Multi-pass shuffler / sorter and method of operation thereof

Abstract

A shuffler and a method of operating the shuffler are provided. The method includes the step of establishing a virtual deck structure that defines virtual card assignments for multiple cards, defined by a matrix. Each card is associated with a cell in the matrix. The method includes a first pass comprising the steps of: placing a deck of cards into a card receiving area of ​​the shuffler; and using the shuffler to deliver these cards to an associated first assigned card receiving bag of a card receiver, thereby forming a partially shuffled deck. A second pass comprises the steps of: placing this partially shuffled deck into a card receiving area of ​​the shuffler; and using the shuffler to deliver these cards to an associated second assigned card receiving bag of a card receiver, thereby forming a fully shuffled deck.

Description

Cross-references to related applications

[0001] This application claims priority to the following patent applications: U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 619,876 (AGS_TABLE-P0003P), filed January 11, 2024; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 698,448 (AGS_TABLE-P0004P), filed September 24, 2024; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 698,939 (AGS_TABLE-P0005P), filed September 25, 2024, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference and based on. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for shuffling cards, and more particularly to multiple-pass methods and apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] Numerous mechanical and electromechanical devices have been designed for shuffling cards, such as one or more decks of playing cards. These devices are often referred to as card shufflers or simply shufflers. They can be used to randomize (shuffle) decks of playing cards. After the necessary shuffling operations, the resulting deck is sufficiently randomized to obtain reliable statistical results in subsequent games. After fully utilizing the deck, or according to the rules of the game, the deck is shuffled again to prepare for each round. Alternatively or additionally, these devices can be used to sort the cards in a deck in a predetermined order (which may be random).

[0004] Typically, shufflers are suitable for single-deck or multi-deck use. Shufflers optimized for single-deck games rarely accommodate additional decks. Shufflers optimized for multiple decks (shoes) often lack game-specific features and simply randomize the shoe for any randomized game scenario.

[0005] In modern digital devices, randomness is typically a feature of random number generators (RNGs), which provide reliable pseudo-random values ​​to determine how the cards should be shuffled. Generally, each incoming card is mapped to a slot. Each card is sent to a predetermined slot to ensure that the final sequence of cards matches the sequence requested by the RNG.

[0006] As the number of decks increases, the internal mechanisms of the shuffler inevitably become more complex and larger. With increased size, the mass and momentum of the internal moving parts also increase. When approaching eight decks (a typical scenario in blackjack), the scale and forces involved become important factors in the overall product design.

[0007] The present invention aims to solve one or more of the problems mentioned above. Summary of the Invention Multiple shufflers

[0008] In the example, consider a scenario where eight decks (416 cards) need to be randomized (shuffled). In the first step, all the cards to be shuffled are loaded into the machine. The cards are drawn into the shuffler, processed within it, and finally ejected after randomization. In this scenario, it's conceivable that the cards can be arranged in several ways. One possible arrangement is a single pile of 416 cards. This arrangement is a straightforward approach and is precisely what leads to the aforementioned scaling problem. However, the arrangement of the cards can also be viewed as a matrix (a multidimensional array of numbers) rather than a single column of numbers.

[0009] If we imagine using multiple piles for the cards, the height of each pile decreases rapidly as the number of piles increases. Two piles, each with 208 cards, are high; four piles, each with 104 cards, are high; and so on. For a given number of cards and the number of rounds, the optimal value can be determined.

[0010] With 8 decks shuffled twice, the optimal value is 21. Essentially, the square of this value is equal to or greater than the number of cards to shuffle. Simply take the nth root of the number of cards, where n is the number of shuffles, and round up to the nearest integer if the nth root is not an integer.

[0011] This value represents both the required X dimension (number of columns) and Y dimension (number of rows) in the square array. This maximum dimension is used to determine the number of slots or card slots required to correctly sort the cards.

[0012] Therefore, in this example, the physical shuttle will have at least 21 card slots, each capable of holding at least 21 cards.

[0013] When the shuffling begins, RNG will provide the desired card sequence in the form of a numerical series. This numerical series is arranged into an array of a predetermined size (e.g., 21 columns wide × 21 rows high). Shuffle the cards multiple times

[0014] The number of passes required to fully sort multiple cards depends on the number of dimensions associated with the matrix used. In this example, a two-dimensional array (columns and rows) is used, so two passes are required to fully sort the cards.

[0015] For reference, this is why shufflers to date have been single-pass shufflers, as they typically use one-dimensional arrays. In some cases, an internal card shuttle provides a mechanism for sorting the inserted cards, thereby reducing the number of slots required, but the process utilized is still one-dimensional sorting.

[0016] "Multiple passes" means that each card is processed multiple times before the sorting is complete. Internally, after each card is processed once, the processed pile is repositioned back to its starting position for any additional passes. Alternatively, if no further passes are needed, the cards are popped, already sorted according to RNG.

[0017] The advantages of the multi-pass method are smaller design size, fewer slots or card slots required, and less of a mass-based dynamics challenge. The disadvantages are equally apparent: each card must be processed more than once. A processing time of 2 seconds per card might take at least 4 seconds per card in a two-pass scenario.

[0018] Therefore, a balance needs to be struck between size and number of passes. This balance is typically determined by comparing conceptual models to seek the minimum size while achieving the fastest processing time.

[0019] Each pass begins directly: identify each card (by sequence or marker) and direct it to the appropriate slot or dish. Continue this process until all cards are in their slots, then perform additional passes as needed. Matrix transformation

[0020] The entire process of repositioning each card to achieve the target arrangement can be viewed as a transformation from one matrix sequence to another.

[0021] The cards fed into the shuffler have no specific order. The results of previous games and the shuffling will affect the sequence of incoming cards. Just as the RNG sequence is reformatted into a matrix, so too is the card-drawing sequence. The operation then involves obtaining the card-drawing matrix arrangement and reorganizing the cards to obtain the desired RNG play sequence.

[0022] This transformation can be performed using a sorting process in each pass, where the cards are organized into the desired columns (1st dimension) in the first pass and into the target rows (2nd dimension) in the second pass, thus obtaining the final target matrix arrangement.

[0023] In one aspect of the invention, a shuffling apparatus is provided, comprising a frame, a first card receiving area, a shuffling mechanism, a card reader, and a controller. The first card receiving area receives a deck of cards. The shuffling mechanism is coupled to the frame and associated with the first card receiving area. The shuffling mechanism is configured to receive cards from the card receiving area and controllably place them into corresponding card receiving bags. The card reader is coupled to the frame and associated with the shuffling mechanism, and is configured to read card information from the cards as they pass through the shuffling mechanism. The controller is connected to the card reader and the shuffling mechanism. The controller is configured to perform the steps of establishing a virtual deck structure and performing a first pass and a second pass. The virtual deck structure defines a virtual card assignment for multiple cards. The virtual deck structure is a matrix with multiple cells organized into a predetermined number of rows and columns. Each card in the multiple decks is associated with one cell within the matrix. The number of card receiving bags is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of rows and columns in the matrix. The first pass includes the following steps: feeding cards from the deck one at a time from the first card receiving area of ​​the shuffling device into the shuffling mechanism using a shuffling mechanism; reading card information from each card fed from the first card receiving area using a card reader; generating information about a first assigned card receiving bag for each card fed from the first card receiving area based on the associated card information and virtual deck structure; and delivering the cards to the associated first assigned card receiving bag using the shuffling mechanism to form a partially shuffled deck. The second pass includes the following steps: using a shuffling mechanism to place the partially shuffled deck into the first card receiving area of ​​the shuffling device; using a shuffling mechanism to feed the cards from the partially shuffled deck in the first card receiving area to the shuffling device one at a time; using a card reader to establish card information for each card in the deck fed from the first card receiving area; based on the associated card information, generating information about a second assigned card receiving bag for each card in the deck fed from the first card receiving area; and using a shuffling mechanism to deliver the cards to the associated second assigned card receiving bag, thereby forming a shuffled deck.

[0024] In a second aspect of the invention, a shuffling apparatus is provided, comprising a frame, a first card receiving area, a shuffling mechanism, a card reader, a controller, a card feed lift, a conveying mechanism, a pusher mechanism, and a card stack moving mechanism. The first card receiving area receives a set of cards. The card receiver is movably coupled to the frame and has multiple card receiving bags. The shuffling mechanism is coupled to the frame and associated with the first card receiving area. The shuffling mechanism is configured to receive cards from the card receiving area and controllably place these cards into corresponding card receiving bags. The card reader is coupled to the frame and associated with the shuffling mechanism. The card reader is configured to read card information from the cards as they pass through the shuffling mechanism. The controller is connected to the card reader and the shuffling mechanism and is configured to perform a first and a second pass on the set of cards.

[0025] The card feed lift defines a first card receiving area and is connected to a controller. The controller is configured to controllably raise and lower the card feed lift relative to the top of the shuffling device. A conveying mechanism controllably moves cards from the first card receiving area into the shuffling mechanism. The conveying mechanism includes a first set of rollers and a second set of rollers. The first set of rollers is configured to convey cards from the first card receiving area to an intermediate position. A card reader is positioned near the intermediate position. The second set of rollers is configured to convey cards from the intermediate position into a card receiver. The first and second sets of rollers are controllably driven by corresponding motors controlled by the controller. The first set of rollers is driven at a first speed, and the second set of rollers is driven at a second speed. The second speed is greater than the first speed. A pusher mechanism is configured to push cards from each card pouch of the card receiver into the second card receiving area at the end of the first pass. A card stack moving mechanism is configured to move cards from the second card receiving area to the first card receiving area after the pusher mechanism has pushed cards from the card receiver into the second card receiving area.

[0026] The controller is configured to perform the steps of establishing a virtual deck structure and performing a first pass and a second pass. The virtual deck structure defines the virtual card assignment for multiple cards. The virtual deck structure is a matrix with multiple cells organized into a predetermined number of rows and columns. Each card in the deck is associated with one cell within the matrix. The number of card receiving bags is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of rows and columns in the matrix. The first pass includes the following steps: feeding cards from the deck one at a time from the first card receiving area of ​​the shuffling device into the shuffling mechanism using a shuffling mechanism; reading card information from each card fed from the first card receiving area using a card reader; generating information about a first assigned card receiving bag for each card fed from the first card receiving area based on the associated card information and the virtual deck structure; and delivering the cards to the associated first assigned card receiving bag using the shuffling mechanism, thereby forming a partially shuffled deck. The second pass includes the following steps: using a shuffling mechanism to place the partially shuffled deck into the first card receiving area of ​​the shuffling device; using a shuffling mechanism to feed the cards from the partially shuffled deck in the first card receiving area to the shuffling device one at a time; using a card reader to establish card information for each card in the deck fed from the first card receiving area; based on the associated card information, generating information about a second assigned card receiving bag for each card in the deck fed from the first card receiving area; and using a shuffling mechanism to deliver the cards to the associated second assigned card receiving bag, thereby forming a shuffled deck.

[0027] In a third aspect of the invention, a method for shuffling cards using a shuffling apparatus is provided. The shuffling apparatus includes a card receiving area, a shuffling mechanism, and a card receiver having multiple card receiving bags. The method includes the step of establishing a virtual deck structure. The virtual deck structure defines virtual card assignments for multiple cards. The virtual deck structure is a matrix having multiple cells organized into a predetermined number of rows and columns. Each card in the multiple cards is associated with one cell within the matrix. The number of card receiving bags is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of rows and columns in the matrix. The method includes a first pass and a second pass. The first pass includes the steps of: placing a deck of cards into the card receiving area of ​​the shuffling apparatus; feeding cards one at a time from the card receiving area to the shuffling mechanism; reading card information from each card fed from the card receiving area; generating information about a first assigned card receiving bag for each card fed from the first card receiving area based on the associated card information and the virtual deck structure; and delivering cards to the associated first assigned card receiving bag using the shuffling apparatus to form a partially shuffled deck. The second pass includes the following steps: placing the partially shuffled deck into the card receiving area of ​​the shuffling device; feeding the cards from the partially shuffled deck one at a time into the card receiving area of ​​the shuffling device; and reading card information from each card fed from the card receiving area. Based on the associated card information, information about a second assigned card receiving bag for each card in the cards fed from the card receiving area is generated; and the cards are delivered to the associated second assigned card receiving bag using a shuffling device to form a shuffled deck. Attached Figure Description

[0028] These and other features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent when considered in conjunction with the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

[0029] Figure 1A This is a block diagram of a multi-pass shuffler according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 1B Is with Figure 1A The first flowchart is related to the multiple shuffling process.

[0031] Figure 1C Is with Figure 1A The second flowchart is associated with the multiple shufflers.

[0032] Figure 1D Is with Figure 1A The third flowchart is associated with the multiple shufflers.

[0033] Figure 1E This is an exemplary virtual deck structure in the form of a two-dimensional matrix according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 2A This is a front-view perspective view of a shuffler based on an example of this disclosure.

[0035] Figure 2B yes Figure 2A The image shows a rear-view 3D view of the shuffler.

[0036] Figure 3 yes Figure 2A The image shows a front view of the shuffler.

[0037] Figure 4 yes Figure 2A The diagram shows a top view of the shuffler, with several parts of its top cover removed.

[0038] Figure 5 yes Figure 2A The first side view of the shuffler shown in the image.

[0039] Figure 6 yes Figure 2A The rear view of the shuffler shown in the image.

[0040] Figure 7 yes Figure 2A The image shows a rear-view 3D view of the shuffler.

[0041] Figure 8A yes Figure 4 The shuffler shown is a longitudinal cross-sectional side view taken along line 8A / 8A, with several parts of its housing not shown.

[0042] Figure 8B yes Figure 8A An enlarged view of the indicated portion.

[0043] Figure 8C Showing from Figure 8A The indicated perspective Figure 8A This part.

[0044] Figure 9 yes Figure 4 The image shows a cross-sectional view of the shuffler taken along line 9 / 9.

[0045] Figure 10 yes Figure 4 The second longitudinal section side view of the shuffler shown is taken along line 10 / 10, and several parts of its housing are not shown.

[0046] Figure 11A yes Figure 4 The shuffler shown is a longitudinal cross-sectional side view taken along line 11A / 11A, with several parts of its housing not shown.

