Dual-Robot-Arm Card Dealing System

Abstract

A dual-robot-arm card dealing system that performs a card opening program for multiple playing cards in a game. The system includes a card dealing table (10), a card recognition module (20), a first robot arm (30), a second robot arm (40), and a controller (50). The controller (50) sequentially generates multiple card opening threads according to the progress of the game; the controller (50) selects either the first robot arm (30) or the second robot arm (40) to sequentially execute the multiple card opening threads and completes the card opening program in cooperation with the card dealing table (10) and the card recognition module (20). Accordingly, the first robot arm (30) and the second robot arm (40) operate simultaneously and wait for each other, thereby accelerating the card opening program. Even if one arm fails, the game can be completed by continuing to distribute cards, thus reducing disputes and increasing the reliability of the game.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a poker game, and more specifically, to a card dealing system for a poker game. Background Technology

[0002] There are various gameplays in poker that require card shuffling before the game begins to sufficiently "mess up" the deck and provide unpredictable card faces to prevent cheating. In the traditional shuffling process, manual shuffling is primarily used, and cards are handled manually with the assistance of a dealer; however, this is costly and carries a high risk of cheating.

[0003] Accordingly, to reduce the use of manpower and eliminate the possibility of cheating, for example, Chinese Patent No. CN 101125250 B discloses an automatic card dealing method that uses a mechanical arm to distribute cards and uses a detector to identify card faces. As another example, U.S. Patent No. US 9,931,562 B2 discloses a card dealing device having two card dealing arms that simulate real-human dealing to make the player more impressive.

[0004] Although the aforementioned card dealing display device eliminates the problem of cheating, the card dealing method using a single machine arm results in a prolonged dealing process and fails to meet the requirements for dealing speed. Additionally, a card dealing device having two card dealing arms is configured primarily to simulate actual card dealing. Although the two card dealing arms can operate card dealing simultaneously, the two card dealing arms are housed in the same main body, and if the main body is damaged and becomes inoperable, the two card dealing arms cannot operate simultaneously. means of solving the problem

[0005] Accordingly, the main objective of the present invention is to provide a dual robot arm card dealing system for performing a card opening process for a plurality of playing cards in a game, comprising a card dealing deck, a card recognition module, a first robot arm, a second robot arm, and a controller, wherein the card dealing deck includes an unused card box for placing a plurality of playing cards that have not undergone a card opening process and a used card box for placing a plurality of playing cards that have completed the card opening process. That is, a plurality of playing cards that have completed the card opening process can be redeployed from the unused card box to the used card box.

[0006] A card recognition module is provided on a card dealing deck, and the card recognition module includes an identification plane, and the card recognition module is configured to identify the card faces of a plurality of playing cards moving over the identification plane. In one embodiment, the identification plane is transparent glass, and an image capture device is hidden inside so as to capture images of the card faces of a plurality of playing cards, allowing the card recognition module to analyze the images for identification.

[0007] In one embodiment, the first robot arm includes a first suction nozzle and a first link mechanism. The first link mechanism includes a rotating seat and a plurality of single-arm levers, wherein the plurality of single-arm levers are pivotally connected from head to tail and one end is pivotally connected to the rotating seat, thereby creating rotational freedom between the rotating seat and the single-arm levers and between different single-arm levers. The first suction nozzle is provided at one end of the first link mechanism, and the first link mechanism performs a first card dealing and collecting path to move the first suction nozzle along the first card dealing and collecting path to perform a card opening process. Specifically, the first card dealing and collecting path moves from an unused card box to an identification plane, and then moves from the identification plane to a used card box. When the first suction nozzle moves to an unused card box, it sucks in one of the multiple playing cards located in the unused card box and moves it to an identification plane to identify the card face, and when the first suction nozzle moves to a used card box, the first suction nozzle places one of the multiple playing cards sucked into the used card box.

