AU2022342728A1

AU2022342728A1 - Card arranging device

Info

Publication number: AU2022342728A1
Application number: AU2022342728A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Florentin GRÖLI; Joseph Ralph SOMMA
Original assignee: Swiss Shufflers Ag
Current assignee: Swiss Shufflers Ag
Priority date: 2021-09-10
Filing date: 2022-09-08
Publication date: 2024-02-22
Also published as: WO2023036875A1; CA3230452A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a card arranging device (1) for arranging, in particular shuffling a set of cards (9), for example one or more decks of playing cards used in the game of Poker, Blackjack, Baccarat, Bridge or Skat by executing a card arranging procedure. The card arranging procedure includes repeatedly executing a position change procedure. In the position change procedure, a card is removed from the set of cards as change position card and re-inserted into the set of cards (9) at a different position. The movement of the change position card for removing from the set of cards and reinsertion into the set of cards may be a movement along a primary lateral axis (L-1). Apart from shuffling, the card arranging device (1) may be used for sorting the cards of a set of cards. Disclosed is further an integrity checking device to determine if a set of cards is fit for being used.

Description

CARD ARRANGING DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices and methods for arranging, for example shuffling, a set of cards, for example one or more deck(s) of cards used for example, for games of Poker, Blackjack, Baccarat, Bridge or Skat. The invention relates further to integrity checking devices and integrity checking methods to determine if a set of cards is of the correct composition, for example for a specific card game.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When playing card-based games especially in a regulated casino or cardroom, it is crucial that the cards are adequately shuffled, and any accidental or intentional manipulation is excluded. Further, the shuffling should be conducted as quickly and efficiently as possible. To meet these requirements, shuffling devices are known and widely used e.g. in casinos and cardrooms. Shuffling devices according to the state of the art, however, are comparatively large, complex and costly devices that further require frequent routine as well as extraordinary maintenance. Malfunctions of card shuffling devices are highly undesirable since they result in a potentially long and costly interruption of the game. In addition to shuffling, it is often required to bring the cards of a deck into a default order where the cards are generally sorted by suit and rank. In addition to the shuffling of cards, it is essential that the deck is complete and has the required composition, i.e. that number of cards is correct, and no cards are missing or duplicated. Further it needs to be ensured that all cards are in the correct orientation, i.e. the face side showing suit and rank shows in the same direction for all cards. A check of whether these conditions are met is referred to as integrity check and dedicated integrity checking devices are known for this purpose. Such devices, however, whether as standalone devices or realized integral with a shuffling devices, sufferfrom similar drawbacks as shuffling devices. Integrity checking generally is based on capturing images of each card and processing such images using image processing algorithms. Typical state of the art devices that rely on various explicit pattern recognition algorithms, however, typically require a re-calibration for each different type of card deck with different artwork, which is cumbersome and time consuming.

It is the objective of the present invention to improve the state of the art regarding arranging, in particular shuffling of cards and/or checking the integrity of a set of cards, for example one or more decks of cards used in the game of Poker or the game of Bridge. Favourably, one or more of the before-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art are prevented at least in part. It is noted in the following that reference is in the following mainly made to the games of Poker and Bridge as typically applications for the sake of conciseness. The use in the context of further card games such as Blackjack, Baccarat or Skat, as well as nongaming applications is equally possible. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a general manner, the overall objective is achieved by the subject of the independent claims, with the dependent claims, the description and the drawings defining exemplary and/or favourable particular embodiments.

In an aspect, the overall objective is achieved by a card arranging device for arranging a set of cards, the set of cards including a number of cards, in particular playing cards, in a target card order.

The cards each have a proximal card front and a distal card front, the proximal and the distal card front being parallel to each other. The cards each further have a circumferential card edging, the circumferential card edging extending between and connecting the proximal and the distal card front of the respective card. The distance between the proximal card front and the distal card front defines a card thickness. Typically, and assumed in the following, the cards, respectively the proximal and distal card front are generally rectangular having two long card sides and two short card sides that define the lateral card dimensions. In deviation from an ideal rectangular, however, the edges are typically rounded. As playing cards, the cards are typically made from heavy paper, plastic, card stock, thin cardboard, plastic coated paper, or a cotton-paper blend. They are in principle stiff, but somewhat flexible, in particular bendable.

For playing cards, the long card sides may have a length in a typical range of 87mm to 92mm, and the short card sides may have a length in a typical range of 57mm to 65mm. By way of example, the cards of a deck may have dimensions of 87.5mm x 57mm up to 90.9mm x 65mm for poker cards, or approximate dimensions of 88.9mm x 57.1 mm for bridge cards. The card thickness, corresponding to a distance between the proximal card front and the distal card front, may, e.g., be in a range of 0.24mm to 0.34mm for a single poker card and 0.26mm to 0.34mm for a single bridge card, resulting in a thickness of 1 2.48 to 1 7.68mm for a deck of 52 poker cards and 1 3.52mm to 1 7.68mm for a deck of 52 bridge cards. The weight may, e.g. be in a range of 1 ,4g to 2.8g for a single poker card and 1 ,8g to 2.48 g for a single bridge card, resulting in a weight of 72.8g to 144.56g for a deck of 52 poker cards or 93.6g to 1 28.96g for a deck of 52 bridge cards.

The expression "set of cards" refers to a compilation of a number of cards. The set of cards may be a deck as generally known and comprises, e.g., 52 cards for the game of Poker or Bridge (respectively 53 or 54 with jokers), 32 cards for the game of Skat, or the like. The set of cards, however, may in dependence of the specific design and dimensioning be suited for other set compositions, for example two or more decks of 52 cards each. Within normal tolerances, it is assumed that the card dimensions and thickness, as well as characteristic properties, in particular bending characteristics, are identical for all cards of the set of cards. Within the set of cards, each card generally has a well-defined card position. Each card can accordingly be identified by an indenture number, for example from 1 to 52 for a deck of Poker or Bridge cards. The set of cards accordingly is a stack of cards.

In the typical case of the cards being playing cards, either of the proximal front or distal front of each card is a backside of uniform respectively identical appearance, while the other front is a face side that is distinguishable between the cards, e.g. by suit and rank. The arranging device, however, may also be used for sets of cards that are not playing cards. By way of example, the cards of the set may each comprise an identifier for a particular run of a scientific experiment. In the following, however, the cards are generally assumed as being playing cards for exemplary and illustrative purposes.

Within the set of cards, individual cards have a well-defined order, with each card generally having two neighbouring cards (apart from the outermost cards which only have one neighbour each). The set of cards may in particular be arranged in a stack-like manner one after the other. The expression "arranging a set of cards" refers to the establishing a particular order among the cards as defined by the position of each card within the set of cards.

As discussed further below in more detail, the target card order may be in particular a random card order. The process of bringing a set, in particular one or more decks of cards into a random card order is generally known as "shuffling". The card arranging device may accordingly be or operated as a shuffling device. Alternatively, or additionally, the card arranging device may, however, also be operated in a different manner, for example for bringing the set of cards, in particular a deck of playing cards, into a default card order, sorted, e.g., by suit and rank for playing cards. If operated in such manner, the card arranging device is referred to as a sorting device.

The card arranging device includes a set receptacle, the set receptacle having a proximal receptacle wall, a distal receptacle wall and a receptacle ground. The distal receptacle wall is spaced apart with respect to the proximal receptacle wall in a distal direction along a normal axis by a receptacle clearance. A direction opposite to the proximal direction along the normal axis is referred to as distal direction. The proximal receptacle wall, the distal receptacle wall and the receptacle ground delimit a receptacle room in which the set of cards can be accommodated with the proximal card front of a most proximal card facing the proximal receptacle wall and the distal card front of a most distal card facing the distal receptacle wall and with a base section of the circumferential card edging of each card resting on the receptacle ground.

While other arrangements are in principle possible, it is in the following assumed that the normal axis extends in horizontal direction, transverse to gravity. Within the set receptacle, the cards are generally arranged one after the other, each (with exception of the most proximal card and the most distal card) having a proximal neighbour (also referred to as predecessor card) and a distal neighbour (also referred to as successor card).

Within the set receptacle, the cards are arranged in a common orientation. Typically, and as assumed in the following, the cards are oriented such that one of its long card sides rests in each case on the receptacle ground. While not essential, such positioning of the cards is favourable regarding stability.

While other arrangements and operational configurations are in principle possible, it is in the following assumed that in an operational configuration the card arranging device is levelled such that the normal axis and a primary lateral axis as explained further below are horizontally oriented respectively transverse to the direction of gravity, which in turn, is aligned with a secondary lateral axis. In such setup, the generally flat receptacle ground is also horizontal. The proximal and distal receptacle wall further extend typically transversally from the receptacle ground, such that the proximal and the distal receptacle wall define, together with the receptacle ground, a U-shape in a viewing direction along the primary lateral axis, transverse to the normal axis, with the receptacle walls defining the legs and the receptacle ground defining the base of the U-shape. For the before-mentioned typical orientation, the receptacle walls project from the receptacle ground vertically upwards.

The set receptacle is generally not closed at all sides. At a top side it is generally open to allow insertion and removal of the set of cards. As explained further below, a door may however be present to allow or disable access to the set receptacle. At its (generally vertically oriented) lateral receptacle sides transverse to the normal axis, the set receptacle is generally also open in order to allow interaction with a first and second pusher as well as moving cards between the set receptacle and an auxiliary card position as defined for example by an auxiliary card support as explained further below. Further, an open receptacle as mentioned is further useful for tilting the cards respectively the set of cards as discussed further below in more detail in the context of initial card order determination and/or integrity checking. Further, the proximal and/or distal receptacle wall may be discontinuous and/or have openings, cut-outs, slots, or the like. Also, the proximal and distal receptacle wall do not necessarily have identical dimensions. In particular, the distal receptacle wall may have a lower height respectively project from the receptacle ground by a shorter distance as compared to the proximal receptacle wall. Such design is favourable in particular embodiment to allow appropriate arrangement of further components, such as a dropping roller as discussed further below. Further, the proximal and distal receptacle wall may in dependence of the design have different length respectively extensions along the primary lateral axis. In particular, the proximal receptacle wall respectively a peripheral proximal receptacle wall region may extend further and project beyond the distal receptacle wall in the first lateral direction as discussed further below. The proximal receptacle wall may along the primary later axis overlap with the card transfer unit as discussed below and/or the auxiliary card position. The region where the proximal and distal receptacle wall do not overlap along the primary lateral axis may in particular be used for arranging the card transfer unit, in particular a pickup roller and transport rollers as discussed further below. The proximal and distal receptacle walls are generally parallel to each other respectively have parallel inner surfaces as proximal respectively distal delimitations of the receptacle room.

The card arranging device further includes a first and second pusher, the first and second pusher being arranged spaced apart with respect to each other along a primary lateral axis. The primary lateral axis defines a first lateral direction and a second lateral direction opposed to the first lateral direction. The primary lateral axis extending transverse to the normal axis. The first and second pusher are arranged to project into the receptacle room. As discussed further below in the context of exemplary embodiments, the second pusher, in particular an outside of the second pusher, pointing away from the first pusher respectively facing the auxiliary receptacle, may be chamfered or bevelled. In a favourable embodiment, the second pusher is along the normal axis arranged and adjusted such that its distal end is symmetrically between the transport rollers respectively partly overlaps with a change position card. Thereby, the second pusher can push the change position card back into the set receptacle at the end of a change procedure as discussed further below. In particular the distal end of the second pusher may be in the middle between the proximal and distal card front of the change position card respectively have the same or approximately the same distance to the proximal and distal card front.

The first and second pusher may for example each be pin- or leg shaped and may be configured to project into the receptacle room either from proximal towards distal or from distal towards proximal. While other designs may be used as well, the first and second pusher may in particular project into the receptacle room from the same side, i.e. either from proximal towards distal or vice versa. The first and second pusher are arranged sufficiently spaced apart along the primary lateral axis to allow cards respectively the set of cards between them. Forthe before-mentioned positioning of the set of cards, the distance by which the first and second pusher are spaced corresponds at least to the length of a long card side and is typically somewhat larger.

In a particular design, the proximal receptacle wall comprises slots or cut-outs which extend from both ends along the primary lateral axis, and the first and second pusher project into the receptacle room via such slots or cut-outs.

As explained further below in more detail, the first and second pusher are used to move cards along the primary lateral axis by way of contacting the circumferential card edging, in particular at one of the short card sides and pushing the card or cards, with the card or cards sliding on the receptacle ground. In a possible design, a respective end of the first pusher and of the second pusher, in particular a distal pusher end of the first pusher and of the second pusher, are aligned with each other along the normal axis. Other designs, however, are also possible. In particular, the distal pusher end the second pusher may be displaced in proximal direction with respect to the distal pusher end of the first pusher, respectively the distal pusher end of the second pusher may be more proximal than the distal end of the first pusher.

The card arranging device further includes a receptacle-pusher moving unit. The receptacle-pusher moving unit is arranged to vary a relative position between the set receptacle and the first and second pusher along the normal axis and along the primary lateral axis. Position variation is obtained by moving at least one of the set receptacle and the first and second pusher unit, in particular either of the set receptacle or the first and second pusher unit, respectively. Position variation along the normal and primary lateral axis are preferably controllable independent from each other. For varying the relative position between the set receptacle and the first and second pusher along the normal axis and along the primary lateral axis, either or both of the set receptacle and/or the first and second pusher may be moved with respect to a support structure of the card arranging device. In particular embodiments as discussed further below, one of the set receptacle or the first and second pusher is movable along the normal axis only while the other of the set receptacle or the first and second pusher unit is movable along the primary lateral axis only. The support structure is generally a non-movable structure, for example a chassis or frame, of the card arranging device.

In an embodiment, the first and second pusher are movable in combination only. In a specific design, the first and second pusher are rigidly connected and optionally formed integrally with each other. In alternative designs, however, the first and second pusher are separate elements. In such design, the first and second pusher may optionally be movable via the receptacle-pusher moving unit independent from each other. As will become more readily apparent below, at most one of the first and second pusher may interact with the set respectively with cards of the set of cards at any point in time. The position of the other pusher is not decisive as long as it does not interfere.

The first pusher is arranged to push the cards of the set of cards or the cards of a subset of the set of cards, in particular a proximal removal subset or proximal insertion subset as explained further below, along the primary lateral axis into the first lateral direction. Similarly, the second pusher is arranged to push the cards of the set of cards or the cards of a subset of the set of cards, in particular the proximal removal subset or the proximal insertion subset, along the primary lateral axis into the second lateral direction, opposite to the first lateral direction. The pushing is done via a contact of the first respectively second pusher with the circumferential card edging of the respective cards. The most distal card that may be pushed by the first respectively second pusher is determined by the position of a pusher end, in particular a distal pusher end, of the first respectively second pusher along the normal axis.

The receptacle-pusher moving unit generally includes one or more actuators such as rotary and/or linear motors and/or voice coil actuators and may further include components such as one or more reduction gear(s), spindle(s), linear guide(s), and the like. It is noted that generally the reference to different drives and/or actuators does not exclude that some drives may be realized integral with each other.

The card arranging device further includes a card transfer unit. The card transfer unit is configured to move a change position card between the set receptacle and an auxiliary card position along the primary lateral axis. The change position card is a card the position of which shall be changed within the set. When in the auxiliary card position, the change position card is generally not in the receptacle room. However, a peripheral wall region of a receptacle wall, for example a peripheral proximal wall region of the proximal receptacle wall, may in some design be configured to serve as an abutment and force a proximal removal subset or proximal insertion subset against the pickup roller or a bending member as discussed further below. For such design, such peripheral wall region may along the primary lateral axis overlap with the card transfer unit, in particular with a pickup roller thereof. In dependence of the design, such peripheral wall region, e.g. peripheral proximal wall region, may or may not be elastically bendable. Moving the change position card between the set receptacle and the auxiliary card position along the primary lateral axis may in particular be done by displacing the change position card along the primary lateral axis in a linear or substantially linear manner by way of the card transfer unit.

The card transfer unit may in particular be designed to couple, in particularly frictionally couple, to the distal card front and/or proximal card front. In certain embodiments, the card transfer unit includes one or more rotatory driven rollers as discussed further below. In an embodiment, the change position card is coupled, in particularly frictionally coupled, to the card transfer unit respectively a component thereof when the change position card is in the auxiliary card position.

In some embodiment, moving the change position card from the auxiliary card position into the set receptacle may partly be carried out via the second pusher. Therefore, the second pusher may at the same time also form part of the card transfer unit.

The card arranging device further includes a control unit. The control unit is generally based on one or more microcontrollers and/or microprocessors that run software and/or firmware code to control all actuators and optionally process sensor feedback and generally execute a card arranging procedure and optionally further procedures, such as a card arranging planning procedure, as discussed further below. The control unit may further include power circuitry for driving the actuators as well as supplementary and auxiliary circuitry, and/or power supply circuitry as generally known in the art. The control unit may have a communication interface, e.g. an USB interface for data exchange with an external computing device, e.g. a laptop. This is useful e.g. for maintenance, fault diagnosis, configuration as well as software authentication. The control unit may include or be coupled to a human-machine interface respectively user interface. The human-machine interface may be used to provide commands to the arranging device, in particular power on/off, a starting command, potentially shuffling I sorting mode switch commands and/or changing into a cleaning mode. The user interface may further output indications, such as status information and information about any exceptional situation that needs to be taken care of, for example a device malfunction or the failing of an integrity check as discussed further below.

The card arranging device is configured to execute a card arranging procedure. The card arranging procedure may include repeatedly executing a position change procedure.

The position change procedure includes (a) controlling the receptacle-pusher moving unit to move the first pusher and the set receptacle with respect to each other along the normal axis into a removal position. In the removal position, the first pusher covers along the normal axis a proximal removal subset of the set of cards and does not cover along the normal axis a distal removal subset of the set of cards. The proximal and distal removal subset are adjacent to each other. A distal pusher end of the first pusher accordingly generally corresponds to the position along the normal axis at the interface of proximal and distal removal subset, such that the distal pusher end of the first pusher is substantially flush with the distal card front of the most distal card of the proximal removal subset. Alternatively, the distal pusher end of the first pusher may be set back with respect to the interface between the proximal removal subset and the distal insertion subset by less than a card thickness in the proximal direction such that the first pusher partly overlaps with the most distal card of proximal insertion subset, i.e. the distal pusher end of the first pusher is along the normal axis located between the card fronts of the most distal card of the proximal removal subset. Generally, it is preferable if a pusher end, in particular a distal pusher end of the first respectively second pusher is along the normal axis at the middle between the proximal card front and the distal card front of a most distal card that shall be pushed by the first respectively second pusher, i.e. aligned with the card centre along the normal axis.

The first pusher covering the proximal removal subset generally means that the first pusher fully extends along respectively spans all cards of the proximal removal subset with exception of the most distal card of the proximal removal subset, and fully or partly spans the most distal card of the proximal removal subset as mentioned before. Generally, a pusher, being it the first or second pusher, covering a card or a number of cards generally means that the cards respectively each of the number of cards is covered by the respective pusher fully or partly along the normal axis. To put it differently, a pusher generally covers those and only those cards that may be pushed by a pusher movement along the primary lateral axis.

The position change procedure further includes (b) controlling the receptacle-pusher moving unit to move the first pusher and the set receptacle with respect to each other along the primary lateral axis, thereby pushing the proximal removal subset by the first pusher in the first lateral direction from a standard set configuration into a removal offset set configuration where the proximal removal subset is offset with respect to the distal removal subset in the first lateral direction in an overlapping manner. The standard set configuration may be an aligned set configuration where all cards of the set of cards are substantially laterally aligned, respectively substantially aligned along the primary lateral axis. Exact alignment, while it may be given in some embodiments, however, is generally not required. The most distal card of the proximal removal subset is the change position card. The second pusher may in this step be moved along with the first pusher and in particular be fixed with respect to the first pusher or may not move with respect to a support structure of the card arranging device. The part of the proximal removal subset that does not overlap with the distal removal subset along the primary lateral axis is referred to as peripheral region of the proximal removal subset and the respective part of the change position card (i.e. the most distal card of the proximal removal subset) is referred to as peripheral part of the change position card. The peripheral region of the proximal removal subset, respectively the change position card, is accordingly a region along the primary lateral axis that points towards the auxiliary card position, in particular in the first lateral direction.

