The multiple-inlet shuffling machine has a shuffler and at least two card inputs. The shuffler has a base, a shuffling wheel mounted rotatably on the base and has multiple card slots formed radially around which, and a controller having at least one random number generator (RNG) that generates at least one random number. The card inputs are mounted oppositely on the base of the shuffler adjacent to the shuffling wheel and are controlled by the at least one random number generator (RNG) of the controller to randomly place cards into a same wheel further raising a randomness of the cards. relative to a number of compartments to number of cards ratio. Furthermore, operations are made via gears, so the multiple-inlet shuffling machine has improved precision of movement.12-10-2009
20090302536Card cartridge for a shuffling machine - A card cartridge for shuffling machines has a body and a cover. The body has a longitudinal slot defined in the body in a slantwise manner for receiving cards discharged from the shuffling machine, and at least two stops protrude oppositely from two side edges of the body to define a drawing gap. The cover is mounted detachably on the body and has a tail extending slantwise into the slot and two side panels abutting two side surfaces of the body to ensure the cover is stably positioned on the body. Furthermore, a wedge is movably disposed in the slot, selectively moving toward the second end of the body to press the cards toward the stops. When playing a card game, the body is implemented horizontally and the wedge moves along the slot to press the cards so players can easily draw cards sequentially from the drawing gap.12-10-2009
20090302537Shuffling machine with a detaching assembly for card input and output - A shuffling machine has a shuffler, a card input, a card output, an input detaching assembly and an output detaching assembly. The input detaching assembly is mounted between the shuffler and the card input to connect the card input detachably to the shuffler. The output detaching assembly is mounted between the shuffler and the card output to connect the card output detachably to the shuffler. Therefore, the shuffler, the card input and the card output may be manufactured and sold separately to simplify manufacturing processes and reduce buying cost.12-10-2009
20100013152Ergonomic Card Delivery Shoe - An apparatus for handling cards having a dispensing end is disclosed. The dispensing end has a base plate for supporting cards being manually removed. An upper plate with a U-shaped opening is spaced above the base plate and defines a slot for cards to pass. First and second spaced apart card guides define side edges of the slot. The first card guide is shorter than the second card guide, creating an offset in a first direction of travel of cards being removed. A method of removing cards is also disclosed, enabling movement of cards in at least two directions due to the presence of a card guide offset.01-21-2010
20100019449METHOD OF LOCATING RANK AND SUIT SYMBOLS ON CARDS - A playing card delivery shoe is used in the play of the casino table card game of baccarat or blackjack or any game where cards are pulled one at a time from the shoe. The apparatus comprises a reader or an imager that scans lines bisecting the image at spaced intervals. The scanning occurs on playing cards in at least the region where suit and rank symbols are provided. The scanner output is a series of voltages that are converted to binary information. This binary information is compared to stored binary information to determine rank and suit. The upper surface of the output end of the shoe contains a partial barrier for cards being scanned. The partial barrier has an elevated surface and limits a size of a pathway so that only one card can be removed at a time.01-28-2010
20100038849Intelligent automatic shoe and cartridge - A playing card delivery shoe has a cartridge for receiving a first set of shuffled playing cards useful in the play of the casino table card game, the cartridge having a back end and front card-delivery end. An automated motor-driven playing card delivery shoe has a cartridge receiving area. The card delivery shoe has a pick-off roller that moves playing cards from the front card-delivery end of the cartridge. An image capture system captures image data of at least one of card value and card rank. A motor drives at least one set of rollers. A card delivery chute receives playing cards one-at-a-time from the set of rollers.02-18-2010
20100084813CARD OUTPUT DEVICE FOR SHUFFLING MACHINE - A card output device for a shuffling machine is mounted adjacent to a shuffling wheel of a shuffling device and has a housing and a stacking assembly, a pushing assembly and three sensors being mounted in the housing. When the sensors sense that there are cards on the stacking assembly, the stacking assembly and the pushing assembly begin to push the cards toward an outlet of the housing and the shuffling device stops pushing the cards out of the shuffling wheel. When there are fewer cards being stacked in the outlet of the housing, the shuffling device begins to push the cards out of the shuffling wheel and into the card output device. Therefore, the cards are not scattered around the outlet of the card output device and keep a desk for playing a card game neat and tidy.04-08-2010
20100213668Automatic Card Shuffler with spaced roller pair - An automatic card shuffler includes a card input unit, card ejection unit, card separation and delivery unit and card collection unit. A card ejection unit ejects cards in a singular fashion from a stack of cards placed into the input unit. The ejected cards are passed through a dynamic de-doubler that prevents more than a pre-established number of cards from passing through. The dynamic de-doubler is able to shift positions to accommodate card that are bent, impacted by environmental conditions and otherwise worn. The cards are ejected to a stop arm maintaining the entrance to the card separation unit. Upon processor command, the stop arm raises to allow a plurality of cards to pass under to the card separation and delivery unit. A series of rotating belts and rollers act to separate the cards and propel them individually to the collection unit. A floating gate slightly forward of the stop arm dictates that a minimum number of cards are managed simultaneously. The shuffler is controlled by a processing unit in communication with multiple internal sensors.08-26-2010
20100219582Automatic Card Shuffler - An automatic card shuffler includes a card input unit, card ejection unit, card separation and delivery unit and card collection unit. A card ejection unit ejects cards in a singular fashion from a stack of cards placed into the input unit. The cards are ejected to a stop arm maintaining the entrance to the card separation unit. Adjustment means permit the shuffler to accommodate different sized cards. Upon processor command, the stop arm raises to allow a plurality of cards to pass under to the card separation and delivery unit. A series of rotating belts and rollers act to separate the cards and propel them individually to the collection unit. By utilizing separate motors to drive the belts and rollers it is possible to cease the movement of the belts so that the rollers independently act upon the cards. A floating gate slightly forward of the stop arm dictates that a minimum number of cards are managed simultaneously. The shuffler is controlled by a processing unit in communication with multiple internal sensors. An audio system communicates voice outputs regarding shuffler malfunctions and instructions to an operator.09-02-2010
20100225056CARD SHUFFLER WITH CARD RANK AND VALUE READING CAPABILITY - A card shuffling device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing or arranging system for the initial set of playing cards, a collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, and an elevator for raising the collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device. An automatic card shuffler includes a microprocessor with memory. An automated calibration system is provided that calibrates the precise position of the card supporting platform on the elevator so that precise insertion of cards can be performed during card handling procedures.09-09-2010
20100244376SHUFFLING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A card shuffling device reads suit and value of individual cards that are moved through the card shuffler. Reading of the cards is effected after cards have been received into a card holding area and before cards have been delivered into a card collection area from which cards are removed from the device for use. The read suit and rank being sent to a processor, wherein the processor identifies whether any playing card is a playing card that should be rejected from the card shuffler and the shuffler then rejecting that playing card from the playing card shuffler.09-30-2010
20100252992Playing card shuffler - An apparatus is for shuffling a plurality of playing cards used in gaming. The apparatus includes a support adapted to support the unshuffled cards on-edge. An exciter is also included, and is adapted to impart vibrational action to the supported cards. Cards drop in a random fashion such as by controlling the relative position of the cards and passage through one or more slots in the supporting rest. In some of the apparatuses a medial receiver is adapted to receive at least one card dropped from the support and to retain the at least one received card to substantially block the slot to prevent further cards from dropping. A positioner is preferably included to change the relative position of the unshuffled deck and slots though which the cards drop.10-07-2010
20100264582CARD SHUFFLING DEVICE AND METHOD - A device for shuffling a deck of playing cards is described. The cards are placed in a compartment having a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and dimensioned so that the cards are constrained in rotation in two of the three axes. The device is oriented so that a thickness dimension of the deck is horizontal, and groups of cards of the deck of cards are ejected in a vertical direction so as to provide a spacing of between a top edge of cards at rest and a bottom edge of the cards being ejected. The time duration of the ejection process is sufficient to effectively randomize the deck of cards. The ejection of cards may be by a plurality of pistons, and the pistons may be actuated by a motor, a solenoid or by air pressure.10-21-2010
20100276880MULTIPLE MODE CARD SHUFFLER AND CARD READING DEVICE - A multiple mode card shuffling and/or card verification device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing or arranging system for the initial set of playing cards that can be disabled, a collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, a card imaging system and an elevator for raising the collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device. The processor is programmed such that cards can be verified without changing an order of cards present in the card feeder, verified during randomization, and randomized without card verification.11-04-2010
20100283202CARD-DELIVERING DEVICE FOR A SHUFFLING MACHINE - A card-delivering device for a shuffling machine has a frame, at least one drawing roller group, a drawing transmission, an actuating roller group and an actuating transmission. The frame has a pivoting panel with a magnet. The drawing roller group is mounted in the frame near the output end. The drawing transmission drives the drawing roller group. The actuating roller group has a magnetic roller corresponding to the magnet. The actuating transmission drives the actuating roller group. When the magnetic roller is rotated, the magnetic roller alternatively attracts or repulses the magnet to cause the pivoting panel to pivot. Therefore, cards pass between the magnetic roller and the pivoting panel in order when a gap between the magnetic roller and the pivoting panel is formed.11-11-2010
20100289214MODULAR SYSTEM FOR HANDING OUT PLAYING CARDS AND A MODULE FOR HANDING OUT CARDS FOR SUCH SYSTEM - A modular system for handing out playing cards and including at least one card-handing module and a frame module. Additionally, the system preferably also includes a power supply module and a score module. The card-handing module is particularly suitable for partaking as a replaceable component in connection with the other modules, and includes an essentially closed housing which substantially encloses a rotating spinner core. The card-handing module is configured for being able to receive a deck of playing cards and ejects the playing cards individually and in a specific direction that is determined by a step motor. The spinner core is suspended in the housing by two opposed bearings, where the motor constitutes the one bearing, while an opposed bearing is provided. Thereby a very compact unit is provided which is so noiseless that it can sit on a bridge game table and function without being a nuisance to the players.11-18-2010
20100295243METHOD AND APPARATUS TO SHUFFLE AND ORDER PLAYING CARDS - A card shuffling and ordering system and method which operates with four card hoppers arranged into first and second pairs. In the operation of the system, a first pair of card hoppers holds at least approximately two halves of a deck of cards, which are then selectively interlaced or sorted to the other pair of hoppers. The cards are then selectively interlaced or sorted from the hoppers of the second pair of hoppers back to the hoppers of the first pair of hoppers, with the operation being repeated as needed.11-25-2010
20100314830CARD HANDLING DEVICES AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - A card handling device includes a sensing system for identifying cards handled thereby. A control system may be configured to selectively control an infeed system, a storage system, and/or an output system of the device in response to a signal received from the sensing system, and to enable a user to selectively perform one or more of a shuffling operation, a sorting operation, and a dealing operation using the device. A card handling device may be configured to dispense randomly arranged hands, prearranged hands, randomly arranged decks, or prearranged decks.12-16-2010
20100320684PLAYING CARDS SHUFFLING AND DEALING MACHINE - The invention presents a methodology and device for distribution of playing cards. Automatic operation without manual intervention is its main theme. This eliminates the likely manipulations, monotony, errors associated with manual handling of playing cards. The device has provision of conventional automatic shuffling prior to distributing. Playing cards shuffled in more elaborate manner by other suitable devices also can be used on the invented device. There are many user friendly features of the invented device. These include compact size, portability, ease of operation and maintenance, adaptability to any card games. Optional operation of this device by a remote control enhances its utility Standard playing cards of Bridge or Poker size can be used with this device. The invented device is said to be useful to group of players in homes, club houses, casinos and at out-doors.12-23-2010
20100320685DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTINUOUSLY SHUFFLING AND MONITORING CARDS - The present invention provides an apparatus and method for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into a second group of cards, wherein the second group of cards is randomly arranged or shuffled. The apparatus comprises a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack for moving cards one at a time into a selected one of the compartments, another card moving mechanism for moving cards from one of the compartments to a second card receiver and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanisms and the elevator. A count of cards within specified areas of the card handling system is maintained and card handling is halted and all cards counted by adding a count of all cards not within the specified areas to the total of cards counted within the specified areas.12-23-2010
20100327525SHUFFLED PLAYING CARDS AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - The present invention provides shuffled playing cards which eliminate the need for a game host to shuffle cards before games by taking a lot of time as well as eliminate the possibility of cheating. A shuffled playing cards (12-30-2010
20110006480Card feed mechanism for card handling device - The present invention provides an apparatus and method for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into plural hands of cards, wherein each of the hands contains a random arrangement 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 moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack, and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanism and the elevator so that an individual card is moved into an identified compartment. The number of compartments receiving cards and the number of cards moved to each compartment may be selected. An apparatus for feeding cards, comprising a surface for supporting a stack of cards, a feed roller with a frictional outer surface, a drive mechanism for causing rotation of the feed roller, a pair of speed-up rollers to advance the cards out of the feed roller, and a clutch mechanism for disengaging the feed roller from the drive mechanism as the card comes into contact with the speed up rollers.01-13-2011
20110012303SHUFFLER FOR PLAYING CARDS - A shuffler for playing cards provides a complete and random shuffle. The shuffler includes a chute and means for biasing cards toward a longitudinal wall in the chute. A preliminary urging means is positioned adjacent the card receiving end of the chute for urging the playing cards to travel to the distal end of the chute. A cut restricter removeably extends into the chute to stop the travel of a portion of the playing cards. There is a further means for advancing the remaining cards towards the distal end of the chute where they will come to rest along the longitudinal wall of the chute. There is also provided means for returning the remaining cards toward the card receiving end of the chute to intermingle those cards with the stopped portion of the cards.01-20-2011
20110018195CARD SHUFFLER WITH CARD RANK AND VALUE READING CAPABILITY USING CMOS SENSOR - A device for forming a random set of playing cards comprises a card infeed area, a shuffling system, a card removal area; and a card reading system located within the device, the card reading system employing a CMOS sensor and a hardware component, the hardware component capable of converting signals from the CMOS sensor into vector sets and comparing the vector sets to known vectors to determine rank and suit.01-27-2011
20110024981Automatic playing card dispensing system - An automatic playing card dispensing system includes a scanner for recognizing the card suits and card values of the dispensed playing cards, a display, a set of indicator lights, and a driver unit for controlling dispensing of the playing cards and driving the display to display the card suits and card values of the dispensed playing cards been scanned by the scanner and the indicator lights to give a respective indication that indicates “Banker Win”, “Player Win” or “Tie Win”.02-03-2011
20110031686PLAYING CARD DISPENSING AND OPENING SYSTEM - A playing card dispensing and opening system includes a playing card dispensing unit that dispenses playing cards automatically, and a playing card opening unit that uses a motor to rotate a crank arm and to further move a transparent playing card holder plate from a horizontal position for receiving a dispensed playing card from the playing card dispensing unit to a vertical position to show the card suit and card value of the received playing card and then to a tilting position to let the received playing card fall from the transparent playing card holder plate to a playing card return slot on the table supporting the system.02-10-2011
20110062662CARD ISSUING DEVICE - A card issuing machine may include a card storage part, a card reader part, a housing accommodating the card storage part and the card reader part, and a lock mechanism for locking the housing in a closed state. The housing may include a first case body provided as at least a front face of the card issuing machine, a second case body structured to cover an upper side of the card storage part, and a third case body structured to cover an upper side of the card reader part. The third casing may be engaged with the first casing so that the third casing does not move away from the first casing at the upper, lower, left, right, and front sides, and may also be engaged with the second casing so that the third casing does not move away from the first casing at the rear side.03-17-2011
20110079956CARD SHOE APPARATUS ACCURATELY IDENTIFYING CARD INFORMATION OF CARD - The following members are included: a storage unit 04-07-2011
20110109042AUTOMATIC SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR ACCURATE CARD HANDLING - A playing card handling device is disclosed, comprising a card storing area that supports a stack of playing cards, the storing area having a playing card support surface. A card removing system is provided that removes playing cards individually from the bottom of the stack. A pivoting arm is automatically moved by a motor between at least two positions, wherein in a first position the end of the arm opposite a pivot is disengaged from a playing card at the top of the stack and in a second position the end of the arm is engaged with a playing card at the top of the stack. A processor in the playing card handling device directs movement of the pivoting arm between at least a first and second position when information is known to the processor that a predetermined number of cards is present in the card storing area of the card handling device. Methods of card handling employing the use of a pivotal arm are also disclosed.05-12-2011
20110198804Image capturing card shuffler - The present invention features a playing card shuffling device, which through the use of a small image capturing means, captures an image of the face value of each card and stores the image in memory. This image is sorted in the format of a bitmap image. The operator of the machine would be able to recall through the use of a keypad, the images of the cards that comprised the individual hands in the previous game. This feature allows for verification of a winning hand after a game has been completed. Thereby, a quick recheck of hands before playing a winning hand is performed. The face value of each card is determined by character recognition software. These card values would be stored in memory for archival access for use in monitoring the randomness of the game and determining the number of winnings hands.08-18-2011
20110227283INTELLIGENT BACCARAT SHOE - A method of controlling the game of baccarat is disclosed, the method including the steps of providing a card delivery shoe equipped with a sensor capable of reading at least a rank of each card; a first processor capable of controlling operation of the card delivery shoe; and a second processor capable of receiving signals from the sensor and programmed to display information related to the game of baccarat.09-22-2011
20110233863CARD SHUFFLING DEVICE AND METHOD - A card shuffling device is described where the device is configured to be mountable below a table top and accessible by an aperture formed in the table top. Cards are inserted into an aperture on the top of the card shuffling device with the face of the cards being in a horizontal plane. The cards are transported to a shuffling compartment where the cards are shuffled by ejection of the cards in a vertical direction. The shuffled cards are returned to the region of the aperture by an elevator mechanism for dispensing. A card counting device may also be included, where the counting is performed by ejecting the cards from a deck of cards in a vertical direction such that the cards pass individually through a sensing region.09-29-2011
20110254222CARD SHUFFLER WITH GRAVITY FEED SYSTEM FOR PLAYING CARDS - A card feed system for feeding cards into a card handling system is disclosed. The system includes a card input department with a playing card support surface, a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls. The playing card support surface slopes towards the front wall at an angle between 12 and 22 degrees. A slot is provided in the front wall to allow single cards to pass into the card handling system. The card feed system also includes a card moving system to advance cards through the slot.10-20-2011
20110266748CARD BLOCK STRUCTURE FOR CARD BOXES - A card block structure for card boxes comprises a card block strut, a solenoid valve and a card box. The card box holds at least one poker card and has an outlet with a round hole run through by the card block strut. The card block strut is located on the solenoid valve and driven to extend or shrink. The card block strut can be extended upwards above the round hole to block the poker card or shrunk to sink into the round hole without blocking the poker card. Through a controller and game rules, the card block strut can be sunk into the round hole while dealing cards so that the poker card can be drawn from the card box. When dealing cards is not desired, the card block strut is protruded above the round hole to block the poker card from being drawn from the card box.11-03-2011
20110272881PLAYING CARD SHUFFLER - An apparatus is for shuffling a plurality of playing cards used in gaming. The apparatus includes a support adapted to support the unshuffled cards on-edge. An exciter is also included, and is adapted to impart vibrational action to the supported cards. Cards drop in a random fashion such as by controlling the relative position of the cards and passage through one or more slots in the supporting rest. In some of the apparatuses a medial receiver is adapted to receive at least one card dropped from the support and to retain the at least one received card to substantially block the slot to prevent further cards from dropping. A positioner is preferably included to change the relative position of the unshuffled deck and slots though which the cards drop.11-10-2011
20110285081Shuffler with Shuffling Completion Indicator - A playing card shuffling device has a visual display in information communication with the playing card shuffling device. At least one processor is programmed to provide displayable information to the visual display indicative of an amount of time remaining or time expired in a procedure performed by the shuffling device.11-24-2011
