US20070241497A1 - System and method to handle playing cards, employing manual movable cover - Google Patents
System and method to handle playing cards, employing manual movable cover Download PDFInfo
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- US20070241497A1 US20070241497A1 US11/479,930 US47993006A US2007241497A1 US 20070241497 A1 US20070241497 A1 US 20070241497A1 US 47993006 A US47993006 A US 47993006A US 2007241497 A1 US2007241497 A1 US 2007241497A1
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- playing card
- card
- playing
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- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F1/00—Card games
- A63F1/06—Card games appurtenances
- A63F1/12—Card shufflers
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F1/00—Card games
- A63F1/06—Card games appurtenances
- A63F1/14—Card dealers
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Abstract
A card shoe handling device includes a cover that is manually movable from a closed position to an opened position and a locking mechanism operable to selectively lock and unlock the cover in the closed position in response to a state of the playing card handling system. In the closed position the cover limits access to playing cards carried by the playing card output receiver from an exterior of the playing card handling system and in the opened position the cover does not limit access to playing cards carried by the playing card output receiver from an exterior of the playing card handling system.
Description
- This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/791,398, filed Apr. 12, 2006.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- This description generally relates to the field of table gaming, and more particularly to a playing card handling system to sort and/or shuffle or otherwise handle playing cards.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- There are numerous games played with playing cards. For example, blackjack, baccarat, various types of poker, LET IT RIDE®, and/or UNO®, to name a few. Games may be played with one or more standard decks of playing cards. A standard deck of playing cards typically comprises fifty-two playing cards, each playing card having a combination of a rank symbol and a suit symbol, selected from thirteen rank symbols (i.e., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, and A) and four suit symbols (i.e., ♡, , ♦, and ). Some games may employ sets of playing cards including a fewer or a greater number of playing cards than those comprising a standard deck. Some games may include non-standard playing cards, for example playing cards with symbols other than the rank and suit symbols associated with a standard deck.
- In some instances playing card games involve wagering, where money and/or prizes may be won. In other instances playing card games are played without wagering, for fun or recreation. In either case, it is typically desirable to randomize the set of playing cards before dealing the playing cards to the participants (e.g., players and/or dealer). Randomizing is typically referred to as shuffling, which describes the act of riffling or interleaving the corners of two stacks of playing cards by hand.
- In other instances, it may be useful to arrange or otherwise sort playing cards into a defined order. For example, it may be desirable to form sorted packs or decks of playing cards after the playing cards are collected from one or more gaming tables in a casino. The packs or decks can then be checked for completeness, and reused, or sold.
- Numerous devices and systems have been developed for automatically randomizing or sorting playing cards. One approach attempts to mechanically replicate riffling or interleaving the corners of two stacks of playing cards. Such an approach is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,807,884; 5,261,667; 5,275,411; and 5,303,921. Another approach is to separate the playing cards into two distinct stacks and randomly move playing cards from each stack into a third stack. Such an approach is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,695,189; 6,068,258; 6,139,014; 6,325,373; and 6,568,678. Yet another approach is to place playing cards into random positions in a stack of playing cards carried by an elevator. Such an approach typically involves a gripper mechanism to support an upper portion of the stack, while the floor of the elevator is dropped to create a space into which the playing card is inserted. Such an approach is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,683,085; 5,944,310; 6,651,981; and 6,651,982. A further approach is to insert playing cards into selected compartments, either randomly or in a sorted order. Such an approach is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,149,154; 6,254,096; 6,267,248; 6,588,750; 6,588,751; 6,655,684; 6,659,460; 6,676,127; and 6,889,979. Still a further approach is to withdraw or eject playing cards in a random order from an array of playing card receptacles. Such an approach is shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,382,024; 5,584,483; 5,676,372; 6,019,368; 6,299,167; and 6,698,756.
- Whether used for randomizing or sorting, card handling devices must deliver the randomized or sorted playing cards to the user (e.g., dealer). It will typically be desirable to present the playing cards in a highly aligned stack, in a manner that the playing cards are easily and quickly accessible by the user. This may be particularly desirable where the playing cards are delivered at a gaming table in a casino environment. Casinos highly value speed, which maintains customer interest, and which allows the maximum utilization of the casino facilities. Casinos also highly value security. Thus, casinos employ elaborate mechanisms and procedures to prevent players and/or casino personnel (e.g., dealers) from gaining a knowledge of a playing card value before the playing card is dealt. Consequently, devices and methods that facilitate the easy, quick and secure delivery of playing cards are desirable.
- In one embodiment, a playing card handling system comprises: a playing card input receiver sized and positioned to receive a number of playing cards to be handled by the playing card handling system; a playing card output receiver sized and positioned to receive a number of playing cards handled by the playing card handling system; at least one playing card transport path between the playing card input receiver and the playing card output receiver, along which at least some of the playing cards pass from the playing card input receiver to the playing card output receiver; at least one intermediary playing card receiver positioned in the at least one playing card transport path between the playing card input receiver and the playing card output receiver; a cover manually movable from a closed position to an opened position, where in the closed position the cover limits access from an exterior of the playing card handling system to the playing cards carried by the playing card output receiver and in the opened position the cover does not limit access from the exterior of the playing card handling system to the playing cards carried by the playing card output receiver; and a locking mechanism operable to selectively lock and unlock the cover in the closed position in response to a state of the playing card handling system.
- In another embodiment, a playing card handling system comprises: a playing card input receiver positioned to receive a number of playing cards to be ordered by the playing card handling system; a playing card output receiver positioned to provide a number of playing cards ordered by the playing card handling system; ordering means for providing the playing cards received in the playing card input receiver to the playing card output receiver in an order different from an order of the playing cards in the playing card input receiver; a cover manually movable from a closed position to an opened position, where in the closed position the cover substantially limits access from an exterior of the playing card handling system to the playing cards carried by the playing card output receiver and in the opened position the cover does not substantially limit access from the exterior of the playing card handling system to the playing cards carried by the playing card output receiver; means for causing a delivery of at least some of the playing cards externally from the playing card handling system in response to at least one of a movement or a position of the cover; and locking means for selectively locking and unlocking the cover in the closed position in response to a state of the playing card handling system.
- In a further embodiment, a method of operating a playing card handling system comprises: receiving a number of playing cards to be handled by the playing card handling system at the playing card input receiver; providing at least some of the playing cards received at the playing card input receiver to the playing card output receiver in an order different from an order of the playing cards in the playing card input receiver; and selectively locking and unlocking a cover in a closed position in response to a state of the playing card handling system, where the cover is manually movable from the closed position to an opened position, and where in the closed position the cover substantially limits access from an exterior of the playing card handling system to the playing cards carried by the playing card output receiver and in the opened position the cover does not substantially limit access from the exterior of the playing card handling system to the playing cards carried by the playing card output receiver.
- In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or acts. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not drawn to scale, and some of these elements are arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility. Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn, are not intended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of the particular elements, and have been solely selected for ease of recognition in the drawings.
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FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a gaming environment having a playing card handling system in operation with a gaming table, according to one illustrated embodiment. -
FIG. 1B is a flowchart showing various states of the playing cards within the gaming environment ofFIG. 1A . -
FIG. 2A is a front, top, right side, isometric view of a playing card handling system, according to one illustrated embodiment. -
FIG. 2B is a left, side, elevational view of the playing card handling system ofFIG. 2A . -
FIG. 2C is a rear, top, right side, isometric view of the playing card handling system ofFIG. 2A having a playing card output receiver in a lowered position. -
FIG. 2D is a rear, top, right side, isometric view of the playing card handling system ofFIG. 2A having a slideably mounted cover in an open position and a playing card output receiver in a raised or card-delivery position. -
FIG. 2E is a rear, top, right side, isometric view of the playing card handling system ofFIG. 2A having a pivotally mounted cover in an open position and a playing card output receiver in a raised or card-delivery position. -
FIG. 3A is a rear, top, left side, isometric view of a storage device in the form of a carousel, according to one illustrated embodiment. -
FIG. 3B is a top, plan view of the carousel ofFIG. 3A . -
FIG. 3C is a side, elevational view of the carousel ofFIG. 3A . -
FIG. 4 is a front, top, right side, isometric view of the playing card handling system ofFIG. 2A . -
FIG. 5 is a side, elevational, schematic view of the playing card handling system ofFIG. 2A showing a card path having various branches. -
FIG. 6 is a side, elevational, schematic view of the playing card handling system ofFIG. 2A showing rollers for moving cards through the card path ofFIG. 5 . -
FIG. 7 is a side, elevational, schematic view of the playing card handling system ofFIG. 2A showing a number of card sensors. -
FIG. 8 is a side, elevational, schematic view of the playing card handling system ofFIG. 2A showing a number of controllable motors. -
FIG. 9 is a simplified block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a card management processing system, which controls various operating functions of the playing card handling system ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram of the carousel control interface system communicatively coupled to an exemplary carousel. -
FIG. 11 is a simplified block diagram of the card manager interface system communicatively coupled to an exemplary card management device and a card sensor interface system coupled to an exemplary cards sensor. -
FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram facilitating an explanation of the generation of a virtual card sequence and the subsequent construction of a corresponding group of deliverable cards. -
FIG. 13 illustrates selected alternative embodiments of card storage devices. -
FIG. 14 is a flow chart illustrating a process of the generation of a group of deliverable cards. -
FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating a process of the selection of the inventory cards ofFIG. 1B from the card storage devices ofFIGS. 1-12 . -
FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating a process of the look-forward algorithm. -
FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating a process of the generation of a group of deliverable cards from the inventory cards residing in the compartments of the card storage device or from the transitional cards (if inventory cards are not available). - In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known structures associated with computers, computer networks, communications interfaces, sensors and/or transducers, mechanical drive trains, and/or optical and/or radio frequency (RF) readers may not be shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description.
- Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is as “including, but not limited to.”
- Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
- The headings provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the claimed invention.
- This description generally relates to a gaming environment having a playing card handling system to arrange, sort, and/or shuffle (e.g., randomize) or otherwise handle playing cards. Other devices or systems associated with gaming, such as those used to automate, enhance, monitor, and/or detect some aspect of a game played at a gaming table, may interface or otherwise communicate with the playing card handling system.
- For purposes of clarity and brevity, the playing card handling system described and illustrated herein may reference certain card games such as blackjack, baccarat, various types of poker, LET IT RIDE®, and/or UNO®. However, it is understood and appreciated that this description is generally applicable to a variety of casino-type games and/or gaming tables, or may be generally applicable to other recreational card games. The playing card handling system described herein may be useful in wagering type card games and non-wagering type card games.
- In addition, it is understood that the playing card handling system may be capable managing cards that do not necessarily correspond to the standard playing cards, for example cards that are larger or smaller, shaped differently, and/or made from something other than traditional card stock material. Playing cards may include one or more decks of standard playing cards, where each standard deck includes fifty-two (52) playing cards. Standard playing cards typically have uniform backs, and faces which each bear a respective combination of a first primary symbol and a second primary symbol. The first primary symbol may be selected from a standard set of playing card rank symbols (i.e., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, and A) and the second primary symbol may be selected from a standard set of playing card suit symbols (i.e., ♡, , ⋄, and ). In some embodiments, the playing cards may include playing cards other than those found in a complete standard deck, or decks with a greater or less distribution of particular playing cards, for example less face cards or more face cards. In other embodiments, the playing cards may have non-standard symbols (e.g., slot machine symbols such as bars, lemons, cherries), graphics, backings, etc. As discussed below, the symbols may even be modified to add, enhance, or alter the value or significance of the playing card. In one embodiment, the playing cards are dual sided playing cards as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/902,436, which published on Jun. 2, 2005.
