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. Adjustment means permit the shuffler to accommodate different sized cards. Upon processor command, the stop arm 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. By utilizing separate motors to drive the belts and rollers it is possible to cease the movement of the belts so that the rollers independently act upon the cards. 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. An audio system communicates voice outputs regarding shuffler malfunctions and instructions to an operator.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/887,062 filed Jul. 8, 2004, which is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 10/757,785 filed Jan. 14, 2004, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/226,394 filed Aug. 23, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,698,756. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to devices for shuffling playing cards for facilitating the play of casino wagering games. More particularly, an electronically controlled card shuffling apparatus includes a card input unit for receipt of an unshuffled stack of playing cards, a card ejection unit, a card separation and delivery unit and a collector unit for receipt of shuffled cards.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Automatic card shuffling machines were first introduced by casinos approximately ten years ago. Since then, the machines have, for all intents and purposes, replaced manual card shuffling. To date, most automatic shuffling machines have been adapted to shuffle one or more decks of standard playing cards for use in the game of blackjack. However, as the popularity of legalized gambling has increased, so too has the demand for new table games utilizing standard playing cards. As a result, automatic shuffling machines have been designed to now automatically Adeal@ hands of cards once the cards have been sufficiently rearranged.  
         [0004]     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,411 ( A the &gt;411 Patent@) to Breeding and assigned to Shuffle Master, Inc., describes an automatic shuffling and dealing machine. The &gt;411 Patent describes an automatic method of interleaving cards as traditionally done in a manual fashion. Once interleaved, the entire stack of shuffled cards is positioned above a roller that removes and expels a predetermined number of cards from the bottom of the stack to a card shoe. Once the predetermined number of expelled cards are removed from the shoe by a dealer, a second set of cards is removed and expelled. This is repeated until the dealer has dealt each player his or her cards and has instructed (e.g. pressed a button on the shuffler) the shuffling machine to expel the remaining cards of the stack.  
         [0005]     The &gt;411 Patent and related shufflers, having a dealing means, suffer from the same shortcomings—slowness, misdeals and failure. However, the machines currently marketed are still favored over manual card shuffling. On the other hand, since casino revenue is directly proportional to the number of plays of each wagering game on its floor, casinos desire and, in fact, demand that automatic card shufflers work quickly, reliably and efficiently.  
         [0006]     Accordingly, the present invention utilizes a proprietary random card ejection technique in combination with a novel card separation and delivery unit to overcome the aforementioned shortcomings. The present invention uses random ejection technology to dispense individual cards from a card input unit to a card separation and delivery unit of the shuffler. A card stop arm and floating gate control the number of ejected cards that may, at any one time, travel to the card separation and delivery unit. The ejected cards are then separated by a feed roller system which propels the cards to a collection unit. Once a predetermined number of cards are propelled to the collection unit, additional cards are ejected from the card input unit. A shuffler processing unit in communication with internal sensors controls the operation of the shuffler.  
         [0007]     An audio system is adapted to communicate internal shuffler problems and shuffler instructions to an operator. Preferably, the audio system is controlled by the shuffler processing unit in communication with a second local processing unit.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0008]     While the objects of the present invention are too numerous to list, several objects are listed herein for reference.  
         [0009]     A principal object of the present invention is to provide a reliable and quick card shuffler for poker style card games.  
         [0010]     Another object of the present invention is to provide operators with audio outputs of the shuffler=s status during use.  
         [0011]     Another object of the present invention is to provide operators with audio outputs of shuffler instructions during shuffler use.  
         [0012]     Another object of the present invention is to utilize random ejection technology in a shuffler having a means for delivering card hands.  
         [0013]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a shuffler having a card delivery means that infrequently, if ever, misdeals (e.g. deal four cards instead of three) or jams.  
         [0014]     Another object of the present invention is to decrease the time wasted between deals of any card-based table game.  
         [0015]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a shuffler eliminating the need to shuffle an entire deck of cards for each play of the underlying game.  
         [0016]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a shuffler having means for accepting and delivering cards of multiple sizes.  
         [0017]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a shuffler that can deliver card hands of multiple size (e.g. card hands of two to seven cards).  
         [0018]     Other objects will become evident as the present invention is described in detail below.  
         [0019]     The objects of the present invention are achieved by a shuffler having a card input unit for receipt of unshuffled stacks of playing cards, a card ejection unit, a card separation and delivery unit, a delivery unit and a collection unit for receipt of shuffled cards.  
