Internet match type full-automatic dealing machine

Abstract

The invention discloses an internet match type full-automatic dealing machine which comprises a control circuit, hidden bar code playing cards, an embedded automatic card identifying device and a mobile phone communication module. An embedded portable bar code scanner and a wireless communication module capable of communicating with a mobile phone are additionally arranged on a common card dealing machine, and the card dealing machine is linked with the Internet through the mobile phone, so that the card dealing machine becomes a novel full-automatic card dealing machine. The embedded bar code scanner is mature in technology, high in reliability of identifying playing cards through bar codes, small in size and low in price. The dealing machine is in wireless connection with the mobile phone, match card types can be downloaded from the mobile phone, match results can be uploaded, and therefore the internet playing card match game function is achieved. The full-automatic dealing machine has the advantages of light weight, low price and high reliability, and is suitable for popularization. When an internet match is not performed, the card dealing machine can also be used as a common single-machine card dealing machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of playing card games, and in particular to the design of an automatic recognition and card dealing device for playing cards. Background Art

[0002] There are two main types of poker dealers today. One is the common dealer, which is a popular dealer that uses random shuffling and sequential dealing. This type of dealer is affordable and widely used. The other type is the tournament dealer, which is used for group games or formal competitions and has the function of automatically identifying poker cards. This type of dealer is expensive and rarely used.

[0003] At present, there are three main methods for automatic identification of playing cards in card dealing machines. The first is to print a one-dimensional barcode on special playing cards and use mature barcode reading equipment to identify playing cards (such as the "playing card identification device" of ZL 096212641). Although this method has the advantages of simplicity and accuracy, it also has shortcomings: due to the printing of barcodes, the appearance of playing cards is affected, and it is not in line with people's habits, which makes some players feel uncomfortable during the game and affects the game experience. The second is to use traditional machine vision methods to identify playing cards (such as the "full-automatic card dealing machine" of ZL 200510061315.8). This method also has serious shortcomings: the development of software and hardware is cumbersome and costly, and the variety of playing cards is easy to affect the recognition accuracy. The third is to use AI image recognition methods to identify playing cards. The disadvantages of this method are: the hardware development is cumbersome and costly, the variety of playing cards is easy to affect the recognition accuracy, and the recognition delay time is long. These methods of identifying playing cards are mainly used in automatic card-dealing machines used in official competitions. They are expensive and bulky (some need to be connected to a PC), making them unsuitable as popular entertainment equipment.

[0004] In summary, it is of great significance to use existing mature technology to develop a lightweight, reliable, cost-effective and fully automatic card dealing machine suitable for popular poker competition games. Summary of the invention

[0005] The invention proposes a method for realizing an Internet competition type fully automatic card dealing machine. The card dealing machine has the advantages of being light, cheap and highly reliable, and is suitable for Internet poker competition games participated by the general public.

[0006] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows: A networkable fully automatic card dealing machine includes a control circuit, hidden barcode special playing cards, and an embedded automatic card recognition device. Among them: 1. The control circuit includes: a microcontroller, a data storage circuit, a barcode automatic recognition circuit, an alarm and prompt circuit, a switch circuit, a two-way motor control circuit, a wireless communication circuit, a position detection circuit and a switch signal detection circuit. The data storage circuit is connected to a non-volatile memory element, the barcode automatic recognition circuit is connected to an embedded barcode and two-dimensional code recognition module, the alarm and prompt circuit is connected to a sound element, the switch circuit is connected to a button switch element, the two-way motor control circuit is connected to two motors, the wireless communication circuit is wirelessly connected to a mobile phone, the position detection circuit is connected to a magnetic switch element, and the switch signal detection circuit is connected to a photoelectric switch element; 2. Print a one-dimensional barcode or two-dimensional code corresponding to the suit and points of the playing cards at a designated position with colorless fluorescent paint that is difficult to see with the naked eye; 3. Install an embedded 1D barcode and 2D barcode scanner in front of the 1D or 2D barcode on the playing card. The scanner is equipped with a fluorescent light. The fluorescent light shines on the barcode to stimulate the fluorescent material to emit visible light. The scanner can automatically identify and read the barcode value and transmit it to the control system. The system interprets the information to obtain the suit and points of the playing card, and sends the card to the designated location according to the card database requirements.