The position change procedure further includes (c) controlling the card transfer unit to move the change position card from the set receptacle to the auxiliary card position, thereby removing the change position card from the proximal removal subset. The movement of the change position card into the auxiliary card position is generally a movement in the first lateral direction.

The position change procedure may further include (d) controlling the receptacle-pusher moving unit to move the second pusher and the set receptacle with respect to each other along the primary lateral axis, thereby pushing the proximal removal subset by second pusher in a second lateral direction, the second lateral direction being opposed to the first lateral direction, into the standard set configuration. The first pusher may in this step be moved along with the second pusher and in particular be fixed with respect to the second pusher or may not move with respect to a support structure of the card arranging device. Step (d) may not be required as explained further below. In an embodiment, the position change procedure includes, prior to carrying out step (d), an intermediate step (dO). In step (dO), the set receptacle and the second pusher are moved with respect to each other along the normal axis such that the second pusher covers along the normal axis the proximal removal subset which at this point does not comprise the change position card anymore. Thereby, it is ensured that the second pusher can push all cards of the proximal removal subset into the second lateral direction I-2 in subsequent step (d).

The position change procedure further includes (e) controlling the receptacle-pusher moving unit to move the first pusher and the set receptacle with respect to each other along the normal axis into an insertion position different from the removal position. In the insertion position, the first pusher covers along the normal axis a proximal insertion subset of the set of cards and does not cover along the normal axis a distal insertion subset of the set of cards. The proximal and distal insertion subset are adjacent to each other. This step is generally similar to step (a) as explained before. The insertion position defines the position at which the change position card is to be inserted respectively re-inserted into the set of cards. The change position card will be inserted at a position along the normal axis that is generally between the distal pusher end of the first pusher and the next following card in the distal direction, i.e. the most proximal card of the distal insertion subset.

The first pusher covering the proximal insertion subset generally means that the first pusher fully extends along respectively spans all cards of the proximal insertion subset with exception of the most distal card of the proximal insertion subset, and fully or partly covers the most distal card of the proximal insert subset as mentioned before. In an embodiment, the position change procedure includes, as intermediate step (eO) that is carried out prior to step (e), moving the set receptacle and the first and second pushers, in particular the second pusher, into the second lateral direction I-2 into a position where they do not interfere with the cards when the receptacle-pusher moving unit subsequently moves the set receptacle and the first and second pusher with respect to each other, in particular along the normal axis.

The position change procedure further includes (f) controlling the receptacle-pusher moving unit to move the first pusher and the set receptacle with respect to each other along the primary lateral axis, thereby pushing the proximal insertion subset by the first pusher in the first lateral direction from the standard set configuration into an insertion offset set configuration werethe proximal insertion subset is offset with respect to the distal insertion subset in the first lateral direction in an overlapping manner. This step is generally similar to step (b) as explained before. The part of the proximal insertion subset that does not overlap with the distal insertion subset along the primary lateral axis is referred to as peripheral region of the proximal insertion subset. The peripheral region of the proximal insertion subset is accordingly a region along the primary lateral axis that points towards the auxiliary card position, in particular in the first lateral direction.

The position change procedure further includes (g) controlling the card transfer unit to move the change position card from the auxiliary card position into the set receptacle, thereby inserting the change position card into the set of cards at a position corresponding to the interface between the proximal and the distal insertion subset. The movement of the change position card back into the set receptacle is generally a movement in the second lateral direction. In principle, this step is complementary to the removal step (c) discussed before. However, when again inserting the change position card into the set of cards, it is crucial to avoid any jamming, bucking or kinking of the cards but to insert the change position card in a smooth manner. Particular and favourable measures to ensure smooth insertion are discussed further below. In particular, this step may include bending a portion of the proximal removal subset that points towards the auxiliary card position, also referred to as peripheral region the proximal removal subset, into the proximal direction as discussed further below.

The position change procedure may further include (h) controlling the receptacle-pusher moving unit to move the second pusher and the set receptacle with respect to each other along the primary lateral axis, thereby pushing the cards of the set of cards, in particular the cards of the proximal insertion subset and the change position card, by the second pusher into the standard set configuration. After completing step (h), the set of cards is aligned like generally at the beginning. The change position card, however, has changed its position within the set of cards as compared to the situation prior to executing the position change procedure. In an embodiment, step (h) is executed at least part of step (g) in an integral manner.

In an embodiment, the position change procedure may, prior to carrying out step (h), carrying out intermediate steps ( h01 ) and/or (h02). In a step (h01 ) the pushers, in particular the first pusher may be moved in into the second lateral direction into a position where the first pusher is displaced in the second lateral direction with respect to the set of cards, in particular the cards of the distal insertion subset. That is, the first pusher is moved into a position where a gap is present between the circumferential card edging of the cards, in particular the cards of the distal insertion subset and the first pusher. Thereby, the proximal insertion subset may be pushed in the shown embodiment into the second lateral direction by the second pusher. In subsequent step (h02), the set receptacle and the pushers, in particular the second pusher, are moved with respect to each other along the normal axis into a position where the pushers, in particular the second pusher covers at least the proximal insertion subset and the change position card, but not the further distal cards of the distal insertion subset.

The steps of the position change procedure as mentioned before are generally executed in the order as presented above. It is to be understood, however, that specific steps may include a number of sub-steps as discussed further below in more detail and/or further steps may be executed between subsequent of the before-mentioned steps. Further, some steps may not always be executed in some executions of the position change procedure. It is generally assumed that the set of cards is in the standard set configuration at the beginning of the card arranging procedure.

Step (d) serves the main purpose of ensuring that the card transfer unit, in particular a pickup roller and/or bending projection as discussed further below, can in any case contact the most distal card of the proximal insertion subdeck in step (g). Similarly, step (h) serves the main purpose of ensuring that the card transfer unit can in any case contact the most distal card of the proximal removal subdeck, respectively the change position card, in step (c) of a subsequent execution of the position change procedure since. Otherwise more distal cards of the proximal removal subset respectively proximal insertion subset may be between the card transfer unit and the appropriate card as mentioned, respectively impede contact between the card transfer unit and such card. Further, these steps may be required to avoid interference of the set of cards or the pushers with the card transfer unit in dependence of the design. In some designs, however, steps (d) and (h) of the position change procedure are not necessary and may be omitted. In an embodiment, steps (d) and/or (h) of the position change procedure may not be present and the card arranging device may be configured to execute the position change procedure without steps (d) and/or (h). Also, the second pusher which is used in steps (d), (h) may not be present in such embodiment and any reference to the first and second pusher may be understood as reference to the first pusher.