20110285082SWIVEL MOUNTED CARD HANDLING DEVICE - Playing card handling devices, such as shufflers, dealing shoes, discard racks and verification systems are rotatably secured to a gaming table to allow for functional and ergonomic adjustment of the card handling device, without removal from the gaming table. One end of the device, preferably a front end of the device from which playing cards may be removed has a structure that extends through an aperture in the gaming table. The device is movable within the aperture. Movement in the X-Y direction, angular movement and rotational movement, parallel to the movement of the plane of the surface of the gaming table is enabled. The movement of the device about the aperture preferably maintains the base of the device relatively parallel to the plane of the surface of the gaming table.11-24-2011
20110304098CARD SHUFFLER WITH CARD RANK AND VALUE READING CAPABILITY - A device for forming a random set of playing cards is disclosed. The device comprises: a top surface and a bottom surface of said device. A single card receiving area is provided for receiving an initial set of playing cards. A randomizing system for randomizing the order of an initial set of playing cards, is provided. A collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards one at a time into the card collection area, the collection surface receiving cards so that all cards are received below the top surface of the device is also provided. An image capture device reads the rank and suit of each card before being received on the card collection surface. An elevator raises the collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated at least to the top surface of the device. A processor controls operation of the device. A motor drives the elevator, wherein an encoder is provided for communication with the motor, and wherein the encoder provides a signal indicating that a shuffle has occurred. Embodiments include a processor that creates commands and then receives system signals verifying that the commands were properly executed.12-15-2011
20120056373ROTARY CARD SHUFFLING MACHINE - A rotary card shuffling and selection machine for use in playing a game of chance includes a wheel supported in a generally vertical plane for rotation about a horizontal rotary axis (A). The wheel is provided with a plurality of card slots arranged concentrically about the rotary axis (A). Each card slot holds a card bearing indicia suitable to decide the game of chance. The cards are held in each card slot via friction elements. First and second flappers cooperate with one another to progressively slow the wheel after it is manually spun by an operator. The cards may be placed in opaque folders in the slots to hide the indicia while the wheel is spinning. Alternatively, the indicia may be located on the card so that it is hidden inside the slot when the wheel is spinning.03-08-2012
20120056374CARD GAME WITH COUNTING - Various embodiments include determining a value of a statistic describing cards that have been dealt from a deck, and modifying the rules of a game based on the statistic.03-08-2012
20120061914CARD GAME MACHINE - A card game machine enables players to play a card game using cards, each of which has a distinctive surface and a non-distinctive surface. The card game apparatus includes a card slide housing, a card stop unit, a card drive unit and a card receive unit. The card slide housing has sliders, each of which is inclined such that cards and slide down. The card stop unit is coupled to the card slide housing to temporarily stop cards. The card drive unit causes the stopped cards to start sliding again. The card receive unit is arranged below the card stop unit and has a plurality of card receiving parts corresponding to the respective sliders to receive cards. The card receiving parts are movable such that portions of the distinctive surfaces of the cards received in each receiving part are spaced apart from each other in one direction.03-15-2012
20120091656CARD HANDLING SYSTEMS, DEVICES FOR USE IN CARD HANDLING SYSTEMS AND RELATED METHODS - Card handling systems include shuffling devices, shoe devices, and a card transfer system for automatically transferring cards from the shuffling device into the shoe device. Shuffling devices may include a divider configured to contact at least one card positioned within a compartment of the shuffling device. Shoe devices may include a card loading system for loading cards into a card storage area through an opening in a base of the shoe device. Methods of providing cards during a casino table game play include identifying card information including a rank and a suit of each card in a shuffling device and a shoe device and transporting cards from the shuffling device to the shoe device.04-19-2012
20120091657Method and Apparatus for Card Handling Device Calibration - A device for automatically calibrating for card size and thickness during card handling is disclosed. The device includes a card receiving area, a card stacking area and a card moving system for moving cards from the card receiving area to the card stacking area. An elevator located in the card stacking area has a movable platform for moving a stack of cards. At least one sensor senses at least one of position of the platform, height of the platform, position of a card in the elevator, height of a card or cards in the elevator, pressure applied to a card in the elevator, presence of the platform at a predetermined height, presence of the platform at a predetermined position, presence of card(s) on the platform, and absence of card(s) on the platform. A method for calibrating a card-handling device during shuffling is also disclosed.04-19-2012
20120146285Mechanized Playing Card Dealing Shoe with Automatic Jam Recovery - A distinct dealing shoe having no shuffling functionality receives a shuffled, randomized or ordered group of cards. The cards may be mechanically moved one at a time from a receiving area for the deck to a buffer area where more than one card is temporarily stored. The cards in the buffer area are then mechanically moved to a card delivery area where the cards may be manually removed, one at a time, by a dealer. The cards are read one at a time inside of the dealing shoe, either before the buffer area or after leaving the buffer area, but preferably before the cards are being manually removed from a card delivery area. Information from the card reading may be used for game tracking, hand tracking, player information, and other security issues at casino table card games.06-14-2012
20120161393JAM DETECTION IN A CARD SHUFFLER - A shuffling device for playing cards and method of shuffling cards is provided where a first group of cards is moved within the device to form a randomized second group of cards. The device comprises moving parts that assist in the movement of cards within the shuffling device; a processor in informational connection with the shuffling device; a sensor that detects at least one of speed, distance and force of at least one moving part and provides a signal to the processor regarding detection of at least one of speed, distance and force; and the processor containing a program that interprets the signal to detect significant variations in at least one of speed, distance and force of the moving part.06-28-2012
20120169009PLAYING CARD DISPENSING AND OPENING SYSTEM - A playing card dispensing and opening system includes a motor drive unit controllable to rotate a first output shaft and rubber card-dispensing wheels in dispensing playing cards and to rotate a second output shaft and a crank arm in moving a transparent flat shovel for opening each dispensed playing card and then carrying the playing card to a playing card recycling chamber for recycling.07-05-2012
20120175841METHODS OF HANDLING CARDS AND OF SELECTIVELY DELIVERING BONUS CARDS - Methods of delivering groups of cards to a card game and, upon the occurrence of an event, dispensing a bonus card comprise feeding playing cards individually from an infeed area of a card handling device into an intermediate storage compartment designated for receiving playing cards. At least one bonus card may be fed from an infeed area of a card handling device into an intermediate storage compartment designated for receiving bonus cards. Groups of playing cards are selectively delivered. At least one bonus card may be selectively delivered.07-12-2012
20120181747CARD HANDLING DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS - Card handling devices comprise a card handling zone. A card infeed tray is configured to pass cards to the card handling zone and a separate a card output tray is configured to receive cards from the card handling zone. A control system of the card handling device comprises at least one electronic signal processor, at least one memory device in electrical communication with the electronic signal processor, and a computer program stored in memory of the memory device. The computer program is programmed to cause the control system to selectively control at least one of a card infeed system, the card handling zone, and a card output system of the card handling device and to receive an input from a user input to selectively perform at least one of a shuffling operation, a sorting operation, and a dealing operation using the card handling device.07-19-2012
20120187625CARD SHUFFLING WITH CARD RANK AND VALUE READING CAPABILITY USING CMOS SENSOR - A device for forming a random set of playing cards comprises a card in-feed area, a shuffling system, a card removal area, and a card reading system located within the device, the card reading system employing a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor and a hardware component, the hardware component capable of converting signals from the CMOS sensor into vector sets and comparing the vector sets to known vectors to determine rank and suit.07-26-2012
20120242039CARD FEED MECHANISM FOR CARD-HANDLING DEVICE - Apparatuses and methods for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into plural hands of cards, wherein each of the hands contains a random arrangement of cards. The apparatus may comprise a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack, and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanism and the elevator so that an individual card is moved into an identified compartment. The number of compartments receiving cards and the number of cards moved to each compartment may be selected. Apparatuses for feeding cards may comprise a surface for supporting a stack of cards, a feed roller with a frictional outer surface, a drive mechanism for causing rotation of the feed roller, a pair of speed-up rollers to advance the cards out of the feed roller, and a clutch mechanism for disengaging the feed roller from the drive mechanism as the card comes into contact with the speed-up rollers.09-27-2012
20120267851CARD SHUFFLER WITH GRAVITY FEED SYSTEM FOR PLAYING CARDS - A card feed system for feeding cards into a card handling system. The card feed system includes a card input compartment with a playing card support surface, a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls. The playing card support surface slopes toward the front wall at an angle between 12 degrees and 22 degrees. A slot is provided in the front wall to allow single cards to pass into the card handling system. The card feed system also includes a card moving system to advance cards through the slot.10-25-2012
20120286471DEVICE AND METHOD FOR HANDLING, SHUFFLING, AND MOVING CARDS - Card-handling devices include a card-holding area and a card output shoe. The card output shoe includes a card-way for passage of cards from the card-holding area into a dealing-ready area. A movable gate is positioned between the card-way and the dealing-ready area to prevent cards in the dealing-ready area from re-entering the card-way. Card shufflers include a gate mounted to allow movement of randomized groups of cards from card-receiving compartments to proximate a terminal end plate of a card output shoe and to block movement of cards in an opposite direction. In related methods of moving cards, card movement through the card-way to the dealing-ready position is allowed by a movable gate and card movement from the dealing-ready position into the card-way is prevented by the movable gate.11-15-2012
20120306152INTELLIGENT TABLE GAME SYSTEM - A card dealing system incorporating playing cards with rank and suit information encoded thereon via micro-dots, and a shoe capable of reading such micro dots as a playing card is drawn from the shoe. A game controller unit determines the location of the micro-dots on the playing card, and determines the rank and suit information therefrom. The game controller thereby monitors the progress and status of a card game.12-06-2012
20120313322MODULAR SYSTEM FOR HANDING OUT PLAYING CARDS AND A MODULE FOR HANDING OUT CARDS FOR SUCH SYSTEM - A modular system for handing out playing cards, including at least one card-handing module and a frame module. Additionally, the system preferably also includes a power supply module and a score module. The card-handing module is particularly suitable for partaking as a replaceable component in connection with the other modules, and includes an essentially closed housing which substantially encloses a rotating spinner core. The card-handing module is configured for being able to receive a deck of playing cards and ejects the playing cards individually and in a specific direction that is determined by a step motor. The spinner core is suspended in the housing by two opposed bearings, where the motor constitutes the one bearing, while an opposed bearing is provided. Thereby a very compact unit is provided which is so noiseless that it can sit on a bridge game table and function without being a nuisance to the players.12-13-2012
20120319351CARD GAME MACHINE - A card game machine includes a machine base, a track unit arranged on the machine base, a displacement motor mounted on the machine base, two card-recovery slots, a video recognition device adapted for recognizing the types and spots of each individual playing card of a set of playing cards being arranged on the machine base, a slide coupled to and movable along the track unit, a transmission belt coupled between the slide and the displacement motor for enabling the slide to be moved by the displacement motor along the track unit, and a first pickup unit and a second pickup unit carried on the slide alternatively controllable to run a playing card pickup step, a playing card recognition step, a playing card exhibition step and a playing card discarding step.12-20-2012
20130001874SYSTEM AND METHOD TO HANDLE PLAYING CARDS, EMPLOYING ELEVATOR MECHANISM - A card shoe handling device includes a playing card output receiver including a playing card support surface and a ceiling at least partially disposed relatively over the playing card support surface. The playing card output receiver is sized and positioned to receive a number of playing cards handled by the playing card handling system. The playing card handling system also includes an elevator mechanism operable to selectively move the playing card output receiver between a lowered position and a raised position, where in the lowered position the ceiling limits access from an exterior of the playing card handling system to the playing cards carried by the card support surface of the playing card output receiver and in the raised position the ceiling does not limit access from the exterior of the playing card handling system to at least some of the playing cards carried by the playing card output receiver.01-03-2013
20130020761CARD SHUFFLING APPARATUSES AND RELATED METHODS - Card shuffler apparatuses include a card repositioner used to randomly reposition a plurality of cards on-edge over an aperture extending through a card support surface to allow cards to sequentially pass through the aperture in a random order. The apparatuses may be capable of continuously and sequentially forming playing card hands for use in a game. Shuffler apparatuses may be used to obtain a measurement relating to a thickness of the deck of cards. Methods involve the use of card shuffler apparatuses to form one or more playing card hands in a playing card game. Additional methods involve counting playing cards present within a stack of playing cards using a shuffler apparatus. In further methods, a number of shuffler apparatuses and a lesser number of shuffler activation devices are provided in a gaming establishment so as to preclude simultaneous use of all the shuffler apparatuses in the establishment.01-24-2013
20130026709CARD SHUFFLER - A card shuffler that moves cards one-at-a-time from the bottom of a group that may be a deck in a deck-crib, to randomly designated single-card receptacles in a receiving or dealing rack. Either the deck-crib or the receiving rack is moved by a motor to align a receptacle, randomly selected from among remaining empty receptacles, with an outfeed slot of the deck-crib to receive each card to be moved from the deck-crib. A space is provided in the dealing rack in one embodiment, where a dealer's hand can reach cards and remove them from the dealing rack. A controller can cause the dealing rack to move so as to allow a selected number of cards to be removed by the dealer for a player hand or a dealer hand. A card reader may be included, and positions in the receiving or dealing rack of cards identified by the card reader can be stored in memory in the controller.01-31-2013
20130032998APPARATUSES FOR PROVIDING HANDS OF PLAYING CARDS WITH DIFFERENTIAL HAND COUNT CAPABILITY - An apparatus for providing hands of playing cards includes a playing card moving system for moving a number of playing cards defining a hand of playing cards from a container to a delivery tray, and a processor with software to direct the playing card moving system to randomly select how many playing cards will form the hand in the delivery tray. The apparatus is capable of randomly selecting numbers of cards to be delivered in a hand of cards to players and a dealer during a round of a casino table card game.02-07-2013
20130087972PLAYING CARD DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GAMES WITH MULTIPLE DEALING ROUNDS - Playing card delivery systems include a shuffling apparatus and a processor programmed to direct the shuffling apparatus to deliver a first randomized set of a first number of playing cards, the first randomized set comprising a partial hand, and to deliver a second randomized set of a second number of playing cards to augment the partial hand. The first number of cards may be equal to or not equal to the second number of playing cards. Methods or providing cards to a player from a card delivery system include moving a first randomized set of cards from a shuffling apparatus to a card output area to provide a partial hand for a player and moving a second randomized set of playing cards from the shuffling apparatus to the card output area to augment the partial hand for the player.04-11-2013
20130134674CARD WEIGHT FOR GRAVITY FEED INPUT FOR PLAYING CARD SHUFFLER - A card-feeding device for feeding cards into a card-handling device is disclosed. Examples of card-handling devices include shufflers, card sorters, card delivery devices and card verification devices. The device includes a card infeed area that supports a stack of cards. The card infeed area has a card support surface. Included in the device is a card-removing system that removes cards individually from the bottom of the stack. A pivoting arm presses against a card at the top of the stack. At least one sensor is provided that detects at least one of a position of the arm and a presence of a card in the card infeed area. A method of shuffling cards is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing cards to be shuffled into a card infeed area as a stack with a top and bottom and removing cards one at a time from the bottom of the stack and moving the removed cards to a shuffling zone. Cards are then shuffled. The stack of cards is stabilized by a pivoting arm capable of pressing against the top of the stack in an engaged position. The pivot arm may be automatically rotated from a first card-engaging position to a second recessed position.05-30-2013
20130161905MULTIPLE MODE CARD SHUFFLER AND CARD READING DEVICE - A multiple-mode card shuffling and/or card verification device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing or arranging system for the initial set of playing cards that can be disabled, a card collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the card collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, a card imaging system and an elevator for raising the card collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device. The processor is programmed such that cards can be verified without changing an order of cards present in the card receiving area, verified during randomization, and randomized without card verification.06-27-2013
20130193642DEVICE AND METHOD FOR HANDLING, SHUFFLING, AND MOVING CARDS - Card-handling devices include a card-holding area and a card output shoe. The card output shoe includes a card-way for passage of cards from the card-holding area into a dealing-ready area. A movable gate is positioned between the card-way and the dealing-ready area to prevent cards in the dealing-ready area from re-entering the card-way. Card shufflers include a gate mounted to allow movement of randomized groups of cards from card-receiving compartments to proximate a terminal end plate of a card output shoe and to block movement of cards in an opposite direction. In related methods of moving cards, card movement through the card-way to the dealing-ready position is allowed by a movable gate and card movement from the dealing-ready position into the card-way is prevented by the movable gate.08-01-2013
20130228971CARD SHOE - A card shoe comprising security features. The card shoe may include a housing and a flexible flag to at least partially overlie a front cover and an opening in the front cover. The card shoe may include an opening between a playing card support and a bottom of the front cover sized to allow only one playing card to be withdrawn at one time. The card shoe may include identification tags and areas for advertising. A form of advertising may include light-emitting diodes incorporated into the housing of the card shoe.09-05-2013
20130228972Method and Apparatus for Card Handling Device Calibration - A device for automatically calibrating for card size and thickness during card handling is disclosed. The device includes a card receiving area, a card stacking area and a card moving system for moving cards from the card receiving area to the card stacking area. An elevator located in the card stacking area has a movable platform for moving a stack of cards. At least one sensor senses at least one of position of the platform, height of the platform, position of a card in the elevator, height of a card or cards in the elevator, pressure applied to a card in the elevator, presence of the platform at a predetermined height, presence of the platform at a predetermined position, presence of card(s) on the platform, and absence of card(s) on the platform. A method for calibrating a card handling device during shuffling is also disclosed.09-05-2013
20130241147Apparatus For Dispensing Playing Cards - This invention provides a playing card apparatus for holding and dispensing a plurality of playing cards. The apparatus may be a card shoe or an automated shuffler. It has a delivery aperture at a dispensing end for dispensing playing cards individually, the dispensing end having a platform that extends from the delivery aperture for supporting cards being manually removed, the platform being shaped and being of sufficient height to allow a card dealer to insert their thumb or finger below a corner of the card as the card is dispensed. This allows the dealer to grip and pull the card away substantially without flexing the card at all and thereby avoiding risk of disclosing the front face of the card while dispensing the card for dealing it. The cards are held and dispensed in portrait orientation, with a short edge of the card leading. The apparatus enables the storage and delivery of playing cards in a highly efficient continuous and secret manner.09-19-2013
20130256989Automatic Card Shuffler - An apparatus for randomly arranging and dealing a plurality of playing cards includes a device for moving cards and randomly ejecting playing cards from an initial set of playing cards located in a card input unit for an initial delivery of randomly arranged playing cards to a card delivery unit. The card delivery unit includes upper powered rollers and lower powered belts for receiving and transporting the playing cards through the card delivery unit and into a card collection unit. A playing card limiter is adjustable to allow a greater number or a lesser number of cards to pass from the card delivery unit to the card collection unit. Methods of randomly arranging and dealing a plurality of playing cards may include related apparatus.10-03-2013
20130277911SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING PLAYING CARDS - A method of delivering cards from a card housing unit during a card game including automatically detecting, using one or more processors, at least one of a card being held within an opening in the card housing unit for a period of time longer than a predetermined period of time or an attempt to manually draw a card from the opening after the card game ends, and based on the automatic detection, controlling, using one or more processors, operation of a lock member to restrict movement of the card relative to the opening in the card housing unit.10-24-2013
20130285324Playing Card Shuffler - An apparatus is for shuffling a plurality of playing cards used in gaming. The apparatus includes a card support adapted to support the unshuffled cards on-edge. An exciter is also included, and is adapted to impart vibrational action to the supported cards. Cards drop in a random fashion such as by controlling the relative position of the cards and passage through one or more card slots in a card rest. In at least some of the apparatuses, a medial card receiver is adapted to receive at least one card dropped from the card support and to retain the at least one received card to substantially block the card slot to prevent further cards from dropping. A positioner is preferably included to change a relative position of the unshuffled deck and card slots though which the cards drop.10-31-2013
20130300059Method for Shuffling and Dealing Cards - A card shuffler that moves cards one-at-a-time from the bottom of a group that may be a deck in a deck-crib, to randomly designated single-card receptacles in a receiving or dealing rack, and a method for shuffling and for dealing cards. Either the deck-crib or the receiving rack is moved by a motor to align a single-card receptacle, randomly selected from among remaining empty single-card receptacles, with an outfeed slot of the deck-crib to receive each card to be moved from the deck-crib. A space is provided in the dealing rack in one embodiment, where a dealer's hand can reach cards and remove them from the dealing rack. A controller can cause the dealing rack to move so as to allow a selected number of cards to be removed by the dealer for dealing as a player hand or a dealer hand. A card reader may be included, and positions in the receiving or dealing rack of cards identified by the card reader can be stored in memory in the controller.11-14-2013
20130300060APPARATUS FOR HANDLING PLAYING CARDS AND METHOD OF USE - An apparatus (11-14-2013
20130307215CARD DISPOSAL SYSTEM FOR TABLE GAME - A card disposal system for a table game is provided that is capable of assuring the disposal of all of cards corresponding to a predetermined number of decks that are used at a game table without any deficiency and without any fraudulent diversion being made over such cards.11-21-2013
20130307216ROTARY CARD SHUFFLING MACHINE - A rotary card shuffling and selection machine for use in playing a game of chance includes a wheel supported in a generally vertical plane for rotation about a horizontal rotary axis. The wheel is provided with a plurality of card positions arranged concentrically about the rotary axis. Each card position receives a card bearing indicia suitable to decide the game of chance. The cards are secured in card positions disposed around the wheel such they are oriented face up so that indica on the face of the card, which is relevant to the outcome of the game of chance, can be seen while the wheel is rotating.11-21-2013
20140027979BATCH CARD SHUFFLING APPARATUSES INCLUDING MULTI CARD STORAGE COMPARTMENTS, AND RELATED METHODS - Automatic card shufflers include a card input mechanism for inputting cards into the card shuffler, a card storage device for receiving cards from the card input mechanism and temporarily storing cards within the card shuffler, and a card output mechanism for outputting shuffled cards from the card shuffler. The card storage device may include a movable rack configured to move vertically within the card shuffler. The movable rack may have a plurality of card storage compartments therein, each of which may be sized and configured to hold two cards therein. The card output mechanism includes a movable ejector configured to simultaneously eject cards out from two or more card storage compartments of the movable rack. Related methods include methods of fabricating such card shufflers, and methods of using such card shufflers.01-30-2014
20140042697CARD DEALING SHOE - A card dealing shoe with card reading capability for facilitating play of card games includes a control system configured to detect the existence of an alarm condition and a card restraining apparatus mounted on the elongated housing and configured for alternating between a non-restraining condition and a restraining condition, wherein the restraining condition includes activation of a physical restraint that prevents cards from being added to and removed from the card receiving or staging area in the card dealing shoe, wherein the card restraining apparatus is in communication with the control system and actuated from the non-restraining condition to the restraining condition responsive to the detection of an alarm condition.02-13-2014
20140049005METHODS OF RANDOMIZING CARDS - Apparatuses and methods for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into plural hands of cards, wherein each of the hands contains a random arrangement of cards. The apparatus may comprise a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack, and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanism and the elevator so that an individual card is moved into an identified compartment. The number of compartments receiving cards and the number of cards moved to each compartment may be selected. Apparatuses for feeding cards may comprise a surface for supporting a stack of cards, a feed roller with a frictional outer surface, a drive mechanism for causing rotation of the feed roller, a pair of speed-up rollers to advance the cards out of the feed roller, and a clutch mechanism for disengaging the feed roller from the drive mechanism as the card comes into contact with the speed-up rollers.02-20-2014
20140077453CARD READER - A card shooter apparatus including a card shooter unit including a card housing which contains a plurality of cards and an opening, a card reading unit which is provided with a card guide unit which guides cards pulled out one by one from the opening onto the game table and reads the number of the card pulled out from the card shooter, a control unit having a processing function to determine win or lose of the card game based on information about the number of the cards sequentially read by the card reading unit, and a display unit which indicates a result determined by the control unit, wherein the card shooter unit, the card reading unit and the control unit are integrated and are able to be set on the game table, and the display unit includes a first display unit which is provided on an upper part of the housing and a second display unit which is provided on a side part of the housing.03-20-2014
20140084538Card Shuffling Apparatus and Card Handling Device - A device for forming a random set of playing cards comprises a card in-feed area, a shuffling system, a card removal area, and a card reading system located within the device, the card reading system employing a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor and a hardware component, the hardware component capable of converting signals from the CMOS sensor into vector sets and comparing the vector sets to known vectors to determine rank and suit.03-27-2014
20140091521CARD RECOGNITION SYSTEM, CARD HANDLING DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR TUNING A CARD HANDLING DEVICE - A card recognition system comprises an imaging device configured to capture a raw image of at least a portion of a card, and a processor operably coupled with the imaging device. The processor is configured to perform an image processing analysis of the raw image to identify measurements of at least one of a rank area around a rank of the card, and a suit area around a suit of the card, and automatically generate a calibration file based, at least in part, on the image processing analysis. A card handling device comprises a card infeed, a card output, and a card recognition system. A method for tuning a card handling device comprises capturing a plurality of images from a deck of cards, storing the images in memory, analyzing the plurality of images for card identification information, and generating a calibration file including parameters associated with the card identification information.04-03-2014
20140091522METHODS FOR AUTOMATICALLY GENERATING A CARD DECK LIBRARY AND MASTER IMAGES FOR A DECK OF CARDS, AND A RELATED CARD PROCESSING APPARATUS - A method of automatically generating a calibration file for a card handling device comprises automatically generating a calibration file stored in memory of a main control system for a card handling device. Automatically generating the calibration file comprises identifying at least one parameter associated with a rank area around a rank of the at least a portion of the card, identifying at least one parameter associated with a suit area around a suit of the at least a portion of the card, and storing the at least one parameter associated with the rank area and the at least one parameter associated with the suit area in the calibration file. Additionally, a method of automatically generating deck libraries for one or more decks of cards comprises automatically generate a plurality of master images for the cards of the first deck type using the parameters from the calibration file.04-03-2014
20140091523Device to Secure the Mouth of a Playing Card Shoe - The present disclosure is directed to a security apparatus for use on a playing card shoe to prevent the removal of playing cards from the splaying card shoe. Playing card shoes generally have an elongated body including a card cradle for supporting a plurality of playing cards. The card cradle has an outlet opening adjacent to a front end of the elongated body, through which playing cards can be removed from the playing card shoe, A cradle cover is removably attached to the elongated, body, covering the card cradle and playing cards therein. A faceplate is removably attach to the outer front, end of the elongated body, and defines a mouth through which playing cards can be drawn from the outlet opening. The security apparatus prevents the removal a playing cards from the shoe, where the security apparatus is removably attached to the playing card shoe to block and/or cover the outlet opening.04-03-2014
20140103606Card-Reading Shoe with Inventory Correction Feature and Methods of Correcting Inventory - Methods and apparatus for identifying unexpected cards in a card-handling device are disclosed. The method comprises providing a card-handling device, wherein the card-handling device comprises a card storage area, an output end for the manual removal of cards, a processor with associated memory, and a card recognition system capable of reading at least a rank of a card, wherein the associated memory has a data file of a set of expected card values, reading a value of a card, comparing the read card value to the set of expected card values, and when the card value is not an expected card value, generating an error signal indicative of a card not belonging to the set.04-17-2014
20140103607Card Shuffler with Gravity Feed System for Playing Cards - A card feed system for feeding cards into a card handling system. The card feed system includes a card input compartment with a playing card support surface, a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls. The playing card support surface slopes toward the front wall at an angle between 12 degrees and 22 degrees. A slot is provided in the front wall to allow single cards to pass into the card handling system. The card feed system also includes a card moving system to advance cards through the slot.04-17-2014
20140103608Flush Mounted Card Shuffler with Shuffling Mechanism Below a Gaming Table Surface - A device for forming a random set of playing cards is disclosed. The device comprises: a top surface and a bottom surface of the device. A single card receiving area is provided for receiving an initial set of playing cards. A randomizing system for randomizing an order of the initial set of playing cards is provided. A card collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards one at a time into the card collection area, the collection surface receiving cards so that all cards are received below the top surface of the device is also provided. An image capture device reads rank and suit of each card before each card is received on the card collection surface. An elevator raises the card collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated at least to the top surface of the device. A processor controls operation of the device. A motor drives the elevator, wherein an encoder is provided for communication with the motor, and wherein the encoder provides a signal indicating that a shuffle has occurred. Embodiments include a processor that creates commands and then receives system signals verifying that the commands were properly executed.04-17-2014
20140125010Shuffling Devices Including One or More Sensors for Detecting Operational Parameters and Related Methods - An automatic card shuffling device for randomizing playing cards is disclosed. The device comprises a processor in informational connection with the shuffling device, and a detection system capable of detecting or predicting a deficiency in operation of at least one component of the shuffling device. The detection system is configured to transmit an indication of a deficiency to a distal location.05-08-2014
20140131943SHUFFLING MACHINE - A card input device of a shuffling machine comprising a body comprising a pair of side walls and a receiving plate detachably mounted between the pair of side walls, a first roller assembly rotatably mounted between the pair of side walls comprising at least a first set of rollers exposed by a hole formed in the receiving plate, a second set of rollers, and a third set of rollers arranged over the second set of rollers, a filtering mechanism detachably mounted between the pair of side walls and arranged over the first set of rollers, a second roller assembly rotatably mounted between the pair of side walls and arranged adjacent to the first roller assembly comprising at least a fourth and a fifth sets of rollers, the second and third sets of rollers are arranged opposite to the first set of rollers with respect to the filtering mechanism.05-15-2014
20140138907Automatic System and Methods for Accurate Card Handling - A playing card handling device comprises a card storing area that supports a stack of playing cards, the card storing area having a playing card support surface. A card removing system removes playing cards individually from the bottom of the stack. A pivoting arm is automatically moved by a motor between at least two positions, wherein in a first position the end of the arm opposite a pivot is disengaged from a playing card at the top of the stack and in a second position the end of the arm is engaged with a playing card at the top of the stack. A processor in the playing card handling device directs movement of the pivoting arm between at least the first and second positions when a predetermined number of cards is present in the card storing area. Methods of card handling include employing the use of such a pivotal arm.05-22-2014
20140138908Ergonomic Card Delivery Shoe - An apparatus for handling cards has a dispensing end. The dispensing end has a base plate for supporting cards being manually removed. An upper plate with a U-shaped opening is spaced above the base plate and defines a slot for cards to pass. First and second spaced apart card guides define side edges of the slot. The first card guide is shorter than the second card guide, creating an offset in a first direction of travel of cards being removed. A method of removing cards is also disclosed, enabling movement of cards in at least two directions due to the presence of a card guide offset.05-22-2014
20140145399CARD-HANDLING DEVICES AND SYSTEMS - Playing card-handling devices, such as shufflers, dealing shoes, discard racks and verification systems, are rotatably secured to a gaming table to allow for functional and ergonomic adjustment of the card-handling device, without removal from the gaming table. One end of the device, preferably a front end of the device from which playing cards may be removed, has a structure that extends through an aperture in the gaming table. The device is movable within the aperture. Movement in the X-Y direction, angular movement and rotational movement, parallel to the movement of the plane of the surface of the gaming table, is enabled. The movement of the device about the aperture preferably maintains the base of the device relatively parallel to the plane of the surface of the gaming table.05-29-2014
20140175742Card Weight for Gravity Feed Input for Playing Card Shuffler - A card-feeding device for feeding cards into a card-handling device is disclosed. Examples of card-handling devices include shufflers, card sorters, card delivery devices and card verification devices. The device includes a card infeed area that supports a stack of cards. The card infeed area has a card support surface. Included in the device is a card-removing system that removes cards individually from the bottom of the stack. A pivoting arm presses against a card at the top of the stack. At least one sensor is provided that detects at least one of a position of the arm and a presence of a card in the card infeed area. A method of shuffling cards is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing cards to be shuffled into a card infeed area as a stack with a top and bottom and removing cards one at a time from the bottom of the stack and moving the removed cards to a shuffling zone. Cards are then shuffled. The stack of cards is stabilized by a pivoting arm capable of pressing against the top of the stack in an engaged position. The pivot arm may be automatically rotated from a first card-engaging position to a second recessed position.06-26-2014
20140183818Methods and Apparatuses for an Automatic Card Handling Device and Communication Networks Including Same - An automatic card handling device, automatic card handling devices within a network, and methods of use are disclosed. An automatic card handling device includes a shuffling apparatus with a controller and configured to deliver a set of shuffled cards, and a communication module operably coupled to the controller. The communication module is configured for establishing an electronic communication with a local or world-wide network and thereafter sending and receiving information related to the operation of the automatic card handling device across the network. A network of automatic card handling devices may include a plurality of automatic card shufflers. The network may also include at least one server operably coupled to the plurality of automatic card shufflers. In addition, the server may be operably coupled to a service center through a world-wide network.07-03-2014
20140191470AUTOMATED TABLE GAME SYSTEM - A table game system for a game of chance includes a card shuffling machine for randomly selecting a single card from among a defined set of cards, the single card having indicia relevant to an outcome for the game of chance. The card shuffling machine is rotatable about an axis of rotation and includes a plurality of trays uniformly spaced about an outer periphery thereof. Each of the defined set of cards is located in a respective one of the plurality of trays. A card retrieval device is disposed adjacent the card shuffling machine and configured to at least partially remove the single card from its tray. A controller is in communication with the card retrieval device to effectuate engagement of the card retrieval device with the single card.07-10-2014
20140203505Card Shuffler with Adjacent Card Infeed and Card Output Compartments - A playing card handling device is disclosed. The device includes a first side and a second opposite side. Components of the device include a card infeed tray, a card output tray and a card handling zone. The card infeed tray and card output tray are on the same first side of the device and an upper surface of the card infeed tray and an upper surface of the card output tray are in the same plane. Card handling devices of the present invention also include a touch screen display, as well as a movable card gate.07-24-2014
20140217670CARD SHOE - A card shoe comprising security features. The card shoe may include a housing and a flexible flag to at least partially overlie a front cover and an opening in the front cover. The card shoe may include an opening between a playing card support and a bottom of the front cover sized to allow only one playing card to be withdrawn at one time. The card shoe may include identification tags and areas for advertising. A form of advertising may include light-emitting diodes incorporated into the housing of the card shoe.08-07-2014
20140246829CARD SHUFFLING DEVICE WITH RFID CARD READER AND DISPLAY - A card shuffling machine for a game of chance includes a base portion and a rotatable body in communication with the base portion. The rotatable body portion includes a plurality of slots disposed therein. Each of the plurality of slots is configured to receive a card of the defined set of cards. Each of the cards includes indicia relevant to an outcome of the game of chance. The shuffling machine includes at least one reader associated with one of the plurality of slots and configured to communicate with the card disposed in the one slot to obtain information about the indicia of the card. The card shuffling machine includes a display in communication with the at least one reader for displaying the indicia of the card when the card is in the slot.09-04-2014
20140246830Playing Card Shuffler - An apparatus is for shuffling a plurality of playing cards used in gaming The apparatus includes a card support adapted to support the unshuffled cards on-edge. An exciter is also included, and is adapted to impart vibrational action to the supported cards. Cards drop in a random fashion such as by controlling the relative position of the cards and passage through one or more card slots in a card rest. In at least some of the apparatuses, a medial card receiver is adapted to receive at least one card dropped from the card support and to retain the at least one received card to substantially block the card slot to prevent further cards from dropping. A positioner is preferably included to change a relative position of the unshuffled deck and card slots though which the cards drop.09-04-2014
20140246831Methods for handling playing cards with a card handling device - The present invention features a playing card shuffling device, which through the use of a small image capturing means, captures an image of a face value of each card and stores the image in memory. This image is sorted in the format of a bitmap image. An operator of the device would be able to recall, through the use of a keypad, the images of the cards that comprised individual hands in the previous game. This feature allows for verification of a winning hand after a game has been completed. Thereby, a quick recheck of hands before playing a winning hand is performed. The face value of each card is determined by character recognition software. These card values would be stored in memory for archival access for use in monitoring the randomness of the game and determining the number of winnings hands.09-04-2014
20140291930CARD DEALING SHOE - A card dealing shoe including a sloped base with an opening, a roller mounted for rotational motion on an axle connected at each of the opposing side walls, and a pivoting lever having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the first end protrudes from the opening in the sloped base, the pivoting lever being configured to pivot from a first position wherein the first end protrudes from the opening in the sloped base and the second end restricts rotational motion of the roller to a second position in which the second end permits rotational motion of the roller, wherein the lever is biased towards the first position.10-02-2014
20140327208Methods for Shuffling Cards and Rack Assemblies For Use In Automatic Card Shufflers - Card-handling devices include a card-holding area and a card output shoe. The card output shoe includes a card-way for passage of cards from the card-holding area into a dealing-ready area. A movable gate is positioned between the card-way and the dealing-ready area to prevent cards in the dealing-ready area from re-entering the card-way. Card shufflers include a gate mounted to allow movement of randomized groups of cards from card-receiving compartments to proximate a terminal end plate of a card output shoe and to block movement of cards in an opposite direction. In related methods of moving cards, card movement through the card-way to the dealing-ready position is allowed by a movable gate and card movement from the dealing-ready position into the card-way is prevented by the movable gate.11-06-2014
20140346732Card Handling Systems, Devices for Use in Card Handling Systems and Related Methods - Card handling systems include shuffling devices, shoe devices, and a card transfer system for automatically transferring cards from the shuffling device into the shoe device. Shuffling devices may include a divider configured to contact at least one card positioned within a compartment of the shuffling device. Shoe devices may include a card loading system for loading cards into a card storage area through an opening in a base of the shoe device. Methods of providing cards during a casino table game play include identifying card information including a rank and a suit of each card in a shuffling device and a shoe device and transporting cards from the shuffling device to the shoe device.11-27-2014
20140353913SIMPLE SHUFFLING DEVICE - A shuffling device (12-04-2014
20150014926Card Handling Devices and Related Methods - Card handling devices comprise a card handling zone. A card infeed tray is configured to pass cards to the card handling zone and a separate card output tray is configured to receive cards from the card handling zone. A control system of the card handling device comprises at least one electronic signal processor, at least one memory device in electrical communication with the electronic signal processor, and a computer program stored in the memory of the memory device. The computer program is programmed to cause the control system to selectively control at least one of a card infeed system, the card handling zone, and a card output system of the card handling device and to receive an input from a user input to selectively perform at least one of a shuffling operation, a sorting operation, and a dealing operation using the card handling device.01-15-2015
20150014927Method for Shuffling and Dealing Cards - A card shuffler that moves cards one-at-a-time from the bottom of a group that may be a deck in a deck-crib, to randomly designated single-card receptacles in a receiving or dealing rack, and a method for shuffling and for dealing cards. Either the deck-crib or the receiving rack is moved by a motor to align a single-card receptacle, randomly selected from among remaining empty single-card receptacles, with an outfeed slot of the deck-crib to receive each card to be moved from the deck-crib. A space is provided in the dealing rack in one embodiment, where a dealer's hand can reach cards and remove them from the dealing rack. A controller can cause the dealing rack to move so as to allow a selected number of cards to be removed by the dealer for dealing as a player hand or a dealer hand. A card reader may be included, and positions in the receiving or dealing rack of cards identified by the card reader can be stored in memory in the controller.01-15-2015
