Blackjack scanner apparatus and method

• US 5,669,816 A
• Filed: 07/25/1996
• Issued: 09/23/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Peripheral Dynamics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Peripheral Dynamics, Inc.
• Inventors: Garczynski, John S., Dobson, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): LAYNO, BENJAMIN
• Application Number:
  US08/687,245
• Time in Patent Office: 425 Days
• Field of Search: 273/149 P, 273/149 R, 273/309, 273/148 R, 273/148 A, 463/12, 463/29, 463/46
• US Class Current: 463/12
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/06 Card games appurtenances
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/067 Tables or similar supporting structures
• 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 2009/2419 Optical
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2425 Scanners, e.g. for scanning regular characters

Abstract

A module for announcing when a Dealer has blackjack without exposing the face of the Dealer'"'"'s down-card. The module scans a character from the Dealer'"'"'s face-down standard playing card, compares the result of the scan with a set of references, and identifies the down-card. The module also receives input from the Dealer as to the identity of the Dealer'"'"'s up-card, and announces whether the Dealer has blackjack or the hand continues. The module is designed to be mounted to a blackjack table such that the surface of the module on which the standard playing card rests while being scanned is in the plane of the surface of the blackjack table, allowing the Dealer to slide the down-card across the table and onto the scanner without lifting, and potentially exposing, the card'"'"'s face. The module also removes the noise generated by a casino'"'"'s heat, dust, cigarette and cigar ashes, and lint from the felt of the blackjack table, during the scanning process. The module further optimizes the scan of the character on the standard playing card by controlling the light intensity emitted by the components of the module used to illuminate the character.

Claims

1. A card scanning module for use with standard playing cards, said module enabling announcement of when a hand having a first standard playing card and a second are blackjack, wherein one of said standard playing cards is dealt face down, comprising:

a. a scanner adapted to scan at least a portion of a first symbol of one of said standard playing cards dealt face down, said scanner having an array which holds the result of said scan;

b. memory for storing a plurality of references representing respective symbols of said standard playing cards;

c. analyzing means for comparing and determining the symbol of said first standard playing card based on a comparison of said array and said references;

d. inputting means for capturing the identity of said second standard playing card;

e. announcing means for reporting when the hand having the first standard playing card and the second standard playing card comprise blackjack; and

f. Dealer shoe, said Dealer shoe comprising sidewalls which define both a card compartment for retaining a plurality of standard playing cards and said announcing means.

2. The card scanning module of claim 1 wherein the Dealer shoe further includes an outlet end for allowing a standard playing card to be removed from the card compartment.

3. The card scanning module of claim 2, said scanner further comprising means for adjusting the illumination of the symbol being scanned.

4. The card scanning module of claim 1, further comprising a means for determining the number of players and the value of each player'"'"'s cards.

5. The card scanning module of claim 1, wherein said analyzing means further comprises noise removal means for removing errors of the type generated by a casino-like atmosphere.

6. The card scanning module of claim 5, said Dealer shoe configured for being movably mounted to a blackjack table, whereby a standard playing card can be slid over said scanner.

7. The card scanning module of claim 1, wherein said inputting means comprises a set of switches manipulatable by hand.

8. The card scanning module of claim 1, wherein said announcing means comprises an audio device.

9. The card scanning module of claim 1, wherein said announcing means comprises a visual output device.

10. The card scanning module of claim 1, wherein said announcing means comprises an electronic signal.

11. Method of reading and deciphering the value of cards, said method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a playing card Dealer shoe, said Dealer shoe comprising sidewalls which define both a compartment for retaining a plurality of playing cards and an outlet end for allowing a card to be removed from the card compartment;

b. providing a switch electronics system, said switch electronics system comprising;

a computer system for receiving and storing information;

a start switch to activate the computer system at the beginning of a new game;

an indicating switch to inform the computer system that the desired number of cards has been dealt, thereby storing the number of players in the game and the value of each card;

a winner switch to indicate when the Dealer has won the card game; and

a continue switch when the Dealer has not won and the game continues;

c. providing a scanner system for scanning a playing card, said scanner system proximate with the outlet of the dealer shoe, said scanner system being coupled to the switch electronics system, said scanner system comprising an optical sensor and light source, said optical sensor coupled to said light source such that when the optical sensor is covered said light source is activated to scan a card and convert the scanned information into a computer language so that the computer can read and store the information;

d. providing at least one playing card in the Dealer shoe card compartment, each of said playing cards having a face side and a back side, said face side having a card value;

e. activating the start switch to indicate that a new game has begun;

f. dealing a playing card by removing said playing card from the dealer shoe and sliding said playing card face side past the outlet of the dealer shoe and across the scanner system to activate the scanner system optical sensor and light source such that the card value is converted into a computer language and stored in the computer system;

g. activating the indicating switch to inform the computer system that the desired number of cards has been dealt, thereby storing both the number of hands that have been dealt and the value of each card; and

h. activating the winner switch when the Dealer has won the card game and activating the continue switch when the Dealer has not won and the game continue.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said step of providing a scanner system further comprises:

providing a scanner system that removes errors from the playing environment.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said step of providing a scanner systems further comprises:

providing a scanner system that adjusts the illumination of the symbol being scanned.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein said step of providing a card shoe further comprises:

providing a card shoe that is movably mounted to a blackjack table.

15. The card method of claim 11 wherein said step of providing a switch indicating system further comprises the step of:

providing a switch indicating system that audibly announces when the Dealer has won the card game.

16. The card method of claim 11 wherein said step of providing a switch indicating system further comprises the step of:

providing a switch indicating system that visually announces when the Dealer has won the card game.

17. The card method of claim 11 further comprising the step of:

providing a visual display for indicating the value of the Dealer'"'"'s card.

18. The card method of claim 11 further comprising the step of:

providing a visual display for indicating the value of the winning player'"'"'s cards.