[0047] Figure 11B yes Figure 11A An enlarged view of the indicated portion.

[0048] Figure 11C yes Figure 11A An enlarged view of the indicated portion.

[0049] Figure 11D yes Figure 11C A cross-sectional view of the indicated portion.

[0050] Figure 12 yes Figure 2B The image shows a view of the shuffler, with several parts of the housing removed.

[0051] Figure 13 This is a three-dimensional view of the longitudinal section of the shuffler shown in Figure 1, taken along line 13 / 13.

[0052] Figure 14 yes Figure 2A The shuffler shown in the image is a cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14.

[0053] Figure 15 yes Figure 2A The diagram shows the controller and related components of the shuffler.

[0054] Figure 16 yes Figure 2A The flowchart shown in the image illustrates the operation method of the shuffler.

[0055] Figure 17 Showing Figure 2A The article demonstrates various aspects of the operation of the shuffler, including the creation of datasets by its different controllers.

[0056] Figure 18A This is a graphic representation of a multi-pass shuffler or shuffler device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, which includes a card feed lift.

[0057] Figure 18B yes Figure 18A The first stereoscopic view of the multi-shuffler.

[0058] Figure 18C yes Figure 18A The second stereoscopic view of the multi-shuffler.

[0059] Figure 18D This is a perspective view of a portion of a multi-pass shuffler or shuffler apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the multi-pass shuffler or shuffler apparatus including a card feed lifter.

[0060] Figure 19 yes Figure 18A The first internal view of the multi-shuffler.

[0061] Figure 20A This is according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 18A The first partial internal view of the multi-pass shuffler shows the shuffling mechanism with a set of feed rollers and shuttles.

[0062] Figure 20B yes Figure 18A The second partial internal view of the multi-shuffler.

[0063] Figure 21 yes Figure 18A The second partial internal view of the multi-shuffler shows the card ejection mechanism.

[0064] Figure 22 yes Figure 18A The third internal view of the multi-shuffler shows the deck movement mechanism.

[0065] Figure 23A This is a fourth partial internal view of a multi-pass shuffler, which includes... Figure 22 The card stack moving mechanism. Figure 18A The shuffling device.

[0066] Figure 23B This is a fifth partial internal view of a multi-pass shuffler, which includes... Figure 22 The card stack moving mechanism. Figure 18A The shuffler.

[0067] Figure 24 yes Figure 18A The sixth internal view of the multi-shuffler.

[0068] Figure 25 yes Figure 18A The seventh internal view of the multi-shuffler.

[0069] Figure 26 yes Figure 18A A second internal view of a multi-pass shuffler, which includes a card-dispensing lifter.

[0070] Figure 27 yes Figure 18A The second perspective view of the multi-shuffler shows it in an elevated position. Figure 26 The card-playing lifter.

[0071] Figure 28A This is a front view of the card receiver or shuttle of the multi-pass shuffler according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] Figure 28B yes Figure 28AA 3D diagram of the receiver.

[0073] Figure 29A This is a first side view of the multi-pass shuffler in Figure 18, which includes a shuttle and a card ejection mechanism.

[0074] Figure 29B This is a second view of the multi-pass shuffler shown in Figure 18, which includes a shuttle and a card ejection mechanism.

[0075] Figure 30A yes Figure 22 First perspective view of the card stack moving mechanism.

[0076] Figure 30B yes Figure 22 The second perspective view of the card stack moving mechanism.

[0077] Figure 31A This is a first opposite side view of the multi-pass shuffler in Figure 18, which includes a shuttle and a card ejection mechanism.

[0078] Figure 31B This is a second opposite side view of the multi-pass shuffler in Figure 18, which includes a shuttle and a card ejection mechanism.

[0079] Figure 32A This is the first perspective view of the multi-pass shuffling machine in Figure 18, showing the card feeding lift and the card dispensing lift.

[0080] Figure 32B This is a second perspective view of the multi-pass shuffling device in Figure 18, showing the card feeding lift and the card dispensing lift.

[0081] Figure 33A This is the first side view of the shuttle and card ejection mechanism.

[0082] Figure 33B This is the second side view of the shuttle and card ejection mechanism.

[0083] Figures 34A to 34H This is an illustrative representation of an exemplary shuffling or sorting operation in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] Figures 35A to 35B and Figure 36 This is a perspective view of the card stack pusher mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] Figure 37A This is a side view of a card shuttle lifting mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the counterweight is in the first position.

[0086] Figure 37B yes Figure 35A The second side view of the shuttle lifting mechanism, in which the counterweight is in the second position.

[0087] Figure 37C yes Figure 35A The third side view of the shuttle lifting mechanism, with the counterweight in the third position.

[0088] Figure 37D yes Figure 35A A magnified 3D view of the counterweight.

[0089] Figure 37E yes Figure 35A The second enlarged stereoscopic view of the counterweight. Detailed Implementation

[0090] Referring to the accompanying drawings, and in operation, an apparatus 10 and method for shuffling cards (e.g., multiple standard decks of playing cards) are provided. Specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus 10 and method for shuffling a deck of playing cards into a desired order. Typically, the desired order is randomly determined prior to the shuffling operation. However, it should be noted that the desired order can be any desired order, for example, it is not necessarily randomly determined.

[0091] As discussed below, a random number generator (RNG) can be used to randomly determine the desired order. This invention can be configured, for example, to shuffle eight decks of playing cards. Each deck may include, or typically includes, 52 cards, consisting of an Ace of each of the four suits (hearts, diamonds, spades, and clubs), number cards 2 through 10, and three face cards (J, Q, K). This results in a total of 416 cards. The desired order places each of the 416 cards in the order 1 through 416, thus defining a shuffled deck.

[0092] As discussed in more detail below, the apparatus 10 and method of the present invention provide a two-pass shuffling operation for placing a deck of eight cards (in any order) into a desired order. To facilitate the two-pass shuffling operation, the desired order is converted into a two-dimensional matrix with a predetermined number of rows and columns.

[0093] In the illustrated embodiment, the predetermined number of rows equals the predetermined number of columns. The predetermined number of rows and columns can be calculated by taking the square root of the total number of cards (416) and rounding up to the next integer. The square root of 416 is approximately 20.40, so as illustrated, the matrix has 21 rows and 21 columns.

[0094] Figure 1E Example matrix 9 is shown below. Example matrix 9 comprises 441 cells arranged in 21 rows and 21 columns. Each card in the desired order is assigned to a corresponding cell in the matrix. Figure 1EIn this system, each card is represented by a two-character code. The first character indicates the card's rank, and the second character indicates its suit (h = hearts, d = diamonds, s = spades, c = clubs). Matrix 9 represents the expected order when the cards are stacked together.

[0095] For example, in the illustrated embodiment, each row represents a sub-stacking pile, where the cards in the first column are on top of the sub-stacking pile and the cards in the twenty-first column are at the bottom of the sub-stacking pile. When the sub-stacking piles are stacked together, with the sub-stacking pile represented by the first row on top of the sub-stacking pile represented by the second row, and so on, these sub-stacking piles represent a set of cards in the desired order.

[0096] refer to Figure 1A The device or shuffling device 10 includes a card receiving area 4, a card reader 5, a shuffling mechanism 6, a card receiver or shuttle 8, and a controller 7. The card receiving area 4 is configured to receive a set of unshuffled physical playing cards. The card receiver 8 includes multiple card receiving bags 8A. In the illustrated embodiment, the number of card receiving bags 8A is equal to or greater than the number of rows or columns in the matrix 9.

[0097] A shuffling mechanism 6 is associated with a card receiving area 4 for receiving physical cards from the card receiving area 4 and controllably placing the cards into corresponding card receiving bags 8A of a card receiver 8. A card reader 5 is associated with the shuffling mechanism 6 for reading card information from the cards as they pass through the shuffling mechanism 6. In one embodiment, the card reader 5 may be a camera. A controller 7 is connected to the card reader 5 and the shuffling mechanism 6.

[0098] refer to Figure 1B , Figure 1C and Figure 1D In one embodiment, controller 7 implements and is configured to execute method M10, which shuffles cards received in card receiving area 4 by placing the cards in a desired order defined by matrix 9. See details. Figure 1B In the first step S10A, a virtual deck structure is established. In the illustrated embodiment, the virtual deck structure is defined by matrix 9. As discussed above, matrix 9 defines or provides virtual card assignments for multiple cards. In the illustrated embodiment, the multiple cards include cards from a predetermined number (e.g., 8) of decks. Matrix 9 has multiple cells organized into a predetermined number of rows and columns. Each card in the multiple decks is associated with one of the cells within matrix 9. The step of establishing the virtual deck structure may include randomly assigning virtual cards to each cell in matrix 9. Alternatively, the step of establishing the virtual deck structure may include reading a pre-established or predetermined virtual deck structure from a set of stored virtual deck structures.

[0099] In the second step S10B, a first shuffle or first round of shuffling is performed on a set of cards received in the card receiving area 4 to form a partially shuffled set of cards (see below). In the third step S10C, a second shuffle or first round of shuffling is performed on this partially shuffled set of cards to form a fully shuffled set of cards.

[0100] refer to Figure 1C The method M20 according to an embodiment of the present invention is associated with the first pass or first shuffle pass operation. In the first step S20A, a set of physical playing cards is received into the card receiving area 4. In one embodiment, this set of physical playing cards may be placed into the card receiving area 4 by a user. In the second step S20B, the cards are fed, for example, one by one, from the card receiving area 4 into the shuffling mechanism 6. In the third step S20C, as the cards are conveyed and transported within the shuffling mechanism, a card reader 5 is used to capture card information from each card. For example, the card reader 5 may be a camera that captures an image of each card, which is then used by a controller 7 to identify the card. In another example, the card reader 5 may be a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader configured to read RFID tags within the playing cards. In a further example, the card reader 5 may be a barcode reader configured to read a special barcode displayed on the playing cards.

[0101] In the fourth step S20D, card information from card reader 5 and matrix 9 (or virtual deck structure) is used to generate information about the first assigned card receiving bag 8A for each card fed from card receiving area 4.

[0102] In the illustrated embodiment, each card bag 8A of the card receiver 8 is capable of holding at least the number of cards (e.g., 21 cards) in each row or column of the matrix 9. In the first pass, once each card is identified, a column of matrix 9 to which the identified card belongs is established. In the illustrated embodiment, the card in each column represents the i-th card in each sub-deck, corresponding to the position of each card in its associated sub-deck. In other words, during the first pass, the deck is organized or shuffled such that each card is placed in a card bag 8A corresponding to an associated column in matrix 9, which corresponds to the position of each card in its associated sub-deck. Therefore, at the end of the first pass, each card is in a card bag 8A corresponding to an associated column in matrix 9, which corresponds to its position in its sub-deck. It should be noted that after the first pass, the order of the cards in each card bag 8A does not necessarily correspond to an associated row in matrix 9.

[0103] Return to Figure 1C In the fifth step S20E, the cards are delivered to the associated first assigned card receiving bag via the shuffling mechanism 6, thereby forming a partially shuffled deck.

[0104] In the illustrated embodiment, each card bag 8A of the card receiver 8 is capable of holding at least the number of cards (e.g., 21 cards) in each row or column of the matrix 9. In the first pass, once each card is identified, a column of matrix 9 to which the identified card belongs is established. In the illustrated embodiment, the card in each column represents the i-th card in each sub-deck, corresponding to the position of each card in its associated sub-deck. In other words, during the first pass, the deck is organized or shuffled such that each card is placed in a card bag 8A corresponding to an associated column in matrix 9, which corresponds to the position of each card in its associated sub-deck. Therefore, at the end of the first pass, each card is in a card bag 8A corresponding to an associated column in matrix 9, which corresponds to its position in its sub-deck. It should be noted that after the first pass, the order of the cards in each card bag 8A does not necessarily correspond to an associated row in matrix 9.

[0105] As the partially shuffled cards are removed from the card receiver 8 and received back into the card receiving area, the cards in each card bag 8A (or sub-deck) are placed one on top of the other. In the illustrated embodiment, the cards in the twenty-first card bag 8A are located at the bottom of this partially shuffled deck, while the cards in the first card bag 8A are located at the top of this partially shuffled deck.

[0106] refer to Figure 1D The diagram illustrates a method M30 associated with a second or second shuffle operation according to an embodiment of the invention. In a first step S30A, the partially shuffled deck is received into the deck receiving area 4 of the shuffle apparatus 10. As discussed above, in one embodiment, a user can remove the partially shuffled deck from the shuffle mechanism 6 and place it back into the deck receiving area 4. Alternatively, the shuffle mechanism 6 can be configured to automatically place the partially shuffled deck back into the deck receiving area 4.

[0107] In the second step S30B, cards are fed back to the shuffling mechanism 6 one at a time from the card receiving area. In the third step S30C, card information (e.g., rank and suit) is established for each card fed from the card receiving area 4. In one embodiment, a card reader 5 can be used to establish the card information. Alternatively, the card information after the first pass, along with the position of the partially shuffled cards, can be stored in a memory associated with or otherwise communicating with the controller 7.

[0108] In the fourth step S30D, based on the associated card information and matrix 9, information about the second assigned card receiving bag for each card fed from the card receiving area is established. After the first pass, the card information for each card in each card bag can be stored in memory. Alternatively, the card reader 5 can read the card information for each card again when the cards pass through the shuffling mechanism 6.

[0109] In step S30E, the shuffling mechanism delivers the cards to the associated second assigned card receiving bag, thus forming a shuffled deck. As mentioned above, in this partially shuffled deck, each sub-pile (from the first pass) consists of cards in the same position (position i) in the desired order. In the second pass, the cards can then be delivered to the correct card bag 8A based on matrix 9. In other words, in this partially shuffled deck, the bottom twenty-one cards belong to the twenty-first position of each sub-pile in the desired order. When these cards are fed into the shuffling mechanism 6, they are identified and delivered to the (now empty) card bag 8A of the card receiver 8. After the first twenty-one cards are sorted, the next twenty-one cards are sorted and delivered. These cards are the twentieth cards in the sub-pile of the desired order and are delivered to the correct card bag 8A, on top of the twenty-first cards. Once all the cards from this partially shuffled deck in card receiving area 4 have been identified and sorted into the correct card bag 8A, the deck can be assembled by taking the shuffled deck out of card bag 8A and stacking them on top of each other.