20150014928Card Shuffler with Gravity Feed System for Playing Cards - A card feed system for feeding cards into a card handling system. The card feed system includes a card input compartment with a playing card support surface, a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls. The playing card support surface slopes toward the front wall at an angle between 12 degrees and 22 degrees. A slot is provided in the front wall to allow single cards to pass into the card handling system. The card feed system also includes a card moving system to advance cards through the slot.01-15-2015
20150035230SORTING DEVICE FOR SORTING PLAYING CARDS - A sorting device for sorting a stack of playing cards laid in an input bin in four stacks and removing them at the four cardinal points of the sorting device includes two receiving bins disposed on top of each other, of which the upper receiving bins are adjustable in height in order to selectively deposit playing cards in the lower receiving bins or upper receiving bins. The upper receiving bins are disposed on a rotatable subframe that, after sorting, is rotatable for a quarter of a turn in order to bring the upper receiving bins into a removal position in which the playing cards can be removed at the four cardinal points. At the four removal positions, doors are present that open automatically and through which ejector pins then move the playing cards outside.02-05-2015
20150048569Multiple Mode Card Shuffler and Card Reading Device - A multiple-mode card shuffling and/or card verification device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing or arranging system for the initial set of playing cards that can be disabled, a card collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the card collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, a card imaging system and an elevator for raising the card collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device. The processor is programmed such that cards can be verified without changing an order of cards present in the card receiving area, verified during randomization, and randomized without card verification.02-19-2015
20150069699PLAYING CARD IMAGING TECHNOLOGY WITH THROUGH-THE-CARD VIEWING TECHNOLOGY - A method of reading suit and rank of playing cards is enabled on a system for controlled provision of image content of faces of a playing card that has: 03-12-2015
20150069700APPARATUS, COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM, AND METHOD FOR SORTING AND RECOVERING CARDS - An unused card sorting and recovering apparatus includes a card input device, a card sensing device, a card sorting device, and a card disposing device. The apparatus further includes a plurality of pockets, each of the plurality of pockets configured to hold one or more cards. The apparatus further includes a controller configured to, for each of a plurality of cards, determine an identity of the card, determine whether at least one pocket of the plurality of pockets is missing the card from a complete deck based on the identity of the card, instruct the card sorting device to distribute the card to a pocket of the at least one pocket of the plurality of pockets that is missing the card, or instruct the card sorting device to distribute the card to a holding device. The apparatus further comprises a resetting device configured to reset specific pockets.03-12-2015
20150069701TILE DISPENSERS AND METHODS OF DISPENSING TILES - A tile dispenser includes a tile chamber in which tiles are shuffleable and a gate element. The gate element is moveable between a closed position in which the gate element is loadable with one or more tiles coming from the tile chamber and an open position for dispensing any tiles that have been loaded into the gate element. A method of using the tile dispenser includes placing a plurality of tiles into the tile chamber in which the plurality of tiles are shuffleable and loading a predetermined number of the plurality of tiles into the gate element when the gate element is in the closed position. A method of manufacturing the tile dispenser includes providing the tile chamber, and providing the gate element in a location such that the gate element is loadable with one or more tiles coming from the tile chamber when in the closed position.03-12-2015
20150076765SYSTEM FOR BILLING USAGE OF A CARD HANDLING DEVICE - An automatic card handling device, having a card handling device that includes a controller, the card handling device configured for shuffling an input set of cards and delivering an output set of cards resulting from the shuffling; and a communication module operably coupled to the controller, wherein the communication module is configured for sending and receiving information related to operation of the card handling device across a communication port configured for operable coupling to a cellular network, wherein the information related to the operation of the automatic card handling device includes information about the use of the card handling device; and wherein a factor in a usage fee for the card handling device is use of the card handling device.03-19-2015
20150102561DOMINO GAME SHUFFLER - Our invention is a manual domino game shuffler made of wood, plastic, glass, metal or any combination of these materials. The shuffler is circular in shape with different specific sizes, has a handle knob in the middle, and agitators affixed to its interior. By holding the handle in the center and moving the shuffler in all directions, a player can quickly and thoroughly mix domino chips on any flat surface for a fresh deal.04-16-2015
20150130132APPARATUS FOR CARD HANDLING DEVICE CALIBRATION - A device for automatically calibrating for card size and thickness during card handling is disclosed. The device includes a card receiving area, a card stacking area and a card moving system for moving cards from the card receiving area to the card stacking area. An elevator located in the card stacking area has a movable platform for moving a stack of cards. At least one sensor senses at least one of position of the platform, height of the platform, position of a card in the elevator, height of a card or cards in the elevator, pressure applied to a card in the elevator, presence of the platform at a predetermined height, presence of the platform at a predetermined position, presence of card(s) on the platform, and absence of card(s) on the platform. A method for calibrating a card handling device during shuffling is also disclosed.05-14-2015
20150145205METHODS OF RANDOMIZING CARDS - Apparatuses and methods for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into plural hands of cards, wherein each of the hands contains a random arrangement of cards. The apparatus may comprise a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack, and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanism and the elevator so that an individual card is moved into an identified compartment. The number of compartments receiving cards and the number of cards moved to each compartment may be selected. Apparatuses for feeding cards may comprise a surface for supporting a stack of cards, a feed roller with a frictional outer surface, a drive mechanism for causing rotation of the feed roller, a pair of speed-up rollers to advance the cards out of the feed roller, and a clutch mechanism for disengaging the feed roller from the drive mechanism as the card comes into contact with the speed-up rollers.05-28-2015
20150290527TABLE GAME SYSTEM - A table game system is provided that includes a plurality of association tables, each of which makes it possible to obtain the correlation between codes attached to shuffled playing cards and the ranks thereof, and prevents the correlation between the codes of the shuffled playing cards and the ranks thereof from being known by a person who intends to commit cheating by changing the association table used as appropriate.10-15-2015
20150290528METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SHUFFLING AND HANDLING CARDS - A card shuffler that moves cards one at a time from the bottom of a group that may be a deck in a deck-crib, to randomly designated single-card receptacles in a receiving or dealing rack, and methods for shuffling and for dealing cards. Either the deck-crib or the receiving rack is moved by a motor to align a single-card receptacle, randomly selected from among remaining empty single-card receptacles, with an outfeed slot of the deck-crib to receive each card to be moved from the deck-crib. A single card is moved from the deck-crib by a card mover mechanism that may include an auxiliary card pusher to ensure that the card is placed fully into the selected single-card receptacle. A controller can cause the dealing rack to move so as to allow a selected number of cards to be removed by the dealer for dealing as a player hand or a dealer hand. A card presentation pusher may make a group of the cards in the dealing rack available to be grasped by the dealer for removal. A card reader may be included, and positions in the receiving or dealing rack of cards identified by the card reader can be stored in memory in the controller.10-15-2015
20150290529Flush Mounted Card Shuffler that Elevates Cards - A device for forming a random set of playing cards is disclosed. The device comprises: a top surface and a bottom surface of the device. A single card receiving area is provided for receiving an initial set of playing cards. A randomizing system for randomizing an order of the initial set of playing cards is provided. A card collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards one at a time into the card collection area, the collection surface receiving cards so that all cards are received below the top surface of the device is also provided. An image capture device reads rank and suit of each card before each card is received on the card collection surface. An elevator raises the card collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated at least to the top surface of the device. A processor controls operation of the device. A motor drives the elevator, wherein an encoder is provided for communication with the motor, and wherein the encoder provides a signal indicating that a shuffle has occurred. Embodiments include a processor that creates commands and then receives system signals verifying that the commands were properly executed.10-15-2015
20150328533Playing Card Handling Devices, Systems, and Methods for Verifying Sets of Cards - Systems include an automatic card shuffler and a shoe. The automatic card shuffler may include a printing device for applying a randomly selected set symbol on each cards of a set of cards. The shoe may include a set symbol reader for reading each card for a presence and identity of a set symbol. A shoe processor may be configured to receive a signal from a shuffler processor indicating the selected set symbol to enable the shoe processor to verify that each card belongs to the set of cards. An automatic card shuffler includes a processor programmed to randomly select a card set symbol and a card marking system for forming the randomly selected set symbol on cards. Methods include forming a randomly determined set symbol on each card of a set of cards and detecting whether cards include a set symbol matching the determined set symbol.11-19-2015
20150375094CARD HANDLING DEVICES AND SYSTEMS - Playing card-handling devices, such as shufflers, dealing shoes, discard racks and verification systems, are rotatably secured to a gaming table to allow for functional and ergonomic adjustment of the card-handling device, without removal from the gaming table. One end of the device, preferably a front end of the device from which playing cards may be removed, has a structure that extends through an aperture in the gaming table. The device is movable within the aperture. Movement in the X-Y direction, angular movement and rotational movement, parallel to the movement of the plane of the surface of the gaming table, is enabled. The movement of the device about the aperture preferably maintains the base of the device relatively parallel to the plane of the surface of the gaming table.12-31-2015
20150375095SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING PLAYING CARDS - A method of delivering cards from a card housing unit during a card game including automatically detecting, using one or more processors, at least one of a card being held within an opening in the card housing unit for a period of time longer than a predetermined period of time or an attempt to manually draw a card from the opening after the card game ends, and based on the automatic detection, controlling, using one or more processors, operation of a lock member to restrict movement of the card relative to the opening in the card housing unit.12-31-2015
20150375097CARD READER - A card shooter apparatus including a card shooter unit including a card housing which contains a plurality of cards and an opening, a card reading unit that reads the number of the card pulled out from the card shooter, a control unit having a processing function to determine win or lose of the card game based on information about the number of the cards sequentially read by the card reading unit, and a display unit which indicates a result determined by the control unit, wherein the card shooter unit, the card reading unit and the control unit are integrated and are able to be set on the game table, and the display unit includes a first display unit which is provided on an upper part of the housing and a second display unit which is provided on a side part of the housing.12-31-2015
20160030831HAND-FORMING CARD SHUFFLING APPARATUSES INCLUDING MULTI-CARD STORAGE COMPARTMENTS, AND RELATED METHODS - Card shufflers usable in forming and dispensing randomized playing card hands for use in playing card games include a card input mechanism for inputting cards into the card shuffler, a card storage device for receiving cards from the card input mechanism and temporarily storing cards within the card shuffler, and a card output mechanism for outputting shuffled cards from the card shuffler. The card storage device may include a wheel configured to rotate within the card shuffler. The rotatable wheel may have a plurality of card storage compartments therein, each of which may be sized and configured to hold two or more cards therein. Related methods involve the use of such card shufflers in playing card games.02-04-2016
20160059111Playing card shuffling devices and related methods - A playing card handling device comprises a card storing area that supports a stack of playing cards, the card storing area having a playing card support surface. A card removing system removes playing cards individually from the bottom of the stack. A pivoting arm is automatically moved by a motor between at least two positions, wherein in a first position the end of the arm opposite a pivot is disengaged from a playing card at the top of the stack and in a second position the end of the arm is engaged with a playing card at the top of the stack. A processor in the playing card handling device directs movement of the pivoting arm between at least the first and second positions when a predetermined number of cards is present in the card storing area. Methods of card handling include employing the use of such a pivotal arm.03-03-2016
20160059112CARD DEALING SHOE - A card dealing shoe with card reading capability for facilitating play of card games includes a control system configured to detect the existence of an alarm condition and a card restraining apparatus mounted on the elongated housing and configured for alternating between a non-restraining condition and a restraining condition, wherein the restraining condition includes activation of a physical restraint that prevents cards from being added to and removed from the card receiving or staging area in the card dealing shoe, wherein the card restraining apparatus is in communication with the control system and actuated from the non-restraining condition to the restraining condition responsive to the detection of an alarm condition.03-03-2016
20160082344CARD SHUFFLING DEVICE AND CALIBRATION METHOD - A playing card handling device comprises an elevator platform configured to receive one or more cards from an input platform to form a shuffled set of cards, a card gripper positioned above the elevator platform, and configured to grip cards from the shuffled set of cards, and a processor configured to control the elevator platform to have a grip position for the card gripper grip the shuffled set of cards, wherein the grip position is adjusted based, at least in part, on a correction value associated with a particular card insertion. A related method includes determining a grip position of an elevator platform of a card handling device based, at least in part, on a desired insert location within a stack of shuffled cards as adjusted based on a corrective value that is different for a plurality of different insert locations.03-24-2016
20160107071CARD HANDLING DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS - A multiple-mode card shuffling and/or card verification device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing or arranging system for the initial set of playing cards that can be disabled, a card collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the card collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, a card imaging system and an elevator for raising the card collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device. The processor is programmed such that cards can be verified without changing an order of cards present in the card receiving area, verified during randomization, and randomized without card verification.04-21-2016
20160121200PLAYING CARD SHUFFLER - An apparatus is for shuffling a plurality of playing cards used in gaming. The apparatus includes a card support adapted to support the unshuffled cards on-edge. An exciter is also included, and is adapted to impart vibrational action to the supported cards. Cards drop in a random fashion such as by controlling the relative position of the cards and passage through one or more card slots in a card rest. In at least some of the apparatuses, a medial card receiver is adapted to receive at least one card dropped from the card support and to retain the at least one received card to substantially block the card slot to prevent further cards from dropping. A positioner is preferably included to change a relative position of the unshuffled deck and card slots though which the cards drop.05-05-2016
20160144271MECHANICAL SHUFFLER - A mechanical shuffling apparatus is disclosed having a mechanism for delivering a single card through a horizontally disposed slot such that mechanical damage to the card is minimized and adequate shuffling of a deck of cards is achieved. The horizontally disposed slot is sized to receive a single card and can be adjusted or calibrated by card manufacturer or type. Additionally, the mechanical shuffler has a weight to flatten cards disposed on a horizontal plane. By keeping cards flat and minimizing mechanical damage to the card the mechanical shuffler disclosed herein also avoids delays and damage caused by jamming.05-26-2016
20160166918AUTOMATIC PLAYING CARD SHUFFLER AND OTHER CARD-HANDLING DEVICES CONFIGURED TO DETECT MARKED CARDS AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME06-16-2016
20160166919CARD-HANDLING DEVICES06-16-2016
20160199724CARD HANDLING APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR HANDLING CARDS07-14-2016
20160250547CARD HANDLING APPARATUS09-01-2016
20160375350CARD HANDLING DEVICES AND SYSTEMS - Playing card-handling devices, such as shufflers, dealing shoes, discard racks and verification systems, are rotatably secured to a gaming table to allow for functional and ergonomic adjustment of the card-handling device, without removal from the gaming table. One end of the device, preferably a front end of the device from which playing cards may be removed, has a structure that extends through an aperture in the gaming table. The device is movable within the aperture. Movement in the X-Y direction, angular movement and rotational movement, parallel to the movement of the plane of the surface of the gaming table, is enabled. The movement of the device about the aperture preferably maintains the base of the device relatively parallel to the plane of the surface of the gaming table.12-29-2016
20100213667Playing card dealing shoe with automated internal card feeding and card reading - A distinct dealing shoe having no shuffling functionality receives shuffled, randomized or ordered group of cards. The cards may be mechanically moved one at a time from a receiving area for the deck to a buffer area where more than one card is temporarily stored. The cards in the buffer area are then mechanically moved to a card delivery area where the cards may be manually removed, one-at-a-time, by a dealer. The cards are read one-at-a-time inside of the dealing shoe, either before the buffer area or after leaving the buffer area, but preferably before the cards are being manually removed from the card delivery area. The information from the card reading may be used for game tracking, hand tracking, player information, and other security issues at casino table card games.08-26-2010
20160175696Card Dealing Machine06-23-2016
Entries
DocumentTitleDate
20080197565Automatic shuffling and dealing machine - An automatic shuffling and dealing machine has a shuffling wheel and a card-input device mounted adjacent to the shuffling wheel. The card-input device is provided for putting a stack of playing card and inserting cards into slots formed around the shuffling wheel. The shuffling wheel can be controlled by a controller to rotate randomly, and has a discharging rod to discharge at least one card in the slots of the shuffling wheel as the shuffling wheel temporarily stop in undetermined angles, such that the card arrangement may be randomized. Besides, the automatic shuffling and dealing machine further has a card-output device or card-output apparatus to deal the discharged cards one by one. With such an arrangement, the automatic shuffling and dealing machine may provide convenience for card games.08-21-2008
20080203658Device and method for continuously shuffling and monitoring cards - The present invention provides an apparatus and method for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into a second group of cards, wherein the second group of cards is randomly arranged or shuffled. The apparatus comprises a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack for moving cards one at a time into a selected one of the compartments, another card moving mechanism for moving cards from one of the compartments to a second card receiver and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanisms and the elevator. A count of cards within specified areas of the card handling system is maintained and card handling is halted and all cards counted by adding a count of all cards not within the specified areas to the total of cards counted within the specified areas.08-28-2008
20080284096Apparatus and method for automatically shuffling cards - An apparatus and method of automatically shuffling a deck of playing cards is described. The apparatus includes three compartments disposed laterally with respect to each other and at least one compartment movable vertically with respect to another other compartment. Cards placed in one of the compartments are dispensed into the other two compartments so as to cut or strip the deck, and are returned to the original compartment by interleaving cards from the other compartments. The process may be repeated to substantially randomize the deck for use in playing a game of cards. The cards may be removed either through a top aperture through which the cards were introduced into the apparatus or using a removable tray.11-20-2008
20080315517CARD SHUFFLING DEVICE AND METHOD - A device for shuffling a deck of playing cards is described. The cards are placed in a compartment having a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and dimensioned so that the cards are constrained in rotation in two of the three axes. The device is oriented so that a thickness dimension of the deck is horizontal, and groups of cards of the deck of cards are ejected in a vertical direction so as to provide a spacing of between a top edge of cards at rest and a bottom edge of the cards being ejected. The time duration of the ejection process is sufficient to effectively randomize the deck of cards. The ejection of cards may be by a plurality of pistons, and the pistons may be actuated by a motor, a solenoid or by air pressure.12-25-2008
20090066021Table game system - A table game system comprises cards and a card shooter apparatus. The cards include code elements that are arrayed as an ultraviolet-ray reaction code indicating at least the number of a card. The card shooter apparatus includes a card housing for containing cards, a card guide unit that guides cards pulled out one by one from the card housing, and one or more black light sensors that read the ultraviolet-ray reaction code from a card guided by the card guide unit.03-12-2009
20090072477Automatic card shuffler - An automatic card shuffler includes two parallel stands, two conveying units respectively mounted in the stands for conveying playing cards out of the associating stands toward a space between the stands, two limiters respectively mounted in the stands for holding playing cards for delivery by the conveying units individually, a card carrier unit set between the stands and controllable to lift a holder plate for collecting playing cards delivered from the conveying units, a constraint mechanism set between the stands for holding playing cards on the holder plate in a stack, and a card dispensing mechanism disposed above the stands for pushing playing cards out of the holder plate of the card carrier unit toward the baffles of the limiters in the working spaces of the stands alternatively.03-19-2009
20090121429Card delivery shoe and methods of fabricating the card delivery shoe - A playing card delivery shoe for a casino table card game and method of fabricating such shoe. The shoe has an adjustable limiter and removable protective cover. The position of the card feed limiter sets a gap size of an opening though which cards pass. The card feed limiter may have openings therein through which a card reading sensor can be accessed. The card reading sensor can be accessed without substantial disassembly of the shoe. The removable protective cover provides a protective shield for the card reading sensor.05-14-2009
