Automated method and apparatus for playing card sequencing, with optional defect detection

• US 20010054576A1
• Filed: 12/22/2000
• Published: 12/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bob Stardust, Richard L. Maggio
• Original Assignee: Bob Stardust, Richard L. Maggio
• Inventors: Stardust, Bob, Maggio, Richard L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,403,908 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 209/587
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/14 Card dealers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2419 Optical
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2425 Scanners, e.g. for scanning regular characters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 209/939 Video scanning

Abstract

An automated method and apparatus for sequencing and/or inspecting decks of playing cards is presented. The method and apparatus utilizes pattern recognition technology or other image comparison technology to compare one or more images of a card with memory containing known good images of a complete deck of playing cards to identify each card as it passes through the apparatus. Once the card is identified, it is temporarily stored in a location corresponding to or identified according to its position in a properly sequenced deck of playing cards. Once a full set of cards has been stored, the cards are released in proper sequence to a completed deck hopper. The method and apparatus also includes an operator interface capable of displaying a magnified version of potential defects or problem areas contained on a card which may then be viewed by the operator on a monitor or screen and either accepted or rejected via operator input. The present invention is also capable of providing an overall wear rating for each deck of playing cards.

Claims

1. A method for sequencing a deck of playing cards comprising the steps of:

feeding playing cards of a deck of playing cards one at a time to an imaging device;

comparing the image of each playing card from the imaging device with a plurality of stored images corresponding to each playing card contained in a standard deck of playing cards to identify the position each playing card of the deck of playing cards occupies in a properly sequenced deck of cards;

placing each playing card of the deck of playing cards in a temporary storage device;

following the placement of all of the playing cards of the deck of playing cards in the temporary storage device, removing the playing cards, one at a time, from the storage device to form a properly sequenced deck of cards; and

delivering the properly sequenced deck of cards to a predetermined location.

2. The method according

claim 1

wherein the step of placing each card in the temporary storage device comprises placing each card in the storage device in a position identified with the rank and suit of each such card in a properly sequenced deck of cards.

3. The method according to

claim 2

further including the step of determining whether a playing card is a duplicate of one previously placed in the temporary storage device, and if the playing card is a duplicate, ejecting the duplicate playing card.

4. The method according to

claim 3

further including the step of determining whenever two or more cards are fed simultaneously from the deck of playing cards to an imaging device and ejecting the two or more cards without placing the two or more cards in the temporary storage device.

5. The method according to

claim 1

further including the step of determining whether a playing card is a duplicate of one previously placed in the temporary storage device, and if the playing card is a duplicate, ejecting the duplicate playing card.

6. The method according to

claim 5

further including the step of determining whenever two or more cards are fed simultaneously from the deck of playing cards to an imaging device and ejecting the two or more cards without placing the two or more cards in the temporary storage device.

7. The method according to

claim 1

further including the step of determining whenever two or more cards are fed simultaneously from the deck of playing cards to an imaging device and ejecting the two or more cards without placing the two or more cards in the temporary storage device.

8. Apparatus for sequencing a deck of playing cards including in combination:

a hopper for holding a deck of playing cards and designed to permit removal of playing cards therefrom, one at a time;

a device for removing playing cards from the hopper one at a time;

an imaging device for imaging at least one side of a playing card and providing an output signal corresponding to the image of the playing card;

a channel for guiding a playing card removed from the hopper to the imaging device;

a temporary storage device for storing cards supplied thereto;

a control processor responsive to an output signal from the imaging device for determining the position of each card in a properly sequenced deck of cards;

apparatus for depositing cards passing from the imaging device into the temporary storage device;

mechanism operated by the control processor for removing cards from the temporary storage device, one at a time, in the order of a properly sequenced deck of cards; and

apparatus for delivering cards removed from the temporary storage device to a predetermined location.

9. The sequencing apparatus of

claim 8

wherein guide channels are provided between the hopper, the imaging device, the temporary storage device, the removal mechanism and the predetermined location to permit gravity movement of cards throughout the apparatus.

10. The card sequencing apparatus according to

claim 9

wherein the temporary storage device comprises a tray member having a plurality of storage compartments therein at least equal in number to the number of cards in a deck of playing cards and further wherein the mechanism for removing cards from the temporary storage device removes cards from the compartments of the tray member one compartment at a time.

11. The apparatus according to

claim 10

further including a reverse card flipping mechanism located between the imaging device and the predetermined location for flipping a card from one face to the other in response to identification of reverse face of a card from the imaging device.

12. The sequencing apparatus according to

claim 11

further including a device for ejecting cards whenever predetermined conditions are detected by the imaging device.

13. The sequencing apparatus according to

claim 12

further including a device for ejecting all of the cards stored in the temporary storage device following removal of all of the cards from the hopper whenever the number of cards deposited in the temporary storage device is less than the number corresponding to a complete deck of playing cards.

14. The apparatus according to

claim 8

further including a reverse card flipping mechanism located between the imaging device and the predetermined location for flipping a card from one face to the other in response to identification of reverse face of a card from the imaging device.

15. The sequencing apparatus according to

claim 8

further including a device for ejecting cards whenever predetermined conditions are detected by the imaging device.

16. The sequencing apparatus according to

claim 8

further including a device for ejecting all of the cards stored in the temporary storage device following removal of all of the cards from the hopper whenever the cards deposited in the temporary storage device do not make a complete deck of playing cards.