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FIG. 1A shows agaming environment 100 including a gaming table 102 having asurface 104. Thesurface 104 of the gaming table 102 typically bears a number of demarcations related to the game, for example betting circles 106 (only one called out in Figure) demarcating areas for placing wagers 108 (only one called out in Figure) and player positions spatially associated with respective ones of the betting circles 106. - The
gaming environment 100 also includes a playingcard handling system 110. The playingcard handling system 110 can be coupled to, proximate to, or remotely located from the gaming table 102. For example, the playingcard handling system 110 is coupled to the gaming table 102, and may be installed within the gaming table 102, and/or installed partially or fully underneath thesurface 104 of the gaming table 102. Also for example, the playingcard handling system 110 is installed remotely from the gaming table 102, such as in a restricted area of a casino where decks of playing cards are received, sorted, and repacked. - The playing
card handling system 110 includes a playingcard input receiver 112, sized and positioned to receive collectedcards 114 into the playingcard handling system 110. The playingcard input receiver 112 may, for example, receive collectedcards 114 externally from the playingcard handling system 110. - The playing
card handling system 110 also includes a playingcard output receiver 116 sized and positioned to deliverdeliverable cards 118 from the playingcard handling system 110. The playingcard output receiver 116 may, for example, deliver thedeliverable cards 118 externally from the playingcard handling system 110. - Playing cards move between the playing
card input receiver 112 and the playingcard output receiver 116 along one or more playing card transport paths, illustrated byarrows card handling system 110 typically also includes one or more intermediaryplaying card receivers 122 in the playingcard transport path card input receiver 112 and the playingcard output receiver 116. The intermediaryplaying card receivers 122 may, for example, take the form of storage devices such as carousels, arrays, racks, trays, bins or equivalent devices. The intermediaryplaying card receivers 122 may temporarily holdinventory cards 124 to implement or facilitate the arranging, ordering, sorting and/or shuffling of the playing cards by the playingcard handling system 110. A variety of intermediaryplaying card receivers 122 are discussed in detail below. - While during a game, any given playing card may move from the gaming table 102, completely through the playing
card handling system 110 and back onto the gaming table 102, in describing the operation of the playingcard handling system 110 it is convenient to refer to playing cards based on the location of the playing cards at a particular moment within thegaming environment 100. Thus, for purposes of clarity, the playing cards may be referenced herein based on their location within thegaming environment 100, as described below with reference toFIGS. 1A and 1B . - During a card game, at least some of the playing cards will be in-play, where the in-
play cards 126 are those currently in use by a gaming participant (e.g., player and/or dealer) to form a hand of playing cards according to a set of rules of the particular game being played at the gaming table 102. For example, in blackjack the in-play cards 126 prior to the first hit card being dealt include the cards forming the initial hands (e.g., first two cards dealt to each participant). During and after the card game, the in-play cards 126 are discarded by, and/or collected from, the participants and are referred to as collectedcards 114. The collectedcards 114 may be returned to the inputplaying card receiver 112 of the playingcard handling system 110, for example by the dealer. - The collected
cards 114 are successively moved into the playingcard handling system 110 at which point they are referred to astransitional cards 128. Thetransitional cards 128 are directed along various playing card transport paths (e.g., 120 a, 120 b) and may be placed in one or more of the intermediaryplaying card receivers 122, at which point the playing cards are referred to asinventory cards 124. Additionally or alternatively, as illustrated by the broken line arrows ofFIG. 1B , thetransitional cards 128 may be moved directly to an arranged or ordered group referred to herein asdeliverable cards 118. - From time-to-time, the
deliverable cards 118 are provided to a location accessible by a participant at the gaming table, at which point the playing cards are referred to herein asdealable cards 130. For example, theplaying cards 130 may be positioned at least partially extending above thesurface 104 of the gaming table 102. In some embodiments, thedeliverable cards 118 are made accessible only after a determined number ofdeliverable cards 118 have been grouped together. In some embodiments, thedealable cards 130 are placed in acard shoe 134 before being dealt to participants. Thedeliverable cards 118, and hence thedealable cards 130, are arranged in a different order or sequence than the order or sequence of collectedcards 114 received at the playingcard input receiver 112. - In some embodiments, the
deliverable cards 118 are arranged in an order that matches at least a portion of avirtual sequence 136. In one embodiment, thevirtual sequence 136 comprises electronic data providing an ordered sequence for thedeliverable cards 118. The electronic data may, for example, take the form of an ordered list of identifiers, each identifier identifying a respective playing card. For example, the electronic data may take the form of an ordered list of playing card values that represent the rank and/or suit of the playing cards. The playing card values may, for example, take the form of the numbers 0-51, each associated with a respective rank and suit combination. Alternatively, playing card values may, for example, take the form of two numbers, a first number representing a rank (e.g., 0-12) and a second number representing a suit (e.g., 0-3). Alternatively, playing card values may, for example, take the form of numbers that are each uniquely associated with a playing card from a set of playing cards greater than a standard deck of 52 playing cards. Thus, there may be two or more playing cards of the same rank and suit, each of which is identified by a unique identifier such as a serial number. Thevirtual sequence 136 may comprise a fewer or greater number of playing cards than the number of playing cards in a standard, fifty-two (52) card deck. - In some embodiments, the
virtual sequence 136 may be computationally generated (e.g., via a random or pseudo random number generator (RNG)) executed by a suitable controller. Additionally or alternatively, thevirtual sequence 136 may be determined from predefined data such as one or more lookup tables. For example, thevirtual sequence 136 may comprise a sorted order, such as the order of playing cards in a new deck, prior to shuffling. - Once the
virtual sequence 136 is at least partially determined, the playingcard handling system 110 arranges or builds thedeliverable cards 118 in an order according to at least a portion of thevirtual sequence 136. By way of example, thedeliverable cards 118 can be selected from thetransitional cards 128 or may be come directly from theinventory cards 124. The structural aspects, programmability, and controllability of the playingcard handling system 110 is described in more detail below. -
FIGS. 2A-2D show a playingcard handling system 200 for handling playing cards according to one illustrated embodiment.FIG. 2E shows an alternative embodiment of the playingcard handling system 200. - The playing
card handling system 200 includes astructural frame 202, a playingcard input receiver 204, a playingcard output receiver 206, acard elevator mechanism 208, a first intermediaryplaying card receiver 210, and an optional, second intermediaryplaying card receiver 212. The playingcard handling system 200 may be partially or fully enclosed by a housing (not shown) and/or by the gaming table 102 (FIG. 1A ). The first and second intermediaryplaying card receivers vertical axes FIG. 2B ). Thevertical axes card handling system 200. - The playing
card input receiver 204 is sized and positioned to receive the collectedcards 114 which are to be arranged, sorted, shuffled (e.g., randomized) or otherwise handled. The collectedcards 114 may be collected from the gaming table 102 during play or after a card game or round has been played. The playingcard input receiver 204 may be carried or formed by aplate 216, which may be in turn be carried by, coupled to, or otherwise connected to the gaming table 102. The playingcard input receiver 204 may include acard input ramp 214 on to which the collectedcards 114 may be fed by a dealer or other person, as individual cards or as a group of cards. In one embodiment, thecard input ramp 214 is coated with a low friction material, for example TEFLON®, to reduce friction between theramp 214 and the collectedcards 114 that come into contact with thecard input ramp 214. Aninput passage 217 extends through theplate 216 and thetable surface 104 to allow passage of the collectedcards 114 from the playingcard input receiver 204 to the playingcard transport path 120 a (FIG. 1A ) of the playingcard handling system 200. - The playing
card output receiver 206 is sized to receive a plurality ofdeliverable cards 118. As illustrated, the playingcard output receiver 206 may take the form of a cartridge or rectangular box with a floor, and open, for example, on one or more sides to allow placement and removal of thedeliverable cards 118. The playingcard output receiver 206 may pass through anoutput passage 219 that extends through theplate 216 and the table surface 104 (FIG. 1A ) of the gaming table 102, to allow thecard elevator mechanism 208 to deliver thedeliverable cards 118 to the gaming table 102 asdealable cards 130. - It is understood that the
plate 216 can be molded as a monolithic part or alternatively can be separate components that are coupled to each other and/or to thestructural frame 202 by mechanical means. In one embodiment, theplate 216 seats against and/or attaches to an underside of the gaming table 102. In one embodiment, the playingcard handling system 200 is located completely below the playingsurface 104 of the gaming table 102. In another embodiment, avertical sidewall 218 formed around the playingcard input receiver 204 and theoutput passage 219 has a height “h.” The height “h” corresponds to a thickness of the gaming table top such that the top portions of the playingcard input receiver 204 and theoutput passage 219 may be flush with or extend just a little bit above (e.g., low profile) thesurface 104 of the gaming table 102 (FIG. 1A ). Thesurface 104 of the gaming table 102 typically comprises a felt cover on top of a foam pad, both of which are positioned on top of a sheet of composite, wood, or other type of material. One type ofsuitable surface 104 is described in detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/981,132. Some embodiments may omit theplate 216, and form thepassages surface 104 of the gaming table 102. Still other embodiments may not locate thecard handling system 110 under thesurface 104 of the playing table 102, thus such embodiments may omit thepassages table surface 104. - Depending upon the embodiments and/or the type of card game, the
deliverable cards 118 may be delivered individually or as a group of cards. Embodiments of the playingcard handling system 200 may be user configurable to provide deliverable and/ordealable cards - A
cover 221 may be manually moved from a closed position 223 (FIGS. 2A-2C ) to an opened position 225 (FIGS. 2D-2E ), where in theclosed position 223 thecover 221 is disposed over theoutput passage 219 so as to limit or preclude access or a view into theoutput passage 219, and where in the opened position 225 thecover 221 is spaced from theoutput passage 219 so as to not limit nor preclude access or a view into theoutput passage 219. As best illustrated inFIG. 2D , thecover 221 may be slideably coupled to the frame or other portion of the playingcard handling system 200 for movement between the closed and the openedpositions 223, 225, respectively. As best illustrated inFIG. 2E , thecover 221 may be pivotally coupled to the frame or other portion of the playingcard handling system 200 for movement between the closed and the openedpositions 223, 225, respectively. Alternatively, thecover 221 may be slideably or pivotally coupled to the gaming table 102. - To conserve space, in one embodiment the playing
card input receiver 204 and theoutput passage 219 are positioned adjacent to one another. Employing acover 221 that can be opened manually may advantageously provide a security benefit since the dealer is in control of when, and if, thedeliverable cards 118 are delivered to the gaming table 102. -
FIGS. 2C and 2D show that the playingcard output receiver 206 is moveable between a raisedposition 220 and a loweredposition 222. In the raisedposition 220, at least a portion of the playingcard output receiver 206 is positioned to permit thedealable cards 130 to be withdrawn from the playingcard output receiver 206 by a dealer or another person at the gaming table 102. For example, the raisedposition 220 may, for example, be spaced sufficiently above theplate 216 to expose all or some of the playing cards above thesurface 104 of the gaming table 102 (FIG. 1A ). In the loweredposition 222, the playingcard output receiver 206 is positioned such that the playing cards cannot be withdrawn from the playingcard output receiver 206. For example, a top of the playingcard output receiver 206 may be spaced flush with, or below thesurface 104 of the gaming table 102 and/or below a top of theplate 216. - The
elevator mechanism 208 moves the playingcard output receiver 206 between the raised and the loweredpositions elevator mechanism 208 may, for example, comprise alinkage 229 and anelevator motor 226 coupled to drive thelinkage 229. Some of the Figures employ a partially exploded view, showing the playingcard output receiver 206 spaced fromlinkage 229 of thecard elevator mechanism 208 to better illustrate the components. In use, the playingcard output receiver 206 will be physically connected or coupled to thelinkage 229. In one embodiment, thefirst motor 226 is a DC stepper motor. Alternatively, theelevator motor 226 may take the form of a servo-motor. Theelevator mechanism 208 may employ any suitable linkage, including but not limited to a belt, sprocket chain, gear, scissors linkage or the like (not shown for clarity). Activation of theelevator motor 226 moves thelinkage 229 and the playingcard output receiver 206 relative to thestructural frame 202. - After the playing
card output receiver 206 delivers thedeliverable cards 118 to the gaming table 102, thecard elevator mechanism 208 returns the playingcard output receiver 206 to the loweredposition 222. The loweredposition 222 may be aligned with an elevator branch 512 (FIG. 5 ). - In some embodiments, one or more
external switches 231 are positioned to be accessible from an exterior of thecard handling system 200. Theexternal switches 231 may, for example, be carried by theplate 216, thesurface 104 of the gaming table 102, or a housing (not shown) of the card handling system. Theexternal switches 231 may be selectively activated to cause theelevator mechanism 208 to move the playingcard output receptacle 206 to the loweredposition 222. Additionally, or alternatively, theexternal switches 231 may be selectively activated to cause theelevator mechanism 208 to move the playingcard output receptacle 206 to the raisedposition 220. - In some embodiments, a
cover switch 233 is responsive to movement and/or a position of thecover 221 to cause thecard elevator mechanism 208 to automatically move the playingcard output receiver 206 upward from the loweredposition 222 to the raisedposition 220. Thecover switch 233 may be coupled to activate theelevator motor 226 in response to movement of thecover 221 from theclosed position 223 toward the open position 225. Alternatively, thecover switch 233 may be coupled to activate theelevator motor 226 in response to thecover 221 being in a position other than theclosed position 223, for example where thecover 221 is in the opened position 225 or alternatively, a position between the closed and theopen positions 223, 225. - Additionally or alternatively, the
cover switch 233 or a similar cover switch is responsive to movement and/or a position of thecover 221 to cause thecard elevator mechanism 208 to automatically move the playingcard output receiver 206 downward from the raisedposition 220 to the loweredposition 222. Thecover switch 233 may be coupled to activate theelevator motor 226 in response to movement of thecover 221 from the opened position 225 toward theclosed position 223. Alternatively, thecover switch 233 may be coupled to activate theelevator motor 226 in response to thecover 221 being in a position other than the opened position 225, for example where thecover 221 is in theclosed position 223, or alternatively, a position between the closed and theopen positions 223, 225. - The
cover switch 233 may be employed in addition to, or in place of, theexternal switches 231. Thecover switch 233 may take a variety of forms. For example, thecover switch 233 may be a contact switch that is physically engaged by thecover 221 when thecover 221 moves from theclosed position 223 or when thecover 221 is in a defined position, for example the opened position 225. Also for example, thecover switch 233 may take the form of a sensor such as a proximity sensor, light sensor, infrared sensor, pressure sensor, or magnetic sensor such as a Reed switch positioned to detect a movement or a position of thecover 221. Consequently, thecover switch 233 may advantageously reduce the number of manual operations by the dealer or other card handling system user. - One or more lowered position sensors 235 (
FIG. 2C ) may detect when the playingcard output receiver 206 is at the loweredposition 222. The loweredposition sensors 235 may be coupled to thestructural frame 202. The loweredposition sensors 235 may take a variety of forms including, but not limited to a proximity sensor, optical eye type sensor, and/or positional or rotational encoder. The loweredposition sensors 235 may sense the position of the playingcard output receiver 206, or thelinkage 229 or shaft ofelevator motor 226. - Some embodiments may employ an interlock or lockout feature. The lockout feature prevents the
elevator mechanism 208 from moving the playingcard output receptacle 206 to the raisedposition 220 until the playingcard output receptacle 206 is loaded with a sufficient number ofdeliverable cards 118. For example, the lockout feature may keep the playingcard output receptacle 206 in the loweredposition 222 until at least one hundred and twelve cards (e.g., two standard decks) have been loaded in the playingcard output receptacle 206. - The lockout feature may be implemented in hardware, controller executable instructions, or both. For example, the lockout feature may employ a latch or other physical structure to retain the playing
card output receptacle 206 in the loweredposition 222 until a sufficient number ofdeliverable cards 118 are loaded. Also for example, the lockout feature may employ software or firmware instructions stored in a memory or hardwired (e.g., ASIC) to prevent theelevator motor 226 from moving the playingcard output receptacle 206 from the loweredposition 222 until sufficient number ofdeliverable cards 118 are loaded. - The lockout feature may determine the number of