20090134575PLAYING CARD VAULT - A card vault for attachment to an automatic card shuffling machine, card shoe, card verifying machine and card discard rack is disclosed. The card vault facilitates a system of reducing human handling of cards thereby reducing human error and cheating. Cards may be transferred in a card vault directly from the card verifying machine to an automatic card shuffling machine. After being dealt during one or more table games, the cards are placed in a discard rack and transferred to the card vault for transport to a card verifying machine where the deck is verified. The card vault and contained cards are tracked in substantially real-time using wireless technology such as a RFID transmitter and receiver.05-28-2009
20090140492Card reading shoe with card stop feature and systems utilizing the same - A semi-automatic gaming table system is disclosed, comprising; a gaming table surface; at least one playing card delivery device, the playing card delivery device comprising a card storage area, an internal processor, a card moving system, a delivery end and a card imaging system; a plurality of electronic player interfaces mounted in the gaming table surface that communicate with a game controller; a game controller, the game controller programmed to communicate with the internal processor and the player interfaces, to detect at least one condition and respond by instructing the card handling system to stop delivering cards to the delivery end. A method of monitoring play of a casino card game is disclosed, the method comprising: a player electronically making a wager on a semi-automatic gaming system; a dealer dealing physical cards to each player from a card handling device; automatically sensing a rank and/or suit of cards being delivered; automatically determining a number of cards dealt to each player; and when a predetermined condition is sensed, directing a card handling device to cease moving cards to a delivery end, wherein one card is available for removal until the condition is cleared.06-04-2009
20090166970Card Shuffler and dealer - THE CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER is a mechanical devise which shuffles and deals playing cards to two to four players. By rotating the handle of the CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER counter clockwise, the internal mechanism is able to shuffle and deal out the proper number of cards to each player.07-02-2009
20090189346Swivel mounted card handing device - Playing card handling devices, such as shufflers, dealing shoes, discard racks and verification systems are rotatably secured to a gaming table to allow for functional and ergonomic adjustment of the card handling device, without removal from the gaming table. One end of the device, preferably a front end of the device from which playing cards may be removed has a structure that extends through an aperture in the gaming table. The device is movable within the aperture. Movement in the X-Y direction, angular movement and rotational movement, parallel to the movement of the plane of the surface of the gaming table is enabled. The movement of the device about the aperture preferably maintains the base of the device relatively parallel to the plane of the surface of the gaming table.07-30-2009
20090243213SHUFFLING APPARATUS - A shuffling apparatus comprising: at least three card holders, each adapted to hold at least one deck of cards; a conveying mechanism adapted to convey cards between each card holder and at least two other card holders, the conveying mechanism controllable to select a destination card holder of the at least two card holders; and a controller arranged to control the conveying mechanism in a shuffling mode in which cards are sent between a source card holder and selected ones of the at least two destination card holders.10-01-2009
20090267296Automatic Shuffling Machine - An automatic shuffling machine has a shuffling wheel and a card input mounted adjacent to the shuffling wheel for conveying and inserting cards into slots formed in the shuffling wheel. An insertion panel is mounted securely between the card input and the shuffling wheel, may be a curved shape corresponding to the shuffling wheel and has a tangent surface opposite to the shuffling wheel and an abutting portion disposed between an inlet passage of the card input and one corresponding card slot of the shuffling wheel. Thus, by controlling the rotation of the shuffling wheel, the automatic shuffling machine input the cards in a simple and efficient manner.10-29-2009
20090267297CARD SHUFFLER WITH GRAVITY FEED SYSTEM FOR PLAYING CARDS - A card feed system for feeding cards into a card handling system is disclosed. The system includes a card input department with a playing card support surface, a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls. The playing card support surface slopes towards the front wall at an angle between 12 and 22 degrees. A slot is provided in the front wall to allow single cards to pass into the card handling system. The card feed system also includes a card moving system to advance cards through the slot.10-29-2009
20090289414DISPENSER FOR HOLDING PLAYING CARDS - Dispenser (11-26-2009
20090302535Multiple-inlet shuffling machine - The multiple-inlet shuffling machine has a shuffler and at least two card inputs. The shuffler has a base, a shuffling wheel mounted rotatably on the base and has multiple card slots formed radially around which, and a controller having at least one random number generator (RNG) that generates at least one random number. The card inputs are mounted oppositely on the base of the shuffler adjacent to the shuffling wheel and are controlled by the at least one random number generator (RNG) of the controller to randomly place cards into a same wheel further raising a randomness of the cards. relative to a number of compartments to number of cards ratio. Furthermore, operations are made via gears, so the multiple-inlet shuffling machine has improved precision of movement.12-10-2009
20090302536Card cartridge for a shuffling machine - A card cartridge for shuffling machines has a body and a cover. The body has a longitudinal slot defined in the body in a slantwise manner for receiving cards discharged from the shuffling machine, and at least two stops protrude oppositely from two side edges of the body to define a drawing gap. The cover is mounted detachably on the body and has a tail extending slantwise into the slot and two side panels abutting two side surfaces of the body to ensure the cover is stably positioned on the body. Furthermore, a wedge is movably disposed in the slot, selectively moving toward the second end of the body to press the cards toward the stops. When playing a card game, the body is implemented horizontally and the wedge moves along the slot to press the cards so players can easily draw cards sequentially from the drawing gap.12-10-2009
20090302537Shuffling machine with a detaching assembly for card input and output - A shuffling machine has a shuffler, a card input, a card output, an input detaching assembly and an output detaching assembly. The input detaching assembly is mounted between the shuffler and the card input to connect the card input detachably to the shuffler. The output detaching assembly is mounted between the shuffler and the card output to connect the card output detachably to the shuffler. Therefore, the shuffler, the card input and the card output may be manufactured and sold separately to simplify manufacturing processes and reduce buying cost.12-10-2009
20100013152Ergonomic Card Delivery Shoe - An apparatus for handling cards having a dispensing end is disclosed. The dispensing end has a base plate for supporting cards being manually removed. An upper plate with a U-shaped opening is spaced above the base plate and defines a slot for cards to pass. First and second spaced apart card guides define side edges of the slot. The first card guide is shorter than the second card guide, creating an offset in a first direction of travel of cards being removed. A method of removing cards is also disclosed, enabling movement of cards in at least two directions due to the presence of a card guide offset.01-21-2010
20100019449METHOD OF LOCATING RANK AND SUIT SYMBOLS ON CARDS - A playing card delivery shoe is used in the play of the casino table card game of baccarat or blackjack or any game where cards are pulled one at a time from the shoe. The apparatus comprises a reader or an imager that scans lines bisecting the image at spaced intervals. The scanning occurs on playing cards in at least the region where suit and rank symbols are provided. The scanner output is a series of voltages that are converted to binary information. This binary information is compared to stored binary information to determine rank and suit. The upper surface of the output end of the shoe contains a partial barrier for cards being scanned. The partial barrier has an elevated surface and limits a size of a pathway so that only one card can be removed at a time.01-28-2010
20100038849Intelligent automatic shoe and cartridge - A playing card delivery shoe has a cartridge for receiving a first set of shuffled playing cards useful in the play of the casino table card game, the cartridge having a back end and front card-delivery end. An automated motor-driven playing card delivery shoe has a cartridge receiving area. The card delivery shoe has a pick-off roller that moves playing cards from the front card-delivery end of the cartridge. An image capture system captures image data of at least one of card value and card rank. A motor drives at least one set of rollers. A card delivery chute receives playing cards one-at-a-time from the set of rollers.02-18-2010
20100084813CARD OUTPUT DEVICE FOR SHUFFLING MACHINE - A card output device for a shuffling machine is mounted adjacent to a shuffling wheel of a shuffling device and has a housing and a stacking assembly, a pushing assembly and three sensors being mounted in the housing. When the sensors sense that there are cards on the stacking assembly, the stacking assembly and the pushing assembly begin to push the cards toward an outlet of the housing and the shuffling device stops pushing the cards out of the shuffling wheel. When there are fewer cards being stacked in the outlet of the housing, the shuffling device begins to push the cards out of the shuffling wheel and into the card output device. Therefore, the cards are not scattered around the outlet of the card output device and keep a desk for playing a card game neat and tidy.04-08-2010
20100213668Automatic Card Shuffler with spaced roller pair - An automatic card shuffler includes a card input unit, card ejection unit, card separation and delivery unit and card collection unit. A card ejection unit ejects cards in a singular fashion from a stack of cards placed into the input unit. The ejected cards are passed through a dynamic de-doubler that prevents more than a pre-established number of cards from passing through. The dynamic de-doubler is able to shift positions to accommodate card that are bent, impacted by environmental conditions and otherwise worn. The cards are ejected to a stop arm maintaining the entrance to the card separation unit. Upon processor command, the stop arm raises to allow a plurality of cards to pass under to the card separation and delivery unit. A series of rotating belts and rollers act to separate the cards and propel them individually to the collection unit. A floating gate slightly forward of the stop arm dictates that a minimum number of cards are managed simultaneously. The shuffler is controlled by a processing unit in communication with multiple internal sensors.08-26-2010
20100219582Automatic Card Shuffler - An automatic card shuffler includes a card input unit, card ejection unit, card separation and delivery unit and card collection unit. A card ejection unit ejects cards in a singular fashion from a stack of cards placed into the input unit. The cards are ejected to a stop arm maintaining the entrance to the card separation unit. Adjustment means permit the shuffler to accommodate different sized cards. Upon processor command, the stop arm raises to allow a plurality of cards to pass under to the card separation and delivery unit. A series of rotating belts and rollers act to separate the cards and propel them individually to the collection unit. By utilizing separate motors to drive the belts and rollers it is possible to cease the movement of the belts so that the rollers independently act upon the cards. A floating gate slightly forward of the stop arm dictates that a minimum number of cards are managed simultaneously. The shuffler is controlled by a processing unit in communication with multiple internal sensors. An audio system communicates voice outputs regarding shuffler malfunctions and instructions to an operator.09-02-2010
20100225056CARD SHUFFLER WITH CARD RANK AND VALUE READING CAPABILITY - A card shuffling device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing or arranging system for the initial set of playing cards, a collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, and an elevator for raising the collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device. An automatic card shuffler includes a microprocessor with memory. An automated calibration system is provided that calibrates the precise position of the card supporting platform on the elevator so that precise insertion of cards can be performed during card handling procedures.09-09-2010
20100244376SHUFFLING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A card shuffling device reads suit and value of individual cards that are moved through the card shuffler. Reading of the cards is effected after cards have been received into a card holding area and before cards have been delivered into a card collection area from which cards are removed from the device for use. The read suit and rank being sent to a processor, wherein the processor identifies whether any playing card is a playing card that should be rejected from the card shuffler and the shuffler then rejecting that playing card from the playing card shuffler.09-30-2010
20100252992Playing card shuffler - An apparatus is for shuffling a plurality of playing cards used in gaming. The apparatus includes a support adapted to support the unshuffled cards on-edge. An exciter is also included, and is adapted to impart vibrational action to the supported cards. Cards drop in a random fashion such as by controlling the relative position of the cards and passage through one or more slots in the supporting rest. In some of the apparatuses a medial receiver is adapted to receive at least one card dropped from the support and to retain the at least one received card to substantially block the slot to prevent further cards from dropping. A positioner is preferably included to change the relative position of the unshuffled deck and slots though which the cards drop.10-07-2010
20100264582CARD SHUFFLING DEVICE AND METHOD - A device for shuffling a deck of playing cards is described. The cards are placed in a compartment having a shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, and dimensioned so that the cards are constrained in rotation in two of the three axes. The device is oriented so that a thickness dimension of the deck is horizontal, and groups of cards of the deck of cards are ejected in a vertical direction so as to provide a spacing of between a top edge of cards at rest and a bottom edge of the cards being ejected. The time duration of the ejection process is sufficient to effectively randomize the deck of cards. The ejection of cards may be by a plurality of pistons, and the pistons may be actuated by a motor, a solenoid or by air pressure.10-21-2010
20100276880MULTIPLE MODE CARD SHUFFLER AND CARD READING DEVICE - A multiple mode card shuffling and/or card verification device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing or arranging system for the initial set of playing cards that can be disabled, a collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, a card imaging system and an elevator for raising the collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device. The processor is programmed such that cards can be verified without changing an order of cards present in the card feeder, verified during randomization, and randomized without card verification.11-04-2010
20100283202CARD-DELIVERING DEVICE FOR A SHUFFLING MACHINE - A card-delivering device for a shuffling machine has a frame, at least one drawing roller group, a drawing transmission, an actuating roller group and an actuating transmission. The frame has a pivoting panel with a magnet. The drawing roller group is mounted in the frame near the output end. The drawing transmission drives the drawing roller group. The actuating roller group has a magnetic roller corresponding to the magnet. The actuating transmission drives the actuating roller group. When the magnetic roller is rotated, the magnetic roller alternatively attracts or repulses the magnet to cause the pivoting panel to pivot. Therefore, cards pass between the magnetic roller and the pivoting panel in order when a gap between the magnetic roller and the pivoting panel is formed.11-11-2010
20100289214MODULAR SYSTEM FOR HANDING OUT PLAYING CARDS AND A MODULE FOR HANDING OUT CARDS FOR SUCH SYSTEM - A modular system for handing out playing cards and including at least one card-handing module and a frame module. Additionally, the system preferably also includes a power supply module and a score module. The card-handing module is particularly suitable for partaking as a replaceable component in connection with the other modules, and includes an essentially closed housing which substantially encloses a rotating spinner core. The card-handing module is configured for being able to receive a deck of playing cards and ejects the playing cards individually and in a specific direction that is determined by a step motor. The spinner core is suspended in the housing by two opposed bearings, where the motor constitutes the one bearing, while an opposed bearing is provided. Thereby a very compact unit is provided which is so noiseless that it can sit on a bridge game table and function without being a nuisance to the players.11-18-2010
20100295243METHOD AND APPARATUS TO SHUFFLE AND ORDER PLAYING CARDS - A card shuffling and ordering system and method which operates with four card hoppers arranged into first and second pairs. In the operation of the system, a first pair of card hoppers holds at least approximately two halves of a deck of cards, which are then selectively interlaced or sorted to the other pair of hoppers. The cards are then selectively interlaced or sorted from the hoppers of the second pair of hoppers back to the hoppers of the first pair of hoppers, with the operation being repeated as needed.11-25-2010
20100314830CARD HANDLING DEVICES AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - A card handling device includes a sensing system for identifying cards handled thereby. A control system may be configured to selectively control an infeed system, a storage system, and/or an output system of the device in response to a signal received from the sensing system, and to enable a user to selectively perform one or more of a shuffling operation, a sorting operation, and a dealing operation using the device. A card handling device may be configured to dispense randomly arranged hands, prearranged hands, randomly arranged decks, or prearranged decks.12-16-2010
20100320684PLAYING CARDS SHUFFLING AND DEALING MACHINE - The invention presents a methodology and device for distribution of playing cards. Automatic operation without manual intervention is its main theme. This eliminates the likely manipulations, monotony, errors associated with manual handling of playing cards. The device has provision of conventional automatic shuffling prior to distributing. Playing cards shuffled in more elaborate manner by other suitable devices also can be used on the invented device. There are many user friendly features of the invented device. These include compact size, portability, ease of operation and maintenance, adaptability to any card games. Optional operation of this device by a remote control enhances its utility Standard playing cards of Bridge or Poker size can be used with this device. The invented device is said to be useful to group of players in homes, club houses, casinos and at out-doors.12-23-2010
20100320685DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTINUOUSLY SHUFFLING AND MONITORING CARDS - The present invention provides an apparatus and method for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into a second group of cards, wherein the second group of cards is randomly arranged or shuffled. The apparatus comprises a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack for moving cards one at a time into a selected one of the compartments, another card moving mechanism for moving cards from one of the compartments to a second card receiver and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanisms and the elevator. A count of cards within specified areas of the card handling system is maintained and card handling is halted and all cards counted by adding a count of all cards not within the specified areas to the total of cards counted within the specified areas.12-23-2010
20100327525SHUFFLED PLAYING CARDS AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - The present invention provides shuffled playing cards which eliminate the need for a game host to shuffle cards before games by taking a lot of time as well as eliminate the possibility of cheating. A shuffled playing cards (12-30-2010
20110006480Card feed mechanism for card handling device - The present invention provides an apparatus and method for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into plural hands of cards, wherein each of the hands contains a random arrangement 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 moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack, and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanism and the elevator so that an individual card is moved into an identified compartment. The number of compartments receiving cards and the number of cards moved to each compartment may be selected. An apparatus for feeding cards, comprising a surface for supporting a stack of cards, a feed roller with a frictional outer surface, a drive mechanism for causing rotation of the feed roller, a pair of speed-up rollers to advance the cards out of the feed roller, and a clutch mechanism for disengaging the feed roller from the drive mechanism as the card comes into contact with the speed up rollers.01-13-2011
20110012303SHUFFLER FOR PLAYING CARDS - A shuffler for playing cards provides a complete and random shuffle. The shuffler includes a chute and means for biasing cards toward a longitudinal wall in the chute. A preliminary urging means is positioned adjacent the card receiving end of the chute for urging the playing cards to travel to the distal end of the chute. A cut restricter removeably extends into the chute to stop the travel of a portion of the playing cards. There is a further means for advancing the remaining cards towards the distal end of the chute where they will come to rest along the longitudinal wall of the chute. There is also provided means for returning the remaining cards toward the card receiving end of the chute to intermingle those cards with the stopped portion of the cards.01-20-2011
20110018195CARD SHUFFLER WITH CARD RANK AND VALUE READING CAPABILITY USING CMOS SENSOR - A device for forming a random set of playing cards comprises a card infeed area, a shuffling system, a card removal area; and a card reading system located within the device, the card reading system employing a CMOS sensor and a hardware component, the hardware component capable of converting signals from the CMOS sensor into vector sets and comparing the vector sets to known vectors to determine rank and suit.01-27-2011
20110024981Automatic playing card dispensing system - An automatic playing card dispensing system includes a scanner for recognizing the card suits and card values of the dispensed playing cards, a display, a set of indicator lights, and a driver unit for controlling dispensing of the playing cards and driving the display to display the card suits and card values of the dispensed playing cards been scanned by the scanner and the indicator lights to give a respective indication that indicates “Banker Win”, “Player Win” or “Tie Win”.02-03-2011
20110031686PLAYING CARD DISPENSING AND OPENING SYSTEM - A playing card dispensing and opening system includes a playing card dispensing unit that dispenses playing cards automatically, and a playing card opening unit that uses a motor to rotate a crank arm and to further move a transparent playing card holder plate from a horizontal position for receiving a dispensed playing card from the playing card dispensing unit to a vertical position to show the card suit and card value of the received playing card and then to a tilting position to let the received playing card fall from the transparent playing card holder plate to a playing card return slot on the table supporting the system.02-10-2011
20110062662CARD ISSUING DEVICE - A card issuing machine may include a card storage part, a card reader part, a housing accommodating the card storage part and the card reader part, and a lock mechanism for locking the housing in a closed state. The housing may include a first case body provided as at least a front face of the card issuing machine, a second case body structured to cover an upper side of the card storage part, and a third case body structured to cover an upper side of the card reader part. The third casing may be engaged with the first casing so that the third casing does not move away from the first casing at the upper, lower, left, right, and front sides, and may also be engaged with the second casing so that the third casing does not move away from the first casing at the rear side.03-17-2011
20110079956CARD SHOE APPARATUS ACCURATELY IDENTIFYING CARD INFORMATION OF CARD - The following members are included: a storage unit 04-07-2011
20110109042AUTOMATIC SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR ACCURATE CARD HANDLING - A playing card handling device is disclosed, comprising a card storing area that supports a stack of playing cards, the storing area having a playing card support surface. A card removing system is provided that removes playing cards individually from the bottom of the stack. A pivoting arm is automatically moved by a motor between at least two positions, wherein in a first position the end of the arm opposite a pivot is disengaged from a playing card at the top of the stack and in a second position the end of the arm is engaged with a playing card at the top of the stack. A processor in the playing card handling device directs movement of the pivoting arm between at least a first and second position when information is known to the processor that a predetermined number of cards is present in the card storing area of the card handling device. Methods of card handling employing the use of a pivotal arm are also disclosed.05-12-2011
20110198804Image capturing card shuffler - The present invention features a playing card shuffling device, which through the use of a small image capturing means, captures an image of the face value of each card and stores the image in memory. This image is sorted in the format of a bitmap image. The operator of the machine would be able to recall through the use of a keypad, the images of the cards that comprised the individual hands in the previous game. This feature allows for verification of a winning hand after a game has been completed. Thereby, a quick recheck of hands before playing a winning hand is performed. The face value of each card is determined by character recognition software. These card values would be stored in memory for archival access for use in monitoring the randomness of the game and determining the number of winnings hands.08-18-2011
20110227283INTELLIGENT BACCARAT SHOE - A method of controlling the game of baccarat is disclosed, the method including the steps of providing a card delivery shoe equipped with a sensor capable of reading at least a rank of each card; a first processor capable of controlling operation of the card delivery shoe; and a second processor capable of receiving signals from the sensor and programmed to display information related to the game of baccarat.09-22-2011
20110233863CARD SHUFFLING DEVICE AND METHOD - A card shuffling device is described where the device is configured to be mountable below a table top and accessible by an aperture formed in the table top. Cards are inserted into an aperture on the top of the card shuffling device with the face of the cards being in a horizontal plane. The cards are transported to a shuffling compartment where the cards are shuffled by ejection of the cards in a vertical direction. The shuffled cards are returned to the region of the aperture by an elevator mechanism for dispensing. A card counting device may also be included, where the counting is performed by ejecting the cards from a deck of cards in a vertical direction such that the cards pass individually through a sensing region.09-29-2011
20110254222CARD SHUFFLER WITH GRAVITY FEED SYSTEM FOR PLAYING CARDS - A card feed system for feeding cards into a card handling system is disclosed. The system includes a card input department with a playing card support surface, a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls. The playing card support surface slopes towards the front wall at an angle between 12 and 22 degrees. A slot is provided in the front wall to allow single cards to pass into the card handling system. The card feed system also includes a card moving system to advance cards through the slot.10-20-2011
20110266748CARD BLOCK STRUCTURE FOR CARD BOXES - A card block structure for card boxes comprises a card block strut, a solenoid valve and a card box. The card box holds at least one poker card and has an outlet with a round hole run through by the card block strut. The card block strut is located on the solenoid valve and driven to extend or shrink. The card block strut can be extended upwards above the round hole to block the poker card or shrunk to sink into the round hole without blocking the poker card. Through a controller and game rules, the card block strut can be sunk into the round hole while dealing cards so that the poker card can be drawn from the card box. When dealing cards is not desired, the card block strut is protruded above the round hole to block the poker card from being drawn from the card box.11-03-2011
20110272881PLAYING CARD SHUFFLER - An apparatus is for shuffling a plurality of playing cards used in gaming. The apparatus includes a support adapted to support the unshuffled cards on-edge. An exciter is also included, and is adapted to impart vibrational action to the supported cards. Cards drop in a random fashion such as by controlling the relative position of the cards and passage through one or more slots in the supporting rest. In some of the apparatuses a medial receiver is adapted to receive at least one card dropped from the support and to retain the at least one received card to substantially block the slot to prevent further cards from dropping. A positioner is preferably included to change the relative position of the unshuffled deck and slots though which the cards drop.11-10-2011
20110285081Shuffler with Shuffling Completion Indicator - A playing card shuffling device has a visual display in information communication with the playing card shuffling device. At least one processor is programmed to provide displayable information to the visual display indicative of an amount of time remaining or time expired in a procedure performed by the shuffling device.11-24-2011
20110285082SWIVEL MOUNTED CARD HANDLING DEVICE - Playing card handling devices, such as shufflers, dealing shoes, discard racks and verification systems are rotatably secured to a gaming table to allow for functional and ergonomic adjustment of the card handling device, without removal from the gaming table. One end of the device, preferably a front end of the device from which playing cards may be removed has a structure that extends through an aperture in the gaming table. The device is movable within the aperture. Movement in the X-Y direction, angular movement and rotational movement, parallel to the movement of the plane of the surface of the gaming table is enabled. The movement of the device about the aperture preferably maintains the base of the device relatively parallel to the plane of the surface of the gaming table.11-24-2011
20110304098CARD SHUFFLER WITH CARD RANK AND VALUE READING CAPABILITY - A device for forming a random set of playing cards is disclosed. The device comprises: a top surface and a bottom surface of said device. A single card receiving area is provided for receiving an initial set of playing cards. A randomizing system for randomizing the order of an initial set of playing cards, is provided. A collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards one at a time into the card collection area, the collection surface receiving cards so that all cards are received below the top surface of the device is also provided. An image capture device reads the rank and suit of each card before being received on the card collection surface. An elevator raises the collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated at least to the top surface of the device. A processor controls operation of the device. A motor drives the elevator, wherein an encoder is provided for communication with the motor, and wherein the encoder provides a signal indicating that a shuffle has occurred. Embodiments include a processor that creates commands and then receives system signals verifying that the commands were properly executed.12-15-2011
20120056373ROTARY CARD SHUFFLING MACHINE - A rotary card shuffling and selection machine for use in playing a game of chance includes a wheel supported in a generally vertical plane for rotation about a horizontal rotary axis (A). The wheel is provided with a plurality of card slots arranged concentrically about the rotary axis (A). Each card slot holds a card bearing indicia suitable to decide the game of chance. The cards are held in each card slot via friction elements. First and second flappers cooperate with one another to progressively slow the wheel after it is manually spun by an operator. The cards may be placed in opaque folders in the slots to hide the indicia while the wheel is spinning. Alternatively, the indicia may be located on the card so that it is hidden inside the slot when the wheel is spinning.03-08-2012
20120056374CARD GAME WITH COUNTING - Various embodiments include determining a value of a statistic describing cards that have been dealt from a deck, and modifying the rules of a game based on the statistic.03-08-2012
20120061914CARD GAME MACHINE - A card game machine enables players to play a card game using cards, each of which has a distinctive surface and a non-distinctive surface. The card game apparatus includes a card slide housing, a card stop unit, a card drive unit and a card receive unit. The card slide housing has sliders, each of which is inclined such that cards and slide down. The card stop unit is coupled to the card slide housing to temporarily stop cards. The card drive unit causes the stopped cards to start sliding again. The card receive unit is arranged below the card stop unit and has a plurality of card receiving parts corresponding to the respective sliders to receive cards. The card receiving parts are movable such that portions of the distinctive surfaces of the cards received in each receiving part are spaced apart from each other in one direction.03-15-2012
20120091656CARD HANDLING SYSTEMS, DEVICES FOR USE IN CARD HANDLING SYSTEMS AND RELATED METHODS - Card handling systems include shuffling devices, shoe devices, and a card transfer system for automatically transferring cards from the shuffling device into the shoe device. Shuffling devices may include a divider configured to contact at least one card positioned within a compartment of the shuffling device. Shoe devices may include a card loading system for loading cards into a card storage area through an opening in a base of the shoe device. Methods of providing cards during a casino table game play include identifying card information including a rank and a suit of each card in a shuffling device and a shoe device and transporting cards from the shuffling device to the shoe device.04-19-2012
20120091657Method and Apparatus for Card Handling Device Calibration - A device for automatically calibrating for card size and thickness during card handling is disclosed. The device includes a card receiving area, a card stacking area and a card moving system for moving cards from the card receiving area to the card stacking area. An elevator located in the card stacking area has a movable platform for moving a stack of cards. At least one sensor senses at least one of position of the platform, height of the platform, position of a card in the elevator, height of a card or cards in the elevator, pressure applied to a card in the elevator, presence of the platform at a predetermined height, presence of the platform at a predetermined position, presence of card(s) on the platform, and absence of card(s) on the platform. A method for calibrating a card-handling device during shuffling is also disclosed.04-19-2012
20120146285Mechanized Playing Card Dealing Shoe with Automatic Jam Recovery - A distinct dealing shoe having no shuffling functionality receives a shuffled, randomized or ordered group of cards. The cards may be mechanically moved one at a time from a receiving area for the deck to a buffer area where more than one card is temporarily stored. The cards in the buffer area are then mechanically moved to a card delivery area where the cards may be manually removed, one at a time, by a dealer. The cards are read one at a time inside of the dealing shoe, either before the buffer area or after leaving the buffer area, but preferably before the cards are being manually removed from a card delivery area. Information from the card reading may be used for game tracking, hand tracking, player information, and other security issues at casino table card games.06-14-2012
20120161393JAM DETECTION IN A CARD SHUFFLER - A shuffling device for playing cards and method of shuffling cards is provided where a first group of cards is moved within the device to form a randomized second group of cards. The device comprises moving parts that assist in the movement of cards within the shuffling device; a processor in informational connection with the shuffling device; a sensor that detects at least one of speed, distance and force of at least one moving part and provides a signal to the processor regarding detection of at least one of speed, distance and force; and the processor containing a program that interprets the signal to detect significant variations in at least one of speed, distance and force of the moving part.06-28-2012
20120169009PLAYING CARD DISPENSING AND OPENING SYSTEM - A playing card dispensing and opening system includes a motor drive unit controllable to rotate a first output shaft and rubber card-dispensing wheels in dispensing playing cards and to rotate a second output shaft and a crank arm in moving a transparent flat shovel for opening each dispensed playing card and then carrying the playing card to a playing card recycling chamber for recycling.07-05-2012
20120175841METHODS OF HANDLING CARDS AND OF SELECTIVELY DELIVERING BONUS CARDS - Methods of delivering groups of cards to a card game and, upon the occurrence of an event, dispensing a bonus card comprise feeding playing cards individually from an infeed area of a card handling device into an intermediate storage compartment designated for receiving playing cards. At least one bonus card may be fed from an infeed area of a card handling device into an intermediate storage compartment designated for receiving bonus cards. Groups of playing cards are selectively delivered. At least one bonus card may be selectively delivered.07-12-2012
20120181747CARD HANDLING DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS - Card handling devices comprise a card handling zone. A card infeed tray is configured to pass cards to the card handling zone and a separate a card output tray is configured to receive cards from the card handling zone. A control system of the card handling device comprises at least one electronic signal processor, at least one memory device in electrical communication with the electronic signal processor, and a computer program stored in memory of the memory device. The computer program is programmed to cause the control system to selectively control at least one of a card infeed system, the card handling zone, and a card output system of the card handling device and to receive an input from a user input to selectively perform at least one of a shuffling operation, a sorting operation, and a dealing operation using the card handling device.07-19-2012
20120187625CARD SHUFFLING WITH CARD RANK AND VALUE READING CAPABILITY USING CMOS SENSOR - A device for forming a random set of playing cards comprises a card in-feed area, a shuffling system, a card removal area, and a card reading system located within the device, the card reading system employing a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor and a hardware component, the hardware component capable of converting signals from the CMOS sensor into vector sets and comparing the vector sets to known vectors to determine rank and suit.07-26-2012
20120242039CARD FEED MECHANISM FOR CARD-HANDLING DEVICE - Apparatuses and methods for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into plural hands of cards, wherein each of the hands contains a random arrangement of cards. The apparatus may comprise a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack, and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanism and the elevator so that an individual card is moved into an identified compartment. The number of compartments receiving cards and the number of cards moved to each compartment may be selected. Apparatuses for feeding cards may comprise a surface for supporting a stack of cards, a feed roller with a frictional outer surface, a drive mechanism for causing rotation of the feed roller, a pair of speed-up rollers to advance the cards out of the feed roller, and a clutch mechanism for disengaging the feed roller from the drive mechanism as the card comes into contact with the speed-up rollers.09-27-2012
20120267851CARD SHUFFLER WITH GRAVITY FEED SYSTEM FOR PLAYING CARDS - A card feed system for feeding cards into a card handling system. The card feed system includes a card input compartment with a playing card support surface, a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls. The playing card support surface slopes toward the front wall at an angle between 12 degrees and 22 degrees. A slot is provided in the front wall to allow single cards to pass into the card handling system. The card feed system also includes a card moving system to advance cards through the slot.10-25-2012
20120286471DEVICE AND METHOD FOR HANDLING, SHUFFLING, AND MOVING CARDS - Card-handling devices include a card-holding area and a card output shoe. The card output shoe includes a card-way for passage of cards from the card-holding area into a dealing-ready area. A movable gate is positioned between the card-way and the dealing-ready area to prevent cards in the dealing-ready area from re-entering the card-way. Card shufflers include a gate mounted to allow movement of randomized groups of cards from card-receiving compartments to proximate a terminal end plate of a card output shoe and to block movement of cards in an opposite direction. In related methods of moving cards, card movement through the card-way to the dealing-ready position is allowed by a movable gate and card movement from the dealing-ready position into the card-way is prevented by the movable gate.11-15-2012
20120306152INTELLIGENT TABLE GAME SYSTEM - A card dealing system incorporating playing cards with rank and suit information encoded thereon via micro-dots, and a shoe capable of reading such micro dots as a playing card is drawn from the shoe. A game controller unit determines the location of the micro-dots on the playing card, and determines the rank and suit information therefrom. The game controller thereby monitors the progress and status of a card game.12-06-2012
20120313322MODULAR SYSTEM FOR HANDING OUT PLAYING CARDS AND A MODULE FOR HANDING OUT CARDS FOR SUCH SYSTEM - A modular system for handing out playing cards, including at least one card-handing module and a frame module. Additionally, the system preferably also includes a power supply module and a score module. The card-handing module is particularly suitable for partaking as a replaceable component in connection with the other modules, and includes an essentially closed housing which substantially encloses a rotating spinner core. The card-handing module is configured for being able to receive a deck of playing cards and ejects the playing cards individually and in a specific direction that is determined by a step motor. The spinner core is suspended in the housing by two opposed bearings, where the motor constitutes the one bearing, while an opposed bearing is provided. Thereby a very compact unit is provided which is so noiseless that it can sit on a bridge game table and function without being a nuisance to the players.12-13-2012
20120319351CARD GAME MACHINE - A card game machine includes a machine base, a track unit arranged on the machine base, a displacement motor mounted on the machine base, two card-recovery slots, a video recognition device adapted for recognizing the types and spots of each individual playing card of a set of playing cards being arranged on the machine base, a slide coupled to and movable along the track unit, a transmission belt coupled between the slide and the displacement motor for enabling the slide to be moved by the displacement motor along the track unit, and a first pickup unit and a second pickup unit carried on the slide alternatively controllable to run a playing card pickup step, a playing card recognition step, a playing card exhibition step and a playing card discarding step.12-20-2012
20130001874SYSTEM AND METHOD TO HANDLE PLAYING CARDS, EMPLOYING ELEVATOR MECHANISM - A card shoe handling device includes a playing card output receiver including a playing card support surface and a ceiling at least partially disposed relatively over the playing card support surface. The playing card output receiver is sized and positioned to receive a number of playing cards handled by the playing card handling system. The playing card handling system also includes an elevator mechanism operable to selectively move the playing card output receiver between a lowered position and a raised position, where in the lowered position the ceiling limits access from an exterior of the playing card handling system to the playing cards carried by the card support surface of the playing card output receiver and in the raised position the ceiling does not limit access from the exterior of the playing card handling system to at least some of the playing cards carried by the playing card output receiver.01-03-2013
20130020761CARD SHUFFLING APPARATUSES AND RELATED METHODS - Card shuffler apparatuses include a card repositioner used to randomly reposition a plurality of cards on-edge over an aperture extending through a card support surface to allow cards to sequentially pass through the aperture in a random order. The apparatuses may be capable of continuously and sequentially forming playing card hands for use in a game. Shuffler apparatuses may be used to obtain a measurement relating to a thickness of the deck of cards. Methods involve the use of card shuffler apparatuses to form one or more playing card hands in a playing card game. Additional methods involve counting playing cards present within a stack of playing cards using a shuffler apparatus. In further methods, a number of shuffler apparatuses and a lesser number of shuffler activation devices are provided in a gaming establishment so as to preclude simultaneous use of all the shuffler apparatuses in the establishment.01-24-2013
20130026709CARD SHUFFLER - A card shuffler that moves cards one-at-a-time from the bottom of a group that may be a deck in a deck-crib, to randomly designated single-card receptacles in a receiving or dealing rack. Either the deck-crib or the receiving rack is moved by a motor to align a receptacle, randomly selected from among remaining empty receptacles, with an outfeed slot of the deck-crib to receive each card to be moved from the deck-crib. A space is provided in the dealing rack in one embodiment, where a dealer's hand can reach cards and remove them from the dealing rack. A controller can cause the dealing rack to move so as to allow a selected number of cards to be removed by the dealer for a player hand or a dealer hand. A card reader may be included, and positions in the receiving or dealing rack of cards identified by the card reader can be stored in memory in the controller.01-31-2013
20130032998APPARATUSES FOR PROVIDING HANDS OF PLAYING CARDS WITH DIFFERENTIAL HAND COUNT CAPABILITY - An apparatus for providing hands of playing cards includes a playing card moving system for moving a number of playing cards defining a hand of playing cards from a container to a delivery tray, and a processor with software to direct the playing card moving system to randomly select how many playing cards will form the hand in the delivery tray. The apparatus is capable of randomly selecting numbers of cards to be delivered in a hand of cards to players and a dealer during a round of a casino table card game.02-07-2013
20130087972PLAYING CARD DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GAMES WITH MULTIPLE DEALING ROUNDS - Playing card delivery systems include a shuffling apparatus and a processor programmed to direct the shuffling apparatus to deliver a first randomized set of a first number of playing cards, the first randomized set comprising a partial hand, and to deliver a second randomized set of a second number of playing cards to augment the partial hand. The first number of cards may be equal to or not equal to the second number of playing cards. Methods or providing cards to a player from a card delivery system include moving a first randomized set of cards from a shuffling apparatus to a card output area to provide a partial hand for a player and moving a second randomized set of playing cards from the shuffling apparatus to the card output area to augment the partial hand for the player.04-11-2013
20130134674CARD WEIGHT FOR GRAVITY FEED INPUT FOR PLAYING CARD SHUFFLER - A card-feeding device for feeding cards into a card-handling device is disclosed. Examples of card-handling devices include shufflers, card sorters, card delivery devices and card verification devices. The device includes a card infeed area that supports a stack of cards. The card infeed area has a card support surface. Included in the device is a card-removing system that removes cards individually from the bottom of the stack. A pivoting arm presses against a card at the top of the stack. At least one sensor is provided that detects at least one of a position of the arm and a presence of a card in the card infeed area. A method of shuffling cards is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing cards to be shuffled into a card infeed area as a stack with a top and bottom and removing cards one at a time from the bottom of the stack and moving the removed cards to a shuffling zone. Cards are then shuffled. The stack of cards is stabilized by a pivoting arm capable of pressing against the top of the stack in an engaged position. The pivot arm may be automatically rotated from a first card-engaging position to a second recessed position.05-30-2013
20130161905MULTIPLE MODE CARD SHUFFLER AND CARD READING DEVICE - A multiple-mode card shuffling and/or card verification device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing or arranging system for the initial set of playing cards that can be disabled, a card collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the card collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, a card imaging system and an elevator for raising the card collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device. The processor is programmed such that cards can be verified without changing an order of cards present in the card receiving area, verified during randomization, and randomized without card verification.06-27-2013
20130193642DEVICE AND METHOD FOR HANDLING, SHUFFLING, AND MOVING CARDS - Card-handling devices include a card-holding area and a card output shoe. The card output shoe includes a card-way for passage of cards from the card-holding area into a dealing-ready area. A movable gate is positioned between the card-way and the dealing-ready area to prevent cards in the dealing-ready area from re-entering the card-way. Card shufflers include a gate mounted to allow movement of randomized groups of cards from card-receiving compartments to proximate a terminal end plate of a card output shoe and to block movement of cards in an opposite direction. In related methods of moving cards, card movement through the card-way to the dealing-ready position is allowed by a movable gate and card movement from the dealing-ready position into the card-way is prevented by the movable gate.08-01-2013
