A device for manufacturing playing card sets

Abstract

An apparatus for producing a set of playing cards is provided, the apparatus comprising: printing means for printing playing cards in a random order; identification means for identifying one or more defective playing cards, the identification means including a feedback unit for instructing the printing means to reprint the defective playing cards; and ejection means for ejecting the one or more defective playing cards.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001]

[01] The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a set of playing cards and a method for an apparatus for manufacturing a set of playing cards. [Background technology]

[0002]

[02] Modern card-playing games are well known. Games are often based on the unpredictability of the order in which cards are dealt or drawn from a set or deck of randomly ordered playing cards, where the playing card set contains more than one deck of playing cards that are randomly ordered at the set level.

[0003]

[03] For example, baccarat is played using a set of eight decks of randomly ordered playing cards, for a total of 416 randomly ordered cards. In some games, once a card from the set has been dealt, it cannot be used in that manner again, because the dealing order and setting can be monitored separately from the cards that were dealt. Players can rotate the cards themselves after placing a bet, resulting in cards that become dirty, damaged, or destroyed, making the cards that have been used potentially usable to predict the order and therefore to commit fraud.

[0004]

[04] In high stakes situations, any source of fraudulent activity or behavior must be avoided. To avoid increasing the potential for fraud, the handling time between the production of a playing card set and the use of that playing card set at a playing table must be as short as possible. Summary of the Invention

[0005]

[05] An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method capable of printing a set of playing cards in a random order. An advantage of some embodiments of the apparatus and method is that the apparatus and method reduce the amount of waste during the production of playing card sets. Some embodiments may allow for the reuse of playing cards that have already been drawn from the playing card set. Furthermore, some embodiments of the apparatus allow for the apparatus to be relatively small in size, allowing the apparatus to be located in small production rooms, casino offices, or gaming rooms.

[0006]

[06] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing a set of playing cards, the apparatus comprising: printing means for printing the playing cards in a random order; - identification means for identifying one or more defective playing cards, the identification means including a feedback unit for instructing the printing means to reprint the defective playing cards; ejection means for ejecting one or more defective playing cards; Includes:

[0007]

[07] The printing means may be instructed to successively print randomly ordered sets of playing cards, each set containing a given number of decks of cards. The printing means may print these sets as groups of a given number of playing cards, for example, an x ​​by y matrix of playing cards. The feedback unit may instruct the printing means to add defective playing cards in the next set of cards or group of cards to be printed.

[0008]

[08] A set of playing cards means a certain number of decks of playing cards. A randomly ordered set of playing cards means that the cards in all decks are in a random order in the set, and is also called a shuffled set of playing cards. A deck of cards includes 13 cards (Ace, King, Queen, Jack, and 10 through 2) in four suits (Hearts, Spades, Clubs, and Diamonds). In some cases, a set of playing cards may include other playing cards that play a role in the game being played, such as Baccarat, Blackjack, Poker, Pontoon, SiKiPi, etc.

[0009]

[09] Each set may include multiple decks, such as 1 to 10 decks, for example 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 decks.

[0010]

[10] To avoid fraud, the lead time between the production of cards and their use in the casino should be as short as possible, both in time and space. Therefore, apparatus according to the present invention may be located in a card production facility, but is preferably located in a small production room, casino office, or casino.

[0011]

[11] The printing means sequentially prints sets of printed cards. The printing means includes a randomizer that determines a random order of the playing cards in each playing card set to be printed. The randomization may be at the set level, thus randomizing cards of a given number of decks in the set.

[0012]

[12] The device according to the present invention includes an identification means for identifying defective playing cards. Cards can be defective due to, for example, faulty or incorrect cutting, defects in the printing, such as ink marks or insufficient or excessive ink use, or defects in the paper or cardboard. Therefore, the quality inspection includes an inspection of the printing on the card and an inspection of the paper or cardboard for defects. A quality inspection of the cutting operation may also be appropriate. These inspections can be performed in one operational step or can be divided into two separate quality inspections, and therefore into two separate means: one for inspecting paper / cardboard and printing defects, and one for inspecting cutting defects.

[0013]

[13] The identification means identifies at least playing cards with printing defects and paper and / or cardboard defects. If a cutting operation follows the printing operation or printing means, the identification means can also identify playing cards with cutting defects. A defective playing card can therefore be understood to be a card with a printing defect and / or a card containing a paper / cardboard defect, and optionally a card with a cutting defect, or a card with both a printing defect, a paper / cardboard defect and a cutting defect.

[0014]

[14] The printing means prints on the front side of the playing cards to identify the rank and suit of the playing cards. The back side of the cards may be provided with a decorative appearance. The printing means may print on the front side of a sheet of blank cards or a paper or cardboard tape having a decorative appearance on the back side.

[0015]

[15] However, printing can be done on the back of playing cards, giving the back a decorative appearance, while starting from a blank card, tape, or sheet of paper or cardboard, printing on both sides of the card, tape, or sheet of paper or cardboard. The identification means can identify cards with printing defects on at least the front or face side (revealing rank and suit), but can also allow identification of printing defects on the back side.

[0016]

[16] The feedback unit instructs the printing means to add additional cards of the same rank and suit as one or more playing cards having a printing defect in a set of playing cards being printed or to be subsequently printed. The identifying means can be disposed after the cutting means for cutting cards from a larger paper or cardboard sheet or tape and can be used to identify playing cards having a cutting defect. The feedback unit can instruct the printing means to add additional cards of the same rank and suit as one or more playing cards having a cutting defect in a set of playing cards being printed or to be subsequently printed.

[0017]

[17] According to some embodiments, the printing means may be a digital printer.

[0018]

[18] The playing cards are preferably printed on a digital printer, but other printing techniques should not be excluded. The digital printer has a randomization unit that determines a random order for printing playing cards from a set of cards that includes a given number of decks and may optionally include other playing cards.

[0019]

[19] The printing means prints playing cards. The printing means may print cards one by one onto the blank cards before cutting. Any blank cards with cutting defects will have already been removed from the stack used for printing.

[0020]

[20] According to some embodiments, the apparatus may further include stacking means for stacking the printed playing cards into a plurality of playing card stacks.

[0021]

[21] According to some embodiments, the printing means is capable of printing sheets of playing cards, each sheet comprising a matrix of playing cards.

[0022]

[22] The printing means may print the playing cards one by one, or may print the playing cards onto a sheet or roll of paper or cardboard so that the playing cards are arranged in a matrix on the roll or sheet of paper or cardboard. The matrix may be a single row matrix, in which case the printing device prints onto a paper or cardboard tape on which the cards are printed sequentially and then cut into cards. Alternatively, the printing device may print a sheet of playing cards on which the playing cards are arranged in two or more rows and two or more columns. By way of example only, the printing device may print a sheet of playing cards depicting a 7x7 or 8x7 playing card.

[0023]

[23] In both cases, playing cards must be individualized from tapes or sheets of paper or cardboard.

[0024]

[24] According to some embodiments, the apparatus may include cutting means for cutting individual playing cards from a printed paper or cardboard tape or sheet on which the printed playing cards are represented.

[0025]

[25] Preferably, this is done by a known playing card cutting machine, such as a cutter, slitter, die cutter, or puncher.

[0026]

[26] The identifying means may be disposed after the cutting means and may be used to identify playing cards having cut defects and to provide feedback to the printing means about the playing cards having cut defects. The feedback unit may instruct the printing means to add additional cards of the same rank and suit as the one or more playing cards having cut defects to the set of playing cards being printed or to be subsequently printed.

[0027]

[27] Alternatively, the cutting means may have quality inspection means for identifying cards with cut defects (such as the presence of improper edges or flaps, cards cut to a non-rectangular shape, etc.). This quality inspection means may be part of the identification means or may act as a separate means. Optionally, this quality inspection means may provide feedback to the printing means about playing cards with cut defects. It may instruct the printing means to add additional cards of the same rank and suit as one or more playing cards with cut defects to a group of playing cards being printed or to be printed later, e.g., a printed deck. It may also remove cards with cut defects, or the entire group, e.g., the entire deck to which the cards with cut defects belong, from the production process. For this, it may have its own removal means for removing at least the cards with cut defects. If an entire group of playing cards, e.g., the entire deck, is removed, feedback is given to the printing means to reprint each of the cards in the group, e.g., the deck.

[0028]

[28] Optionally, the apparatus may include coating means, such as a burnishing unit, for applying a resin lacquer coating to at least the front side of the playing cards.

[0029]

[29] This burnishing unit may, for example, be arranged in front of the identification means.

[0030]

[30] According to some embodiments, the apparatus may include card arranging means for arranging a plurality of playing cards into a series of playing cards.

[0031]

[31] The playing cards, optionally singulated from a tape or sheet of paper or cardboard, can be placed one after the other into a series of cards. Preferably, the cards are arranged edge-to-edge with no overlap. The playing cards can be moved on a flat belt or by a roller chain or conveyor belt.

[0032]

[32] More broadly, the print may include a visible or invisible card indicia (also called a card ID or card ID string), which may be different from the rank and suit, or may even be a unique card indicia or card ID or card ID string. It may be printed using an invisible ink, such as a UV reflective ink, which provides a visible image when illuminated with an appropriate UV light. Inspection of the print for defects may include inspection of the presence and accuracy of this card indicia. To this end, the identification means may include a UV light source for illuminating the card with UV light.

[0033]

[33] In many cases, the printing device of the printing means includes its own quality inspection device for inspecting the print and the paper or cardboard for defects. The identification means may therefore include this print quality inspection device, which optionally includes a first camera.

[0034]

[34] Thus, according to some embodiments, the identification means may include a first camera.

[0035]

[35] The first camera inspects the playing cards for defects in the printing and paper or cardboard, and optionally for cutting defects, and is preferably located after the series of cards has been formed.

[0036]

[36] As noted above, the printing device of the printing means may also inspect playing cards for defects in the printing and paper or cardboard. The feedback unit of the identification means collects information about defective cards, optionally by combining information from a camera and the printing device itself, and provides a feedback signal to the printing means as to which cards are defective and need to be reprinted. It may provide the rank and suit of the defective cards as feedback, and if a card ID has been printed, it may provide the card ID along with the rank and suit, or just the card ID, as feedback to the printing means.

[0037]

[37] Thus, the printing device knows which cards (rank and suit, or rank, suit, and card ID) need to be reprinted. The printing device, which determines the random order of the cards to be printed, adds and includes the reprinted cards in one of its next printing operations.

[0038]

[38] The printing means may add the reprinted card to the sequence of cards currently being printed, or may add it to the next set of cards needed to form the random sequence, or to an existing card in the set of cards.

[0039]

[39] Once a defective card has been identified, feedback is given to the printing means that the defective card must be removed from the card queue, which is done by the ejection means.

[0040]

[40] The ejection means may be a separate means or may be part of the stacking means.

[0041]

[41] The ejection system as a separate means can obtain information of the cards to be ejected. This can be information from the identification means about the number of cards between the identification means and the ejection position in the ejection means. The ejection means counts the cards and ejects them after counting a given number of cards. Defective playing cards can be passed to a trash can that collects defective playing cards.

[0042]

[42] Alternatively, if the card has a unique card identifier or card ID, the ejection means can obtain the card ID of the card to be ejected and, upon detecting the card ID, eject the card. For this detection, it can include a second camera, optionally with a suitable light source, such as a UV light source.

[0043]

[43] Optionally, the ejection means is part of a card stacking means, in which case defective cards are "stacked" into a waste bin.

[0044]

[44] Playing cards, which are offered as a series of cards as an option, must be stacked to form a complete set.

[0045]

[45] According to some embodiments, the stacking means comprises: Multiple card stacking baskets and a dispensing unit for dispensing said identified playing cards into one of the card stacking baskets; a counting unit that counts the playing cards placed into each of the card stacking baskets by suit and rank; A mobile unit that removes a complete set of card stacking baskets and may include:

[0046]

[46] This stacking means may be present in the device according to the invention.

[0047]

[47] In some cases, the stacking means includes a recognition unit for identifying the suit and rank of the playing cards.

[0048]

[48] ​​In some cases, the recognition unit may further include a third camera.

[0049]

[49] This further camera identifies the rank and suit of the card passing by it. The stacking means then compares the rank and suit of the card passing by the camera with its list of cards present in each basket. It determines in which baskets cards need to be added and commands the dispensing unit accordingly.

[0050]

[50] If the ejection means is incorporated into the stacking means, the stacking means will recognize a passing card as defective and instruct its dispensing unit to drop the card into a trash bin. If cameras are used, the second and third cameras may be the same camera.

[0051]

[51] Thus, a complete set of playing cards is assembled. Given a set of cards, suppose one card is defective and therefore discarded and reprinted. The non-defective cards from this set are stacked in one of several baskets, referred to here as the first basket, until the final playing card of the printed set is added to that basket. The counting unit now has information that all cards are present except for one or more cards, each of a given rank and suit, that are defective. The next card passing through the recognition unit is not added to this first basket unless it is the same as the defective card, because many of those cards of this rank and suit are complete. The next card is added to the next basket. The next card of the given rank and suit of the defective card is added to the nearly complete set in the first basket to complete the set. This continues until the set in the first basket is complete. This complete set can now be removed from the first basket. The reprinted cards make the next set of cards complete, provided that the next set also does not have one or more defective cards. The approved cards of this set are stacked in the appropriate basket, but finally, again, some cards of a given rank and suit may be missing. Again, further baskets begin to fill with subsequent sets of cards, but the basket with some cards missing awaits those missing cards from the next set. This loop continues, and eventually, a complete set is removed from the basket.

[0052]

[52] Thus, the amount of cards wasted is limited to only the defective cards.

[0053]

[53] If playing cards are given a unique ID, the detection of defective cards by either the cameras of the stacking means or the cameras present in the ejection means is further facilitated. The identification means requires the camera to only check for a defectively coded card ID. When a card with this ID is detected, it must be ejected, optionally by stacking it in a trash can.

[0054]

[54] According to some embodiments, each card stacking basket includes an additional camera that identifies playing cards added to that basket's stack of playing cards.

[0055]

[55] This further involves tracking the contents of the basket, possibly using a fourth camera. Identification can simply involve reading the rank and suit of the cards added to the basket, or, if a card ID is printed on each card, reading the card IDs of the added cards. A list of the read card IDs, or simply a count of the card ranks and suits, can be stored in memory. This counting double-checks the number and type of cards stored in each basket. It also double-checks that all cards in a card set are present when the card set is removed from the basket. The list of cards in the set, and also the list and order of the card ranks and suits, and the list or order of the card IDs, can be stored in appropriate data storage means. This information can accompany the set of playing cards to enable later verification of the presence and order of the cards being dealt. A set of playing cards can also be provided with a given, optionally unique, set ID, allowing the set to be monitored and tracked on its further journey to and from the casino table.

[0056]

[56] In an alternative embodiment, each stacking basket includes a sensor that identifies which basket contains which playing card. The sensors may receive their input from the identifying means or the ejection means.

[0057]

[57] In order to control all information streams, the device according to the invention may include a processing unit for processing all generated information and data.

[0058]

[58] The processing unit can generate a random order of playing cards to be printed by the printing device. The processing unit can generate an individual card ID to be printed for each card. The processing unit can process information about defective cards provided by the identification unit and, optionally, by the printing means. The processing unit can instruct the printing means about cards to be reprinted. The processing unit can process instructions for the ejection means. The processing unit can process information from the recognition unit, determine in which basket the recognized card or card ID is to be stacked, control the distribution unit, etc. The processing unit can count the cards stacked in each basket by card value (rank and suit), and determine which basket a given card is to be stacked in.

[0059]

[59] The device according to the present invention has the advantage that it can recover undealt cards from a set of cards intended to be dealt at a card playing table. Cards that have been dealt but are undamaged can also be recovered. Card sets from which a certain number of cards have not been dealt can be returned to the casino hall or office where card sets are prepared and / or dispensed. Since the set of undealt cards is not exposed to the outside world, the cards can be recovered, provided the card set from which they are recovered has the same appearance.

[0060]

[60] According to some embodiments, the device may include card recovery means.

[0061]

[61] The restoring means is preferably located in a position that allows the restored card to be incorporated into the sequence of cards being created. Preferably, the restoring means is located before the identifying means. Optionally, the card restoring means includes identifying means for identifying the rank and suit of the restored card. This information can be sent to the printing means so that in the next set of playing cards to be printed, a card of this rank and suit will not be printed and therefore will be removed.

[0062]

[62] As already mentioned, playing cards may be given a card ID, possibly a unique card ID.

[0063]

[63] Unique in this context means that no other card with the same card ID exists in the process at that time or within a given period thereafter, e.g., six months after the card ID is first used. The serial card ID can be a given character string serial number, or optionally, a binary string of 0s and 1s. If playing cards are printed on a sheet as an n x m matrix of cards, the unique card ID can consist of the sheet serial number and a position number linking the card to its position in the matrix. In a preferred embodiment, the sheet serial number can be a string of 0-9 characters with more than five characters, e.g., 6 to 12 characters (e.g., 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 characters), and the position number can be a decimal number between 0 and n x m, where n and m are the rows and columns of the matrix. Alternatively, the serial number on the sheet may be a string of more than 20 digits, e.g., 20 to 29 digits, 1 or 0, e.g., 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, or 28 digits, and the position number may be a binary number between 0 and n x m, where n and m are the row and column of the matrix. The card ID may be printed as a QR code, barcode, OCR, data matrix, or any form of visual code.

