Multiple mode card shuffler and card reading device

• US 9,220,972 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2014
• Issued: 12/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Grauzer, Attila, Schubert, Oliver M., Kelly, James V., Stasson, James B., Bourbour, Feraidoon, Scheper, Paul K., Nelson, Troy D.
• Primary Examiner(s): YOO, JASSON H
• Application Number:
  US14/526,183
• Publication Number:
  US 20150048569A1
• Time in Patent Office: 427 Days
• Field of Search: 463 1- 13, 463/20, 463/25, 463/29, 463 46- 47, 273/148.A, 273/149.P, 273/149.R, 273/274, 273/292
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/12 Card shufflers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/14 Card dealers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/18 Score computers; Miscellaneous indicators time-testing devices G07C
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2457 Display screens, e.g. monitors, video displays
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/58 Antifraud or preventing misuse
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00157 Casino or betting games horse races A63F3/00082
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3202 Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3216 Construction aspects of a gaming system, e.g. housing, seats, ergonomic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3293 Card games, e.g. poker, canasta, black jack

Abstract

A multiple-mode card shuffling and/or card verification device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing or arranging system for the initial set of playing cards that can be disabled, a card collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the card collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, a card imaging system and an elevator for raising the card collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device. The processor is programmed such that cards can be verified without changing an order of cards present in the card receiving area, verified during randomization, and randomized without card verification.

Claims

1. A card handling device for at least one of verifying and shuffling playing cards, comprising:

at least one card moving element;

a support structure for suspending the card handling device within a recess in a gaming table surface where the card handling device is configured to be located;

an upper surface substantially flush-mounted with the gaming table surface; and

a handle that is flush-mounted into the upper surface, the handle being extendable to aid in removing the card handling device from the gaming table.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the handle in a retracted position is flush with the upper surface of the card handling device.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a card shuffling mechanism, wherein the card shuffling mechanism comprises an elevator configured to raise and lower a platform of the card shuffling mechanism.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the card shuffling mechanism comprises a pair of spaced apart grippers for suspending cards above the platform.

5. A device for at least one of verifying and shuffling cards, the device comprising:

at least one card moving element;

an outer flange for suspending the device from a gaming table surface surrounding an aperture therein in which the device is received, such that an upper surface of the device will be substantially flush-mounted with the gaming table surface; and

a retractable carry handle for vertically lifting the device, the retractable carry handle coupled to the device and configured to extend vertically relative to the device.

6. The device of claim 5, further comprising stops for preventing the handle from exiting the top surface of the device.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the retractable carry handle is flush-mounted into a surface of the device.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein the retractable carry handle is flush-mounted into a surface below an upper surface of the device.

9. The device of claim 5, wherein the retractable carry handle is flush-mounted into an upper surface of the device.

10. The device of claim 5, further comprising a card insertion area and a card return area.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the retractable carry handle is positioned between the card insertion area and the card return area.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the at least one card moving element comprises an elevator for raising cards in the card return area.

13. The device of claim 10, further comprising a flip-up cover over the card receiving area and the card return area.

14. The device of claim 5, further comprising an image capture device configured to read the rank of cards.

15. The device of claim 5, wherein the outer flange extends around an edge of the upper surface of the device.

16. A method of removing a device for at least one of verifying and shuffling cards from a gaming table, the method comprising:

accessing a retractable carry handle coupled to the device, the device comprising at least one card moving element, the device substantially flush mounted into a gaming table surface of a gaming table top;

vertically extending the retractable carry handle from a surface the device; and

vertically lifting the device from the gaming table surface with the retractable carry handle.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein vertically extending the retractable carry handle from a surface the device comprises vertically extending the retractable carry handle from a surface below an upper surface of the device.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein vertically extending the retractable carry handle from a surface the device comprises vertically extending the retractable carry handle from an upper surface of the device.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein vertically extending the retractable carry handle from a surface the device comprises vertically extending the retractable carry handle from a surface the device until stops prevent the retractable carry handle from exiting a top surface of the device.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein vertically lifting the device from the gaming table surface with the retractable carry handle comprises vertically lifting the device from within a recess in the gaming table top with the retractable carry handle.