20130228971CARD SHOE - A card shoe comprising security features. The card shoe may include a housing and a flexible flag to at least partially overlie a front cover and an opening in the front cover. The card shoe may include an opening between a playing card support and a bottom of the front cover sized to allow only one playing card to be withdrawn at one time. The card shoe may include identification tags and areas for advertising. A form of advertising may include light-emitting diodes incorporated into the housing of the card shoe.09-05-2013
20130228972Method and Apparatus for Card Handling Device Calibration - A device for automatically calibrating for card size and thickness during card handling is disclosed. The device includes a card receiving area, a card stacking area and a card moving system for moving cards from the card receiving area to the card stacking area. An elevator located in the card stacking area has a movable platform for moving a stack of cards. At least one sensor senses at least one of position of the platform, height of the platform, position of a card in the elevator, height of a card or cards in the elevator, pressure applied to a card in the elevator, presence of the platform at a predetermined height, presence of the platform at a predetermined position, presence of card(s) on the platform, and absence of card(s) on the platform. A method for calibrating a card handling device during shuffling is also disclosed.09-05-2013
20130241147Apparatus For Dispensing Playing Cards - This invention provides a playing card apparatus for holding and dispensing a plurality of playing cards. The apparatus may be a card shoe or an automated shuffler. It has a delivery aperture at a dispensing end for dispensing playing cards individually, the dispensing end having a platform that extends from the delivery aperture for supporting cards being manually removed, the platform being shaped and being of sufficient height to allow a card dealer to insert their thumb or finger below a corner of the card as the card is dispensed. This allows the dealer to grip and pull the card away substantially without flexing the card at all and thereby avoiding risk of disclosing the front face of the card while dispensing the card for dealing it. The cards are held and dispensed in portrait orientation, with a short edge of the card leading. The apparatus enables the storage and delivery of playing cards in a highly efficient continuous and secret manner.09-19-2013
20130256989Automatic Card Shuffler - An apparatus for randomly arranging and dealing a plurality of playing cards includes a device for moving cards and randomly ejecting playing cards from an initial set of playing cards located in a card input unit for an initial delivery of randomly arranged playing cards to a card delivery unit. The card delivery unit includes upper powered rollers and lower powered belts for receiving and transporting the playing cards through the card delivery unit and into a card collection unit. A playing card limiter is adjustable to allow a greater number or a lesser number of cards to pass from the card delivery unit to the card collection unit. Methods of randomly arranging and dealing a plurality of playing cards may include related apparatus.10-03-2013
20130277911SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING PLAYING CARDS - A method of delivering cards from a card housing unit during a card game including automatically detecting, using one or more processors, at least one of a card being held within an opening in the card housing unit for a period of time longer than a predetermined period of time or an attempt to manually draw a card from the opening after the card game ends, and based on the automatic detection, controlling, using one or more processors, operation of a lock member to restrict movement of the card relative to the opening in the card housing unit.10-24-2013
20130285324Playing Card Shuffler - An apparatus is for shuffling a plurality of playing cards used in gaming. The apparatus includes a card support adapted to support the unshuffled cards on-edge. An exciter is also included, and is adapted to impart vibrational action to the supported cards. Cards drop in a random fashion such as by controlling the relative position of the cards and passage through one or more card slots in a card rest. In at least some of the apparatuses, a medial card receiver is adapted to receive at least one card dropped from the card support and to retain the at least one received card to substantially block the card slot to prevent further cards from dropping. A positioner is preferably included to change a relative position of the unshuffled deck and card slots though which the cards drop.10-31-2013
20130300059Method for Shuffling and Dealing Cards - A card shuffler that moves cards one-at-a-time from the bottom of a group that may be a deck in a deck-crib, to randomly designated single-card receptacles in a receiving or dealing rack, and a method for shuffling and for dealing cards. Either the deck-crib or the receiving rack is moved by a motor to align a single-card receptacle, randomly selected from among remaining empty single-card receptacles, with an outfeed slot of the deck-crib to receive each card to be moved from the deck-crib. A space is provided in the dealing rack in one embodiment, where a dealer's hand can reach cards and remove them from the dealing rack. A controller can cause the dealing rack to move so as to allow a selected number of cards to be removed by the dealer for dealing as a player hand or a dealer hand. A card reader may be included, and positions in the receiving or dealing rack of cards identified by the card reader can be stored in memory in the controller.11-14-2013
20130300060APPARATUS FOR HANDLING PLAYING CARDS AND METHOD OF USE - An apparatus (11-14-2013
20130307215CARD DISPOSAL SYSTEM FOR TABLE GAME - A card disposal system for a table game is provided that is capable of assuring the disposal of all of cards corresponding to a predetermined number of decks that are used at a game table without any deficiency and without any fraudulent diversion being made over such cards.11-21-2013
20130307216ROTARY CARD SHUFFLING MACHINE - A rotary card shuffling and selection machine for use in playing a game of chance includes a wheel supported in a generally vertical plane for rotation about a horizontal rotary axis. The wheel is provided with a plurality of card positions arranged concentrically about the rotary axis. Each card position receives a card bearing indicia suitable to decide the game of chance. The cards are secured in card positions disposed around the wheel such they are oriented face up so that indica on the face of the card, which is relevant to the outcome of the game of chance, can be seen while the wheel is rotating.11-21-2013
20140027979BATCH CARD SHUFFLING APPARATUSES INCLUDING MULTI CARD STORAGE COMPARTMENTS, AND RELATED METHODS - Automatic card shufflers include a card input mechanism for inputting cards into the card shuffler, a card storage device for receiving cards from the card input mechanism and temporarily storing cards within the card shuffler, and a card output mechanism for outputting shuffled cards from the card shuffler. The card storage device may include a movable rack configured to move vertically within the card shuffler. The movable rack may have a plurality of card storage compartments therein, each of which may be sized and configured to hold two cards therein. The card output mechanism includes a movable ejector configured to simultaneously eject cards out from two or more card storage compartments of the movable rack. Related methods include methods of fabricating such card shufflers, and methods of using such card shufflers.01-30-2014
20140042697CARD DEALING SHOE - A card dealing shoe with card reading capability for facilitating play of card games includes a control system configured to detect the existence of an alarm condition and a card restraining apparatus mounted on the elongated housing and configured for alternating between a non-restraining condition and a restraining condition, wherein the restraining condition includes activation of a physical restraint that prevents cards from being added to and removed from the card receiving or staging area in the card dealing shoe, wherein the card restraining apparatus is in communication with the control system and actuated from the non-restraining condition to the restraining condition responsive to the detection of an alarm condition.02-13-2014
20140049005METHODS OF RANDOMIZING CARDS - Apparatuses and methods for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into plural hands of cards, wherein each of the hands contains a random arrangement of cards. The apparatus may comprise a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack, and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanism and the elevator so that an individual card is moved into an identified compartment. The number of compartments receiving cards and the number of cards moved to each compartment may be selected. Apparatuses for feeding cards may comprise a surface for supporting a stack of cards, a feed roller with a frictional outer surface, a drive mechanism for causing rotation of the feed roller, a pair of speed-up rollers to advance the cards out of the feed roller, and a clutch mechanism for disengaging the feed roller from the drive mechanism as the card comes into contact with the speed-up rollers.02-20-2014
20140077453CARD READER - A card shooter apparatus including a card shooter unit including a card housing which contains a plurality of cards and an opening, a card reading unit which is provided with a card guide unit which guides cards pulled out one by one from the opening onto the game table and reads the number of the card pulled out from the card shooter, a control unit having a processing function to determine win or lose of the card game based on information about the number of the cards sequentially read by the card reading unit, and a display unit which indicates a result determined by the control unit, wherein the card shooter unit, the card reading unit and the control unit are integrated and are able to be set on the game table, and the display unit includes a first display unit which is provided on an upper part of the housing and a second display unit which is provided on a side part of the housing.03-20-2014
20140084538Card Shuffling Apparatus and Card Handling Device - A device for forming a random set of playing cards comprises a card in-feed area, a shuffling system, a card removal area, and a card reading system located within the device, the card reading system employing a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor and a hardware component, the hardware component capable of converting signals from the CMOS sensor into vector sets and comparing the vector sets to known vectors to determine rank and suit.03-27-2014
20140091521CARD RECOGNITION SYSTEM, CARD HANDLING DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR TUNING A CARD HANDLING DEVICE - A card recognition system comprises an imaging device configured to capture a raw image of at least a portion of a card, and a processor operably coupled with the imaging device. The processor is configured to perform an image processing analysis of the raw image to identify measurements of at least one of a rank area around a rank of the card, and a suit area around a suit of the card, and automatically generate a calibration file based, at least in part, on the image processing analysis. A card handling device comprises a card infeed, a card output, and a card recognition system. A method for tuning a card handling device comprises capturing a plurality of images from a deck of cards, storing the images in memory, analyzing the plurality of images for card identification information, and generating a calibration file including parameters associated with the card identification information.04-03-2014
20140091522METHODS FOR AUTOMATICALLY GENERATING A CARD DECK LIBRARY AND MASTER IMAGES FOR A DECK OF CARDS, AND A RELATED CARD PROCESSING APPARATUS - A method of automatically generating a calibration file for a card handling device comprises automatically generating a calibration file stored in memory of a main control system for a card handling device. Automatically generating the calibration file comprises identifying at least one parameter associated with a rank area around a rank of the at least a portion of the card, identifying at least one parameter associated with a suit area around a suit of the at least a portion of the card, and storing the at least one parameter associated with the rank area and the at least one parameter associated with the suit area in the calibration file. Additionally, a method of automatically generating deck libraries for one or more decks of cards comprises automatically generate a plurality of master images for the cards of the first deck type using the parameters from the calibration file.04-03-2014
20140091523Device to Secure the Mouth of a Playing Card Shoe - The present disclosure is directed to a security apparatus for use on a playing card shoe to prevent the removal of playing cards from the splaying card shoe. Playing card shoes generally have an elongated body including a card cradle for supporting a plurality of playing cards. The card cradle has an outlet opening adjacent to a front end of the elongated body, through which playing cards can be removed from the playing card shoe, A cradle cover is removably attached to the elongated, body, covering the card cradle and playing cards therein. A faceplate is removably attach to the outer front, end of the elongated body, and defines a mouth through which playing cards can be drawn from the outlet opening. The security apparatus prevents the removal a playing cards from the shoe, where the security apparatus is removably attached to the playing card shoe to block and/or cover the outlet opening.04-03-2014
20140103606Card-Reading Shoe with Inventory Correction Feature and Methods of Correcting Inventory - Methods and apparatus for identifying unexpected cards in a card-handling device are disclosed. The method comprises providing a card-handling device, wherein the card-handling device comprises a card storage area, an output end for the manual removal of cards, a processor with associated memory, and a card recognition system capable of reading at least a rank of a card, wherein the associated memory has a data file of a set of expected card values, reading a value of a card, comparing the read card value to the set of expected card values, and when the card value is not an expected card value, generating an error signal indicative of a card not belonging to the set.04-17-2014
20140103607Card Shuffler with Gravity Feed System for Playing Cards - A card feed system for feeding cards into a card handling system. The card feed system includes a card input compartment with a playing card support surface, a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls. The playing card support surface slopes toward the front wall at an angle between 12 degrees and 22 degrees. A slot is provided in the front wall to allow single cards to pass into the card handling system. The card feed system also includes a card moving system to advance cards through the slot.04-17-2014
20140103608Flush Mounted Card Shuffler with Shuffling Mechanism Below a Gaming Table Surface - A device for forming a random set of playing cards is disclosed. The device comprises: a top surface and a bottom surface of the device. A single card receiving area is provided for receiving an initial set of playing cards. A randomizing system for randomizing an order of the initial set of playing cards is provided. A card collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards one at a time into the card collection area, the collection surface receiving cards so that all cards are received below the top surface of the device is also provided. An image capture device reads rank and suit of each card before each card is received on the card collection surface. An elevator raises the card collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated at least to the top surface of the device. A processor controls operation of the device. A motor drives the elevator, wherein an encoder is provided for communication with the motor, and wherein the encoder provides a signal indicating that a shuffle has occurred. Embodiments include a processor that creates commands and then receives system signals verifying that the commands were properly executed.04-17-2014
20140125010Shuffling Devices Including One or More Sensors for Detecting Operational Parameters and Related Methods - An automatic card shuffling device for randomizing playing cards is disclosed. The device comprises a processor in informational connection with the shuffling device, and a detection system capable of detecting or predicting a deficiency in operation of at least one component of the shuffling device. The detection system is configured to transmit an indication of a deficiency to a distal location.05-08-2014
20140131943SHUFFLING MACHINE - A card input device of a shuffling machine comprising a body comprising a pair of side walls and a receiving plate detachably mounted between the pair of side walls, a first roller assembly rotatably mounted between the pair of side walls comprising at least a first set of rollers exposed by a hole formed in the receiving plate, a second set of rollers, and a third set of rollers arranged over the second set of rollers, a filtering mechanism detachably mounted between the pair of side walls and arranged over the first set of rollers, a second roller assembly rotatably mounted between the pair of side walls and arranged adjacent to the first roller assembly comprising at least a fourth and a fifth sets of rollers, the second and third sets of rollers are arranged opposite to the first set of rollers with respect to the filtering mechanism.05-15-2014
20140138907Automatic System and Methods for Accurate Card Handling - A playing card handling device comprises a card storing area that supports a stack of playing cards, the card storing area having a playing card support surface. A card removing system removes playing cards individually from the bottom of the stack. A pivoting arm is automatically moved by a motor between at least two positions, wherein in a first position the end of the arm opposite a pivot is disengaged from a playing card at the top of the stack and in a second position the end of the arm is engaged with a playing card at the top of the stack. A processor in the playing card handling device directs movement of the pivoting arm between at least the first and second positions when a predetermined number of cards is present in the card storing area. Methods of card handling include employing the use of such a pivotal arm.05-22-2014
20140138908Ergonomic Card Delivery Shoe - An apparatus for handling cards has a dispensing end. The dispensing end has a base plate for supporting cards being manually removed. An upper plate with a U-shaped opening is spaced above the base plate and defines a slot for cards to pass. First and second spaced apart card guides define side edges of the slot. The first card guide is shorter than the second card guide, creating an offset in a first direction of travel of cards being removed. A method of removing cards is also disclosed, enabling movement of cards in at least two directions due to the presence of a card guide offset.05-22-2014
20140145399CARD-HANDLING DEVICES AND SYSTEMS - Playing card-handling devices, such as shufflers, dealing shoes, discard racks and verification systems, are rotatably secured to a gaming table to allow for functional and ergonomic adjustment of the card-handling device, without removal from the gaming table. One end of the device, preferably a front end of the device from which playing cards may be removed, has a structure that extends through an aperture in the gaming table. The device is movable within the aperture. Movement in the X-Y direction, angular movement and rotational movement, parallel to the movement of the plane of the surface of the gaming table, is enabled. The movement of the device about the aperture preferably maintains the base of the device relatively parallel to the plane of the surface of the gaming table.05-29-2014
20140175742Card Weight for Gravity Feed Input for Playing Card Shuffler - A card-feeding device for feeding cards into a card-handling device is disclosed. Examples of card-handling devices include shufflers, card sorters, card delivery devices and card verification devices. The device includes a card infeed area that supports a stack of cards. The card infeed area has a card support surface. Included in the device is a card-removing system that removes cards individually from the bottom of the stack. A pivoting arm presses against a card at the top of the stack. At least one sensor is provided that detects at least one of a position of the arm and a presence of a card in the card infeed area. A method of shuffling cards is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing cards to be shuffled into a card infeed area as a stack with a top and bottom and removing cards one at a time from the bottom of the stack and moving the removed cards to a shuffling zone. Cards are then shuffled. The stack of cards is stabilized by a pivoting arm capable of pressing against the top of the stack in an engaged position. The pivot arm may be automatically rotated from a first card-engaging position to a second recessed position.06-26-2014
20140183818Methods and Apparatuses for an Automatic Card Handling Device and Communication Networks Including Same - An automatic card handling device, automatic card handling devices within a network, and methods of use are disclosed. An automatic card handling device includes a shuffling apparatus with a controller and configured to deliver a set of shuffled cards, and a communication module operably coupled to the controller. The communication module is configured for establishing an electronic communication with a local or world-wide network and thereafter sending and receiving information related to the operation of the automatic card handling device across the network. A network of automatic card handling devices may include a plurality of automatic card shufflers. The network may also include at least one server operably coupled to the plurality of automatic card shufflers. In addition, the server may be operably coupled to a service center through a world-wide network.07-03-2014
20140191470AUTOMATED TABLE GAME SYSTEM - A table game system for a game of chance includes a card shuffling machine for randomly selecting a single card from among a defined set of cards, the single card having indicia relevant to an outcome for the game of chance. The card shuffling machine is rotatable about an axis of rotation and includes a plurality of trays uniformly spaced about an outer periphery thereof. Each of the defined set of cards is located in a respective one of the plurality of trays. A card retrieval device is disposed adjacent the card shuffling machine and configured to at least partially remove the single card from its tray. A controller is in communication with the card retrieval device to effectuate engagement of the card retrieval device with the single card.07-10-2014
20140203505Card Shuffler with Adjacent Card Infeed and Card Output Compartments - A playing card handling device is disclosed. The device includes a first side and a second opposite side. Components of the device include a card infeed tray, a card output tray and a card handling zone. The card infeed tray and card output tray are on the same first side of the device and an upper surface of the card infeed tray and an upper surface of the card output tray are in the same plane. Card handling devices of the present invention also include a touch screen display, as well as a movable card gate.07-24-2014
20140217670CARD SHOE - A card shoe comprising security features. The card shoe may include a housing and a flexible flag to at least partially overlie a front cover and an opening in the front cover. The card shoe may include an opening between a playing card support and a bottom of the front cover sized to allow only one playing card to be withdrawn at one time. The card shoe may include identification tags and areas for advertising. A form of advertising may include light-emitting diodes incorporated into the housing of the card shoe.08-07-2014
20140246829CARD SHUFFLING DEVICE WITH RFID CARD READER AND DISPLAY - A card shuffling machine for a game of chance includes a base portion and a rotatable body in communication with the base portion. The rotatable body portion includes a plurality of slots disposed therein. Each of the plurality of slots is configured to receive a card of the defined set of cards. Each of the cards includes indicia relevant to an outcome of the game of chance. The shuffling machine includes at least one reader associated with one of the plurality of slots and configured to communicate with the card disposed in the one slot to obtain information about the indicia of the card. The card shuffling machine includes a display in communication with the at least one reader for displaying the indicia of the card when the card is in the slot.09-04-2014
20140246830Playing Card Shuffler - An apparatus is for shuffling a plurality of playing cards used in gaming The apparatus includes a card support adapted to support the unshuffled cards on-edge. An exciter is also included, and is adapted to impart vibrational action to the supported cards. Cards drop in a random fashion such as by controlling the relative position of the cards and passage through one or more card slots in a card rest. In at least some of the apparatuses, a medial card receiver is adapted to receive at least one card dropped from the card support and to retain the at least one received card to substantially block the card slot to prevent further cards from dropping. A positioner is preferably included to change a relative position of the unshuffled deck and card slots though which the cards drop.09-04-2014