         [0020]     The card input unit is positioned at the rear of the shuffler and adjacent to three card ejectors that randomly push single cards from the unshuffled stack of cards. The input unit is mounted on an output shaft of a linear stepper motor in communication with a shuffler microprocessor. The stepper motor randomly positions a tray of the card input unit with respect to the fixed card ejectors. Each ejector is then activated in a random order such that three cards are ejected from the deck. Once the three cards are ejected, the card input tray is randomly re-positioned, and the three ejectors are once again activated. This process continues until the necessary number of cards for two hands of the underlying game is ejected. The movement of the ejected cards is facilitated by ejection rollers and a downwardly inclined card-traveling surface leading to a collection point, where ejected cards stack behind a stop arm.  
         [0021]     The partially rotatable stop arm is spring loaded such that a first end opposite the fixed rotatable end applies pressure in a downward direction onto the card-traveling surface having two parallel card separation belts. The arm is controlled by a motor and cam arrangement that acts to intermittently raise the first end of the stop arm to allow a predetermined number of cards to pass through to the card separation and delivery unit.  
         [0022]     The card separation and delivery unit includes a separation belt system, separation rollers and a floating gate. The separation belt system is comprised of two parallel belts residing in a cut-out portion of the card-traveling surface. The separation rollers are above said belts and clutch the cards while the belts remove cards from the bottom of the stack one at time. A floating gate is supported by an elongated member having a first end joined to a first shaft supporting said separation rollers and a second end joined to a second more forward parallel shaft. The floating gate is spaced above the card-traveling surface just rear of the separation rollers and forward of the stop arm so as to prevent no more than 2 or 3 cards from fully passing under the stop arm thereby minimizing misdeals or card jams. A protrusion extending from a bottom portion of the floating gate head is spaced above the card-traveling surface a minimum distance equivalent to the thickness of several playing cards. The floating gate eliminates heretofore common jam and misdeal occurrences. In the unlikely event of a card jam or misdeal, the present shuffler is equipped with multiple internal sensors for detecting the same. Moreover, the sensors are preferably in communication with an audio output system which alerts the operator of the jam or misdeal. In addition, the audio system may be used to instruct an operator during use of the shuffler.  
         [0023]     Once the cards are propelled forward by the separation belts, the cards encounter a set of feed rollers. The feed rollers spaced rear of the card collection unit act to feed individual cards into the collection unit. The rotational speed of the feed rollers is faster than the separation belts and rollers so that each card is spaced from the successive card prior to being fed to the collection unit one at a time. The space between the cards is detected by appropriately placed sensors such that the microprocessor stops cards from being fed to the collection unit when a first full hand (e.g. 3, 5, 7 cards) has been collected.  
         [0024]     Sensors located in the card collection unit detect the presence of cards in the collection unit. It is from the card collection unit that the operator (e.g. dealer) of the particular card game takes the predetermined number of cards and gives them to a player. Once the cards are removed, sensor outputs cause the microprocessor to instruct the card separation and delivery unit to feed a second hand of cards and the ejector unit to eject another hand of cards. This is repeated until all players have the predetermined number of cards. Once all cards have been ejected and dealt, the operator presses a stop button to cease shuffler operation. Thereafter, once the card game is completed, all dealt cards are placed back on top of the stack of any remaining cards in the card input unit. When ready, the operator presses a go or shuffle button to begin the process for the next game.  
         [0025]     Without random ejection technology it has been necessary to expel all cards and re-shuffle all cards for each game played. Therefore, to the delight of players and casinos, the random ejection technology and other features of the present invention dramatically speed up the play of all card games. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0026]     It should be understood that all drawings reflect the present invention with a housing removed.  
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a perspective top view of an ejection unit of the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 1A  is a top view of the ejection unit showing internal features of the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a right side view of the present invention showing a card input unit and a card ejection unit;  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is a left side view of the present invention showing the card input unit and the card ejection unit;  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of the present invention showing the card input unit and the card ejection unit;  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the present invention showing a card separation and delivery unit and a card collection unit;  
         [0033]      FIG. 6  is a right side view of the present invention showing the card separation and delivery unit and the card collection unit;  
         [0034]      FIG. 7  is a perspective left side view of the present invention showing the card separation and delivery unit and the card collection unit;  
         [0035]      FIG. 8  is a left side view of the present invention showing the card separation and delivery unit and the card collection unit;  
         [0036]      FIG. 8A  is a left side view showing internal features of the present invention,  
         [0037]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram showing an audio output system of the present invention;  
         [0038]      FIG. 10  shows another embodiment of a roller adjustment mechanism: and  
         [0039]      FIG. 11  shows yet another embodiment of a roller adjustment mechanism 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0040]     Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred to by like numerals throughout.  FIG. 1  shows an automatic card ejection unit of a card shuffler. In practice, the card shuffler includes a housing to protect and conceal the internal components of the shuffler. The housing includes one or more access points for inputting cards, clearing card jams and for routine service and maintenance procedures. Moreover, the housing includes various operator input means including buttons, switches, knobs, etc., to allow the operator to interact with the shuffler. For example, an on-off button and stop and go buttons will be integrated within said housing.  
         [0041]     It should be understood that all operations of the shuffler are controlled by an internal processing unit. Preferably, the processing unit is a microprocessor of the kind known in the art. The shuffler microprocessor is attached to a standard printed circuit board along with other electronic components (e.g. resistors, capacitors, etc.) necessary to support the microprocessor and its operations. The use of a microprocessor to control machines of all types is well-known in the art, and therefore, the specific details are not reiterated herein.  
         [0042]      FIGS. 1-4  illustrate a card input unit  10  and card ejection unit  30  of the shuffler. Other shuffler units include a card separation and delivery unit  70  and a collection unit  110  (as shown in  FIGS. 5-8A ). As referred to throughout, the rear of the shuffler is defined by the card input unit  10  and ejection unit  30  and the front of the shuffler is defined by the collection unit  110 .  
         [0043]     The card input unit  10  comprises a tray  11  having two vertical angled walls  12  and two oppositely placed pillars  13  attached thereto. A stack of cards is initially placed into a recess defined by the angled walls  12  and the pillars  13 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the card input unit  10 , more particularly, the underside of the tray  11 , is attached to an output arm of a linear stepper motor (not shown). The linear stepper motor randomly raises and lowers the card input unit  10  for reasons that will be fully described below.  
         [0044]     U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,584,483 and 5,676,372 assigned to the predecessor in interest of the same assignee as the instant application are incorporated herein by this reference and provide specific details of the random ejection technology implemented in the present invention. The ejection unit  30  comprises three solenoids  31  driving three plungers  32  incorporating ejector blades  33 . The solenoids  31  and corresponding ejector blades  33  are each placed at different heights to the rear of the card input unit  10 .  
         [0045]     Once a stack of cards is loaded into the card input unit  10 , an operator presses an external go, deal, shuffle or start button to begin the ejection, separation and delivery process. A card ejecting process begins with the card input unit  10  being raised or lowered to a random location by the linear stepper motor. The random location of the card input unit  10  is based on a random number generated by the shuffler microprocessor or an independent random number generator. An optical sensor insures that the card input unit  10  remains within predetermined maximum and minimum upper and lower input unit  10  positions. Once the card input unit  10  reaches a random location and stops, the solenoids  31  are activated one at a time causing the ejector blades  33  to project into the previously loaded stack of cards. Each blade  33  is designed to eject a single card from the stack. The solenoids  31  are spring biased by springs  39  such that the ejector blades  33  automatically return to their original position after ejecting a card. Upon being ejected from the deck, each ejected card is assisted to the card separation and delivery unit  70  by two oppositely placed roller mechanisms  34 A,  34 B.  
         [0046]     To prevent undue card wear and tear, in an alternative embodiment the ejection process utilizes pulse width modulation (“PWM”) to control the one or more ejector blades  33 . By knowing the distance from the ejector blades  33  to the loaded stack of cards, the ejector blades  33  are controlled so that the blades  33  are extended to a position very proximate the stack of cards. Once the blades  33  are proximate the stack, the ejector blades  33  are activated to push a card from the stack. In this fashion, the impact of the blades  33  against the cards is reduced thereby preventing undue wear and tear on the cards caused by the impact of the blade  33 .  
         [0047]     The roller mechanisms  34 A,  34 B are counter-rotated by a belt drive motor  51  in combination with two idler pulleys. Roller mechanism  34 A contacts a first edge of a playing card, and roller mechanism  34 B simultaneously contacts a second edge of a playing card. The distance between the roller mechanisms  34 A,  34 B is adjustable to account for different sized playing cards. A lever  55  protruding through the shuffler housing is joined to an eccentric sleeve  56  by a linkage member  57 . The eccentric sleeve  56  is positioned below the roller mechanism  34 A and may be raised in response to actuation of lever  55  thereby decreasing the distance between the roller mechanisms  34 A,  34 B. The adjustability of the roller mechanisms  34 A,  34 B prevents damage to the cards in any manner. It is imperative that cards not be damaged since damaged cards provide skilled players with an unfair advantage over the casino.  
         [0048]     In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , to accommodate different sized cards, the roller mechanism  34 A resides within a collar  90  in an off-set fashion. The roller mechanism  34 A may then be adjusted to reduce or increase the distance between the roller mechanisms  34 A and  34 B. For adjusting the distance, a multi-segment lever  91 , having segments  91   a  and  91   b , is connected to arm  92  which is attached to the collar  90 . By maneuvering the lever  91 , namely lever segment  91   a , the roller mechanism  34 A rotates and shifts position within the collar  90 . The shift in position causes the roller mechanism  34 A to move away from, or towards, the opposite roller mechanism  34 B. Optionally, the lever  91  may include pre-established settings which allow a user to easily adjust the arm  91  according to each pre-established incremental setting. To prevent undesired shifting of the roller mechanism  34 A during use, a toothed gear  93  circumscribes an upper portion of the collar  90  such that gear teeth  94  are able to receive a securing device  95  for preventing the undesired movement. The securing device  95  may be a screw, bolt or similar device which, when inserted through the shuffler frame  2  for support, is able to then be adjusted to extend into the gear teeth  94 .  
         [0049]     In an alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , roller mechanism  34 A is adjusted by means of an eccentric hex shaft  96  rotatably attached to a bottom of the shuffler and in contact with a roller mechanism  34 A support platform  97 . More specifically, a portion of the hex shaft  96  resides in a cut-out in the support platform  97 . As the hex shaft  96  is rotated by means of an adjustment knob  98 , the support platform  97  moves in a direction away from, or towards, the opposite roller mechanism  34 B. Consequently, as the support platform  97  moves, so does the supported roller mechanism  34 A. Once the roller mechanism  34 A is in the desired position, a lock nut  99  is tightened thereby applying sufficient clamping pressure to the support platform  97  preventing any undesired movement. The ability of the platform  97  to move is dictated by an elliptical cut-out  100  and pin  101  arrangement. The pin  101  is secured to the shuffler frame  2  and, along with the cut-out  100 , defines the degree of roller adjustment.  
         [0050]     Although the occurrence of card jams is difficult to eliminate, the design of the shuffler drastically reduces and, in fact, minimizes the occurrence of card jams. Preventative measures include rotatable packer arms  35 A,  35 B and de-doublers  36 . The de-doublers  36  are integrated into a de-doubler frame  37  having a plurality of horizontal slots  38  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) for ejected cards to pass through. Each slot  38  incorporates a de-doubler in the form of two vertically-spaced rubber elements  36  arranged in close proximity to prevent more than one ejected card from simultaneously passing through each horizontal slot  38 .  
         [0051]     In addition, two rotatable card packer arms  35 A,  35 B are placed adjacent the card input unit  10  adjacent a card eject area and opposite the placement of the solenoids  31 . Sensors above and below a leading edge  99  of the card input unit  10  sense the protrusion of any cards from the card input unit  10 . In response to the detection of protruding cards, the shuffler microprocessor causes the packer arms  35 A,  35 B to rotate in the direction of the leading edge  99  of the card input unit thereby forcing the protruding cards back into the proper alignment with the remaining cards in the stack. Each packer arm  35 A,  35 B is physically joined to a single rotary solenoid  41  by a linkage system. A first linkage member  42  is joined to a first arm of a triangular-shaped joint  43  that is rotatably attached to said rotary solenoid  41 . A second end of linkage member  42  attaches to the first packer arm  35 A. Second and third linkage members  44 ,  45  are connected by a triangular-shaped rotatable joint  46  spaced from said rotary solenoid  41 . A first end of second linkage member  44  is attached to a second arm of the triangular-shaped joint  43  and a second end is attached to one corner of the rotatable joint  46 . The third linkage member  45  is connected to a second opposite corner of the rotatable joint  46  and extends parallel to linkage member  42 . The second end of the third linkage member  45  attaches to the second packer arm  35 B. As the rotary solenoid  41  is instructed by the shuffler microprocessor to partially rotate in the clockwise direction, the linkage members  42 ,  45  each force one packer arm  35 A,  35 B to rotate toward the leading edge  99  of the card input unit  10 . The packer arms  35 A,  35 B each rotate about a pivot  47 A,  47 B respectively and strike any protruding cards thereby forcing them back into the card stack.  