[0064]

[64] A card ID may be a unique card ID. A unique card ID is not strictly unique, but should be understood in the context of the present invention, i.e., playing cards used in card games at casinos and the like. An ID is unique if it is impossible to find a second playing card with the same card ID. A card ID can be said to be unique if the probability of finding a second playing card with the same card ID is 1 / 100,000 or less, e.g., 1 / 1,000,000 or less, e.g., 1 / 10,000,000 or less.

[0065]

[65] This unique ID, preferably unreadable to the naked eye, is present on the face of a playing card one or more times and can be used to identify the card as a card permitted to be present at a given place and time. For example, a set of playing cards containing cards with a given card ID can be placed in a given card dealing system (the shoe of the dealing system).

[0066]

[66] This card ID can be used in manufacturing methods to monitor the movement of playing cards with a given ID and to build a list and order of card IDs in a basket in which sets of playing cards are stacked.

[0067]

[67] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing a set of playing cards, the apparatus including a digital printer for printing playing cards of the playing card set.

[0068]

[68] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a set of playing cards.

[0069]

[69] According to some embodiments, a method of manufacturing a set of playing cards includes printing playing cards using a digital printer.

[0070]

[70] According to some embodiments, the playing cards may be printed in a random order.

[0071]

[71] According to some embodiments, the method comprises: A. Printing a set of playing cards in a random order; B. Identifying defective playing cards; C. instructing a digital printer to add a defective card to a set of playing cards that has been printed or will be subsequently printed in a random order; D. Removing defective playing cards from the printed playing cards; may include:

[0072]

[72] According to some embodiments, the method further comprises: E. Stacking the printed playing cards into a plurality of stacks of printed cards using a stacking device, comprising: for each playing card: Identifying said playing card; Finding a stack lacking said identified printed playing card and adding said identified printed playing card to said stack; until one of the stacks contains a complete set of cards; F. ejecting said complete card set from the stacking device; may include:

[0073]

[73] According to some embodiments, steps A to F may be performed by an apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0074]

[74] According to some embodiments, the method further comprises: providing a recovered playing card from a set of cards that has been dealt; identifying said recovered playing card; instructing the printing device to remove a card having the ID of the recovered playing card from the set of playing cards being printed or to be subsequently printed in a random order; - Adding recovered cards to printed playing cards may include:

[0075]

[75] According to some embodiments, a playing card can be given a unique card ID, and the playing card is identified by reading said unique card ID.

[0076]

[76] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the use of an apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention for providing a deck of playing cards.

[0077]

[77] Much the same equipment and methods can be used to manufacture cards other than playing cards. Cards for use in boat games or other games, and collectible cards, can also be made using the same equipment and / or methods.

[0078]

[78] Thus, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a game card, the method comprising the step of printing the game card using a digital printer.

[0079]

[79] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing game cards, the apparatus comprising: printing means for printing the randomly ordered game cards; - identification means for identifying one or more defective game cards, the identification means including a feedback unit that instructs the printing means to reprint the defective game cards; ejection means for ejecting one or more defective game cards; stacking means for stacking the printed game cards into a plurality of game card stacks; Includes:

[0080]

[80] It is clear that in this fifth and sixth aspect of the invention, the game cards or collectible cards may be playing cards. In general, a combination of features of one aspect of the invention with features of another aspect of the invention may be made unless the combination is technically impracticable. According to a seventh, independent aspect of the invention, there is provided a playing card.

[0081]

[81] Playing cards according to this seventh aspect are provided with a unique, detectable card ID. Optionally, playing cards according to this seventh aspect are provided with a unique, detectable card ID code, which is an encryption of the card ID.

[0082]

[82] A unique card ID does not mean strictly unique, but should be understood in the context of the present invention, i.e., playing cards used in card games at casinos and the like. An ID is unique if it is impossible to find a second playing card with the same card ID. A card ID can be said to be unique if the probability of finding a second playing card with the same card ID is 1 / 100,000 or less, e.g., 1 / 1,000,000 or less, e.g., 1 / 10,000,000 or less.

[0083]

[83] This low risk of finding the same card ID is sufficient to consider the card ID unique because the lifespan of a card set in casinos and gambling establishments is fairly short, further limiting the risk of two cards with the same card ID being present on the premises at the same time. In casinos and gambling establishments, cards are typically used only once and are destroyed after use. The lifespan of a card, from when it is manufactured until it is destroyed after use, is typically in the range of several weeks.

[0084]

[84] The unique card ID can be converted into a card ID code, such as a barcode or QR code, and the card ID or card ID code is detectable. A detectable card ID or ID code means that the card ID or ID code can be detected by a detection unit, which can be present in the device in which the card is placed, such as a cartridge receptacle for holding playing cards or a shoe in which a card set or a cartridge containing a card set is placed. The detection unit can extract the card ID from the detected card ID code, if a card ID code is used. The card ID can be a string of numbers, digits, letters, etc. that together form the card ID. It can also be a string of 0s and 1s, i.e., a binary data string.

[0085]

[85] A detectable card ID or code may be readable, meaning that the card ID or code can be read by a simple detection unit. As mentioned above, the detected card ID may be an encrypted code or image based on the card ID, in the form of a card ID code. From this card ID code, the card ID can again be read or extracted, e.g., calculated or extracted using decryption. This card ID can be used to compare with data stored in a data storage unit, which data includes the card IDs or a list of card IDs of cards present in a given card set.

[0086]

[86] A playing card may be a card suitable for playing card games such as baccarat or blackjack.

[0087]

[87] A playing card may be a playing card having a front side and a back side, the front side being provided with an image of a rank and a suit, and the playing card being provided with a unique detectable, e.g., readable, card ID that is different from the rank and suit.