[0007] Beneficial effects of the present invention: By adding an embedded portable barcode scanner and a wireless communication module that can communicate with mobile phones to an ordinary card-dealing machine, and connecting it to the Internet through the mobile phone, it becomes a new type of card-dealing machine, namely, an Internet competition-type fully automatic card-dealing machine. This new type of card-dealing machine becomes a lightweight and reliable competition-type card-dealing machine with little cost increase. It can easily bring poker games to the Internet, adding a new way of playing games for folk card-playing friends, allowing them to experience different game fun, learn from each other and improve their card-playing skills, and at the same time expand the online social circle of card-playing friends.

[0008] This new type of card dealing machine can not only generate card data randomly, but also be used independently as an ordinary card dealing machine and a card shuffling machine, making it a multi-functional machine.

[0009] The use of embedded portable barcode scanners with mature and reliable technology, low price and compact size not only ensures the recognition speed and accuracy of playing cards, but also meets the requirements of popular entertainment equipment for high quality and low price. At the same time, it also reduces the complexity of the development of fully automatic card dealing machines and reduces development costs.

[0010] The barcode is printed using fluorescent materials that are difficult to see with the naked eye, i.e., implicit barcodes. This eliminates the interference of the barcode to the players and improves the user's gaming experience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 It is a circuit principle block diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 The circuit principle of the present invention is Figure 1 ; Figure 3 The circuit principle of the present invention is Figure 2 ; Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the special playing cards of the present invention; Figure 5 is a flowchart of a playing card identification program of the present invention; Figure 6 It is a microcontroller program flow chart of the present invention; Figure 7 is a flow chart of the communication subroutine of the card dealing machine of the present invention; Figure 8 It is a flow chart of a subroutine for sending a card shape database by a mobile phone of the present invention; In the picture: 1. Playing cards, 2. One-dimensional barcode, 3. Two-dimensional code. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The present invention is further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0013] A method and control device for implementing a networked fully automatic card dealing machine, including a control circuit, hidden barcode special playing cards, and an embedded automatic card recognition device. Among them: Control circuit. Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 The control circuit includes: a microcontroller, a data storage circuit, a barcode automatic recognition circuit, an alarm and prompt circuit, a switch circuit, a motor control circuit A, a motor control circuit B, a wireless communication circuit, a position detection circuit, and a switch signal detection circuit.

[0014] The control signals of data storage circuit, barcode automatic recognition circuit, alarm and prompt circuit, switch circuit, two-way motor control circuit, wireless communication circuit, position detection circuit and switch signal detection circuit are as follows: Figure 1 Connect the microcontroller in the direction shown.

[0015] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, the microcontroller uses an ultra-low power 32-bit processor STM32L071C8T6, which is conducive to the portable design of the card dealer using battery power. The microcontroller uses a 4MHz external active crystal oscillator. Using an active crystal oscillator can improve system stability and is conducive to wireless communication.

[0016] The data storage circuit is connected to a non-volatile memory element. This embodiment uses an AT24C256 chip, namely a 32KB EEPROM, which can store multiple card type data at the same time.

[0017] The barcode automatic recognition circuit is connected to an embedded barcode scanner. This embodiment uses a mini embedded barcode scanner of model AD647B.

[0018] The alarm and prompt circuit is connected to the sound-generating element. This embodiment adopts a buzzer.

[0019] The switch circuit is connected to the button switch element. This embodiment adopts a touch-type button switch, and the card dealing machine starts dealing cards by pressing the button.

