Card distribution system

Abstract

The invention discloses a card distribution system, comprising: a card collection mechanism comprising a card collection bin for collecting a preset number of cards arranged disorderly and a moving device for moving the cards to be distributed in the card collection bin one by one; the card recognition device is used for recognizing the colors and the points of the cards to be sent out by the card collection bin; the card caching mechanism at least comprises M card units which are distributed along the same straight line, each card unit comprises N card clamping grooves which are distributed along the same straight line, and the card clamping grooves are used for successively matching and receiving to-be-sent cards of the card collecting bin which are moved by the moving device, the playing cards in all the playing card clamping grooves under each playing card unit are arranged according to a preset rule.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of card dispensers, and more particularly to a card distribution system. Background Art

[0002] Card games are not only a popular form of entertainment. Card games include Guandan, Dou Dizhu, etc. These card games are also intellectual sports. Usually, one or more decks of cards are used for games according to different game rules. Each deck of cards includes four suits: spades, hearts, clubs, and diamonds. Each suit includes thirteen cards with different points, including 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K. Under different game rules, each card is sorted according to its suit and points.

[0003] During the process of playing card games, after one round is over, it is necessary to reshuffle and redistribute the cards before continuing with the next round. Currently, the actions of shuffling and distributing are mainly carried out manually. Of course, there are also mechanical devices to replace them, such as automatic card dispensers on the market. However, currently, whether it is manual or automatic card dispensers for shuffling and distributing, in general card games, players need to sort the cards with a chaotic order by themselves after getting their hands of cards.

[0004] Although automatic card dispensers have already increased the game speed and achieved more thorough and random shuffling compared to manual card dealing, in order to further improve the game speed and the gaming experience of players, the present invention proposes a card distribution system that can sort the shuffled cards according to rules, so that players do not need to sort the cards again when getting their hands of cards. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to further improve the game speed and the gaming experience of players, the present invention provides a card system that can directly sort the cards corresponding to each player and then send them to the players' hands.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the card distribution system includes:

[0007] A card collection mechanism, including a card collection bin and a moving device. The card collection bin is used to collect a preset number of cards arranged in disorder, and the moving device is used to move the cards in the card collection bin one by one for sending out.

[0008] A card identification device, used to identify the suit and points of the cards to be sent out in the card collection bin.

[0009] A card caching mechanism, at least including M card units distributed along the same straight line, each card unit including N card slots distributed along the same straight line, the card slots being used to sequentially match and receive the cards to be issued by the card collection bin that has moved through the mobile device, wherein the cards in all the card slots under each card unit are arranged according to a preset rule;

[0010] As a preferred implementation manner, the mobile device is located below the card collection bin, the cards to be issued by the card collection bin are the bottommost cards in the card collection bin, the mobile device is used to move the bottommost cards in the card collection bin one by one, and the card identification device identifies the suit and rank of the bottommost cards in the card collection bin.

[0011] It should be noted that the number of card units M and the number of card slots N can be determined according to the number of players and the game rules. For example, in the Guandan card game, M can be set to 4, that is, there are 4 card units, and N is 27, that is, there are 27 card slots under each card unit. Among them, the cards in all the card slots under each card unit are all the hole cards that will finally be sent to the players. The numbers determined according to the actual situation will not be elaborated here. It can be understood that those skilled in the art can define the cards that each card slot needs to receive through a computer. That is, the first card slot under the first card unit receives the card with the suit of diamonds and the rank of 1, and the second card slot under the first card unit receives the card with the suit of clubs and the rank of 5, and so on; when defining each card slot, the card slots under each card unit are sorted according to rules, that is, the card slots under each card unit are arranged according to the suit and / or rank from top to bottom or from bottom to top. Then, when all the card slots under the card unit have received the corresponding cards, the card unit can output a set of hole cards that are sorted according to the rules and can be sent to the players.

[0012] In some implementation manners, the card identification device includes a camera module. A hollow area is provided at the bottom of the card collection bin, and the camera module is arranged below the hollow area. The camera module shoots and collects the suit and rank information of the cards to be issued by the card collection bin through the hollow area, and sends the suit and rank information of the cards to be issued by the card collection bin to the controller.

[0013] It should be noted that each card is provided with an identification that can identify the suit and rank. The hollow area only needs to be designed to allow the identification of the cards to be issued by the card collection bin to leak out, so that the camera module can shoot the identification image. Its shape and specific position are not limited here. The camera module identifies the rank and suit of the cards through the collected identification image. The image recognition technology used by the camera module is a commonly used technology in the field of image recognition and will not be elaborated here.

[0014] In some embodiments, the card distribution system further includes a controller configured to determine, according to the suit and rank of the cards to be issued in the card collection bin identified by the card identification device, the card unit corresponding to the cards to be issued in the card collection bin and the card slot under the card unit, and control the card buffer mechanism to move the card slot under the card unit to the outlet of the moving device in the card collection mechanism.

[0015] It should be noted that the controller may include one or more, and may be an independent circuit unit and its program, or a circuit sub-unit integrated in each mechanism or its program.

[0016] In some embodiments, the card identification device sets a predetermined time interval and captures and collects identification images in sequence. It can be understood that the time interval is determined according to the transmission speed of the cards to be issued in the card collection bin, and as long as the time interval is set to satisfy the requirement of capturing before each card is transmitted.

[0017] In some embodiments, the card identification device further includes a shooting sensor disposed on the moving path of the cards to be issued in the card collection bin in the card collection mechanism. When the cards to be issued in the card collection bin move along the card moving path to the detection area detected by the shooting sensor, the camera module is triggered to take a picture. Specifically, the shooting sensor can be one of sensors such as an infrared sensor or a photoelectric sensor that can detect cards.

[0018] It should be noted that the installation position of the shooting sensor is the position when the cards to be issued in the card collection bin move to a position where the identification is just exposed and the shooting area of the camera module is aligned with the identification. The specific setting of the shooting sensor position is related to the hollowed-out area and the position of the camera module. It can be understood that as long as it can be ensured that when the cards pass through the detection area of the shooting sensor and trigger the camera module to take a picture, the identification can be captured through the hollowed-out area. Those skilled in the art can calibrate the position through continuous experiments and will not elaborate here.

[0019] In some embodiments, the moving device includes a first motor and a first synchronous belt driven by the first motor. The first synchronous belt is disposed under the card collection bin, and the cards to be issued in the card collection bin are in contact with the first synchronous belt. When the first motor drives the first synchronous belt to move, the first synchronous belt moves the cards to be issued in the card collection bin out of the card collection bin one by one flatly by relying on friction.

[0020] In some embodiments, the width of the first synchronous belt is smaller than the width of the card.

[0021] It should be noted that since the cards to be sent out in the card collection bin need not only to be transported, but also to expose identification marks for the card recognition device to collect images, the width of the first synchronous belt shall not be greater than the width of the cards, so as to prevent the first synchronous belt from completely covering the recognition marks of the cards.

[0022] In some embodiments, the moving device includes a second motor, a second synchronous belt driven by the second motor, and a first roller shaft and a second roller shaft driven by the second synchronous belt. The cards to be sent out in the card collection bin are sequentially transported to the outlet of the moving device through the first roller shaft and the second roller shaft.

[0023] In some embodiments, the moving device includes a second motor, a second synchronous belt, a first roller shaft, a reduction synchronous belt, and a second roller shaft. The second motor drives the second roller shaft to rotate through the second synchronous belt, and the second roller shaft drives the first roller shaft to rotate through the reduction synchronous belt. The cards to be sent out in the card collection bin are sequentially transported to the outlet of the moving device through the first roller shaft and the second roller shaft. The linear velocity ratio of the first roller shaft to the second roller shaft is 1:2.

[0024] Further, the second motor includes a driving wheel shaft, the first roller shaft includes a driven wheel shaft, and the second roller shaft includes a driven wheel shaft and a driving wheel shaft. The driving wheel shaft of the second motor is drivingly connected to the driven wheel shaft of the second roller shaft through the second synchronous belt, and the driving wheel shaft of the second roller shaft is drivingly connected to the driven wheel shaft of the first roller shaft through the reduction synchronous belt. The wheel radii of the driving wheel shaft of the second motor, the driven wheel shaft of the first roller shaft, and the driven wheel shaft of the second roller shaft are all equal, and the wheel radius ratio of the driving wheel shaft of the second roller shaft to the driven wheel shaft of the first roller shaft is 1:2.

[0025] It should be noted that designing a speed difference between the two roller shafts enables the cards to accelerate and leave the outlet, increasing the spacing from the next card, thereby further preventing the phenomenon that two playing cards are simultaneously transported to the outlet.

[0026] In some embodiments, the outlet of the moving device is a limiting outlet, and the height of the limiting outlet only allows one card to pass through.

[0027] In some embodiments, the card collection mechanism further includes a card pressing plate for pressing the cards in the card collection bin to keep the cards to be sent out in the card collection bin in close contact with the moving device. The pressing force of the card pressing plate can ensure that all the cards in the card collection bin are smoothly pressed to keep the cards to be sent out in the card collection bin in close contact with the moving device, so that the moving device can send out the cards one by one through friction.

[0028] In some embodiments, the card pressing plate is rotatably arranged on one side of the top of the card collection bin along a rotating shaft. When it is necessary to collect cards, the card pressing plate is rotated to open the card inlet of the card collection bin. After the collection is completed, the card pressing plate is rotated to apply a self-gravity downward pressure from the top of the collection bin to press the cards in the card collection bin.

[0029] In some embodiments, the card collection mechanism further includes a card position sensor, which is arranged on the card output path of the mobile device and is used to detect the ejection position of the cards to be ejected from the card collection bin and send the information of the detected ejection position of the cards to be ejected from the card collection bin to the controller; in actual use, this card position sensor is used to detect the faults in the process of inserting cards from the card collection bin into the card buffer mechanism (the forms of faults include that the cards are not ejected in place and not ejected, and the reasons for the faults include card deformation or missing corners). When a card insertion fault occurs, the first motor drives the mobile device to draw the card back and then insert it again. If it fails multiple times, a fault will be reported and the card will be replaced manually.

[0030] In some embodiments, a predetermined interval is provided between each of the card units of the card buffer mechanism. Setting this interval makes it more convenient to distinguish the card units when taking cards subsequently.

[0031] In some embodiments, each of the card units in the card buffer mechanism and the card slots under these card units can move vertically reciprocally relative to the outlet of the mobile device.

[0032] It should be noted that the card collection mechanism is relatively stationary. In order to cooperate with different cards to enter different card slots, each of the card units can move vertically relative to the outlet of the conveyor. When the card identification device identifies the suit and point information of the cards to be ejected from the card collection bin, the controller quickly moves the card slot corresponding to receiving this suit and point information to the outlet to receive the cards. The vertical movement method is more accurate, faster and easier to implement than other movement methods.

[0033] In some embodiments, the card buffer mechanism further includes a third motor. The card unit includes a buffer rack composed of a top plate and two relatively arranged side plates fixedly connected to the top plate. The third motor drives the buffer rack to move linearly. M card units are vertically distributed on the inner sides of the two side plates opposite to each other in the buffer rack, and each card unit includes N card slots vertically distributed. According to the movement method of each of the card units in the card buffer mechanism, the arrangement method of each of the card units in the card buffer mechanism is matched.

[0034] In some embodiments, a first driving block is fixedly arranged on the outer side of one of the two side plates. The first driving block is detachably sleeved on a straight section of a third synchronous belt. The third motor drives the third synchronous belt to reciprocate, thereby driving the card unit to reciprocate vertically in a straight line.

[0035] In some embodiments, a first driving block is fixedly arranged on the outer side of one of the two side plates. The first driving block is detachably sleeved on a straight section of a third synchronous belt. The third motor drives the third synchronous belt to reciprocate, thereby driving the card unit to reciprocate vertically in a straight line.

[0036] In some embodiments, a guide rail is arranged in parallel on one side of the straight section of the third synchronous belt. The first driving block is slidably connected to the guide rail. Each card unit performs vertical reciprocating motion along the guide rail. The arrangement of the guide rail can calibrate the moving path of the buffer rack, making the movement of the buffer rack under the control of the third motor more accurate.

[0037] In some embodiments, the card buffer mechanism further includes a positioning sensor, which is used to detect the position of a predetermined card unit and send the position information of the predetermined card unit to the controller. The positioning sensor can also enable the card buffer mechanism to perform self-check and reset before inserting the card, further improving the moving accuracy of the buffer rack under the control of the third motor.

[0038] In some embodiments, each card unit in the card buffer mechanism can reciprocate horizontally relative to the outlet of the moving device, and the card slot under each card unit can reciprocate vertically relative to the outlet of the moving device.

[0039] In some embodiments, the card buffer mechanism includes M card units distributed horizontally, and each card unit includes N card slots distributed vertically.

[0040] In some embodiments, the card buffer mechanism further includes a card stopper, which is used to limit the cards entering the card unit and prevent the risk of subsequent cards being bent due to the inserted cards protruding relative to the card slots.

[0041] In some embodiments, the card stopper can be a baffle fixedly arranged on the other side opposite to the card inlet side of the buffer rack, which is used to limit the playing cards entering the card position.

[0042] In some embodiments, the card buffer mechanism further includes a rebound limiter, which is used to limit the cards entering the card unit and prevent the risk of subsequent cards being bent due to the inserted cards protruding relative to the card slots after rebounding.

[0043] In some embodiments, the resilient limiter may be an elastic member provided on one of the two side plates, and is used to apply a lateral force to clamp the playing cards entering the buffer rack.

[0044] In some embodiments, the resilient limiter may be a barb member provided on the card rack on the side where the cards enter, and is used to limit the playing cards after they enter the card rack.

[0045] In some embodiments, the playing card distribution system further includes:

[0046] A playing card output mechanism, which is used to sequentially receive the playing cards in all N playing card slots in any one of the playing card units, and transfer the received multiple playing cards to a designated position on the card table.

[0047] In some embodiments, the playing card output mechanism includes:

[0048] A card box, and each card box is used to hold the playing cards in all N playing card slots under each playing card unit.

[0049] A card taking device, which is used to sequentially take out the playing cards in all N playing card slots in each of the playing card units in order;

[0050] A turntable device, which is used to carry the card box and transfer the card box to a designated position on the card table.

[0051] In some embodiments, the card taking device includes a card pusher and a power assembly for driving the card pusher. The power assembly drives the card pusher to move back and forth in a straight line. The moving path of the card pusher is perpendicular to the moving paths of the playing card unit and the playing card slots under the playing card unit. The playing card unit and the playing card slots under the playing card unit are arranged above the moving path of the card pusher. When the card pusher moves along the moving path to the lower part of the playing card unit and the playing card unit, an up-folded part of the card pusher toggles and takes out all the playing cards in the playing card unit and the playing card slots under the playing card unit and sends them to the card box.

[0052] It should be noted that the card pusher takes out the playing cards in all the playing card slots under each playing card unit from bottom to top one by one with each playing card unit as a portion. In actual use, after each playing card unit has received the designated playing cards, it moves to the topmost position. The card pusher moves towards the playing card unit to the topmost position so that the card pusher is directly below the playing card unit. Then the playing card unit is moved downward by a predetermined distance so that the up-folded part of the card pusher is aligned with all the playing card slots under the lowermost playing card unit. Then the card pusher is driven to move towards the card box to take out all the playing cards in the playing card unit and the playing card slots under the playing card unit and send them to the card box. And so on until all the playing cards in the N playing card units are taken out and sent to the card box.

[0053] In some embodiments, when the card pusher picks up cards, the card unit and the lowermost card under the card unit are completely attached to the bearing surface of the card pusher.