deliverable cards 118 in the playingcard output receptacle 206 in a variety of ways. For example, a controller (discussed below) may track the number of cards that have been directed to the playingcard output receptacle 206. Alternatively, a counter may track playing cards as they pass to the playingcard output receptacle 206. The counter may, for example, take the form of a rotational encoder or the like. Alternatively, a load sensor 227 (FIG. 2C ) may be positioned to determine an approximate level of thedeliverable cards 118 as they accumulate within the playingcard output receptacle 206. For example, a reflective or transmissive sensor, or even a pressure transducer, is coupled to a portion of the playingcard output receptacle 206. After a predetermined number ofdeliverable cards 118 have accumulated within the playingcard output receptacle 206, theelevator motor 226 is activated to move the playingcard output receptacle 206 upward until the playingcard output receptacle 206 is in the raisedposition 220. By way of example, if a transmissive sensor is used, movement of the playingcard output receptacle 206 upward re-establishes an uninterrupted path between the light source and the light receiver of the transmissive sensor; whereas this path will eventually be interrupted again as moredeliverable cards 118 are moved to the playingcard output receptacle 206. -
FIG. 3A is a rear, top, left side, isometric view of an intermediary card receiver orstorage device system 300 comprised of thefirst carousel 210 and thesecond carousel 212, according to one illustrated embodiment. Thefirst carousel 210 may be structurally identical or structurally distinct with respect to thesecond carousel 212. In the illustrated embodiment, thefirst carousel 210 is structurally identical to thesecond carousel 212. It is understood, however, that although thecarousels carousels storage device system 300 may be comprised of other types, sizes, and/or shapes, for example racks, trays, or arrays. Thecarousels carousels first carousel 210 will be described in detail with the understanding that these same structural features apply to thesecond carousel 212, unless specified otherwise. - The
first carousel 210 includes a plurality of card receiving compartments 302. In the illustrated embodiment, thefirst carousel 210 has twenty-six (26)card receiving compartments 302 and each receivingcompartment 302 is capable of receiving at least twelve (12)inventory cards 124, although other types of cards may be received in the receivingcompartments 302 as described below. Thus, the combined capacity of thefirst carousel 210 and thesecond carousel 212 may hold up to twelve (12) standard decks of inventory cards 124 (e.g., fifty-two (52) standard playing cards per standard deck). The number ofcard receiving compartments 302, as well as the number ofinventory cards 124 that can be received in eachcard receiving compartment 302, can be greater or lesser than the illustrated embodiment. In addition, the number of storage devices (e.g., carousels) 210, 212 may be greater or lesser than the two shown in the illustrated embodiment. - In one embodiment, the number of receiving
compartments 302 percarousel compartments 302, where the 53rd receiving compartment receives a specialty-type card 304, which is described in more detail below. - Referring back to the illustrated embodiment, an alternative thereof comprises first and
second carousels compartments 302 is reserved for the specialty-type card 304, such as a bonus card or the like, which is purposefully stamped or marked, and/or an out-of-service card. An out-of service card is a playing card that may be later placed into a trash receiving compartment (e.g., the 27th or extra receiving compartment) because the card was bent, marked, unreadable, put in-play too many times, and/or otherwise damaged or worn. A bonus card may be marked by the playingcard handling system FIG. 5 ) is positioned to stamp selectedtransitional cards 128 before they enter the playingcard output receiver 206. - In the one embodiment, each
card receiving compartment 302 is associated with or assigned a value (e.g., rank and suit) that corresponds to the type of cards used for game play. For example, the firstcard receiving compartment 302 of thecarousel 210 may be assigned to receive and hold the ace of clubs (A), the secondcard receiving compartment 302 may be assigned to receive and hold the king of clubs (K), and so on, until all card values usable in the card game have been uniquely assigned to arespective receiving compartment 302. In some embodiments, other card types, such as, but not limited to the specialty-type cards 304 described above, may be uniquely assigned to the card receiving compartments 302. - By way of example and according to the above-described embodiment wherein each
card receiving compartment 302 can hold up to twelve cards, twelve traditional card decks may be loaded into to thecarousels card receiving compartment 302 of thecarousel 210, for example is assigned the ace of clubs (A), and thus the onecard receiving compartment 302 could receive and hold up to twelve aces of clubs. - Furthermore, the
card receiving compartments 302 may be associated with other card characteristics (e.g., color, size, shape, etc.). For example, bent and/or damaged cards may identified and put into one of thecard receiving compartments 302 that is associated with such card characteristics. As another example, one of thecard receiving compartments 302 may be associated with “imposter” cards, such as a card added to the card game, wherein the added card did not originate from thedealable cards 130. Upon detection, the imposter card can be placed into a rejectcard receiving compartment 302 and removed from play. - Embodiments of the playing
card handling system - Further, in
FIG. 3A , each receivingcompartment 302 comprises acard support wall 304 and aguide wall 306. Thecard support wall 304 includes inner and outer portions according to the illustrated embodiment, but thecard support wall 304 may also be a continuous wall. Theguide wall 306 is spaced apart from thecard support wall 304, thus forming thecard receiving compartment 302. - The
guide wall 306 includes alower portion 308 and anupper portion 310. Thelower portion 308 is substantially parallel to thecard support wall 304. Theupper portion 310 may be bent and/or tapered and may facilitate the insertion of theinventory cards 124 in the assigned receivingcompartments 302, especially when a number ofinventory cards 124 are already present in one of the receiving compartments 302. In addition, theupper portion 310 may help to guide theinventory cards 124 into thereceiving compartment 302 while accounting for positional discrepancies of thecarousel 210. Positional discrepancies may be caused by the control system, dimensional tolerances of the carousel and/or carousel driving components, and/or other factors. -
FIG. 3B shows thecard support wall 304 and theguide wall 306 are positioned at afirst angle 312 relative to atangent line 314 taken along anouter perimeter 316 of thefirst carousel 210. In addition,FIG. 3C shows that thecard support wall 304 and theguide wall 306 may be sloped, thus forming asecond angle 318 with aline 320 that is substantially parallel with a centerline orrotational axis 322 of thefirst carousel 210. Thefirst angle 312 and thesecond angle 318, as well as other structural aspects of thecard support wall 304 and theguide wall 306 are presented for illustrative and exemplary purposes. It is understood that the any of these aspects can be modified and/or adjusted and yet still fall within the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. - Still referring to
FIG. 3C , thefirst carousel 210 is rotationally mounted on ashaft 324, which is coupled to acarousel gear 326. Thecarousel gear 326 is rotationally coupled to a drive gear, a toothed belt, and/or a sprocket (not shown). The rotational position, speed, acceleration, and/or direction of thecarousel 210 is achieved through the operation of a motor (not shown in Figure) that is coupled to and thus determines the position of thecarousel gear 326 and hence, thecarousel 210. It will be apparent to one of skill in the art that there are a variety of ways to drive thecarousels carousels - Additionally or alternatively, the
carousels carousels card handling system card handling system -
FIG. 4 shows afirst card selector 400 having acard selector body 402 that is rotatable through anarc 404 to removeinventory cards 124 from thefirst carousel 210. Thecard selector body 402 is coupled to alever arm 406, which allows thecard selector body 402 to be moved through thearc 404. The length of thelever arm 406 determines the radius of thearc 404. - The
card selector 400 further includes ashaft 408 having a friction pad orroller 410. Theshaft 408 extends fromcard selector body 402 and is rotationally coupled thereto. Thefriction roller 410 is rotationally fixed to a portion of theshaft 408, wherein rotation of theshaft 408 causes the rotation of thefriction roller 410. As thecard selector body 402 is moved into position to select aninventory card 124, theshaft 408 and hence thefriction roller 410 rotate in afirst direction 412. As thefriction roller 410 makes contact with theinventory card 124, theinventory card 124 is urged into a designated card path of the playingcard handling system 200, in which the designated card paths are described in more detail below. During operation of the playingcard handling system first card selector 400 is controllable to be in contact with or spaced apart from theinventory cards 124 in the receivingcompartments 302 ofcarousel 210. It is understood and appreciated that another card selector, similar in structural design and operation to thefirst card selector 400, can be used to selectinventory cards 124 from other carousels, forexample carousel 212. Further, more than onecard selector 400 can be used for a single carousel, for example twocard selectors 400 located on opposite sides of thecarousel 210.Multiple card selectors 400 can augment and hasten the card selection process. -
FIG. 5 generally shows a card path 500 having a number branches 502-512. An input branch 502 receives the collectedcards 114 from the playing card input receiver 204 (FIG. 2A ). As discussed above in relation toFIGS. 1A and 1B , once the collectedcards 114 enter the input branch 502, now referred to astransitional cards 128. The input branch 502 directs thetransitional cards 128 to afirst carousel branch 504 or anintermediate branch 506.Transitional cards 128 directed to thefirst carousel branch 504 are received in thefirst carousel 210, whereastransitional cards 128 directed to theintermediate branch 506 may be further directed to asecond carousel branch 508 or to anoptional exit branch 510.Transitional cards 128 directed to thesecond carousel branch 508 are received in thesecond carousel 212, whereastransitional cards 128 directed to theoptional exit branch 510 may be received in thereject receiving compartment 511. As an alternative to having thereject receiving compartment 511 and theexit branch 510, damagedtransitional cards 128 can be selectively routed to other receivingcompartments 302 in one of therespective carousels - The card path 500 further includes an
elevator branch 512 arranged to receivetransitional cards 128 from either thefirst carousel branch 504 or thesecond carousel branch 508. Thetransitional cards 128 received byelevator branch 512 may have originated from the collectedcards 114 or theinventory cards 124. In addition,transitional cards 128 directed along theelevator branch 512 are eventually received in the playingcard output receiver 206. It is understood and appreciated that the arrangement and/or interaction between the various branches of the card path 500 can be altered and/or re-configured to achieve a variety of objectives. -
FIG. 6 shows a number of roller pairs 600, afirst diverter 602, and asecond diverter 604 that direct and/or guide thetransitional cards 128 through the various branches 502-512 of the card path 500. The roller pairs 600 are positioned at various points or each respective branch 502-512. For eachroller pair 600, the individual rollers rotate in opposite directions and can be bi-directional. The card manager interface system 910 (FIG. 9 ) controls the rotational speed and/or direction of the roller pairs 600 as thetransitional cards 128 are moved to, from, and along the various branches 502-512 of the card path 500. In some instances, the roller pairs 600 may include acommon roller 606, which may occur for example, when the roller pairs 600 are positioned proximate to converging/diverging branches 502-512 of the card path 500. - The roller pairs 600 are driven by a number of motors (refer to
FIG. 8 for the best view of the motors), which may take the form of direct current (DC) stepper motors and/or servo-motors. In one embodiment, the motors are coupled to at least one roller of the roller pairs 600. The card manager interface system 910 (FIG. 9 ) provides a signal, for example one DC pulse to the motor, which in turn causes theroller pair 600 to rotate in a selected direction by one step. In one embodiment, one step corresponds to approximately 1.8° of rotation of the at least one roller of theroller pair 600. Thus, one-hundred steps or pulses cause at least one roller to rotate a half of a turn (i.e., 180 degrees). In the above-described embodiment, the motors can be operated at about 1,800 steps per second. One skilled in the art will appreciate and understand that this rate can be adjusted to be faster or slower than 1,800 steps per second depending on where thetransitional cards 128 are within the card path 500, depending on the complexity and interaction of the branches 502-512, and/or depending on other design or optimization factors. Accordingly, it is understood that DC stepper motors can be operated at any step rate. Alternative embodiments may employ other types of motors and/or motor control systems to drive roller pairs 60. - Operating in conjunction with the roller pairs 600 is the
first diverter 602 and thesecond diverter 604. Thefirst diverter 602 comprises a rotatable lever that is controllable to directtransitional cards 128 to thefirst carousel branch 504 or to theintermediate branch 506. Thesecond diverter 604 comprises a rotatable lever that is controllable to directtransitional cards 128 to thesecond carousel branch 508 or to theoptional exit branch 510. Thediverters FIG. 9 ). In one embodiment, the cardmanager interface system 910 provides an electronic signal to solenoids that are respectively coupled to thediverters respective diverter diverter carousels -
FIG. 7 shows a number of sensors operable to read a characteristic associated with the card and/or cards that are present in the playingcard handling system 110. Afirst sensor 702 is an optical reader positioned to read, scan, and/or image either a human-readable and/or a machine-readable symbol carried by thetransitional card 128. Playing cards having human-readable and/or machine-readable symbols are described in detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/934,785. In another embodiment, thefirst sensor 702 electro-magnetically communicates with thetransitional card 128 to determine a value (e.g., the rank and/or suit) of thetransitional card 128. For example, one type of playing card that can be electro-magnetically read by thesensor 110 is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/823,051. - The
sensors 704 are positioned along the card path 500 (FIG. 5 ) and cooperate with one another to determine an expected length and/or position of thetransitional card 128 and/or to check whether thetransitional card 128 is present in a respective card branch 502-512 (FIG. 5 ). In one embodiment, thesensors 704 are reflective sensors that send and/or receive light reflected off thetransitional card 128 when thetransitional card 128 is in a certain position along the card path 500. In another embodiment, thesensors 704 are transmissive sensors that send light across the card path 500 and receive the light with a light receiver. When thetransitional card 128 moves in front of the receiver, the optical signal is interrupted and the transmissive sensor can communicate the presence of thetransitional card 128. Additionally or alternatively, thesensors 704 may be some combination of reflective and transmissive sensors. It is understood and appreciated that in alternative embodiments, other types of sensors and/or mechanical systems, for example a touch sensitive device or a lever actuated device, may be used to detect the presence or absence of thetransitional card 128. - At least some of the
sensors 704 are spaced from anadjacent sensor 704, located either upstream or downstream along the card path 500 (FIG. 5 ). A distance that is approximately equal to a length of onetransitional card 128 separates theadjacent sensors 704. Thus, if standard playing cards are used, which have a length of approximately 3.50 inches, it is understood that theadjacent sensors 704 are operably positioned approximately 3.50 inches apart. - One possible advantage of spacing the
adjacent sensors 704 approximately one card length from each other is that the data from theadjacent sensors 704, in cooperation with information from a respective drive train, can be used to check the length of theplaying card 704. In one embodiment, the length of the transitional card 128 (e.g., a standard playing card is 3.50 inches long) is correlated to a number of steps and/or degrees of rotation of a stepper motor and/or roller shaft. If, for example, thesensors 704 are transmissive sensors, then thesetransmissive sensors 704 will generate either a card-present or a card-absent signal depending on whether thetransitional card 128 is or is not interrupting the light beam between the light source and the light receiver of thetransmissive sensor 704. - Accordingly, the
upstream sensor 704 will generate a card-present signal as the leading edge of thetransitional card 128 interrupts the light beam. At this time, the number of degrees of rotation of the motor shaft and/or roller shaft can be tracked. As thetransitional card 128 progresses along the card path 500 (FIG. 5 ), the leading edge is detected by thedownstream sensor 704, which generates yet another card-present signal. Contemporaneously, the trailing edge of thetransitional card 128 moves past theupstream sensor 704, causes theupstream sensor 704 to generate a card-absent signal. The time between the card-present and the card-absent signals can be compared to the number of degrees of rotation of the motor shaft and or roller shaft and the rotational speed thereof to check the length of thetransitional card 128. Thus, if a situation occurs such as twotransitional cards 128 overlapping one another (e.g., stuck together), the playingcard handling system 110 is capable of detecting this situation at various locations along the card path 500. Once such a situation is detected, the upstream and downstream rollers can be operated to separate the overlapping cards and possibly re-read one or both cards. Alternatively, the overlapping cards can be directed to thereject receiving compartment 511 depending on the embodiment. -
FIG. 8 shows a number of motors used to operate various components within the playingcard handling system - A card