[0020] Two-way motor control circuit A and B are connected to two motors. One motor drives the card rack to rotate and turn the card outlet to a designated card issuing position; the other motor drives the roller to push the cards out of the card issuing port. This embodiment adopts RZ7899 DC bidirectional motor driver chip. The motor uses a DC motor, which has the advantages of small size and low price.

[0021] The wireless communication circuit is wirelessly connected to the mobile phone. There are many ways of wireless connection, such as WIFI, Bluetooth, etc. This embodiment uses the WH-BLE106 Bluetooth 5.2 communication module. As the host computer of the card dealing machine, the mobile phone is responsible for connecting to the Internet. Moreover, the mobile phone is also equivalent to the human-computer interaction device of the card dealing machine, which can reduce the keyboard and display device (such as digital tube) of the card dealing machine, thereby reducing the cost.

[0022] The position detection circuit is connected to the magnetic switch element. Position refers to the position of the player, such as east, south, west, and north. The card dealing machine can deal cards directly to the player, relying on the position detection circuit. In this case, there are 8 positions in total. The position sensor uses the OCH4002 unipolar Hall sensor, and there is a magnet under the card rack. When a sensor detects a magnetic field, it indicates that the card dealing port has reached the corresponding card dealing position.

[0023] The switch signal detection circuit is connected to the photoelectric switch element. In order to confirm whether the playing cards are successfully dealt out, a photoelectric switch can be installed at the card outlet for detection. This embodiment uses the ST150 slot type optical coupler.

[0024] Hidden barcode special playing cards. The playing cards are printed with a one-dimensional barcode or two-dimensional code corresponding to the suit and points of the playing cards at a designated position using colorless fluorescent paint that is difficult to see with the naked eye.

[0025] Barcode printing position: Figure 4 As shown, in this example, two identical one-dimensional barcodes or two-dimensional codes are printed on the playing cards, and the positions of the two barcodes are required to be rotated 180° and symmetrical. The barcode value is unique to the playing card to distinguish it from other cards. The purpose of printing two identical barcodes is, first, to verify each other after identification by two scanners to improve accuracy; second, when only one scanner is used, the barcode can be scanned even if the playing cards are turned in the opposite direction, which is convenient for shuffling. If necessary, even more repeated printing can be added.

[0026] Colorless fluorescent paint: This example uses ultraviolet light to excite visible light paint, such as pink and yellow, which can be received and recognized by barcode scanners. Colorless fluorescent paint can be mixed with transparent media to make it firmly printed on playing cards.

[0027] Embedded barcode scanner: Install an embedded barcode scanner directly opposite the poker barcode. The scanner is equipped with a fluorescent light. The fluorescent light shines on the barcode, stimulating the fluorescent material to emit visible light. The barcode scanner can automatically identify and read the barcode value and transmit it to the control system. The system interprets the information to obtain the suit and points of the poker card, and sends the card to the designated location according to the card database requirements.

[0028] Fluorescent lighting lamp: This example uses a 365nm ultraviolet LED lamp used for medical and anti-counterfeiting.

[0029] Barcode scanner: This embodiment uses a mini embedded barcode scanner model AD647B. This scanner is highly integrated and compact (length * width * height: 40.0mm x 21.0mm x 11.6mm), can read various one-dimensional barcodes, and can read two-dimensional QR barcodes at high speed.

[0030] Barcode scanner working procedure: Figure 5 , the scanner turns on the fluorescent light, and the light shines on the barcode, stimulating the barcode fluorescent paint to emit visible light. The barcode scanner quickly recognizes the barcode value and transmits the barcode value to the microcontroller, and the scanner turns off the fluorescent light. At this point, the barcode recognition of a card is completed.

[0031] The microcontroller working procedure flow. Figure 6 , Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 To describe the working process of the embodiment in detail: A deck of special playing cards with hidden barcodes (the number of cards in a deck depends on the rules of the poker game, usually 54 cards, but it may be 108 cards, etc.) is placed in a card storage box equipped with an embedded barcode scanner. The card storage box is installed on a card rack, which can rotate 0 to 360 degrees left and right under the drive of a motor. The card rack has 8 parking positions, which are evenly distributed within a 360-degree range and serve as card dealing positions. The microcontroller obtains this position information through a position detection circuit.

