Electronic Casino Card Shoe With Guided, Concealed Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
In casino games using playing cards, there is a need for a secure and efficient method to load new cards into the shoe without revealing the contents to players or dealers, while minimizing game interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A security electronic shoe with a housing portion, opening portion, draw guide, and weight mechanism that allows smooth loading of playing cards while ensuring security through movable covers and guides, preventing lateral movement and visibility of card contents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If playing cards are loaded into the shoe manually by opening the package and handling cards, then the loading process can be performed, but the contents and order of the cards become visible to players and dealers, compromising security
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a card loading mechanism with a loading door and internal guide structure that acts as an intermediary between the card package and the shoe interior. The loading door can be opened to allow cards to be inserted through a controlled path, while the guide structure directs the cards into the shoe without exposing them to view. This intermediary mechanism enables card loading while maintaining security by preventing direct visibility of card contents.
Solution Approach 2:
The shoe is divided into separate functional sections: a loading section with a loading door, an internal guide section with guide rails, and a storage section where cards are held. This segmentation allows the loading process to be isolated from the viewing area. The guide rails create a dedicated pathway that segments the card insertion process from the main shoe interior, ensuring cards are loaded without being visible to players and dealers.
2Ease of operation
If the loading process is performed manually with visible card handling, then cards can be loaded, but the game must be interrupted for extended periods, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a card package holder positioned at the loading section that can store multiple card packages in advance. The guide rails are pre-configured to receive cards from the package holder and direct them into the shoe. This preliminary arrangement of the loading mechanism allows for rapid card replacement without requiring complex manual handling during game interruptions, thereby minimizing the time the game is stopped.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rails create a continuous pathway that allows cards to be fed into the shoe in a smooth, uninterrupted manner. The loading door can be quickly opened and closed, and the guide structure ensures cards flow continuously into the shoe without requiring the dealer to manually sort or position each card, maintaining continuity of the loading action and reducing game interruption time.
3Reliability
If the shoe structure is designed with full enclosure for security, then card contents are protected from view, but the loading process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The shoe structure is segmented into a main enclosed body for security and a separate loading section with a movable loading door. This segmentation allows the majority of the shoe to maintain full enclosure for security, while the loading section provides a controlled access point. The guide rails are integrated into this segmented structure, creating a dedicated loading pathway that does not compromise the overall security enclosure.
Solution Approach 2:
The loading door can be extracted or removed from the main shoe body during the loading process, allowing cards to be inserted through the loading section. After loading, the loading door is closed to restore the full enclosure. This extraction mechanism allows the shoe to transition between an open loading state and a secure enclosed state without permanently compromising either function.
4Loss of information
If cards are loaded through a controlled path with guides, then security is maintained during loading, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The loading mechanism is segmented into simple, distinct components: a loading door, guide rails, and a card package holder. Each component performs a single function and can be independently manufactured and maintained. The guide rails are simple linear guides that direct cards along a predetermined path, avoiding the need for complex mechanical linkages or control systems while still achieving secure card loading.
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
Ensures secure and uninterrupted loading of playing cards, maintaining game integrity by preventing card exposure and minimizing interruptions.
Implementation Method 1
a weight (40) configured to push a last playing card among the plurality of playing cards toward the opening portion (20)
Data Source
AI summary
A security electronic shoe for a casino configured to house a plurality of playing cards to be drawn one by one for a game, comprises: a housing portion configured to house a stacked plurality of playing cards; an opening portion configured to expose a leading playing card among the plurality of playing cards housed in the housing portion; a draw guide portion configured to guide draw of the leading playing card from the opening portion; and a weight configured to push a last playing card of the plurality of playing cards toward the opening portion, and a bottom portion of the housing portion slopes so as to descend toward the opening portion, the weight is configured to be movable on the bottom portion of the housing portion toward the opening portion in a state pushing the last playing card toward the opening portion, according to that the last playing card moves toward the opening portion, accompanying that the leading playing card is drawn in sequence, and the housing portion has a structure in which an upper surface and at least one side surface are opened, and the plurality of playing cards can be loaded into the housing portion through the opened portion.