US 8,490,972 B1 · Automatic card shuffler

Abstract

An automatic card shuffler includes a card input unit, card ejection unit, card separation and delivery unit and card collection unit. A card ejection unit ejects cards in a singular fashion from a stack of cards placed into the input unit. The cards are ejected to a stop arm maintaining the entrance to the card separation unit. Upon processor command, the stop aim raises to allow a plurality of cards to pass under to the card separation and delivery unit. A series of rotating belts and rollers act to separate the cards and propel them individually to the collection unit. A floating gate slightly forward of the stop arm dictates that a minimum number of cards are managed simultaneously. The shuffler is controlled by a processing unit in communication with multiple internal sensors, including a solenoid wear sensor.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An apparatus for randomly arranging a plurality of playing cards comprising:

a random card ejection unit for randomly ejecting cards from a stack of playing cards, wherein the random card ejection unit includes one or more solenoids positioned to eject cards from the stack of playing cards;
and
at least one sensor for monitoring a speed of one or more solenoid plungers of the one or more solenoids upon activation of the one or more solenoids.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automatic card shuffler

Life of this patent

Automatic card shuffler

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16