[0032] The card dealing machine deals cards according to the determined card type database. First, press the button switch (card dealing switch) connected to the switch circuit, and the microcontroller immediately calls the card type database of a deck of cards from the non-volatile memory that maintains electrical connection with the data. If the card type data is not found, the microcontroller will randomly generate a deck of card type data. Dealing starts: The microcontroller turns on the light of the embedded barcode scanner connected to the barcode automatic recognition circuit, and the scanner automatically recognizes the barcode on the card and transmits the barcode value to the microcontroller. The microcontroller calculates the suit and points of the card based on the barcode value; The microcontroller calculates the dealing position N (N=1~8) of the card by comparing it with the card type database; The microcontroller drives the motor 1 (i.e., the card holder motor) connected to the motor driving circuit A to rotate the motor to the position N; The microcontroller drives the motor 2 (i.e., the card dealing motor) connected to the motor driving circuit B to drive the roller to deal the cards; The microcontroller determines whether the card is successfully issued through the switch signal detection circuit J.

[0033] The above steps are the process of identifying and dealing a card. When a card is successfully dealt, the next card will be identified and dealt immediately until the whole deck is dealt. Whether the dealing is successful or not, the result will be sent to the mobile phone. If there is any abnormality in the identification of the card, the location of the dealing position, or the dealing of the card, the dealing of the current deck will end early and the abnormal information will be sent to the mobile phone.

[0034] The card dealer downloads the card type database communication process from the mobile phone. Figure 7 , Figure 8 To elaborate: When the card dealing machine is on standby or dealing cards, the card dealing machine and the mobile phone are always in communication and ready to receive the card type data sent by the mobile phone at any time. Figure 6 The "running communication subroutine" mentioned in the above is the flow chart of the card dealer communication subroutine, that is, Figure 7 .

[0035] Before the mobile phone sends a deck of card data, it must ensure that the two parties have established a connection. If the connection has not been established before, the mobile phone will request a connection, and after receiving a normal response from the card dealer, it means that the two parties have established a connection; While the connection is being established, the dealer sends its machine code to the phone so that the phone can confirm the identity of the dealer; After confirming that the connection has been established between the two parties, the mobile phone calls in or randomly generates a deck of card data to be sent. It should be noted that the card data must be attached with the machine code of the card dealer to specify that this deck of card data is sent to the designated card dealer.

[0036] The mobile phone continuously sends out the card data until it is finished; After receiving these data, the card dealing machine will check the data, such as whether the machine code is consistent, whether the data verification is qualified, and whether there is any data missing. If the data is qualified, it will be saved to the non-volatile memory; The card dealing machine sends a message of success or failure of receiving to the mobile phone for notification.

[0037] At this point, the communication process of downloading the card type database is completed.

Claims

1. An Internet competition type fully automatic card dealing machine, including a control circuit, hidden bar code special playing cards, and an embedded automatic card recognition device, characterized in that: The data storage circuit, barcode automatic recognition circuit, alarm and prompt circuit, switch circuit, two-way motor control circuit, wireless communication circuit, position detection circuit, and switch signal detection circuit in the control circuit are connected to the microcontroller; the data storage circuit is connected to the non-volatile memory element, the barcode automatic recognition circuit is connected to the embedded barcode and two-dimensional code recognition module, the alarm and prompt circuit is connected to the sound element, the switch circuit is connected to the button switch element, the two-way motor control circuit is connected to the two motors, the wireless communication circuit is wirelessly connected to the mobile phone, the position detection circuit is connected to the magnetic switch element, and the switch signal detection circuit is connected to the photoelectric switch element.