[0054] In some embodiments, the card box is arranged at the other end of the moving path of the card pusher relative to one end of the card unit. The card box is vertically offset from the card pusher. After the card pusher takes out a stack of cards from the card unit, it transfers the cards to the card box for offset separation so that the cards fall into the card box.

[0055] In some embodiments, an inclined guide foot extends from one end of the card box close to the card pusher towards the bearing surface of the card pusher. The extending end of the inclined guide foot is located below the bearing surface of the card pusher and forms an angle with the bearing surface of the card pusher. When the card pusher carries a card close to the card box, the bottom surface of the card contacts the inclined guide foot, and the card is separated from the bearing surface of the card pusher along the guidance of the inclined guide foot and is further pushed into the card box by the upper folding part.

[0056] In some embodiments, the power assembly includes a fourth synchronous belt, a fourth motor for driving the fourth synchronous belt to move, and a guide rail parallel to the moving path of the card pusher. The card pusher is slidably mounted on the guide rail through a driving block, and the card pusher is also detachably mounted on the fourth synchronous belt through the driving block. When the fourth motor drives the fourth synchronous belt to move, it further drives the card pusher to reciprocate along the guide rail. The setting of the guide rail can calibrate the moving path of the card pusher, making the movement of the card pusher under the control of the fourth motor more accurate.

[0057] In some embodiments, a photoelectric sensor is arranged on the moving path of the card pusher for self-checking and resetting of the card pusher.

[0058] In some embodiments, the turntable device includes a turntable and a fifth motor for driving the turntable to rotate. A plurality of the card boxes are fixedly installed on the turntable at a predetermined interval, and the fifth motor drives the turntable to rotate to move the card boxes one by one to the card picking position for picking up cards.

[0059] In some embodiments, the turntable device further includes a positioner for positioning the position of the turntable or the card box.

[0060] In some embodiments, the card buffer mechanism further includes an arched card protector, which is fixedly arranged on the card moving path between the card buffer mechanism and the card output mechanism to prevent the cards from shaking left and right during the process of being taken out by the card output mechanism from the card buffer mechanism.

[0061] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0062] The present invention recovers disorderly discharged playing cards based on the card collection bin of the card collection mechanism, and then realizes the output of the playing cards in the card collection bin one by one through the moving device of the card collection mechanism. While outputting, the card recognition device is combined to recognize the suit and point information of the playing cards to be sent out in the card collection bin to be output. Then, the controller controls the pre-set card buffer mechanism to move to correspondingly receive the playing cards to be sent out in the card collection bin. In the pre-set card buffer mechanism, each card slot corresponding to each card unit should receive a playing card. Different from the prior art, each card slot under each card unit is sorted based on rules. That is, when all the card slots under all card units have received all the playing cards, all the playing cards of each card unit are sorted based on the suit and / or points from top to bottom or from bottom to top, and can be directly sent to the players' hands, thereby accelerating the game efficiency and improving the players' experience. In addition, the card recognition device and the card buffer mechanism can be combined to check the integrity of the points, suits and the number of playing cards, preventing the situation of missing cards or duplicate cards in the card game. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0063] Figure 1 is a structural view of a playing card distribution system provided by the present invention;

[0064] Figure 2 is a structural view of the card collection mechanism of a playing card distribution system provided by the present invention;

[0065] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a side structural view of the card collection mechanism in;

[0066] Figure 4 is Figure 3 a structural view of the card collection mechanism in after hiding the side plate;

[0067] Figure 5 is Figure 4 a partial structural view of the moving device of the card collection mechanism in;

[0068] Figure 6 is Figure 5 a partial structural view of the moving device in;

[0069] Figure 7 is a side structural view of the card collection mechanism with the side plate hidden, wherein playing cards are placed in the card collection bin in this view;

[0070] Figure 8 is a structural view of another moving device of the card collection mechanism.

[0071] Figure 9 is a structural view of the card buffer mechanism of a playing card distribution system provided by the present invention;

[0072] Figure 10 is Figure 9 Rear structure view of the card caching mechanism in

[0073] Figure 11 is Figure 9 Structure view of the card hiding unit in the card caching mechanism in

[0074] Figure 12 Structure view of the card unit

[0075] Figure 13 is Figure 12 Enlarged view of area F in

[0076] Figure 14 Structure view of the turntable device of the card output mechanism of a card distribution system provided by the present invention

[0077] Figure 15 Structure view of the card picking device of the card output mechanism

[0078] Figure 16 Structure view of the card box of the card output mechanism

[0079] Figure 17 Step diagram of the card control method applied to the card distribution system provided by the present invention

[0080] Description of the drawings: 0, cards; 1, card collection mechanism; 2, card identification device; 3, card caching mechanism; 4, card output mechanism; 10, card collection bin; 11, hollowed-out area; 12, first motor; 13, first synchronous belt; 14, second motor; 15, second synchronous belt; 16, first roller; 17, reduction synchronous belt; 18, second roller; 19, drive wheel shaft of the second motor; 110, driven wheel shaft of the first roller; 111, driven wheel shaft of the second roller; 112, drive wheel shaft of the second roller; 115, card pressing plate; 113, L-shaped card stopper; 114, card position sensor; 21, shooting sensor; 31, third motor; 32, cache rack; 33, first drive block; 34, third synchronous belt; 35, first guide rail; 36, first positioning sensor; 37, arched card protector; 41, card box; 42, card pusher; 43, upper folding part of the card pusher; 44, bearing surface of the card pusher; 45, inclined guide foot; 46, fourth synchronous belt; 47, fourth motor; 48, second guide rail; 49, second drive block; 410, photoelectric sensor; 411, turntable; 412, fifth motor;

[0081] Among them, A, B, C, and D are all card units, A1, A2, and B1 are all card slots, and G is the predetermined interval between card units. Detailed implementation manners

[0082] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited by the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided to make the present invention more thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

[0083] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs. The terms used in the description of the present invention herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular forms "a", "said", and "the" used in the present invention and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0084] It should be understood that although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used herein to describe various information, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the same type of information from each other.

[0085] In addition, throughout the description of the present invention, it should be noted that for orientation terms, such as the terms "center", "lateral", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "perpendicular", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., which indicate the orientation and position relationship based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings or commonly used by those skilled in the art, are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and should not be construed as limiting the specific protection scope of the present invention.

[0086] The systems and methods employed in the present invention, unless otherwise specified, are conventional systems and methods in this technical field.

[0087] A card distribution system provided by the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0088] First, referring to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 9 , Figure 14 and Figure 15 , a card distribution system provided by the first embodiment of the present invention includes:

[0089] The playing card collection mechanism 1 includes a playing card collection bin 10 and a moving device located below the playing card collection bin 10. The playing card collection bin 10 is used to collect a preset number of playing cards 0 arranged disorderly, and the moving device is used to move one by one the playing card at the bottom of the playing card collection bin 10;

[0090] The playing card recognition device 2 is used to recognize the suit and rank information of the playing card at the bottom of the playing card collection bin 10;

[0091] The playing card buffer mechanism 3 includes at least M playing card units distributed along the same straight line. Each playing card unit includes N playing card slots distributed along the same straight line. The playing card slots are used to sequentially match and receive the playing card at the bottom of the playing card collection bin 10 moved by the moving device. Among them, all the playing card slots under each playing card unit are arranged in order according to a preset rule. The preset rule can be:

[0092] I. Arrange in order according to the rank and / or suit of the playing card. This ordered arrangement includes the following situations: 1. From bottom to top in ascending order of rank; 2. From top to bottom in ascending order of rank; 3. From bottom to top in ascending order of suit (the size of the suit can be set by those skilled in the art according to different card game rules, such as spades > hearts > diamonds > clubs from largest to smallest); 4. From top to bottom in ascending order of suit (the size of the suit can be set by those skilled in the art according to different card game rules, such as spades > hearts > diamonds > clubs from largest to smallest); 5. From bottom to top in ascending order of rank and suit, with rank taking precedence; 6. From top to bottom in ascending order of rank and suit, with rank taking precedence; 7. From bottom to top in ascending order of suit and rank, with suit taking precedence; 8. From top to bottom in ascending order of suit and rank.

