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US 10,482,295 B2Granted
Card counting systems and methods for same
AssigneeEntrust Datacard Corporation
InventorsDaniel Sarkinen, Tyler Nehowig, Ryan Boudreau, Ethan Yanna, Jasper Chavis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sensor system for counting cards includes an optical sensor assembly configured to detect edges of cards in a card stack. The optical sensor assembly includes at least an optical sensor, and a light element coupled with the optical sensor. The light element is configured to reflect light from a card stack toward the optical sensor. A remote light element is spaced from the optical sensor assembly. The remote light element is configured to direct light toward the card stack.
Claims25
A sensor system for counting cards comprising:
- an optical sensor assembly configured to detect edges of cards in a card stack, the optical sensor assembly includes:
- an optical sensor, and
- a reflecting light element coupled with the optical sensor, the reflecting light element configured to reflect light from a card stack toward the optical sensor,
- a remote light element spaced from the optical sensor assembly, the remote light element configured to direct light through the card stack and toward the optical sensor;
- and
- wherein one or more of the optical sensor or the remote light element are configured to isolate the optical sensor from uninterrupted light from the remote light element.
3 more elements
A card storage and dispensing system comprising:
- a hopper magazine including two or more hopper bays, each of the two or more hopper bays configured to receive a hopper including cards in a card stack, and each of the two or more hopper bays includes:
- a bay frame,
- an optical sensor coupled with the bay frame, and
- a reflecting light element adjacent to the optical sensor, the reflecting light element is configured to reflect light from the card stack of the hopper within the respective hopper bay toward the optical sensor;
- one or more of the hopper bays includes a remote light element coupled with the bay frame and spaced from the optical sensor, the remote light element configured to direct light through the card stack in the hopper in the hopper bay toward the optical sensor, and the optical sensor is isolated from uninterrupted light from the remote light element;
- a card handling mechanism movable relative to the two or more hopper bays, the card handling mechanism includes a withdrawal mechanism configured to withdraw at least one card from the card stacks in the hoppers in the two or more hopper bays;
- and
- an elevator coupled with the card handling mechanism, the elevator is configured to move the card handling mechanism into at least first and second interface positions with the hoppers in the two or more hopper bays.
5 more elements
A card hopper comprising:
- a hopper housing configured to contain a plurality of cards in a card stack, the hopper includes at least one card slot configured to pass at least one card of the plurality of cards from the card stack;
- and
- a sensor system coupled with the hopper housing, the sensor system is configured to count the card stack, the sensor system includes an optical sensor assembly having:
- an optical sensor coupled with the hopper housing,
- a reflecting light element adjacent to the optical sensor, the reflecting light element is configured to reflect light from the card stack of the hopper toward the optical sensor, and
- a remote light element spaced from the optical sensor, the remote light element configured to direct light through the card stack and toward the optical sensor.
3 more elements
A sensor system for counting cards comprising:
- an optical sensor assembly configured to detect edges of cards in a card stack, the optical sensor assembly includes:
- an optical sensor, and
- a reflecting light element coupled with the optical sensor, the reflecting light element configured to reflect light from a card stack toward the optical sensor;
- a remote light element spaced from the optical sensor assembly, the remote light element configured to direct light through the card stack and toward the optical sensor;
- wherein one or more of the optical sensor or the remote light element are configured to isolate the optical sensor from uninterrupted light from the remote light element;
- and
- a lateral actuator coupled with the optical sensor assembly, the lateral actuator is configured to move the optical sensor and the light element together along the card stack relative to the remote light element.
4 more elements
A card storage and dispensing system comprising:
- a hopper magazine including two or more hopper bays, each of the two or more hopper bays configured to receive a hopper including cards in a card stack, and each of the two or more hopper bays includes:
- a bay frame,
- an optical sensor coupled with the bay frame, and
- a light element adjacent to the optical sensor, the light element is configured to reflect light from the card stack of the hopper within the respective hopper bay toward the optical sensor;
- a card handling mechanism movable relative to the two or more hopper bays, the card handling mechanism includes a withdrawal mechanism configured to withdraw at least one card from the card stacks in the hoppers in the two or more hopper bays;
- each of the two or more hopper bays includes a lateral actuator coupled with the respective bay frame and each of the optical sensor and the light element, the lateral actuator is configured to move the optical sensor and the light element together along the card stack in the hopper in the respective hopper bay;
- and
- an elevator coupled with the card handling mechanism, the elevator is configured to move the card handling mechanism into at least first and second interface positions with the hoppers in the two or more hopper bays.
5 more elements
A card hopper comprising:
- a hopper housing configured to contain a plurality of cards in a card stack, the hopper includes at least one card slot configured to pass at least one card of the plurality of cards from the card stack;
- a sensor system coupled with the hopper housing, the sensor system is configured to count the card stack, the sensor system includes an optical sensor assembly having:
- an optical sensor coupled with the hopper housing,
- a reflecting light element adjacent to the optical sensor, the reflecting light element is configured to reflect light from the card stack of the hopper toward the optical sensor, and
- a remote light element spaced from the optical sensor, the remote light element configured to direct light through the card stack and toward the optical sensor;
- and
- a lateral actuator coupled with the optical sensor and the reflecting light element, the lateral actuator is configured to move the optical sensor and the reflecting light element relative to the remote light element.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.