[0110] It should be pointed out that, Figures 1B to 1D The steps in the method can be performed in any order. Furthermore, as described above, the present invention can be used to shuffle a deck of cards into a desired order, which can be random or predetermined. For example, the desired order can form multiple predetermined hands for a specific card game. First embodiment of the card shuffler

[0111] Will first refer to Figures 2A to 15 An example of the shuffler disclosed herein is described. Typically, shuffler 20 is designed to sort or shuffle a single deck into a predetermined order (which may be a predetermined random order). However, shuffler 20 can be adapted and operated in such a way that it shuffles into a predetermined order (which may be random) using two passes (see above).

[0112] As shown, the shuffler 20 may include a housing 22 that includes, supports, or otherwise defines one or more features of the shuffler 20. As shown, the housing 22 generally has an upper portion 24 and a lower portion 26. As further shown, the shuffler 20 has a front end or first end 28, a rear end or second end 30, a first side 32, a second side 34, a top 36 defined by the upper portion 24 of the housing 22, and a bottom 38 defined by the lower portion 26 of the housing 22. In the example shown, the housing 22 has a length along a line extending through the front end or first end 28 and the rear end or second end 30, and a width along a line extending through the first side 32 and the second side 34, wherein the length is greater than the width.

[0113] In some examples, the lower portion 26 of housing 22 includes a generally enclosed space or shell for the various components of the shuffler 20. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the lower portion 26 may have: a base portion that generally defines the bottom 38 of the shuffler 20; and an upwardly extending wall that defines each side 32, 34 of the shuffler 20 and a portion of the front 28 and rear 30. The upper portion 24 is positioned above the lower portion 26 of the housing 22. In some examples, as better shown in Figures 1 and 2, the upper portion 24 defines a card receiving and distributing area 40 and a raised receiving area or console 42 that also defines or supports a control panel 44.

[0114] like Figure 7 As shown, the bottom 38 of the shuffler 20 can be generally flat. In some examples, one or more legs 46 can extend downward from this bottom, for example, to support the shuffler 20 when it rests on a surface.

[0115] refer to Figure 6 In some examples, the rear portion 30 of the shuffler 20 may be partially defined by the wall of the lower portion 26 of the housing 22. As shown, one or more air inlets 48 may be located at the rear portion 30 of the shuffler 20. An electrically and motor-driven fan 50 may be used to draw air into the interior of the shuffler 20 through the air inlets 48.

[0116] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 7 One or more exhaust ports 52 may be provided, for example, by being located at the front 28 of the shuffler 20, or in the lower portion 26 of the housing 22. Air drawn into the shuffler 20 (via air inlet 48) can be exhausted through these exhaust ports 52. In some examples, one or more interfaces are provided, for example, located at the front 28 of the shuffler 20. As shown, these interfaces may include a power cable port 54 (e.g., a male power coupler defining a female end for receiving power lines), a power switch 56 for turning power on and off the unit, and one or more communication interfaces 58. Such communication interfaces 58 may include one or more of CAT 6, CAT 5 / 5e, USB, Firewire, or other communication ports, for example, for receiving associated communication cables.

[0117] In some examples, such as Figure 7 As shown, the lower portion 26 of the housing 22 may define a recess 60. This recess 60 may be configured together with an adjacent portion of the housing 22 to form a handle. For example, an installer may use the handle to lift the shuffler 20, such as during transport and / or installation.

[0118] like Figure 7 As shown, the lower portion 26 of the housing 22 may define an outwardly extending flange 62, such as at the intersection of the lower portion 26 and the upper portion 24. The flange 62 may extend around the entire shuffler 20, or may be located at one or more locations. As described in more detail below, the flange 62 may define the mounting location of one or more features of the shuffler 20, and may also serve as a support surface or stop for mounting the shuffler 20. For example, when the shuffler 20 is mounted on a game table, it may be lowered into an opening in a support surface of the table, with the lower portion 26 of the housing 22 located below the table surface, and the flange 62 resting on that surface and thus generally supporting the shuffler 20.

[0119] Refer to Figure 1 to Figure 4 The raised area or console area 42 of the upper portion 24 of the housing 22 extends upward at the front portion 28 of the shuffler 20. As indicated, a control panel 44 may be associated with the raised area 42. In some examples, the control panel 44 faces generally towards the front portion 28 of the shuffler 20. The control panel 44 may include one or more input and output devices, such as one or more video displays 64 for displaying information, and at least one indicator 170 (two indicators may be provided, as shown). Each indicator 170 may include, for example, an LED light.

[0120] The raised area 42 may be defined by a body or cover attached to the lower portion 26 of the housing 22. One or more features of the control panel 44 may be attached to the body or cover. As detailed below, the body or cover may extend above internal features of the shuffler 20, such as a movable card receiver, card ejector, etc.

[0121] The card receiving and distributing area 40 is located behind the raised area 42, between the raised area 42 and the rear portion 30 of the shuffler. In some examples, the card area 40 includes a card receiving or feeding area 70 and a card distributing area 72. The card receiving area 70 may include a recessed or sunken area in the upper portion 24 of the housing 22. In some examples, the card receiving area 70 is card-shaped, such as generally rectangular, having first and second opposing sidewalls and first and second opposing endwalls extending between these sidewalls, a generally open top, and a generally closed bottom. The length of the sidewalls and the width of the endwalls are configured to define the card receiving area 70, which is slightly larger than the cards in a standard deck. As shown, the card receiving area 70 can be oriented such that its longer side (corresponding to the height of the playing card from top to bottom) extends substantially parallel to the lines passing through the sides 32, 34 of the shuffler 20, and its shorter side (corresponding to the width of the playing card from one side to the other) extends substantially parallel to the lines passing through the front 28 and rear 30 of the shuffler 20. As described below, in this orientation, the card receiving area 70 is configured to receive cards and deliver them into the shuffler 20 in a “lateral” orientation. The sidewalls and endwalls can extend substantially vertically upward from the bottom (at a 90-degree angle to the bottom, or in other examples, at an angle slightly greater than 90 degrees), such that the open top of the card receiving area 70 is larger than the bottom, and the slight slope in the walls tends to guide the cards placed in the card receiving area 70 toward its bottom.

[0122] In some examples, such as Figure 4 As best shown, the finger recess 74 is located at the top and bottom of the card receiving area 70 (or in other words, at or within the end wall of the card receiving area). The size of the finger recess 74 is determined to receive one or more fingers of a user grasping the top and bottom of one or more stacked cards being placed into or removed from the card receiving area 70. In some examples, such as Figure 10 and Figure 13 As best shown, the finger recess 74 can extend downwards below the bottom of the card support in the card receiving area 70 (e.g., below the plane where the bottom card is located when the cards are in the card receiving area 70). As shown, this configuration can be facilitated by positioning the finger recess 74 at both ends of the card receiving area 70 and on the (lateral) outer side of the card feed roller (described below). A particular advantage of this configuration is that, in order to firmly grip a deck, the user can position their fingers to extend beyond or under the bottom card of the deck. In the described configuration, the user's fingers are accommodated in this position when the cards are placed into (or removed from) the card receiving area 70.

[0123] In the example shown, the card distribution area 72 is located between the card receiving area 70 and the raised area 42 of the upper portion 24 of the housing 22. Thus, generally along a longitudinal line passing through the housing 22 via the front portion 28 and the rear portion 30, the card receiving area 70 is located at the rear portion 30 of the housing, the card distribution area 72 is located near the card receiving area 70 facing the front portion 28, and the raised area 42 is located near the card distribution area 72 facing the front portion 28. In this way, as described in more detail below, the card distribution area 72 can receive cards ejected or distributed outward from the raised area 42 of the shuffler 20.

[0124] Similar to the card receiving area 70, the card dispensing area 72 includes a recessed or sunken area of ​​the housing 22. The card dispensing area 72 may similarly include a generally rectangular area, the size of which is determined to receive one or more cards in a "lateral" orientation (e.g., where the cards are oriented such that a line extending along its length from top to bottom is generally perpendicular to a line extending along the shuffler 20 from front 28 to rear 30). The card dispensing area 72 may also include one or more finger recesses 76, such as at the top and bottom or both ends of the card dispensing area 72, and thus corresponding to the top and bottom of the cards located therein.

[0125] like Figure 8A As best illustrated, in some examples, the top of the card receiving area 70 is substantially coplanar with the top of the lower portion 26 of the housing 22, and therefore substantially at the same height as the flange 62 of the lower portion (thus, when the flange 62 is positioned on the support surface, the top of the card receiving area 70 is above the support surface). On the other hand, the top of the card dispensing area 72 is generally higher than the top of the card receiving area 70. As shown, the top of the card dispensing area 72 is generally defined by the top of the divider 78 and the card ramp 158 (both described in more detail below), which is positioned above the flange 62 and the top of the card receiving area 70 (therefore the top of the card dispensing area 72 is in a plane higher than the plane containing the top of the card receiving area 70).

[0126] Both the card receiving area 70 and the card distributing area 72 extend downward below the flange 62, and thus downward into the lower portion 26 of the housing 22. When the flange 62 rests on the surface of the game table, this means that at least the bottom of the card receiving area 70 and the bottom of the card distributing area 72 are generally located below the table surface.

[0127] As shown, the card receiving area 70 and the card distributing area 72 are separated, for example, by an upwardly extending divider 78. In some examples, the divider 78 effectively forms one of the sidewalls of the card receiving area 70 and one of the sides of the card distributing area 72. In some examples, the divider 78 extends upward above the card receiving area 70 and the card distributing area 72, for example, to a height such that when the shuffler 20 is mounted in the table surface, the top of the divider is above the flange 62 and therefore above the table surface. In some examples, the divider 78 not only separates the card receiving area 70 from the card distributing area 72, but also accommodates the movable sidewall 80 associated with the card receiving area 70 and serves as a stop for cards that are ejected onto the card ramp 158 of the card distributing area 72 and slide down the ramp.

[0128] In one example, the bottom of the card distribution area 72 is sloped, for example, downward toward the card receiving area 70. As described below, this allows cards that will be ejected from the shuffler 70 and slide down the card ramp 158 to be guided toward the separator 78 and easily retrieved from their position for dealing.

[0129] Now we will mainly refer to Figures 8A to 14 To describe additional details of the shuffler 20, including its operation. Card Feed

[0130] In some examples, the shuffler 20 includes a card feeding mechanism. This card feeding mechanism is configured to retrieve or remove cards from the card receiving area 70 and deliver these cards to a shuffling mechanism within the shuffler 20 (described below and which may include a card receiver). In some examples, the card feeding mechanism therefore includes components for moving cards from the card receiving area 70 to the shuffling mechanism.

[0131] As described in more detail below, the user of the shuffler 20 places one or more cards (such as one or more decks) into the card receiving area 70. In some examples, the card feeding mechanism is configured to grab or retrieve cards from the bottom of the deck or deck located in the card receiving area 70.

[0132] In some examples, a wall or at least a portion thereof defining the card receiving area 70 is movable. This wall may include a movable sidewall 80 comprising a generally planar body that is movable from a first position to a second position. The first position may include an elevated or retracted position, such that the movable sidewall 80 extends generally vertically (and is approximately 90 degrees relative to the bottom of the card receiving area 70 and extends generally parallel to the other sidewall and end wall). In this first position, the movable sidewall 80, or at least one face or surface thereof, defines a portion of the peripheral boundary of the card receiving area for a card located therein. The second position may include an inclined or extended position, where the movable sidewall 80 extends into the card receiving area 70. In this position, the movable sidewall 80 may extend at an angle, such as extending to a horizontal or other substantially non-vertical position. In the second position, the movable sidewall 80 is configured to engage one or more cards in the card receiving area 70, for example, by contacting the top card in the card receiving area 70 (where one or more cards may be present in the card receiving area 70).

[0133] like Figure 8C As best illustrated, the card dispensing area 72 may be at least partially defined by a first tray 75. The first tray 75 may, for example, comprise a molded plastic body supported within the lower portion 26 of the housing 20 by frame elements of the shuffler 20 (described in more detail below). The first tray 75 may define at least a portion of a separator 78, such as its front wall or front facing the card dispensing area 72. Similarly, the card receiving area 70 may be at least partially defined by a second tray 71. The second tray 71 may also comprise a molded plastic body supported by frame elements of the shuffler 20 (as shown, the second tray 71 may define one or more openings, such as for rollers 84 and card sensors 88, as described below). In one embodiment, the first tray 75 and the second tray 71 may be selectively disconnectable from the shuffler 20, for example, to access components adjacent to the trays, such as for maintenance.

[0134] In one example, the second tray 71 is open at or on the side facing the divider 78. This side or wall of the card receiving area 70 (which essentially includes the back of the divider 78) may be defined by a base support 73 and a movable sidewall 80. The base support 73 may include supporting or mounting elements, such as a metal plate associated with a frame structure in the housing 20. The movable sidewall 80 may be movably mounted to the base support 73 and thus movable relative to the base support 73 and the divider 78, for example by means of pins (the pins are located, for example, at opposite ends of the movable sidewall 80 near its bottom portion, thereby substantially “hinging” the movable sidewall 80 so that it can rotate relative to the base support 73 about its bottom). Thus, the movable sidewall 80 may rotate relative to the base support 73, for example via or about the pins, wherein, as shown, the pivoting position can be raised from the bottom of the card receiving area 70. When the movable sidewall 80 moves to its vertical position, it fits into or retracts into the recess of the separator 78, thereby making the surface of the movable sidewall 80 one side or boundary of the card receiving area 70 (thus constraining the card located therein), as... Figure 8C The best of what is shown.

[0135] Still refer to Figure 2 and Figure 8A The length of the movable sidewall 80 from its pivot point to its opposite or free end can be relatively short (and preferably, its length allows the movable sidewall 80 to be fitted within the separator 78 when it is in its vertical position). For example, the length of the movable sidewall 80 can be such that when the movable sidewall is tilted into the card receiving area 70, it extends only about one-third of the distance across the card receiving area 70 towards the other side (when the movable sidewall 80 is tilted to a generally horizontal position), thus engaging only a portion of one side of the top card in the card receiving area 70. In this respect, in one example, the movable sidewall 80 forms only a portion of one of the sidewalls of the card receiving area 70. The exact size of the movable sidewall 80 can vary.

[0136] A component is also provided for moving the movable sidewall 80, for example, by a motor M1, which drives a pulley P1 associated with the movable sidewall 80 via a belt B1. Figure 11A As shown in the diagram. As described in more detail below, the operation of the movable sidewall 80 can be controlled by a controller (including based on inputs from one or more sensors). In particular, in some examples, at least one sensor 88 can be configured to sense one or more cards in the card receiving area 70. Figure 8A and Figure 13As shown, the card sensor 88 can be located at the bottom of the card receiving area 70, for example, where the sensor is located below the bottom of the card receiving area 70, and the bottom of the card receiving area includes a window or opening. The card sensor 88 may include, for example, an IR or other optical sensor having an emitter that emits a light beam outward through the opening or window and into the card receiving area 70. If one or more cards are located in the card receiving area 70, the light will be reflected back and detected by the detector of the sensor 88 (and when no cards are located in the receiving area 70, the sensor will not detect light).

[0137] As indicated, the operation of the movable sidewall 80 can be controlled by a controller. The controller can control the motor M1, including based on information obtained by the controller from the card sensor 88. In some examples, the motor M1 can be configured to drive the movable sidewall 80 with a relatively constant torque (e.g., by setting the motor to operate at a constant speed to approximate constant torque), thereby ensuring constant pressure on the card in the card receiving area 70.

[0138] In some examples, after a short time delay following the detection of a card in the card area by the card sensor 88, the controller is configured to move the movable sidewall 80 such that it tilts and engages the top of the card in the card receiving area 70. When no card remains in the card receiving area 70 (as determined by the sensor 88), the movable sidewall 80 moves back to its vertical position and does not move back into the card area.

[0139] In some cases, when the first deck or group of cards is already in the receiving area 70, below the movable sidewall 80, the user may inadvertently place a second deck or group of cards into the card receiving area 70. In some examples, the controller is configured to receive information, for example, from a card reader / sensor, that allows the controller to determine the number of cards already processed by the shuffler. Therefore, when the controller determines, based on the card count, that all cards in a group have been processed, if the card sensor 88 detects a card in the card receiving area 70, the controller can determine that a card was inadvertently placed in the card receiving area 70, on top of the movable sidewall 80. In this case, the controller is preferably configured to output an error message to the user, instructing the user to remove the card. Once the card is removed (as detected by the card sensor 88), the controller can retract the movable sidewall 80, allowing the user to place the card back into the card receiving area for processing (at which point the movable sidewall 80 is lowered again into position against the top of the next deck). The controller will then, for example, begin processing (shuffling) the next deck according to the user's instructions.

[0140] The card-feeding mechanism also includes components for moving the cards. In some examples, such as... Figure 4As best illustrated, one or more rollers 84 are associated with the card receiving area 70, for example, by being positioned at the bottom of the card receiving area 70. One or more (preferably at least two) of these rollers 84 are preferably driven rollers (e.g., driven by a motor M2 via one or more belts B2, such as...). Figure 10 (As shown in the diagram). Additional rollers, such as a top idler roller (not shown), may be provided. In this way, one or more rollers of roller 84 that contact the bottommost card in the card receiving area 70 are configured to pull or drive the card from the card receiving area 70 into the interior of the shuffler 20, as shown in the diagram. Figure 8A As best shown in the example. In some examples, cards are driven or moved from the card receiving area 70 through slots in the housing 22 into the interior of the shuffler. In this way, individual cards are moved from the card receiving area 70 one at a time into the shuffler 20 (e.g., sequentially as these cards are removed from the bottom of the card receiving area 70).

[0141] like Figure 8A and Figure 10 As shown, one or more additional rollers 84 or other feeding / moving devices are used to move the cards to the shuffler. For example, as shown, multiple pairs of rollers 84 (where one or more pairs of rollers can be driven rollers or idler rollers) can be used to move each card linearly from the card receiving area 70 through the shuffler 20, generally horizontally.

[0142] like Figure 10 As shown, one or more motors M3 can be used to drive one or more of these rollers, such as driven rollers (as opposed to idlers). These motors M3 can directly drive the rollers, or indirectly, for example, by rotating one or more belts B3 (these belts can be driven by pulleys that are driven by the motor and drive the pulleys associated with the driven rollers, for example, when the pulleys are mounted on the roller shafts). Of course, various drive mechanisms can be used to drive these rollers (including direct drives, gear drives, etc.). As described below, the motors can be controlled by a controller to selectively drive these rollers. Shuffling organization

[0143] In some examples, cards delivered from card receiving area 70 are delivered to a card processing device or shuffling mechanism. The card processing device is preferably configured to shuffle (e.g., randomly arrange the cards), and more preferably to randomly arrange the cards into one or more groups, one or more sets, or one or more hands (as used herein, the term "hand" can mean a complete set of cards dealt or provided to a player or dealer, but can also include other groups of cards, such as multiple sets of community cards, replacement cards for discards, etc.).

[0144] In some examples, such as Figure 8A and Figure 9 As best shown, the card handling device includes a movable card receiver 90 having multiple card slots or card bags 92, and a component for selectively moving the card receiver 90 to guide cards into a specific card bag 92.

[0145] As shown, the card receiver 90 includes a plurality of dividers 94. These dividers 94 are spaced apart from each other to define a plurality of card slots or card bags 92. In one example, the dividers 94 are arranged vertically or stacked to define a plurality of vertically spaced card bags 92. The card receiver 90 may include a top divider or top, a bottom divider or bottom, and a plurality of intermediate dividers between them.

[0146] For reasons described in more detail below, and as... Figure 9 As best shown, the card receiver 90 may include a first set of separators and a second set of separators separated by a slot or channel 96, or wherein the separators otherwise simply define such a channel 96. The slot or channel 96 reduces the weight of the card receiver compared to a card receiver 90 without such a slot in the separator 94. Additionally, as described below, the channel 96 facilitates the insertion of the card pusher 152 into the card pouch 92 to eject the cards.

[0147] like Figure 8A and Figure 8B As shown, each card divider 94 preferably defines a generally planar card support portion (e.g., at its top) and at least one card receiving ramp 98. The card ramp 98 includes an inclined surface extending from the front of the card divider 94 toward its rear, where it defines a generally planar card support portion.

[0148] As described below, some card dividers 94 may define only a "top" card ramp 98 (e.g., a card ramp associated with the top of the divider), while other card dividers define both a top card ramp and a bottom card ramp 98 (e.g., a card ramp associated with the top of the divider and a card ramp associated with the bottom of the divider). In some examples, each card divider 94 having only a top card ramp may have a nominal thickness of approximately 0.11 inches (thickness or height excluding the ramp area). This makes these dividers 94 approximately 10 times (and preferably more than 10 times) thicker than each card when the shuffler 20 is shuffling a deck of cards approximately 0.011 inches thick. Card dividers 94 having both a top ramp and a bottom ramp may have a thickness of approximately 0.2 inches. This makes these dividers 94 approximately 20 times thicker than each card when the shuffler 20 is shuffling a deck of cards approximately 0.011 inches thick.

[0149] The height of each ramp is approximately 0.08 to 0.09 inches, such that the ratio of the height of each ramp to the thickness of the ramp is approximately 7-8 (when the thickness of the ramp is approximately 0.011 inches).

[0150] The card dividers 94 are spaced apart by a distance H of approximately 0.125 to 0.145 inches (between the top surface of one divider and the bottom surface of the adjacent divider), so that the ratio of the height of each card pocket 92 to the thickness of each card is approximately 11 to 13 (when the card has a thickness of approximately 0.011 inches).

[0151] In some examples, each card ramp 98 is inclined at an angle of approximately 10-11 degrees. When taking into account the thickness of the card separator 94 as noted above, the ramp thus extends rearward from the front of each card separator 94 toward its rear by a distance of approximately 0.466 inches.

[0152] Regarding the indicated dimension, the term "about" in one example includes a variable that takes into account manufacturing tolerances and variations, and is a quantity that does not affect the established operation of the feature. In one example, the term may include, for example, a quantity of + / - 10% of the indicated dimension.

[0153] In some examples, the card separator 94 is constructed of metal (such as aluminum) or other materials (such as plastic) that have a low coefficient of friction, low wear rate and are not easily bent or warped, because such properties are important for ensuring that the card separator 94 works correctly as described below (including guiding incoming cards into the associated card bag 92).

[0154] As indicated above, some card dividers 94 define only a top card ramp 98 (e.g., a card ramp associated with the top of the divider), while other card dividers define both a top card ramp and a bottom card ramp 98 (e.g., a card ramp associated with the top of the divider and a card ramp associated with the bottom of the divider). In some examples, one or more card pockets 92 (first type card pockets) are defined between an upper card ramp 98 on one divider 94 and a lower card ramp on another divider. Other card pockets 92 (second type card pockets) are defined between a lower card ramp 98 on one divider 94 and the top surface of a generally planar surface of another divider. In one example, a top divider 94 may define only a bottom card ramp, and a bottom divider 94 may define only a top card ramp.

[0155] In the example shown, the card receiver 90 defines fifteen (15) card bags 92. In some examples, twelve (12) of these card bags 92 are type 1 card bags, and they are located at the top of the card receiver 90. The remaining three (3) card bags 92 (type 2 card bags) are located at the bottom.

[0156] In some examples, the first type of card bag 92 is configured to receive cards in the first configuration. In some examples, this includes a “top stacking” of cards, where cards are stacked one on top of the other when more than one card is placed in the card bag (e.g., the first card is delivered to the card bag, then the second card is delivered to the card bag on top of the first card). In some examples, the card receiver 90 is moved such that the card separator 94 located above the card bag 92 to which the cards are to be delivered is aligned with the cards to be delivered, such as... Figure 8A As shown in the diagram. The incoming card is moved horizontally so that it hits the card ramp 98 at the bottom of the separator 94, as... Figure 8B As best shown. If the card being delivered to bag 92 is the first card being delivered to bag 92, then the card falls to the bottom of bag 92 (e.g., on top of the lower divider). If the card being delivered to bag 92 is the second card being delivered to bag 92, then the card hits the ramp of the divider and then falls on top of the first card already in bag 92. The number of cards in the "top stack" bag 92 can vary (e.g., depending on the intended use of the cards, such as discarding).

[0157] In some examples, the second type of card bag 92 is configured to receive cards in a second configuration. In some examples, this includes a “top and bottom stack” where cards can be stacked from above or below (e.g., cards can be delivered such that they are stacked on top of cards already in the card bag or placed below cards already in the card bag). In some examples, if cards are to be delivered from above to the card bag 92, the card receiver 90 is moved such that the card divider 94 above the desired card bag 92 is aligned with the cards, and then the cards are delivered in the same manner as described above. However, if cards are to be delivered from below to the card bag 92, the card receiver 90 is moved such that the card divider 94 below the desired card bag 92 is aligned with the cards. The cards are then delivered, striking the ramp 98 of the card divider 94 at the bottom of the card bag 92, and then pressed inward beneath any existing cards in that card bag 92. Similarly, the number of cards placed in the “top and bottom stack” card bag 92 can vary, for example, based on the intended use of the cards. In one example, the "top and bottom stack" card bag 92 can be used to randomize cards, such as to randomize two cards relative to each other, but it can also be used for a larger number of discards, etc.

[0158] The total number of card bags 92 and / or the number of first and second type card bags may differ from the configuration described herein, for example, depending on the specific application (e.g., the shuffler 20 supplies cards for one or more specific games). For instance, the card receiver 90 may have more second type card bags 90 than first type. Additionally, the size of the card bags 92 may vary in other applications, for example, depending on the total number of cards that may be expected to be delivered to a particular card bag 90.

[0159] In some examples, there are components provided for securing the cards to be delivered to the card bag 92 within the card bag to which they are delivered. Specifically, this is to prevent the cards being delivered to the card bag 92 from passing through it (in...). Figure 8A The card receiver 90 (located at the front of the shuffler) can be like... Figure 8A The front wall 95, or partition 94, shown may include walls, stops, etc. Additionally, the component may include a means to prevent cards being delivered to one of the card bags 92 from bouncing out of the bag. Specifically, the force of a card striking the front wall or stop may cause the card to bounce and return through the card bag (towards the rear of the shuffler 20). In some examples, such as... Figure 8A and Figure 13 As best shown, a card stop 110 is provided for this purpose. In some examples, the card stop 110 includes an arm 112 or other body that is movably mounted (e.g., for pivoting movement) and has a stop portion 114. As shown, the arm 112 may be slightly "L"-shaped, having a first end pivotally mounted to the shuffler and a second end including the stop 114.

[0160] The arm 112 is provided with a component for moving, for example, from a retracted position (in which the arm does not obstruct the cards being delivered to the card bag 92) to an extended position (in which the arm is positioned near the front end or open end of the card bag 92). As shown, this component may include a link 116 driven by a rotary actuator 118, such as a crank mechanism driven by a motor. As shown, forward and / or reverse rotation of the actuator moves the link 116, for example, back and forth about its pivot. In some examples, this movement is controlled by a controller of the shuffler 20.

[0161] As indicated, and as Figure 8A and Figure 9 As best shown, the card receiver 90 is movable, preferably vertically movable, to multiple target locations (for delivering cards to an assigned card bag 92). Therefore, a component is provided for moving the card receiver 90. In some examples, this component includes a lifter (for lifting, e.g., raising and / or lowering). In one example, the lifter includes a motorized belt drive. As shown, a motor M4 can be configured to rotate a belt B4 about a pulley 122. In one example, the card receiver 90 is coupled to the belt B4, for example, via a connector 123. In this way, as the belt B4 moves up and down, it pulls the card receiver 90 up and down. In one example, the motor M4 can include a stepper motor or other type of motor, and the motor can be configured to drive or move the card receiver 90 in other ways (e.g., direct drive, gear drive, etc.).

[0162] As described below, the controller of the shuffler 20 can be used to control the operation of the motor M4, thereby controlling the movement and position of the card receiver 90. This control of the card receiver 90 allows cards to be placed into different card bags 92. Card pops out

[0163] Once the cards have been shuffled by associating them with the card pouch 92 of the card receiver 90, they can then be delivered to the card distribution area 72 for the dealer to retrieve. In some examples, the shuffler 20 includes a card ejector 150 for moving cards from the card pouch 92 to the card distribution area 72.

[0164] refer to Figure 8A , Figure 12 and Figure 14 In some examples, the card ejector 150 includes a push rod 152 and a component for moving the push rod 152. The push rod 152 may include a body having a face 154. The push rod 152 is preferably movable from a retracted position to an extended position, in which the push rod is positioned behind the card receiver 90 (towards the front of the shuffler 20) such that the push rod does not interfere with the movement of the card receiver or the placement of cards into the card pouches, and in the extended position, the push rod extends into the channel 96 of the card receiver and can push cards from one of the card pouches 92 backwards into the card pouch.

[0165] In some examples, when it is desired to eject cards, the controller moves the card receiver 90 to a position where the push rod 152 is aligned with the desired card bag 92. The push rod 152 then extends, causing the face 154 to contact the cards in the aligned card bag 92 and push those cards backward.

[0166] In some examples, the height of face 154 of pusher 152 is equal to or greater than the height H of each card pouch 92 (e.g., the distance between the top of a card divider 94 and the bottom of the card divider 94 above it). In some examples, the height H of each card pouch H is approximately 0.125-0.145 inches, and the height of face 154 of pusher 152 is approximately 0.25 inches (therefore, the height of face 154 is greater than the distance between adjacent dividers 94, thus ensuring that face 154 will contact all cards in the card pouches 92 between the two dividers 94 and push these cards out of card receiver 90, but wherein the height of face 154 is not greater than the distance between two adjacent dividers 94 (including the thickness of the dividers 94), thus pusher 152 will not push out more than one card pouch 92). As noted above, in one example, card receiver 90 includes a central channel 96. In some examples, the width of push rod 152 is less than the width of channel 96, allowing push rod 152 to move into channel 96 and thus between opposing portions of each card separator 94. Therefore, when push rod 152 is in its forward position, it is positioned inside card receiver 90 (e.g., between the front and rear of card receiver, at one of the card bags 92), and thus pushes any cards in that card bag backwards. As noted above, since the height of the face 152 of card push rod 152 is equal to or greater than the height of card bag 92, card push rod 152 ensures that all cards in the corresponding card bag are pushed out, regardless of how many cards are in the card bag (e.g., cards in the card bag cannot extend beyond the top of the push rod, or the pile of cards in the card bag cannot be so high that the push rod cannot engage all the cards).

[0167] In some examples, the ejected cards move roughly horizontally and pass through the door or opening 156 to the outside of the shuffler 20 (behind the raised area 42 of the upper portion 24 of the housing 22), and onto the inclined card ramp 158 leading to the card distribution area 72. (See example...) Figure 8A As best shown, door 156 may include a hinged or revolving door type structure that opens (to allow cards to pass through) and closes (to conceal the interior of the shuffler from the outside). Door 156 may be moved by a component for movement, such as a motor or other actuator.

[0168] As indicated, the push rod 152 is moved by a component for movement. In some examples, this component includes a belt B5 mounted on a first driven pulley 160 and a second idler pulley 161. A motor M5 drives the driven pulley 160, which in turn drives the belt B5. The push rod 152 is connected to the belt B5, for example, via a clamp 163, whereby movement of the pulley 160 achieves direct movement of the push rod 152.

[0169] In the example shown, and as described above, the cards are ejected at a vertical position in the shuffler 20, which is higher than the height or vertical position at which the cards are placed in and delivered from the card receiving area 70 to the shuffler.

[0170] The additional features and benefits of this disclosure will now be described.

[0171] In some examples, such as Figure 8A As shown, the shuffler 20 may include a card reader 180. The card reader 180 may include an image capture device (such as a CCD, CMOS, or other types now known or developed in the future) configured to capture an image of each card, or, in one example, read the PIPs (symbols printed on the cards that determine their rank and suit) of the shuffled cards. In some examples, the card reader 180 may be configured to read or scan the cards as they are passed from the card receiving area 70 to the shuffler, and in particular to capture an image of the bottom or "face" of each card (which bears card distinguishing markings such as rank and suit). In this respect, as noted above, during the process, the cards move sequentially from the card receiving area 70 to the card receiver 90, allowing each card to be read separately. In other examples, the device may include other types of sensors for sensing, reading, or otherwise capturing one or more informational elements about the cards, such as the rank and / or suit or other identifying information. Furthermore, the position of the card reader 180 may vary.

[0172] In some examples, the captured card information (such as captured card images) is not used in the shuffling process, for example, not to determine the order or placement of cards. As indicated above, this is done using an RNG without considering the specific identity of each card. However, by scanning each card, the identity of each card can be matched with its determined position in the card receiver 90 (as determined by the RNG process) and each set of associated cards. In this way, information about the cards dealt to each player, the dealer, the community cards, etc., is known, and this information can be used for various purposes (triggering rewards, confirming a game win, etc.). In one example, the read card information is stored in association with information about the card's position (the assigned card bag), for example, in the memory of the shuffler 20. In one example, the read card information and the card position of each card are generated and stored in memory before each card arrives at the card receiver 90. In one example, the stored card information may include an image of the read card information, while in other examples, the read card information can be transformed, for example, from an image to data about the card (e.g., instead of an image of the card, image information can be converted to, for example, 8). (and other information). Brand Protector

[0173] As indicated, in some examples, the cards are ejected through door 156 onto ramp 158 leading to card distribution area 72. As further described, in some examples, door 156 ( Figure 8A The card ramp 158 is raised, allowing the cards to move down the ramp 158 from the door 156 to the card distribution area 72. Since the top of the card distribution area 72 is approximately flush with the top of the lower portion 26 of the housing 22, the card distribution area is at approximately the same level as the surface of the game table where the shuffler 20 is mounted. This means that the door 156 is thus positioned above the height of the tabletop, increasing the likelihood of people seeing the cards (face down when ejected).

[0174] Since this is undesirable, in some examples, a license plate shield 190 can be set. See Figures 1 and 2. Figure 5 As shown, the card protector 190 preferably includes a wall or barrier extending upward around at least a portion of the card area 40. The card protector 190 may be connected to the flange 62 of the lower portion 26 of the housing 22 (see Figure 190). Figure 7 ), and then extends upward from that flange. In some examples, the card guard 190 extends upward high enough to prevent the card being ejected from being seen, for example, by extending upward to approximately the same height as the door 156. Figure 8A As shown in the illustration. In some examples, the card cover 190 is constructed of aluminum, plastic, or similar materials and is opaque to prevent people from seeing through it. The card cover 190 may also provide additional functions, such as serving as a protector against spilled beverages, etc. (wherein the upwardly extending configuration of the card cover 190 also reduces the possibility of spilled liquids, etc., entering the card area 40).

[0175] The license plate cover 190 may include one or more bodies or sections. For example... Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown in some examples, the card guard 190 includes: a first barrier 192 located at a first side 32 of the shuffler 20 and extending substantially from a raised region 42 of the upper portion 24 of the housing 22 to the rear portion 30 of the shuffler 20; and a second barrier 192 located at a second side 34 of the shuffler 20 and extending substantially from a raised region 42 of the upper portion 24 of the housing 22 to the rear portion 30 of the shuffler 20.

[0176] Of course, the plate cover 190 can also have other configurations, such as including a single barrier member or more than two barrier members. Furthermore, the plate cover 190 can be connected to the flange 62 in a manner other than fasteners (such as screws). For example, the plate cover 190 can be formed as an integral part of the housing 20.

[0177] When the card shield 190 includes a first barrier and a second barrier positioned on substantially opposite sides of the shuffler 20, in some examples, only one of the barriers may be used at a given time, depending on the orientation of the shuffler 20 relative to the dealer and the player. For example, only the first barrier 192 may be used at a given time, or only the second barrier 192 may be used. belt tensioner

[0178] As indicated above, in some examples disclosed herein, the components used to move the card receiver 90 include a lifter (such as in the form of a belt drive), which includes a motor M4 that drives a belt B4 (to which the card receiver 90 is connected, for example, via one or more clamps), the belt being mounted to the drive element of the motor and an idler pulley 122. Ensuring that the card receiver 90 moves and stops quickly and precisely is important. Therefore, any deflection of the belt B4 is problematic.

[0179] In some examples, the shuffler 20 disclosed herein includes a belt tensioner 200. For example... Figures 11A to 11D As shown, the driven pulley 122 can be movably mounted, for example, on a first movable support 210. The first movable support 210 is preferably linearly movable toward and away from the motor M4 and / or the element driven by the motor to rotate the belt B4 (e.g., by slidably mounting the first movable support 210 to the frame element 312, as described in more detail below). In this way, the tension on the belt B4 can be increased (in this example, when the first movable support 210 moves upward) or decreased (in this example, when the first movable support 210 moves downward). In another example, the position of the drive pulley can be movably mounted.

[0180] The belt tensioner 200 may include a tension adjuster. For example... Figure 11D As best shown, a second movable support 212 can also be provided, which can also be configured for sliding / linear movement relative to frame element 312. As shown, an elastic element (such as a coil spring 214) is preferably positioned between the second movable support and the first movable support 210. A member is provided for adjusting the compression of the coil spring 214 and thus the force applied to the first movable support 210. This member may include, for example, a threaded bolt 211 that passes through the movable support 210 and engages the second movable support 212.

[0181] In use, the user can adjust the force applied to the first movable support 210 by turning bolt 211, thereby compressing or decompressing the spring, and thus changing the upward force on the first movable support 210 via spring 214. To set the desired tension on the belt, the user can loosen the fastener 213 that locks the first movable support 210 in place. The user can then set the desired force on the movable support 210 by turning bolt 211 (which changes the distance between the first movable support 210 and the second movable support 212, and thus changes the biasing force generated between them by spring 214). When the desired upward force is applied to the first movable support 210 (and thus a certain amount of tension is applied to belt B4), the user can lock the first movable support 210 in place via one or more fasteners 213 (which are associated with the first movable support 210 and can move relative to slots in the frame element 312). Advantageously, if belt B4 extends, the user can loosen fastener 213, adjust the force applied to the first movable support 210, and then relock the first movable support 210 in the newly adjusted position. This adjustment can be performed during designated maintenance of the shuffler 20. Construction and calibration

[0182] Another aspect of this disclosure includes the construction of the shuffler 20, including its design and interconnections to accommodate and maintain tight tolerances. For example... Figure 12 As best shown, various components of the shuffler 20 can be associated with the frame. The frame can be located within the housing 22, and various parts of the housing 22 can therefore cover and / or connect to the frame.

[0183] In some examples, the frame may include a base or substrate 310, such as a generally flat plate comprising machined aluminum. Elements of the card feeding system (including motors M1-M3, roller 84, and associated features (such as those of the shuffler 20 that include or define the card receiving area 70 and the card dispensing area 72)) may be associated with a first vertical support 312 and a second vertical support 314 extending upward from the substrate 310 and spaced apart from each other. Other frame elements (such as end caps 316 or other elements) may be associated with the substrate 310 and / or the first vertical support 312 and the second vertical support 314.

[0184] In some examples, the movable sign receiver 90 is associated with a third vertical support 318 and a fourth vertical support 320. The third vertical support 318 and the fourth vertical support 320 are also connected to the substrate 310. The first vertical support 312 and the second vertical support 314 may also be connected to the third vertical support 318 and the fourth vertical support 320.

[0185] like Figure 12 As shown, the frame may include other elements, such as one or more downwardly extending supports 322, 324, for example, to support the shuffler 20.

[0186] The various components of a frame can be connected to each other in various ways, such as via fasteners. In some examples, one or more of these frame components can be interconnected, for example, by means of tabs and slots. This configuration helps ensure that the frame components remain aligned (fasteners may loosen and may not adequately counteract bending forces due to the rigidity of the frame components themselves and the contact between them, rather than just through fasteners alone). Secondly, fasteners can be used to connect frame members, for example, to further counteract bending forces.

[0187] In some examples, components for adjusting the position of one or more parts of the shuffler 20 may be provided, such as components to ensure continued alignment of the parts. In some examples, this component may include components for adjusting the position of the card receiver 90 relative to the card feeding mechanism. As described above, in some examples, cards are fed from the card receiving area 70 to the card receiver 90 along a generally linear and horizontal path. It is important to maintain the alignment of the card receiver 90 relative to the card feeding mechanism to ensure that the cards are fed correctly to the card receiver 90, including causing the cards to strike the card ramp 98 of the card separator 94 and be guided into the correct card bag 92.

[0188] In some examples, such as Figure 11B As shown, the first calibration mark or indicator 326 may be disposed on a portion of the frame supporting the card feeding mechanism (e.g., the first vertical support 312). The second calibration mark or indicator 328 may be disposed on a portion of the card receiver 90.

[0189] In one example, a user (such as a technician) can calibrate the shuffler 20 by aligning these calibration marks (because the position of the card receiver 90, etc., may become misaligned over time). As an example, a user can access the calibration features, for instance, through a menu on the controller (described below). The calibration features may allow the user to provide up / + or down / - inputs, which the controller uses to move the motor M4, thereby adjusting the position of the card receiver 90 until a technician confirms that the calibration marks are aligned (through visual inspection and continued adjustment inputs). In other examples, calibration can be manual, for instance, by providing one or more adjusting screws or bolts that, when turned, move the position of one or more components of the shuffler 20. controller

[0190] As indicated above, the operation of the shuffler 20 is preferably controlled by at least one controller. This controller may include hardware and / or software, such as a processor that executes machine-readable code (e.g., software) stored in memory. Figure 8A As shown, one or more components of the controller may be associated with a circuit or motherboard.

[0191] In one example, the shuffler 20 has a main controller or CPU 175 and a secondary controller or microcontroller 177. For example... Figure 15 As shown, the main controller 175 and the auxiliary controller 177 can be configured to receive information, including input or data from external devices and systems, via one or more communication ports or interfaces 58, one or more buttons 66a, 66b, card sensor 88, card reader 180 (described below), or other input devices of the shuffler 20. One of the main controller 175 and the auxiliary controller 177 is also configured to illuminate indicator 170 and display information on video display 64, and to control other components of the shuffler 20, such as various motors (including motors M1 to M5) or other drive mechanisms, fans (multiple) 50, etc.

[0192] It should be understood that the shuffler 20 may include various sensors in addition to those described in detail above, and the main controller 175 and / or auxiliary controller 177 may therefore communicate with these various sensors. For example, in addition to the card feed sensor 88, other sensors (such as motors, card sensors, or other sensors) may be configured to enable and / or confirm the operation of the shuffler 20. For example, various sensors may be used to detect motor position, the absence or presence of portions of housing 22, the presence of one or more cards in card receiver 90, the presence of cards in card distribution area 72 (e.g., to determine when another deck is dispensed), and / or the position or movement of cards. For example, one or more sensors may be used to determine the flow of cards through one or more portions of the shuffler 20 (e.g., from card receiving area 70 to card receiver 90). In one example, these sensors may include “beam-cutting” type sensors (where the presence of the card will cut off the emitted beam of light), and wherein the one or more sensors may be positioned such that movement of the card can be detected in a manner that can be used to determine whether the card is moving at a target rate or speed (where a fault condition can be triggered if the beam of light emitted by the sensor is not cut off or triggered at a specified time or time interval, indicating normal flow of the card). As indicated, the sensors can be of various types, such as beam sensors, Hall effect sensors, pressure sensors, contact sensors, or other types of sensors.

[0193] In one example of this disclosure described in detail below, various aspects of the operation of the shuffler 20 can be controlled by a main controller 175 and an auxiliary controller 177, respectively. The main controller 175 and the auxiliary controller 177 can communicate with each other, and the auxiliary controller 177 can be primarily used to generate card bag information, receive input from the card sensor 88 and buttons 66a, 66b, and control a motor M (e.g., motor M4) for moving the card receiver 90 to associate incoming cards with a specific assigned / designated card bag 92.

[0194] As detailed below, in some examples, the main controller 175 is configured to generate one or more decks of cards, such as one or more hands or one or more sets of cards. The number of decks or sets and the number of cards in each deck or set can be limited by the game being played. For example, in a poker game where each player receives five (5) cards and four (4) players are involved, the main controller 175 can generate a virtual deck structure for a specific game or operation of choice. This virtual deck structure includes, for example, a randomized virtual deck structure generated using a random number generator (RNG). This virtual deck or virtual deck structure can be stored in a first memory 178 associated with the main controller 175.

[0195] As will be described in detail below, in one example, the auxiliary controller 177 is configured to assign physical cards to the card pouch 92 of the card receiver 90, for example, based on information about the virtual deck structure. The auxiliary controller 177 may store the card pouch or location information in memory, such as a second memory 179 (which may include a separate memory or data storage device from the first memory 178 associated with the main controller 175, or may include a separate portion or area of ​​a common memory device), separate from the virtual deck information generated and stored by the main controller 175. The auxiliary controller 177 may be configured (e.g., via a control signal to the motor M4) to move the card receiver 90 to position each card into its assigned card pouch 92.

[0196] The main controller 175 can store the read card information (e.g., obtained from a card reader) in relation to the virtual deck, thereby generating "hand" information (e.g., information about each card associated with each hand in the game). This associated card or "hand" information can also be stored in a first memory 178 associated with the main controller 175.

[0197] In some examples, the main controller 175 is configured to display information on the one or more video displays 64 only in response to user input (such as the one or more buttons 66a, 66b, or a touch device or screen (such as associated with video display 64) or other input device). In one example, buttons 66a, 66b include a first button and a second button located at or near the card receiving and distributing area 40. For example, as shown in FIG1, buttons 66a, 66b may be located near the card receiving area 70, such as near flange 62. Buttons 66a, 66b can be of various types and are configured to receive user input, such as via touch or press. Buttons 66a, 66b may include one or more visual indicators (such as lights or light rings), wherein the visual indicators can be selectively illuminated, such as illuminated in different colors.

[0198] In some examples, at least one indicator 170 (such as an LED) can provide information to the user. Indicator 170 may be located, for example, in the control panel 44 section of the shuffler 20. As shown, indicator 170 may be located near display 64. However, the indicator may also be located in other locations. In one example, indicator 170 may illuminate with different colors (e.g., green (normal operation), yellow (indicating user input to the shuffler), and red (warning conditions, such as requiring technician intervention)). In one example, visual indicators for buttons 66a and 66b may illuminate synchronously with indicator 170.

[0199] In some examples, while the main controller 175 awaits user commands or input, it may activate indicators 170 and buttons 66a, 66b, for example, by illuminating a yellow LED. The user is then alerted that they need to provide input to the controller, such as prompting the controller to display certain information, including commands, options, or other information. This input may include input to buttons 66a, 66b and / or input to display 64.

[0200] In some examples, the main controller 175 can be configured to display various information in response to such user input, such as options for starting a shuffle, creating a hand for a specific game, stopping a shuffle, displaying shuffled hand information, or other information. The user can provide input, for example, regarding such selections, to cause the shuffler 20 to initiate a shuffle, including creating a shuffled hand for a specific game.

[0201] As indicated, the shuffler 20 is preferably configured to shuffle and create one or more decks of cards, such as the hands required for playing a game. The main controller 175 may allow the user to select a specific game being played and / or other parameters, enabling the controller to control the shuffler 20 to create the correct number of hands (whether player's or dealer's hands) and / or multiple decks of community cards, including each hand / deck having the correct or desired number of cards. As indicated, the shuffler 20 may also generate information about the identity of each shuffled card, such as information related to a virtual deck, thereby enabling the shuffler 20 to store and display "hand" information (e.g., information about each specific card in a deck formed by the shuffler 20).

[0202] In some examples, the main controller 175 may be programmable (e.g., via an external connection to another device, such as a laptop or server) to allow reprogramming of the controller, such as to include information about additional or new games, and / or to allow users to similarly program the controller. Game or other information (such as the number of decks, the number of cards in each deck, etc.) may be stored in memory and may be used by the processor to generate the required number of decks or hands and / or decks or hands with specific numbers of cards for different types of games.

[0203] Figure 16 An example flow illustrating the general operation of the shuffler 20 is shown. In step S1, if the shuffler 20 is not yet powered, it can be powered on, for example, by using power switch 56. In step S2, the dealer can provide input for specific operations, such as by selecting options from a menu or list displayed on display 64, for example, via an associated touchscreen. These options may include, for example, shuffling and manual dealing operations associated with a specific game.

[0204] In step S3, the auxiliary controller 177 can be configured to receive the selected operation input and then check the cards in the card receiving area 70, for example, based on the output of the card sensor 88. If no card is detected, the operation can be repeated until the dealer places a card into the card receiving area 70. At this time, the movable sidewall 80 is in its vertical position.

[0205] When a card is detected in the card receiving area 70, as indicated in step S4, the main controller 175 can generate virtual deck information or a virtual deck structure for a selected specific game based on game-specific characteristics (such as the number of player cards, dealer cards, community cards, etc., required to present the game). The virtual deck information is created using RNG, thus "shuffling" the virtual deck cards to create a shuffled virtual deck, where each physical card (identified by an ordinal number indicating its position in the physical deck) is linked to a corresponding virtual deck card (having an associated position for use in the game). This operation can, for example, generate virtual deck information where each card in the physical deck located in the receiving area 70 is assigned a position in the virtual deck (using the corresponding ordinal number indicating the position in the shuffled physical deck), such as "Physical deck card 1: Player hand 2, card 1; Physical deck card 2: Player hand 1, card 1; Physical deck card 3: Dealer hand, card 1, etc." In one example, the virtual deck information is created before the main controller 175 begins the actual shuffling and before it knows the read card information (e.g., the actual rank and suit) of each physical card. This virtual deck information may be stored in a first memory 178 associated with the main controller 175. Figure 17 This aspect of the invention is further illustrated, wherein the main controller 175 has created a first dataset comprising the random assignment of physical cards to virtual decks, wherein the virtual decks are defined by the cards and / or decks necessary to implement the selected game.

[0206] In step S5, the auxiliary controller 177 receives information about the virtual deck (some or all of the virtual deck information) from the main controller 175 and uses this information to generate card slot or card bag 92 data. For example, when provided with information that the virtual deck provides a card bag for 5 player hands, 1 dealer hand, and 1 community card bag, the processor can choose to route each incoming card corresponding to the first player's hand to slot 2, route the card corresponding to the dealer's hand to slot 1, route the card corresponding to the community cards to slot 8, etc., and route discards or extra cards to other slots. Figure 17 This aspect of the invention is illustrated in the figure, wherein the auxiliary controller 177 can create a third dataset that includes the assignment of each physical card to one of these card locations (in this example, the card receiver bag 92).

[0207] Then, the auxiliary controller 177 can activate the movable sidewall 80, for example, by activating the motor M1, to begin processing the cards as in step S6. As indicated above, this activation can move the movable sidewall 80 from a vertical position to an inclined position, in which the movable sidewall contacts the cards in the card receiving area 70. Simultaneously, the auxiliary controller 177 preferably actuates or drives the card feeding mechanism, for example, by activating the motor M2 and driving the roller 84, thereby extracting the cards from the bottom of the card receiving area 80, as indicated in step S7.

[0208] In step S8, each fed card can be read by the card reader 180, and the read card information is analyzed and stored in a read card data structure, such as in the first memory 178 (or a memory associated with the card reader, etc.). In one example, this structure combines each read card (using its ordinal number) with its card information (e.g., "Physical deck card 1: A") ; Physical card deck combination 2:4 (etc.) are related. Figure 17 This aspect of the invention is illustrated in the figure, wherein a second dataset is created, wherein the second dataset includes card information for each physical card.

[0209] In step S9, each card is routed to card receiver 90 for placement in slots or card pouches 92, as assigned in step S5 above. Importantly, in one example, the placement process is performed by an auxiliary controller 177 operating the card receiver 90, which, as noted above, is separate from the main controller 175 of the shuffler. The auxiliary controller 177 preferably moves the card receiver 90 (e.g., by activating motor M4) such that the card pouch 92 to which each card is assigned aligns with the incoming card, thereby allowing each card to be moved into its assigned pouch. In one example, this process of feeding and guiding cards into the pouches continues (as in step S10) until all cards have been processed from the card receiving area 70 (at which point the card feeding mechanism can be deactivated, including moving the movable sidewall 80 back to its vertical position and turning off motors M2 and M3 that drive the multiple sets of rollers 84).

[0210] In one example, the shuffler 20 is able to generate information about each dealt hand, undealt hand, etc., as in step S11. This information is generated by the main controller 175, which matches the read card information with virtual deck information. As indicated, since the ordinal number of each card in the physical deck being shuffled is mapped to a virtual deck position via the virtual deck information, and since the read card information maps the ordinal number of each card to the corresponding read card data, the mapping of read card information to virtual deck information accurately maps the read data to the cards dealt in the game, and specifically to each hand or other position. This is done independently of the card receiver or card bag 92 position assigned by the auxiliary controller 177. For example, as Figure 17 As shown, hand information can be generated by simply linking the card information of each read card to the corresponding card in the virtual deck. For example, in the provided example, it is known that "card 2" is a 4. And card 2 is assigned to player 1 in the virtual deck, therefore 4 are known. This is one of the cards in player's hand 1, formed and output by the shuffler (this information can be generated by linking the first and second datasets, including by forming new combined datasets). Associating the read card data with the virtual deck can be performed by the main controller 175 before the cards move from the card receiver 90 to the card distribution area 72 for dealing. However, to ensure that this information is not accessible to the dealer or player before the game is complete (e.g., by being accessed or displayed via the display 44), the relevant information is isolated in secure memory (e.g., the first memory 178 or a separate memory) and cannot be accessed.

[0211] Then, the cards can be ejected. As indicated, in step S12, the main controller 175 (directly or via the auxiliary controller 177) can cause the card receiver 90 to move vertically up and down, aligning each card bag 92 with the card ejector 150. Then, the main controller 175 (directly or via the auxiliary controller 177) can activate the card ejector 150, causing the pusher 152 to eject the cards associated with the card bags 92 from the card receiver 90, as in step S13, so that the cards are distributed into the card distribution area, where, as reflected in step S14, these cards can be retrieved by the dealer. As indicated herein, in one example, the main controller 175 is configured to process the cards into one or more groups (e.g., one or more hands), whereby hands (whether player hands, dealer hands, one or more community cards, etc.) are distributed into the card distribution area 72 for the dealer to retrieve. Advantages and other aspects of the design

[0212] Compared to existing shuffling or card handling devices, the shuffler 20 can have various advantages and solve various problems.

[0213] The advantage of having the top of the card dispensing area 72 higher than the top of the card receiving area 70 is that this facilitates a card receiver 90 (described below) with numerous card slots or card bags 92, while still allowing the card receiver 90 to have a range of motion (in the vertical direction) necessary for aligning its card bag with the cards fed into the card bag by the card feeding mechanism of the shuffler, and also for allowing the card receiver 90 to move vertically to a position where the card bag 92 can be aligned with the card ejector 150.

[0214] As indicated, another feature of this disclosure is a shuffler 20 having a card receiving area 70 with movable sidewalls 80. When in a first position or vertical position, the movable sidewalls 80 form part of the card receiving area 70, such as one of its sidewalls. Simultaneously, the movable sidewalls 80 can tilt into the card receiving area 70 to engage the top of one or more cards, thereby facilitating the downward movement of the cards so that they can be drawn into the shuffler 20 from the bottom of the card receiving area 70 by the card feeding mechanism. This design is compact and does not require a separate arm or weight, thus not occupying space within the shuffler 20 or requiring the repositioning of other components.

[0215] In one example disclosed herein, the shuffler 20 generates three distinct datasets or structures: 1) virtual deck information; 2) read card information; and 3) card receiver position information. In this configuration, the processor operating the card receiver (e.g., auxiliary controller 177) generates card receiver or pocket position information for each card, but is not provided with read card information (rank / suit) for any card in the card receiver 90, and therefore is unaware of, does not need, or use the read card information. Correspondingly, the main controller 175 generates virtual deck information and is provided with read card information (rank / suit), but is not provided with card receiver or pocket position information indicating the assigned position of the card in the card receiver, and therefore is unaware of, does not need, or use the card receiver or pocket position information.

[0216] One advantage of this configuration is that the main controller 175 of the shuffler 20 does not need to be customized to work with a specific shuffling device (such as a specific card receiver). Instead, the main controller 175 only needs to provide a general virtual deck output, without having to generate card position data specific to a particular card receiver, nor need to be able to generate specific instructions for moving (e.g., manipulating) the card receiver. Therefore, the main controller 175 can work with various types of card receivers, where the card receiver (including its physical structure and subprocessors) is configured as a "plug-and-play" unit. Another advantage is that, in this configuration, information about the hand composition used in the game does not depend on the position of the cards placed in the roulette wheel, receiver, or other structure. Instead, the read card information is directly mapped to the virtual deck, and thus to the actual hand dealt by the dealer. Second embodiment of the shuffler

[0217] refer to Figures 18A to 18D , Figure 19 , Figures 20A to 20B , Figure 21 , Figure 22 , Figures 23A to 23B , Figures 24 to 27 , Figures 28A to 28B , Figures 29A to 29B , Figures 30A to 30B , Figures 31A to 31B , Figure 32A , Figure 32B and Figures 33A to 33B The diagram illustrates a shuffling apparatus or shuffler 400 according to a second embodiment. The shuffler 400 is a multi-pass shuffler that automatically performs two or more shuffling operations (see above).

[0218] For details, please refer to the following: Figure 18A The shuffling device 400 includes a controller 7, a card feed lift 410, a card discharge lift 412, a shuffling mechanism 6, a card reader 5, a card receiver 8, and a pusher mechanism 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the shuffling mechanism 6 includes a conveying mechanism 18, a card pile moving mechanism 430, and a card receiver lifting mechanism 450.

[0219] like Figures 18B to 18D As shown, the shuffler 400 includes a top 402 having a top surface 404. The shuffler 400 can be configured to be installed inside a cabinet or table (such as a game table) (not shown). The top surface 404 of the top 302 can be configured to be flush with the top of the cabinet or table in which the shuffler 400 is installed.

[0220] The shuffler 400 may include a user interface 406 with a display 408, a card feed lift 410, and a card dispensing lift 412. Typically, the card feed lift 410 can rise to the top of the table, allowing unshuffled cards to be loaded into the lift and lowered to the shuffling mechanism 6 (see below). The card dispensing lift 412 receives or picks up ejected cards from the card receiver 8 (see below). The user interface 406 may also include multiple user inputs (not shown), which may include multiple mechanical switches, buttons, and / or touchscreen buttons (not shown) implemented on the display 408. The user interface 406 is coupled to a controller 7 and allows the user to control the shuffler 400.

[0221] In the illustrated device, the card receiving area 4 is implemented or realized in the card receiving lift 410. Under the control of the controller 7, the card receiving lift 410 can rise in response to the user's actuation of the user interface 406 (see Figure 18). This allows the user to place or insert a set of unduffled cards into the card receiving lift 410 in the direction of arrow 414. In the illustrated embodiment, the card receiving lift 410 can accommodate up to eight decks of playing cards.

[0222] Once the user inserts a card, the card-inserting lift 410 can be lowered via the user interface 406. For example... Figure 19 As shown, the shuffling device 400 includes a frame 416 located below the top 402, in which other components of the shuffling device 400 are mounted. (Reference) Figure 19 The card-entry lift 410 can be raised and lowered in the direction of arrow 418. In the illustrated embodiment, the card-entry lift 410 can be raised and lowered via a motor (and a series of belts and rollers, see below) under the control of the controller 7.

[0223] The shuffling mechanism 6 may include a series of feed rollers 420 for conveying individual cards from the bottom of the feed lifter 410 toward the card receiver 8. (Reference) Figures 28A to 28B The card receiver 8 may include a shuttle 322. In the illustrated embodiment, the shuttle 322 includes twenty-two card pockets or card slots 424. Twenty-one of the card pockets 424 are used for the shuffling process (see above), and one of the card pockets 424 can be used for discarding cards. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, each card pocket 424 can hold at least twenty-one cards.

[0224] The controller 7 controllably moves the shuttle 422 relative to the shuffling mechanism 6 and the feed roller 420 via a suitable motor (see below) to align the corresponding card bag in the card bag 424 with the feed roller 420. As discussed above, when physical cards are fed through the shuffling mechanism 6 by the feed roller 420 (in the direction of arrow 444), the card reader 5 establishes card information (including rank and suit), and the controller determines which card bag 324 the card should be stored in. The controller 7 moves the shuttle 422 up or down accordingly so that each card can be stored in the correct or desired card bag 424.

[0225] For details, please refer to the following: Figure 21 The shuffler 400 may further include a card ejection mechanism 426. As shown, the card ejector 426 may include a pusher 428 for ejecting cards from each card pouch 424. The pusher 428 of the card ejector 426 may be configured to push cards from each card pouch 424 into the card dispensing lifter 412. In the illustrated embodiment, cards are ejected into the card dispensing lifter 412 at the end of each pass. At the end of each pass, the shuttle 422 is moved to align the shuttle 422 with the card ejector 426 such that each card pouch 424 of the shuttle 422 is sequentially aligned with the pusher 428. For example, first, the twenty-first card pouch 424 may be aligned with the pusher 428, and the pusher extends (as shown). Figure 21 (As shown) pushes the cards from the twenty-first card bag 424 into the bottom of the card dispenser 412. Then, the shuttle 422 can be moved to align the twentieth card bag 424 with the pusher 428, and the pusher extends to push the cards from the twentieth card bag 424 into the card dispenser 412, on top of the cards from the twenty-first card bag. This operation is repeated until all card bags 424 are emptied. In this way, a partially shuffled deck is formed at the end of the first pass, and a fully shuffled deck is formed at the end of the second pass (see above).

[0226] For details, please refer to the following: Figure 22 To Figure 23 and Figures 30A to 30B In the illustrated embodiment, the shuffler 400 may further include a deck movement mechanism 430 configured to move the cards (in the direction of arrow 432) from the discard lift 412 back into the receiving lift 410 at the end of the first pass. In the illustrated embodiment, the deck movement mechanism 430 constrains the cards on at least three sides and moves the entire deck in the discard lift 412 along a set of tracks (not shown) into the receiving lift 410. Figures 30A to 30B As shown, the card stack moving mechanism 430 may include a motor (not shown) and one or more belts 429, which controllably move the card stack mechanism 430 under the control of the controller 7.

[0227] Once the cards return to the card feeder 410, they can be fed through the shuffling mechanism 6 during the second pass and sorted into the card bag 424 of the shuttle 422. Figure 24 Once the second pass is complete, the cards in the card bag 424 of the shuttle 422 can be ejected again into the card dispenser 412 using the card ejector 426 and the pusher 428. Figure 25 ).

[0228] Once the cards are ejected from shuttle 422, the shuffled deck is located inside card dispenser 412, and card dispenser 412 can be raised in the direction of arrow 434 (see...). Figure 26 This allows the shuffled cards to be retrieved (by the user) in the direction of arrow 436 (see...). Figure 27 ).

[0229] Typically, referring to the accompanying drawings and in operation, the shuttle 422, the card ejector 426, and the card stack moving mechanism 430 can be moved using a series of motors and belts under the control of the controller 7.

[0230] For details, please refer to the following: Figure 20A and Figure 20B In one embodiment, the set of rollers 420 of the conveying mechanism 18 includes a first set of rollers 340 and a second set of rollers 342. The first set of rollers 340, under the control of the controller 7, controllably moves the cards from the first card receiving area 4 to the shuffling mechanism 6. The second set of rollers 342, under the control of the controller 7, controllably moves the cards from the intermediate area 344 to the card receiver 8.

[0231] For details, please refer to the following: Figure 20A The first set of rollers 340 is driven by a first motor 346 and a set of belts 348, and the second set of rollers 342 is driven by a second motor 350 and a set of belts 352. The card reader 5 is positioned near the middle position 344.

[0232] Under the control of controller 7, first motor 346 drives first roller 342 at a first speed to grab the bottom card in first card receiving area 4 and convey it toward center position 344. Once the card reaches center position 344, first motor 346 and first roller 340 pause, allowing card reader 5 to obtain card information from the card. Subsequently, second motor 350 drives second roller 342 at a second speed to convey the card from center position 344 to card receiver 8. The second speed can be greater than the first speed to ensure that the current card has been removed from center area 344 before the next card is conveyed into center area 344 by first roller 340.

[0233] refer to Figure 18A , Figure 19 and Figure 21The card reader receiver lifting mechanism 450 includes a third motor 354 and a belt 356. The third motor 354 raises and lowers the card reader 5 under the control of the controller 7. Card stack pusher

[0234] As discussed above, in the second embodiment, the shuffler 400 may include a pile moving mechanism or a pile pusher 430 configured to move partially shuffled cards (after the first pass) from the dispensing lifter 412 back to the receiving lifter 410 (in the direction of arrow 429). See details. Figures 35A to 35B In one embodiment, the card pile moving mechanism 430 may include a card holding structure 438 configured to surround the card pile (composed of...). Figure 35A Box 440 in the middle represents (the area).

[0235] The card holding structure 438 includes two side plates 442, a rear plate 444, and a bracket 448. The two side plates 442 and the rear plate 444 can be machined from any suitable metal or made from any suitable material. In the illustrated embodiment, the side plates 442 are connected to the rear plate 444 via suitable fasteners 446. The bottom of the card stack 440 can be supported by a plate (not shown) and slide over it.

[0236] The card stack moving mechanism 430 allows the shuffling device 400 to move partially shuffled cards from the card dispensing elevator 412 back to the card receiving elevator 410 to complete two shuffling processes (without the dealer removing partially shuffled cards from the card dispensing elevator 412 and inserting them back into the card receiving elevator 410).

[0237] The bracket 448 can be connected to the stepper motor 431 via a belt or strap 429 (see above). The card stack moving mechanism 430 can be configured to move the card stack 440 from the card dispenser to the card feeder a predetermined travel distance (e.g., 7 inches).

[0238] In the illustrated embodiment, the deck moving mechanism 30 can be configured to move all the decks being shuffled, for example, up to eight decks. In an alternative embodiment, the deck moving mechanism 30 can be configured to move fewer than all the decks being shuffled in a single pass, thus requiring multiple passes or pushes to move all the decks. Card receiver lifting mechanism with counterweight

[0239] As discussed above, the shuffling device 400 may include a card receiver lifting mechanism 450, which is coupled to the card receiver 8 or the shuttle 422 and configured to controllably raise and lower the shuttle 422 relative to the shuffling mechanism 6. (Reference) Figure 18A , Figure 19 , Figure 21 , Figures 37A to 37E The card receiver lifting mechanism 450 may include a frame 452, an upper roller 454, a lower roller 456, a belt 458, and a third motor 460.

[0240] In the illustrated embodiment, frame 452 is formed by shuffling device 400 and includes an upper end 452A adjacent to the top 402 of shuffling device 400 and a lower end 452B adjacent to or near the bottom of shuffling device 400. As shown, upper roller 454 is positioned or mounted near the top 452A of frame 452. Lower roller 456 is positioned or mounted near the bottom 452B of frame 452. Belt 458 is suspended between upper roller 454 and lower roller 456. In other words, belt 458 is positioned around the outer surfaces of rollers 454 and 456. In one embodiment, belt 458 is under tension, thereby providing a friction interface between belt 458 and rollers 454 and 456.

[0241] In another embodiment, rollers 454, 456 may be gears, i.e., have teeth or ridges, and belt 458 may be complementary teeth or ridges along the inner surface of belt 458, thereby forming a friction interface between them.

[0242] A motor 460 is coupled to one of the upper roller 454 and the lower roller 456 and is configured to controllably rotate the one of the upper roller 454 and the lower roller 456. In the illustrated embodiment, the motor 460 is coupled to the lower roller 456.

[0243] As shown, the shuttle 422 is mounted to or connected to one side of the belt 458. During operation, the shuttle 422 exerts forces on the motor 460, the belt 458, the interface between them, and associated mechanisms due to its weight and inertia. In the illustrated embodiment, a counterweight 462 is attached to the opposite side of the belt 458. During operation, as the shuttle 422 rises, the counterweight 462 falls, and vice versa.

[0244] exist Figure 37A In this configuration, counterweight 462 is located near the top 452A of the frame, and shuttle 422 is located near the bottom 452B of the frame. Figure 35B In Figure 35, the counterweight 462 is located near the bottom end 452B of the frame, and the shuttle 422 is located near the top end 45A of the frame 452. In Figure 35C, the counterweight 462 and the shuttle 422 are located at or near the midpoint between the top end 452A and the bottom end 452B of the frame 452.

[0245] refer to Figures 37D to 37E In one embodiment, the counterweight 462 is connected to the belt 458 via a bracket 464. In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket 464 may be connected to the counterweight 462 via a plurality of fasteners 466.

[0246] In one embodiment, the bracket 464 includes a first bracket member 464A and a second bracket member 464B. The first bracket member 464A and the second bracket member 464B are fastened together by a plurality of fasteners 468. In the illustrated embodiment, a belt 458 is clamped between the first bracket member 464A and the second bracket member 464B, thereby forming a friction interface between them. Two shuffles or sorting examples

[0247] refer to Figures 34A to 34H Now, an example of two rounds of shuffling or sorting will be described. In this example, a deck of 25 cards will be sorted into a desired card sequence. The desired card sequence can be a predetermined random sequence or some other predetermined sequence. In this example, the cards are represented by two-digit numbers using only the digits 1-5, which in this example are associated with five separate slots. Reference Figure 34A This shows the entire hand represented using two digits. In this example, Figure 34A The representation in the image shows the expected sequence of cards, where the leftmost card "11" is the bottom card in a vertically stacked deck, and the rightmost card "55" is the top card in the deck.

[0248] Figure 34B The diagram shows a representation of the input or shuffled card sequence. This shuffled card sequence can represent the state of the deck after use. Figure 34B In the illustrated embodiment, the leftmost card "52" represents the first card to be initially sorted by the two shufflers, and the rightmost card "32" represents the last card to be initially sorted.

[0249] As discussed above, the input or shuffled card sequence can be fed one card at a time into the two-pass shuffler 400. In this example, in the first pass, cards are sorted or placed into slots based on the second number or otherwise related to it. Therefore, refer to... Figure 34C The first card from the input sequence (i.e., the "52" card) is inserted into the second slot (sh2). The second card "33" is inserted into the third slot (sh3), and the third card "24" is inserted into the fourth slot (sh4).

[0250] refer to Figure 34D The remaining cards are then sorted or inserted into one of these card slots (sh1 to sh5) accordingly. It should be noted that in the illustrated embodiment, cards are inserted into the slots at the top. In other words, if a card is the first card inserted into a slot, it is at the bottom of the slot. Subsequent cards are inserted on top of the existing cards in the slot. In the illustrated embodiment, the cards in the first column of each slot represent the bottom card in the slot.

[0251] As discussed above, the cards can then be ejected from the card slots. In the illustrated embodiment, the cards in the first card slot sh1 are ejected first. Then, the cards in the second card slot sh2 are ejected on top of the cards from the first card slot, and so on, thereby obtaining a temporarily or partially shuffled or sorted deck.

[0252] refer to Figure 34E The diagram shows a representation of a partially shuffled or sorted deck of cards, where the leftmost card "11" is the bottom card and the rightmost card "25" is the top card.

[0253] Then, these cards (starting from the bottom of the deck) can be returned one at a time to the double-shuffler 400. In this example, during the second shuffle, the cards are sorted or placed into slots based on the first number or otherwise related to it. Therefore, refer to... Figure 34F The first card from the bottom of the input sequence (i.e., the "11" card) is inserted into the first slot (sh2). The second card, "31," is inserted into the third slot (sh3), and the third card, "41," is inserted into the fourth slot (sh4). (See reference) Figure 34G The remaining cards are then sorted or inserted into one of these card slots (sh1 to sh5).

[0254] Then, the cards can be ejected from the slots. In the illustrated embodiment, the cards in the first slot sh1 are ejected first. Next, the cards in the second slot sh2 are ejected on top of the cards from the first slot, and so on, thus obtaining the desired card sequence (see [link to example]). Figure 34H ).

[0255] from Figures 34A to 34H The examples shown, and further references Figures 1B to 1D and Figure 16 This demonstrates how a double-shuffler 400 shuffles a typical poker hand. In one embodiment of this example, the controller assigns a separate card rank to each of the reference card numbers "11" through "55". In such an example, it's possible that the controller determines the Ace of Hearts (which is included in the twenty-five cards being shuffled in this example) should be in the seventh position at the end of the two shuffles, so the controller assigns card number "22" to the Ace of Hearts, and then... Figures 34A to 34H As disclosed in the report, the reshuffling continues.

[0256] In another example, if the sample deck contains multiple Aces of Hearts, the controller can assign the first Ace of Hearts to the number "22" and assign subsequent Aces of Hearts to the next assigned number. For example, if the deck to be sorted contains several decks (cards of the same denomination and number), the deck will contain multiple cards of the same denomination. Each of these multiple cards will be assigned a unique number and can then be sorted or shuffled to the correct position in the desired card sequence.

[0257] Figures 34A to 34H Further to demonstrate the benefits of this disclosure, including a reduction in the number of slots required to fully shuffle a given number of playing cards. A further benefit is that, by utilizing a two-stage sorting method, the first sorting of the cards according to the illustrated example (e.g., by associating the second number with the slot) ensures that the second sorting of the cards according to the illustrated example (e.g., by associating the first number with the slot) will produce the desired order of the final shuffled cards, as determined by the controller. In this example, this is implemented as follows: the controller specifies that after the first pass, the first slot (s1) ( Figure 24 D) is the first slot that is finally sorted in the second round, such that each card in the deck assigned "1" as the second number will be the first card assigned to the slot in the second round. Figures 34F to 34G As shown in the document.

[0258] It should be understood that the above arrangements of the equipment and methods thereof are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of this disclosure, and many other embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure as defined in the claims.

[0259] The foregoing invention is described in accordance with applicable legal standards, and therefore is exemplary in nature and not restrictive. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A shuffling device, comprising: frame; The first card receiving area is used to receive a set of cards. A card receiver, which is movably connected to the frame and has multiple card receiving bags; A shuffling mechanism, connected to the frame and associated with the first card receiving area, is configured to receive cards from the card receiving area and controllably place the cards into corresponding card receiving bags. A card reader, which is coupled to the frame and associated with the shuffling mechanism, is configured to read card information from the cards as they pass through the shuffling mechanism; A controller, connected to the card reader and the shuffling mechanism, is configured to perform the following steps: A virtual deck structure is established, which defines the virtual card assignment for multiple cards. The virtual deck structure is a matrix with multiple cells, which are organized into a predetermined number of rows and columns. Each card in the multiple cards is associated with one cell in the matrix. The number of card receiving bags is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of rows and columns in the matrix. Perform the first pass, which includes the following steps: The shuffling mechanism is used to feed the deck of cards from the first card receiving area of ​​the shuffling device one card at a time into the shuffling mechanism; The card reader is used to read card information from each card in the cards fed from the first card receiving area; Based on the associated card information and the virtual card deck structure, information about the first assigned card receiving bag for each card in the cards fed from the first card receiving area is generated; The shuffling mechanism delivers the cards to an associated first assigned card receiving bag, thereby forming a partially shuffled deck; and Perform a second pass, which includes the following steps: The shuffling mechanism is used to place the partially shuffled deck into the first deck receiving area of ​​the shuffling device. The shuffling mechanism is used to feed cards from the partially shuffled deck from the first card receiving area to the shuffling device one at a time; The card reader is used to establish card information for each card in the cards fed from the first card receiving area; Based on the associated card information, information about a second assigned card receiving bag for each card among the cards fed from the first card receiving area is generated; The shuffling mechanism is used to deliver the cards to an associated second assigned card receiving bag, thereby forming a shuffled deck.

2. The shuffling apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a card-feeding lift defining a first card receiving area, the first card-feeding lift being connected to the controller, the controller being configured to controllably raise and lower the card-feeding lift relative to the top of the shuffling apparatus.

3. The shuffling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shuffling mechanism includes a conveying mechanism for controllably moving cards from the first card receiving area into the shuffling mechanism.

4. The shuffling apparatus of claim 3, wherein the conveying mechanism includes a first set of rollers configured to convey cards from a first card receiving area to an intermediate position, and the card reader is positioned near the intermediate position.

5. The shuffling apparatus of claim 4, wherein the conveying mechanism includes a second set of rollers configured to convey cards from the intermediate position to the card receiver.

6. The shuffling apparatus as described in claim 5, wherein, The first set of rollers and the second set of rollers are controllably driven by corresponding motors controlled by the controller.

7. The shuffling apparatus as described in claim 6, wherein, The first set of rollers is driven at a first speed, and the second set of rollers is driven at a second speed, which is greater than the first speed.

8. The shuffling apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pusher mechanism configured to push cards from each pocket of the card receiver into a second card receiving area at the end of the first pass.

9. The shuffling apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a card pile moving mechanism configured to move the cards in the second card receiving area to the first card receiving area after the pusher mechanism pushes the cards from the card receiver into the second card receiving area.

10. The shuffling apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein, The card pile moving mechanism includes a card holding structure configured to surround the card pile around three sides.

11. The shuffling apparatus of claim 10, wherein, The card retention structure includes three plates and a bracket.

12. The shuffling apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein, The card pile moving mechanism further includes a stepper motor and a belt connected between the support and the motor. The card pile moving mechanism is configured to move the card pile between the card dispensing lifter and the card receiving lifter a predetermined travel distance.

13. The shuffling apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a card-dispensing lift defining a second card receiving area, the card-dispensing lift being connected to the controller, the controller being configured to controllably raise and lower the card-dispensing lift relative to the top of the shuffling apparatus.

14. The shuffling apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a card receiver lifting mechanism, the card receiver lifting mechanism being coupled to the card receiver and configured to controllably raise and lower the card receiver.

15. The shuffling apparatus of claim 14, wherein the card receiver lifting mechanism comprises: A lifting mechanism frame, the lifting mechanism frame having an upper end and a lower end; An upper roller, which is connected to the upper end of the lifting mechanism frame; The lower roller is connected to the lower end of the lifting mechanism frame; A belt, which is suspended between the upper roller and the lower roller; A motor, coupled to one of the upper roller and the lower roller, configured to controllably rotate the one of the upper roller and the lower roller, wherein the card receiver is coupled to one side of the belt; and A counterweight is attached to the other side of the belt.

16. A shuffling device, comprising: frame; The first card receiving area is used to receive a set of cards. A card receiver, which is movably connected to the frame and has multiple card receiving bags; A shuffling mechanism, connected to the frame and associated with the first card receiving area, is configured to receive cards from the card receiving area and controllably place the cards into corresponding card receiving bags. A card reader, which is coupled to the frame and associated with the shuffling mechanism, is configured to read card information from the cards as they pass through the shuffling mechanism; A controller connected to the card reader and the shuffling mechanism, the controller being configured to perform a first and second pass on the deck; A card-feeding lifter defines a first card receiving area and is connected to a controller configured to controllably raise and lower the card-feeding lifter relative to the top of the shuffling device. A conveying mechanism for controllably moving cards from a first card receiving area to a shuffling mechanism, the conveying mechanism including a first set of rollers and a second set of rollers, the first set of rollers being configured to convey cards from the first card receiving area to an intermediate position, the card reader being positioned near the intermediate position, and the second set of rollers being configured to convey cards from the intermediate position to the card receiver, the first set of rollers and the second set of rollers being controllably driven by corresponding motors controlled by the controller, wherein the first set of rollers is driven at a first speed and the second set of rollers is driven at a second speed greater than the first speed; A pusher mechanism, configured to push cards from each card bag of the card receiver into a second card receiving area at the end of the first pass; and A card stack moving mechanism, configured to move a card from the card receiver into the second card receiving area after the pusher mechanism pushes the card from the card receiver into the second card receiving area, and the controller is configured to perform the following steps: A virtual deck structure is established, which defines the virtual card assignment for multiple cards. The virtual deck structure is a matrix with multiple cells, which are organized into a predetermined number of rows and columns. Each card in the multiple cards is associated with one cell in the matrix. The number of card receiving bags is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of rows and columns in the matrix. Performing the first pass includes the following steps: The shuffling mechanism is used to feed the deck of cards from the first card receiving area of ​​the shuffling device one card at a time into the shuffling mechanism; The card reader is used to read card information from each card in the cards fed from the first card receiving area; Based on the associated card information and the virtual card deck structure, information about the first assigned card receiving bag for each card in the cards fed from the first card receiving area is generated; The shuffling mechanism delivers the cards to an associated first assigned card receiving bag, thereby forming a partially shuffled deck; and Performing the second pass includes the following steps: The shuffling mechanism is used to place the partially shuffled deck into the first deck receiving area of ​​the shuffling device. The shuffling mechanism is used to feed cards from the partially shuffled deck from the first card receiving area to the shuffling device one at a time; The card reader is used to establish card information for each card in the cards fed from the first card receiving area; Based on the associated card information, information about a second assigned card receiving bag for each card among the cards fed from the first card receiving area is generated; The shuffling mechanism is used to deliver the cards to an associated second assigned card receiving bag, thereby forming a shuffled deck.

17. The shuffling apparatus of claim 16, wherein, The card pile moving mechanism includes a card holding structure configured to surround the card pile around three sides.

18. The shuffling apparatus of claim 17, wherein, The card retention structure includes three plates and a bracket.

19. The shuffling apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein, The card pile moving mechanism further includes a stepper motor and a belt connected between the support and the motor. The card pile moving mechanism is configured to move the card pile between the card dispensing lifter and the card receiving lifter a predetermined travel distance.

20. The shuffling apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a card-dispensing lift defining a second card receiving area, the card-dispensing lift being connected to the controller, the controller being configured to controllably raise and lower the card-dispensing lift relative to the top of the shuffling apparatus.

21. The shuffling apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a card receiver lifting mechanism coupled to the card receiver and configured to controllably raise and lower the card receiver.

22. The shuffling apparatus of claim 21, wherein the card receiver lifting mechanism comprises: A lifting mechanism frame, the lifting mechanism frame having an upper end and a lower end; An upper roller, which is connected to the upper end of the lifting mechanism frame; The lower roller is connected to the lower end of the lifting mechanism frame; A belt, which is suspended between the upper roller and the lower roller; A motor, coupled to one of the upper roller and the lower roller, configured to controllably rotate the one of the upper roller and the lower roller, wherein the card receiver is coupled to one side of the belt; and A counterweight is attached to the other side of the belt.

23. A method for shuffling cards using a shuffling device, the shuffling device comprising a card receiving area, a shuffling mechanism, and a card receiver having a plurality of card receiving bags, the method comprising: A virtual deck structure is established, which defines the virtual card assignment for multiple cards. The virtual deck structure is a matrix with multiple cells, which are organized into a predetermined number of rows and columns. Each card in the multiple cards is associated with one cell in the matrix. The number of card receiving bags is equal to or greater than the predetermined number of rows and columns in the matrix. Perform the first pass, which includes the following steps: Place a deck of cards into the card receiving area of ​​the shuffling device; The cards are fed one at a time from the card receiving area of ​​the shuffling device to the shuffling mechanism; Read card information from each card in the cards fed from the card receiving area; Based on the associated card information and the virtual deck structure, information about the first assigned card receiving bag for each card in the cards fed from the card receiving area is generated; The shuffling device is used to deliver the cards to an associated first assigned card receiving bag, thereby forming a partially shuffled deck; and Perform a second pass, which includes the following steps: Place the partially shuffled deck into the deck receiving area of ​​the shuffling device; The cards from the partially shuffled deck are fed one at a time into the card receiving area of ​​the shuffling device; Read card information from each card in the cards fed from the card receiving area; Based on the associated card information, information about a second assigned card receiving bag for each card among the cards fed from the card receiving area is generated; The shuffling device is used to deliver the cards to an associated second assigned card receiving bag, thereby forming a shuffled deck.

Images