US20100295243A1 - Method and apparatus to shuffle and order playing cards - Google Patents

Abstract

A card shuffling and ordering system and method which operates with four card hoppers arranged into first and second pairs. In the operation of the system, a first pair of card hoppers holds at least approximately two halves of a deck of cards, which are then selectively interlaced or sorted to the other pair of hoppers. The cards are then selectively interlaced or sorted from the hoppers of the second pair of hoppers back to the hoppers of the first pair of hoppers, with the operation being repeated as needed.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/009,571, filed Jan. 16, 2008, which in turn claims priority to U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/881,628, filed Jan. 22, 2007, and Ser. No. 60/900,940, filed Feb. 12, 2007, all of which are included by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
• The present disclosure describes a playing card shuffling and ordering device.
BACKGROUND
• Before there were automatic card shufflers, casino card dealers shuffled decks of cards by hand for card games such as poker and blackjack. In single deck card games such as poker, dealers would also have to periodically, between hands, count the deck to make sure there was the correct number of cards. When decks of cards were no longer needed for a particular game, either the game broke or a new setup was brought in, a casino employee would have to do a setup, put the decks of cards back in their original order, so the decks could be spread and checked at the start of the next game.
• For single deck games, doing a setup, putting scrambled decks back in their original order, is something casinos still have to do by hand. For multideck games, setups are usually not even done; unless the cards are being retired from use and being packaged for resale.
• The traditional shuffle used by casino dealers to shuffle a single deck of cards is a scramble followed by a riffle, riffle, strip, and a final riffle shuffle. A scramble is when a deck of cards is spread out face down on the table and then randomly mixed around together by the dealer using both hands in a circular motion. The cards are then brought together into a pile, picked up, and straightened out into a deck again. For expediency, some casinos have eliminated the scramble.
• For a riffle, riffle, strip, riffle shuffle, a deck of cards is first cut about midway into two half decks. Cards from the two half decks are then riffled, or interlaced, together again to form one deck. This is repeated a second time. For the next step, the strip, or box, the dealer takes the deck of cards and removes approximately the top, quarter of the deck and places the removed cards on the table. The dealer then removes a next group of cards, about a quarter of a full deck, and places this second group of cards on top of the first group of cards already on the table. This is repeated again, with the dealer again removing about a quarter of a full deck of cards and placing this third group of cards, on top of the cards already on the table. Then the last remaining group of cards, which was the bottom quarter of the deck, is placed on top of the cards already on the table. Essentially, the deck is divided into four quarters, and the four quarters put in inverse order. After the strip or box, the dealer then cuts the deck into two halves and riffles the two halves together to complete the shuffle.
• A better method of shuffling than the standard riffle, riffle, strip, riffle shuffle would be for a dealer to simply do seven riffles. Doing a seven riffle shuffle would result in a mathematically provable random outcome, but would take longer than the standard riffle, riffle, strip, riffle shuffle. The random outcome of a seven riffle shuffle was proven through mathematical modeling by David Bayer and Persi Diaconis, in their paper “Trailing the Dovetail Shuffle to its Lair” (Ann. Appl.Probability 2, 294-313, 1992). They showed that after seven random riffle shuffles, of a deck of 52 cards, every configuration or outcome is possible and nearly equally likely, and that more shuffles would not increase the degree of randomness in the deck. The mathematical model of the riffle shuffle they used is called the GSR (Gilbert, Shannon, Reeds) model. Following the publication of that paper, much research was done by others to investigate the same question using different methods. The subsequent research proved the validity of the GSR model and the conclusions of Bayer and Diaconis.
• The method of shuffling most often used by casino dealers in multideck games is known as the ABC hand shuffle In the ABC hand shuffle, a dealer first cuts a multideck stack of cards into two stacks; A and C. Then the dealer does a riffle, riffle, strip, riffle shuffle using a half deck of cards from each of the multideck stacks, placing the resultant shuffled cards in the middle to start a stack B. The dealer then does a series of riffle, riffle, strip, riffle shuffles, each time using a half deck from the top of stack B and a half deck of cards from either stack A or C in an alternating manor and placing the resultant shuffled cards on stack B until stacks A and C are depleted. The dealer then takes the single multideck stack of cards, cuts it in half, and interlace the two half stacks of cards, a chunk at a time, to complete the shuffle.
• Two designs are currently enjoying commercial success today, with enough speed and randomness to be used as card shufflers in the heavily regulated casino environment. The two designs are U.S. Pat. Application Publication Nos. 20050110211 (to Blad, Steven J.; et al.) and 20030073498 (to Grauzer, Atilla; et al.). U.S. Pat. No. 20050110211 discloses a shuffling machine based on random ejection. U.S. Pat. No. 20030073498 discloses a random insert device. It operates by a position of the elevator being randomly selected and the support surface is moved to the selected position, and after the gripping arm grasps at least one side of the cards, the elevator lowers, creating a space beneath the gripping arm, wherein a card is moved from the infeed compartment into the space, thereby randomizing the cards. Both are one pass devices that take an input deck and use a random number generator (RNG) to directly build an output deck.
