Card Handling Device Elevator Platform Precision Shuffling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing card handling devices in casino environments face challenges in accurately and efficiently shuffling cards, particularly in maintaining the integrity of the card stack and ensuring precise insertion of new cards into the shuffled stack.
Innovation Solution
The card handling device incorporates a temporary card collection area with an elevator platform and a card gripper that secures cards between the gripper and a wall, allowing for precise control of card movement and insertion, guided by a random number generator to determine optimal insertion locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If cards are moved using a gravity-fed system with pick-off rollers, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and reliability of card insertion deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gravity-fed mechanical system with an elevator platform mechanism that uses controlled mechanical movement to transport cards. The elevator platform moves vertically in a controlled manner to position cards at precise locations, substituting the passive gravity-based pick-off roller system with an active, controllable mechanical system that achieves both simplicity and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator platform acts as an intermediary between the card stack and the insertion point. It provides a controlled interface for card transfer, mediating the movement between different levels of the device and ensuring precise positioning without requiring complex direct manipulation mechanisms.
2Manufacturing precision
If cards are gripped and moved individually, then the manufacturing precision of card placement is improved, but the productivity of the shuffling operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator platform pre-positions multiple cards at different vertical levels before the shuffling operation begins. Cards are arranged in advance on the platform at their intended insertion positions, allowing the system to execute rapid sequential insertions without requiring complex real-time positioning calculations during the actual shuffling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic control of the elevator platform to adjust card positions during operation. The platform can move cards vertically and horizontally as needed, providing adaptive positioning that maintains precision while enabling flexible, high-speed shuffling operations.
3Reliability
If a random number generator determines insertion locations, then the reliability of the shuffling process is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The control system serves multiple functions: it generates random numbers for insertion positioning, controls the elevator platform movement, coordinates card gripper operations, and manages the overall shuffling sequence. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional control system, the patent reduces overall device complexity while maintaining shuffling reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A card handling device includes a temporary card collection area. The card handling device further includes an elevator platform positioned within the temporary card collection area. The card handling device also includes a wall defining a boundary of the temporary card collection area. The card handling device further includes a card gripper positioned and configured to secure one or more cards in the temporary card collection area between the card gripper and the wall.