ingress receptacle motor 802 operates at least one belt positioned below the playingcard input receiver 204 to move the collectedcards 114 into the card path 500 of the playingcard handling system elevator input motor 806 operates a number ofrollers 600 to movetransitional cards 128 from the card path 500 to the playingcard output receiver 206. Acarousel feed motor 806 operates a number ofrollers 600 to move thetransitional cards 128 along the card path 500 and into the respective receivingcompartments 302 of thecarousels Card removal motors 808 thecard selector 400 and various components thereof to pick, select, and/or removeinventory cards 124 from the receivingcompartments 302 of thecarousels card removal motors 808 may include both primary and secondary motors to control various operations of thecard selector 400.Carousel position motors 810 operate to rotate and to stop the rotation of thecarousels -
FIG. 9 is a simplified block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a cardmanagement processing system 902 which controls various operating functions of the playingcard handling system management processing system 902 comprises aprocessing system 904, amemory 906, a cardsensor interface system 908, a cardmanager interface system 910, a carouselcontrol interface system 912 and a userdevice interface system 914. - For convenience,
processing system 904,memory 906, cardsensor interface system 908, cardmanager interface system 910, carouselcontrol interface system 912 and userdevice interface system 914 are illustrated as communicatively coupled to each other viacommunication bus 916, viaconnections 918, thereby providing connectivity between the above-described components. Alternatively, the above-described components are connectively coupled in a different manner than illustrated inFIG. 9 . For example, one or more of the above-described components may be directly coupled to each other or may be coupled to each other via intermediary components (not shown). - A plurality of logic and data modules, described in greater detail hereinbelow, reside in
memory 906. Such logic and data modules are retrieved by processingsystem 904 as required during the various operations. - The interface systems, described in greater detail hereinbelow, communicate information to and from the
processing system 904 in a format suitable for theprocessing system 904, and communicate information to and from various external devices, also described in greater detail hereinbelow, in a format suitable for such external devices. - For convenience, the interface systems described below are illustrated by a single block. However, such interface systems may be a plurality of individual interface devices, each interface coupled to one or more related external devices. Furthermore, the interface systems are illustrated as residing within the card
management processing system 902. The interface systems, or individual interface devices associated with one of the described interface systems, may reside external to the cardmanagement processing system 902. For example, a sensor may be configured to sense a characteristic of a card (e.g., standard or non-standard rank and/or suit markings or other identifiers, whether optical, electrical, magnetic or otherwise). Output of the sensor may be an analog signal, such as a voltage or a current, that corresponds to the detected card characteristic. A device coupled to the sensor may convert the analog signal from the sensor into a signal that is communicated directly to the cardmanagement processing system 902. All such modifications and variations of sensors and/or card management devices, and modifications and variations of interface systems and/or devices, are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure and intended to be protected by the accompanying claims. - The virtual
card builder logic 920 residing inmemory 906 determines a plurality of virtual cards (i.e., domain or set) that are used to build a virtual sequence 136 (see alsoFIGS. 1A , 1B). A random number generator (RNG) 921 or the like may define a sequential order of virtual cards, wherein the virtual cards have values and/or characteristics that correspond to the resultingdealable cards 130 andinventory cards 124 that are used to play the card game. As used herein and in the claims, the term random number generator includes pseudo-random number generators and the like, which are capable of generating a number sufficiently random to meet an applicable criteria, for example criteria set by a governmental or quasi-governmental gambling authority. As previously discussed, playing cards can be assigned a value that is indicative of the card rank and the card suit. In one embodiment, avirtual selection pool 922 is generated with values that correspond to a standard 52-card deck of playing cards. The virtual cards from thevirtual selection pool 922 are generated by the virtualcard builder logic 920 based upon the particulars of the algorithms used by therandom number generator 921 to generate thevirtual sequence 136, which may be stored inmemory 906. - A
virtual sequence criteria 924 is used to define parameters that the virtualcard builder logic 920 uses to generate thevirtual sequence 136. An exemplary parameter may be a specified number of standard 52-card decks that are to be used to construct thevirtual sequence 136. Individual, virtual cards are removed from thevirtual selection pool 922 and arranged according to a sequence, computationally generated with arandom number generator 921. - By way of example, the
virtual sequence criteria 924 may specify that eight (8) standard 52-card decks comprise thevirtual selection pool 922. Accordingly, the virtualcard builder logic 920 uses thevirtual selection pool 922 of four-hundred-sixteen virtual cards (corresponding to 8 decks of 52 physical cards each), where there are eight virtual cards of each particular value (e.g., rank/suit combination). Accordingly, in this example, there are initially eight aces-of-spade values (A), eight kings-of-spade values (K), eight queens-of-spade values (Q), and so on. - As the
virtual sequence 136 is generated, the number of available virtual cards in thevirtual selection pool 922 is accordingly reduced. In the example above, if the first virtual card is the A, then the total population of available virtual cards in thevirtual selection pool 922 decreases from 416 to 415. The next virtual card is then selected from the remaining 415 cards, of which there are only seven A remaining (along with eight each of the other values available in eight (8) standard 52-card decks). It is appreciated that subsequent virtual card selections will be made from only those virtual cards presently available in thevirtual selection pool 922. Consequently, thevirtual sequence 136 is generated and stored inmemory 904. Thisvirtual sequence 136 may be viewed to correspond to a randomly shuffled, actual group of playing cards. Returning to the above example, thevirtual sequence 136 would correspond to eight standard 52-card decks that are physically shuffled together. - In another embodiment, the size of the
virtual selection pool 922 is not reduced as virtual cards are selected during generation of thevirtual sequence 136. That is, for each selection of a virtual card, the probability of a particular card value being selected remains constant. For example, if a group ofdeliverable cards 118 is to be constructed from a standard 52-card playing deck, the probability of the first card having a value of the A is 1/52. When the second virtual card (and subsequent virtual cards) is selected for thevirtual sequence 136, the probability of the second virtual card (and virtual subsequent cards) having a value of the A remains at 1/52. That is, the selection of virtual cards from the selection sequence orpool 132 is operating similar to the manner in which an electronic slot machine is operating (wherein the probability of a symbol occurrence on the payout line remains constant as reel spins are simulated). In this situation, thevirtual selection pool 922 could be simplified to correspond to one of each of the values of cards in the game. (For example, the virtual selection pool for a standard 52-card playing deck would be 52 virtual cards, wherein each virtual card uniquely corresponds to a unique rank and suit combination.) - The
virtual sequence criteria 924 may also define other parameters that the virtualcard builder logic 920 uses to add, delete, or modify the value of at least one of the virtual cards in thevirtual selection pool 922. For example, one of the parameters may set a specified number of “wild” cards that are to be added into thevirtual selection pool 922. The “wild” cards could be the two Joker cards that typically accompany the standard 52-card deck. The wild cards may be used by the participants to augment or enhance their hand of cards. - In the above example where the initial
virtual selection pool 922 of virtual cards is based upon eight card decks, the sixteen Jokers (e.g., 2 Jokers per deck times 8 decks of cards) could be added to thevirtual selection pool 922 to increase the total population of initially-available virtual cards to 432. Alternatively, any desired number of Jokers, or other specialty-type cards, could be added to thevirtual selection pool 922 in accordance with the rules (parameters) of the particular card game and/or casino rules. Specialty-type cards may be redeemable for prizes or bonuses, and may or many not have the identity of the prize displayed on the card. Such cards may also include unique identifiers to assist in redemption. - Other types of parameters may be specified in the
virtual sequence criteria 924. For example, different types of card games may be defined in the optional game type/rules table 926. For example, rules for the card game UNO® may reside in the game type/rules table 926. UNO® cards are defined by colors, text and/or numerals and do not resemble the cards of a standard 52-card deck. If the cardmanagement processing system 902 is instructed to build avirtual sequence 136 for the card game of UNO®, information defining the UNO® cards can be retrieved from the optional game type/rules table 926. This information may then be used to modify one or more of the parameters in thevirtual sequence criteria 924. For example, the characterization of a card may be changed from rank and suit to the colors, text and/or numerals of UNO® cards. Accordingly, thevirtual selection pool 922 would be constructed from the specified number of UNO® decks using UNO® virtual cards. - User
device interface system 914 provides an interface means to one or moreexternal user devices 928 configured to receive input or instructions from an individual such as a dealer, pit boss, or other casino employee. Anysuitable user device 928 may be configured to communicate with the cardmanagement processing system 902, viaconnection 930. Non-limiting examples ofexternal user devices 930 include key boards, memory media devices (such as flash cards, floppy disks, compact disks (CDs), micro disks, or the like), touch sensitive visual screens, or another processing system. Furthermore,connection 930 is illustrated for convenience as a hardwire connection to the userdevice interface system 914. In other embodiments,connection 930 may be replaced with another suitable media, such as, but not limited to, a radio frequency media, an infrared media, or other wireless media. If another media is employed by alternative embodiments, the userdevice interface system 914 could be configured to receive information from theexternal user device 928 via the other media. The userdevice interface system 914 would then reconfigure the information to a medium suitable for communication overcommunication bus 916. Additionally, the userdevice interface system 914 may be configured to receive information from a plurality ofuser devices 928 in other embodiments. In yet other embodiments, the playingcard handling system device interface system 914. - Card
sensor interface system 908 is configured to receive information from the various sensors of the playingcard handling system sensor interface system 908 is illustrated as being coupled to a plurality ofcard sensors 932, viaconnections 934. The cardsensor interface system 908 may be configured to receive information from other types of sensors. Such card sensors and other types of sensors are described in greater detail above. Thus, the cardsensor interface system 908 is configured to receive information fromcard sensors 932, and then reconfigure the received information into a medium suitable for communication over thecommunication bus 916. Furthermore,connections 934 are illustrated for convenience as a hardwire connection to the cardsensor interface system 908. In other embodiments, one or more of theconnections 934 may be replaced with another suitable media, such as, but not limited to, a radio frequency media, an infrared media, or other wireless media. - Card
manager interface system 910 is configured to provide control signals or information to various devices or subsystems of the playingcard handling system elevator motor 226, described above, is operated to raises the playing card output receiver 206 (FIGS. 2A-2E ) such that the dealer or a card player may access thedealable cards 130. Theelevator motor 226 then lowers the playingcard output receiver 206 after thedealable cards 130 are removed so that the card management process may continue to build another group ofdeliverable cards 118. The cardmanager interface system 910 provides signals to theelevator motor 226 to cause movement of the playingcard output receiver 206 relative to thestructure 202. - For convenience, the card
manager interface system 910 is illustrated as being communicatively coupled to a plurality ofcard management devices 936, viaconnections 938. Thecard management devices 936 are generally electro-mechanical devices that are actuatable by an electrical signal. The cardmanager interface system 910 is configured to receive instructions for thecard management devices 936 fromprocessing system 904, and is configured to generate and communicate the electrical signal to acard management device 936 using a suitable signal format. In some situations, the electrical signal may directly control an electro-mechanical devices, such as when a suitable operating voltage and/or current is provided. In other situations, the electrical signal may be a digital or analog control signal communicated to another controller which actuates the electro-mechanical device. Furthermore,connections 938 are illustrated for convenience as a hardwire connection to the cardmanager interface system 910. In other embodiments, one or more of theconnections 938 may be replaced with another suitable media, such as, but not limited to, a radio frequency media, an infrared media, or other wireless media. - Storage device
control interface system 912 is configured to receive information from the variousstorage device sensors 942 and to provide electrical signals to thevarious controllers 944, viaconnections 946, residing in the plurality ofcarousels 940. In one embodiment,carousels 940 correspond to the twocarousels 210, 212 (FIGS. 2A-D ) or another suitable storage device.Sensors 942 andcontrollers 944 are described in greater detail below (see, for example,FIG. 12 ).Connections 946 are illustrated for convenience as a hardwire connection to the cardmanager interface system 910. In other embodiments, one or more of theconnections 946 may be replaced with another suitable media, such as, but not limited to, a radio frequency media, an infrared media, or other wireless media. - In accordance with the various embodiments described herein, sensor devices are employed to determine the characteristics and/or value of an individual card. For example, in the game that employs a standard 52-card deck, each card is uniquely identifiable by a unique value, its rank and suit symbols. Sensor means are employed to detect information from each card that may be used to identify the card. For example, one embodiment employs machine-readable symbol reader systems such as a bar code reader system to read machine-readable symbols such as bar code information printed on each card (typically using a non-visible medium such as ultraviolet sensitive ink or the like). Alternatively, or additionally, machine-readable symbol reader systems may read standard markings from the cards, such as rank symbols, suit symbols and/or pips. As the card passes in proximity to the sensor configured to detect the information on the card, the sensor communicates the information corresponding to the detected bar code to the above-described card
sensor interface system 908. The cardsensor interface system 908 then formats and communicates the information toprocessing system 904. -
Processing system 904 retrieves and executes the cardcharacteristic determination logic 948 to analyze the detected attributes and/or characteristics of the sensed card. Accordingly, the physical card is uniquely identifiable. For example, if a bar code reader system is employed to read barcode information on a sensed card, the cardcharacteristic determination logic 948 can determine the unique character of the card. Thus, if a traditional 52-card deck is being used for a card game, the sensed physical card can then be uniquely identified by its rank and suit symbols (for example, the A card is uniquely identifiable by the letter “A” and the symbol and have a machine-readable symbol residing thereon indicating this value). Alternatively, each playing card may carry an identifier that is unique over more than fifty-two cards. - Other types of sensors may be used to sense attributes and/or characteristics of a sensed physical card. For example, a sensor sensitive to color may be used to determine the color of the playing surface of the sensed cars, such as a color-coded UNO® card. A character recognition sensor such as, but not limited to a charge coupled device (CCD) array, may be used to sense information corresponding to characters on the playing surface of the card. The card
characteristic determination logic 948 may then interpret the sensed information using one or more character recognition algorithms to determine a text and/or character attribute of the sensed card. For example, if a traditional 52-card deck is being used for a card game, the sensed text and/or character attribute of the sensed card can then be uniquely identified by its rank and suit symbols (for example, the A card is identifiable by the letter “A” and the symbol ). Or, if a color-coded UNO® card with text is sensed, the UNO® card can be uniquely identified through a combination of text recognition and color recognition (for example, a yellow colored “Skip” card is identifiable by its yellow color and the printed text “Skip”). - As noted above, the dealer or other player returns collected cards 114 (
FIG. 1A ) to the playingcard handling system card 114 passes in proximity to and is sensed by the above-described sensors such that the cardcharacteristic determination logic 948 determines the unique identifier of the sensedcollected card 114, the identifying information for the sensedcollected card 114 is stored in the returned cards table 950. Accordingly, a log of the sequence of collectedcards 114 is generated and stored in the returned cards table 950. Such information may be useful for security purposes, player tracking, card usage data, etc. - For example, the identity and location of each card in the deliverable cards 118 (