• Many mechanical interlacing devices have also been patented to shuffle cards. U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,411 (to Breeding) discloses the most recent of that type of design. A carriage mechanism separates the deck into two deck portions, rotates the two portions to a relative angular relationship with a corner of each in close proximity, riffles the portions, and combines them into a single shuffled deck. Mechanical interlacing devices have the greatest speed, but their problem is that their degree of randomness can not be assured.
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,748 (to Frisco, et al) discloses a device which uses a RNG and repetitively cuts and interleaves a deck. It is a device and method for shuffling a stack of N cards. The stack is positioned at a cutting station where the card stack is cut into unequal portions (N/2)−A and (N/2)+A. The cards from each portion are then deposited in an interleaving fashion. The additional quantity of cards A of one of the portions is transported from proximate the center of the stack N to the top of the shuffled stack. Further cutting and interleaving randomly distributes the cards in the stack.
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,748 (to Frisco, et al) discloses a device which has to reload between interleavings. Cards are interleaved to an output stack, which then has to be moved by an elevator back to the cutting station, where the output stack is then cut into two stacks to be interleaved again.
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,748 (to Frisco, et al) claims to be useable for shuffling multiple decks of cards, e.g. two to six decks. The amount of interleavings necessary to obtain a random shuffle increases dramatically as the number of cards to be shuffled increases. The time it would take to provide the amount of interleavings necessary to shuffle six decks of cards at once to achieve a sufficient degree of randomness renders the device impractical.
SUMMARY
• An embodiment of the present invention includes a microprocessor driven mechanical card interlacing and sorting device that can be used to shuffle one or more decks of cards in various fashions including the standard traditional riffle, riffle, strip, riffle shuffle, the mathematically provably random seven riffles, and the ABC shuffle. The current the invention can also verify the number of cards present during each shuffle, and put scrambled decks back in order.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a diagram of the hopper layout of one embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 2 is a cross section view of a multideck embodiment ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is an outside view of the embodiment ofFIG. 2.
• FIG. 4 is a table showing features of operation of the embodiment shown inFIG. 1.
• FIG. 5 is another table showing features of operation of the embodiment shown inFIG. 1.
• FIG. 6 is an outside view of a single deck only embodiment ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 7 is a cross section view of the embodiment ofFIG. 6.
• FIG. 8 is an alternative design for the drive and roller wheels ofFIG. 7.
• FIG. 9 is another alternative design for the drive and roller wheels ofFIG. 7.
• FIG. 10 is an alternative design for the spring loaded deflector ofFIG. 7.
• FIG. 11 is a side view of an alternative hopper layout of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• One aspect of the present invention includes the realization that there are no devices, random number generated driven or not, designed to do repetitive interleaving or sorting between two different sets of hoppers with each set of hoppers alternately functioning as receiving and sending hoppers. There are also no shufflers that duplicate the industry standard riffle, riffle, strip, riffle shuffle or the ABC hand shuffle.
• An embodiment of the invention may shuffle a single deck of cards in various fashions including the industry standard riffle, riffle, strip, riffle shuffle and the mathematically provable seven riffle shuffle. It can also shuffle a multideck stack of cards using different methods, including the industry standard ABC shuffle. One embodiment can also verify that there is one and only one of each card, and do single or multideck setups.
• An aspect of this invention is an automatic card shuffler of very simple design, which eliminates the jamming problems associated with the automatic card shufflers currently in use; reduces the cost of building an automatic card shuffler; and reduces shuffle time compared to other automatic card shufflers.
• Another aspect of the invention is an improved card shuffling device using a proven mathematical model of card shuffling to drive a repetitive interlace shuffle, thereby outputting a shuffled deck that is a mathematically provable random deck.
• Another aspect of the invention is a card shuffling device that can simulate the industry accepted methods of shuffling known as the riffle, riffle, strip, riffle shuffle and the ABC hand shuffle.
• Another aspect of the invention is a card shuffler that can also put scrambled decks of cards back in order.
• FIG. 1 shows a hopper arrangement of one embodiment of the invention, with four identical card hoppers,hoppers100A,100C,100B, and100D, arranged in a rectangular fashion. As shown, each hopper would be big enough in length and width to accommodate a standardsize playing card200 laying flat in a hopper. The fourhoppers100A,100C,100B, and100D are formed by the area withinouter wall160 being subdivided bydividers110,111,112, and113.Dividers110,111,112, and113 are each attached toouter wall160 andcenter post120.
• Also shown from this perspective axe some parts which will be discussed later, including:reversible drive wheels130,131,132, and133, which in conjunction with other parts facilitate the movement ofcards200 between adjacent hoppers;electric eyes140A,140B,141A,141B,142A,142B,143A, and143B which monitor and facilitate the movement ofcards200 between adjacent hoppers; readhead150; and, hinge161.