[0008] The second robot arm has the same structure as the first robot arm. Specifically, the second robot arm includes a second suction nozzle and a second link mechanism, and the second link mechanism performs a second card dealing and collection path to move the second suction nozzle onto the second card dealing and collection path to perform a card opening process, the second card dealing and collection path is from an unused card box through an identification plane to a used card box, and when the second suction nozzle moves to the unused card box, the second suction nozzle sucks in one of a plurality of playing cards located in the unused card box and moves it to the identification plane to identify the card face, and when the second suction nozzle moves to the used card box, the second suction nozzle places one of a plurality of playing cards sucked into the used card box.

[0009] The controller sequentially generates multiple card opening threads according to the progress of the game, and completes the card opening process by selecting one of the first robot arm and the second robot arm and sequentially executing the multiple card opening threads.

[0010] Accordingly, in the present invention, by having the controller select either the first robot arm or the second robot arm to sequentially perform a plurality of card opening threads, the first robot arm and the second robot arm can operate simultaneously to distribute cards and accelerate dealing, and if one robot arm is damaged and fails, the other robot arm can continue to distribute cards to complete the game, thereby reducing disputes and increasing the reliability of the game. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0011] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the present invention. Figure 2 is a block diagram of the system of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the present invention implemented in the card opening thread of a baccarat game. Figure 4 is a chronological chart showing the movement of the mechanical arm of the present invention implemented in a baccarat game. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0012] To provide a better understanding and appreciation of the features, purposes, and effects of the present invention, reference should be made to preferred embodiments together with the accompanying drawings:

[0013] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a dual-robot-arm card dealing system for performing a card opening process for a plurality of playing cards in a game is provided, comprising a card dealing deck (10), a card recognition module (20), a first robot arm (30), a second robot arm (40), and a controller (50). The card dealing deck (10) includes an unused card box (11) for placing a plurality of playing cards (60) that have not undergone a card opening process, and a used card box (12) for placing a plurality of playing cards (60) that have completed a card opening process. That is, a plurality of playing cards (60) that have completed a card opening process will be relocated from the unused card box (11) to the used card box (12). In addition, in reality, two sets of unused card boxes (11) and used card boxes (12) may be provided on the turntable (13), and when one set of unused card boxes (11) and used card boxes (12) is used, the remaining set of unused card boxes (11) and used card boxes (12) can be automatically shuffled using an automatic shuffler (not shown).

[0014] Two card recognition modules (20) are each provided in proximity to the first robot arm (30) and the second robot arm (40), and each of the two card recognition modules (20) includes an identification plane (21), and each of the two card recognition modules (20) is configured to identify the card faces of a plurality of playing cards (60) moving on the identification plane (21). In one embodiment, the identification plane (21) is a transparent glass in which an image capture device (not shown) is hidden inside, and in order to capture images of the card faces of a plurality of playing cards (60), the card recognition module (20) analyzes the images to identify the card faces of a plurality of playing cards (60).

[0015] The first robot arm (30) includes a first suction nozzle (31) and a first link mechanism (32). The first link mechanism (32) includes a rotary seat and a plurality of single-arm levers, and the plurality of single-arm levers are pivotally connected from head to tail and one end is pivotally connected to the rotary seat, so that rotational freedom is created between the rotary seat and the single-arm levers and between different single-arm levers.

[0016] A first suction nozzle (31) is provided at one end of a first link mechanism (32), and the first link mechanism (32) performs a first card dealing and collection path to move the first suction nozzle (31) along the first card dealing and collection path to perform a card opening process. Specifically, the first card dealing and collection path is from an unused card box (11) through an identification plane (21) to a used card box (12). When the first suction nozzle (31) moves to the unused card box (11), one of the plurality of playing cards (60) located in the unused card box (11) is sucked in and moved to the identification plane (21) to identify the card face, and when the first suction nozzle (31) moves to the used card box (12), the first suction nozzle (31) places one of the sucked-in plurality of playing cards (60) in the used card box (12).