FIG. 1B ) are known. As in-play cards 126 are placed in play, the processing system 904 (FIG. 9 ) may anticipate which cards are expected to be in play at the gaming table 102. Accordingly, theprocessing system 906 may execute logic to anticipate what playing cards may be expected to be discarded during the current card game. If a player mistakenly or purposefully retains one of the in-play cards 126, the retained card will not end up in the group of collectedcards 114. Theprocessing system 906 may then recognize that one of the in-play cards 126 was not returned, which may result in some form of communication to the dealer or another authority. Similarly, an imposter card inserted during or after the card game can also be recognized by theprocessing system 904. Theprocessing system 906 may then generate and communicate an appropriate signal to the dealer or another authority indicating the presence of the imposter card. - As noted herein, the plurality of
card receiving compartments 302 of thecarousels 210, 212 (FIG. 2 ) are uniquely associated with a card value. For example, one of thecard receiving compartments 302 may be uniquely associated with the A. Such association may be formed during operation, either just prior to, during, or shortly following placement of the particular card into aparticular receiving compartment 302. The advantageously allows the placement of the card in the nearest empty compartment increasing operational speed. Allowing bidirectional movement of thecarousels 210, 212 (e.g., rotation in clockwise and counterclockwise direction), also increases operational speed. When the A is returned to the playingcard handling system collected card 114, theprocessing system 904 executes the cardcharacteristic determination logic 948 to identify the collectedcard 114. For example, if the A card is the collectedcard 114 and is identified accordingly, the A card is returned to the appropriately assignedcard receiving compartment 302. After the A card is returned to the appropriatecard receiving compartment 302, that A card is now referred to as aninventory A card 112. Thus, the card receiving compartment attribute table 952 is a definable table wherein card receiving compartments 302 (FIG. 3 ) are uniquely assigned a particular card type or card value. It is appreciated that any characteristic of a card may be used to associate a card and its assignedcard receiving compartment 302. Since the information corresponding to the associated card characteristic and thecard receiving compartment 302 is stored in the card receiving compartment attribute table 952, any card may be identified and stored and/or retrieved from its assignedcard receiving compartment 302 by the various embodiments as described herein. If not allcard receiving compartments 302 are assigned in a game, thosecard receiving compartments 302 may be later defined as needed and/or not used during game play. - As noted above, embodiments of the playing
card handling system 110 perform various operations on the physical cards using a variety of electro-mechanical devices. Also, various sensors provide information to the cardmanagement processing system 902. The various logical processes, comprising software and/or executable code, are generally represented by thecard management logic 954. Thecard management logic 954 may be comprised of a plurality of unique logic segments or programs, and/or may be comprised of a multi-function, integrated logic segment or program, as described herein. - When
logic 908 is implemented as software and stored inmemory 906, one skilled in the art will appreciate thatlogic memory 906 is a computer-readable medium that is an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other another physical device or means that contains or stores a computer and/or processor program.Logic logic logic logic memory 906. - The above-described card
processing management system 902 may, in one embodiment, reside within the playingcard handling system processing management system 902 may be external to the playingcard handling system processing management system 902 may be part of another system having other functionality. In such embodiments, the 934, 934, 938 and/or 946 could include suitable convenient plug-in connector devices to facilitate coupling between the external cardprocessing management system 902 and the playingcard handling system - Processing system 904 (
FIG. 9 ) is illustrated for convenience as residing in the various embodiments of the cardmanagement processing system 902. It is understood that anysuitable processor system 904 may be employed.Processing system 904 may be a specially designed and/or fabricated processing system, or a commercially available processor system. Non-limiting examples of commercially available processor systems include, but are not limited to, an 80×86 or Pentium series microprocessor from Intel Corporation, U.S.A., a PowerPC microprocessor from IBM, a Sparc microprocessor from Sun Microsystems, Inc., a PA-RISC series microprocessor from Hewlett-Packard Company, or a 68xxx series microprocessor from Motorola Corporation. -
FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram of the carouselcontrol interface system 912 communicatively coupled to anexemplary carousel 940.Carousel 940 may correspond to the above-describedcarousels 210, 212 (FIGS. 2A-2E ). As noted herein, inventory cards 124 (FIG. 1B ) are drawn from the card receiving compartments 302 (FIG. 3 ) by the card selector 400 (see alsoFIG. 4 ) to construct thedeliverable cards 118. Similarly, collectedcards 114, which are then referred to as transitional cards 128 (as they travel through the above described card paths) are inserted to their associated card receiving compartment 302 (now referred to as transitional inventory cards 128) such that thecard receiving compartments 302 are restocked. - To select
inventory cards 124 from an appropriatecard receiving compartment 302, thecarousel 940 is rotated into alignment with thecard selector 400.Carousel position sensor 1002 detects position of thecarousel 940. In another embodiment, upon initialization of the playingcard handling system 102 or at another suitable time,carousel position sensor 1002 detects at least one fixed point on thecarousel 940. As the carousel subsequently rotates, the position of anycard receiving compartment 302 relative to thecarousel position sensor 1002 is computationally determinable (in accordance with code instructions or logical instructions of thecard management logic 954,FIG. 9 ). - To select any
particular inventory card 124, thatparticular inventory card 124 is determined based upon the current virtual card of thevirtual sequence 136 that is to be constructed. Once identified, theinventory card 124 needs to be selected from its correspondingcard receiving compartment 302. Thecard management logic 954, using information in the card receiving compartment attribute table 952, determines the relative location ofcard receiving compartment 302 associated with the desiredinventory card 124. Carousel position controller 1004 (which may correspond to the above-described motor coupled to thecarousel gear 326 in one exemplary embodiment) is configured to rotate thecarousel 940 such that the appropriatecard receiving compartment 302 is moved into alignment with thecard selector 400. Then,card selector 400 may select the desiredinventory card 124 from thecard receiving compartment 302. (One exemplary above-described embodiment employs afriction roller 410, residing in theselector body 402 and which is rotationally fixed to a portion of theshaft 408.Friction roller 410 is rotated by theshaft 408, wherein the rotation of thefriction roller 410 selects the desiredinventory card 124 from thecard receiving compartment 302. Other suitable card selecting devices, system or means may be used by other embodiments.) - In some situations, a desired
inventory card 124 may not reside in the correspondingcard receiving compartment 302. Card sensor 1006 senses at least the presence or absence of aninventory card 124 in its correspondingcard receiving compartment 302. Information corresponding to the presence or absence of theinventory card 124 in its respectivecard receiving compartment 302 is communicated to the cardmanagement processing system 902, via the carouselcontrol interface system 912. As described in greater detail hereinbelow, the playingcard handling system collected card 114. - To deliver a
transitional card 128 into the appropriatecard receiving compartment 302 thecarousel 940 is rotated into alignment with the carousel branch 1008 (which corresponds to the above-described first andsecond carousel branches 504, 508). The currenttransitional card 128 is identified based upon detected characteristics of thetransitional card 128. Once identified, thetransitional card 128 needs to be inserted into its correspondingcard receiving compartment 302. Thecard management logic 954, using information in the card receiving compartment attribute table 952, determines the relative location ofcard receiving compartment 302 associated with the incomingtransitional card 128. Carousel position controller 1002 (which may correspond to the above-described motor coupled to thecarousel gear 326 in one exemplary embodiment) is configured to rotate thecarousel 940 such that the appropriatecard receiving compartment 302 is moved into alignment with thecarousel branch 1008 which will deliver thetransitional card 128 into the appropriatecard receiving compartment 302. - In one embodiment, the
carousel position controller 1004 is a motor or the like configured to rotate thecarousel 940, where a suitable electrical signal such as a voltage or a current is received from the carouselcontrol interface system 912. In another embodiment, thecarousel position controller 1004 is a motor and a controller, where a suitable control signal is received from the carouselcontrol interface system 912. A gear, chain or belt system may be used to couple thecarousel position controller 1004 to thecarousel 940 in some embodiments. On other embodiments a shaft of a motor of thecarousel position controller 1004 is coupled to a shaft of the carousel 940 (or may be the same shaft). Any suitable coupling means, system or method may be used to couple thecarousel position controller 1004 with thecarousel 940 to effect rotation of thecarousel 940. - It is appreciated that with embodiments having a plurality of
card carousels 940, each of the plurality ofcard carousels 940 are simultaneously and independently controllable by the look-forward algorithm 956. For example, a “next”inventory card 124 to be retrieved from a first carousel may be retrieved by adjusting the position of thecarousel 940 such that thecard selector 400 is in proximity to thecard receiving compartment 302 wherein the “next”inventory card 124 resides. Concurrently, anothercarousel 940 may have the “next+1”inventory card 124 in one of its card receiving compartments 302, wherein the “next+1”inventory card 124 is to be selected after the above-described “next”inventory card 124 is selected and transported to the group ofdeliverable cards 118. While the position of the carousel having the “next”inventory card 124 is adjusted, the playingcard handling system 902 may concurrently and/or independently cause the position of the other carousel having the “next+1”inventory card 124 to be adjusted. Then, shortly after the “next”inventory card 124 is selected, the “next+1”inventory card 124 can be selected since theother carousel 940 having that card is already in position for selection of the “next+1”inventory card 124. - Alternatively, a collected card 114 (now a transitional card 128), that is being transported to its designated
card receiving compartment 302, has its value read by one of thecard sensors 932. Upon identification of the value, the position of thedestination carousel 940 may be adjusted so that itscard receiving compartment 302 is in proper position so that the collectedcard 114 may be deposited into its receiving compartment 302 (now referred to as an inventory card 124). Concurrently, anothercarousel 940 may have its position adjusted for operation on aninventory card 124 in one of its receivingcompartments 302, or may have its position adjusted to receive another identified transitional card 128 (previously a collected card 114). - Summarizing, the look-forward algorithm 956 (
FIG. 9 ) is configured to monitor physical cards in the various stages of transport over branches 502-515 (FIG. 5 ), and coordinate the transport of physical cards with positioning of carousels and/or with construction of thedeliverable cards 118. That is, when atransitional card 128 is available for redirecting to the playingcard output receiver 206 for inclusion as a member of thedeliverable cards 118, thetransitional card 128 may be said to be in a “window of opportunity” for diversion from its destination carousel 940 (where it would otherwise be an inventory card 124) to the playingcard output receiver 206. -
FIG. 11 is a simplified block diagram of the cardmanager interface system 912 communicatively coupled to an exemplarycard management device 936 and a cardsensor interface system 908 coupled to anexemplary cards sensor 932. As noted herein, collected cards 114 (FIG. 1B ) are received after they have been played, and are transported (now referred to as transitional cards 128) along various carousel branches (seeFIG. 5 ) to be inserted to their associated card receiving compartment 302 (thereby referred to as inventory cards 124) such that thecard receiving compartments 302 are restocked. (In some situations, thetransitional card 128 may be redirected directly to the group ofdeliverable cards 118 if that value of that particulartransitional card 128 corresponds to the value of the next card to be added into the group ofdeliverable cards 118.) -
Card sensor 932 detects attributes and/or characteristics of the sensed physicaltransitional card 128 as it moves along intermediate branch 506 (or another branch). Information corresponding to the detected attributes and/or characteristics is communicated to the cardmanagement processing system 902, via the card sensor interface system, such that the unique identity of the currenttransitional card 128 is determined. -
Card management device 936 is illustrated as a roller device for convenience. Tworollers 1102 control movement of thetransitional card 128 along various carousel branches (seeFIG. 5 ). Movement of therollers 1102 are controlled bymotors 1104, by electrical signals from the cardmanagement processing system 902, via the cardmanager interface system 910. Thus, thetransitional card 128 may be moved along thecard sensor 932 such that information may be read from thetransitional card 128. If the information is not correctly read and/or interpreted, thecard management device 936 may draw back thetransitional card 128 across thecard sensor 932 for another sensing of the attributes and/or characteristics of thetransitional card 128. - In other embodiments, the
card management device 936 may be any suitable device, system or means that controls movement of atransitional card 128 such thatcard sensor 932 sensed the attributes and/or characteristics of thetransitional card 128. For example, asingle roller 1102 andmotor 1104 could be employed in another embodiment. Another embodiment may use a conveyor system or the like. -
FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram facilitating an explanation of the generation of avirtual sequence 136 and the subsequent construction of a corresponding group ofdeliverable cards 118. Processing system 904 (see alsoFIG. 9 ) retrieves and executes the virtualcard builder logic 920 to first generate or determine avirtual selection pool 922 based upon parameters in the virtualsequence build criteria 924. - Other parameters may be used to generate the
virtual selection pool 922. For example, the game rules table may specify the type of card game that is to be played using the group ofdeliverable cards 118. The selected game may influence the types and/or number ofvirtual cards 1204 used in thevirtual selection pool 922. - Then, in one embodiment,
processing system 904 uses arandom number generator 921 or the like to randomly selectvirtual cards 1204 in a serial fashion. These selectedvirtual cards 1204 are serially organized into thevirtual sequence 136. - In another embodiment, processing system uses a
random number generator 921 to sequentially ordervirtual cards 1204 by generating a series of random numbers, the largest random number corresponding to the number ofvirtual cards 1204 in thevirtual selection pool 922, each number corresponding to the value of a virtual card. A data table or the like uniquely associating eachvirtual card 1204 with one of the numbers enables theprocessing system 904 to sequence thevirtual cards 1204 intovirtual sequence 136. - In yet another embodiment, virtual cards are selected from an unmodified
virtual selection pool 922 each time a virtual card is selected. Similar to an electronic slot machine, the probability of any particular value being selected for a virtual card remains constant for each selection. - In some embodiments, a portion of the virtual sequence 136 (referred to as the virtual sequence portion 1202) may be selected from the
virtual sequence 136. Thevirtual sequence portion 1202 is used to identifyphysical cards 1206 that will be selected from theinventory cards 124 and/or the transitional cards 117 (FIG. 1B ) as the group ofdeliverable cards 118 are constructed. - For example, but not limited to, one of the parameters used to generate the
virtual selection pool 922 may specify that eight (8) standard 52-card decks are to be used to create avirtual selection pool 922, Accordingly, the generatedvirtual selection pool 922 will initially comprises 416virtual cards 1204. - Another parameter may, in this example, specify that the
deliverable cards 118 contain a total of 208 physical cards 1206 (corresponding to four standard 52-card decks). Thus, 208virtual cards 1204 from thevirtual selection pool 922 will be used to generate thevirtual sequence portion 1202. The generatedvirtual sequence portion 1202 will then be used to construct the group ofdeliverable cards 118. - In some embodiments, the number of
virtual cards 1204 of thevirtual sequence portion 1202 may be the same as the number ofvirtual cards 1204 of thevirtual sequence 136. This may occur if the parameter defining the number of card decks used to construct thevirtual selection pool 922 is the same as the number of decks specified for thevirtual sequence portion 1202. Casino rules, governmental regulatory rules and/or game rules may stipulate this condition. - In yet other embodiments, the
virtual selection pool 122 is based upon virtual cards identified by value or another indicator. Asvirtual cards 1204 are sequentially selected during generation of thevirtual sequence 136, the likelihood or probability of selecting one of a particular virtual card from the virtual selection pool remains constant. For example, if a group ofdeliverable cards 118 is to be constructed from a standard 52-card playing deck, the probability of the first card having a value of the A is 1/52. When the second virtual card (and subsequent virtual cards) is selected for thevirtual sequence 136, the probability of the second virtual card (and virtual subsequent cards) having a value of the A remains at 1/52. - Alternatively,
processing system 904 may generate thevirtual selection pool 922 using a first parameter (corresponding to a first number of virtual cards 902) and then generate another number of virtual cards 1204 (from thevirtual cards 1204 of the virtual selection pool 922) to construct thevirtual sequence 136, stopping the construction of thevirtual sequence 136 when the number ofvirtual cards 1204 specified for the group ofdeliverable cards 118 equals the number of selectedvirtual cards 1204. - After generation of the