[0088]

[88] According to some embodiments, the playing card may be a playing card from a deck of playing cards.

[0089]

[89] A deck of cards refers to the 52 different playing cards used in traditional card games. It contains four groups of 13 cards, and the four suits are spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs. Each group of 13 cards contains an ace, jack, queen, king, and nine cards from two to ten, called the ranks of the cards.

[0090]

[90] According to some embodiments, a detectable card ID or card ID code may be provided on the face side of a playing card.

[0091]

[91] The face side of a card is the side that reveals the rank and suit of the card and is opposite the back side of the card. Preferably, the detectable card ID does not interfere with the rank and suit imprinting and is visible on the face side of a playing card.

[0092]

[92] Optionally, the card ID or card ID code is present on the card and is present several times at various locations along the surface of the card. The card ID can be printed as a card ID code, which in this case is an image representation of the card ID.

[0093]

[93] According to some embodiments, the detectable card ID or card ID code may be invisible to the naked eye.

[0094]

[94] A card ID or code may be invisible to the naked eye. It may be made visible, and therefore detectable, by UV illumination alone or by the emission of invisible light of a given wavelength or range of wavelengths. A UV light source, such as an LED UV illumination, may be used to make the card ID or card ID code readable by using an appropriate camera system.

[0095]

[95] According to some embodiments, the detectable card ID code may be a barcode, a QR code, a Snap Tag, a binary code, or a set of letters and / or numbers.

[0096]

[96] Characters are letters, numbers 0 through 9, punctuation marks and special characters &, @, #, §, $, £,

number

[0097]

[97] According to some embodiments, the detectable card ID code can be printed using microdot encryption. The use of microdots on the front side of a card to identify the rank and suit of the card is known from US9254435.

[0098]

[98] According to some embodiments, the detectable card ID code may be the result of encrypting a card ID, said card ID including at least one of a serial number and a randomly generated number.

[0099]

[99] According to an embodiment, the card ID is: Rank, Suit, The date the card was printed, -Time the card was printed, the company that printed the card, Card brand, ·others The result is the encryption of card information, including one or more of the above, together with at least one of a serial number and a randomly generated number.

[0100]

[0100] The card ID can be a string of letters, numbers, and symbols, or it can exist as a more complex cryptographic card ID code such as a barcode or QR code. The card ID can be based on information such as the rank and suit of the card, the date and / or time of printing the card, the location and machine that printed the card, the unique serial number of the card printed by said machine, the name of the casino for which the printed card is intended and / or where the card will be used, the manufacturer of the card, the brand name, the table at which the card will be used, and many other things. The card can be part of a card set that is placed into a cartridge container. Each card set and / or each cartridge can have its own unique serial number or set and / or cartridge ID, and the card ID of a card in a set and / or cartridge can include information about the set and / or cartridge number or ID.

[0101]

[0101] In some cases, the card ID cannot be linked to, and is therefore independent of, the rank and suit of the playing card. Alternatively, the card ID data includes a card type code, which is a series of letters and / or numbers based on the rank and suit of the card, encrypted using a given first key to provide an encrypted string of numbers and / or digits. To this card type code, a randomly generated number or serial number of three or more digits can be appended. The combination of the string of numbers and / or digits and the randomly generated number or serial number, together forming card ID data, can be encrypted using a second key, etc., to provide the card ID.

[0102] In some cases, the card ID may include information about the printed sheet of playing cards of which the playing card was a part. It may include information about the serial number of the printed sheet and the position on the sheet where the card was located, for example an indication of the card's position in the matrix of cards printed on the sheet.

[0103]

[0103] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a set of playing cards, wherein each of said playing cards is provided with a unique detectable card ID or card ID code.

[0104]

[0104] In the set of playing cards, each of the playing cards may be a playing card according to the seventh configuration of the present invention.

[0105]

[0105] A set of playing cards may be one in which the playing cards have a front side and a back side, the front side having an image of a rank and a suit, and the playing cards are given a unique, readable and detectable card ID or card ID code that is different from the rank and suit.

[0106]

[0106] Preferably, the cards in the card set are randomized, which means that the cards present in the set are shuffled and have an order that is not systematically arranged with respect to the rank and / or suit of the cards.

[0107] Preferably, the set of playing cards includes one or more decks of cards, for example, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 decks. Most preferably, the set of cards includes 6, 8, or 10 decks, for example, as used to play baccarat.

[0108]

[0108] Next to the playing card, the set of cards may include other cards necessary to play the game of cards, which may also include a card ID or card ID code similar to that of the playing card.

[0109]

[0109] According to some embodiments, the playing cards may be present in a random order.

[0110]

[0110] According to some embodiments, the card ID or card ID code may be provided on the face side of the playing card.

[0111]

[0111] According to some embodiments, the card ID or card ID code may be invisible to the naked eye.

[0112] According to some embodiments, the card ID code may be a barcode, a QR code, a snap tag, a binary code, or a set of letters and / or numbers. According to some embodiments, the card ID code may be printed using microdot encryption.

[0113]

[0113] According to some embodiments, a set may include one or more decks of playing cards, preferably between two and ten decks.

[0114]

[0114] According to an embodiment, the card ID code is: Rank, Suit, The date the card was printed, -Time the card was printed, the company that printed the card, The ID of the set the card is part of, Card brand, ·others is the result of encrypting card information, such as one or more of the above, together with at least one of a serial number and a randomly generated number.

[0115] A set of cards may be provided with a set ID and, optionally, a set ID code, which is an encrypted version of the set ID. According to some embodiments, the set ID code may be a barcode, a QR code, a snap tag, a binary code, or a set of letters and / or numbers. The set ID or set ID code may accompany a set of playing cards. It may be a code printed on the packaging of the card set, or may be printed or present on a sticker on such packaging. The set ID may include information about the cards present in the set and their card IDs. According to embodiments, the set ID is a compilation of the IDs of the cards present in the set. Optionally, the set ID is a compilation of the IDs of the cards present in the set, with the card IDs present in the same order as the cards in the set.