[0017] The second robot arm (40) has the same structure as the first robot arm (30). In detail, the second robot arm (40) includes a second suction nozzle (41) and a second link mechanism (42), and the second link mechanism (42) performs a second card dealing and collection path to move the second suction nozzle (41) along the second card dealing and collection path to perform a card opening process, the second card dealing and collection path is from an unused card box (11) through an identification plane (21) to a used card box (12), and when the second suction nozzle (41) moves to the unused card box (11), the second suction nozzle (41) sucks in one of the plurality of playing cards (60) located in the unused card box (11) and moves it to the identification plane (21) to identify the card face, and when the second suction nozzle (41) moves to the used card box (12), the second suction nozzle (41) places the plurality of playing cards (60) sucked in into the used card box (12). When two card recognition modules (20) are provided, two identification planes (21) of the two card recognition modules (20) are provided so that the first card dealing and collection path and the second card dealing and collection path each pass through them.

[0018] Referring again to FIG. 3, the controller (50) sequentially generates a plurality of card opening threads (51) according to the progress of the game. Taking the Baccarat game as an example, to explain the condition of not drawing cards, the plurality of card opening threads (51) are as follows: the player's first card opening thread (51A), the banker's first card opening thread (51B), the player's second card opening thread (51C), and the banker's second card opening thread (51D). The controller (50) completes the card opening process by selecting either the first robot arm (30) or the second robot arm (40) and sequentially executing the plurality of card opening threads (51).

[0019] Referring again to FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the steps of the player's first card opening thread (51A) include: receiving, identifying, viewing / showing the player's first card, and placing the player's first card. The steps of the banker's first card opening thread (51B) include: receiving, identifying, viewing / showing the banker's first card, and placing the banker's first card. The steps of the player's second card opening thread (51C) include: receiving, identifying, viewing / showing the player's second card, and placing the player's second card. The steps of the banker's second card opening thread (51D) include: receiving, identifying, viewing / showing the banker's second card, and placing the banker's second card. If the first robot arm (30) initially performs the player's first card opening thread (51A), the second robot arm (40) can start executing the banker's first card opening thread (51B) when the first robot arm (30) proceeds to the "identification" stage. That is, when both the first robot arm (30) and the second robot arm (40) are operating normally, at least two adjacent chronological card opening threads among the multiple card opening threads will have a timing in which the card opening threads are executed in overlap, thereby further accelerating the card dealing process.

[0020] Additionally, the controller (50) first checks the status of the first robot arm (30) and the second robot arm (40) before executing multiple card opening threads (51), and the controller (50) selects either the first robot arm (30) or the second robot arm (40) to execute multiple card opening threads (51) according to the status of the first robot arm (30) and the status of the second robot arm (40). Even if one of the robot arms breaks or malfunctions, another robot can complete the card opening process and end the game, preventing the player from questioning the fairness of the game.

[0021] In one embodiment, the controller (50) selects the first robot arm (30) and the second robot arm (40) in sequence to perform a card opening process, so that the first robot arm (30) and the second robot arm (40) are used for the same period of time to facilitate scheduling of maintenance tasks.

[0022] In the game, if the first party player and the second party player belong to different camps, multiple card opening threads (51) are assigned to the first party player or the second party player, respectively, and multiple card opening threads (51) are assigned to the first party player who performs the card opening process by the first robot arm (30), and multiple card opening threads (51) are assigned to the second player who performs the card opening process by the second robot arm (40). The first card dealing and collection path and the second card dealing and collection path each include the first card presentation direction and the second card presentation direction, respectively, and the first card presentation direction and the second card presentation direction face the first party player and the second party player, respectively, thereby increasing the game confrontation and greatly enhancing the player's sense of participation.

[0023] As explained above, the features of the present invention include at least the following:

[0024] 1. By having the controller select either the first robot arm or the second robot arm to sequentially execute a plurality of card opening threads, the first robot arm and the second robot arm can operate simultaneously to distribute cards and accelerate the distribution.

[0025] 2. Even if one of the robot arms is damaged and fails, the game can be completed by continuing to distribute cards with the other robot arms, which reduces disputes and increases the reliability of the game.

[0026] 3. Further accelerate the card dealing process in chronological order of at least two adjacent card opening threads.