Step (d) may only be required if, in a position change procedure, the insertion position is more proximal within the set of cards as compared to the removal position, respectively if the set receptacle needs to move into the distal direction from the removal position into the insertion position. Further, step (h) may in particular only be required if the insertion position is more distal within the set of cards than the removal position in a next following subsequent execution of the position change procedure, respectively if the set receptacle needs to move into the distal direction from the insertion position into removal position for next following subsequent execution of the position change procedure. The position change procedure may include selectively executing step (d) respectively step (h) if required but not to execute step (d) respectively step (h) otherwise.

It is noted that all manipulation of the set of cards, its subsets as well as individual cards generally takes place in two dimensions as defined by the normal axis and the primary lateral axis. Further, apart from potentially some moderate elastic bending as mentioned, it ideally only involves displacement movements along the mentioned two axes, but no turning or rotating of cards, while some rotation around the normal axis respectively an axis parallel to the normal axis may occur in dependence of the design and is acceptable. Rotation of cards about the lateral axes respectively axis parallel to the lateral axes is generally impossible and favourably excluded by design. Also, there is in particular no turning or flipping of cards. This approach allows a compact design of the card arranging device and a kinematic arrangement of comparatively low complexity that may further be realized with a comparatively low number of components. It is further favourable in view of a smooth and reliable operation with low, if any risk of card being marked or damaged.

In an embodiment, an anti-rotation device is present that prevents rotation of the change position card around the normal axis when being transferred between the set receptacle and the auxiliary card position. The anti-rotation device may be a stop that is arranged between the set receptacle and the transfer unit along the primary lateral axis and serve as stop for the change position card when rotating beyond a critical angle that may result in card jamming in particular of the change position card. By way of example, a maximum temporary rotation around the normal axis respectively an axis parallel to the normal axis by 1 5 degrees, 30 degrees or 45 degrees or any value in between may be acceptable and define the critical angle.

It has been found that the card arranging device, optionally including integrity checking functionality respectively being operable as integrity checking device as discussed further below, may be realized with comparatively compact dimensions of, e.g. 242mm x 1 60mm x 1 1 7mm excluding door arrangement. Therefore, it is particularly suited to be integrated into a card game table and be operated for inserting and removing the set of cards, such as a deck of cards used for the game of Poker, from above, i.e. from the top of the card game table, with the card arranging device being arranged below the tabletop and mounted via the support structure of the card arranging device. Alternatively, however, the card arranging device may be designed as standalone device.

In some embodiments of the card arranging device, the position change procedure does not necessarily include the steps (a) to (h) as discussed above and/or further below as well as intermediate steps. The right for seeking protection for the structure of the card arranging device as such is explicitly reserved.

In dependence of how the card arranging procedure is carried out and in particular the removal position and the insertion position are determined in each repetition of the position change procedure, the card arranging device may be a shuffling device respectively operate in a shuffling mode, and/or be a sorting device respectively operate in a sorting mode. When being a sorting device respectively operating in a sorting mode, the set of cards, for example a deck cards used for a card game, is transferred from any arbitrary or random order into a desired and-pre-defined order, in particular an order where the cards of a deck are sorted by suit and rank. If the device can operate alternatively in a shuffling mode or a sorting mode, the mode is favourably clearly indicated via a human-machine interface as mentioned before. The indication is favourably given in a manner that it is clearly visible and unambiguous for everyone at the card game table.

In an embodiment, the card arranging device includes an auxiliary card support that is configured to support the change position card in the auxiliary card position, in particular against gravity. The auxiliary card support may be an e.g. elongated support element that extends along the primary lateral axis and on which the change position card may rest with the base section of its circumferential card edging. In further designs that are exemplarily assumed in the following, the auxiliary card support is an auxiliary receptacle, the auxiliary receptacle being arranged offset with respectto the set receptacle along the primary lateral axis in a first lateral direction. An auxiliary receptacle is configured to accommodate a single card, namely the change position card. An auxiliary receptacle may comprise respectively consist of support elements, such as auxiliary receptacle walls which are spaced apartfrom each other along the normal direction by a distance that is suited to receive a single card between them, i.e. they are spaced apart by a distance which is generally slightly larger than the card thickness. It is noted, however, that the slackness is not critical in typical designs. An auxiliary receptacle generally further includes an auxiliary receptacle ground on which the base section of the circumferential card edging may rest, such that the auxiliary receptacle ground supports the change position card against gravity. An auxiliary receptacle is generally not closed and is particularly open towards the set receptacle to allow a movement of the change position card.

If the auxiliary card support structure is formed by an auxiliary receptacle, the change position card is, when in the auxiliary card position, in a room that is generally at least partly delimited by the auxiliary receptacle and may in particular be at least partly delimited in downwards direction respectively in a fourth lateral direction by the auxiliary receptacle ground and in the normal respectively distal direction by the auxiliary receptacle walls.

While an auxiliary card support structure and in particular an auxiliary receptacle is may be present, it is not mandatory in dependence of the overall design.

In an embodiment, the card arranging device may include an ejection device, the ejection device being configured to move the set of cards at least partly out of the set receptacle in an ejection direction into an ejection position. This process is referred to as set ejection. Typically, the ejection direction is a third lateral direction transverse to the normal axis as well as the primary lateral axis. In a typical operational configuration where card arranging device is levelled, the ejection direction is directed against the direction of gravity and is aligned with the secondary lateral axis as mentioned before. The ejection device generally includes at least one ejection member and an ejection member drive for moving the ejection member under control of the control unit between a retracted ejection member position and an advanced ejection member position.

In an embodiment, the ejection device may be realized by the receptacle ground or a part thereof which may be arranged movable along the secondary lateral axis direction respectively in the ejection direction with respect to the receptacle walls. Here, the retracted ejection member position is a normal or default position of the receptacle ground that is also assumed during execution of the card arranging procedure, while in the advanced ejection member position is offset in the ejection direction respectively third lateral direction. By moving the receptacle ground into the advanced ejection member position, the set of cards may be lifted and accordingly at last partly ejected out of the set receptacle by moving the receptacle ground into the advanced receptacle ground position. Generally, in the advanced position, the set of cards projects over the set receptacle walls while it stays back behind the receptacle walls otherwise.

In another embodiment, the ejection device includes a number of for example two to five ejection pins as ejection members in coupling with an e.g. motorized ejection member drive. The ejection pins may, for example extend along the normal axis and be displaced with respect to each other along the primary lateral axis. The ejection pins may each been movable between a retracted ejection pin position where the respective ejection is flush with or stands back behind the receptacle ground respectively its inner surface, and an advanced ejection pin position where the respective ejection pin projects into the receptacle room. In the retracted position of the ejection pins, a set of cards may accordingly rest on the receptacle ground, while it rests on the ejection pins if the ejection pins project into the receptacle room and in particular in the advanced ejection pin position.

The control unit may be configured to control the card arranging device to execute a set ejection to move the ejection member or ejection members into its respective advanced retraction member position subsequent to execution the card arranging procedure, in order to allow manual removal of the set of cards and to control the ejection member drive to move the at least one ejection member into its respective retracted ejection member position for executing the arranging sequence. Further, the control unit may be configured to move the at least one ejection member into its respective advanced ejection member position for the manually placing a set of cards into the set receptacle respectively the receptacle room prior to executing the card arranging procedure and optional upstream procedures as explained further below. After placing a set of cards into the receptacle room, the ejection member or ejection members, for example ejection pins, with the set of card resting thereon, may be moved into their respective retracted position. Thereby, it is ensured that the set of cards is handled in a gently and placed on the receptacle ground in a smooth manner. This process may be considered as reversal to the set ejection and is referred to as loading.

In an embodiment with a tilting member as discussed further below, one of for example two to five ejections pins may at the same time serve as tilting member respectively tilting pin and its actuator as tilting member drive respectively tilting pin drive. In such design, the ejection pins have further in each case a dedicated actuator with the actuator moving the ejection pin serving as tilting member also being the tilting member actuator.

In an embodiment, the card arranging device further includes a door, the door being movable between an open-door position and a closed-door position under control of the control unit. In the open-door position, the set receptacle respectively the receptacle room is accessiblefrom outsidethe card arranging device for placing a set of cards in the receptacle room or removing a set of cards from the receptacle room. The door may be operatively coupled to a door drive for moving the door between the closed-door position and the open-door position. The control unit may be configured to generally control the door drive to move the door into the open position in each case prior to a set ejection and move the door into the closed position subsequent to a set loading. The door drive may be a dedicated drive or be integral with a further drive as explained further below. Favourably, the door is locked in the closed position, thereby preventing a manual opening.

The door is favourably arranged movably between the closed-door position and the open- door position in a plane transverse to the direction of gravity or secondary lateral axis, respectively in a plane defined by the normal axis and primary lateral axis. In an operational configuration, the door is generally arranged at a top side respectively upper side of the card arranging device. Such setup and movement of the door is favourable in that the door, being it in the open-door position, the closed-door position or any intermediate door position, does not obstruct the view of any person sitting e.g. at a game table such as a poker table, thereby ensuring that everyone can observe the insertion respectively removal of a set of cards. In an embodiment, the movement of the door is a linear movement, for example along respectively parallel to the normal axis or primary lateral axis. Favourably, the door is arranged and dimensioned to fully prevent any access as well as view on the set receptacle respectively the inside of the card arranging device in the closed-door position. For a setup where the card arranging device is integrated into a card game table as mentioned before, the door may be arranged on the upper side respectively top side of the tabletop while the device is otherwise generally arranging into respectively below the tabletop, with the set receptacle being accessible via a cut-out of the table top in the open door position, while the cut-out is covered by the door in the closed door position. In the ejection position, the set of cards favourably projects beyond the door respectively the upper side of the card arranging device, respectively the tabletop of the card game table.

In alternative embodiments, the door movement does not make a linear movement but, e.g. a pivoting movement. In an embodiment, the pivoting axis of the door extends parallel to the primary lateral axis. Such design with a pivoting door is especially suited for an arrangement where the door is flush with the tabletop in the closed-door position. Other arrangements e.g. with a combined linear and pivoting movement, however, are possible as well.

For moving the door between the closed-door position and the open-door position, a dedicated door drive may be foreseen, for example a servo drive. Alternatively, however another drive respectively actuator may also serve as door drive. In such embodiment, a door coupling device may be foreseen between for selectively coupling the door and the drive or actuator serving as door drive. By way of example, the door coupling device may be realized or include a door solenoid under controlled by the control unit. Further by example, a receptacle displacement actuator, for example a voice coil actuator as discussed fort below, may also serve as door drive. In such embodiment, the door moves together with the set receptacle if the coupling is activated, with the moving direction of the door between the open- and closed-door position being a proximal-distal movement.

In an embodiment, the first and second pusher are rigidly coupled. A pusher linkage member may be provided between the first and second pusher and extend along the primary lateral axis between the first and second pusher. In a particular embodiment, the first and second pusher are integrally formed with each other and the pusher linkage member, for example in a U-shaped form. The pusher linkage member may form the base, while the first and second pusher may form the legs of the "U". In a design where the first and second pusher are rigidly coupled and optionally formed integrally, they generally move together.

In an embodiment, the set receptacle is movable with respect to a support structure of the card arranging device by the receptacle-pusher moving unit along the normal axis only, and wherein the first and second pusher are movable with respect to the support structure by the receptacle-pusher moving unit along the primary lateral axis only. In such design, the variation of the relative position between the set receptacle and the first and second pusher along the normal axis and along the primary lateral axis is divided into a movement of the set receptacle along the normal axis and a movement of the first and second pusher along the primary lateral axis. This kind of design appears favourable regarding the complexity of the overall design as well as control. In an alternative embodiment, however, the set receptacle is movable with respect to a support structure of the card arranging device by the receptacle-pusher moving unit along the primary lateral axis only, and wherein the first and second pusher are movable with respect to the support structure by the receptacle-pusher moving unit along the normal axis only. For such design, the movement directions of the set receptacle respectively the first and second pusher are reversed. In both kinds of design, the receptacle-pusher moving unit favourably comprises separate drives respectively actuators for moving the set receptacle respectively the first and second pusher. In further alternative embodiments, however, the receptacle-pusher moving unit is configured to move either of the set receptacle respectively the first and second pusher along both the normal axis and the primary lateral axis with respect to the support structure, while the other of the set receptacle respectively the first and second pusher is fixed with respect to the support structure. It is noted that the card arranging procedures generally only involves a relative movement between the set receptacle and the first and second pusher either along the normal axis or along the primary lateral axis, one at a time, but no combined movement along both axes.

In an embodiment, the receptacle-pusher moving unit includes a receptacle displacement actuator to move the set receptacle with respect to the first and second pusher along the normal axis, and a pusher displacement actuator, distinctfrom the receptacle displacement actuator, to displace the first and second pusher with respect to the set receptacle along the primary lateral axis.

In a particular of the before-mentioned type, the receptacle displacement actuator is a voice coil actuator, also known as non-commutated DC linear actuator. A voice coil actuator is favourably in that it is generally simple in design, provides precise positioning over small displacements, is robust and favourable for position respectively force control mode as discussed further below. In further embodiments, however, the receptacle displacement actuator may be, for example, another type of linear motor such as a moving magnet actuator or a rotatory motor in coupling with a spindle drive as known in the art. The pusher displacement actuator may be realized as respectively include a linear motor, but optionally also designed differently for example as spindle drive. In embodiments where the first and second pusher are rigidly coupled as mentioned before, a single actuator is sufficient. In embodiments where the first and second pusher may move independently, separate actuators may be provided, one for each of the first respectively second pusher.

In an embodiment, the card arranging device is configured to control the receptacle displacement actuator to alternatively operate in a position control mode and a force control mode. A receptacle position of the set receptacle along the normal axis is controlled in the position control mode and a normal force that is exerted by either of the proximal or distal receptacle wall is controlled in the force control mode. In a particular embodiment, the card arranging device is further configured to operate the receptacle actuator to operate in a passive mode alternatively to the position control mode and the force control mode. In a passive mode, the receptacle is free to move, without the receptacle displacement actuator exerting any significant force. In case of the receptacle displacement actuator being e.g. a voice coil actuator, the coil of the voice coil actuator may be de-energized in the passive mode. In either or both of the position control mode and the force control mode, a speed limit may optionally be set. As discussed further below, a speed control mode may optionally also be foreseen.

It is noted that different control modes, in particular a force control mode and a position control mode as mentioned, may be realized as dedicated separate control modes, which however, is not essential. For example, no explicit force control mode may be foreseen. Instead, de facto force control can be realized in a position control mode by setting a desired receptacle position that cannot be reached due to the interaction of cards with an obstacle, e.g. a roller as discussed further below. In this case, the exerted force will be determined by the control deviation as difference between the set and actual receptacle position, as well as the controller design.

The receptacle wall that exerts the normal force in the force control mode is also referred to as force-exerting receptacle wall and may be either of the proximal or distal receptacle wall in dependence of the design. In a particular design that is generally assumed in the following, the force exerting receptacle wall is the proximal receptacle wall.

In the force control mode, the force is exerted by the force exerting receptacle wall onto a card that is adjacent to the receptacle wall, e.g. the most proximal card if the force exerting receptacle wall is the proximal receptacle wall. The force is countered respectively absorbed an abutment that exerts a counterforce. In this way, the cards that are located between the force exerting receptacle wall and the abutment are clamped between the force exerting receptacle wall, e.g. the proximal receptacle wall, and the abutment. In dependence on the situation, such cards may in particular correspond to all cards that are accommodated by the set receptacle, the cards of the proximal removal subset or the cards of the proximal insertion subset.

As discussed in more detail further below, the abutment may in particular be formed by a pickup roller of the card transfer unit respectively a part thereof, in particular a bending protrusion. Position control mode and force control mode are typically used in diverse phases respectively steps of a position change procedure. In particular steps (a), (b), (d), (e), (f), and (h) of the position-change procedure may be executed in the position control mode while the steps that involve moving the change position card between the set receptacle and the auxiliary card position, i.e. steps (c) and (g) may be fully or partly executed in the force control mode.

In an embodiment, the receptacle clearance is variable. By way of a variable receptacle clearance, the set of cards may alternatively be arranged snugly within the receptacle room, with the proximal and distal receptacle wall contacting in each case a card front of the most proximal respectively most distal card, i.e. the outermost cards, or alternatively have play along the normal axis within the receptacle room. Both configurations are typically used in phases respectively steps of a position change procedure as explained further below.

In a particular embodiment with a variable receptacle clearance, one of the proximal and the distal receptacle wall is a movable wall and the other of the proximal and distal receptacle wall is a reference wall. In such embodiment, the card arranging device may further include a wall moving device, which may in particular include a retraction solenoid and a biasing spring member. The movable wall is changeable via the wall moving device between a biasing configuration where the movable wall is biased towards the reference wall and an alternative clearance configuration where the receptacle clearance is larger than an extension of the set of cards along the normal axis. In an alternative embodiment, the wall moving device is or includes a wall moving voice coil actuator rather than a retraction solenoid and a biasing spring member. Generally in a design with a movable wall and a reference wall, a position of the set receptacle along the normal axis that is controlled via the receptacle pusher moving unit, e.g. via a receptacle displacement actuator, corresponds to the position of the reference wall. In the biasing configuration, the proximal and distal receptacle wall contact the outermost cards as mentioned before, thereby clamping the set of cards between the proximal and distal receptacle wall by way of a biasing force. In the clearance configuration, the receptacle clearance is larger than the thickness of the set of cards along the normal axis (i.e. the combined thickness of all cards accommodated by the set receptacle), such that the set of cards has play within the receptacle room.

In a particular embodiment where the wall moving device includes a retraction solenoid, the biasing force is exerted by a biasing spring member, e.g. a coil spring or leaf spring, that biases the movable wall towards the reference wall. By the control unit activating energizing respectively de-energizing the retraction solenoid, switching is possible between the biasing configuration and the clearance configuration. As a general rule, the biasing configuration may be used where the exact positioning of the cards along the normal axis as well as the alignment of the cards is crucial, while the biasing configuration may be used otherwise, in particular where it is desirableto minimize/avoid friction between cards when moving relative to each other.

Generally, the wall moving device is or includes a wall moving drive for moving the movable wall as explained before. The wall moving drive may be the before-mentioned retraction solenoid. Alternatively, however, the wall moving drive may be any other type of linear drive with corresponding actuator, such as a voice coil actuator or generally a linear motor, or a spindle drive. In dependence of the design of the wall moving device respectively the wall moving drive, no dedicated biasing spring member may be required in orderto provide the biasing force. In particular, a wall moving voice coil actuator may be controlled by the control unit to provide a biasing force, as discussed in the context of a voice coil actuator as receptacle actuator.

In a particular embodiment, the movable wall is the distal receptacle wall, and the reference wall is the proximal receptacle wall. In alternative embodiments, however, the movable wall is the proximal receptacle wall, and the reference wall is the distal receptacle wall.

In a particular embodiment, the clearance configuration is a maximum clearance configuration where the receptacle clearance is maximal. In such embodiment, the movable wall may, in the clearance configuration, forced into contact with a mechanical stop by the wall moving device, e.g. a retraction solenoid. Such design is particularly favourable with a retraction solenoid and a biasing spring member.