         [0052]     Now referring to  FIGS. 5-8A , the card separation and delivery unit  70  is defined by a shuffler frame  2  defines the general shape of the shuffler and includes walls and a card-traveling surface  4  for guiding cards from the card input unit  10  to the card collection unit  110 . Cards ejected by the ejection unit  30  traverse a fifteen degree downwardly inclined card-traveling surface  4  and encounter a rotatable U-shaped stop arm  57  blocking an entrance to the card separation and delivery unit  70 . The stop arm  57  is spring loaded about pins  58  so that a first end of the stop arm  57  contacts the card-traveling surface  4  temporarily halting the progress of the cards. The shape of the stop arm  57  is such that it facilitates the removal of any cards which may get jammed in the area of the stop arm  57 . The cards reaching the stop arm  57  collect and form a stack therebehind. Importantly, the stop arm  57  is positioned such that the stack is staggered to prevent excess cards from passing under the stop arm  57  when the stop arm  57  is briefly and intermittently raised as described below.  
         [0053]     A rotatable guide cover  8  resides along an upper section of the frame  2  such that it covers the card-traveling surface  4  from the de-doubler frame  37  to a front portion of the stop arm  57 . A forward end of the guide  8  is rotatably joined to the frame  2 , and the rear end is releasably engaged, when closed, to magnet  9  attached to an outer surface of the frame  2  rear of the stop arm  57 . The guide  8  functions to navigate ejected cards to the stop arm  57  by forming a chamber with the card-traveling surface  4 .  
         [0054]     The stop arm  57  is motor (not shown) and cam  59  driven whereby the stop arm  57  is intermittently raised from the card-traveling surface  4  allowing a predetermined number of cards to pass. A first one of the pins  58  communicates with a toggle member  60 , cam  59  and spring  61  arrangement mounted to an external surface of said frame  2 . As the cam  59  is rotated by the motor, a cam node  66  engages and rotates said toggle member  60  thereby causing the stop arm  57  to raise as long as the engagement continues. Once the cam node  66  disengages said toggle member  60  the stop arm  57  is returned to its original position by the spring  61  attached between the toggle member  60  and an elongated extension  63 . The rotation of cam  59  is facilitated by pulley  64  and belt  65 . The microprocessor controls the timing of the card stop arm  57  by controlling the time of engagement between the cam node  66  and the toggle member  60 .  
         [0055]     A system of rotatable belts incorporated in a cut-out section  66  of said card-traveling surface  4  and corresponding rollers provide means for propelling the cards from underneath the lifted stop arm  57  to the card separation and delivery unit  70  and ultimately the collection unit  110 .  
         [0056]     Three parallel and spaced belts  67 - 1 ,  67 - 2  and  67 - 3  reside slightly above the planar card-traveling surface  4 . Now referring to  FIG. 8A , three belt pulleys  68 - 1 ,  68 - 2 ,  68 - 3  support said spaced belts  67 - 1 ,  67 - 2 ,  67 - 3  from underneath the card-traveling surface  4 . The front pulley  68 - 3  is adjustable, in the forward and rear direction, to account for differences in manufactured belts and belt stretching. As cards pass under the lifted stop arm  57 , a first end of the rotating belts  67 - 1 ,  67 - 2 ,  67 - 3 , in combination with two upper separation rollers  69 , act to remove and advance only a bottom card from the pack. The upper separation rollers  69  are spring-biased and supported by a first non-rotating shaft  72 . Once a card passes between the separation belts  67 - 1 ,  67 - 2 ,  67 - 3  and separation rollers  69 , the rollers  69  begin to stop rotating since they are no longer being acted upon by the rotating separation belts  67 - 1 ,  67 - 2 ,  67 - 3 . Additionally, springs  73  provide friction to more hurriedly impede the movement of rollers  69  thereby causing rollers  69  to clutch all but the bottom card in the pack. A nub  90  integrated into a split of the middle belt pulley  68 - 2  contacts the lower most card in the stack so as to encourage the lower most card in the stack to separate from the stack. Preferably, the nub  90  operates on the bottom most card of the stack one time per revolution of the belt pulley  68 - 2 .  
         [0057]     Preferably, a centerline of the middle belt pulley  68 - 2  is slightly forward of a centerline of the separation rollers  69  so that a trailing edge of each passing card is forced downward by said rollers  69  thereby preventing the next passing card from becoming situated thereunder.  
         [0058]     A floating gate  74  is supported by an elongated member  75  fixed at one end to the shaft  72  and a second parallel floating gate shaft  74 B spaced forward of the separation roller shaft  72 . The floating gate  74  includes a protrusion  74 A extending downwardly to prevent more than three cards from fully passing under the stop arm  57  at any given time. In this arrangement, the belts  67 - 1 ,  67 - 2 ,  67 - 3  and the rollers  69  only have to manage small (e.g. three) card stacks. Thus, the risk of more than one card being propelled to the card collection unit  110  and causing a misdeal is eliminated. Moreover, the floating gate  74  also controls card jams.  
         [0059]     As the cards pass under the floating gate  74  they are propelled by the belts  67 - 1 ,  67 - 2 ,  67 - 3  to a pair of upper feed rollers  76  and lower feed rollers  77  which counter-rotate to expel individual cards into the collection unit  110 . The upper and lower feed rollers  76 ,  77  grab opposite surfaces (e.g. the face and back of the card as it traverses the card-traveling surface  4 ) of each card and propel the card into the collection unit  110 . The upper feed rollers  76  are supported by a non-rotating parallel feed shaft  79 . The lower feed rollers  77  are driven at a higher speed than belts  67 - 1 ,  67 - 2 ,  67 - 3  and rollers  69  so as to create separation between the trailing edge of a first card and the leading edge of a following card. As described below, it is the card separation space that sensors count to verify the number of cards fed into the collection unit  110 .  
         [0060]     The belts  67 - 1 ,  67 - 2 ,  67 - 3  and lower rollers  77  are both driven by a common motor, timing belt and pulley system. A system of three pulleys  85 - 1 ,  85 - 2 ,  85 - 3  and a timing belt  86  are mounted on an external surface of the shuffler frame  2  and are driven by a common internal motor. The lower feed rollers  77  are acted upon by pulley  85 - 2  having a smaller diameter than pulley  85 - 1  that acts upon belts  67 - 1 ,  67 - 2 ,  67 - 3  thereby creating a differential in rotational speeds.  
         [0061]     Once the separated cards pass the between rollers  76 ,  77  they are delivered to the card collection unit  110 . The collection unit  110  is inclined downwardly fifteen degrees so that the cards settle at the front of the collection unit  110  for easy retrieval by a dealer.  
         [0062]     In another embodiment, the belts  67 - 1 ,  67 - 2 ,  67 - 3  and the feed rollers  76 ,  77  are driven by individual motors (not shown). The belts  67 - 1 ,  67 - 2 ,  67 - 3  are preferably driven by a stepper motor and the rollers  76 ,  77  may be driven by any suitable motor. In this arrangement, the stepper motor is temporarily shut down in response to a card being propelled from the shuffler into the collection tray  110 . As discussed below, sensors detect cards exiting the shuffler into the collection tray  110 . Consequently, the rollers  76 ,  77 , which continue to run during the entire shuffling and dealing process, hurriedly pull the card through a front portion of the card delivery unit  70  as the belts  67 - 1 ,  67 - 2 ,  67 - 3  remain static. Then, once the card passes into the collection tray  110 , the stepper motor fires up again causing the belts  67 - 1 ,  67 - 2 ,  67 - 3  to act on the next card. Thus, the belts  67 - 1 ,  67 - 2 ,  67 - 3  are not acting upon the next card until the stepper motor starts again. Based on sensor data, the processor instructs the stepper motor to stop and start accordingly. This system facilitates complete separation of cards thereby preventing multiple overlapping cards from being dealt and counted as a single card by sensors. That is, should the improper number of cards, according to the game being played, pass into the collection tray, a misdeal would be declared. For obvious reasons, casinos and related gaming establishments do not favor misdeals.  
