Shuffling devices including one or more sensors for detecting operational parameters and related methods

• US 9,616,324 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2014
• Issued: 04/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Krenn, Peter, Blaha, Ernst
• Primary Examiner(s): Liddle, Jay
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hsu, Ryan
• Application Number:
  US14/154,059
• Publication Number:
  US 20140125010A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,184 Days
• Field of Search: 273149 R, 273292
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/12 Card shufflers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/14 Card dealers
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3293 Card games, e.g. poker, canasta, black jack

Abstract

An automatic card shuffling device for randomizing playing cards is disclosed. The device comprises a processor in informational connection with the shuffling device, and a detection system capable of detecting or predicting a deficiency in operation of at least one component of the shuffling device. The detection system is configured to transmit an indication of a deficiency to a distal location.

Claims

1. An automatic card shuffling device for randomizing playing cards, the device comprising:

a card input area;

a card output area;

a card path extending through the shuffling device from the card input area to the card output area;

at least one component configured to contact and move cards along the card path in an area between the card input area and the card output area;

a processor in informational connection with the shuffling device;

a detection system including a sensor configured to directly sense, from the at least one component, a characteristic of physical displacement of the at least one component, the characteristic of physical displacement of the at least one component and the detection system further configured to detect a deficiency in operation of the at least one component of the shuffling device caused by wear of the at least one component based on the sensed characteristic of physical displacement; and

wherein the detection system is configured to transmit an indication of the deficiency in the operation of the at least one component of the shuffling device to a distal location.

2. The automatic card shuffling device of claim 1, wherein the detection system is configured to measure at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of:

a lack of movement;

delayed movement;

erratic movement;

varied acceleration;

speed of movement of an element;

changes in movement over time; and

incomplete movement.

3. The automatic card shuffling device of claim 1, wherein the characteristic of physical displacement of the at least one component is a measured distance of a movement of the at least one component and wherein the detection system is configured to determine the deficiency exists when the measured distance is less than an expected distance.

4. The automatic card shuffling device of claim 1, wherein the detection system is configured to detect an absence of card movement.

5. The automatic card shuffling device of claim 1, wherein the detection system uses optical sensors.

6. The automatic card shuffling device of claim 1, further comprising a drum having a plurality of radially arranged compartments.

7. An automatic card shuffling device for randomizing playing cards, the device comprising:

a card input area;

a card output area;

a card path extending through the shuffling device from the card input area to the card output area;

a processor in informational connection with the shuffling device;

a detection system including a sensor configured to sense, from at least one component of the shuffling device for moving at least one card along the card path, a characteristic of at least one type of movement of the at least one component, without reference to playing card movement or position, the detection system further configured to predict an upcoming deficiency in operation of the at least one component based on the sensed characteristic of the at least one type of movement; and

wherein the detection system is configured to automatically transmit an indication of the upcoming deficiency to a distal location in response to the predicting of the upcoming deficiency in the operation of the at least one component of the shuffling device.

8. The automatic card shuffling device of claim 7, wherein the detection system is configured to measure the at least one type of movement of the at least one component selected from the group consisting of:

a lack of movement;

delayed movement;

erratic movement;

varied acceleration;

speed of movement of an element;

changes in movement over time; and

incomplete movement.

9. The automatic card shuffling device of claim 7, wherein the at least one type of movement of the at least one component is a measured distance of the at least one type of movement of the at least component, and wherein the detection system is configured to determine the deficiency exists when the measured distance is less than an expected distance.

10. The automatic card shuffling device of claim 7, wherein the detection system is configured to detect an absence of card movement.

11. The automatic card shuffling device of claim 7, wherein the detection system comprises optical sensors.

12. The automatic card shuffling device of claim 7, further comprising a drum having a plurality of radially arranged compartments.

13. An automatic card shuffling device for randomizing playing cards, the device comprising:

a processor in informational connection with the shuffling device;

a detection system including a sensor configured to directly sense, from at least one component of the shuffling device configured to interact with at least one card traveling along a card path extending through the shuffling device between a card input area and a card output area, a characteristic of physical movement of the at least one component, the characteristic of physical movement of the at least one component and the detection system further configured to detect a deficiency in operation of at least one component based on the sensed characteristic of physical movement; and

wherein the detection system is configured to automatically transmit an indication of the deficiency to a location distal from the automatic card shuffling device in response to the detecting of the deficiency in the operation of the at least one component of the shuffling device.