[0093] II. Arrange in order according to the card strength. For example, in the rules of the Guandan card game, referring to Table 1, arrange from bottom to top or from top to bottom in ascending order of card strength.

[0094] Card pattern Card strength Four kings 14 Eight - head bomb 13 Seven - head bomb 12 Six - head bomb 11 Straight flush 10 Five - head bomb 9 Four - head bomb 8 Two kings 7 Three - consecutive sequence 6 Three - consecutive pairs 5 Three - with - two 4 Mixed - color straight 3 Three - without 2 Pair 1 Single card 0

[0095] Table 1

[0096] It can be understood that different card types in Table 1 correspond to different card strengths, and the definition of card strength can be modified according to different card game rules (such as the card strength of the three-of-a-kind with a pair is 6, the card strength of the mixed straight is 5, the card strength of the three consecutive sequences is 4, the card strength of the three consecutive pairs is 3, and so on). Defining card strength is only used to assist in judging the priority when sorting playing cards. Therefore, in specific applications, when arranging playing cards according to card strength, it is not limited to the card strength defined in Table 1.

[0097] As an example, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the card strength of the card type with large card strength can be set to suppress the card type with small card strength in the corresponding card game; for example, in the Guandan card game, a straight flush can suppress a five - head bomb, that is, the card strength of a straight flush is greater than that of a five - head bomb.

[0098] In other preferred embodiments, the card strength can also be set such that the number of playing cards corresponding to the card type with large card strength is greater than the number of playing cards corresponding to the card type with small card strength. For example, the number of playing cards in a three - sequence card type is 6, and the number of playing cards in a three - with - two card type is 5.

[0099] Of course, according to different card rules, different card types can be matched with different card strengths, and the card type and card strength matching under other rules will not be elaborated here.

[0100] The playing card output mechanism 4 is used to sequentially receive all the playing cards in the N playing card slots of any one of the said playing card units and transfer the received multiple playing cards to the designated position on the card table.

[0101] The controller is used to determine the playing card unit corresponding to the bottom - most playing card in the playing card collection bin 10 and the playing card slot under this playing card unit according to the suit and point information of the bottom - most playing card in the playing card collection bin 10 recognized by the playing card recognition device 2, and control the playing card buffer mechanism 3 to move the playing card slot under the playing card unit to the exit of the moving device in the playing card collection mechanism. It should be noted that the sequence number and corresponding position of each playing card unit and the playing card slot under the playing card unit are stored in the controller.

[0102] It should be noted that the number of card units M and the number of card slots N can be determined according to the number of players and the game rules. For example, in the Guandan card game, two decks of cards, a total of 108 cards, are needed. Then, M can be set to 4, that is, there are 4 card units, and N is 27, that is, there are 27 card slots for storing cards under each card unit. Another example is the Landlords card game, where a deck of 54 cards is needed. M can be set to 4, that is, 4 card units, and N is 17. Then, 17 cards are stored in the 17 card slots under 3 card units, and 3 cards are stored in the 17 card slots under 1 card unit. Among them, the cards in all the card slots under each card unit are all the final hands sent to the players. The numbers determined according to the actual situation will not be elaborated here. It can be understood that those skilled in the art can define the cards that each card slot needs to receive through a computer. That is, the first card slot under the first card unit receives a card with a diamond suit and a point value of 1, and the second card slot under the first card unit receives a card with a club suit and a point value of 5, and so on. When defining each card slot, the cards received by the card slots under each card unit are sorted according to the rules, that is, the card slots under each card unit are arranged according to the suit and / or point value from top to bottom or from bottom to top. Then, when all the card slots under the card unit have received the corresponding cards, the card unit can output a hand of cards that is sorted according to the rules and can be sent to the players.

[0103] It should also be noted that the controller can include one or more, which can be independent circuit units and their programs or circuit sub-units integrated in each mechanism and their programs.

[0104] The operation process of this card distribution system is specifically as follows: Based on the card collection bin 10 of the card collection mechanism 1, the disorderly arranged cards are recycled, and then the cards in the card collection bin 10 are output one by one through the moving device of the card collection mechanism 1. During the output, the card identification device 2 is combined to identify the suit and point information of the bottom card in the card collection bin 10 that is about to be output. Then, the controller controls the pre-defined card buffer mechanism 3 to move to receive the bottom card in the card collection bin 10. In the pre-set card buffer mechanism 3, the cards that each card slot under each card unit should receive are corresponding. Each card slot under each card unit is sorted based on the rules, that is, when all the card slots under all the card units have received all the cards, all the cards in each card unit are sorted based on the suit and / or point value from top to bottom or from bottom to top. Finally, the sorted cards are directly moved to the players' hands through the card output mechanism 4.

[0105] Next, refer to Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 , specifically introduce the card collection mechanism 1 and the card recognition device 2:

[0106] Among them, in combination with Figure 2 and Figure 4 , the card recognition device 2 is a camera module. A hollow area 11 is provided at the bottom of the card collection bin 10. The camera module is arranged below the hollow area 11. The camera module shoots and collects the suit and point information of the bottommost card in the card collection bin 10 through the hollow area 11, and sends the suit and point information of the bottommost card in the card collection bin 10 to the controller. It should be noted that each card has an identification mark that can identify the suit and points. As long as the hollow area 11 is designed to allow the identification mark of the bottommost card in the card collection bin 10 to leak out, so that the camera module can capture the identification mark image, its shape and specific position are not limited here. The camera module identifies the points and suits of the cards through the captured identification mark image. The image recognition technology used by the camera module is a relatively common technology in the field of image recognition, and will not be elaborated here.

[0107] In some embodiments, the card recognition device 2 sets a predetermined time interval and shoots and collects the identification images in sequence. It can be understood that the time interval is determined according to the transmission speed of the bottommost card in the card collection bin 10, and as long as the time interval is set to meet the shooting before the transmission of each card.

[0108] In combination with Figure 2 and Figure 4, in some embodiments, the card recognition device 2 further includes a shooting sensor 21, which is arranged on the moving path of the bottommost card in the card collection bin 10 of the card collection mechanism 1. When the bottommost card in the card collection bin 10 moves along the card moving path to the detection area detected by the shooting sensor 21, the camera module is triggered to take a picture. Specifically, the shooting sensor 21 can be one of sensors such as an infrared sensor, a photoelectric sensor 410, etc. that can detect cards; it should be noted that the installation position of the shooting sensor 21 is the position when the bottommost card in the card collection bin 10 moves to a position where the recognition mark just leaks out and the shooting area of the camera module is aligned with the mark. Specifically, the position setting of the shooting sensor 21 is related to the hollowed-out area 11 and the position of the camera module. It can be understood that as long as it can be ensured that when the card passes through the detection area of the shooting sensor 21 and triggers the camera module to take a picture, the recognition mark can be captured through the hollowed-out area 11. Those skilled in the art can calibrate the position through continuous experiments and will not be elaborated here.

[0109] Among them, in combination with Figure 8 , in some embodiments, the moving device includes a first motor 12 and a first synchronous belt 13 driven by the first motor 12. The first synchronous belt 13 is arranged below the card collection bin 10. The bottommost card in the card collection bin 10 is in contact with the first synchronous belt 13. When the first motor 12 drives the first synchronous belt 13 to move, the first synchronous belt 13 relies on friction to gradually and flatly move the bottommost card in the card collection bin 10 out of the card collection bin 10 one by one. The width of the first synchronous belt 13 is smaller than the width of the card; it should be noted that since the bottommost card in the card collection bin 10 not only needs to be transported but also needs to leak out the mark for the card recognition device 2 to collect images, the width of the first synchronous belt 13 shall not be greater than the width of the card to prevent the first synchronous belt 13 from completely covering the recognition mark of the card.

[0110] In combination with Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 , in some embodiments, the moving device includes a second motor 14, a second synchronous belt 15, a first roller 16, a reduction synchronous belt 17, and a second roller 18. The second motor 14 drives the second roller 18 to rotate through the second synchronous belt 15. The second roller 18 drives the first roller 16 to rotate through the reduction synchronous belt 17. The bottommost card in the card collection bin 10 is sequentially transmitted through the first roller 16 and the second roller 18 to the outlet of the moving device. The linear speed ratio of the first roller 16 to the second roller 18 is 1:2.

[0111] Further, the second motor 14 includes a driving axle, the first roller 16 includes a driven axle, the second roller 18 includes a driven axle and a driving axle, the driving axle 19 of the second motor 14 is drivingly connected to the driven axle 111 of the second roller 18 through the second synchronous belt 15, the driving axle 112 of the second roller 18 is drivingly connected to the driven axle 110 of the first roller 16 through the reduction synchronous belt 17, the wheel radii of the driving axle 19 of the second motor 14, the driven axle 110 of the first roller 16 and the driven axle 111 of the second roller 18 are all equal, and the ratio of the wheel radius of the driving axle 112 of the second roller 18 to the wheel radius of the driven axle 110 of the first roller 16 is 1:2.

[0112] It should be noted that the two rollers are designed with a speed difference, which accelerates the cards out of the exit and increases the distance to the next card, thereby further preventing the phenomenon of two playing cards being delivered to the exit at the same time.

[0113] Combination Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 7 , in some embodiments, the bottom surface of the card collection bin 10 is inclined, and the card collection mechanism 1 further includes a card pressing plate 115, which is used to press the cards in the card collection bin 10 so that the cards to be sent out from the card collection bin are kept in close contact with the mobile device. The pressing force of the card pressing plate 115 can ensure that all the cards in the card collection bin 10 are smoothly pressed so that the cards to be sent out from the card collection bin are kept in close contact with the mobile device, so that the mobile device can send out the cards one by one through friction.

[0114] In some embodiments, the card pressing plate 115 is rotatably arranged on one side of the top of the card collection bin 10 along a rotating shaft. When it is necessary to collect cards, the card pressing plate 115 is rotated to open the card inlet of the card collection bin 10. After the collection is completed, the card pressing plate 115 is rotated so that the card pressing plate 115 applies gravity downward pressure from the top of the collection bin to compress the cards in the card collection bin 10.

[0115] Combination Figure 7 , in some embodiments, the card collection bin 10 is provided with an L-shaped card retainer 113, the L-shaped card retainer 113 includes a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, the vertical portion cooperates with the inner wall of the card collection bin 10 to form a card storage bin, the vertical portion blocks the cards other than the cards to be output from moving along the moving direction of the cards to be output, the horizontal portion cooperates with the top tangent of at least one roller to form a limit outlet, the limit outlet is limited to only one card passing through, further solving the problem of failure caused by the joint output of cards.

[0116] Combination Figure 3, in some embodiments, in order to detect and resolve faults that occur during the card transmission process, the card collection mechanism 1 further includes a card position sensor 114, which is disposed on the card output path of the mobile device and is used to detect the ejection position of the bottommost card in the card collection bin 10 and send the information on the ejection position of the bottommost card in the card collection bin 10 detected to the controller; in actual use, this card position sensor 114 is used to detect faults in the process of inserting cards from the card collection bin 10 into the card buffer mechanism 3 (the forms of faults include the cards not being ejected in place or not being ejected at all, and the reasons for the faults include deformed or corner - missing cards). When a card - inserting fault occurs, the first motor 12 drives the mobile device to withdraw the card and then re - insert it. If it fails multiple times, a fault will be reported and resolved by manual card replacement.

[0117] Next, in combination with Figure 1 , Figure 9 , Figure 10 , Figure 11 , Figure 12 and Figure 13 , the card buffer mechanism 3 will be specifically introduced:

[0118] First, in combination with Figure 1 , Figure 12 and Figure 13 , the card units in the card buffer mechanism 3 and the card slots under the card units will be described first. In one of the embodiments, such as based on the rules of the Guandan card game, there are 4 card units in the buffer mechanism, and there are 27 card slots under each card unit. Referring to Figure 12 and Figure 13 , the four card units from bottom to top are card unit A, card unit B, card unit C, and card unit D respectively. All the card slots under card unit A from bottom to top are A1, A2, A3... A27, and so on. All the card slots under card unit B from bottom to top are B1 - B27, all the card slots under card unit C from bottom to top are C1 - C27, and all the card slots under card unit D from bottom to top are D1 - D27. Then, the card slots under each card unit are sorted from bottom to top first according to the card points from small to large, and then sorted according to the suits from diamonds, clubs, hearts, spades for the definition of corresponding card reception. For example, after the definition, the card slot A1 under card unit A corresponds to receiving the 3 of diamonds, A2 corresponds to receiving the 3 of clubs, A3 corresponds to receiving the 4 of spades, A4 corresponds to receiving the 7 of hearts... and so on. The actions of these definitions are to generate a random array by the computer that matches the card points and suits, and then associate them one by one with the card units and the card slots under the card units. The method of generating and associating the random array will be described in detail in a card - distributing method below.

[0119] In another embodiment, based on the rules of the Dou Di Zhu card game, in addition to respectively setting 17 card slots in each of the four card units A, B, C, and D according to the above-mentioned association method, it is also possible to respectively set 14 card slots A1, A2... A14; B1, B2... B14, C1, C2... C14, D1, D2... D14 in the four card units A, B, C, and D. Because under the rules of the Dou Di Zhu card game, the suit of the cards does not need to be considered, so only 14 card slots need to be set to sequentially receive cards with point values of 3, 4... J, Q, K, 1, 2, and King respectively. Each card slot can store up to 4 cards with the same point value. Then, based on the rules of the Dou Di Zhu card game, the card slots under each card unit are defined to be sorted from smallest to largest by point value from bottom to top. For example, after definition, card slot A1 under card unit A corresponds to receiving the 3 of diamonds, A2 corresponds to receiving the 4 of clubs, A3 is empty, A4 corresponds to receiving the 5 of hearts... and so on. Among them, 3 card units each receive 17 cards, and 1 card unit receives 3 cards. These defining actions are performed by the computer generating a random array and then associating it with the card units and the card slots under the card units one by one. These association methods will be described in detail in a card distribution method below.

[0120] In some embodiments, a predetermined interval G is provided between each of the card units of the card caching mechanism 3. This interval is set to more conveniently distinguish the card units when taking cards later.

[0121] In some embodiments, each of the card units within the card caching mechanism and the card slots under these card units can move vertically back and forth relative to the outlet of the mobile device; it should be noted that the card collection mechanism 1 is relatively stationary. To cooperate with different cards entering different card slots, each of the card units can move vertically relative to the outlet of the conveyor. When the card recognition device 2 recognizes the suit and point value information of the card at the bottom of the card collection bin 10, the controller quickly moves the card slot corresponding to receiving this suit and point value information to the outlet to receive the card. The vertical movement method is more accurate, faster, and easier to implement compared to other movement methods.

[0122] Combined with Figure 9 、 Figure 10 、 Figure 11 and Figure 12, in some embodiments, the card buffering mechanism 3 further includes a third motor 31. The card unit includes a buffering rack 32 composed of a top plate and two opposite side plates fixedly connected to the top plate. The third motor 31 drives the buffering rack 32 to move linearly. M card units are vertically distributed on the inner sides of the two side plates facing each other in the buffering rack 32, and each card unit includes N card slots vertically distributed. According to the moving mode of each card unit in the above-mentioned card buffering mechanism, the layout mode of each card unit in the card buffering mechanism is matched.

[0123] In some embodiments, a first driving block 33 is fixedly arranged on the outer side of one of the two side plates. The first driving block 33 is detachably sleeved on a straight section of a third synchronous belt 34. The third motor 31 drives the third synchronous belt 34 to reciprocate, thereby driving the card unit to move vertically in a straight line.

[0124] In some embodiments, a first guide rail 35 is arranged in parallel on one side of the straight section of the third synchronous belt 34. The first driving block 33 is slidably connected to the first guide rail 35. Each card unit in the card buffering mechanism performs vertical reciprocating movement along the first guide rail 35. The setting of the first guide rail 35 can calibrate the moving path of the buffering rack 32, making the movement of the buffering rack 32 under the control of the third motor 31 more accurate.

[0125] In some embodiments, the card buffering mechanism 3 further includes a first positioning sensor 36, which is used to detect the position of a predetermined card unit and send the position information of the predetermined card unit to the controller. This positioning sensor can also enable the card buffering mechanism 3 to perform self-check and reset before inserting cards, further improving the moving accuracy of the buffering rack 32 under the control of the third motor 31.

[0126] In some embodiments, the card buffering mechanism 3 further includes a card stopper, which is used to limit the cards entering the card unit to prevent the risk of subsequent cards being bent due to the inserted cards protruding relative to the card slots.

[0127] In some embodiments, the card stopper can be a baffle fixedly arranged on the other side opposite to the card inlet side of the buffering rack 32, which is used to limit the playing cards entering the card position.

[0128] In some embodiments, the card buffering mechanism 3 further includes a rebound limiter, which is used to limit the cards entering the card unit to prevent the risk of subsequent cards being bent due to the inserted cards protruding relative to the card slots after rebounding.

[0129] In some embodiments, the resilient limiter may be an elastic member disposed on one of the two side plates, and is configured to apply a lateral force to clamp the playing cards entering the buffer rack 32.

[0130] In some embodiments, the resilient limiter may be a barb member disposed on the card rack on the side where the cards enter, and is configured to limit the playing cards after they enter the card rack.

[0131] Next, in combination with Figure 14 、 Figure 15 、 Figure 16 and Figure 17 ,the paper card output mechanism will be described in detail. The paper card output mechanism includes:

[0132] A card box 41, and each card box 41 is configured to accommodate the playing cards in all N card slots under each paper card unit.

[0133] A card taking device, configured to sequentially take out the playing cards in all N card slots in each paper card unit in order;

[0134] A turntable 411 device, configured to carry the card box 41 and transfer the card box 41 to a designated position on the card table.

[0135] Combined with Figure 15 ,in some embodiments, the card taking device includes a card pusher 42 and a power component for driving the card pusher 42. The power component drives the card pusher 42 to move back and forth in a straight line. The moving path of the card pusher 42 is perpendicular to the moving paths of the paper card unit and the card slots under the paper card unit. The paper card unit and the card slots under the paper card unit are disposed above the moving path of the card pusher 42. When the card pusher 42 moves along the moving path to the lower part of the paper card unit and the paper card unit, an up-folded portion of the card pusher 42 flicks all the playing cards in the paper card unit and under the paper card unit to take out the paper card unit and send it to the card box 41.

[0136] It should be noted that the card pusher 42 takes out the playing cards in all the card slots under each paper card unit from bottom to top one by one with each paper card unit as a portion. In actual use, after each paper card unit has received the designated playing cards, it moves to the topmost position. The card pusher 42 moves towards the paper card unit to the topmost position so that the card pusher 42 is directly below the paper card unit, and then the paper card unit is moved downward by a predetermined distance so that the up-folded portion 43 of the card pusher 42 is aligned with all the card slots under the lowermost paper card unit, and then the card pusher 42 is driven to move towards the card box 41 to take out all the playing cards in the paper card unit and under the paper card unit and send them to the card box 41. And so on until all the playing cards in the N paper card units are taken out and sent to the card box 41.

[0137] Combined with Figure 1 、Figure 9 and Figure 15 In some embodiments, the card pusher 42 can also be used as the card stopper. Specifically, when the buffering mechanism feeds cards, the card pusher 42 moves towards the card buffering mechanism 3 until the upper folding portion 43 of the card pusher 42 reaches the end face on the other side of the relative card feeding side of the card slot.

[0138] In some embodiments, when the card pusher 42 picks up a card, the card unit to be picked up moves until the lowermost card under the card unit is completely attached to the bearing surface 44 of the card pusher 42.

[0139] In some embodiments, the card box 41 is arranged at the other end of the moving path of the card pusher 42 relative to one end of the card unit. The card box 41 is vertically offset from the card pusher 42. When the card pusher 42 takes out a stack of cards from the card unit and transfers them to the card box 41, the cards are separated in a staggered manner and fall into the card box 41.

[0140] Combined with Figure 15 and Figure 16 In some embodiments, an inclined guide foot 45 extends from one end of the card box 41 close to the card pusher 42 towards the bearing surface 44 of the card pusher 42. The extending end of the inclined guide foot 45 is located below the bearing surface 44 of the card pusher 42 and forms an angle with the bearing surface 44 of the card pusher 42. When the card pusher 42 carries a card close to the card box 41, the bottom surface of the card contacts the inclined guide foot 45, and the card is separated from the bearing surface 44 of the card pusher 42 along the guidance of the inclined guide foot 45 and is further pushed into the card box 41 by the upper folding portion.

[0141] Combined with Figure 9 In some embodiments, the card buffering mechanism 3 further includes an arched card protector 37, which is fixedly arranged on the card moving path between the card buffering mechanism 3 and the card output mechanism 4 to prevent the cards from swaying left and right during the process of being taken out from the card buffering mechanism 3 by the card output mechanism 4.

[0142] Referring to Figure 15 In some embodiments, the power assembly includes a fourth synchronous belt 46, a fourth motor 47 for driving the fourth synchronous belt 46 to move, and a second guide rail 48 parallel to the moving path of the card pusher 42. The card pusher 42 is slidably mounted on the second guide rail 48 through a second driving block 49. The card pusher 42 is also detachably mounted on the fourth synchronous belt 46. When the fourth motor 47 drives the fourth synchronous belt 46 to move, it further drives the card pusher 42 to perform reciprocating motion along the second guide rail 48. The setting of the second guide rail 48 can calibrate the moving path of the card pusher 42, making the movement of the card pusher 42 under the control of the fourth motor 47 more accurate.

[0143] In some embodiments, a photoelectric sensor 410 is provided on the moving path of the card pusher 42 for self-check and reset of the card pusher 42.

[0144] Refer to Figure 14 , in some embodiments, the turntable 411 device includes a turntable 411 and a fifth motor 412 for driving the turntable 411 to rotate. A plurality of the card boxes 41 are fixedly installed on the turntable 411 at a predetermined interval. The fifth motor 412 drives the turntable 411 to rotate to move the card boxes 41 one by one to the card-taking position for taking cards.

[0145] In some embodiments, the turntable 411 device further includes a positioner for positioning the position of the turntable 411 or the card box 41. In this embodiment, the position of the card box 41 on the turntable 411 is also the player position.

[0146] In some embodiments, the side of the card box 41 for receiving playing cards is tilted upward relative to the horizontal plane. The playing card bearing surface of the card box 41 forms a predetermined angle with the horizontal plane. The inclined design of the bearing surface of the card box 41 can prevent the playing cards from being thrown off when rotating along with the card box 41 and the turntable 411 device.

[0147] The second embodiment of the present invention further provides a playing card distribution system, which includes:

[0148] A playing card collection mechanism, including a playing card collection bin and a moving device located below the playing card collection bin. The playing card collection bin is used for collecting a preset number of playing cards arranged in disorder, and the moving device is used for moving the playing card collection bin one by one for the playing cards to be issued.

