Magnetic jam detection in a card shuffler
AssigneeShuffle Master, Inc.
InventorsPeter Krenn, Ernst Blaha
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A shuffling device for playing cards and method of shuffling cards is provided where a first group of cards is moved within the device to form a randomized second group of cards. The device comprises moving parts that assist in the movement of cards within the shuffling device; a processor in informational connection with the shuffling device; a sensor which detects at least one of speed, distance and force of at least one moving part and provides a signal to the processor regarding detection of at least one of speed, distance and force; and the processor containing a program that interprets the signal to detect significant variations in at least one of speed, distance and force of the moving part.
Claims45
A shuffling device for playing cards in which cards are moved within the device to form a randomized second group of cards, the device comprising:
- moving parts that assist in the movement of cards within the shuffling device;
- a processor in informational connection with the shuffling device;
- a sensor that detects at least one of speed, distance and force of at least one moving part and provides a signal to the processor regarding detection of at least one of speed, distance and force;
- the processor containing a program that interprets the signal to detect significant variations in at least one of speed, distance and force of the moving part.
A method of detecting deficiencies in the operation of a shuffling device comprising moving parts, the method comprising:
- moving cards within the shuffling device;
- detecting at least one of speed, distance and force of at least one moving part and providing a signal to a processor regarding detection of at least one of speed, distance and force;
- the processor interpreting the signal to detect significant variations in at least one of speed, distance and force of the moving part.
A playing card shuffling device comprising:
- a card input portion for receiving cards to be shuffled;
- a card shuffling portion for receiving cards from the card input portion and outputting shuffled cards to a card outlet portion with at least one moving part;
- and
- the card outlet portion being adapted for coupling to a first output card receiver when it is desired to remove shuffled cards one at a time from the shuffling device, and the card outlet portion being adapted for coupling to a second output card receiver when it is desired to remove a group of shuffled cards at a time from the shuffling device;
- a processor in informational connection with the shuffling device;
- a sensor that detects at least one of speed, distance and force of at least one moving part and provides a signal to the processor regarding detection of at least one of speed, distance and force;
- the processor containing a program that interprets the signal to detect significant variations in at least one of speed, distance and force of the at least one moving part.
A method performed on a shuffling device, comprising the steps of:
- providing a shuffling device comprising a card input portion for receiving cards to be shuffled;
- providing a card shuffling portion with at least one moving part for receiving cards from the card input portion and outputting shuffled cards to a card outlet portion;
- providing a first output card receiver wherein the card outlet portion is adapted for coupling to the first output card receiver when it is desired to remove shuffled cards one at a time from the shuffling device and providing a second output card receive wherein the card outlet portion is adapted for coupling to the second output card receiver it is desired to remove a group of shuffled cards at a time from the shuffling device;
- coupling either the first output card receiver or the second card output receiver to a coupling mechanism on the card outlet portion depending on whether it is desired to remove shuffled cards one at a time from the shuffling device or remove a group of shuffled cards at a time from the shuffling device;
- moving cards within the shuffling device;
- detecting at least one of speed, distance and force of the at least one moving part and providing a signal to a processor regarding detection of at least one of speed, distance and force;
- the processor interpreting the signal to detect significant variations in at least one of speed, distance and force of the moving part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.