         [0063]     With the two motor embodiment, the system of three pulleys  85 - 1 ,  85 - 2 ,  85 - 3  and the timing belt  86  is replaced with two individual two pulley systems each having a single belt (not shown). In a first design, the first two pulleys and corresponding belt for driving the rollers  76 ,  77  are mounted externally on a first side of the shuffler frame  2  and the second two pulleys and belt for driving the belts  67 - 1 ,  67 - 2 ,  67 - 3  are mounted on an opposite side of the shuffler frame  2 . However, both pulley systems may be mounted on a common external side of the shuffler frame  2 .  
         [0064]     The separation shaft  72 , floating gate shaft  74 B, feed shaft  79 , separation rollers  69  and upper feed rollers  76  are joined by two pair of elongated bars. A first set of bars  81 - 1 ,  81 - 2  rotatably join the outer portions of the separation shaft  72  to the outer portions of the floating gate shaft  74 B. A second set of bars  82 - 1 ,  82 - 2  join the floating gate shaft  74 B to the outer portions of the feed roller shaft  79 . The floating gate shaft  74 B is further supported by opposite notches  83  in the frame  2 . In this manner, card jams may be physically cleared by an operator by lifting the floating gate shaft  74 B thereby causing the separation shaft  72  to move forward and upward. An open slot  84  in the elongated member  75  further allows the elongated member  75  to be rotated away from the floating gate shaft  74 B revealing the card separation and delivery unit  70  for card removal. Springs  87  incorporated between outer surfaces of said first bars  81 - 1 ,  81 - 2  and inner surfaces of the frame  2  return the floating gate shaft  74 B to its original position after a card jam is cleared.  
         [0065]     Multiple sensors are incorporated throughout the shuffler to track the progression of the cards, inform an operator of shuffler status and to alert the operator of any internal problems. A first, preferably optical reflective, sensor  125  is positioned beneath the card input unit  10  to sense the input of cards into the unit  10 . During normal operation the shuffler will not function until sensor  125  detects the presence of cards in card input unit  10 . A first pair of sensors (emitter and detector) above and below a leading edge of the card input unit  10  senses the presence of protruding cards from within the card input unit  10 . The shuffler microprocessor activates the packer arms  35 A,  35 B in response to outputs from the first pair of sensors.  
         [0066]     A second pair of sensors spaced forward of the first pair of sensors detects the ejection of cards from the card input unit  10 . The second pair of sensors detects the number of ejected cards. The number of cards ejected is predetermined based on the underlying card game being dealt. The shuffler microprocessor stops the ejection process once outputs from the second pair of sensors indicate that two hands of cards have been ejected. The number of cards per hand is a function of the underlying wagering game being played. As described below, the shuffler microprocessor re-starts the ejection process in response to an output from a more forward pair of sensors.  
         [0067]     Once two hands of cards have been ejected from the card input unit  10 , they come to rest, in a staggered stacked fashion, against or adjacent to the card stop arm  57 . As the second pack is completely delivered to the card stop arm  57 , outputs from the second pair of sensors inform the shuffler microprocessor that the two hands have been ejected and to lift said stop arm  57 . The raising of the stop arm  57  permits the previously ejected cards to partially pass under the stop arm  57  to the floating gate  74 . Thereafter, the belts  67 - 1 ,  67 - 2 ,  67 - 3  and rollers  76 ,  77  propel the bottom card of the stack to the card collection unit  110  until a first hand has been fed to the card collection unit  110 . A third pair of sensors  141 ,  142  are located adjacent a card exit area such that the pair of sensors  141 ,  142  detects the number of cards being delivered to the card collection unit  110 . Once a first hand is delivered to the card collection unit  110 , the shuffler microprocessor, using outputs from the third pair of sensors, stops delivering cards to the card collection unit  110  and re-starts the ejection process. A fourth pair of sensors  143 ,  144 , located in the collection unit  110  detects the presence or absence of cards therein. Once a dealer removes the first card hand from the collection unit  110 , the shuffler microprocessor, using outputs from the fourth pair of sensors  143 ,  144  resumes delivering cards to the card collection unit  110 .  
         [0068]     The sensor and shuffler microprocessor driven process described continues until the requisite number of hands are delivered to the card collection unit  110  and distributed by the dealer. Once the requisite number of hands has been delivered and dealt, the dealer presses a stop button on the shuffler to stop further card delivery. In an alternative fashion, the shuffler housing may incorporate a re-eject button that the operator may press prior to each hand being ejected. In either embodiment, the ejection unit  30  only need deal the exact number of cards required for the game and number of players playing the game. Thereafter, the ejection technology allows the operator to simply place the played cards on top of the remaining cards in the card input unit  10  and press the go button for the next game. Previous card shufflers require that all cards be shuffled and delivered for each game played. The random ejection technology of the present invention greatly reduces the time between game plays.  