[0149] A playing card identification device for identifying the suit and point information of the playing cards to be issued in the playing card collection bin;

[0150] A playing card buffer mechanism, at least including M playing card units distributed along the same straight line. Each playing card unit includes N playing card slots distributed along the same straight line. The playing card slots are used for sequentially matching and receiving the playing cards to be issued in the playing card collection bin moved by the moving device;

[0151] A playing card output mechanism for sequentially receiving the playing cards in all N playing card slots of any one of the playing card units in order, and transferring the received multiple playing cards to a designated position on the card table;

[0152] A controller, configured to determine, according to the suit and rank information of the cards to be issued from the card collection bin identified by the card recognition device, the card unit corresponding to the cards to be issued from the card collection bin and the card slot under the card unit, and control the card buffer mechanism to move the card slot under the card unit to the outlet of the moving device in the card collection mechanism. It should be noted that the controller stores the serial numbers and corresponding positions of each card unit and the card slots under the card unit.

[0153] The difference between this second embodiment and the first embodiment is that each of the card units in the card buffer mechanism is horizontally distributed along the same straight line, and the card slots under each card unit are vertically distributed along the same straight line. When the card buffer mechanism receives cards: after the controller confirms the rank and / or suit of the cards to be received, it controls the card units of the card buffer mechanism to move horizontally along the straight line until the designated card unit for receiving the cards moves to the card outlet of the moving device, and then controls the designated card unit to move vertically along the straight line until the designated card slot under the designated card unit is aligned with the card outlet of the moving device; when the card buffer mechanism outputs cards, the controller controls the card taking device under the card output mechanism to move to the designated position below the card buffer mechanism, and then controls the card unit of the card buffer mechanism that needs to output cards to move to cooperate with the card taking device, and then the card taking device takes away all the cards under the card unit. It can be understood that the mechanical connection relationship between all card units can be a rigid connection and driven by the same motor to achieve simultaneous horizontal movement, and each card unit can be a rigid connection and driven by the same motor to achieve simultaneous vertical movement, or each card unit can be driven by a separate motor to achieve independent vertical movement.

[0154] The above is an introduction to a card distribution system provided by the present invention.

[0155] Next, in combination with Figure 17 , an introduction is made to a card distribution method applied to the card distribution system of the present invention:

[0156] S100, based on the number of players and the current card game mode, generate K groups of random arrays, each group of the random arrays includes L elements, and the elements of each group of the random arrays are associated with card ranks and / or card suits;

[0157] It should be noted that this method first initializes an array based on the number of players and the current card game mode, that is, first confirms the number of players and the current card game mode, so as to confirm the points, suits, and quantities of the playing cards to be used, and then confirms all elements of the array based on the required playing cards. For example, based on the rules of the Guandan card game, there can be 4 players, and each player has 27 playing cards. All the playing cards of all points and suits consist of two decks of playing cards, totaling 108 cards. Then, when initializing, it is first defined that there are 108 elements in the array. The elements in this array include in sequence: 0, 0, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, …… 52, 52, 53, 53; after determining the array and all elements in the array, all elements are bound one by one to the points and suits of the playing cards. For example, the first and second elements "0" in the array are bound to the playing card with a point of 1 and a suit of diamonds, and the third and fourth elements "1" in the array are bound to the playing card with a point of 2 and a suit of diamonds, until the twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth elements "12" in the array are bound to the playing card with a point of K and a suit of diamonds. At this point, all the playing cards of all points under the suit of diamonds have been bound to the elements in the array. And so on, the twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth elements to the fifty-first and fifty-second elements in the array, that is, "13" to "25", are bound to all the playing cards of all points under the suit of clubs in sequence, the fifty-third and fifty-fourth elements to the seventy-seventh and seventy-eighth elements in the array, that is, "26" to "38", are bound to all the playing cards of all points under the suit of hearts in sequence, the seventy-ninth and eightieth elements to the one hundred and third and one hundred and fourth elements in the array, that is, "39" to "51", are bound to all the playing cards of all points under the suit of spades in sequence, the one hundred and fifth and one hundred and sixth elements in the array, that is, "52", are bound to the small king, and the one hundred and seventh and one hundred and eighth elements in the array, that is, "53", are bound to the big king. At this point, all elements in the array are associated and bound to all the playing cards; then, based on these 108 elements bound to the points and suits of the playing cards, the 4 groups of random arrays are generated, where each group of random arrays has 27 elements.

[0158] It can be understood that random arrays can also be generated according to other rules. For example, in the Landlords card game, a total of 54 playing cards in a deck are used. These 54 playing cards are divided into the hands of 3 players and a set of alternative cards. Among them, each player has 17 cards, and there are 3 alternative cards. Then, 4 groups of random arrays are generated, where 3 groups of random arrays have 17 elements, and 1 group of random arrays has 3 elements.

[0159] It should also be noted that the random array is generated by the computer by shuffling an array with defined elements. The options for the number of players and the card game mode can be preset and stored in the PLC module of the card distribution device for players to switch and select when in use.

[0160] In some specific embodiments, the random array can be generated in two ways. One way is to directly generate N random arrays, and then sort the random arrays according to the card point size and card suit, or directly generate an ordered random array sorted by the card point size and card suit. The other way is to generate a random array, divide the random array into N groups, and then sort the random array. After each card distribution is completed, a new random array is generated.

[0161] S200, respectively associate each group of the random arrays with the card units in the card buffer mechanism that can move in a straight line direction, and associate the elements in each group of the random arrays with the card slots in the corresponding card units;

[0162] It should be noted that the association method can be explained as follows. For example, based on the above-mentioned rules of the Guandan game, 4 groups of random arrays N1, N2, N3, and N4 are generated. Each group of random arrays has 27 elements. The random arrays N1, N2, N3, and N4 are respectively associated with the card units A, B, C, and D. The elements in the random N1 are respectively bound to the card slots A1, A2, A3... A27 under the card unit A in sequence. In specific implementation, if the first element of the random array N1 is "2", it means the corresponding bound card is the diamond 3, the second element is "15", which means the corresponding bound card is the club 3, the third element is "42", which means the corresponding bound card is the spade 4, and the fourth element is "32", which means the corresponding bound card is the heart 7. Then the card slot A1 under the card unit A corresponds to receiving the diamond 3, A2 corresponds to receiving the club 3, A3 corresponds to receiving the spade 4, A4 corresponds to receiving the heart 7... and so on, until all the card slots under the card units B, C, and D are associated. After each game is completed, a new association is made.

[0163] Alternatively, when the card slots only receive cards according to the card points, it can be set that the card slots can receive multiple cards. First, bind the card slot A1 under the card unit A to the elements "0", "13", "26", "39", indicating that the card slot A1 only receives cards with a point value of 1. Bind the card slot A1 under the card unit A to the elements "1", "14", "27", "40", indicating that the card slot A2 only receives cards with a point value of 2... Bind the card slot A13 under the card unit A to the elements "12", "25", "38", "57", indicating that the card slot A13 only receives cards with a point value of K. And so on to define all the card slots under all the card units B, C, D. Then, according to the random array of the computer, after associating each card slot, calculate the number of elements associated with each card slot. Empty slots are allowed. Then, when a total of 27 cards are associated with all the card slots under each card unit, the association ends, and a new association is made after each game is completed.

[0164] S300. Obtain the card points and card suits of the cards to be distributed recognized by the card recognition device, and determine the card unit and card slot in the card buffer mechanism into which the distributed cards should enter based on the card points and / or card suits.

[0165] It should be noted that according to the card points and card suits of the cards to be distributed recognized by the card recognition device, confirm the specific elements bound to the cards, and determine the card unit and card slot into which the cards should enter based on the random array where the specific elements are located and the specific elements.

[0166] S400. Control the movement of the card buffer unit so that the card unit and card slot in the card buffer mechanism into which the distributed cards should enter move to align with the card outlet of the card collection mechanism, and the cards in all the card slots under each group of card units are arranged according to a preset rule.

[0167] It should be noted that the PLC module of the card distribution device stores the positions of each card unit in the buffer mechanism, each card slot under each card unit, and the position of the card outlet of the card collection mechanism.