virtual sequence portion 1202,physical cards 1206 are retrieved from theinventory cards 124 residing in acarousel 940 and/or from an identified collected card 114 (FIG. 1B ). Each of the sequentially retrievedphysical cards 1206 correspond to a respective one of thevirtual cards 1204 in thevirtual sequence portion 1202. The retrievedphysical cards 1206 are transported (generally denoted by the line 1214) in serial fashion to construct the group ofdeliverable cards 118. - For example, in
FIG. 12 the first card of thevirtual sequence portion 1202 is illustrated as the Ace of Diamonds (A♦). The virtual A♦card 1204 is used to define the firstphysical card 1206 of the group ofdeliverable cards 118. Accordingly, one of the available physical A♦ cards is selected from thecarousel receiving compartments 302 and placed in a suitable receptacle, such as the playingcard output receiver 206, as the firstphysical card 1206. The process of sequentially retrievingphysical cards 1206 based upon a specifiedvirtual card 1204 of thevirtual sequence portion 1202 continues until the group ofdeliverable cards 118 has been constructed. Then, the group ofdeliverable cards 118 are transported to a location where the dealer or another participant or casino employee may access the group ofdeliverable cards 118. - In some situations, after generation of the
virtual sequence portion 1202, thevirtual cards 1204 may be additionally processed again in accordance with another parameter. In one exemplary embodiment, an optionalcard stamping device 1208 is configured to intercept (generally denoted by the dashed-line 1212) aphysical card 1210 that is being transported to the group ofdeliverable cards 118. Instructions for printing a message and/or symbol on the interceptedphysical card 1210 are communicated from the processing system 904 (generally denoted by the dashed-line 1212) to thecard stamping device 1208. Then, after stamping or otherwise marking the interceptedphysical card 1210 with an ink or the like, the interceptedcard 1210 can be returned to thecard path 1214 for insertion into the group ofdeliverable cards 118 in its proper sequenced location. - For example, one of the parameters of the virtual
card builder logic 920 or the virtual sequence build criteria 924 (or another parameter residing elsewhere) may specify that one or more of the physical cards are to be made a “bonus” card. The bonus card may reward a player with a desirable gift or the like (e.g., a free hotel room, a complimentary dinner, etc.) Accordingly, information indicating to the player receiving the bonus card is stamped onto the bonus card. The information may be in any suitable format, including textual information and/or a special symbol. It is appreciated that the number of, and types of, rewards gifted to a player(s) receiving a bonus card are unlimited. All such variations are intended to be within the scope of this disclosure. - The
physical cards 1206, that are to referred to as bonus cards (and marked by the card stamping device 1208), may be identified by specifying avirtual card 1204 in the generatedvirtual sequence portion 1202 and/or the generatedvirtual selection pool 922 based upon a specified criteria or based upon a random criteria. Or,physical cards 1206 may be selected as they are being transported to the group ofdeliverable cards 118 based upon a specified criteria or based upon a random criteria. It is appreciated the number of possible methods of identifying and selecting aphysical card 1206 for stamping is limitless. All such variations are intended to be within the scope of this disclosure. - Furthermore, selection of
virtual cards 1204 and/orphysical cards 1206 may be comprised of one or more sub-portions of generatedvirtual sequence portion 1202 and/or the group ofdeliverable cards 118, respectively. For example, a last sub-portion of the generatedvirtual sequence portion 1202 and/or the group ofdeliverable cards 118 may have selectedvirtual cards 1204 or selectedphysical cards 1206, respectively, to entice a player(s) to continue playing in hopes of receiving one of the bonus cards. - In some embodiments, during generation of the
virtual sequence portion 1202 and/or the generatedvirtual selection pool 922, parameters which establish the selection criteria used by the random number generator 921 (or the like) of the virtualcard builder logic 920 are changed during the generation process. That is, parameters impacting the probability of card selection, and thus affecting game odds, may be modified. For example, in a game played by a plurality of players, one of the players may optionally select to receive cards having a higher or lower odds of winning than the odds for the other players. (Of course, payout would likely be adjusted accordingly.) For example, Player A may wish to play a hand and/or a game based upon avirtual selection pool 922 constructed under a criteria of eight (8) traditional 52-card desks. Player B may wish to play a hand and/or a game based upon avirtual selection pool 922 constructed under a criteria of one (1) traditional 52-card desk. As another example, Player C may wish to have the opportunity to have wild cards introduced into his hand. Accordingly, various embodiments of the playingcard handling system 110 are configured to accommodate special parameters during the above-described processes that result in a constructed group ofdeliverable cards 118. - In some situations, the
virtual sequence 136 may have a limited number of a particular value of a virtual card. For example, but not limited to, thevirtual sequence 136 may be limited to having only eight A card values, even if thevirtual selection pool 922 was based upon ten standard 52-card playing decks. Or, thevirtual sequence 136 may be limited to having only a particular rank or suit. For example, but not limited to, thevirtual sequence 136 may be limited to having only eight A card values (of the four suits). Or,virtual sequence 136 may be limited to having at most one half of the virtual cards hiving the suit. - In some of the above-described embodiments, the
processing system 904, may selectively modify selected ones of the above-described parameters as a plurality of virtualcard sequence portions 1202 are generated. The plurality of virtualcard sequence portions 1202, one designated for each different player, may be joined, thereby creating a sequence ofvirtual cards 1204 that is used to construct a group ofdeliverable cards 118. The group ofdeliverable cards 118 would then have a plurality of sub-groups therein, each sub-group designated for a particular player based upon the selected modified parameter. In some embodiments, a divider card (such as, but not limited to, an unmarked and/or colored card) may be selected from acard receiving compartment 302 and placed between successive sub-groupings of physical cards to ensure that players receive hands based upon the selected modified parameter. - The above-described process of building a group of deliverable cards 118 (
FIG. 1B ) [which may be generally described as generating avirtual sequence 136 from thevirtual selection pool 922, defining avirtual sequence portion 1202 from thevirtual sequence 136, and then retrievinginventory cards 124 and/ortransitional cards 128 to construct the deliverable cards 118], and the above-described process of returning collectedcards 114 to thecarousel receiving compartments 302 of the carousels 940 (FIGS. 9 and 12 ), were described as separate processes for convenience. In most embodiments, the processes of building a group ofdeliverable cards 118 and transporting collectedcards 114 to thecompartments 302 of thecarousels 940 operate concurrently. That is, the cardmanagement processing system 902 is configured to control flow of a plurality of physical cards along the branches 502-515 (FIG. 5 ) in an integrated manner. Thus, embodiments may be configured to simultaneously build groups ofdeliverable cards 118, restockcarousels 940 withinventory cards 124, receive collectedcards 114, sense and/or evaluatetransitional cards 128, operate ontransitional cards 128, etc. Such operational flexibility is enabled because the transport of physical cards over the various branches 502-515, and/or card transport at individual points along the branches 502-515, and/or control of the carousel(s) 940, are independently controllable. Accordingly,processing system 904, when executing thevarious logic - For example, a collected
card 114 may be input into the input branch 506 (thereby becoming a transitional card 128). Concurrently, a selected inventory card 124 (referred to now as a transitional card 128) may be in transport along one of thecarousel branches FIG. 10 ) by that receiving compartment'scard selector 400. Thus, two physical cards are being transported concurrently in this simplified example. Various card sensors 932 (FIG. 9 ) communicate information to the cardmanagement processing system 902 such that theprocessing system 904 tracks location of the two physical cards on a real-time (or near real-time) basis. - In other embodiments, a plurality of physical cards may be concurrently tracked and/or transported along the various the branches 502-515. For example, a third physical card may concurrently be transported in the
exit branch 510 for deposit into a trash receiving compartment or the like. Or, another physical card may concurrently be transported in theintermediate branch 506 havingcards sensors 932 andcard management devices 936 configured to detect that two or moretransitional cards 128 are in contact with each other (i.e., stuck together) and need separation from each other so that further processing of thetransitional cards 128 may occur. Or, atransitional card 128 may be in proximity to one of the above-describeddiverters 602, 604 (FIG. 6 ), wherein actuation of adiverter transitional card 128 from going into is assignedcard receiving compartment 302 such that the transitional card is transported to, for example, the group ofdeliverable cards 118. In various embodiments, these above-described scenarios, and other card tracking and/or transport scenarios, may all occur concurrently. - As another example of concurrently managing transportation of physical cards over the various branches 502-515, a “look-forward”
algorithm 950 may be included in memory 906 (FIG. 9 ).Processing system 904 determines a “next” virtual card of the virtual sequence portion 1202 (FIG. 12 ), which defines the “next”physical card 1206 that is to be added to the group ofdeliverable cards 118. As noted herein, the “next”physical card 1206 may be retrieved from one of thecard receiving compartments 302, or may be atransitional card 128 that may be diverted. During transport of atransitional card 128 to its assignedcard receiving compartment 302, when the transitional card is in proximity to one of the above-describeddiverters 602, 604 (FIG. 6 ), thetransitional card 128 may be considered to be within a “window of opportunity” such that thetransitional card 128 may be successfully diverted to the group ofdeliverable cards 118 being constructed. - Diverting the
transitional card 128 directly to the group ofdeliverable cards 118 may be done more quickly than retrieving the “next” physical card from one of thecarousel receiving compartments 302 because the divertedtransitional card 128 is readily available and may have a relatively short distance to travel to playingcard output receiver 206. In comparison, if aninventory card 124 is retrieved from acard receiving compartment 302, it is likely that the position of the receiving compartment must be changed to bring the card selector (FIGS. 4 and 10 ) into position such that theinventory card 124 can be selected out of thecard receiving compartment 302. Then, the selected inventory card 124 (now referred to as a transitional card 128) must be transported all the way to the playing card output receiver 206 (FIGS. 2A-2E ). Thus, the process of retrieving aninventory card 124 may take longer that diverting a suitabletransitional card 128. By diverting thetransitional card 128 to the playingcard output receiver 206 so that thetransitional card 128 may be used as the “next” card of thedeliverable cards 118, the overall process of managing cards by the playingcard handling system - Additionally, virtual card operations may be concurrently performed by various embodiments. For example, one or more virtual selection pools 922 (
FIG. 9 ) may be concurrently generated based upon different parameters. Or,processing system 904 may be operating in a parallel mode wherein one or morevirtual sequences 132 are being constructed from one or more one or more virtual selection pools 922.Processing system 904 may be generating a plurality ofvirtual sequence portions 1202 from one or morevirtual sequences 132. Or, all of, or some of, the above-described virtual card operations may be occurring concurrently. - It is appreciated that the various possibilities of concurrently managing, tracking or transporting physical cards through the playing
card handling system 110, and/or concurrently performing virtual card operations, are too numerous to describe in detail herein. Such embodiments performing a plurality functions are intended to be within the scope of this disclosure and be protected by any accompanying claims. - As noted herein, carousels or storage devices having card compartments may be interchangeable. Thus, the playing
card handling system - The above-described “random number generator” which constructs the
virtual sequence 136 may be implemented by a variety of algorithms. In one embodiment, the random number generator 921 (FIG. 9 ) may computationally generate virtual cards of thevirtual sequence 136 or the virtual sequence portion 1202 (FIG. 12 ). That is, a number associated with a value of a physical card may be directly generated in a random manner. In another embodiment, therandom number generator 921 may generate a random series of numbers, wherein the range of numbers that may be generated may correspond to the total number of virtual cards of the virtual selection pool. Such virtual cards could be associated with the generated numbers through the use of a look-up table or the like. In another embodiment, arandom number generator 921 could generate values corresponding to characteristics which identify a physical card. For example, in the case of a standard 52-card deck, a first value corresponding to a card suit, and another value corresponding to card rank could be separately generated, thereby defining a card having a particular value. It is appreciated that other algorithms, commonly referred herein as “random number generator” algorithms for convenience, may be used to generate, process and/or definevirtual cards 1204 as described herein, and that such algorithms are too numerous and/or too complex to describe in detail herein. All such algorithms are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure and to be protected by any accompanying claims. While referred to herein and in the claims as being a random number or random number generator, such terms encompass numbers and generators that are not truly random in the mathematical sense, such as those often referred to as being pseudo-random. - Other embodiments of a playing
card handling system 110 are configured to operate on physical cards 1206 (FIG. 12 ) without the use of the random number generator 921 (FIG. 9 ). For example, one or more predefinedvirtual sequences 132 and/orvirtual sequence portions 1202 may be used to construct a group ofdeliverable cards 118. Thus, predefinedvirtual sequences 132 and/or virtualcard sequence portions 1202 can be specified so that a corresponding group ofdeliverable cards 118 may be constructed at will. The predefined sequence may be stored in a look-up table or the like. Also, the group ofdeliverable cards 118 may be constructed repetitively. - For example, in certain types of card tournaments, such as in a duplicate bridge tournament, players at a gaming table 102 play predefined hands. As that game is completed, the players move to the next gaming table 102 and each player plays the same respective hand that was previously played at that gaming table 102. That is, all gaming tables 102 at the duplicate bridge tournament have a unique set of hands (groups of cards) that all of the tournament players and/or teams play. Accordingly, embodiments of the playing
card handling system 110 may repeatedly construct and deliver the necessary hands which must be identical from game to game. The definition of the hands (corresponding to four virtual card sequence portions 1202) may be determined as virtual cards by a remote device. The information determined by the remote device would provided to one or more of the cardmanagement processing systems 902, via the user device interface 912 (FIG. 9 ). Alternatively, the hands may be defined and/or generated by themanagement processing systems 902 such that the unique hands are repetitively constructed for tournament play. - As another hypothetical example wherein a playing
card handling system FIG. 12 ) without the use of the random number generator 921 (FIG. 9 ), the playingcard handling system 110 may be used to create sorted groups of playing cards. That is, the physical cards may be directly sorted in a predefined manner. For example, one or more sorted standard 52-card decks may be created from a plurality of collectedcards 114. Consider a hypothetical scenario wherein 520 mixed playing cards are input to the playingcard handling system 110. Up to ten sorted groups ofdeliverable cards 118 corresponding to sorted standard 52-card decks could then be created from the 520 mixed playing cards. - As another hypothetical example wherein a playing
card handling system FIG. 12 ) without the use of the random number generator 921 (FIG. 9 ), the playingcard handling system card handling system FIG. 4 ) sense physical characteristics of the cards. Non-limiting examples of physical characteristics include, but are not limited to, card appearance, card quality and/or card value. As physical cards are individually inspected, the card may then be transported directly to the playing card output receiver 206 (FIGS. 2A-D ). If the assembled and inspected group ofdeliverable cards 118 created from the inspected cards is acceptable, the playingcard output receiver 206 could return the group ofdeliverable cards 118 to the user. In other embodiments, problem cards could be identified and/or removed, and if removed, replaced by anacceptable inventory card 124. Reports providing information relating to the inspected physical cards may be output to a user device 928 (FIG. 9 ) by some embodiments. It is appreciated that such an inspection process may be completed relatively quickly since in some embodiments thecarousels 940 or other card compartment structures may not be in use. - It is appreciated that the various types of scenarios wherein a playing
card handling system FIG. 12 ) without the use of therandom number generator 921 will be apparent in light of the teachings herein. Any such scenarios, methods and or systems are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure and to be protected by any accompanying claims. - As noted herein, the term “carousel” as used herein is intended to be a generic term for a structure that comprises an endless plurality of physical playing card receptacles, referred to as card receiving compartments for convenience, particularly suited for rotational movement.
