Automated Card Dealing Unit with Weight Sensor Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing card dealer devices lack integration of weight sensors in chairs to detect seated players and an automated card dealing unit that can deal cards directly to players without human intervention, limiting the efficiency and automation of card distribution in gaming environments.
Innovation Solution
A gaming table with weight sensors in chairs and a card dealing unit featuring a dealing chute, actuated by a control circuit and card shuffler, which automatically deals a predetermined number of playing cards to each player seated at the table, integrating weight sensors to determine player presence and a card counter to ensure accurate distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual card dealing by human dealers is used, then players receive personal attention and cards are dealt with flexibility, but labor costs increase and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The card dealing system operates autonomously by detecting player presence through weight sensors and automatically dealing cards without requiring human dealers. The system serves itself by integrating sensing, control, and card distribution functions into a self-regulating automated mechanism that responds to player presence and game state changes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical action of manual card dealing with an automated card dealing unit that uses controlled mechanical movement to distribute cards. The manual dexterity and judgment of human dealers is substituted with sensor-based detection and programmable control systems that manage card distribution based on detected player presence and game rules
2Ease of operation
If automated card dealing is implemented, then labor costs decrease and operational efficiency increases, but the system becomes more complex and requires integration of multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent functions into a single integrated automated card dealing system. The weight sensors, card dealing unit, control circuitry, and card distribution mechanism are merged into one cohesive system that operates as a unified whole, reducing the need for separate manual operations while managing complexity through functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The automated card dealing unit serves multiple functions: detecting player presence via weight sensors, determining game state, controlling card distribution timing and positioning, and actually dealing cards to appropriate players. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single universal device
3Measurement precision
If weight sensors are integrated into chairs, then player presence detection becomes automatic and accurate, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The weight sensors act as intermediary devices that translate physical player presence into detectable signals for the control system. By placing sensors in the chairs rather than directly in the table or card dealing mechanism, the system uses the chairs as intermediary platforms that naturally bear player weight, simplifying the detection architecture while maintaining accuracy
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables fully automated card distribution, reducing the need for human dealers and facilitating efficient operation of gaming tables, especially during social distancing and pandemic-related restrictions, by ensuring cards are dealt accurately and efficiently to seated players.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of weight sensors 18 is each integrated into a respective one of the chairs 14 to sense the weight of the player when the player sits in one of the chairs 14
Data Source
AI summary
An automated card dealer assembly includes a gaming table that has a plurality of chairs is positioned around the gaming table for having a player sit on the chairs. Each of the chairs is assigned a respective one of a plurality of gaming spots at the gaming table. A card dealing unit is positioned on the gaming table and the card dealing unit contains at least one deck of playing cards. The card dealing unit has a dealing chute that is movably integrated into the card dealing unit. The card dealing unit is in communication with each of the weight sensors and the card dealing unit deals a predetermined number of playing cards outwardly from the dealing chute. Additionally, the dealing chute is actuated to deal the predetermined number of playing cards toward each chair to deal playing cards to each player.