Automatic playing card shuffler and other card-handling devices configured to detect marked cards and method of using the same

A card shuffling system comprising:

• multiple automatic card shuffler devices each including:
• one or more mechanisms for re-arranging cards from one or more decks of cards;
• at least one camera having a processor;
• an image processor;
• one or more illuminators;
• and
• a transmitter configured to send data from said camera processor and said image processor, said data including at least images of backs of cards;
• and
• a remote server configured to at least receive said data from said multiple card shufflers and evaluate said data along with historical data to determine card markings and anomalies, said remote server further configured to cause a comparison of captured card back images for each card back against captured card back images for each other card to determine undesirable markings and anomalies associated with any of said playing cards within said one or more decks of playing cards.

A method of detecting card marks comprising:

• utilizing multiple random-selection automatic card shufflers at one or more locations to shuffle cards, said multiple random-selection card shufflers having at least a camera to capture card images;
• capturing images of at least one of card backs, sides and faces as cards are re-arranged by said one or more random-selection card shufflers;
• collecting card data comprising at least images of at least one of said card backs, sides and faces;
• and
• evaluating said card data along with historical card data to determine card markings and anomalies wherein said evaluating comprises a comparison of captured card back images for each card back against captured card back images for each other card to determine undesirable markings and anomalies associated with any of said playing cards within said one or more decks of playing cards.

A card shuffling system comprising:

• multiple automatic card shuffler devices each comprising
• (i) one or more mechanisms for re-arranging cards from one or more decks of cards;
• (ii) one or more cameras incorporated therein or mounted thereon;
• and
• (iii) one or more illuminators for illuminating an area near a focus of said one or more cameras;
• and
• one or more software modules configured to evaluate one or more card markings and/or anomalies wherein said evaluation comprises a comparison of captured card back images for each card back against captured card back images for each other card to determine undesirable markings and anomalies associated with any of said playing cards within said one or more decks of playing cards.

A method of detecting card marks comprising:

• utilizing multiple random-selection automatic card shufflers at one or more locations to shuffle cards, each of said multiple random-selection card shufflers having at least a camera to capture card images;
• capturing images of at least one of card backs, sides and faces as cards are re-arranged by said one or more random-selection card shufflers;
• collecting card data comprising at least images of at least one of said card backs, sides and faces;
• and
• utilizing one or more software modules to determine card markings and/or anomalies wherein said evaluation comprises a comparison of captured card back images for each card back against captured card back images for each other card to determine undesirable markings and anomalies associated with any of said playing cards within said one or more decks of playing cards.

A card shuffling system comprising:

• multiple automatic card shuffler devices configured to randomly shuffle one or more decks of cards, said multiple automatic card shuffler devices each including:
• one or more cameras incorporated therein or mounted thereon;
• one or more illuminators for illuminating an area near a focus of said one or more cameras;
• and
• a transmitter configured to send data from said one or more cameras to a remote location, said data including at least images of backs of cards from said one or more decks of cards;
• and
• one or more local and/or remote processors configured to evaluate said data to detect anomalies and card markings associated with said cards, said one or local or remote processors further configured to cause a comparison of captured card back images for each card back against captured card back images for each other card to determine undesirable markings and anomalies associated with any of said playing cards within said one or more decks of playing cards.