Method and apparatus for using upstream communication in a card shuffler
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An automatic card shuffler, comprising:
- a programmable controller contained in the automatic card shuffler;
a shuffling feature for randomizing cards; and
a data port in communication with the programmable controller configured to input data including data from bet sensors into the automatic card shuffler from a central game computer and/or a table game computer outside the automatic card shuffler and configured to output data from the programmable controller to the central game computer and/or the table game computer outside the automatic card shuffler, the programmable controller configured, in response to the data received from the bet sensors, to automatically instruct the card shuffler, without any user intervention, to deal a selected number of hands from the card shuffler, the selected number of hands corresponding to the data from the bet sensors.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A security system for a casino table card game has a casino table with i) indicia thereon for the placement of wagers, ii) a data entry system with an associated computer, and iii) sensors that can detect the placement of at least one specific category of wager; a shuffling device with a microprocessor integral to the shuffler for providing information regarding cards or hands; a central table gaming computer that receives information from the shuffler in real time, receives information from the sensors, and receives information from the data entry system, the associated computer, the microprocessor and the central table gaming computer communicating data among each other in real time.
913 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. An automatic card shuffler, comprising:
-
a programmable controller contained in the automatic card shuffler; a shuffling feature for randomizing cards; and a data port in communication with the programmable controller configured to input data including data from bet sensors into the automatic card shuffler from a central game computer and/or a table game computer outside the automatic card shuffler and configured to output data from the programmable controller to the central game computer and/or the table game computer outside the automatic card shuffler, the programmable controller configured, in response to the data received from the bet sensors, to automatically instruct the card shuffler, without any user intervention, to deal a selected number of hands from the card shuffler, the selected number of hands corresponding to the data from the bet sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. A card shuffler, comprising:
-
a card shuffling device configured to randomize cards; and a programmable controller configured to; receive data from at least one of a central game computer separate from the card shuffler or a table game computer separate from the card shuffler; receive signals from bet sensors indicating placement of wagers by players; and in response to the signals received from the bet sensors, automatically instruct the card shuffler to deal a selected number of hands from the card shuffler, the selected number of hands corresponding to a number of the wagers received from the players. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A card shuffler, comprising:
-
a card rearranger; at least one sensor configured to sense at least one card in the card shuffler; and a programmable controller configured to; send data from the card shuffler relating to the at least one card to an external device comprising at least one of a central game computer or a table game computer; receive data into the card shuffler relating to at least one wager placed in a wagering game from the external device comprising the at least one of the central game computer or the table game computer; and in response to the data relating to the at least one wager placed in the wagering game, directly instruct the card shuffler to deal a selected number of hands from the card shuffler, the selected number of hands corresponding to a number of the wagers received in the wagering game. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification