Playing card cartridge

Abstract

To further reduce the risk of information leakage during transport of a deck of cards through a locked area of a casino from a deck card manufacturer to a table where the deck of cards is dealt.SOLUTION: The playing card cartridge includes a container configured to be coupled to the card dispensing shoe, the container defining a space. The container includes a set of playing cards within the volume, and the volume of the container is sealed by one or more seals. The container includes a top wall, a front wall, and a side wall, wherein the top wall is slidably connected to the side wall and configured to slide toward the front wall, and wherein the top wall is prevented from sliding by at least a first seal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1B

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001]

[01] The present invention generally relates to a card reader inserted into a card dealing device. The present invention relates to a playing card cartridge configured to deal cards from a card dispensing device including such a playing card cartridge. [Background technology]

[0002]

[02] Card playing games are very popular in casinos and similar establishments. Because of the large payouts possible for wagers placed, such card games present a high risk of potential fraud and cheating.

[0003]

[03] The primary source of potential fraud and cheating is the arrangement made between the dealer and the player, e.g., the signal given regarding the next card to be dealt. For this reason, the dealer never looks at the next card when dealing. Sophisticated shoes and card-dealing devices are used to prevent information about the next card(s) from being transmitted to the dealer and players. A vise is made.

[0004]

[04] Another source of possible fraud and cheating is that false cards can be inserted into the deck and used, either during the game itself or during the production of the deck and its transport to the table where it is dealt.

[0005]

[05] The next source of possible fraud and misconduct is the rank and suit information of the card, which is linked to minor imperfections that can be seen on the card itself. Such minor imperfections can include minor color deviations, deviations in the pattern printed on the card, minor deviations in the rectangular shape due to imperfect cutting of the card, etc. High levels of quality control are employed to reduce or eliminate all types of card defects.

[0006]

[06] Finally, a source of fraud or cheating is leaked information about the arrangement of cards present in a deck used in a game. This information is obtained during the production process of the deck and from the card and set manufacturer, through the locked areas of the casino, to the table where the deck is dealt. During the transport of the deck of cards, the transport and production chain is kept as short as possible, both in time and distance, to reduce the risk of information leakage. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007]

[07] Among other things, it is an object of the present invention to further reduce the risk of information leakage during transport of a deck of cards from the deck manufacturer to the table where the deck is dealt, possibly through a locked area of ​​a casino. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008]

[08] According to a first general aspect of the invention A gaming card cartridge is provided. The cartridge includes a container configured to couple to a card dispensing shoe. The container defines a volume, and the container further contains a deck of gaming cards within the volume. The container volume, and therefore the cartridge, is sealed by one or more seals.

[0009]

[09] The container includes a top wall, a front wall, and a side wall, the top wall being slidably connected to the side wall and configured to slide towards the front wall, and the top wall being prevented from sliding by at least a first seal, i.e., by at least one first seal of the one or more seals. Thus, the container includes a top wall, a front wall, and a side wall, the top wall being slidably connected to the side wall and configured to slide towards the front wall after unsealing the cartridge, and the top wall being prevented from sliding by at least a first seal of the one or more seals.

[0010]

[10] A seal is a closure that must be broken in order to be opened. Thus, a sealed container means that the container cannot be opened without breaking at least one of the seals. When a container has been opened, this can always be made noticeable by the presence of at least one broken seal, by traces of an opened seal, or by the fact that the container itself has been damaged or even destroyed.

[0011]

[11] The cartridge is configured to couple to a card dealing shoe. Thus, the cartridge can be coupled to the card dealing shoe, typically from a card dealing device, without the need for any separate device connecting the cartridge and the card dealing shoe. can be combined.

[0012]

[12] Because the cartridge is typically configured to couple to a card dispensing shoe from a card dispensing device, the dealer does not need to manipulate, i.e., touch, the deck of cards in the container between receiving the cartridge at the gaming table and initiating a game by dealing cards from the cartridge. Furthermore, the cartridge can be sealed at the manufacturing facility where the deck of cards is made and inserted into the cartridge. Thus, no one touches the cards in the deck during transport of the deck between the manufacturer and the gaming table, and the cartridge remains sealed during this time. The cards never leave the cartridge except when they are actually dispensed one by one by a card dispenser after the cartridge is sealed. Because the cartridge is sealed, no one can gain insight into, touch, or even manipulate the cards during this transport period. Thus, no one can gather information about the arrangement and identification of the cards in the deck during transport from the manufacturer until a game is initiated by dealing the first card from the deck at the gaming table. Typically, the cartridge can be opened from the card dispensing device by removing at least one of the closures immediately prior to inserting the cartridge into the card dispensing shoe. Alternatively, the cartridge is opened by inserting the cartridge into the card dispensing shoe and then removing at least one of the closures.

[0013]

[13] The seal used may be any type of seal, such as security seal tape, or the cartridge may be sealed with lead and / or wax, or any combination of such seals.

[0014]

[14] The container can be made of a polymer material, such as a thermoplastic polymer like polypropylene (PP), a thermosetting polymer like polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), such as a PC / ABS blend, or a blend thereof. Preferably, the cartridge is composed of one or more injection-molded pieces. The various walls or elements may be part of a single injection-molded piece. The volume of the container can be formed by a combination of various walls, such as a bottom wall, two side walls, a back wall, a front wall, and a top wall. One of these walls, preferably the front wall, is provided with an exit means that allows the card located within the volume to be extracted from the volume once the cartridge is opened. As an example, the container includes a top wall, a bottom wall, two side walls, a back wall, and a front wall, and the bottom wall, two side walls, and the back wall may form a single integral part, such as an injection-molded part. The container may be partially transparent. That is, some walls may be transparent, translucent, opaque or impermeable, and this may be the case for a portion of the wall or for the entire wall.

[0015]

[15] According to a first particular facet of the first general aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming card cartridge. The container includes a top wall, a front wall, and side walls, the top wall being slidably connected to the side walls and configured to slide toward the front wall, and the top wall being prevented from sliding by at least a first seal. Thus, when the first seal is broken, the top wall can slide relative to the side walls (in view of). According to one embodiment, a lower edge of the top wall faces the front wall, an upper edge of the front wall faces the top wall, and the lower edge of the top wall may extend beyond the upper edge of the front wall.

[0016]

[16] The seal prevents any sliding of the top wall toward the front wall relative to the side wall with which it is slidably engaged or connected. By providing a lower edge of the top wall that extends beyond the upper edge of the front wall, the seal prevents any sliding of the top wall toward the front wall relative to the side wall with which it is slidably engaged or connected. The first seal prevents cards from sliding into the container. If the top wall is configured to slide toward the spine wall as well, the seal can prevent any sliding of the top wall toward the spine wall relative to the side wall with which it is slidably engaged or connected. Alternatively, if the top wall is configured to slide toward the front wall as well, the first seal can prevent any sliding of the top wall toward the front wall, and the second seal can prevent any sliding of the top wall toward the spine wall. Sliding toward the spine wall can be used during cartridge manufacture to free up space at the front end of the container and load a deck of cards into the container to be played. During transportation and game play, it is necessary to prevent this sliding of the top wall backward, as this could allow unauthorized handling of cards within the cartridge after it has been opened.

[0017]

[17] Thus, when a cartridge is sealed, it means that the top wall covers the opening defined by the side walls and the front and back walls of the container in a sealed state. After opening the cartridge, the top wall can slide under certain conditions. After the cartridge is opened, the card can be removed from the cartridge, but the top wall can be prevented from sliding toward the front and / or back wall if the corresponding seal(s) preventing the top wall from sliding are not removed or broken. Alternatively, when the cartridge is coupled to the card dispensing shoe, the card dispensing shoe can hinder and prevent the top wall from sliding toward the front wall. In this case, optionally, a second seal can also prevent the top wall from sliding toward the back wall.

[0018]

[18] According to one embodiment, the upper edge of the top wall is directed away from the front wall, and a pressing means is provided within the spatial area of ​​the container for pressing the gaming card towards the front end of the container, and the cartridge is provided with a stop means for preventing the upper edge of the top wall from sliding beyond the pressing means.

[0019]

[19] According to one embodiment, when the upper edge of the top wall is directed away from the front wall and a pressing means is provided within the spatial area of ​​the container for pressing the gaming cards towards the front end of the container, the pressing means may be provided with a stop means for preventing the upper edge of the top wall from sliding beyond the pressing means.

[0020]

[20] The pressing means may have a protrusion on its side facing the upper wall, which slides in a groove present in the upper wall. This groove in the upper wall is provided along the length of the upper wall but terminates before the upper edge of the upper wall. Thus, the upper wall can slide up to the front end of the cartridge, but there is no groove near the upper edge of the upper wall, which prevents the upper wall from sliding further. This protrusion abuts against the end of the groove and prevents the upper wall from sliding further. Alternatively, the groove in the upper wall is provided along at least a portion of the length of the upper wall. Preferably, the groove in the upper wall is provided along the entire length of the upper wall.

[0021]

[21] Thus, according to one embodiment, the stop means may comprise a protrusion on the pressing means on a side of the pressing means facing the upper wall. The stop means may further comprise a groove in the upper wall, the groove running along the length of the upper wall and terminating before the upper edge of the upper wall. The protrusion on the pressing means slides in said groove in the upper wall.

[0022]

[22] According to one embodiment, the upper edge of the top wall is directed away from the front wall, and a pressing means for pressing the gaming card towards the front end of the container is provided within the spatial area of ​​the container, and the top wall may be provided with a stop means for preventing the upper edge of the top wall from sliding past the pressing means. The top wall may include a protrusion that protrudes into the inside of the cartridge, and such a protrusion may be The protrusion extends further than the upper edge of the pressing means facing the upper wall. Therefore, the upper wall can slide up to the front end of the cartridge, but the protrusion prevents the upper wall from sliding beyond the pressing means. The protrusion abuts against the rear side of the pressing means and prevents the upper wall from sliding further.

[0023]

[23] Thus, according to one embodiment, the stop means may comprise, for example, a protrusion on the inner surface of the top wall, for example on the upper edge, said protrusion projecting inside the cartridge so as to extend beyond the upper side of the pressing means, this upper side being directed towards the top wall.

[0024]

[24] During use of the cartridge, a card is withdrawn from the cartridge and the remaining cards in the deck are pushed forward by the pushing means. The pushing means also moves forward within the cartridge. During game play, a new space is created between the rear surface of the pushing means and the spine wall. Once the game is over and the cartridge is again removed from the dispensing device, the top wall slides toward the front wall, opening the newly created space behind the pushing means. The dealt cards can be collected and placed in this newly created space behind the pushing means. The stop means may be, for example, an inward-facing protrusion on the top wall or a protrusion toward the top edge of the pushing means, which slides in a groove in the top wall and prevents the top wall from sliding beyond the stop means. The inward-facing protrusion on the top wall may extend deeper within the space than the top edge of the pushing means. This protrusion may be adjacent to the top edge of the top wall, i.e., the edge closest to the spine wall. A protrusion on the pressing means toward the upper edge may slide within a groove in the upper wall. This groove may run along the entire upper wall in a direction from the upper edge toward the lower edge, but terminate before the upper edge of the upper wall. Thus, undeliverable cards still in front of the pressing means remain untouched and can remain untouched. The undeliverable cards and their arrangement remain secret, and therefore the cards can be recuperated without any risk of their identity and arrangement being revealed.

[0025]

[25] Thus, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of collecting gaming cards in a cartridge, the method comprising: - collecting the gaming cards, preferably those drawn and dealt from the opened cartridge in accordance with the invention; - opening a spatial area in the cartridge behind the pressing means; - inserting the collected gaming cards into a spatial area behind the pressing means in the cartridge; - closing the spatial area behind the pressing means in the cartridge; Includes.

[0026]

[26] According to one embodiment, the container may be provided with at least one storage space for storing one or more spare seals. A spare seal inside a sealed cartridge can be used to seal the cartridge once it has been used. One or more storage spaces may each store one spare unused seal or multiple spare seals that are used to seal a cartridge after it has been used. A spare seal is also called a return seal and can therefore be used to seal a cartridge after it has been used. To avoid mistakes, a new cartridge may be sealed with a seal having a given color, while a return seal may be provided in a different color that is clearly distinguishable from the seal used to seal the new cartridge. Additionally or alternatively, the seal on the new cartridge and the return seal may be provided with different signs, such as a mark imprinted on the seal or a label. Most preferably, one or more storage spaces are provided in or behind the back wall of the container, and one or more storage spaces may be used to store broken seals from new cartridges when the resealed cartridges are returned to the casino's back office.

[0027]

[27] Therefore, the method for collecting gaming cards in a cartridge further comprises: - removing the spare seal from the cartridge before closing the space behind the pressing means in the cartridge; - sealing the cartridge using the pre-sealing device; is provided.

[0028]

[28] The seals, i.e. the seals on the new gaming card cartridge and, optionally, the return seal, may be provided with an RFID label or RFID strip, which is broken and rendered inoperative when the seals are broken.

[0029]

[29] Thus, according to certain embodiments of the seal or gaming card cartridge according to the present invention, at least one seal may include an RFID label, which is broken when the seal is broken.

[0030]

[30] According to a second specific aspect of the first general aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming card cartridge. The container includes a top wall and a front wall, with a lower edge of the top wall facing the front wall. The front wall has card withdrawal means for allowing cards to be removed from the container volume when the cartridge is opened. At least a portion of the inner surface of the top wall adjacent the lower edge is profiled to prevent cards other than the card closest to the card withdrawal means from being removed from the cartridge through the card withdrawal means.

[0031]

[31] To prevent a different card from being withdrawn through the withdrawal means in place of the card in front of the withdrawal means, it has been found that forming a profiled surface, such as a knurled surface, adjacent the lower edge of the top wall prevents such an incorrect card from being withdrawn from the withdrawal means. It will be understood that the knurling or profile is provided by protrusions and recesses substantially parallel to the lower edge of the top wall, i.e., the edge nearest the front wall. The profiled surface, e.g., the knurled surface, also prevents a gaming card from being forced through the withdrawal means into the cartridge.

[0032]

[32] According to a third specific aspect of the first general aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming card cartridge. A pressing means for pressing a gaming card toward a front end of the container is provided within a spatial region of the container, and the pressing means (or pusher) can be pushed toward the front wall by a spring. The spring may be a constant torque spring. The constant torque spring may include a coil. Alternatively, the coil may be housed within the pressing means. Alternatively, a constant torque spring such as a coil may be located within the cartridge at the front end of the container near the front wall.

[0033]

[33] The use of a spring applies a constant force from the biasing means to the pack of cards toward the front wall and its extraction means. The constant force ensures a constant resistance is created for each card extracted from the cartridge. The dealer must always exert a constant force to extract cards from the cartridge, thus reducing the risk of error and mis-dispensing of cards.

[0034]

[34] According to one embodiment, a pressing means is provided within the spatial region of the container, and the pressing means includes at least one wheel for displacing the pressing means within the spatial region under gravity when the cartridge is inserted into the card dispensing shoe. The pressing means is displaceable within the container by at least two wheels, one on each side of the pressing means, for displacing the pressing means within the spatial region under gravity when the cartridge is inserted into the card dispensing shoe. The one or more wheels may be arranged below the pressing means and rotate on the bottom wall of the container.

[0035]

[35] In other embodiments, the container may include two side walls, with one wheel on each side contacting and riding over ridges on the inner surface of each of the side walls. Alternatively, the wheels may contact and ride through grooves on the inner surface of each of the side walls.

[0036]

[36] Optionally, the container includes two side walls and the pressing means may be displaceable within the container by at least two pairs of wheels, one pair on each side of the pressing means, each of said wheels contacting and passing over a ridge on the inner surface of each of the side walls. Alternatively, the pressing means may be displaceable within the container by at least two pairs of wheels, one pair on each side of the pressing means, each of said wheels contacting and passing over a groove on the inner surface of each of the side walls.

[0037]

[37] It will be appreciated that the ridges or grooves may slope slightly downward from the rear wall to the front wall of the container, to guide the moving pressing means towards the front wall of the container as the card is withdrawn from the cartridge.

[0038]

[38] A combination of such a wheel or pair of wheels with a spring, such as a constant torque spring, such as a coil, can also be used, allowing for improved and smoother guidance of the movement of the pressing means in the container and therefore in the cartridge.

[0039]

[39] According to one embodiment, a pressing means is provided in a spatial region of a container, the container including a bottom wall, the pressing means including at least one protrusion on a side in contact with the bottom wall. The protrusion can slide in at least one groove in the bottom wall. The at least one groove may be present along the length of the bottom wall from the front end of the container to the rear end of the container. Alternatively, the pressing means is provided with more than one protrusion, such as two or more protrusions, and the bottom wall includes a recess for each protrusion. Each protrusion slides in a groove. Each groove may be present along the length of the bottom wall from the front end of the container to the rear end of the container. The one or more protrusions sliding in one or more grooves may move the pressing means in its path from the rear end of the container to the rear end of the container. Guide it downwards to the front end.

[0040]

[40] Thus, according to one embodiment, a pressing means may be provided within a spatial region of a container, the container comprising a bottom wall, the pressing means comprising at least one protrusion on a side thereof in contact with the bottom wall, the bottom wall comprising at least one groove along the length of the bottom wall from the front end of the container to the rear end of the container, said protrusion of the pressing means on the side in contact with the bottom wall sliding in said groove along the length of the bottom wall.

[0041]

[41] According to a fourth specific aspect of the first general aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming card cartridge. The container includes a front wall having card withdrawal means. The card withdrawal means allows cards to be removed from a space within the container when the cartridge is opened. When the container is in a sealed state, the card of the set of gaming cards closest to the card withdrawal means is sealed to the container by at least one sealing device. According to one embodiment, the cartridge has a closing lid for closing the card withdrawal means. The cartridge may include a closing lid, which can be sealed to the container by at least one sealing device. Closing the card-withdrawing means prevents the withdrawal of gaming cards from the container. Preferably, the closing lid is made of a polymer material, most preferably a transparent or translucent polymer material. This transparent or translucent polymer material makes it possible to see the color of the backs of the gaming cards in the cartridge even when the cartridge is not opened. Therefore, a visual check for the correctness of the backs of the gaming cards can be made without opening the cartridge.

[0042]

[42] Even if the first card, i.e., the card of the deck that is closest to the card-drawing means when the cartridge is sealed, is a counterfeit or dummy card, a sealed cartridge can be provided in the drawing means by providing a seal on this first card. However, providing a lid to close the drawing means is more preferable because it increases the assurance that the deck of cards has not been tampered with.

[0043]

[43] According to a fifth specific aspect of the first general aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming card cartridge, wherein each card can have a card identification code, and the cartridge includes data storage means for storing information about the card identification codes of cards in a set of gaming cards held by the cartridge. The data storage means can also store information about the arrangement of the cards in the set of gaming cards held by the cartridge.

[0044]

[44] To enhance the avoidance and detectability of fraudulent transactions associated with a deck of cards present within the cartridge's spatial region, each gaming card within the cartridge may have a card identification code, which may be a unique identification code. The card identification code includes information about the card's number and design, combined with a sequence of characters, optionally a random sequence of characters. It may be a binary code consisting of 0s and 1s, or a string of characters. A character shall be understood to mean a character selected from the alphabet, the numbers 0 through 9, punctuation marks, and special characters such as &, @, #, §, $, £, ?, or any other ASCII character. A card identification code may be a unique card identification code. Unique card identification does not refer to strict uniqueness, but should be understood in the context of the present invention, i.e., gaming cards used in card games, such as in casinos. An identification is unique if it is infeasible to find a second gaming card with the same card identification. A card identification can be said to be unique if the probability of finding a second gaming card with the same card identification is 1 / 100,000 or less, for example 1 / 10,000,000 or less, such as 1 / 1,000,000 or less. The card identification code may be printed one or more times on the surface of each card. It may be printed as a string of characters or as a binary code, or the character string or binary code may first be converted into a barcode, QR code, etc. According to an embodiment, micro-dot encryption may be used to print the card identification string or code. The use of micro-dots to identify card numbers and images on the surface of cards is known from US 9,254,435.

[0045]

[45] The card identification string or code may not be visible to the naked eye. The card identification string or code may be visible and therefore detectable by UV illumination alone or by irradiation with non-visible light of a given wavelength or range of wavelengths. A UV illumination source, such as an LED UV illumination, may be used to make the card identification string or code readable using an appropriate camera system.

[0046]

[46] The data storage means may be, for example, a SIM card or a micro-SIM card and may be integrated into the cartridge. The card dispensing device may have data reading means. The data reading means may be coupled to the data storage means when the cartridge is inserted into the card dispensing device. The data reading means of the card dispensing device may read the stored data. When the card dispensing device has card reading means for reading a card identification code on a card, the read code may be compared with the card identification code stored in the data storage means. If the read code does not match one of the card identification codes stored in the data storage means, fraud may have been committed in relation to the set of cards stored in the cartridge. If this happens, an alarm may be issued. When the data storage means contains information about the sequence of cards in the cartridge, an alarm may be issued if and when the read card identification code differs from the next one stored in the data storage means for that sequence.

[0047]

[47] The data storage means may also be part of one of the seals used to seal the cartridge. A broken seal may be configured to be inserted into a reading device, which reads the stored data.

[0048]

[48] ​​The cartridge may be provided with a cartridge identification code. The cartridge identification code may be a concatenation of characters taken from each of the cards in the set of cards present within the cartridge's spatial area. Thus, comparing the sequence of portions of the cartridge identification code with portions of the card identification codes in the sequence in which they are drawn from the cartridge may reveal an incorrect card sequence, i.e., reveal that an incorrect card has been drawn from the cartridge. Again, this may be an indication of fraudulent activity with respect to the set of cards stored in the cartridge.

[0049]

[49] According to a sixth particular aspect of the first general aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming card cartridge. The cartridge may include track and trace means. The means may provide information about where the cartridge is located at any given time. A cartridge identification code may be used to identify the cartridge in such a tracking means.

[0050]

[50] According to a second general aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing a card dispensing device. Similarly, there is provided a method of supplying gaming cards to a gaming table, and optionally removing the ball from the gaming table. providing a card dispensing device comprising a card dispensing shoe, said card dispensing device configured to receive a gaming card cartridge according to the first general aspect of the present invention; providing a gaming card cartridge according to a first general aspect of the present invention; coupling a gaming card cartridge to a card dispensing shoe; and opening the cartridge by removing at least one of the one or more seals.

[0051]

[51] Alternatively, all seals are removed before the cartridge is used in a card game, i.e., before the first card is drawn from the cartridge through the card-dispensing shoe. Alternatively, seals are removed before the gaming card cartridge is coupled to the card-dispensing shoe. Alternatively, some seals are left in place and removed only after the cartridge has been used, and are optionally reused. Once the game is over, the cartridge is again removed from the card-dispensing shoe. Used cartridges are typically returned to a restricted area of ​​the casino, and because the cartridge may still contain multiple unused cards, i.e., cards that were not drawn, the used cartridge can be resealed with new seals to prevent unauthorized access to these unused cards.

[0052]

[52] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the gaming card cartridge is a gaming card cartridge according to the first specific aspect of the first general aspect of the present invention, and the method further comprises: collecting cards dealt during the game played; - upon completion of the played game, sliding the top wall towards the front wall to open a portion of the container beyond the pressing means; The step where the dealt cards are placed in the opening of the container behind the pressing means. Pu and, Includes.

[0053]

[53] During or after a game, the dealt cards can be collected and put together. By opening the area of ​​the cartridge behind the pressing means, the used cards can be placed behind the pressing means. Thus, the used cards can be returned to the restricted area of ​​the casino. Once the used cards have been placed behind the pressing means, the cartridge can be reclosed and sealed with a new seal. Thus, the cards used in the restricted area can be counted and any cards dealt and lost can be identified. Removal or concealment of dealt cards can also be a source of fraudulent activity.

[0054]

[54] This is particularly true when all cards have card identification codes. Played cards can be counted in the restricted area, and dealt and lost cards can be identified by their card identification codes. Lost cards can also be flagged, optionally with their card identification codes. If a flagged card is identified during another game using another cartridge, a link can be made between the occurrence of the flagged card and the cartridge from which the flagged card was removed. Thus, flagged cards can be immediately identified during game play. Once a flagged card is noticed, the game can be stopped and any fraudulent activity affecting it can be avoided.

[0055]

[55] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the gaming card cartridge comprises the first A gaming card cartridge according to a fifth specific aspect of the general aspect, in which the method further comprises: obtaining data stored in a data storage means; A step of reading a card identification code from the dealt gaming card; comparing the read card identification code with the obtained data stored in the data storage means; Includes.

[0056]

[56] Therefore, during game play, if an incorrect or defective card is The card arrangement can be instantly identified, and once an incomplete card or arrangement is noticed, the game can be stopped, avoiding casino losses due to fraud.

[0057]

[57] According to a third general aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit of parts comprising a cartridge according to the first aspect of the present invention and a card dispensing device including a card dispensing shoe configured to receive the cartridge. The card dispensing device may include a card dispensing shoe, which may have retention means for receiving and retaining the cartridge when inserted into or placed on the card dispensing shoe. The card dispensing device may also include a mouthpiece, which may be anchored or mounted on the card dispensing shoe once the cartridge is inserted into or placed on the card dispensing shoe. The mouthpiece may cover a front wall of the cartridge and may include an opening to allow cards to be withdrawn from the cartridge through the front wall and through the mouthpiece.

[0058]

[58] The card dispensing device, in particular the card dispensing shoe, may also be provided with one or more of the following means: one or more sensors for detecting the presence of a cartridge or detecting a card being removed; A card reader that reads the number and picture on the card that is drawn. A camera to detect and read the card identification code; data reading means for reading the data storage means of the cartridge; reading means for reading the cartridge identification code; a processor configured to compare the card identification code with the cartridge identification code; and signal providing means for providing a signal if a mismatch is found between the read card identification code and the card identification code read according to the cartridge identification code. The provided signal may be a visual or audible signal, such as a bell, siren, flashing light, etc.

[0059]

[59] The card dispensing shoe may have an upper surface provided with a groove for receiving the bottom wall of the cartridge. The periphery of this groove may surround and conform to the bottom wall of the cartridge. Thus, the cartridge falls into the groove and the depth of the groove during use The card dispensing shoe may be configured to hold the cartridge in place while the card is being dispensed.

[0060]

[60] According to a fourth general aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sealing device configured for use in combination with a cartridge according to the first general aspect of the present invention. The sealing device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention can be used to seal a cartridge according to the first general aspect of the present invention.

[0061]

[61] The seal has a body or stem and a head, the head being wider than the body. The body is provided with at least one barb having an opening directed toward the head of the seal. The radial cross section of the seal (a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the body) may be a polygon such as a triangle, rectangle, or square, or an oval or circle. The width of the head of the seal extends beyond the outermost point of at least one barb. Alternatively, the seal includes at least two barbs positioned opposite each other relative to the axis of the T-shaped body.

[0062]

[62] The head of the seal may be inclined with respect to the axis of the body, forming an angle different from 90°. The outer point of the head shall be such that when the barb is plyed against the body of the seal, the barb shall be inclined with respect to the axis of the body of the seal. The outer points of the rib may be further from the axis of the body than the outer points of the rib.

[0063]

[63] A cross-section of the sealing device according to a plane parallel to the axis of the body may have a T-shaped cross-section, the barbs being coplanar with said plane.

[0064]

[64] As an example, the sealing device may have a T-shaped cross section in the axial direction, i.e., along a plane parallel to the axis of the body, and the barbs may be coplanar with said plane and have a T-shaped cross section. The barbs have their openings facing the head of the T. The T-shape may be formed by a cylindrical body on which one or more barbs are provided. The radial cross section of the sealing device, i.e., a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the T-shaped body and substantially parallel to the T-shaped head, is circular or elliptical. Alternatively, the axial cross section of the sealing device is a polygon, such as a triangle, rectangle, or square. The width of the head of the sealing device extends beyond the outermost point of at least one barb, at least when the barb is closest to the axis of the body. Preferably, the sealing device includes at least two barbs positioned opposite each other relative to the axis of the T-shaped body.

[0065]

[65] Thus, according to one embodiment of the invention, at least one sealing device has an axial T-shaped cross-section, and at least one barb is provided along the body of the T-section of the sealing device, the opening of which faces towards the head of the T-section.

[0066]

[66] The seal may be made of a polymeric material, preferably a thermoplastic material such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PP (polypropylene), PC (polycarbonate), or ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymer).

[0067]

[67] According to a fifth general aspect of the present invention, a cartridge according to the first general aspect of the present invention is provided with one or more slots for receiving a sealing device according to the fourth general aspect of the present invention. The one or more slots have an entrance opening, the perimeter of which is smaller than the radial circumference of the T-shaped head of the sealing device and larger than the radial circumference of the T-shaped body of the sealing device. If the sealing device has only one barb, the maximum width of the entrance opening is less than the distance between the outermost point of the barb and the T-shaped body plus the minimum width of the T-shaped body. If the sealing device has two or more barbs, the maximum width of the entrance opening is less than the maximum distance between the two outermost points of the two barbs. The depth of the one or more slots is greater than the maximum axial distance between the bottom of the T-shaped body and the outermost point of the barb.

[0068]

[68] Thus, when the seal is introduced into the slot, the barb or barbs are compressed towards the T-shaped body as it passes through the slot, but once fully inserted, the barbs lock under the slot and prevent it from being pulled back. Pulling the seal back from the slot breaks the barbs and therefore the seal.

[0069]

[69] As an example, the front wall of a cartridge may be provided with an area surrounded by the material of the front wall, except for a slot extending upward from the front wall. The area below the slot is wider than the slot. The top wall is provided with an opening having the same perimeter as the entry opening of the slot. The entry opening and the opening in the top wall coincide when the top wall fully closes the cartridge. A closure according to the fifth aspect of the invention is inserted through the opening in the top wall and into the slot in the front wall. The barbs open and block the closure within the area below the slot. In this way, the cartridge can be sealed. Breaking the closure This results in a broken seal remaining in the area of ​​space below the slot. If the front wall is made of a permeable material, for example a permeable polymer material, the integrity of the inserted seal can be inspected at any time.

[0070]

[70] Alternatively, the cartridge may include a closure cap, which has a spatial area surrounded by the material of the closure cap, except for a slot extending upward from the closure cap. The spatial area below the slot is wider than the slot. The top wall has an opening having the same perimeter as the slot's access opening. The access opening and the opening in the top wall coincide when the top wall fully closes the cartridge. A seal according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is inserted through the opening in the top wall and into the slot in the closure cap. The barbs open, trapping the seal within the spatial area below the slot. Breaking the seal leaves a loose barb within the spatial area below the slot. In this way, the cartridge can be sealed. If the closure cap is made of a permeable material, such as a permeable polymer material, the integrity of the inserted seal can be inspected at any time.

[0071]

[71] According to a sixth general aspect of the present invention, a cartridge according to the first and / or fifth general aspects is provided with track and trace and / or real-time tracking means. The track / real-time tracking means may be an RFID chip, which is provided on the cartridge, for example inside the spatial area of ​​the sealed cartridge container. A scanner may be used to track the sealed cartridge at all times, while it is not necessary to break the seal to identify the cartridge. The RFID may be linked to or carry the cartridge identification code.

[0072]

[72] In an alternative embodiment, Bluetooth Low Energy tags (BLE tags) can be used to track the location of the cartridge and provide real-time tracking.

[0073]

[73] In general, the tracking and / or real-time tracking means may use an integrated circuit added to or embedded in the cartridge. The integrated circuit (IC) may be a data storage means that stores information about card identification codes of cards in a deck of gaming cards held by the cartridge, or may be a similar but separate integrated circuit that optionally stores a cartridge identification code. This integrated circuit may be a SIM card, nano-SIM card, micro-SIM card, or the like. The integrated circuit that stores the cartridge identification code may be integrated within the cartridge, for example, on the exterior or bottom surface of one of the cartridge walls.

[0074]

[74] The IC may also function as a data storage means for storing a card identification code and / or a cartridge identification code.

[0075]

[75] The gaming card dispensing device may also include data reading means configured to read the card identification code from the data storage means and may also read the cartridge identification code. Optionally, the data reading means may further The further data reading means may be coupled to the integrated circuit when the cartridge is inserted into the card dispensing device, and the read cartridge identification code may be used to verify to what extent the cartridge is permitted to be used during the game to be played.

[0076]

[76] The independent and dependent claims set out distinctive and preferred features of the invention. Features from the dependent claims may, as appropriate, be combined with features of the independent claims or other dependent claims and / or with features specified above and / or below.

[0077]

[77] These and other characteristics, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. This description is made by way of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. Reference figures quoted below refer to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0078] [Figure 1A] 1 is a schematic diagram of a gaming card cartridge according to the present invention. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along plane AA as shown in FIG. 1A. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the cartridge in an open state. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a sealing device used in a gaming card cartridge according to the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of a card dispensing device provided with a gaming card cartridge. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B show schematic diagrams of an embodiment of a seal that can be used in combination with a cartridge according to the present invention; [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram of a gaming card cartridge according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the gaming card cartridge of FIG. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0079]

[84] The same reference numbers refer to the same, similar, or analogous elements in different figures.

[0080]

[85] The present invention will be described with reference to specific embodiments. It should be noted that, where the term "comprising" is used in a claim, it should not be interpreted as being limited to the means listed thereafter, nor as excluding other elements or steps. It should therefore be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, steps, or components exactly as recited, but without excluding the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, or components, or groups thereof. In other words, the scope of the expression "a device comprising means A and B" should not be limited to a device consisting only of components A and B. This means that, with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.

[0081]

[86] Throughout this specification, reference may be made to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment." Such reference indicates that the particular feature described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, although they may.

[0082]

[87] Furthermore, it is understood that particular features or characteristics may be implemented in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Combinations are also possible, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0083]

[88] Figure 1A shows a front view of a gaming card cartridge 100 according to the present invention. Figure 1B shows a longitudinal cross-section of the gaming card cartridge 100 along plane AA as shown in Figure 1A. Figure 2 shows a front view of the cartridge 100 in an open state.

[0084]

[89] The playing cartridge is adapted to be coupled to the card dispensing shoe. The container 101 defines a space 102 that provides a deck of gaming cards 103. The space 102 of the container 101 is provided with a sealing device. It is sealed by 104.

[0085]

[90] The container 101 includes a top wall 110, a front wall 111, and side walls 112 and 113. The top wall 110 is slidably connected to the side walls. The container further includes a back wall 114 and a bottom wall 115. A pressing means 120 is provided behind the deck of gaming cards. The cartridge 100 includes a stop means 130 that prevents an upper edge 121 of the top wall 110 from sliding beyond the pressing means 120. A groove 122 is provided in the top wall 110, which terminates near the upper edge 121. The pressing means 120 is provided with a protrusion 123 that slides within the groove 122. In the open state, when the top wall 110 slides toward the front wall 111, the upper edge 121 abuts against the protrusion and is prevented from sliding further toward the front wall 111. The upper wall 110 cannot slide past the pressing means 120 .

[0086]

[91] The pressing means 120 is forced towards the front wall 111 by a constant torque spring 140, the coil of which is disposed within the pressing means itself. The tip of the coil is fixed to the front side of the cartridge near the front wall 111. The unwound portion of the coil is disposed in a groove in the bottom wall 115. The coil of the spring 140 causes the pressing means 120 to press towards the front wall 111 with a constant pressure against the rear side of the deck of gaming cards 103.

[0087]

[92] To seal the cartridge 100, one or two seals 104 are provided. These seals are rectangular plates with barbs 144 on both long sides near the outer edges of the long sides. The front wall 111 of the cartridge 100 is covered by a closure lid 150, whose edge has a protrusion that clips into grooves in the side walls 112 and 113. The closure lid is made of a transparent polymer material. On the bottom of the lid 150, two fingers 171 and 172 close an opening 170 in the front wall 111. This opening 170 exists to allow a card to be withdrawn from the space area 101. These fingers prevent the card from being withdrawn from the space area. The closure lid also extends beyond the lower edge 122 of the top wall 110 and hooks into a small opening in the lower edge of the top wall. Therefore, the upper wall is also inclined toward the front wall 111 and the rear wall 11 You cannot slide towards 4.

[0088]

[93] Figure 3 shows a seal 104. The seal has a body 141 and a head (not shown). Two barbs 144 are provided symmetrically about the axis 142 of the seal body 141. The lid 150 has two slits 151 and 152. As shown in Figure 3, the closure lid 150 provided on the front wall 111 is sealed to the front wall 111 of the cartridge 100 by inserting one or two seals 104 into one or both of the slits 151 and 152 in the closure lid 150. The barbs also pass through two slits 161 and 162 at the upper edge of the front wall 111 and clip behind the front wall 111. The seal is made of a rigid polymer material, and the barbs 144 break when the seal is pulled out of the opening. In this sealed state, the entire interior space 102 cannot be reached. The spatial area 101 is sealed, and nothing can enter or leave this spatial area without breaking the seals. To open the spatial area 101 of the cartridge 100, one or two seals 104 are pulled out of the slits 151 and 161 and / or 152 and 162. The barbs 144 are broken during the pulling out process, so that when the seals are reintroduced into the slits after being pulled out, they no longer function and remain loosely inserted in the slits. The fact that the seals have been removed is therefore detectable.

[0089]

[94] An alternative sealing device 104 is shown in Figure 5. Again, the sealing device has a body 141 or stem and a head 145. The head 145 is wider than the body 141. The body 141 is provided with one barb 144, the opening of which faces the head 145 of the sealing device 104. The radial cross section of the sealing device (a cross section perpendicular to the axis of the body) is polygonal. The width of the sealing device's head 145 extends beyond the outermost point of at least one barb.

[0090]

[95] The head 145 of the sealing device 104 may be inclined with respect to the axis 142 of the body 141, forming an angle different from 90°. The outer point 146 of the head 145 is closer to the body 141 than the outer point 147 of the barb 144 when the barb is plyed against the body of the sealing device. It may be further away from the axis 142 of the body 41. The cross section of the seal along a plane parallel to the axis of the body has a T-shaped cross section, with the barbs being coplanar with this plane.

[0091]

[96] Once cartridge 100 is inserted into the card dispensing shoe and used, a new empty space is created behind pressing means 120, as pressing means 120 gradually slides toward front wall 111. The small space 180 that exists behind pressing means 120 when the cartridge is sealed increases in volume. When the game is over, cartridge 100 is removed from the card dispensing shoe, and top wall 110 can be slid toward front wall 111, thus opening space 180. Due to the presence of stop means 130, top wall 110 cannot slide past pressing means 120. Dealt cards can be inserted into space 180, and top wall 110 can be slid backward toward spine wall 114. Optionally, closure lid 150 can be placed back on front wall 111, and new seals can be inserted into slits 151 and 161 and / or 152 and 162. Thus, used and resealed cartridges can be supplied.

[0092]

[97] At the rear of the cartridge is a memory card (not shown in FIG. 1B) in space area 180. This memory card can be read by a card dispensing device once the cartridge is inserted into the card dispensing device.

[0093]

[98] Fresh sealed cartridges and used and resealed cartridges To be able to distinguish between the cartridges, the seals used can have different colours to distinguish them.

[0094]

[99] Figure 4 provides a card dispensing device 1000. 1000 includes a card dispensing shoe 1001, which may have a retaining means 1010 for receiving and retaining the cartridge 100 when the cartridge 100 is inserted into the card dispensing shoe 1001. The card dispensing device 1000 also includes a mouthpiece 1002, which may be mounted on the card dispensing shoe 1001 once the cartridge 100 is inserted into the card dispensing shoe 1001. The mouthpiece 1002 covers a front wall 111 of the cartridge and includes an opening 1011 that allows a card to be withdrawn from the cartridge 100, through the front wall 111 and out the mouthpiece 1002. The mouthpiece prevents the top wall from sliding up to the front wall. The retaining means prevents the top wall from sliding towards the spine wall.

[0095]

[0100] The card dispensing shoe 1001 has an upper surface 1020. A groove 1021 is provided to receive the bottom wall 115 of the cartridge 100. In this embodiment, the groove 1022 has two distinct zones of different depths, the deepest zone being for receiving the portion of the bottom wall 115 where the uncoiled end of the spring coil is located. The periphery of the groove 1021 matches the bottom wall 115 of the cartridge 100. Thus, the cartridge 100 fits snugly into the groove 1021 and can remain submerged along the depth of the groove during use. The cartridge 100 cannot slide out of the card dispensing shoe 1001 during use.

[0096]

[0101] The card dispensing shoe 1001 is provided with sensors, cameras, etc. When the cartridge is in use and placed within the card reading shoe 1001 and covered by the mouthpiece 1002, it is positioned on two ridges 1030 adjacent the front end of the cartridge.

[0097]

[0102] A second embodiment of the cartridge 2000 is shown in Figures 6 and 7. 1B, like reference numerals refer to like structures. Cartridge 2000 has a pressing means 120 and has two protrusions 2001 that slide in two grooves 2002 in bottom wall 115. Top wall 110 has a protrusion that projects into the spatial region of container 101. This protrusion prevents top edge 121 of top wall 115 from passing over pressing means 120.

[0098]

[0103] The cartridge contains a SIM card 2100, a card identification code, and data about the arrangement of the cards in the cartridge 2000. The SIM card also contains a cartridge identification code. Inside the container, a pocket-like storage area is provided for carrying a spare seal. When the cartridge has been used and is to be returned to the casino's back office, the spare seal can be used to seal the cartridge once the dealt cards are inserted into the space between the pressing means 120 and the back wall 114 of the cartridge, while the top wall is slid away from the back wall 114. A snap-click system 153 is used to click the closure lid 150 onto the front wall 111. is provided on the closing lid 150.

[0099]

[0104] In order to illustrate the embodiments according to the present invention, preferred embodiments and / or elements are provided. Although materials have been discussed, it should be understood that various modifications or variations may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. 1. A gaming card cartridge comprising a container configured to couple to a card dispensing shoe, the container defines a spatial region; the container contains a deck of gaming cards within the spatial area; The space of the container is sealed by one or more sealing devices; the container includes a top wall, a front wall, and a side wall; the top wall is slidably connected to the side walls and configured to slide toward the front wall; The top wall of the gaming card cartridge is prevented from sliding by at least a first seal.

2. 2. The gaming card cartridge of claim 1, wherein the lower edge of said upper wall faces said front wall, the upper edge of said front wall faces said upper wall, and the lower edge of said upper wall extends beyond the upper edge of said front wall.

3. 10. A gaming card cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the lower edge of the top wall is directed away from the front wall, a pressing means is provided within the spatial area of ​​the container for pressing the gaming card towards the front end of the container, and the cartridge is provided with a stop means for preventing the upper edge of the top wall from sliding beyond the pressing means.

4. 4. The gaming card cartridge of claim 3, wherein the stop means includes a protrusion on the pressing means on a side of the pressing means facing the top wall, and the stop means further includes a groove in the top wall, the groove in the top wall being provided along the length of the top wall and terminating before an upper edge of the top wall, and the protrusion on the pressing means sliding within the recess in the top wall.

5. 4. The gaming card cartridge of claim 3, wherein the stopping means includes a protrusion on the inside of the top wall, the protrusion protruding into the inside of the cartridge so as to extend beyond the upper edge of the pressing means.

6. 10. A gaming card cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container includes a top wall and a front wall, a lower edge of the top wall facing the front wall, the front wall having card withdrawal means for enabling cards to be removed from the container's spatial area when the cartridge is opened, and at least a portion of the inner surface of the top wall adjacent to the lower edge is cut out to prevent cards other than the card closest to the card withdrawal means from being removed from the cartridge through the card withdrawal means.

7. 10. A gaming card cartridge according to claim 9, wherein a pressing means for pressing the gaming card toward the front end of the container is provided in a spatial area of ​​the container, and the pressing means is pressed toward the front wall by a spring.

8. 8. The gaming card cartridge of claim 7, wherein the spring is a constant torque spring.

9. 9. The gaming card cartridge according to claim 8, wherein said constant torque spring includes a coil, said coil being housed within said pressing means.

10. 10. A gaming card cartridge according to claim 9, wherein a pressing means is provided within the spatial region of the container, the container including a bottom wall, the pressing means including at least one protrusion on a side surface thereof contacting the bottom wall, the bottom wall including at least one groove along the length of the bottom wall from the front end of the container to the rear end of the container, and the protrusion of the pressing means on the side surface thereof contacting the bottom wall slides within the groove along the length of the bottom wall.

11. 10. A gaming card cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container includes a front wall having card withdrawal means for allowing cards to be removed from the container's spatial area when the cartridge is opened, and wherein the card of the set of gaming cards closest to the card withdrawal means is secured to the container by at least one sealing device.

12. 10. A gaming card cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container includes a front wall having card withdrawal means for allowing cards to be removed from the container's spatial area, and the cartridge includes a closing lid for closing the card withdrawal means, the closing lid being secured to the container by at least one sealing device.

13. 13. The gaming card cartridge of claim 12, wherein the closing lid is made of a transparent or translucent polymer material.

14. 10. A gaming card cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the cards has a card identification code, and wherein the cartridge includes data storage means for storing information about the card identification codes of the cards in a set of gaming cards held by the cartridge.

15. 15. The gaming card cartridge of claim 14, wherein said data storage means stores information about the arrangement of said cards in a deck of gaming cards held by said cartridge.

16. A gaming card cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cartridge includes tracking means.

17. 10. A gaming card cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container includes at least one storage location for storing one or more spare seals.

18. 10. A gaming card cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one seal includes an RFID label, and when said seal is broken, the RFID label is broken.

19. 10. A gaming card cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one sealing device has a T-shaped cross section in the axial direction, and at least one barb is provided along the body of the T-shaped cross section of the sealing device, the opening of which faces the head of the T-shaped cross section.

20. A gaming card cartridge according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said container is made of a polymer material.

21. 1. A method of providing a card dispensing device, comprising: - providing a card dispensing device including a card dispensing shoe, said card dispensing device configured to receive a gaming card cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 20; - preparing a gaming card cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 20; coupling the gaming card cartridge to the shoe; - opening the cartridge by removing at least one of the one or more seals; A method comprising:

22. 22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the gaming card cartridge is the gaming card cartridge according to claim 14 or 15, and the method further comprises: - obtaining data stored in said data storage means; - reading the card identification code from the dealt gaming card; - comparing the read card identification code with the obtained data stored in the data storage means; A method comprising:

23. 23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the gaming card cartridge is the gaming card cartridge according to any one of claims 3 to 5, and the method further comprises: Collecting cards dealt while the game is being played; - at the end of the game being played, opening a portion of the container behind the pressing means by sliding the top wall towards the front wall; - placing the dealt card into an open portion of the container behind the pressing means; A method comprising:

Images