• While not shown from this perspective, the tops ofdividers110,111,112, and113 would be recessed below the top edges of bothouter wall160 andcenter post120, providing four pathways whereby acard200 in any hopper can be moved to either adjacent hopper.
• Referring toFIG. 2,outer wall160 anddivider111 are fastened tobottom263.Hinge161 connects top267 toouter wall160. Top267 can pivot upward onhinge161.Top267 is shown in it its closed position. Top267, when closed, can be held in place by lockingmechanism264; which can be one or more electromagnets.
• Hoppers100A and100D are shown being formed on their left and right sides byouter wall160 anddivider111.Cards200 are shown inhoppers100A and100D. The bottoms ofhoppers100A and100D are formed by theirrespective elevator platforms210A and210D.Elevator platforms210A and210D are attached to their respective platformpositioning drive belts240A and240D. Platformpositioning drive belts240A and240D loop around their respectiveupper pulleys247A and247D andmotor pulleys246A and246D.
• Elevator platforms210A and210D can be raised or lowered by the action of theirrespective drive motors242A and242D which drive theirrespective motor pulleys246A and246D. The lower limit of travel forelevator platforms210A and210D is determined by theirrespective microswitches230A and230D; which are attached todivider111. The upper limit of travel forelevator platforms210A and210D is determined by theirrespective microswitches280A and280D located in top267.
• Microswitches280A and280D work in conjunction with their respective spring loadeddeflectors290A and290D, also intop267. Spring loadeddeflector290D is shown in its normal resting full down position. Spring loadeddeflector290A is show with its spring partially compressed, at a position wheremicroswitch280A would be triggered. Triggeringmicroswitch280A would determine the upper limit of travel forelevator platform210A. The exact position at which the vertical movement ofelevator platform210A would triggermicroswitch280A would be dependent upon the amount ofcards200 inhopper100A.
• Divider111 is shown withreversible drive wheel131, drive not shown. Spring loadedroller231, mounted intop267, is spring loaded to keep spring loadedroller231 normally in contact withreversible drive wheel131. The spring mounting, not shown, allows for a slight upward movement of spring loadedroller231; to allow acard200 to pass betweenreversible drive wheel131 and spring loadedroller231.
• Each hopper also has two rotatable engagement wheels located in top267. From the prospective shown inFIG. 2, only one rotatable engagement wheels is visible for each hopper,rotatable engagement wheel270A abovehopper100A androtatable engagement wheel270D abovehopper100D.Rotatable engagement wheel270D is shown in its normal resting position. It can be rotated clockwise180 degrees at a time, drive not shown.Rotatable engagement wheel270A is shown partially rotated. It is able to rotate counterclockwise180 degrees at a time from its normal resting position.
• Electric eyes260A and260D are show intop267. They detect the presence or absence ofcards200 in theirrespective hoppers100A and100D.Electric eyes141A and141D are shown individer111. They detect the presence or absence ofcards200 immediately above them, betweendivider111 and top267.
• Two user interface devices are also shown built intotop267, auser input panel295, and auser display panel296.Microprocessor265 is also shown attached tobottom263.Microprocessor265 receives input fromelectric eyes260A,260D,141A,141D, microswitches230A,230D,280A, and280D, anduser input panel295.Microprocessor265 would control the operation oflocking mechanism264,rotatable engagement wheels270A and270D,reversible drive wheel131, and elevatorplatform positioning motors242A and242D, as well as send output touser display panel296.
• FIG. 3 is view of the outside of the embodiment ofFIG. 2.Top267 is again shown in its closed position, attached toouter wall160 byhinge161.Notches310 are provided inouter wall160 to allow top267 to be manually opened by the operator.User display panel296 anduser input panel295 are shown built intotop267.User input panel295 is shown with: a load/unloadbutton311; a start/stop button312; asetup button313, and a power on/offbutton314. To insure the integrity of a multideck game,setup button313 could be replaced by a key switch. A cutout is provided inouter wall160 for the operator to load and unload cards.
• The lower edge of the cutout inouter wall160 would be at a height sufficient to exposeelevator platforms210A and210D, withelevator platforms210A and210D at their lowest limit of travel, as shown. The height and width of the cutout inouter wall160 would be sufficient to allow an operator to easily insert or remove a single stack of up to eight decks ofcards200, up to416 cards, at a time fromhoppers100A or100D. Additional finger notches, not shown, may be provided inelevator platforms210A and210D and/orouter case160 to facilitate the insertion or removal ofcards200 by the operator. For safety considerations, a door mechanism may be provided to cover the cutout inouter wall160.
Operation
• From a mechanical standpoint, the invention receives a single stack of one or more decks of cards to be processed and then moves cards one at a time between hoppers until ending up with a finished single stack of cards to be removed by the operator. The logic by which cards are moved between hoppers results in cards either being shuffled or put in order. The two mechanical operations, inputting and removing a stack of cards, and moving cards one at a time between hoppers, will be presented first. Then the logic by which cards are either shuffled or put in predetermined order will be presented.
• A dip switch, not shown, would be provided to allow a casino to set the number of decks for the shuffler to process as well as the method of shuffling to be employed. One option could be to select the use of different methods of shuffling, on a random or rotating basis, so as to not use the same method of shuffling each time.
Card Input/Removal
