Inspection of playing cards
DCFirst Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for automatically checking the integrity of a pack of cards prior to play, which includes the steps of:
- a) assessing for a particular card game the desired number and suit of cards and the maker of the cards;
b) passing cards from a deck individually past a digital camera;
c) illuminating the playing face of the cards with only a blue light source and collecting images in said camera from the card face, containing the suit and value of the card;
d) matching the images for each card against stored templates for cards by the same card manufacturer and for each card identifying the value and suit of the card or detecting it as unrecognized;
e) counting each card as its image is matched;
f) deducing if all cards are present, identifying any missing cards and if any superfluous cards are present; and
g) preparing a status report based on the deductions of step f).
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Abstract
A playing card integrity checker utilises a blue light source to illuminate the playing face of each card to use template matching to identify the value and suit of each card based on stored templates from cards of the same card manufacturer. This information and the number of cards counted is matched against the cards needed for a predetermined game. The absence of required cards or the presence of superfluous cards is reported. Cards that have their faces reversed or appear marked are also reported.
277 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for automatically checking the integrity of a pack of cards prior to play, which includes the steps of:
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a) assessing for a particular card game the desired number and suit of cards and the maker of the cards;
b) passing cards from a deck individually past a digital camera;
c) illuminating the playing face of the cards with only a blue light source and collecting images in said camera from the card face, containing the suit and value of the card;
d) matching the images for each card against stored templates for cards by the same card manufacturer and for each card identifying the value and suit of the card or detecting it as unrecognized;
e) counting each card as its image is matched;
f) deducing if all cards are present, identifying any missing cards and if any superfluous cards are present; and
g) preparing a status report based on the deductions of step f). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A playing card integrity checking machine which includes:
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a hopper for one or more decks of cards;
a card inspection station located adjacent said hopper;
a card transport mechanism for removing individual cards from said hopper and transporting the cards individually past the inspection station to an exit or to an accumulator bin;
said card inspection station including only a blue light source to illuminate the card face containing the suit and value of the card, and a light receiver for receiving light reflected from said corner of said card;
a programmable device programmed to a) analyze the received image to determine the suit and value of individual cards;
b) match the images for each card against stored templates for cards by the same card manufacturer and for each card identifying the value and suit of the card or detecting it as unrecognized;
c) counting each card as its image is matched;
d) deducing, prior to play, if all cards are present, identifying any missing cards and if any superfluous cards are present;
display or printing means being connectable to said programmable device for displaying or printing a report of the deductions. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification