Casino Card Shoe With CIS Reader And Feed Limiter
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing card recognition technology in casino settings is bulky, expensive, and requires excessive computing power, with inconsistent card reading capabilities, often relying on significant computing resources outside the dealing shoe.
Innovation Solution
A compact card reading system using a contact image sensor (CIS) module within a mechanized shoe, employing simple template matching and binary data analysis, with a novel card feed limiter to ensure accurate scanning of single cards, and a monochromatic light source for improved image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional card recognition technology is used in casino settings, then card reading capability is provided, but the system becomes bulky, expensive, and requires excessive computing power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential function of card recognition from complex traditional systems, implementing it through a simple CIS line scanner that reads cards as they pass through a narrow opening. This extraction approach eliminates unnecessary computational complexity while maintaining core card identification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex traditional recognition systems with an inexpensive, simple CIS-based scanning mechanism. The system uses basic template matching and binary data analysis that can be performed with minimal computational resources, effectively using a low-cost solution instead of expensive established technology.
2Measurement precision
If traditional card recognition technology is used, then card reading is provided, but computing power requirements become excessive
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of capturing complete card images and processing full-resolution data, the patent applies partial action by using a CIS line scanner that reads only the necessary portions of cards as they pass through the opening. The system processes binary data and simple templates rather than complex image data, significantly reducing computational energy requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic/computational recognition systems with a simpler mechanical scanning approach using a CIS line scanner. The mechanical movement of cards through the opening triggers optical scanning that converts to simple digital signals, eliminating the need for excessive computing power that would be required for traditional image processing systems.
3Measurement precision
If a narrow opening is used for card passage, then card feed control is improved, but multiple cards may still pass through simultaneously causing scanning errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - a CIS line scanner positioned within the narrow opening that acts as a mediator between the physical card stack and the detection system. This intermediary device ensures that cards are scanned one at a time as they pass through the opening, preventing simultaneous passage errors while maintaining the space-efficient narrow opening design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through the CIS scanner that detects card presence and position in real-time. This feedback allows the system to synchronize scanning with card passage, ensuring accurate reading of individual cards as they pass through the narrow opening and preventing errors from multiple cards being present simultaneously.
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
The system provides accurate and efficient card rank and suit identification, even with misaligned cards, reducing computing power needs and increasing reliability, while maintaining a compact design suitable for various card handling applications.
Implementation Method 1
A compact card reading system using a contact image sensor (CIS) module within a mechanized shoe
Implementation Method 2
a monochromatic light source for improved image capture
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A playing card delivery shoe (300) is used in the play of the casino table card game of baccarat or blackjack or any game where cards are pulled one at a time from the shoe. The apparatus comprisies a reader (350) or an imager that scans lines bisecting the image at spaced intervals. The scanning occurs on playing cards in at least the region where suit and rank symbols are provided. The scanner output is a series of voltages that are converted to binary informaton to determine rank and suit. The upper surface (320) on the output end (302) of the shoe contains a partial barrier (412) for cards to be scanned. The partial barrier has an elevated surface and limts a size of a athwah so that onl one card can be removed at a time.