20140246831Methods for handling playing cards with a card handling device - The present invention features a playing card shuffling device, which through the use of a small image capturing means, captures an image of a face value of each card and stores the image in memory. This image is sorted in the format of a bitmap image. An operator of the device would be able to recall, through the use of a keypad, the images of the cards that comprised individual hands in the previous game. This feature allows for verification of a winning hand after a game has been completed. Thereby, a quick recheck of hands before playing a winning hand is performed. The face value of each card is determined by character recognition software. These card values would be stored in memory for archival access for use in monitoring the randomness of the game and determining the number of winnings hands.09-04-2014
20140291930CARD DEALING SHOE - A card dealing shoe including a sloped base with an opening, a roller mounted for rotational motion on an axle connected at each of the opposing side walls, and a pivoting lever having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the first end protrudes from the opening in the sloped base, the pivoting lever being configured to pivot from a first position wherein the first end protrudes from the opening in the sloped base and the second end restricts rotational motion of the roller to a second position in which the second end permits rotational motion of the roller, wherein the lever is biased towards the first position.10-02-2014
20140327208Methods for Shuffling Cards and Rack Assemblies For Use In Automatic Card Shufflers - Card-handling devices include a card-holding area and a card output shoe. The card output shoe includes a card-way for passage of cards from the card-holding area into a dealing-ready area. A movable gate is positioned between the card-way and the dealing-ready area to prevent cards in the dealing-ready area from re-entering the card-way. Card shufflers include a gate mounted to allow movement of randomized groups of cards from card-receiving compartments to proximate a terminal end plate of a card output shoe and to block movement of cards in an opposite direction. In related methods of moving cards, card movement through the card-way to the dealing-ready position is allowed by a movable gate and card movement from the dealing-ready position into the card-way is prevented by the movable gate.11-06-2014
20140346732Card Handling Systems, Devices for Use in Card Handling Systems and Related Methods - Card handling systems include shuffling devices, shoe devices, and a card transfer system for automatically transferring cards from the shuffling device into the shoe device. Shuffling devices may include a divider configured to contact at least one card positioned within a compartment of the shuffling device. Shoe devices may include a card loading system for loading cards into a card storage area through an opening in a base of the shoe device. Methods of providing cards during a casino table game play include identifying card information including a rank and a suit of each card in a shuffling device and a shoe device and transporting cards from the shuffling device to the shoe device.11-27-2014
20140353913SIMPLE SHUFFLING DEVICE - A shuffling device (12-04-2014
20150014926Card Handling Devices and Related Methods - Card handling devices comprise a card handling zone. A card infeed tray is configured to pass cards to the card handling zone and a separate card output tray is configured to receive cards from the card handling zone. A control system of the card handling device comprises at least one electronic signal processor, at least one memory device in electrical communication with the electronic signal processor, and a computer program stored in the memory of the memory device. The computer program is programmed to cause the control system to selectively control at least one of a card infeed system, the card handling zone, and a card output system of the card handling device and to receive an input from a user input to selectively perform at least one of a shuffling operation, a sorting operation, and a dealing operation using the card handling device.01-15-2015
20150014927Method for Shuffling and Dealing Cards - A card shuffler that moves cards one-at-a-time from the bottom of a group that may be a deck in a deck-crib, to randomly designated single-card receptacles in a receiving or dealing rack, and a method for shuffling and for dealing cards. Either the deck-crib or the receiving rack is moved by a motor to align a single-card receptacle, randomly selected from among remaining empty single-card receptacles, with an outfeed slot of the deck-crib to receive each card to be moved from the deck-crib. A space is provided in the dealing rack in one embodiment, where a dealer's hand can reach cards and remove them from the dealing rack. A controller can cause the dealing rack to move so as to allow a selected number of cards to be removed by the dealer for dealing as a player hand or a dealer hand. A card reader may be included, and positions in the receiving or dealing rack of cards identified by the card reader can be stored in memory in the controller.01-15-2015
20150014928Card Shuffler with Gravity Feed System for Playing Cards - A card feed system for feeding cards into a card handling system. The card feed system includes a card input compartment with a playing card support surface, a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls. The playing card support surface slopes toward the front wall at an angle between 12 degrees and 22 degrees. A slot is provided in the front wall to allow single cards to pass into the card handling system. The card feed system also includes a card moving system to advance cards through the slot.01-15-2015
20150035230SORTING DEVICE FOR SORTING PLAYING CARDS - A sorting device for sorting a stack of playing cards laid in an input bin in four stacks and removing them at the four cardinal points of the sorting device includes two receiving bins disposed on top of each other, of which the upper receiving bins are adjustable in height in order to selectively deposit playing cards in the lower receiving bins or upper receiving bins. The upper receiving bins are disposed on a rotatable subframe that, after sorting, is rotatable for a quarter of a turn in order to bring the upper receiving bins into a removal position in which the playing cards can be removed at the four cardinal points. At the four removal positions, doors are present that open automatically and through which ejector pins then move the playing cards outside.02-05-2015
20150048569Multiple Mode Card Shuffler and Card Reading Device - A multiple-mode card shuffling and/or card verification device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing or arranging system for the initial set of playing cards that can be disabled, a card collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the card collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, a card imaging system and an elevator for raising the card collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device. The processor is programmed such that cards can be verified without changing an order of cards present in the card receiving area, verified during randomization, and randomized without card verification.02-19-2015
20150069699PLAYING CARD IMAGING TECHNOLOGY WITH THROUGH-THE-CARD VIEWING TECHNOLOGY - A method of reading suit and rank of playing cards is enabled on a system for controlled provision of image content of faces of a playing card that has: 03-12-2015
20150069700APPARATUS, COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM, AND METHOD FOR SORTING AND RECOVERING CARDS - An unused card sorting and recovering apparatus includes a card input device, a card sensing device, a card sorting device, and a card disposing device. The apparatus further includes a plurality of pockets, each of the plurality of pockets configured to hold one or more cards. The apparatus further includes a controller configured to, for each of a plurality of cards, determine an identity of the card, determine whether at least one pocket of the plurality of pockets is missing the card from a complete deck based on the identity of the card, instruct the card sorting device to distribute the card to a pocket of the at least one pocket of the plurality of pockets that is missing the card, or instruct the card sorting device to distribute the card to a holding device. The apparatus further comprises a resetting device configured to reset specific pockets.03-12-2015
20150069701TILE DISPENSERS AND METHODS OF DISPENSING TILES - A tile dispenser includes a tile chamber in which tiles are shuffleable and a gate element. The gate element is moveable between a closed position in which the gate element is loadable with one or more tiles coming from the tile chamber and an open position for dispensing any tiles that have been loaded into the gate element. A method of using the tile dispenser includes placing a plurality of tiles into the tile chamber in which the plurality of tiles are shuffleable and loading a predetermined number of the plurality of tiles into the gate element when the gate element is in the closed position. A method of manufacturing the tile dispenser includes providing the tile chamber, and providing the gate element in a location such that the gate element is loadable with one or more tiles coming from the tile chamber when in the closed position.03-12-2015
20150076765SYSTEM FOR BILLING USAGE OF A CARD HANDLING DEVICE - An automatic card handling device, having a card handling device that includes a controller, the card handling device configured for shuffling an input set of cards and delivering an output set of cards resulting from the shuffling; and a communication module operably coupled to the controller, wherein the communication module is configured for sending and receiving information related to operation of the card handling device across a communication port configured for operable coupling to a cellular network, wherein the information related to the operation of the automatic card handling device includes information about the use of the card handling device; and wherein a factor in a usage fee for the card handling device is use of the card handling device.03-19-2015
20150102561DOMINO GAME SHUFFLER - Our invention is a manual domino game shuffler made of wood, plastic, glass, metal or any combination of these materials. The shuffler is circular in shape with different specific sizes, has a handle knob in the middle, and agitators affixed to its interior. By holding the handle in the center and moving the shuffler in all directions, a player can quickly and thoroughly mix domino chips on any flat surface for a fresh deal.04-16-2015
20150130132APPARATUS FOR CARD HANDLING DEVICE CALIBRATION - A device for automatically calibrating for card size and thickness during card handling is disclosed. The device includes a card receiving area, a card stacking area and a card moving system for moving cards from the card receiving area to the card stacking area. An elevator located in the card stacking area has a movable platform for moving a stack of cards. At least one sensor senses at least one of position of the platform, height of the platform, position of a card in the elevator, height of a card or cards in the elevator, pressure applied to a card in the elevator, presence of the platform at a predetermined height, presence of the platform at a predetermined position, presence of card(s) on the platform, and absence of card(s) on the platform. A method for calibrating a card handling device during shuffling is also disclosed.05-14-2015
20150145205METHODS OF RANDOMIZING CARDS - Apparatuses and methods for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into plural hands of cards, wherein each of the hands contains a random arrangement of cards. The apparatus may comprise a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack, and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanism and the elevator so that an individual card is moved into an identified compartment. The number of compartments receiving cards and the number of cards moved to each compartment may be selected. Apparatuses for feeding cards may comprise a surface for supporting a stack of cards, a feed roller with a frictional outer surface, a drive mechanism for causing rotation of the feed roller, a pair of speed-up rollers to advance the cards out of the feed roller, and a clutch mechanism for disengaging the feed roller from the drive mechanism as the card comes into contact with the speed-up rollers.05-28-2015
20150290527TABLE GAME SYSTEM - A table game system is provided that includes a plurality of association tables, each of which makes it possible to obtain the correlation between codes attached to shuffled playing cards and the ranks thereof, and prevents the correlation between the codes of the shuffled playing cards and the ranks thereof from being known by a person who intends to commit cheating by changing the association table used as appropriate.10-15-2015
20150290528METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SHUFFLING AND HANDLING CARDS - A card shuffler that moves cards one at a time from the bottom of a group that may be a deck in a deck-crib, to randomly designated single-card receptacles in a receiving or dealing rack, and methods for shuffling and for dealing cards. Either the deck-crib or the receiving rack is moved by a motor to align a single-card receptacle, randomly selected from among remaining empty single-card receptacles, with an outfeed slot of the deck-crib to receive each card to be moved from the deck-crib. A single card is moved from the deck-crib by a card mover mechanism that may include an auxiliary card pusher to ensure that the card is placed fully into the selected single-card receptacle. A controller can cause the dealing rack to move so as to allow a selected number of cards to be removed by the dealer for dealing as a player hand or a dealer hand. A card presentation pusher may make a group of the cards in the dealing rack available to be grasped by the dealer for removal. A card reader may be included, and positions in the receiving or dealing rack of cards identified by the card reader can be stored in memory in the controller.10-15-2015
20150290529Flush Mounted Card Shuffler that Elevates Cards - A device for forming a random set of playing cards is disclosed. The device comprises: a top surface and a bottom surface of the device. A single card receiving area is provided for receiving an initial set of playing cards. A randomizing system for randomizing an order of the initial set of playing cards is provided. A card collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards one at a time into the card collection area, the collection surface receiving cards so that all cards are received below the top surface of the device is also provided. An image capture device reads rank and suit of each card before each card is received on the card collection surface. An elevator raises the card collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated at least to the top surface of the device. A processor controls operation of the device. A motor drives the elevator, wherein an encoder is provided for communication with the motor, and wherein the encoder provides a signal indicating that a shuffle has occurred. Embodiments include a processor that creates commands and then receives system signals verifying that the commands were properly executed.10-15-2015
20150328533Playing Card Handling Devices, Systems, and Methods for Verifying Sets of Cards - Systems include an automatic card shuffler and a shoe. The automatic card shuffler may include a printing device for applying a randomly selected set symbol on each cards of a set of cards. The shoe may include a set symbol reader for reading each card for a presence and identity of a set symbol. A shoe processor may be configured to receive a signal from a shuffler processor indicating the selected set symbol to enable the shoe processor to verify that each card belongs to the set of cards. An automatic card shuffler includes a processor programmed to randomly select a card set symbol and a card marking system for forming the randomly selected set symbol on cards. Methods include forming a randomly determined set symbol on each card of a set of cards and detecting whether cards include a set symbol matching the determined set symbol.11-19-2015
20150375094CARD HANDLING DEVICES AND SYSTEMS - Playing card-handling devices, such as shufflers, dealing shoes, discard racks and verification systems, are rotatably secured to a gaming table to allow for functional and ergonomic adjustment of the card-handling device, without removal from the gaming table. One end of the device, preferably a front end of the device from which playing cards may be removed, has a structure that extends through an aperture in the gaming table. The device is movable within the aperture. Movement in the X-Y direction, angular movement and rotational movement, parallel to the movement of the plane of the surface of the gaming table, is enabled. The movement of the device about the aperture preferably maintains the base of the device relatively parallel to the plane of the surface of the gaming table.12-31-2015
20150375095SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING PLAYING CARDS - A method of delivering cards from a card housing unit during a card game including automatically detecting, using one or more processors, at least one of a card being held within an opening in the card housing unit for a period of time longer than a predetermined period of time or an attempt to manually draw a card from the opening after the card game ends, and based on the automatic detection, controlling, using one or more processors, operation of a lock member to restrict movement of the card relative to the opening in the card housing unit.12-31-2015
20150375097CARD READER - A card shooter apparatus including a card shooter unit including a card housing which contains a plurality of cards and an opening, a card reading unit that reads the number of the card pulled out from the card shooter, a control unit having a processing function to determine win or lose of the card game based on information about the number of the cards sequentially read by the card reading unit, and a display unit which indicates a result determined by the control unit, wherein the card shooter unit, the card reading unit and the control unit are integrated and are able to be set on the game table, and the display unit includes a first display unit which is provided on an upper part of the housing and a second display unit which is provided on a side part of the housing.12-31-2015
20160030831HAND-FORMING CARD SHUFFLING APPARATUSES INCLUDING MULTI-CARD STORAGE COMPARTMENTS, AND RELATED METHODS - Card shufflers usable in forming and dispensing randomized playing card hands for use in playing card games include a card input mechanism for inputting cards into the card shuffler, a card storage device for receiving cards from the card input mechanism and temporarily storing cards within the card shuffler, and a card output mechanism for outputting shuffled cards from the card shuffler. The card storage device may include a wheel configured to rotate within the card shuffler. The rotatable wheel may have a plurality of card storage compartments therein, each of which may be sized and configured to hold two or more cards therein. Related methods involve the use of such card shufflers in playing card games.02-04-2016
20160059111Playing card shuffling devices and related methods - A playing card handling device comprises a card storing area that supports a stack of playing cards, the card storing area having a playing card support surface. A card removing system removes playing cards individually from the bottom of the stack. A pivoting arm is automatically moved by a motor between at least two positions, wherein in a first position the end of the arm opposite a pivot is disengaged from a playing card at the top of the stack and in a second position the end of the arm is engaged with a playing card at the top of the stack. A processor in the playing card handling device directs movement of the pivoting arm between at least the first and second positions when a predetermined number of cards is present in the card storing area. Methods of card handling include employing the use of such a pivotal arm.03-03-2016
20160059112CARD DEALING SHOE - A card dealing shoe with card reading capability for facilitating play of card games includes a control system configured to detect the existence of an alarm condition and a card restraining apparatus mounted on the elongated housing and configured for alternating between a non-restraining condition and a restraining condition, wherein the restraining condition includes activation of a physical restraint that prevents cards from being added to and removed from the card receiving or staging area in the card dealing shoe, wherein the card restraining apparatus is in communication with the control system and actuated from the non-restraining condition to the restraining condition responsive to the detection of an alarm condition.03-03-2016
20160082344CARD SHUFFLING DEVICE AND CALIBRATION METHOD - A playing card handling device comprises an elevator platform configured to receive one or more cards from an input platform to form a shuffled set of cards, a card gripper positioned above the elevator platform, and configured to grip cards from the shuffled set of cards, and a processor configured to control the elevator platform to have a grip position for the card gripper grip the shuffled set of cards, wherein the grip position is adjusted based, at least in part, on a correction value associated with a particular card insertion. A related method includes determining a grip position of an elevator platform of a card handling device based, at least in part, on a desired insert location within a stack of shuffled cards as adjusted based on a corrective value that is different for a plurality of different insert locations.03-24-2016
20160107071CARD HANDLING DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS - A multiple-mode card shuffling and/or card verification device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing or arranging system for the initial set of playing cards that can be disabled, a card collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the card collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, a card imaging system and an elevator for raising the card collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device. The processor is programmed such that cards can be verified without changing an order of cards present in the card receiving area, verified during randomization, and randomized without card verification.04-21-2016
20160121200PLAYING CARD SHUFFLER - An apparatus is for shuffling a plurality of playing cards used in gaming. The apparatus includes a card support adapted to support the unshuffled cards on-edge. An exciter is also included, and is adapted to impart vibrational action to the supported cards. Cards drop in a random fashion such as by controlling the relative position of the cards and passage through one or more card slots in a card rest. In at least some of the apparatuses, a medial card receiver is adapted to receive at least one card dropped from the card support and to retain the at least one received card to substantially block the card slot to prevent further cards from dropping. A positioner is preferably included to change a relative position of the unshuffled deck and card slots though which the cards drop.05-05-2016
20160144271MECHANICAL SHUFFLER - A mechanical shuffling apparatus is disclosed having a mechanism for delivering a single card through a horizontally disposed slot such that mechanical damage to the card is minimized and adequate shuffling of a deck of cards is achieved. The horizontally disposed slot is sized to receive a single card and can be adjusted or calibrated by card manufacturer or type. Additionally, the mechanical shuffler has a weight to flatten cards disposed on a horizontal plane. By keeping cards flat and minimizing mechanical damage to the card the mechanical shuffler disclosed herein also avoids delays and damage caused by jamming.05-26-2016
20160166918AUTOMATIC PLAYING CARD SHUFFLER AND OTHER CARD-HANDLING DEVICES CONFIGURED TO DETECT MARKED CARDS AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME06-16-2016
20160166919CARD-HANDLING DEVICES06-16-2016
20160199724CARD HANDLING APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR HANDLING CARDS07-14-2016
20160250547CARD HANDLING APPARATUS09-01-2016
20160375350CARD HANDLING DEVICES AND SYSTEMS - Playing card-handling devices, such as shufflers, dealing shoes, discard racks and verification systems, are rotatably secured to a gaming table to allow for functional and ergonomic adjustment of the card-handling device, without removal from the gaming table. One end of the device, preferably a front end of the device from which playing cards may be removed, has a structure that extends through an aperture in the gaming table. The device is movable within the aperture. Movement in the X-Y direction, angular movement and rotational movement, parallel to the movement of the plane of the surface of the gaming table, is enabled. The movement of the device about the aperture preferably maintains the base of the device relatively parallel to the plane of the surface of the gaming table.12-29-2016
20100213667Playing card dealing shoe with automated internal card feeding and card reading - A distinct dealing shoe having no shuffling functionality receives shuffled, randomized or ordered group of cards. The cards may be mechanically moved one at a time from a receiving area for the deck to a buffer area where more than one card is temporarily stored. The cards in the buffer area are then mechanically moved to a card delivery area where the cards may be manually removed, one-at-a-time, by a dealer. The cards are read one-at-a-time inside of the dealing shoe, either before the buffer area or after leaving the buffer area, but preferably before the cards are being manually removed from the card delivery area. The information from the card reading may be used for game tracking, hand tracking, player information, and other security issues at casino table card games.08-26-2010
20160175696Card Dealing Machine06-23-2016

Patent applications in class Card shufflers and dealers

Patent applications in all subclasses Card shufflers and dealers

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