[0027] 4. The first robot arm and the second robot arm can be dedicated to the card opening process of different camps, and can increase the players' sense of competition and investment.

Claims

Claim 1 A dual-robot-arm card dealing system for performing a card opening process for a plurality of playing cards (60) in a game, comprising: an unused card box (11) for placing the plurality of playing cards (60) that have not undergone the card opening process, and a used card box (12) for placing the plurality of playing cards (60) that have completed the card opening process; A card recognition module (20) provided on the card dealing deck (10) - the card recognition module (20) includes an identification plane (21), and the card recognition module (20) is configured to identify the card faces of the plurality of playing cards (60) moving on the identification plane (21); a first robot arm (30) including a first suction nozzle (31) and a first link mechanism (32) - the first link mechanism (32) includes a first card dealing and collection path for driving the first suction nozzle (31) to move to the first card dealing and collection path to perform the card opening process, the first card dealing and collection path is from the unused card box (11) through the identification plane (21) to the used card box (12), and when the first suction nozzle (31) moves to the unused card box (11), the first suction nozzle (31) is located at the unused card box (11). One of the plurality of playing cards (60) is sucked in and moved to the identification plane (21) to identify the card face, and when the first suction nozzle (31) moves to the used card box (12), the first suction nozzle (31) places one of the sucked-in plurality of playing cards (60) in the used card box (12).A second robot arm (40) comprising a second suction nozzle (41) and a second link mechanism (42) - the second link mechanism (42) performs a second card dealing and collection path to drive the second suction nozzle (41), moves to the second card dealing and collection path to perform the card opening process, the second card dealing and collection path extends from the unused card box (11) through the identification plane (21) to the used card box (12), and when the second suction nozzle (41) moves to the unused card box (11), the second suction nozzle (41) sucks in one of the plurality of playing cards (60) located in the unused card box (11) and moves to the identification plane (21) to identify the card face, and when the second suction nozzle (41) moves to the used card box (12), the second suction nozzle (41) sucks in the plurality of playing cards (60) sucked into the used card box (12) A dual-robot-arm card dealing system comprising: placing one of the cards (60); and a controller (50) - wherein the controller (50) sequentially generates a plurality of card opening threads (51) according to the progress of the game, and selects either the first robot arm (30) or the second robot arm (40) to sequentially execute the plurality of card opening threads (51) to complete the card opening process. Claim 2 A dual-robot-arm card dealing system having at least two adjacent chronological sequences among the plurality of card opening threads (51) that overlap when both the first robot arm (30) and the second robot arm (40) are in normal operation. Claim 3 A dual-robot-arm card dealing system according to claim 1, wherein two card recognition modules (20) are each provided in proximity to the first robot arm (30) and the second robot arm (40), and each of the two identification planes (21) of the two card recognition modules (20) is provided so that the first card dealing and collection path and the second card dealing and collection path pass through. Claim 4 A dual-robot-arm card dealing system according to claim 1, wherein the controller (50) first checks the state of the first robot arm (30) and the state of the second robot arm (40) before executing the plurality of card opening threads (51), and the controller (50) selects either the first robot arm (30) or the second robot arm (40) to execute the plurality of card opening threads (51) according to the state of the first robot arm (30) and the state of the second robot arm (40). Claim 5 In claim 1, the controller (50) selects the first robot arm (30) and the second robot arm (40) in sequence to perform the card opening process, thereby forming a dual-robot-arm card dealing system. Claim 6 A dual-robot-arm card dealing system according to claim 1, wherein the first party player and the second party player belong to different camps within the game, and the plurality of card opening threads (51) are each assigned to the first party player or the second party player, and the plurality of card opening threads (51) are assigned to the first party player who performs the card opening process by the first robot arm (30), and the plurality of card opening threads (51) are assigned to the second party player who performs the card opening process by the second robot arm (40). Claim 7 In claim 6, the first card dealing and collection path and the second card dealing and retrieval path each include a first card presentation direction and a second card presentation direction, and the first card presentation direction and the second card presentation direction are a dual-robot-arm card dealing system directed toward the first party player and the second party player, respectively.

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