Automatic System and Methods for Accurate Card Handling
First Claim
1. A playing card handling device, comprising:
- a card storing area that supports a stack of playing cards, the storing area having a playing card support surface;
a card removing system that removes playing cards individually from the bottom of the stack;
a card weight comprising a pivot ann that is pivotally mounted to a support structure of the card handling device;
a sensor for sensing when the weight of the stack of playing cards becomes insufficient to provide adequate contact between the lowermost card in the stack and the card removing system; and
a processor in the playing card handling device that directs movement of the card weight to an engaged position that contacts an upper surface of the stack of playing cards when information is known to the processor that the weight of the stack of playing cards in the card storing area is insufficient.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A playing card handling device comprises a card storing area that supports a stack of playing cards, the card storing area having a playing card support surface. A card removing system removes playing cards individually from the bottom of the stack. A pivoting arm is automatically moved by a motor between at least two positions, wherein in a first position the end of the arm opposite a pivot is disengaged from a playing card at the top of the stack and in a second position the end of the arm is engaged with a playing card at the top of the stack. A processor in the playing card handling device directs movement of the pivoting arm between at least the first and second positions when a predetermined number of cards is present in the card storing area. Methods of card handling include employing the use of such a pivotal arm.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A playing card handling device, comprising:
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a card storing area that supports a stack of playing cards, the storing area having a playing card support surface; a card removing system that removes playing cards individually from the bottom of the stack; a card weight comprising a pivot ann that is pivotally mounted to a support structure of the card handling device; a sensor for sensing when the weight of the stack of playing cards becomes insufficient to provide adequate contact between the lowermost card in the stack and the card removing system; and a processor in the playing card handling device that directs movement of the card weight to an engaged position that contacts an upper surface of the stack of playing cards when information is known to the processor that the weight of the stack of playing cards in the card storing area is insufficient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of handling playing cards, comprising:
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supporting a stack of playing cards into a card storing area of a card handling device; providing a card moving system that moves cards individually out of the card storing area and into a second area from the bottom of the stack; measuring at least one parameter having a measured value that indicates that the weight of the stack of playing cards is insufficient to provide adequate contact between the lowermost card in the stack and a card feeder; and when the predetermined parameter indicates the weight of the stack of playing cards is insufficient, providing a force to an uppermost card in the stack in the card storing area, thereby increasing a force between a lowest card in the stack and the card moving system. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification