Source: http://www.google.co.uk/patents/US9345951
Timestamp: 2017-09-23 20:10:24
Document Index: 290434061

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 10', 'art 11', 'art 17', 'art 5', 'art 7', 'Application No. 06772987']

Patent US9345951 - Methods and apparatuses for an automatic card handling device and ... - Google Patents
An automatic card handling device, automatic card handling devices within a network, and methods of use are disclosed. An automatic card handling device includes a shuffling apparatus with a controller and configured to deliver a set of shuffled cards, and a communication module operably coupled to the...http://www.google.co.uk/patents/US9345951?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US9345951 - Methods and apparatuses for an automatic card handling device and communication networks including same
Publication number US9345951 B2
Application number US 14/137,557
Also published as CA2669167A1, CA2669167C, EP2099539A2, EP2099539A4, US8616552, US20080113700, US20130084929, US20140183818, US20160220893, WO2008063379A2, WO2008063379A3
Publication number 137557, 14137557, US 9345951 B2, US 9345951B2, US-B2-9345951, US9345951 B2, US9345951B2
Inventors Zbigniew Czyzewski, Vladislav Zvercov, Attila Grauzer
Patent Citations (942), Non-Patent Citations (53), Classifications (15), Legal Events (5)
US 9345951 B2
An automatic card handling device, automatic card handling devices within a network, and methods of use are disclosed. An automatic card handling device includes a shuffling apparatus with a controller and configured to deliver a set of shuffled cards, and a communication module operably coupled to the controller. The communication module is configured for establishing an electronic communication with a local or world-wide network and thereafter sending and receiving information related to the operation of the automatic card handling device across the network. A network of automatic card handling devices may include a plurality of automatic card shufflers. The network may also include at least one server operably coupled to the plurality of automatic card shufflers. In addition, the server may be operably coupled to a service center through a world-wide network.
a shuffling apparatus configured to shuffle an input set of cards and deliver randomly ordered cards resulting from the shuffling; and
a diagnosis module configured to perform a self-diagnosis of the card handling device and determine operational data indicating functionality parameters of the shuffling apparatus, wherein the functionality parameters include diagnostic results of the self-diagnosis; and
a communication module configured to transmit at least some of the operational data including the diagnostic results of the self-diagnosis to an alerting system configured to present the at least some of the operational data to a device technician, the alerting system operably coupled to a communication network coupled to one or more servers and one or more other card handling devices.
2. The automatic card handling device of claim 1, wherein the computing device comprises at least one computing device selected from the group consisting of a microcontroller, a custom application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), one or more programmable logic devices (PLDs), and a hardware communication module.
3. The automatic card handling device of claim 2, wherein the diagnosis module is further configured to perform the self-diagnosis responsive to receiving a diagnostic request via the communication module from the one or more servers.
4. The automatic card handling device of claim 1, wherein the diagnosis module is further configured to determine the operational data as repair-related data.
5. The automatic card handling device of claim 4, wherein the communication module is further configured to transmit a service request including the repair-related data via the one or more servers to at least one of a service center and one or more data receiving devices in possession of casino personnel.
6. The automatic card handling device of claim 1, wherein the diagnosis module is further configured to determine the functionality parameters as parameters selected from the group consisting of data related to current or past operation, the serial number of the card handling device, the serial numbers of device parts, and physical location of the card handling device.
7. The automatic card handling device of claim 1, further comprising a detection module configured to recognize a rank and suit of each card of the delivered cards prior to removal of the cards from the shuffling apparatus.
8. The automatic card handling device of claim 7, further comprising a microcontroller configured to perform the functions of the diagnosis module, the detection module, and the communication module.
9. A method of operating a card handling device, the method comprising:
shuffling an input set of cards and delivering randomly ordered cards resulting from the shuffling with a shuffling apparatus;
performing a self-diagnosis of the card handling device;
determining operational data indicating functionality parameters of the shuffling apparatus, the functionality parameters including diagnostic results of the self-diagnosis of the card handling device; and
transmitting at least some of the operational data including the diagnostic results of the self-diagnosis to an alerting system configured to present the at least some of the operational data including the diagnostic results to a device technician, the alerting system operably coupled to a communication network coupled to one or more servers, and one or more other card handling devices.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein transmitting the at least some of the operational data to the alerting system comprises transmitting the at least some of the operational data to at least one of a computer and a cellular phone of the device technician, wherein the at least one of the computer and the cellular phone includes a graphical user interface configured to present the at least some of the operational data to the device technician.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing the self-diagnosis responsive to receiving a diagnostic request from the one or more servers.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein determining operational data comprises determining repair-related data.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising transmitting a service request including the repair-related data via the one or more servers to at least one of a service center and one or more data receiving devices in possession of casino personnel.
14. The method of claim 9, further comprising determining the functionality parameters as parameters selected from the group consisting of data related to current or past operation, the serial number of the card handling device, the serial numbers of device parts, and physical location of the card handling device.
15. The method of claim 9, further comprising recognizing a rank and suit of each card of the delivered cards prior to removal of the cards from the shuffling apparatus.
16. A system configured to enable card handling devices to communicate through a network, the system comprising:
one or more card handling devices, each card handling device of the one or more card handling devices comprising:
a communication module configured to transmit the operational data including the diagnostic results of the self-diagnosis over a network; and
a remote server configured to communicate over the network and perform at least one operation selected from the group consisting of:
sending a request for at least some of the operational data including the diagnostic results of the self-diagnosis to at least one of the one or more card handling devices; and
receiving at least some of the operational data including the diagnostic results of the self-diagnosis from at least one of the one or more card handling devices.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the remote server is configured to send and receive information across a world-wide network.
18. The system of claim 16, further comprising a service center operably coupled to the remote server over a world-wide network.
19. The system of claim 16, wherein the remote server is further configured to send the request as a request for the operational data to include repair-related data.
20. The system of claim 16, wherein the remote server is further configured to send the request as a request for the operational data to include the functionality parameters as parameters selected from the group consisting of data related to current or past operation, the serial number of the card handling device, the serial numbers of device parts, and physical location of the card handling device.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent Ser. No. 11/558,818 filed Nov. 10, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,616,552, issued Dec. 31, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/967,500, filed Sep. 28, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,337,296, issued Dec. 25, 2012. The present application is also related to the following applications: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/558,810, filed Nov. 10, 2006, entitled “CASINO TABLE GAME MONITORING SYSTEM,” now abandoned; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/558,817, filed Nov. 10, 2006, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS PROVIDING GAMING TABLE WITH RFID ANTENNAS AND SHIELDING,” now abandoned; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/558,823, filed Nov. 10, 2006, entitled “CASINO CARD SHOES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR A NO PEEK FEATURE,” now abandoned; the contents of each of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.
State of the Art: Card handling devices used in the gaming industry are well known in the art and are conventionally used for increasing the efficiency, security and game speed in live table games such as blackjack, baccarat, and various forms of poker. Card handling devices, such as card shufflers, may perform a variety of functions including randomly shuffling one or more decks of playing cards in an efficient and thorough manner. In a live table game, it is important that the playing cards are shuffled in an efficient and thorough manner to prevent players from having an advantage by knowing the position of specific cards or groups of cards in the final arrangement of cards delivered in the play of the game. Additionally, it is advantageous to have the playing cards shuffled in a very short period of time in order to minimize any delay in the play of the game.
An embodiment of the present invention includes an automatic card handling device comprising a shuffling apparatus that is configured for shuffling an input set of cards and delivering an output set of cards resulting from the shuffling. The automatic card handling device further comprises a detection module configured for recognizing a rank and suit of each card of the output set of cards. The detection module recognizes the rank and suit prior to removal of the output set of cards from the shuffling apparatus. Further included in the automatic card handling device is a communication module operably coupled to the detection module. The communication module is configured for sending and receiving information related to operation of the automatic card handling device across a communication port that is configured for operable coupling to a communication network.
Another embodiment of the present invention includes a network of card handling devices comprising at least one local communication network. The at least one local communication network comprises at least one automatic card handling device according to an embodiment of the invention. The network of card handling devices further includes at least one local server, wherein each of the at least one local server is operably coupled to one of the at least one local communication network and wherein the at least one local server is configured to send and receive information over the at least one local communication network to which it is coupled.
FIGS. 3(a), 3(b) and 3(c) are block diagrams of an automatic card handling device according to embodiments of the invention;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an automatic card handling device operably coupled to a local network according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 1 illustrates a card handling device 110. A top surface 112 of card handling device 110 may comprise a flip-up cover 114 which, when opened, exposes a card insertion area 116 and an elevator platform 118. Card insertion area 116 may be configured to receive an input set of cards to be shuffled, counted, and/or sorted. By way of example only, card handling device 110 may be configured to receive, read rank and suit, sort, and shuffle up to eight decks of cards at any one time. Elevator platform 118 may be configured to raise a set of shuffled cards to a level where they can be removed by a device user after the shuffling, reading, and/or sorting processes are completed. Elevator platform 118 may include a sensor 120 which detects the presence of cards or other objects located on elevator platform 118. A camera 142 or a card recognition module 154 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) may also be included within the body 124 of card handling device 110. Card handling device 110 may be located adjacent to or flush mounted into a gaming table in a casino where a live card game is taking place, or may be located in a remote location off the casino floor, which is inaccessible to the public.
FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a card handling device 130 comprising a shuffler 132 operably connected to a computer 134. Shuffler 132 may include a shuffler controller 140, and a camera processor 144 operably coupled to camera 142. Shuffler controller 140 and camera processor 144 are both operably coupled to computer 134 by connections 292 and 294, respectively. Computer 134 may comprise a communication module 146 and a communication port 148 configured for operable coupling to network 136 via communication link 290. Computer 134 may also be operably coupled to printer 138 via communication link 296. Network 136 may comprise a local network or a publicly accessible network, such as the Internet. Communication links 290 and 296 may comprise any form of wireless or wired connections or any combination thereof. By way of example, and not limitation, communication links 290 and 296 may include serial data links, parallel data links, Ethernet, a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), 802.11a/b/g, Wi-Fi, and other suitable communications links. As described in more detail below, communication module 146 may be configured to establish an electronic communication with network 136 and thereafter send and receive information to and from network 136 across communication port 148. In another example of the invention, the communication module 146 and memory 800 reside within the shuffler 132 and communicate with the shuffler controller 140.
Upon shuffler 132 receiving an input set of cards, shuffler controller 140 is configured to count the cards and, as the cards are being counted, camera 142 is configured to take a picture of at least a portion of each counted card. Thereafter, data representing pictures and a card count are sent to computer 134 which iterates through the pictures and extracts the card value from the picture of each card. Computer 134 then generates information relating to the input set of cards by associating the value of each individual card with its counted position in the deck. The card information is then used by the computer 134 to verify the contents of the deck by comparing the information relating to the input set of cards to information relating to a standard deck of cards stored in the memory 800 of computer 134. Computer 134 may be configured to operate in multiple modes and may be capable of automatically switching between multiple modes without powering off or rebooting. By way of example, computer 134 may be configured to operate in a set-up mode, run mode, or a service mode, as are explained more fully below.
As described above, card handling device 130 is configured to display, on display panel 122 (see FIG. 1), any data pertaining to the operation of card handling device 130. Card handling device 130 may be further configured to convert the aforementioned operational data into electronic data signals comprising information such as, repair-related data, data related to current or past operation, the serial number of the card handling device 130, the serial numbers of device parts, physical location of card handling device 130, performance, usage, or any other data related to card handling device 130. At any time after an electronic communication has been established by computer 134, communication module 146 may transmit the information through communication port 148 and across network 136 via communication link 290. As described in greater detail below, the information may then be transmitted to a server 162 where the data can be viewed by a device operator, stored, mined, or forwarded to casino personnel or a service center 168 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Additionally, computer 134 may be configured to send information comprising the shuffling and card verification results to a printer 138 via communication link 296. Printer 138 may be configured to, upon receipt of the information, print a label with the verification results that may then be affixed to the output set of cards, for example. The printer 138 could also print a wide variety of messages, such as service requests, hours of operation, number of batches of cards shuffled, particular cards missing, and the like.
FIGS. 3(a) through 3(c) illustrate various embodiments of card handling device 150. FIG. 3(a) illustrates a logical partitioning of functions within the card recognition module 154, whereas FIGS. 3(b) and 3(c) illustrate different embodiments of physical partitioning of the card recognition module 154. Of course, these partitioning solutions, both logical and physical, are example solutions, other embodiments with different partitioning solutions are contemplated within the scope of the invention.
As illustrated in the logical partitioning of FIG. 3(a), card handling device 150 includes a shuffler 156 and a card recognition module 154. Shuffler 156 includes a sensor module 214 that is operably coupled to card recognition module 154 via connection 380 and is configured for sensing image information about each card included in an input set of cards. The sensor module 214 may include, for example, a two-dimensional CMOS image sensor, a two-dimensional charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor, or a one-dimensional line sensor, as are known by those in the art. Card recognition module 154 comprises a communication module 146 configured for establishing an electronic communication with a local network or a world-wide network. Communication module 146 may be further configured to transmit and receive information over the network. Further included in the card recognition module 154 is a detection module 219 configured for verifying the contents of an input set of cards, and a diagnosis module 212 configured for performing a self-diagnosis on the operation of card handling device 150, as are explained more fully below.
FIG. 3(b) illustrates a physical partitioning embodiment of card handling device 150′ wherein the card recognition module 154′ comprises a custom module 228 including custom logic configured to establish an electronic communication with a network and thereafter transmit and receive information over the network. The custom module 228 may include logic configured for performing the functions of the communication module 146, the detection module 219, and the diagnosis module 212. By way of example, and not limitation, the custom module 228 may be implemented as a custom application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), one or more programmable logic devices (PLDs) and similar devices for implementing custom logic as are known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
In another embodiment of card handling device 150″, card recognition module 154″ may comprise, as illustrated in FIG. 3(c), a microcontroller 222 operably coupled to a memory module 224. Microcontroller 222 may be configured to perform the functions of the communication module 146, the detection module 219, and the diagnosis module 212. As such, microcontroller 222 may be configured to establish an electronic communication with a network and transmit and receive information over the network by employing software or firmware stored on memory module 224. Of course, many microcontrollers suitable for the card recognition module 154″, may include memory as part of the microcontroller 222. Therefore, a memory module 224 external to the microcontroller 222 may not be necessary.
Although the card recognition module 154 in the figures is shown as part of the shuffler 156, in other embodiments, the card recognition module 154 may be located in an external computer that communicates with the shuffler.
FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein card handling device 150 is coupled to network 136. Card handling device 150 may comprise a shuffler 156 and a card recognition module 154 operably coupled together by way of connection 380. Additionally, card recognition module 154 may comprise a communication module 146 and a communication port 148 directly coupled to network 136 via communication link 290. Card recognition module 154 may also be operably coupled to printer 138 via communication link 296. As described above, communication module 146 may be configured to establish an electronic communication with network 136 and thereafter send and receive information over network 136, which may comprise a local network or a world-wide network. Communication links 290 and 296 may comprise any form of wireless or wired connections or any combination thereof.
The operation of card handling device 150 depicted in FIG. 4 will now be described. As a set of input cards is placed into card handling device 150, shuffler 156 is configured to shuffle the input set of cards, and sensor module 214 captures image information about each card either before, during or after the shuffling process. The image information is sent to the card recognition module 154 where the detection module 219 (see FIG. 3(a)) processes the image information for each card to determine the rank and suit of each card. The image information may be transformed into a rank and suit by an image recognition process of the rank and suit designations on each card. As explained earlier, the image recognition process may be performed as software/firmware operating on the microcontroller 222 or may be performed by custom logic within the custom module 228 (see FIGS. 3(a)-3(c)). Card recognition module 154 may be configured to operate in multiple modes and may be capable of automatically switching between multiple modes without powering off or rebooting. By way of example, card recognition module 154 may be configured to operate in a set-up mode, run mode, or a service mode, as are explained more fully below.
FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the invention comprising a network of card handling devices 160. Card handling devices 160 may be located on a casino floor adjacent a playing table or in a back-room location off the casino floor and may be comprised of either card handling device 130 described in FIG. 2, or card handling device 150 described in FIGS. 3 and 4. Each card handling device 160 is operably coupled to a network 136 over corresponding communication links 290. Network 136 may be operably coupled via communication link 490 to a server 162 located within operator station 500 which is a computerized machine control system. Operator station 500 and server 162 may be located within the casino property and may be operably coupled to printer 138 and a world-wide network 164 by communication links 296 and 163, respectively. Server 162 may be located within operator station 500, as shown in FIG. 5, or may be located separate from, and operably coupled to, operator station 500. A service center 168, which may be located either on the casino property or at a remote location, may be operably coupled to server 162 across world-wide network 164 via communication links 494 and 163. Communication links 163, 290, 296, 490, and 494 may comprise any form of wireless or wired connections, or any combination thereof.
By way of example only, card handling device 160 may be configured to transmit an email or a text message, containing the operational status of one or more card handling devices 160, to server 162, which may then transmit the email or text message to service center 168 or any data receiving device belonging to casino personnel. A transmitted email or text message may comprise, for example, information detailing whether the input set of cards has successfully passed the shuffling and verification processes. If the input set of cards has failed the verification process, a transmitted email or text message may contain the reasons for failure, and may list the missing card or cards should the card handling device 160 detect a missing card or cards. Other data contained in an email, text message or the like may comprise information identifying the location of the card handling device 160, the name and location of the casino, and directions to the casino as well as the casino pit where the card handling device 160 resides. Card handling device 160 may also be configured, upon diagnosing a problem, to transmit an alert or a request across network 136 to server 162. Thereafter, server 162 may forward the alert or request to operator station 500, casino personnel, or to service center 168.
Card handling device 160 may also be configured to generate a report comprising a description of the location and relative performance of all the operational elements of card handling device 160. The generated report may then be transmitted electronically over network 136 to server 162. Server 162 may then forward the report to service center 168, or to a computer, cell phone or any other data receiving device belonging to a device technician or casino personnel. Upon receipt of a generated report, casino personnel or a device technician can quickly locate the corresponding card handling device 160 and, thereafter, may address current problems or future problems that may eventually exist in the corresponding card handling device 160. The report could generate a repair request, a preventative maintenance request, or could identify the device as requiring a software upgrade, etc.
FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the invention comprising a network of card handling devices 160A networked together according to a common trait, such as physical location and/or game type. The following description, although in reference to card handling devices 160A, local pit network 170A and pit operator station 172B, also applies to card handling devices 160B, local pit network 170B and pit operator station 172B, as well as communication links 590B and 594B. For example only, a network of card handling devices 160A located on a single casino floor or within a limited area of a single casino floor may be networked together. Likewise, for example, a network of card handling devices 160A pertaining to a specific game type, such as blackjack, may be networked together. Each card handling device 160A in a similar network is operably coupled by communication link 590A to a local pit network 170A which may correspond to, as described above, the location or the game type of the card handling device 160A. Each local pit network 170A is, in turn, operably connected by communication link 594A to a local pit operator station 172A. As illustrated in FIG. 6, pit server 664A is located within pit operator station 172A. Therefore, any data received by pit server 664A may be accessed by a device operator within pit operator station 172A. Conversely, pit server 664A may be located outside of pit operator station 172A and any data received at pit server 664A may be forwarded to pit operator station 172A.
As described above, at any time while powered on, each card handling device 160A located within a local pit network 170A may be configured to establish an electronic communication with local pit network 170A, and transmit information relating to its operation to pit server 664A. Also, each card handling device 160A may be configured to receive messages or instructions from pit server 664A. As such, a pit operator, located within pit operator station 172A, may simultaneously monitor and control each card handling device 160A located in the corresponding local pit network 170A. Each card handling device 160B is networked together and directly coupled to a local pit network 170B in a similar fashion as described above in reference to each card handling device 160A. Therefore, each card handling device 160B may transmit and receive messages to and from pit server 664B over local pit network 170B.
In addition, local pit networks 170A/170B may be operably coupled to server 162, via communication link 592. Server 162 may be operably connected to a printer 138 via communication link 296. Service center 168 may be operably coupled to server 162 across a world-wide network 164 via communication links 494 and 163. In addition to transmitting and receiving information to and from the pit server 664A/664B, each card handling device 160A/160B may, as described above, transmit and receive information to and from server 162 across local pit networks 170A/170B. As such, a device operator located within operator station 500 may simultaneously monitor and control each card handling device 160A/160B of each local pit network 170A/170B. The operational data transmitted from card handling device 160A/160B and received at server 162 may be viewed by a device operator, stored, mined, assembled, or forwarded on to service center 168 over world-wide network 164. Additionally, the operational data may be transmitted to a computer, cell phone, or like data receiving device belonging to casino personnel. Communication links 296, 494, 590A, 590B, 592, and 594A, 594B may comprise any form of wireless or wired connections or any combination thereof.
Additionally, the card handling device 160A/160B may be configured to receive information comprising messages and instructions such as, work commands or a self-diagnosis request from a device operator located within operator station 500. As such, in addition to monitoring multiple card handling devices 160A/160B, a device operator located within operator station 500 may control multiple card handling devices 160A/160B at any given time. Additionally, a technician, located at a remote location such as service center 168, may perform troubleshooting routines or install software upgrades and patches on card handling device 160A/160B by using an electronic communication link between the card handling device 160A/160B and a computer (not shown) located within service center 168.
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International Classification A63F1/12, G07F17/32, A63F13/00, G06F19/00, G06F17/00, A63F1/14, A63F9/24
Cooperative Classification H04L67/10, G08B21/187, A63F1/14, G07F17/3234, G07F17/3232, A63F1/12, G07F17/32, A63F2009/2411
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