[0116]

[0116] According to an embodiment, the set ID is an accumulation of a portion of the IDs of the cards present in the set. Optionally, the set ID is an accumulation of a portion of the IDs of the cards present in the set, the portion of the card IDs being in the same order as the order of the cards in the set. If the card ID is a string of M letters, numbers, and symbols, the portion of the card ID can be 1 to R of these M letters, numbers, and symbols that are present in a given position in the string of M letters, numbers, and symbols, where R≦M.

[0117]

[0117] This Set ID, which contains information about the cards present in the set, optionally after decrypting the Set ID code, can be used to examine the extent to which fraud may have been committed with the set of cards. If a card has been smuggled into a card set, reading the Card ID (optionally via decrypting the Card ID code) and comparing it with the Set ID can reveal that the card was not part of the original card set. If the Set ID contains information about the order of cards in the card set, reading the Card ID (optionally via decrypting the Card ID code) and comparing it with the Set ID can reveal that the position of the card in the card set has been changed. All of this can be an indication that fraud may have been committed.

[0118]

[0118] The independent and dependent claims set out particular and preferred features of the invention. Features from the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims and with features of other dependent claims and / or with features described above and / or herein as appropriate.

[0119]

[0119] The above 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 provided for the purposes of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference drawings listed below refer to the attached drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0120] [Figure 1] 1 to 5 are schematic diagrams of an apparatus for manufacturing a playing card set according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 to 5 are schematic diagrams of an apparatus for manufacturing a playing card set according to the present invention. [Figure 3]1 to 5 are schematic diagrams of an apparatus for manufacturing a playing card set according to the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 to 5 are schematic diagrams of an apparatus for manufacturing a playing card set according to the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 to 5 are schematic diagrams of an apparatus for manufacturing a playing card set according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates a playing card according to a first aspect of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 illustrates a mechanism for creating a card ID for a group of cards. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0121]

[0121] In the various drawings, the same reference signs refer to identical, similar or analogous elements.

[0122]

[0122] The present invention will be described in connection with specific embodiments. It should be noted that the term "comprises" used in the claims should not be interpreted as being limited to the listed means, nor as excluding other elements or steps. Thus, as mentioned, it should be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, steps, or components, but not as excluding the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, configurations, or combinations thereof. Therefore, the scope defined by the phrase "a device comprising means A and means B" should not be limited to a device consisting only of component A and component B. This means that, in the context of this invention, the components related to the device are A and B.

[0123]

[0123] This specification may refer to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment." Such a reference indicates that a particular feature described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Thus, the appearances of "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

[0124]

[0124] Furthermore, the particular features or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one skilled in the art, in one or more embodiments.

[0125] An apparatus 100 for producing a playing card set is shown in FIG. 1. The apparatus includes a paper supply 110, in this case a roll of paper sheets. The roll is unrolled and fed at one end to a printing means, which is a digital printing device 120, for printing a randomly ordered set of playing cards. Alternatively, instead of a roll of paper sheets, multiple paper sheets can be fed to the printing means. A group of cards, here an 8x7 matrix of cards, i.e., 56 cards, is printed. Each card is given a unique card identification or ID, e.g., in the form of a barcode. Alternatively, the card ID can be provided as a QR code, OCR, data matrix, or any type of visual code. This code can be converted into a nine-digit number using an appropriate algorithm. The first seven digits represent the sheet number; for example, the serial number for sheets printed this year starts with 0000001 and ends with 9999999. The last two digits provide a number between 1 and 56 and represent the card's position on the sheet being printed. The paper sheet is then varnished in a varnisher 130. An identification means 140 then identifies one or more defective playing cards. The defects can be paper or printing defects, such as excessive or insufficient ink used, misplaced images on the card, or visual defects in the cardboard. For this purpose, the identification means includes a camera 141 and a means for comparing the acquired image with a predetermined image. A second camera 143 is provided to inspect the backside of the card. If the images do not match within a tolerance, a feedback unit 142 instructs the printing means 120 via a processing unit 200 to add the detected defective card to the next group or set of cards to be printed. The unique ID of the defective playing card is stored in the memory of the processing unit 200.Although not shown in FIG. 1, the identification means 140 may also inspect the back side of the card for defects and identify the card as defective if defects are found on the back side.

[0126]

[0126] The paper sheet on which the printed playing card matrix is ​​represented is cut into individual playing cards by cutting means 150. The quality of the cutting is checked by quality inspection means 151. If the cutting is not according to the standard, the group of cut cards is removed to a waste bin 152. The cards are then organized into a series of cards by means 160.

[0127]

[0127] Here, cards are scanned by ejection means 170, which includes a camera 171. If the card ID of a card passing through the ejection means matches a card ID stored in the memory of the processing unit, the card with that card ID is directed to a trash can 172. The remaining cards, whose rank and suit have been read by the camera of the ejection means 170, are then stacked by stacking means 180 into a series of stacking baskets 181. For each basket, the camera 182 identifies the rank, suit, and card ID, and this information is sent to the processing unit 200. Thus, a record is maintained of the ranks and suits of the multiple cards sent to one basket 181. When a set of cards is completed in one basket 181, the completed set is removed from that basket by the moving means 191. The processing unit 200 stores the contents and order of multiple card IDs for this set of cards. If an ID is given to the set, data about the set ID and contents can be maintained together. The data about the order of the cards can be used to verify the order of the cards when the set is used during the game, for example by reading the card IDs when the set is dealt from the shoe it is in. If the order read does not match the order in the data, some erroneous fraudulent action may have been taken.

[0128]

[0128] In the alternative in Figure 2, in the device 101, the identification means 140 is integrated into the printing means, and defective playing cards are detected and identified before going to the burnishing means.

