Automated method and apparatus for playing card sequencing, with optional defect detection

Apparatus for sequencing a deck of playing cards including in combination:

• a hopper for holding a deck of playing cards and designed to permit removal of playing cards therefrom, one at a time;
• a device for removing playing cards from the hopper one at a time;
• an imaging device for imaging at least one side of a playing card and providing an output signal corresponding to the image of the playing card;
• a channel for guiding a playing card removed from the hopper to the imaging device;
• a temporary storage device for storing cards supplied thereto;
• a control processor responsive to an output signal from the imaging device for determining the position of each card in a properly sequenced deck of cards;
• apparatus for depositing cards passing from the imaging device into the temporary storage device;
• mechanism operated by the control processor for removing cards from the temporary storage device, one at a time, in the order of a properly sequenced deck of cards;
• apparatus for delivering cards removed from the temporary storage device to a predetermined location;
• and
• a device for ejecting all of the cards stored in the temporary storage device following removal of all of the cards from the hopper whenever the cards deposited in the temporary storage device do not make a complete deck of playing cards.