• Referring toFIG. 3, withelevator platforms210A and210D in their full down position,hopper100D would be used to input a stack of cards to be processed, andhopper100A would hold a finished stack of cards to be removed by the operator. To input cards an operator would simply place a stack of cards to be processed directly intohopper100D. To remove cards an operator would simply reach in and remove a completed stack of cards fromhopper100A. Ifelevator platforms210A and210D are not in their full down position, the operator would first press load/unloadpushbutton311, onuser input panel295.
• In this embodiment, top267 would only be used by the operator as needed to either straighten a bent card or replace a damaged card with another undamaged card of the same rank and suit. To open top267 an operator would first press start/stop pushbutton312 onuser input panel295. This would unlock the door locking mechanism, shown inFIG. 2, and allow the operator to manuallyopen door267. After the bad card has been attended to by the operator the operator would closedoor267 and press start/stop button312 to allow the operation in progress to continue. An LED could be provided for each hopper, LED's not shown, to indicate to the operator into which hopper a card being replaced should be placed.
Moving Cards One at a Time Between Hoppers
• FIG. 2 showselevator platforms210A and210D so positioned for thetopmost card200 inhopper100A to be moved tohopper100D.Reversible drive wheel131 would be set spinning clockwise bymicroprocessor265. This in turn would set spring loadedroller231 spinning counterclockwise. Rotatable engagement wheel270 would then be rotated180 counterclockwise from its normal resting position advancing thetopmost card200 inhopper100A betweenreversible drive wheel131 and spring loadedroller231, whereby the rotation ofreversible drive wheel131 and spring loadedroller231 would propelcard200 intohopper100D.
• As thecard200 entershopper100D it would be deflected downward below the top ofdivider111 by spring loadeddeflector290D, so that anext card200entering hopper100D would enter above aprevious card200 moved intohopper100D. More than one spring loaded deflectors could be provided.
• Electric eyes141A and141B would employed bymicroprocessor265 to monitor that acard200 has been successfully been moved between hoppers.Electric eyes141A and141B could also be used bymicroprocessor265 to momentarily slow the speed ofreversible drive wheel131 as thecard200 being moved is almost intohopper100D, thereby providing a braking mechanism to allow for a safe and/or quieter placement ofcard200 intohopper100D.
• Moving acard200 fromhopper100D tohopper100A would be the reverse of the above.Elevator platform210D would be raised untilmicroswitch280D is triggered, andelevator platform210A would be lowered, to a position calculated bymicroprocessor265 based on the number ofcards200 in thehopper100A, low enough to allow acard200 easy entry intohopper100A, but high enough to ensure acard200 enteringhopper100A could not tumble.Reversible drive wheel131 would be set spinning counterclockwise androtatable engagement wheel270D would be used to feed acard200.
• Just ascards200 can be moved between the twoadjacent hoppers100A and100D,cards200 can also be moved between other adjacent hoppers using the same process; referring toFIG. 1: betweenhoppers100D and100B;hoppers100B and100C; and,hoppers100C and100A.
Repetitive Interlace Shuffle
• A repetitive interlace shuffle would only be used for shuffling a single deck of cards. Referring toFIG. 3, to commence a repetitive interlace shuffle, the operator would place a deck ofcards200 to be shuffled intohopper100D, and press startpush button312.Microprocessor265 would then run a repetitive shuffle simulation. The simulation would use a RNG to determine where the deck is going to be cut to produce a first and second half deck for each interlacing, and the pattern by which the first and second half decks are going to be interlaced on each interlacing.Microprocessor265 would then cause the cards to be moved, one at a time between hoppers, to physically perform the shuffle generated by the shuffle simulation.
• The first step would an initial cut of the deck, at a point determined by the shuffle simulation run bymicroprocessor265, into a first and second half deck of cards, with each half deck of cards being in one pair of hoppers. Referring toFIG. 1, the hoppers diagonal to each other work as pairs,hoppers100D and100C would work as a pair, andhoppers100A and100B would work as another pair.
• Referring toFIG. 4,Steps2 and3, the input deck is cut by moving approximately a half deck ofcards200, the exact the number ofcards200 as determined by the shuffle simulation run bymicroprocessor265 for the initial cut of the deck, one at a time, fromhopper100D intohopper100A, and then moving thesame cards200 again, one at a time, fromhopper100A intohopper100C.
• Once there are two half decks of cards in one pair of hoppers, the two half decks of cards can then be interlaced by moving cards from the one pair of hoppers, one card at a time in a pattern as determined by the shuffle simulation model, into one hopper of the other pair of hoppers.
• Referring toFIG. 4Step4,cards200 are first interlaced fromhoppers100D and100C intohopper100A. After the proper amount ofcards200 needed for a new first half deck for the next interlacing, as determined by the shuffle simulation run bymicroprocessor265, have been placed intohopper100A the remainingcards200 inhoppers100D and100C are interlaced intohopper100B to form a new second half deck.
• As soon as the an interlacing is done from one pair of hoppers to the other pair of hoppers thecards200 are cut and ready for the next interlacing, which is an improvement this invention has over previous inventions.
• Referring again toFIG. 4,steps5 thru9, the cards are interlaced from one pair of hoppers to the other pair of hoppers the desired number of times. For the last interlacing,FIG. 4step10, allcards200 are interlaced intohopper100A to provide a single stack of shuffled cards for easy removal by the operator.
• During the shuffle,microprocessor265 would display a progress bar onuser display panel296,FIG. 3.Microprocessor265 would also useuser display panel296 to inform the operator whether or not the correct number of cards were present. Usingread head150,FIG. 1, as will be discussed later,user display panel267 could also used bymicroprocessor265 to inform the user of which, if any, card was found missing or duplicated.
• If a different number of interlacings was desired, other than seven, the initial cut of the deck could have been accomplished by first movingcards200 into one hopper of the other pair and then the remainingcards200 into the second hopper of the other pair, if needed to allow the final interlacing ofcards200 intohopper100A. The benefit of doing a seven interlace shuffle, is that seven interlacings result in a mathematically provable random outcome.
Riffle, Riffle, Strip, Riffle Shuffle
• The industry standard riffle, riffle, strip, riffle shuffle would also only be used for shuffling a single deck of cards. The riffle, riffle, strip, riffle shuffle would start out the same as described for the Repetitive Interlace Shuffle, throughstep5 ofFIG. 4; at which point a first approximately half deck ofcards200 is inhopper100D and the remainingcards200 are inhopper100C. The next step would be to divide the cards in both hoppers in half, the exact number ofcards200 as determined by the riffle, riffle, strip, riffle shuffle simulation run bymicroprocessor265, and invert the two halves in each hopper. Since each hopper holds approximately half a deck ofcards200, half of thecards200 in each hopper would be a quarter of a deck of cards.
• To invert the two quarters of the deck of cards, the half deck, inhopper100D, approximately half of the cards inhopper100D, the top quarter deck of cards, would be moved, one at a time, to a hopper of the other pair,hopper100A for example. The remaining cards inhopper100D, the bottom quarter deck of cards, would then be moved one at a time to the other hopper of the other pair,hopper100B. The top quarter deck of cards that were moved tohopper100A would then be returned tohopper100D. The bottom quarter deck of cards that were moved tohopper100B would then be returned tohopper100D, being placed on what previously the top quarter deck inhopper100D.
• The process just described would then be repeated for the cards inhopper100C, inverting the two quarters of the deck inhopper100C. The two half decks, inhoppers100D and100C can now be interlaced together intohopper100A as the last riffle of the riffle, riffle, strip, riffle shuffle, resulting in a finished deck inhopper100A.
• The benefit of the riffle, riffle, strip, riffle shuffle as compared to the repetitive interlace shuffle is that riffle, riffle, strip, riffle shuffle is accomplished with a smaller number of cards movements, and is therefore faster. One of the benefits of the Invention doing a riffle, riffle, strip, riffle shuffle, as compared to a live dealer, is that the Invention, unlike a liver dealer, would never get sloppy and do a poor shuffle; allowing cards to clump instead of interlace.
Single Deck Setup
• After the operator place a single deck of cards intohopper100D and pressessetup button314,microprocessor265 first moves all of the cards inhopper100D, one at a time, intohopper100A. As each card is moved, from100D tohopper100A, each card passes overread head150 which transmits an electronic image of at least the corner of each card tomicroprocessor265.Microprocessor265 translates each image received into a card's rank and suit, and compiles a list by rank and suit of each card placed intohopper100A.Microprocessor265 would translate the electronic images into a card's rank and suit by comparison of the obtained image with know images. The known images could be preloaded into themicroprocessor265, or obtained through a learn mode.
• Once all cards have been read,microprocessor265 would cause thecards200 inhopper100A to be sorted to both hoppers of the other pair, according to a set of rules setting forth the card movements necessary to get the random deck of cards back into a properly ordered deck.FIG. 5 illustrates one such sort routine; other sort algorithms, besides the one illustrated inFIG. 5 could just as easily employed.
• Sorting is a different concept than interlacing. In interlacing cards are fed in an in an order determined by a RNG from two hoppers of the first pair of hoppers into one hopper of the other pair of hoppers and then into the second hopper of the other pair. In sorting cards are fed from only one hopper of the first pair, in accordance with a set of rules, into either hopper of the second pair and then cards are fed from the second hopper of the first pair into either hoppers of the second pair. Just as with interlacing, as soon as a sort is done from one pair of hoppers to the other pair of hoppers the cards are ready for the next sort, which is an improvement this invention has over other inventions.
• As shown inFIG. 5, repetitive sorts are done until all cards are in proper order and wind up inhopper100A for easy removal by the operator. Asmicroprocessor265 would keep track of the rank and suit of all cards as the cards are being moved, only the one initial read operation would not be required
Multideck Setup
• After an operator has placed a multideck stack of cards intohopper100D and pressedsetup pushbutton313,microprocessor265 would commence to movecards200 one at a time fromhopper100D intohopper100A, reading the rank and suit of each card as it is as previously described. Moving cards one at a time intohopper100A would continue untilmicroprocessor265 determines that at least one card of each rank and suit has been placed intohopper100A.
• Once at least one card of each rank and suit has been placed intohopper100A,microprocessor265 would then sort thecards200 that were placed intohopper100A. One card of each rank and suit would be sent tohopper100C. Duplicate cards would be sent back tohopper100D. The result would be one full deck ofunsorted cards200 inhopper100C.Microprocessor265 would then do a setup on only this one deck of cards inhopper100C, as previously described, completely ignoring the extra decks of cards inhopper100D, and placing the finished, setup, deck ofcards200 inhopper100A.
• The above process would be repeated, ignoring any finished deck or decks ofcards200 inhopper100A, untilhopper100D is empty andhopper100A holds a stack of decks each of which has been setup.
ABC Multiple Deck Shuffle
• Many different methods of shuffling multi deck stacks of cards are possible. The method of shuffling which will be now described is for the invention to duplicate the industry standard ABC hand shuffle. Referring toFIG. 3, after an operator has placed a multideck stack of cards intohopper100D, as previously described, the operator presses start/stop pushbutton312, onuser input panel295, to commence the shuffle.Microprocessor265 would first run an ABC shuffle simulation using an RNG, and then move all cards in accordance with the results of the simulation.
• In the ABC hand shuffle, a dealer would first cut a multideck stack of cards into two stacks; A and C. For the invention to cut the deck,microprocessor265 would first move approximately half of thecards200 fromhopper100D, one at a time, intohopper100A, and then the remaining cards one at a time intohopper100B.
• The next step for a dealer would be to do a riffle, riffle, strip, riffle shuffle, using a half deck of cards from each of the multideck stacks, and placing the resultant shuffled cards in the middle to start a new stack, stack B. The dealer would then do a series of riffle, riffle, strip, riffle shuffles, each time using a half deck from the top of stack B and a half deck of cards from either stack A or C in an alternating manor placing the resultant shuffled cards in the middle on stack B until stacks A and C are depleted and a new single multideck stack of cards has been formed. This new multideck stack of cards would then be cut again for the next step.
• For the invention, once the original input multideck stack of cards has been cut a series of riffle, riffle, strip, riffle shuffles would commence in accordance with the simulation run bymicroprocessor265, using half decks at a time in the same order as a dealer doing a multideck setup, ignoring the extra cards in any hoppers except for the single deck worth of cards being shuffled, first placing the finished output intohopper100D and then the remaining cards intohopper100C to cut the multideck stack of cards for next step.
• The last step for a dealer would be to riffle the cards from the two stacks together to form a finished multideck stack of cards. For the invention, the last step of the shuffle would be to interlace all of the cards fromhoppers100D and100C together intohopper100A.Microprocessor265 would themove elevator platforms210A and210D to their full down positions to allow for the operator to remove the multideck stack of shuffledcards200 inhopper100A and input a new multideck stack of cards to be shuffled intohopper100D.
Custom Multideck Shuffle
• Shuffling a multideck stack of cards involves two concepts, breaking up runs and breaking up clumps. A run is a series of cards in a certain order. Clumping is when a certain part of the multideck stack of cards has more than its share of certain cards. Shuffling single deck chunks one at a time out of a multideck stack of cards breaks up runs. Interlacing different parts of a multideck stack breaks up clumps.
• There are any number of ways the current invention can manipulate, interlace, and shuffle different parts of a multideck stack of cards. Many different ways of shuffling are envisioned, along with using different methods of shuffling on a random or rotating basis to make it impossible for a player to anticipate what cards may be coming out in what order.
Single Deck Only Embodiment—Description And Operation
• While the previously described multideck capacity embodiment could be used for single deck card games, a more practical approach would be to use an embodiment designed specifically to handle only one deck of cards at a time.FIG. 6 is an outside view of a single deck embodiment of the invention.Outer case160 is not as deep and there is no cutout to load and unload cards. Cards would be loaded throughtop267.
• Referring toFIG. 6, to input a deck ofcards200 the operator would push topopen pushbutton316. This would signalmicroprocessor265 to activate a door positioning mechanism, not show, which would cause top267 to pivot upward onhinge161. The operator could then input a deck ofcards200 to be processed and/or remove a completed deck of cards. After allowing for a suitable length of time for the operator to input and remove the single decks of cards,microprocessor265 would then activate the door positioning mechanism, not shown, causing top267 to pivot downward onhinge161.
• Referring toFIG. 1,hoppers100D and100B are furthest away fromhinge161 and would therefore be the easiest for the operator to have access to, and would therefore be designated as the hoppers to be used by the operator for input and output. To avoid confusion, different hoppers could be designated for input and output depending on whether a deck of cards is to be shuffled or put in order. For shuffling, the operator would place a deck ofcards200 to be shuffled inhopper100D and remove a deck of shuffledcards200 fromhopper100B. For doing a setup,hopper100B would be used for input andhopper100D would be used to remove a finished deck.
• Microprocessor265, usingelectric eyes260A,260B,260C, and260D, would then verify that there arecards200 present in one and only one hopper, and which hopper. If cards are present inhopper100B only,microprocessor265 would await further instructions from the operator; for the operator to push either topopen pushbutton316 orsetup pushbutton317. Ifcards200 are present inhopper100D only,microprocessor265 would commence a shuffle. The process of doing a shuffle or setup would be the same as described earlier.
• Referring toFIG. 7,elevator platforms210A and210D could be positioned by simpler mechanism such as screw drives320A and320D. For easier input and or removal of cards by the operator, the upper limit of travel forelevator platforms210B and210D could occur with top267 in its open position. With top267 open,elevator platforms210B and210D can be raised upward by their respective elevator platform positioning devices,320B and320D, until an internal stop, not shown, is hit at which point the top of the elevator platforms are about equal to the height ofouter wall160.
Alternative Components/Placement
• Readhead150, shown individer111,FIG. 1, could alternatively be incorporated into one of the elevator platform shown inFIG. 2, or set intoouter wall160. If readhead150 was placed inouter wall160 next tohopper100A,rotatable engagement wheel270A would be rotated clockwise to put acard200 into a read position, and then rotated counterclockwise to advance the card that has been read intohopper100D. Either of these designs would allow for athinner divider111. Withread head150 individer111, a second read head could be placed individer113 to insure all cards get read and checked during a shuffle.
• An alternative design forreversible drive wheel131 and spring loadedroller231, as shown inFIG. 7, would be asegmented roller330 and aspring guide332, as shown inFIG. 8. Another alternative design forreversible drive wheel131 and spring loadedroller231, shown inFIG. 7, would be to replace spring loadedroller231 withslave drive wheel336, as shown inFIG. 9. In the design shown inFIG. 9, with top267 closed, power would be transmitted toslave drive wheel336 by means ofpower transmission wheels340 and341, which are attached toshafts350 and351. Another alternative design would be to extenddivider111 upward, and have spring loadedroller231 incorporated intodivider111. Another possible alternative design forreversible drive wheel131 and spring loadedroller231 shown inFIG. 7, would be to replacereversible drive wheel131 with a tractor belt and replace spring loadedroller231 with a compressed air vent.
• An air movement system, shown inFIG. 10, could also be used in place of spring loadeddeflector290D shown inFIG. 7. Ablower360 is provided, which would take air inward through intake vents provided individer111, throughintake line364, and output air throughreturn line362.Return line362 would run throughcenter post120 and output air through vents intop267.Microswitch280D inFIG. 7, which worked in conjunction with spring loadeddeflector290D, would be replaced with astandalone microswitch366 as shown inFIG. 10. Electric eyes or proximity sensors could also be used instead of microswitches.
• Many different variations are possible on the components as described, as well as their placement, none of which would alter the basic function of the invention. While the description of the embodiments so far has been aimed towards a “professional” version of the embodiment, a cheaper “home version” embodiment is also envisioned which would be variation of the embodiment as previously described. In such an embodiment, the rotatable engagement wheels would be replaced by similarly rotatable wheels which would function as kickers. The rotating kickers would do a full or partial rotation with enough force and speed to by their movement alone to both engage a card and propel the card into an adjacent hopper. This design would eliminate the reversible drive wheels altogether, and allow for thinner dividers.
• In yet another embodiment, the dividers may have a rounded top, or be angled upward on each side.
• In yet another embodiment, electronic eyes and the read head would be dispensed with.
• In some embodiments, the dividers while shown running the full length of a hopper, would also be less than the length of a hopper.
Alternative Hopper Arrangement
• The embodiments presented so far show four hoppers arranged as a square, with the hoppers in opposing corners working as pairs, so that a card removed from one hopper of one pair can be delivered to a selected hopper of the other pair. Other hopper arrangements are possible which also allow for four hoppers to work as two pairs and are therefore the same invention.FIG. 11 shows a different hopper arrangement with the four hoppers arranged in a straight line. In this embodiment, the two hoppers on the one side work as one pair, and the two hoppers on the other side work as the other pair. Again, a card removed from one hopper of either pair can be delivered to a selected hopper of the other pair.
• Referring toFIG. 11,Hopper400A is formed byhopper bottom441A and hopper back440A. Underhopper bottom440A isengagement wheel456A, which protrudes throughhopper bottom440A, so that the bottommost card200 inhopper400A is resting onengagement wheel456A.Engagement wheel456A can be rotated clockwise as needed. At the open end ofhopper400A areacceleration wheels450A and452A. Both acceleration wheels are constantly spinning,450A clockwise and452A counterclockwise, driven bymotor470.Hopper400B is next tohopper400A and is identical in design.Hoppers400C and400D are on the other side and are mirror images ofhoppers400A and400B.
• Above all four hoppers is asingle top420. The bottom of top420 acts as a glide path as will be described. Located in top420 arediverters460L and460R.Diverter460L is shown in its down position.Diverter460R is shown in its up position. The movement ofdiverters460L and460R are controlled by their respectivediverter positioning devices462L and462R.
• To move a card from a hopper of one pair to a hopper of the other pair,microprocessor480 would first position the diverter on the sending side in its up position.Microprocessor480 would then rotate the engagement wheel for the hopper the card is to be removed from. The rotation of the engagement wheel would move the bottom card in the hopper into the acceleration wheels. The acceleration wheels would then propel the card with enough speed so that the card upon leaving the acceleration wheels would glide along the underside of top420 towards the hoppers of the second pair. The positioning of the diverter above the second pair of hoppers would determine which hopper of the second pair receives the card.
• With the ability to remove a card from one hopper of one pair and deliver the card to a selected hopper of the other pair,Microprocessor480 could, as previously described, run a shuffle simulation and then move cards in accordance with the shuffle simulation, or, with the addition of a read head to read the rank and suit of each card,microprocessor480 could read each card and then move cards in accordance with a set of rules, as previously described, to do a setup. With top feed hoppers instead of bottom feed hoppers, multideck shuffles and setups could be accomplished.

Claims (20)

1. An automated shuffling apparatus configured to shuffle a plurality of playing cards, the apparatus comprising:

an outer wall;

four card hoppers formed within the outer wall, configured to accommodate the playing cards laying flat, the card hoppers arranged with two adjacent card hoppers to form a rectangular formation, the card hoppers being subdivided by a divider;

means for moving a card from one of the four hoppers to an adjacent hopper;

a microprocessor configured to control the means for moving the card;

wherein the microprocessor is configured to run a shuffle simulation, the microprocessor simulates the shuffle using a random number generator to determine where the plurality of playing cards will be cut for interlacing, and how the cards are to be interlaced, and the microprocessor is configured to instruct the means for moving the cards to execute the shuffle generated by the shuffle simulation.

2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the card hoppers further comprises:

an elevator platform positioned as a bottom of the hopper;

a drive mechanism configured to raise and lower the elevator platform;

wherein the microprocessor is further configured to control the drive mechanism to raise and lower the elevator platform.

3. The apparatus ofclaim 2, including at least one sensor configured to monitor the presence or absence of cards in a card hopper, and the sensor is configured to report to the microprocessor.

4. The apparatus ofclaim 3, wherein the sensor to monitor the presence or absence of cards in a card hopper is an electronic eye.

5. The apparatus ofclaim 4, wherein the microprocessor is configured to determine a number of playing cards.

6. The apparatus ofclaim 2, including at least one sensor to monitor the movement of the card, and the sensor reports the movement to the microprocessor.

7. The apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein the sensor to monitor the movement of the card is an electronic eye.

8. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein a top is coupled to the outer wall with a hinge.

9. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the top further comprises at least one deflector configured to deflect the topmost card into the adjacently located card hopper.

10. The apparatus ofclaim 9, wherein the top further comprises a means to engage a drive wheel to cause the movement of the topmost card in a hopper.

11. The apparatus ofclaim 10 further comprising a drive roller to facilitate the movement of cards between adjacent hoppers.

12. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the microprocessor controls the speed and direction of the drive wheel.

13. The apparatus ofclaim 2, including a user interface panel, wherein the user interface further comprises a display panel.

14. The apparatus ofclaim 13, wherein the display panel is configured to indicate progress of the shuffle of the playing cards.

15. The apparatus ofclaim 13, wherein the user interface panel is further configured to accept instructions from the operator and communicate the instructions to the microprocessor.

16. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the shuffle simulations include a standard traditional riffle, riffle, strip, riffle shuffle, seven riffles, and the ABC shuffle.

17. A method for automatically shuffling at least one deck of playing cards including:

providing a deck of cards;

providing first and second pairs of card hoppers;

providing a first mechanism and a second mechanism;

placing portions of the deck of cards in the hoppers of the first pair of hoppers;

operating the first mechanism, the first mechanism selectively removing the cards from either hopper of the first pair of hoppers and interlacing the cards into the second pair of hoppers;

operating the second mechanism, the second mechanism selectively removing the cards from either hopper of the second pair of hoppers and interlacing the cards into the first pair of hoppers; and

providing a control device coupled with the first and second mechanisms to effect the selective removal of the cards from the first and second pairs of hoppers and to effect alternating operations of the first and second mechanisms.

18. A method according toclaim 17 wherein movement and interlacing cards from the first pair of hoppers to the second pair of hoppers and back again is repeated a predetermined number of times.

19. A method according toclaim 18 further including cutting cards for a next shuffle from one pair of hoppers to another simultaneously as cards are being interlaced from one pair of hoppers to another pair of hoppers.

20. A method according toclaim 17 further including cutting cards for a next shuffle from one pair of hoppers to another simultaneously as cards are being interlaced from one pair of hoppers to another pair of hoppers.

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