Multiple-inlet shuffling machine

Abstract

The multiple-inlet shuffling machine has a shuffler and at least two card inputs. The shuffler has a base, a shuffling wheel mounted rotatably on the base and has multiple card slots formed radially around which, and a controller having at least one random number generator (RNG) that generates at least one random number. The card inputs are mounted oppositely on the base of the shuffler adjacent to the shuffling wheel and are controlled by the at least one random number generator (RNG) of the controller to randomly place cards into a same wheel further raising a randomness of the cards. relative to a number of compartments to number of cards ratio. Furthermore, operations are made via gears, so the multiple-inlet shuffling machine has improved precision of movement.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to card shufflers, and more particularly to a multiple-inlet shuffling machine that effectively improves rate of card inputting, provides improved precision of movement and improves card randomization.[0003]2. Description of Related Art[0004]A card shuffler comprises a drivable shuffling storage means and an input apparatus. The shuffling storage means has multiple compartments to receive and hold cards and is associated with the input apparatus for inserting cards into the compartments. A drive device is connected to and drives the shuffling storage means that is controlled by an electronic control system to input and randomize cards and ensure cards discharged from the shuffling wheel are randomized and shuffled.[0005]However, the card shuffler inputs cards via a single input apparatus, so card inlet rate is limited. Furthermore, the input apparatus is driven by pulleys and toothed belts ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The main objective of the present invention is to provide a multiple-inlet shuffling machine that effectively improves rate of card inputting, provides improved precision of movement and improves card randomization.

[0012]Since card inputting is simultaneously performed by multiple card inputs, the rate of card inputting is effectively improved. Since operation of the card inputs and the shuffling wheel are made via gears the multiple-inlet shuffling machine has improved precision of movement. Furthermore, having at least two card inputs controlled by the at least one random number generator (RNG) of the controller to randomly place cards into a same wheel further raises a randomness of the cards relative to a number of compartments to number of cards ratio.

Problems solved by technology

However, the card shuffler inputs cards via a single input apparatus, so card inlet rate is limited.

Furthermore, the input apparatus is driven by pulleys and toothed belts that may form gaps or elastic deformation when implemented, thus causing movement of the card shuffler to be less precise causing jams and mis-shuffles.

Moreover, shuffling machines, even when using a random number to redistribute the cards have only a limited redistribution rate since each compartment, once occupied may only receive a card above that card, thus creating a false shuffle.

Conventionally this may be solved by increasing a number of compartments, ideally implementing a compartment for each card being shuffled, this is however highly costly when using four or more decks and would use much room.

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