FIG. 13 illustrates selected alternative embodiments of card storage devices.Rack 1302 is a rectangular structure having a plurality ofcard receiving compartments 302 disposed therein suitable for translation.Rack 1304 is a another type of rectangular structure having a matrix ofcard receiving compartments 302 disposed therein suitable for translation.Storage device 1306 is an arc-like structure having a plurality ofcard receiving compartments 302 disposed therein suitable for pivoting.Rack 1308 is a conveyor type structure having a plurality ofcard receiving compartments 302 disposed thereon suitable for translation.Rack 1310 is a vertically-oriented rectangular structure having a plurality ofcard receiving compartments 302 disposed therein. It is appreciated that the various types of structures and/or orientations employingcard receiving compartments 302 are too numerous to describe in detail herein. Furthermore, if such structures are moved to orient a selectedcard receiving compartment 302 with a card selector 400 (FIG. 4 ), the structure may be moved in any suitable direction, orientation and/or manner. Any such structure and/or orientation comprising a plurality ofcard receiving compartments 302 configured to be a repository forinventory cards 124 are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. - As noted herein, the bonus cards and/or specialty cards may be defined and/or selected after generation of the
virtual sequence 136. In alternative embodiments, bonus cards and/or specialty cards may be defined concurrently with other parameters or criteria used to build thevirtual selection pool 122. Accordingly, such bonus cards and/or specialty cards would be selected with the same probability as any other virtual card in the virtual selection pool. Furthermore, in other embodiments, additional bonus cards and/or specialty cards could be later added after generation of thevirtual sequence 136 as described herein. -
FIGS. 14 , 15, 16 and 17 areflow charts logic modules FIG. 9 as related to the various functions relating to card management. Theflow charts logic modules FIGS. 14-17 or may include additional functions. For example, two blocks shown in succession inFIGS. 16-17 may in fact be executed substantially concurrently, the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, or some of the blocks may not be executed in all instances, depending upon the functionality involved, as will be further clarified hereinbelow. Furthermore, some blocks of one of theflow charts - Furthermore, it is appreciated that the simplified
illustrative flow charts FIGS. 14-17 , respectively, describe only selected ones of the many above-described processes for card management. Because of the numerous variations described herein, specific flow charts are not provided for each of the various alternative embodiments and methods described herein. -
FIG. 14 is aflow chart 1400 illustrating a process of the above-described generation of a group ofdeliverable cards 118. The process starts atblock 1402. Atblock 1404, the card management logic 954 (FIG. 9 ) receives specifications corresponding to the virtualsequence build criteria 924. Such criteria and/or parameters are described hereinabove. - At
block 1406 therandom number generator 921 generates a first virtual card of thevirtual sequence 136 in accordance with the virtual sequence build criteria. This first virtual card is selected from one of the virtual cards available from the above-describedvirtual selection pool 922. Any of the above-described randomnumber generator algorithms 921 may be used by various embodiments. Alternatively, the virtual sequence may not be random, but rather may be a sorted sequence, for example one from a look-up table. - At
block 1408 therandom number generator 921 generates the next virtual card of thevirtual sequence 136 in accordance with the virtualsequence build criteria 924. This next virtual card is selected from one of the remaining virtual cards available from the above-describedvirtual selection pool 922. Thus, the first virtual card selected atblock 1406 is not available for selection atblock 1408. - At
block 1410, a determination is made whether the generated next virtual card is the last card of thevirtual sequence 136. If not (the NO condition), the process loops back and selects another “next” card. This looping continues until the last card of thevirtual sequence 136 has been generated. As noted above, the last virtual card may correspond to a selected size (total number of virtual cards) of thevirtual sequence 136. The size of the virtual sequence may be equal to the total number of virtual cards available form thevirtual selection pool 922, or may be a lesser number of virtual cards. - If, at
block 1410, the last card of thevirtual sequence 136 has been generated (the YES condition), the process continues to block 1412. Atblock 1412 the virtual sequence portion 1202 (FIG. 12 ) is selected from thevirtual sequence 136. As noted above, thevirtual sequence portion 1202 may correspond to all of thevirtual sequence 136, or a selected portion of thevirtual sequence 136. If a portion is selected, the portion may be drawn from anywhere in thevirtual sequence 136 at random or based upon some specified parameter. Furthermore, a plurality ofvirtual sequence portions 1202 may be selected from thevirtual sequence 136. In some situations, the plurality of selected portions may overlap virtual cards of thevirtual sequence 136, or may be contiguous with virtual cards of thevirtual sequence 136, and/or may be separated by unselected virtual cards of thevirtual sequence 136. In some embodiments, blocks 1410 and 1412 may be combined so that thevirtual sequence portion 1202 is directly selected from thevirtual selection pool 922. - After the virtual sequence portion(s) 1202 have been determined, the process may end in some embodiments. In such embodiments, the process proceeds to block 1418, described below.
- In other embodiments, it may be desirable to perform other operations on the determined virtual sequence portion(s) 1202. Thus, the process continues to block 1414 where a determination is made whether one or more of the virtual cards of the
virtual sequence portion 1202 are to be modified (the YES condition). - For example, but not limited to, bonus cards may be selected to be marked as described above. In some embodiments, such operations may be performed at a virtual level. If a virtual card of the virtual sequence pool is to be modified, the corresponding
physical card 1206 may be modified as the group of deliverable cards are being constructed. Accordingly, the process continues to block 1414. - At
block 1414, a determination is made whether one or more of the virtual cards of thevirtual sequence portion 1202 are to be modified in accordance with at least one criteria and/or parameter. For convenience, the process then returns to block 1414 in the event that additional modifications are desired. - The process continues to block 1418 when the determination is made that one or more of the virtual cards of the
virtual sequence portion 1202 are not to be modified (the NO condition), or if it is determined that no other modifications are to be performed. Based upon the modified virtual sequence portion (or the unmodified virtual sequence portion if no modifications are performed), the playingcard handling system deliverable cards 118. The group ofdeliverable cards 118 is constructed by selectingphysical inventory cards 124 and/or transitional cards as described hereinabove. The process then ends atblock 1420. - It is appreciated that the logic of
blocks block 1416, a physical card may be modified atblock 1416 in accordance withblocks -
FIG. 15 is aflow chart 1500 illustrating a process of the above-described selection of inventory cards 124 (FIG. 1B ) from carousels 940 (FIG. 9 ). The process starts atblock 1502. Atblock 1504, the card management logic 954 (FIG. 9 ) specifies a “next” card of the currentvirtual sequence portion 1202. At block 1508 a determination is made whether the specified “next” card can be selected from acard receiving compartment 302 of acarousel 940 as described hereinabove (see alsoFIGS. 10 and 11 ). That is, can the “next” card be aninventory card 124? - If not (the NO condition), the process continues to block 1508 wherein the “next” card is, at some point, selected from a
transitional card 128 as described hereinabove (see alsoFIGS. 10 and 11 ). If atransitional card 128 is selected, the process proceeds back to block 1504 where the “next+1” card is specified. - At
block 1506, if a determination is made that the specified “next” card may be selected from aninventory card 124 residing in acard receiving compartment 302 of a carousel 940 (the YES condition), the process proceeds to block 1510. Atblock 1510, the cardmanagement processing system 902 determines the location of the specified “next” card. If a plurality ofcarousels 940 are employed, thecarousel 940 having thecard receiving compartment 302 assigned to the specified “next” card is identified. Also, the location of thecard receiving compartment 302 in the identifiedcarousel 904 is identified. - Then, at
block 1512 the identified location of thecard receiving compartment 302 associated with the specified “next” card is compared with the relative location of the card selector 400 (FIGS. 4 and 10 ) that will select the specified “next” card. Atblock 1414 the shortest path for the card selector to access the identifiedcard receiving compartment 302 is determined. - At
block 1516, inembodiments employing carousels 940, thecarousel 940 is rotated in a counter-clockwise (CCW) or a clockwise (CW) direction such that thecarousel 940 movement is minimized. Accordingly, the selection of the shortest path results in the fastest alignment of thecard selector 400 and the card receiving compartment having theinventory card 124 associated with the specified “next” card. In other embodiments employing racks, the rack may be translated in an appropriate direction (e.g., left, right, up, down, or forward, back). - As discussed herein, a variety of other card storage devices 1302-1310 (
FIG. 3 ), for example, may be used for retaininginventory cards 124 in their specified card receiving compartments 302. In such embodiments, the above-described blocks 1510-1516 would be modified as necessary to accommodate the particular structures of that embodiment. Furthermore, in some embodiments wherein the carousel 940 (or card storage devices 1302-1310) remain stationary and thecard selector 400 moves to the identifiedcard receiving compartment 302 holding the identifiedinventory card 124, the above-described blocks 1510-1516 would be modified as necessary. - Once the
card selector 400 is in alignment with the identifiedcard receiving compartment 302 holding the identified inventory card 124 (the “next” card), theinventory card 124 is selected atblock 1518 and is added (transported to) the group ofdeliverable cards 118. The process then proceeds to block 1520 where a determination is made whether the selected “next” card is the last card of thevirtual sequence portion 1202. That is, the selected “next” card is the last card to be added to the group ofdeliverable cards 118. If so (the YES condition), the process proceeds to block 1522 and ends. If another card is to be identified and selected (the NO condition), the process returns to block 1504 for the “next+1” card. - It is appreciated that the above-described process of selecting an
inventory card 124 from a receiving compartment in accordance with theflow chart 1400 may be modified to be applicable with the above described process offlow chart 1600 wherein the embodiment is using the look-forward algorithm 950 to determine if the “next” card can more quickly be selected from atransitional card 128. -
FIG. 16 is aflow chart 1600 illustrating a process of the above-described look-forward algorithm 950 (FIG. 9 ). The process starts atblock 1602. Atblock 1604, thecard management logic 954 receives a specification for a “next” card of a deliverable card sequence. The specification may be based on the corresponding “next” card of thevirtual sequence portion 1202 that is being used as the basis for the construction of the group ofdeliverable cards 118. At block 1606 a determination is made whether the look-forward algorithm 950 is enabled. If not (the NO condition), the process proceeds to block 1608 where a determination is made whether the “next” card is available from thecard inventory 112 residing in the carousel(s) 940. - If an
inventory card 124 is available (the YES condition at block 1608), the “next” physical card is retrieved atblock 1610 from thecard receiving compartment 302 having the requested inventory card 124 (and is transported to and added to the group of deliverable cards 118). - Then, the process proceeds to block 1612 where a determination is made whether the retrieved “next” card is the last card of the virtual build sequence. If so (the YES condition), the process ends at
block 1614 since the construction of the group ofdeliverable cards 118 has been completed. However, if ablock 1612 the retrieved “next” card is not the last card of the virtual build sequence, the process returns to block 1604 wherein the “next+1” card is specified. - Returning now to block 1608, if a determination is made that the desired “next” card is not available as an
inventory card 124, the process proceeds to block 1616 to read a returning collectedcard 114, which may now, alternatively, be referred to as atransitional card 128. Then, atblock 1618, thetransitional card 128 is read (sensed by a sensor and the information is analyzed by the card management processing system 902) to determine the value of the sensedtransitional card 128. Atblock 1618, a determination is made whether the currenttransitional card 128 is the desired “next” card. If not (the NO condition), the process continuously loops back to block 1616 until a readtransitional card 128 corresponds to the desired “next” card (the YES condition). Then, atblock 1620 thetransitional card 128 corresponding to the desired “next” card is transported to and added to the group ofdeliverable cards 118. The process then proceeds to block 1612 and continues as described above. - If at
block 1606 the look-forward algorithm 950 is enabled (the YES condition), the process proceeds to block 1622. Atblock 1622, thetransitional card 128 is read (sensed by acard sensor 932 so that the information may be analyzed by the card management processing system 902) to determine the value of the sensedtransitional card 128. Atblock 1624, a determination is made whether the value of the currenttransitional card 128 corresponds to the value of the desired “next” card. If not (the NO condition), the process proceeds to block 1608 and continues as described above. - If at
block 1624 the value of the readtransitional card 128 corresponds to the value of the desired “next” card (the YES condition), the process proceeds to block 1626 where thetransitional card 128 corresponding to the desired “next” card is transported to and added to the group ofdeliverable cards 118. The process then proceeds to block 1612 and continues as described above. -
FIG. 17 is aflow chart 1700 illustrating a process of the above-described generation of a group of deliverable cards 118 (FIG. 9 ) from theinventory cards 124 residing incarousels 940 or from transitional cards 128 (ifinventory cards 124 are not available). This exemplary process is used by embodiments wherein the above-described look-forward algorithm 950 is omitted. - The process starts at
block 1702. Atblock 1704, the card management logic 954 (FIG. 9 ) generates avirtual sequence portion 1202 under any of the above-described processes, parameters and/or criteria. After thevirtual sequence portion 132 has been defined, atblock 1706, the value of the first virtual card of the specified virtual sequence is identified. For convenience, this first card is referred to as a “next” card onFlow chart 1700. (As the process loops back to block 1706, as described in greater detail below, subsequently retrieved cards are then the “next” cards in the virtual sequence portion 1202). - At
block 1708, a determination is made whether the value of the identified “next” card corresponds to the value of aninventory card 124 that is available from acard receiving compartment 302. If aninventory card 124 is available (the YES condition), the process proceeds to block 1710, wherein the inventory card 124 (corresponding to the “next” card) is selected from itscard receiving compartment 302. - At
block 1712, the selectedinventory card 124 is added to the group ofdeliverable cards 118 by transporting the selectedinventory card 124 to the playingcard output receiver 206 where the group ofdeliverable cards 118 is being constructed. (The selectedinventory card 124, after it has been selected from itscard receiving compartment 302, may be referred to as atransitional card 128 since the selectedinventory card 124 is now being transported to the playingcard output receiver 206.) - At
block 1714, a determination is made whether construction of the group ofdeliverable cards 118 has been completed. If so (the YES condition), the process proceeds to block 1718 and ends. If additional cards are to be added to the group of deliverable cards 118 (the NO condition), the process returns to block 1706 wherein the “next” card is identified in accordance with thevirtual sequence portion 1202. Thus, as long asinventory cards 124 are available to construct the group ofdeliverable cards 118, the above-described process loops throughblocks deliverable cards 118 has been completed. - However, if at
block 1708, a determination is made that the value of the identified “next” card does not correspond to the value of an available inventory card 124 (the NO condition), the process proceeds to block 1720. That is, a determination is made that there is noinventory card 124 available. Accordingly, atblock 1720, characteristics of atransitional card 128 are detected. Atblock 1722, based upon the detected characteristics, the value of thetransitional card 128 is determined. Atblock 1724, a determination is made whether the value of thetransitional card 128 corresponds to the value of the “next” card (as identified in accordance with thevirtual sequence portion 1202 at block 1706). - If the value of the
transitional card 128 does not correspond to the value of the “next” card (the NO condition), the process proceeds to block 1726 wherein thetransitional card 128 is transported to the appropriatecard receiving compartment 302. The process loops throughblocks transitional card 128 corresponds to the value of the “next” card (the YES condition). -
Transitional cards 128 are evaluated until the value of thetransitional card 128 corresponds to the value of the “next” card (the YES condition of block 1724). As noted above, these evaluatedtransitional cards 128 correspond to an incoming stream of collectedcards 114. Then, thetransitional card 128 is selected atblock 1728. The process then proceeds to block 1712. That is, when a collectedcard 114 is finally collected from the gaming table 102 that matches the identified “next” card in accordance with thevirtual sequence portion 1202 atblock 1706, that collected card 114 (now referred to as a transitional card 128) is selected for transportation to the playingcard output receiver 206 so that the card can be added to the group ofdeliverable cards 118. - In some situations, such as at the end of a series of games or if construction of the group of
deliverable cards 118 has been completed, collectedcards 114 may be returned to the playingcard handling system 110 such that the collectedcards 114 are transported to their appropriatecard receiving compartment 302, thereby restocking thecarousels 940 withinventory cards 124. That is, the supply ofavailable inventory cards 124 may be restocked from collectedcards 114 by independently looping through thesteps - As noted above, as long as
inventory cards 124 are available to construct the group ofdeliverable cards 118, the above-described process loops throughblocks deliverable cards 118 has been completed. The process of the restocking the supply ofavailable inventory cords 112 from collected cards 114 (by looping through thesteps inventory cards 124 to construct the group ofdeliverable cards 118. That is, the two above-described processes may occur independently and/or concurrently (or serially, depending upon the embodiment). Then, if aninventory card 124 is not available when needed, the playingcard handling system 110 evaluates collectedcards 114 until the needed collectedcard 114 is identified. - It is appreciated that construction of the group of
deliverable cards 118, processing of virtual cards 1204 (of thevirtual selection pool 922, thevirtual sequence 136, and/or the virtual sequence portion 1202) concurrently with the transportation of collectedcards 114 tocarousel receiving compartments 302 allows a series of card games to progress in an uninterrupted, or nearly uninterrupted, manner. That is, when one or more game of cards is completed such that the supply of in-play cards 126 are exhausted, a group ofdeliverable cards 118 are readily available so that game play may continue. Furthermore, various embodiments may be configured to optimize or minimize the total number of individualphysical cards 1206 at a gaming table 102. - The playing
card handling system - It is customary in most casinos to set a theoretical hold of at least 0.5%, which may be referred to as a “positive hold” and means that the house would earn 0.5% of every dollar wagered for the particular game. For some games, like Let-It-Ride® for example, the theoretical hold can be as high as 30%.
