Card Shuffler Movable Rack Compartments Randomization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing card shufflers fail to truly randomize the order of cards due to limitations in their mechanisms, and there is a need for devices that can quickly shuffle and sort cards efficiently to increase operational capacity.
Innovation Solution
An automatic card shuffler with a card input mechanism, a movable rack with vertically configured compartments to store cards, and a card output mechanism that includes a movable ejector to simultaneously eject cards from multiple compartments, along with a control system for user input and operation control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a batch-type card shuffler with vertically moving rack is used, then cards can be stored in multiple compartments, but the shuffling randomness is insufficient and card delivery order is not truly random
Solution Approach 1:
The card storage device is divided into multiple independently controllable compartments (first compartment, second compartment, third compartment, fourth compartment) that can be selectively activated. This segmentation allows cards to be distributed into different compartments and then delivered in random sequences, achieving true shuffling randomness while maintaining efficient storage capacity.
2Productivity
If cards are delivered to compartments in random order, then storage capacity is utilized, but more than two cards are delivered to each compartment reducing shuffling quality
Solution Approach 1:
The system deliberately limits each compartment to receive no more than two cards during the loading phase. This partial action constraint ensures that compartments are not overloaded, allowing for proper card distribution and maintaining high shuffling quality while still achieving efficient batch processing.
3Device complexity
If a single stack of shuffled cards is formed, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to handle multiple decks simultaneously is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The card storage device is designed with four compartments that can accommodate multiple decks of cards simultaneously. Each compartment can hold cards from different decks, and the system can selectively deliver cards from any combination of compartments, enabling the single device to handle multiple decks with proper shuffling for each deck independently.
Data Source
AI summary
Card-handling devices may include a card input mechanism and a temporary card storage area positioned to receive cards from the card input mechanism. The temporary card storage area may include storage compartments distributed longitudinally along a rack. A card output mechanism may be configured to eject cards from the temporary card storage area. A card size adjustment member may be attached to the rack and extending along a lateral side of each storage compartment. The card size adjustment member may be movable between a first lateral position in which the card size adjustment member defines a first width of each of the storage compartments and a second lateral position in which the card size adjustment member defines a second, different width of each of the storage compartments.