[0168] It should also be noted that the cards in all the card slots under each group of card units are arranged in descending or ascending order according to the card points and / or card suits, specifically including two cases:

[0169] In one case, when each card slot under each card unit is only corresponding to receiving one card, it is necessary to first sort the elements in each group of random arrays according to the card points and / or suits, and then bind all the sorted random arrays to the card units one by one. The elements under each group of sorted random arrays are bound to the card slots under the card units in sequence. The sorting method in this case can be: sorting the suits of each card according to the size of the element values, and sorting the points of each card according to the remainder of the value divided by 13.

[0170] In another case, when each card slot under each card unit can correspond to receiving multiple cards, it is necessary to first define the cards that each card slot corresponds to receive in sequence according to the card points and / or suits, bind each group of random arrays to the card units, and calculate the number of elements of the random array corresponding to the card unit. The number of elements is the number of cards that each card slot needs to receive.

[0171] S500, based on the association relationship between each group of the card units and the players, transport the cards in all the card slots in the card units to the corresponding player areas. Specifically, based on the corresponding relationship between each card unit serial number and the player serial number, transport the cards in all the card slots of the card unit to the corresponding player areas.

[0172] Finally, a card distribution device provided by the present invention is introduced. The card distribution device includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor;

[0173] Wherein, the memory is used for storing a computer program, and the processor is used for executing the computer program to implement the following card distribution method:

[0174] S100, based on the number of players and the current card game mode, generate K groups of random arrays, and the elements under each group of the random arrays are all associated with the card points and / or card suits;

[0175] S200, respectively associate each group of the random arrays with the card units in a card buffer mechanism that can move in a straight line direction, and the elements in each group of the random arrays are associated with the card slots in the corresponding card units;

[0176] S300, obtain the card points and card suits of the cards to be distributed recognized by a card recognition device, and determine the card unit and card slot in the card buffer mechanism that the distributed cards correspond to enter based on the card points and / or card suits.

[0177] S400 controls the movement of the card buffer unit so that the card slot under the card unit in the card buffer mechanism corresponding to the card to be distributed moves to align with the card outlet of the card collection mechanism, and the cards in all the card slots under each group of card units are arranged according to a preset rule.

[0178] S500 transports the cards in all the card slots of each card unit to the corresponding player area based on the association relationship between each group of card units and the players.

[0179] Based on the card collection bin of the card collection mechanism, the present invention recovers the disorderly arranged cards, and then realizes the output of the cards in the card collection bin one by one through the moving device of the card collection mechanism. While outputting, the card recognition device is combined to identify the suit and point information of the cards to be sent out from the card collection bin that is about to output. Then the controller controls the pre-set card buffer mechanism to move to correspondingly receive the cards to be sent out from the card collection bin. In the pre-set card buffer mechanism, each card slot under each card unit corresponds to the cards that should be received. Different from the prior art, each card slot under each card unit is sorted based on a rule, that is, when all the card slots under all the card units have received all the cards, all the cards of each card unit are sorted based on the suit and / or point from top to bottom or from bottom to top, and can be directly sent to the players' hands, thereby accelerating the game efficiency and improving the players' experience. In addition, the card recognition device and the card buffer mechanism can also be combined to check the integrity of the points, suits and numbers of the cards, preventing the situation of missing cards or duplicate cards in the card game.

[0180] The above are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the creative concept of the present invention, several modifications and improvements can still be made, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A playing card distribution system, characterized in that: The playing card distribution system comprises: A card collection mechanism, comprising a card collection bin and a moving device, wherein the card collection bin is used to collect a preset number of cards that are randomly arranged, and the moving device is used to move the cards to be issued from the card collection bin one by one; A playing card recognition device, used to recognize the suit and point information of the playing cards to be issued from the playing card collection bin; A card caching mechanism comprises at least M card units distributed along a straight line, each card unit comprising N card slots distributed along a straight line, the card slots being used to sequentially match and receive cards to be issued from a card collection bin moved by the mobile device, wherein the cards in all the card slots under each of the card units are arranged according to preset rules.

2. The card distribution system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The card distribution system also includes a controller for determining the card unit corresponding to the card to be issued from the card collection bin and the card slot under the card unit according to the suit and point information of the card to be issued from the card collection bin identified by the card recognition device, and controlling the card cache mechanism to move the card slot under the card unit to the exit of the moving device in the card collection mechanism.

3. The playing card distribution system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The card recognition device includes a camera module. A hollow area is provided at the bottom of the card collection bin. The camera module is arranged below the hollow area. The camera module collects the suit and point information of the cards to be issued from the card collection bin through the hollow area.

4. The playing card distribution system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The card recognition device also includes a shooting sensor, which is arranged on the moving path of the cards to be issued from the card collection bin in the card collection mechanism. When the cards to be issued from the card collection bin move along the card moving path to the detection area detected by the shooting sensor, the camera module is triggered to shoot.

5. The playing card distribution system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The moving device includes a first motor and a first synchronous belt driven by the first motor, and the first synchronous belt is arranged below the card collection bin. The cards to be issued from the card collection bin are kept in contact with the first synchronous belt. When the first motor drives the first synchronous belt to move, the first synchronous belt relies on friction to move the cards to be issued from the card collection bin out of the card collection bin, wherein the width of the first synchronous belt is smaller than the width of the cards.

6. The playing card distribution system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The mobile device includes a second motor, a second synchronous belt, a first roller, a deceleration synchronous belt and a second roller. The second motor drives the second roller to rotate via the second synchronous belt. The second roller drives the first roller to rotate via the deceleration synchronous belt. The cards to be issued from the card collection bin are transmitted to the outlet of the mobile device via the first roller and the second roller in sequence. The ratio of the linear velocity of the first roller to the linear velocity of the second roller is 1:

2.

7. The playing card distribution system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A predetermined interval is provided between each of the card units of the card buffer mechanism.

8. The playing card distribution system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Said Card Cache Mechanism Each of the playing card units and the playing card slots under the playing card units can reciprocate vertically relative to the exit of the moving device.

9. The playing card distribution system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The card cache mechanism also includes a third motor, and the card unit includes a cache rack consisting of a top plate and two side plates fixedly connected to the top plate and arranged opposite to each other. The third motor drives the cache rack to move in a straight line, and M card units are vertically distributed on the opposite inner sides of the two side plates in the cache rack, and each of the card units includes N vertically distributed card slots.

10. The playing card distribution system according to claim 9, characterized in that: A first driving block is fixedly provided on the outer side of one of the two side plates, and the first driving block is detachably sleeved on a straight section of a third synchronous belt. The third motor drives the third synchronous belt to reciprocate, thereby driving the card unit to reciprocate vertically along a straight line.

11. The playing card distribution system according to claim 10, characterized in that: A guide rail is arranged parallel to one side of the straight section of the third synchronous belt, the first driving block is slidably connected to the guide rail, and each of the card units in the buffer rack performs vertical reciprocating motion along the guide rail.

12. The playing card distribution system according to claim 11, characterized in that: The card buffer mechanism also includes a positioning sensor for detecting the position of a designated card unit.

13. The playing card distribution system according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the card units in the card buffer mechanism can reciprocate horizontally relative to the exit of the mobile device, and the card slot under each of the card units can reciprocate vertically relative to the exit of the mobile device.

14. The playing card distribution system according to claim 13, characterized in that: The playing card buffer mechanism includes M playing card units distributed horizontally, and each of the playing card units includes N playing card slots distributed vertically.

15. The playing card distribution system according to claim 1, wherein: The card buffer mechanism also includes a card blocker for limiting the position of the cards entering the card unit.

16. The playing card distribution system according to claim 1, wherein: The card buffer mechanism also includes a rebound limiter for limiting the position of the cards entering the card unit.

17. The playing card distribution system according to claim 1, wherein: The playing card distribution system also includes: The card output mechanism is used to sequentially receive the cards in all N card slots in any one of the card units, and transfer the received multiple cards to a designated position on the card table.

Images