Discard Carton with Segmented Compartments for Card Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing table game management systems fail to effectively manage used cards, leading to increased cartons for discard and unknown locations, as they do not track cards discarded in units of packages, making it difficult to ensure cards are certainly discarded without being dispersed.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes ID code readers for shuffle card IDs, a management control apparatus to associate carton IDs with shuffle card IDs, and a carton for discard with multiple areas to accept and store cards, ensuring cards are managed and discarded in units of packages, using cameras and image analysis for monitoring and determining card disposal accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If cards are discarded in the unit of packages in which the cards are packaged, then the number of cartons for discard increases, but the management of cartons becomes insufficient and locations become unknown

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecard discarding efficiencyVSAvoidcarton location information

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the discard carton into multiple compartments corresponding to different packages. Each compartment receives cards from a specific package, maintaining the segmentation of card groups throughout the discarding process. This allows tracking of which package's cards are in which compartment, preventing loss of information about carton contents and locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If cards are discarded in the unit of packages, then discarding speed is improved, but the ability to track and manage discarded cards is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecard discarding speedVSAvoidcard discarding accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates detection means that read identification information (such as barcodes or RFID tags) on packages as they are discarded. This feedback mechanism provides real-time information about which packages have been discarded and where their cards are located, maintaining reliability and traceability while enabling high-speed automated discarding in package units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If manual tracking of each carton is implemented, then card management accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the management system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecard tracking accuracyVSAvoidmanagement system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the discard carton self-identifying by equipping it with detection means that automatically read identification information from packages. The carton autonomously tracks and reports the location and status of discarded cards without requiring external manual intervention, achieving high tracking accuracy while minimizing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If the carton structure is simplified to accept cards freely, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to manage and locate specific card groups is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarton operation simplicityVSAvoidpackage identification information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different properties to different parts of the carton. While the overall carton structure remains simple and easy to operate, specific compartments or regions within the carton are designed to receive and retain cards from specific packages. This local differentiation maintains operational simplicity while preserving the ability to track and manage specific card groups by their origin package.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 ensures that cards are managed and discarded in a controlled manner, preventing unauthorized removal and ensuring all cards are accounted for after use, thereby enhancing the management and security of card disposal in table games.

Implementation Method 1

an ID code reader that reads the shuffle card IDs attached to the packages

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical recognition: Optical Tweezers

Implementation Method 2

using cameras

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImage capture: Photography

Implementation Method 3

an image analyzing apparatus that analyzes images obtained by the cameras

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImage analysis: Image Processing

Data Source

PatentEP3391946B1Table game management system and disposal carton

Publication Date: 2020.11.18 ANGEL PLAYING CARDS CO LTD

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AI summary

There is provided a system for managing a table game in which management for which cards are certainly discarded after being used without being dispersed in a unit of packages in which they are packaged is realized in a unit for cartons for discard. The system for managing a table game according to the present invention stores information on carton IDs read by an ID card reader, and a moving apparatus (700) of the carton (600) for discard for accepting discarded cards (3) in different areas (600A) in a unit of packages is provided below an outlet (4) of a game table (2). The moving apparatus (700) is provided with an X-Y table (701) moving the carton (600) for discard in an X-Y direction (shown in Fig. 5), and the carton (600) for discard is mounted and fixed on the X-Y table (701).