         [0069]     Additional sensors are placed along the card separation and delivery unit  70  to detect the occurrence of a card jam or other dealing failure. Upon the determination that a card jam has occurred, the operator can be notified in any number of ways, including the use of LED indicator lights, segmented and digital displays audio outputs, etc. In one embodiment, the present invention relies on audio outputs in the form of computer generated voice outputs to alert the operator of a card jam or to instruct the operator regarding the status of the shuffler.  
         [0070]     As set forth above, the preferred method of notifying a shuffler operator of a card jam or the status of the current shuffle cycle is through an internal audio system. Now referring to  FIG. 9 , the audio system utilizes a second microprocessor  151 , preferably a 32-bit microprocessor, interfaced with the shuffler microprocessor  150 . The preferred interface  152  is an RS-232 bi-directional interface. The second microprocessor  151  runs the audio system and a video capture imaging system fully described in co-pending patent application Ser. No. 10/067794 to the same assignee as the instant application and incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0071]     A flash storage card  153  stores digital audio messages, in any language, and communicates said messages to the second microprocessor through a 32-bit bus  154 . The messages are retrieved by the second microprocessor  151  in response to commands by microprocessor  150 . Microprocessor  150  relies on the outputs of the multiple shuffler sensors for instructing the second microprocessor  151 . For example, should a sensor detect a card jam, the output of said sensor will cause microprocessor  150  to communicate with microprocessor  151  instructing the latter that an audio message is required. Microprocessor  151  will then retrieve the appropriate message, possibly a message stating  A CARD JAM@, from the flash storage card  153  and send the same to a codec  154  (coder-decoder) for converting the retrieved digital audio signal to an analog signal. The analog audio signal is then transmitted via a speaker  155 .  
         [0072]     The microprocessor  150  also communicates to a flash programmable gate array  157  through a second 32-bit bus  158 . The gate array  157  further communicates with a repeat switch  159  incorporated with the shuffler housing. The switch  159  allows an operator to re-play the previous audio message. Said feature is beneficial during shuffler use in a loud casino environment.  
         [0073]     It is contemplated that stored audio messages besides  A CARD JAM@ may include  A READY TO SHUFFLE@,  A REMOVE FIRST HAND@,  A REMOVE SECOND HAND@,  A INPUT CARDS@, etc. The number of possible audio messages depends solely on the various sensor outputs since the sensors provide microprocessor  150  with the status of the shuffler at any given time. In a more limited application the audio system can be used to communicate game related information, to an operator. For example, the card game known as Pai Gow requires that a number between 1 and 7 be randomly chosen prior to the deal of the game=s first hand. The random number determines which player position, and therefore which player, receives the first hand out of the shuffler. Typically dice or random number generators in communication with a display means have been used to generate and communicate the random number to an operator and players. The audio system allows the microprocessor  150  to randomly generate a number between 1 and 7, communicate the number to microprocessor  151 , which sends the number to the codec  154 , which causes speaker  155  to output the number in audio form. The repeat switch  159  is very useful in this limited application because the number is absolutely essential to properly play the game of Pai Gow. Therefore, the inability to re-play an unheard or disputed number would cause great confusion and consternation for players.  
         [0074]     Also illustrated in  FIG. 9  are the various components of the image capturing system, including a graphics display  160 , flash ram  161 , SDRAM buffer  163 , digital (black/white) video camera  164  and hand recall switch  165 . The flash ram  161  initially stores digital images of every dealt card as they are captured by the digital camera  164 . The SDRAM buffer  163  then stores and assembles the captured images. The images captured by the digital camera  164  are sent to the gate array  157  which uses gray scale compression to compress the images. The compressed images are then sent via 32-bit bus  158  to microprocessor  151  which then sends the compressed images to the SDRAM buffer and/or the flash memory  161  via 32-bit buses  166 ,  167 . When desired the operator presses the hand recall switch  165  incorporated in the shuffler housing to display the captured images, in order of deal, on display  160 .  
         [0075]     Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to a preferred embodiment, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.