2. A method for implementing an Internet competition type fully automatic card dealing machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that:

1. Selection of control circuit components The microcontroller uses the ultra-low power 32-bit processor STM32L071C8T6, which is conducive to the portable design of the card dealer using battery power; The data storage circuit is connected to a non-volatile memory element, using an AT24C256 chip, i.e. a 32KB EEPROM, which can store multiple card data at the same time; The barcode automatic recognition circuit uses a mini embedded barcode scanner model AD647; Two-way motor control circuit A and B are connected to two motors, one of which drives the card rack to rotate and turns the card outlet to a designated card issuing position; the other motor drives the roller to push the cards out of the card issuing port; RZ7899 DC bidirectional motor driver chip is used; The wireless communication circuit and the mobile phone wireless connection adopt the WH-BLE106 Bluetooth 5.2 communication module; The position detection circuit is connected to the magnetic switch element. This device has 8 positions in total. The position sensor uses the OCH4002 unipolar Hall sensor, and there is a magnet under the card holder; 2. Microcontroller working procedure flow A deck of special playing cards with hidden barcodes (the number of cards in a deck depends on the rules of the poker game, usually 54 cards, but it may be 108 cards) is placed in a card storage box equipped with an embedded barcode scanner. The card storage box is installed on a card rack, which can rotate 0 to 360 degrees left and right under the drive of a motor; the card rack has 8 parking positions, which are evenly distributed within a 360-degree range and serve as card dealing positions; the microcontroller obtains these position information through a position detection circuit; The card dealing machine deals cards according to the determined card type database; first press the switch circuit; the connected button switch (card dealing switch), the microcontroller immediately calls the card type database of a deck of cards from the non-volatile memory that maintains electrical connection with the data; if the card type data is not found, the microcontroller generates a deck of card type data randomly by itself; Deal begins: 1) The microcontroller turns on the light of the embedded barcode scanner connected to the barcode automatic recognition circuit. The scanner automatically recognizes the barcode on the card and transmits the barcode value to the microcontroller. The microcontroller calculates the suit and points of the card based on the barcode value. 2) The microcontroller calculates the dealing position N (N=1~8) of the card by comparing it with the card type database; 3) The microcontroller drives the motor 1 (i.e., the card holder motor) connected to the motor driving circuit A to make the motor rotate to the position N; 4) The microcontroller drives the motor 2 (i.e., the card dealing motor) connected to the motor driving circuit B to drive the roller to deal the cards; 5) The microcontroller determines whether the card has been successfully issued through the switch signal detection circuit; The above steps are the process of identifying and dealing a card. When a card is successfully dealt, the next card will be identified and sent immediately until the whole deck is dealt. Whether the dealing is successful or not, the result will be sent to the mobile phone. If any abnormality is found in the identification of cards, the location of cards being dealt, or the dealing of cards, the dealing of the current deck of cards will be terminated in advance, and the abnormal information will be sent to the mobile phone for notification; 3. Communication process of the card dealer downloading the card type database from the mobile phone When the card dealing machine is on standby or dealing cards, the card dealing machine and the mobile phone are always in communication and ready to receive the card type data sent by the mobile phone at any time; 1) Before the mobile phone sends a deck of card data, it must ensure that the two parties have established a connection; if the connection has not been established before, the mobile phone will request a connection, and after receiving a normal response from the card dealer, it means that the two parties have established a connection; 2) While establishing the connection, the card dealer will send its machine code to the mobile phone so that the mobile phone can confirm the identity of the card dealer; 3) After confirming that the connection has been established between the two parties, the mobile phone calls in or randomly generates a deck of card data to be sent; the card data must be attached with the machine code of the card dealer to specify that this deck of card data is sent to the designated card dealer; the mobile phone continuously sends the card data until it is finished; 4) After receiving these data, the card dealing machine performs a data check, such as checking whether the machine code is consistent, whether the data verification is qualified, and whether there is any data missing; if the data check is qualified, it is saved in the non-volatile memory; 5) The card dealer sends a message of success or failure to the mobile phone; At this point, the communication process of downloading the card type database is completed.

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