[0129]

[0129] This process may be a continuous process, but if the roll is cut into sheets the continuous flow may be interrupted by stacking the sheets after the cutting means 150. A further cutting means may be provided to cut each sheet into a card, which includes a quality inspection means for this second cutting operation.

[0130]

[0130] Although shown as separate means in Figures 1 and 2, the discharge means 170 and stacking means 180 may form one device, in which case one of the baskets 181 functions as the waste bin 172.

[0131]

[0131] In this apparatus 101 and 100, and in alternative apparatus, it may be advantageous to use air pressure, air guides, or pneumatic guides to shift the direction of the moving card in order to shift the direction of the card in the process.

[0132]

[0132] The card ID can be printed using UV visible ink, in which case all cameras are further equipped with a UV illumination source.

[0133]

[0133] Figure 3 shows an alternative apparatus 102 for the production of a set of playing cards. The apparatus includes a paper supply 110, in this case a roll of paper sheets. The roll is unrolled and fed at one end to a printing means, which is a digital printing device 120, for printing a set of randomly ordered playing cards. A group of cards, here an 8x7 matrix of cards, i.e., 56 cards, is printed. As with the method and apparatus shown in Figure 1, each card is given a unique card identification or ID, for example in the form of a barcode. The paper sheet is then varnished in a varnish means 130.

[0134]

[0134] The paper on which the printed playing card matrix is ​​represented is cut into individual playing cards by cutting means 150. The cards are then organized into a series of cards by means 160.

[0135]

[0135] The identification means 140 then identifies one or more defective playing cards. The defects can be paper defects or printing defects, such as excessive or insufficient ink used, misplacement of the image on the card, visual defects in the paper or cardboard, and cutting defects. For this purpose, the identification means includes a camera 141, a second camera 143 for inspecting the back of the card, and means for comparing the acquired image with a predetermined image. If the images do not match within the tolerance, a feedback unit 142 instructs the printing means 120 via the processing unit 200 to add the detected defective card to the next group or set of cards to be printed. The unique ID of the defective playing card is stored in the memory of the processing unit 200.

[0136]

[0136] Here, cards are scanned by ejection means 170, which includes a camera 171. If the card ID of a card passing through the ejection means matches a card ID stored in the memory of the processing unit, the card with that card ID is directed to a trash can 172. The remaining cards, whose rank and suit have been read by the camera of the ejection means 170, are then stacked by stacking means 180 into a series of stacking baskets 181. For each basket, camera 182 identifies the rank, suit, and card ID, and this information is sent to the processing unit 200. Thus, a record is maintained of the ranks and suits of the multiple cards sent to one basket 181. When a set of cards is completed in one basket 181, the completed set is removed from that basket by a moving means 191. The processing unit 200 stores the contents and order of multiple card IDs for this set of cards. If an ID is given to the set, data about the set ID and contents can be maintained together. The data about the order of the cards can be used to verify the order of the cards when the set is used during the game, for example by reading the card IDs when the set is dealt from the shoe it is in. If the order read does not match the order in the data, some erroneous fraudulent action may have been taken.

[0137]

[0137] Although shown as separate means in Figure 3, the discharge means 170 and stacking means 180 may form one device, in which case one of the baskets 181 functions as the waste bin 172.

[0138]

[0138] In the alternative, the identification means and ejection means may use the same camera.

[0139]

[0139] Figure 4 shows yet another alternative apparatus 103 for the production of a set of playing cards. The apparatus includes a paper supply 110, in this case a roll of paper sheets. The roll is unrolled and fed at one end to a printing means, which is a digital printing device 120, for printing a set of randomly ordered playing cards. A group of cards, here an 8x7 matrix of cards, i.e., 56 cards, is printed. As with the method and apparatus shown in Figure 1, each card is given a unique card identification or ID, for example in the form of a barcode. The paper sheet is then varnished in a varnish means 130.

[0140]

[0140] The cutting means 150 cuts the paper on which the printed playing card matrix is ​​represented into individual playing cards. The cards are then organized into a series of cards by means 160. The collecting means stacks collected cards, preferably from used card sets, most preferably from those sets that have not been dealt, in the collecting means 300. These collected cards also have card IDs and are added to the stream of newly printed playing cards. The rank and suit of the collected cards can be provided to the processing unit 200, which can instruct the printing means to omit printing of the collected cards.

[0141]

[0141] The identification means 140 then identifies one or more defective playing cards. The defects can be paper defects or printing defects, such as excessive or insufficient ink used, misplacement of the image on the card, or defects in cutting or damage to the recovered card. For this purpose, the identification means includes a camera 141, a second camera 143 for inspecting the back of the card, and means for comparing the acquired image with the expected image. If the images do not match within the tolerance, a feedback unit 142 instructs the printing means 120 via the processing unit 200 to add the detected defective card to the next group or set of cards to be printed. The unique ID of the defective playing card is stored in the memory of the processing unit 200.

[0142]

[0142] Here, cards are scanned by ejection means 170, which includes a camera 171. If the card ID of a card passing through the ejection means matches a card ID stored in the memory of the processing unit, the card with that card ID is directed to a trash can 172. The remaining cards, whose rank and suit have been read by the camera of the ejection means 170, are then stacked by stacking means 180 into a series of stacking baskets 181. For each basket, the camera 182 identifies the rank, suit, and card ID, and this information is sent to the processing unit 200. Thus, a record is maintained of the ranks and suits of the multiple cards sent to one basket 181. When a set of cards is completed in one basket 181, the completed set is removed from that basket by the moving means 191. The processing unit 200 stores the contents and order of the multiple card IDs for this set of cards. If an ID is given to the set, data about the set ID and contents can be maintained together. The data about the order of the cards can be used to verify the order of the cards when the set is used during the game, for example by reading the card IDs when the set is dealt from the shoe it is in. If the order read does not match the order in the data, some erroneous fraudulent action may have been taken.

