Automatic card shuffler
First Claim
1. An apparatus for randomly arranging and dealing a plurality of playing cards comprising:
- a random card ejection unit for randomly arranging and ejecting a plurality of stacked playing cards;
a card separation unit for receiving said ejected cards, said ejected cards forming a new staggered card stack rear of a stop arm, said stop arm placed rear of an adjustable means for limiting the number of ejected playing cards having access at any single time to said card separation unit;
a card delivery unit for receipt of successive bottom most playing cards separated from said new card stack; and
a card collection unit for receipt of successively separated cards delivered by said delivery unit.
23 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic card shuffler includes a card input unit, card ejection unit, card separation and delivery unit and card collection unit. A card ejection unit ejects cards in a singular fashion from a stack of cards placed into the input unit. The cards are ejected to a stop arm maintaining the entrance to the card separation unit. Upon processor command, the stop arm raises to allow a plurality of cards to pass under to the card separation and delivery unit. A series of rotating belts and rollers act to separate the cards and propel them individually to the collection unit. A floating gate slightly forward of the stop arm dictates that a minimum number of cards are managed simultaneously. The shuffler is controlled by a processing unit in communication with multiple internal sensors. An audio system communicates voice outputs regarding shuffler malfunctions and instructions to an operator.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. An apparatus for randomly arranging and dealing a plurality of playing cards comprising:
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a random card ejection unit for randomly arranging and ejecting a plurality of stacked playing cards;
a card separation unit for receiving said ejected cards, said ejected cards forming a new staggered card stack rear of a stop arm, said stop arm placed rear of an adjustable means for limiting the number of ejected playing cards having access at any single time to said card separation unit;
a card delivery unit for receipt of successive bottom most playing cards separated from said new card stack; and
a card collection unit for receipt of successively separated cards delivered by said delivery unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of randomly arranging and dealing a plurality of playing cards comprising the steps of:
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randomly ejecting single cards from a stack of a plurality of cards, said ejected cards forming a new staggered stack rear of a card separation unit;
limiting the number of ejected cards having access to the card separation unit at any single time;
separating a successive bottom most card from said new stack; and
delivering said separated successive bottom most card to a card collection unit. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An apparatus for randomly arranging playing cards comprising:
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a card displacement mechanism; and
an audio system for generating voice outputs related to a status of the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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28. A card shuffler comprising:
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a card displacement mechanism;
a microprocessor for controlling operation of the card shuffler; and
an audio system in communication with said microprocessor, said audio system for generating voice outputs related to a status of the card shuffler.
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29. A method of shuffling playing cards comprising the steps of:
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loading playing cards into a card shuffling apparatus;
actuating the card shuffling apparatus to rearrange the playing cards; and
generating voice outputs related to a status of the card shuffling apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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Specification