- According to at least one embodiment described herein, the playing
card handling system virtual sequence 136 based on a large number of cards, for example 100,000 decks (i.e., 5,200,000 cards). This generatedvirtual sequence 136 can be computationally evaluated to locate subsets therein that have the requisite theoretical hold. The computational evaluation would locate groupings of cards that had a plurality of certain card values, like a larger number of twos and threes, and/or that had a sequence that favored the house. Accordingly, the casino could entice players to play at a table with a larger than customary theoretical hold by providing large incentives for participants that did well against the house on such a table. - By way of another non-limiting example, the casino could set the theoretical hold to favor the participants, instead of the house. This type of gaming table 102 would have a “negative theoretical hold.” One reason for having a negative theoretical hold would be to attract beginner players that may not want to wager a lot, but are also not willing to lose a lot either. Thus, the gaming table 102 with the
negative hold 102 would provide beginning players a chance to play the game for awhile, learn the game, and hopefully walk away feeling successful and possibly ready to play at more challenging tables. Based on the foregoing, the playingcard handling system 110 could advantageously be used to set the theoretical hold within a range of −10% to 40%, for example. The negative percentages represent theoretical holds that favor the participants, while the positive percentages represent theoretical holds that favor the house. It is appreciated that aforementioned theoretical hold range is not meant to limit the scope of this application and it is understood that the value of the theoretical hold for a particular gaming table 102 is solely within the discretion of the house. - The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the above U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, including but not limited to: U.S. provisional patent application Ser. Nos. 60/716,538, filed Sep. 12, 2005; and 60/791,398, filed Apr. 12, 2006; and U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 10/902,436, filed Jul. 29, 2004; Ser. No. 10/981,132, filed Nov. 3, 2004; Ser. No. 10/934,785, filed Sep. 2, 2004; and Ser. No. 10/823,051, filed Apr. 13, 2004, are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety.
- These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all card manipulation devices and systems and the operational aspects that operate in accordance with the claims. Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the disclosure, but instead its scope is to be determined entirely by the following claims.
Claims (36)
1. A playing card handling system, comprising:
a playing card input receiver sized and positioned to receive a number of playing cards to be handled by the playing card handling system;
a playing card output receiver sized and positioned to receive a number of playing cards handled by the playing card handling system;
at least one playing card transport path between the playing card input receiver and the playing card output receiver, along which at least some of the playing cards pass from the playing card input receiver to the playing card output receiver;
at least one intermediary playing card receiver positioned in the at least one playing card transport path between the playing card input receiver and the playing card output receiver;
a cover manually movable from a closed position to an opened position, where in the closed position the cover limits access from an exterior of the playing card handling system to the playing cards carried by the playing card output receiver and in the opened position the cover does not limit access from the exterior of the playing card handling system to the playing cards carried by the playing card output receiver; and
a locking mechanism operable to selectively lock and unlock the cover in the closed position in response to a state of the playing card handling system.
2. The playing card handling system of claim 1 wherein the locking mechanism is operable selectively lock and unlock the cover in the closed position in response to a total number of playing cards on the playing card output receiver being equal or greater than an output playing card threshold value.
3. The playing card handling system of claim 1 wherein the locking mechanism is operable selectively lock and unlock the cover in the closed position in response to a total number of playing cards arranged in an order being equal or greater than an output playing card threshold value.
4. The playing card handling system of claim 1 wherein the locking mechanism is operable selectively lock and unlock the cover in the closed position based at least in part on a comparison of a total number of playing cards in the intermediary playing card receiver to an intermediary playing card threshold value.
5. The playing card handling system of claim 1 wherein the locking mechanism is operable selectively lock and unlock the cover in the closed position based at least in part on a comparison of a total number of playing cards in the intermediary playing card receiver being less than an intermediary playing card threshold value.
6. The playing card handling system of claim 1 wherein the cover is mounted for sliding movement between the opened and the closed positions.
7. The playing card handling system of claim 1 wherein the cover is mounted for pivotal movement between the opened and the closed positions.
8. The playing card handling system of claim 1 wherein the cover is mounted to another portion of the playing card handling system for pivotal movement between the opened and the closed positions.
9. The playing card handling system of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one spring physically coupled to bias the cover into the closed position.
10. The playing card handling system of claim 1 wherein in the opened position the cover forms an acute angle with respect to a gravitational vector, such that a gravitational force biases the cover toward the closed position.
11. The playing card handling system of claim 1 wherein the cover in the opened position is not biased toward the closed position.
12. The playing card handling system of claim 1 wherein the playing card handling system is operable to provide playing cards to the playing card output receiver in an order, wherein the order is at least one of a sorted order or a random order.
13. The playing card handling system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an elevator mechanism physically coupled to the playing card output receiver and operable to selectively move the playing card output receiver between a lowered position and a raised position, where in the lowered position the playing card output receiver is positioned below a surface of a gaming table and in the raised position at least some of the playing cards carried by the playing card output receiver are positioned above the surface of the gaming table.
14. The playing card handling system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an elevator mechanism physically coupled to the playing card output receiver and operable to selectively move the playing card output receiver between a lowered position and a raised position, where in the lowered position the playing card output receiver is positioned below a surface of a gaming table and in the raised position at least some of the playing cards carried by the playing card output receiver are positioned above the surface of the gaming table, and wherein the switch is coupled to cause the elevator mechanism to move the playing card output receiver to the raised position in response to the cover being in the opened position.
15. The playing card handling system of claim 14 , further comprising:
a switch operable to cause the elevator mechanism to move the playing card output receiver to the raised position in response to a position of the cover.
16. The playing card handling system of claim 14 , further comprising:
a switch operable to cause the elevator mechanism to raise the playing card output receiver to the raised position in response to the cover being in the opened position.
17. A playing card handling system, comprising:
a playing card input receiver positioned to receive a number of playing cards to be ordered by the playing card handling system;
a playing card output receiver positioned to provide a number of playing cards ordered by the playing card handling system;
ordering means for providing the playing cards received in the playing card input receiver to the playing card output receiver in an order different from an order of the playing cards in the playing card input receiver;
a cover manually movable from a closed position to an opened position, where in the closed position the cover substantially limits access from an exterior of the playing card handling system to the playing cards carried by the playing card output receiver and in the opened position the cover does not substantially limit access from the exterior of the playing card handling system to the playing cards carried by the playing card output receiver;
means for causing a delivery of at least some of the playing cards externally from the playing card handling system in response to at least one of a movement or a position of the cover; and
locking means for selectively locking and unlocking the cover in the closed position in response to a state of the playing card handling system.
18. The playing card handling system of claim 17 wherein the locking means is operable to selectively lock and unlock the cover in the closed position in response to a total number of playing cards on the playing card output receiver being equal or greater than an output playing card threshold value.
19. The playing card handling system of claim 17 wherein the locking means is operable to selectively lock and unlock the cover in the closed position in response to a total number of playing cards arranged in the order being equal or greater than an output playing card threshold value.
20. The playing card handling system of claim 17 wherein the locking means is operable to selectively lock and unlock the cover in the closed position based at least in part on a comparison of a total number of playing cards in an intermediary playing card receiver to an intermediary playing card threshold value.
21. The playing card handling system of claim 17 wherein the locking means is operable to selectively lock and unlock the cover in the closed position based at least in part on a comparison of a total number of playing cards in an intermediary playing card receiver being less than an intermediary playing card threshold value.
22. The playing card handling system of claim 17 wherein the locking means comprises a mechanical lockout mechanism.
23. The playing card handling system of claim 17 wherein the locking means comprises a set of instructions stored on a memory device.
24. The playing card handling system of claim 17 wherein the means for causing a delivery of at least some of the playing cards externally from the playing card handling system in response to at least one of a movement or a position of the cover comprises a switch that is activated by the position of the cover.
25. The playing card handling system of claim 17 wherein the means for causing a delivery of at least some of the playing cards externally from the playing card handling system in response to at least one of a movement or a position of the cover comprises elevator means for selectively moving the playing card output receiver between a lowered position and a raised position, where in the lowered position the playing card output receiver is positioned below a surface of a gaming table and in the raised position at least some of the playing cards carried by the playing card output receiver are positioned above the surface of the gaming table.
26. The playing card handling system of claim 17 wherein the ordering means comprises at least one intermediary playing card receiver positioned in at least one playing card transport path between the playing card input receiver and the playing card output receiver.
27. The playing card handling system of claim 17 , further comprising:
cover biasing means for biasing the cover into the closed position.
28. A method of operating a playing card handling system that comprises a playing card input receiver and a playing card output receiver, the method comprising:
receiving a number of playing cards to be handled by the playing card handling system at the playing card input receiver;
providing at least some of the playing cards received at the playing card input receiver to the playing card output receiver in an order different from an order of the playing cards in the playing card input receiver; and
selectively locking and unlocking a cover in a closed position in response to a state of the playing card handling system, where the cover is manually movable from the closed position to an opened position, and where in the closed position the cover substantially limits access from an exterior of the playing card handling system to the playing cards carried by the playing card output receiver and in the opened position the cover does not substantially limit access from the exterior of the playing card handling system to the playing cards carried by the playing card output receiver.
29. The method of claim 28 wherein selectively locking and unlocking a cover in a closed position in response to a state of the playing card handling system comprises locking the cover in the closed position in response to a total number of playing cards on the playing card output receiver being less than an output playing card threshold value and unlocking the cover in response to the total number of playing cards on the playing card output receiver being at least equal to than the output playing card threshold value.
30. The method of claim 28 wherein selectively locking and unlocking a cover in a closed position in response to a state of the playing card handling system comprises locking the cover in the closed position in response to a total number of playing cards arranged in the order being less than an output playing card threshold value and unlocking the cover in response to the total number of playing cards arranged in the desired order being at least equal to an output playing card threshold value.
31. The method of claim 28 wherein selectively locking and unlocking a cover in a closed position in response to a state of the playing card handling system comprises locking the cover in the closed position based at least in part on a comparison of a total number of playing cards in an intermediary playing card receiver to an intermediary playing card threshold value.
32. The method of claim 28 wherein selectively locking and unlocking a cover in a closed position in response to a state of the playing card handling system comprises locking the cover in the closed position based at least in part on a comparison of a total number of playing cards in the intermediary playing card receiver being less than an intermediary playing card threshold value.
33. The method of claim 28 , further comprising:
delivering at least some of the playing cards externally from the playing card handling system in response to at least one of a movement or a position of the cover.
34. The method of claim 33 wherein delivering at least some of the playing cards externally from the playing card handling system comprises selectively moving the playing card output receiver between a lowered position and a raised position, where in the lowered position the playing card output receiver is positioned below a surface of a gaming table and in the raised position at least some of the playing cards carried by the playing card output receiver are positioned above the surface of the gaming table.
35. The method of claim 28 , further comprising:
biasing the cover towards the closed position.
36. The method of claim 28 wherein providing at least some of the playing cards received at the playing card input receiver to the playing card output receiver in an order different from an order of the playing cards in the playing card input receiver comprises providing at least some of the playing cards received at the playing card input receiver to the playing card output receiver in at least one of a sorted order or a random order.
Priority Applications (2)
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US11/479,930 US20070241497A1 (en) | 2006-04-12 | 2006-06-30 | System and method to handle playing cards, employing manual movable cover |
PCT/US2006/035694 WO2007117269A1 (en) | 2006-04-12 | 2006-09-12 | System and method to handle playing cards, employing manual movable cover |
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US11/479,930 US20070241497A1 (en) | 2006-04-12 | 2006-06-30 | System and method to handle playing cards, employing manual movable cover |
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US20070241497A1 true US20070241497A1 (en) | 2007-10-18 |
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US8366542B2 (en) | 2008-05-24 | 2013-02-05 | Bally Gaming, Inc. | Networked gaming system with enterprise accounting methods and apparatus |
US8382584B2 (en) | 2008-05-24 | 2013-02-26 | Bally Gaming, Inc. | Networked gaming system with enterprise accounting methods and apparatus |
US9443377B2 (en) | 2008-05-30 | 2016-09-13 | Bally Gaming, Inc. | Web pages for gaming devices |
US8412768B2 (en) | 2008-07-11 | 2013-04-02 | Ball Gaming, Inc. | Integration gateway |
US8851988B2 (en) | 2008-11-14 | 2014-10-07 | Bally Gaming, Inc. | Apparatus, method, and system to provide a multiple processor architecture for server-based gaming |
US8347303B2 (en) | 2008-11-14 | 2013-01-01 | Bally Gaming, Inc. | Apparatus, method, and system to provide a multi-core processor for an electronic gaming machine (EGM) |
US8266213B2 (en) | 2008-11-14 | 2012-09-11 | Bally Gaming, Inc. | Apparatus, method, and system to provide a multiple processor architecture for server-based gaming |
US8423790B2 (en) | 2008-11-18 | 2013-04-16 | Bally Gaming, Inc. | Module validation |
US8192283B2 (en) | 2009-03-10 | 2012-06-05 | Bally Gaming, Inc. | Networked gaming system including a live floor view module |
US8657287B2 (en) | 2011-06-03 | 2014-02-25 | The United States Playing Card Company | Intelligent table game system |
US9120007B2 (en) | 2012-01-18 | 2015-09-01 | Bally Gaming, Inc. | Network gaming architecture, gaming systems, and related methods |
US9792770B2 (en) | 2012-01-18 | 2017-10-17 | Bally Gaming, Inc. | Play for fun network gaming system and method |
US10403091B2 (en) | 2012-01-18 | 2019-09-03 | Bally Gaming, Inc. | Play for fun network gaming system and method |
US9254435B2 (en) | 2012-01-30 | 2016-02-09 | The United States Playing Card Company | Intelligent table game system |
US9779580B2 (en) * | 2013-03-07 | 2017-10-03 | Mark Hamilton Jones and Sheryl Lynn Jones Trust | Live casino table game with local and remote betting terminals |
US20140256392A1 (en) * | 2013-03-07 | 2014-09-11 | Mark H. Jones | Turbo card table game with rfid card identifier |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BALLY GAMING, INC., NEVADA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:SOLTYS, RICHARD;FLECKENSTEIN, ALLEN;REEL/FRAME:018306/0548 Effective date: 20060814 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SG GAMING, INC., NEVADA Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:BALLY GAMING, INC.;REEL/FRAME:051641/0820 Effective date: 20200103 |