[0143]

[0143] Although shown as separate means in Figure 4, the discharge means 170 and stacking means 180 may form one device, in which case one of the baskets 181 functions as the waste bin 172.

[0144]

[0144] In the alternative, the identification means and ejection means may use the same camera.

[0145]

[0145] As a further alternative, the process shown in Figure 5 can be provided, in which the collecting means 300 is the same as that shown in Figure 4 and is arranged before the ejecting means 170 and, optionally, before the card stringing means 160. Retired cards are typically cards that have never been dealt or handled, and therefore do not require any inspection for defects. A new card set can therefore be constructed by the stacking means 180 by providing the retired cards using the collecting means 300, identifying the cards using the ejecting means 170, and storing the retired cards using the stacking means 180. The new card set can be constructed using only retired cards.

[0146] In a further alternative to the device shown in Figures 1 to 5, camera 182 can be replaced with a sensor. Camera 141 or 171 can provide input to the sensor as to which card needs to be sent to which basket. The sensor checks that the correct card is sent to the correct basket. If a card is sent incorrectly, the device can be set to hold.

[0147] A playing card 1000 according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is shown diagrammatically in Figure 6. The playing card, in this case the Ace of Diamonds, contains information about rank and suit on its face side 1001. Next to the rank and suit, the card 1000 also has on its face side 1001 a card ID code 1003, which in this case is a barcode-like image. This card ID is imprinted with UV-visible ink. This card ID 1003 is not visible to the naked eye.

[0148] 7, card ID code 1003 is an image representation of card ID 2001. Cryptography and possible encryption software (2010) converts card ID 2001 into an image of card ID 1003, which in this case is a barcode-like image, and this image is card ID code 1003. Once card ID code 1003 is detected, appropriate decryption software can convert the card ID code 1003 back to card ID 2001.

[0149] An example of how to obtain a card ID is shown in Figure 6. Each card has its rank (2002) and suit (2003). This defines the card number (2004), which is a number between 0 and 52. Other possible playing cards that are needed to play a particular card game may also be present in the playing card set. Such other cards are given additional card numbers, for example, 53, 54, etc.

[0150]

[0150] Using the encryption key (2005) and encryption software (2006), the card number is converted into a card type code (2007), which is a string of 0s and 1s, using, for example, a bijective function. Therefore, the card type code (2007) is a binary string of data. The card type code is not unique because all playing cards with the same rank and suit in a playing card set containing more than one deck have the same card ID code.

[0151]

[0151] To this card type code (2007) is added a randomly generated number (2008) of 14 digits (out of 0-9). By combining the card type code and the randomly generated number (2008), a card ID (2001) is formed. This card ID data (2001) is detected, read and fed to encryption software (2010), which uses a bijective function to convert the card ID (2001) into a card ID code (1003). In this particular embodiment, a barcode reader is suitable for reading the card ID. It is understood that this device uses UV light to make the barcode "visible" to the barcode reader.

[0152]

[0152] These card IDs 2001 and card ID codes 1003 are unique. The risk that a second identical card of a particular suit and rank will have the same card ID 103 is 10, or 1 in 1 trillion. The string of letters and numbers that is card ID 2001 can itself be used as a unique card ID. A camera system and image analysis software can be used to detect and read the card ID data used as the card ID. It is understood that the camera system uses UV light to make the barcode "visible" to the barcode reader.

[0153]

[0153] Although preferred embodiments and / or materials have been described to demonstrate embodiments in accordance with the present invention, it will be understood that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for producing a set of playing cards, comprising: printing means for printing playing cards in a random order; - identification means for identifying one or more defective playing cards, said identification means including a feedback unit for instructing said printing means to reprint said defective playing cards; ejection means for ejecting one or more of said defective playing cards; 1. An apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the printing means prints a unique card ID on each of the playing cards, and the feedback unit instructs the printing means to reprint a playing card whose card ID is the same as that of the defective playing card.

3. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the defective playing cards include at least one of a printing defect or a cutting defect.

4. 4. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said printing means is a digital printer.

5. 5. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising stacking means for stacking the printed playing cards into a plurality of playing card stacks.

6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, Apparatus including cutting means for cutting individual playing cards from a printed paper or cardboard tape or sheet on which said printed playing cards are represented.

7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, An apparatus including card arranging means for arranging a plurality of playing cards into a series of playing cards.

8. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, The stacking means comprises: - Multiple card stacking baskets; a dispensing unit for dispensing the identified playing card into one of the card stacking baskets; a counting unit for counting the playing cards placed into each of the card stacking baskets by suit and rank; a transfer unit for removing a complete set of said card stacking baskets; 1. An apparatus comprising:

9. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, An apparatus including a card recovery means.

10. A method for manufacturing a deck of playing cards, comprising: A. printing a set of randomly ordered playing cards using a digital printer; B. Identifying defective playing cards; C. Instructing a digital printer to add a defective card in a set of randomly ordered playing cards that has been printed or will be printed later; D. Removing defective playing cards from the printed playing cards; A method comprising:

11. 11. The method of claim 10, E. Stacking said printed playing cards into a plurality of stacks of printed cards using a stacking device, comprising for each playing card: - identifying said playing card; Finding a stack lacking the identified printed playing card and adding the identified printed playing card to the stack; until one of the stacks is a complete set of cards; F. ejecting the complete card set from the stacking device; The method further comprises:

12. 12. The method of claim 10 or 11, 8. A method wherein steps A to F are performed by an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, providing a recovered playing card from a set of cards that has been dealt; - Identifying the recovered playing card; Instructing the printing device to remove a card having the ID of the recovered playing card from the set of playing cards that has been printed or will be printed later in a random order; Adding the restored card to the printed playing card; The method further comprises:

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, A method in which the playing card is provided with a unique card ID, and the playing card is identified by reading the unique card ID.

15. 10. Use of a device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 for providing a deck of playing cards.

Images