Card shuffling apparatus with automatic card size calibration

A device for forming a random set of playing cards comprising:

• a top surface and a bottom surface of said device;
• a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards;
• a processor communicatively associated with the device;
• a randomizing system for randomizing the initial set of playing cards;
• a collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the collection surface receiving cards so that all cards are received below the top surface of the device;
• an elevator for raising the collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated at least to the top surface of the device;
• at least one sensor for sensing at least one of a) position of the platform, b) height of the platform, c) position of a card in the elevator, d) height of a card or cards in the elevator, e) pressure applied to a card in the elevator, e) presence of the platform at a predetermined height, f) presence of the platform at a predetermined position, g) presence of card(s) on the platform, and h) absence of card(s) on the platform, and
• the processor to direct the device to automatically calibrate the device to enable the device to accurately handle cards.

A device for forming a random set of playing cards comprising:

• a top surface and a bottom surface of said device;
• a processor communicatively associated with the device;
• a receiving area for an initial set of playing cards;
• a randomizing system for the initial set of playing cards;
• a collection surface in a card collection area for receiving playing cards that are being randomized;
• an elevator for raising the collection surface within the card collection area;
• at least one card supporting element within the card collection area that will support a predetermined number of cards within the card collection area;
• an insertion point to the card collection area positioned below said at least one card supporting element;
• at least one sensor for sensing at least one of a) position of the platform, b) height of the platform, c) position of a card in the elevator, d) height of a card or cards in the elevator, e) pressure applied to a card in the elevator, e) presence of the platform at a predetermined height, f) presence of the platform at a predetermined position, g) presence of card(s) on the platform, and h) absence of card(s) on the platform, and
• the processor to direct the device to automatically calibrate the device using said at least one sensor to enable the device to accurately handle cards.

An automatic card shuffling system comprising a shuffling device:

• a microprocessor with memory for controlling the operation of the shuffling device communicatively associated with the shuffling device;
• an infeed compartment for receiving cards to be randomized;
• a card moving mechanism for moving cards individually from the infeed compartment into a card mixing compartment;
• a card mixing compartment comprising a plurality of substantially vertically oriented supports, an opening for the passage of cards from the infeed compartment, a moveable lower card support surface;
• at least one stationary gripping arm, a lower edge proximate the opening, the at least one stationary gripping arm capable of suspending cards above the slot;
• an elevator for raising and lowering the moveable support surface;
• wherein a position of the elevator is randomly selected and the support surface is moved to the selected position, and after the at least one stationary gripping arm secures at least one side of the cards, the elevator lowers, creating a space beneath the at least one stationary gripping arm, wherein a card is moved from the infeed compartment into the space, thereby forming a randomized group of cards;
• at least one sensor for sensing at least one of a) position of the platform, b) height of the platform, c) position of a card in the elevator, d) height of a card or cards in the elevator, e) pressure applied to a card in the elevator, e) presence of the platform at a predetermined height, f) presence of the platform at a predetermined position, g) presence of card(s) on the platform, and h) absence of card(s) on the platform, and the microprocessor to direct the device to automatically calibrate the device using said at least one sensor to enable the device to accurately handle cards.

An automatic card shuffler, having an upper surface and a lower surface, comprising;

• a card infeed tray mounted to the upper surface of the card shuffler;
• a microprocessor;
• an elevator for raising and lowering a stack of randomized cards into a shuffled card delivery the shuffled card delivery tray mounted to the upper surface of the card shuffler;
• wherein the card infeed tray and shuffled card delivery trays are located proximate an elevation of a gaming table surface;
• at least one sensor for sensing at least one of a) position of the platform, b) height of the platform, c) position of a card in the elevator, d) height of a card in the elevator, e) pressure applied to a card in the elevator, e) presence of the platform at a predetermined height, f) presence of the platform at a predetermined position, g) presence of card(s) on the platform, and h) absence of card(s) on the platform, and
• the microprocessor to direct the device to automatically calibrate the device using said at least one sensor to enable the device to accurately handle cards.