In a particular embodiment with a movable wall and a reference wall, the retracting device may include a locking device which may in particular be or include a locking solenoid. The locking device is arranged to lock the movable wall in position, thereby preventing it from movement. The locking device may in particular lock the movable wall in the biasing configuration. Operation of the locking device is controlled by the control unit. In dependence of the design of the wall moving device, however, a dedicated locking device may not be required. In designs with alternative types of wall moving drives, such as a wall moving voice coil actuator, no locking device may be required.

In an embodiment, the card transfer unit is configured to interact with the change position card by way of friction. For moving the change position card, the card transfer unit fric- tionally engages respectively couples to one or both of the proximal respectively distal card front by way of friction. In such embodiments, the card transfer unit may in particular include one or more rollers, for example rubber rollers with roller axes that generally extend parallel to the card fronts. In alternative embodiments, however, the card transfer unit is configured to interact with the change position card by way suction or electrostatic force. For a suction-based card transfer unit, the card transfer unit may include one or more force cups or the like in fluidic coupling with a negative pressure device, for example a suction pump under control of the control unit. For removing the change position card from the proximal removal subset as explained before, the card transfer unit, in particular a pickup roller of the card transfer unit as explained further below, couples with the proximal card front of the change position card in the peripheral region of the change position card.

In an embodiment, the card transfer unit includes a pickup roller, the pickup roller being rotatable about a pickup roller axis by a pickup roller drive. The pickup roller axis extends transverse to the normal axis, in particular parallel to the secondary lateral axis. The proximal removal subset can be clamped between the pickup roller and the proximal receptacle wall. In some embodiments, also the proximal insertion subset can be clamped between the pickup roller and the proximal receptacle wall. The clamping is generally a clamping with respect to the normal axis. Operation of the pickup roller drive is controlled by the control unit.

Along the primary lateral axis, the pickup roller is generally arranged in the peripheral region of the proximal removal subset respectively proximal insertion subset, such that a direct contact with the proximal card front of the most distal card of the proximal removal subset respectively proximal insertion subset. The axis of the pickup roller as well as of further rollers as discussed further below is generally coaxial with the respective roller.

In an embodiment, the card transfer unit includes a number of transport rollers, the transport rollers being each rotatable about a respective transport roller axis by a transport roller drive. The transport roller axes extend in each case parallel with the pickup roller axis. The transport rollers are arranged offset with respect to the pickup roller in the primary lateral direction. In embodiments with an auxiliary card support, for example an auxiliary receptacle, the transport rollers may be arranged along the primary lateral axis between the pickup roller and the auxiliary card support. Operation of the transport roller drive or transport roller drives is controlled by the control unit.

When in the auxiliary card position, the change position card stays favourably in contact, with the transport rollers respectively a peripheral part of the change position card is located between the transport rollers, such thatthe change position card is clamped between the transport rollers. The room between the transport rollers may therefore be considered as part of the auxiliary card position.

The transport rollers serve the purpose of moving the change position card into the auxiliary card position, e.g. into an auxiliary receptacle in the primary lateral direction after initially being moved into the first lateral direction via the pickup roller. The step (c) of the position change procedure, i.e. transferring the change position card into the auxiliary space, may accordingly be a two-step process where the change position card is in a first sub-step moved in the first lateral direction by the pickup roller into an intermediate position where the change position card contacts, generally frictional ly contacts, the transport rollers. Subsequently, the change position card may be moved into the auxiliary card position in a second sub-step (c2). In an embodiment that allows different control modes as explained before, the sub-step (c1 ) may be carried out in the force control mode with the pickup roller serving as abutment for the force of e.g. 3N exerted by the proximal receptacle wall. As mentioned before, such force control may be done in a dedicated force control mode, but also under position control with a non-reachable receptacle position. The final movement of the change position card in sub-step (c2) may be carried out in the passive mode. In this way, the change position card is correctly aligned between the transport rollers. Alternatively, however, sub-step (c2) could e.g. be carried out in the position control mode with the position of sub-step (c1 ) being maintained. Prior to step (c1 ), a step (cO) may be carried out as intermediate step where the change position card, in particular its distal card front, is brought into contact with the pickup roller and forced against the pickup roller.

The number of transport rollers may in particular include a proximal transport roller and a distal transport roller, with the proximal transport roller and the distal transport roller being displaced with respect to each other along the normal axis but aligned along the primary lateral axis. The proximal and distal transport roller may in particular spaced along the normal axis by a distance that generally is less than the card thickness, i.e. generally less than the thickness of the thinnest ty of playing cards that may be used. Thereby, a sufficient contact force between transport rollers and change position card is ensured, with the proximal transport roller contacting the proximal card front and the distal transport roller contacting the distal card front of the change position card. The proximal and distal transport roller are further arranged along the normal axis symmetrically with respect to the auxiliary card position and for example the auxiliary receptacle walls of an auxiliary receptacle, thereby allowing a smooth movement of the change position card in a pure or substantially pure linear movement along the primary lateral axis. The proximal and distal roller are generally arranged to rotate in opposite rotational directions around their respective transport roller axes.

In a variant, only one transport roller is present, and a non-movable guide member is foreseen that extends along the primary lateral axis such that the change position card contacts with one of the card fronts with the transport roller and with the other card front the guide member which has favourably a low frictional coefficient.

The transport rollers and also the pickup roller are favourably made from elastic respective resilient material, in particular rubber, that may elastically deform in particular radially. Thereby, appropriate contact and frictional coupling to the change position card is ensured over the entire width of the card. Alternatively, or additionally to the transport rollers being elastic, they may be biased towards each other by way of a biasing member, such as one or more biasing springs. The transport rollers as well as the pickup roller are favourably designed not to contact a card, in particular the change position card, along its complete width respectively along its full extension along the secondary lateral axis. In a variant, the rollers are arranged to contact the card, in particular the change position card, such that the centre of contact is displaced with respect to a centre line of the cards parallel to the primary lateral direction such that a contacted card, in particular the change position card, is subject to a force in the fourth lateral direction respectively in downward direction (direction of gravity) respectively towards the auxiliary receptacle ground, auxiliary card support, and/or receptacle ground. In such embodiment, the centre of contact is accordingly favourably above the centre line of the card. In a further embodiment, the pickup roller and/or the transport rollers have a number of, e.g., two or three, distinct card contact elements that are distributed and spaced apart along the length of a roller. Such design may be realized by the card contact elements, for example card contact protrusions, having a somewhat larger diameter as compared to intermediate sections between the card contact elements. In this way, a substantially even force distribution may be obtained. Favourably, the resulting overall force application point is on the centre line of the contacted card and parallel to the primary lateral axis.

In an embodiment, the pickup roller respectively its card contact elements are not cylindrical respectively do not have a circular outer contour over their complete circumference. Instead a card-contacting circumferential surface of the pickup roller includes a number of pickup rollerflat sections pickup roller cylindrical sections. Generally, each pickup rollerflat section is adjacent to at least one pickup roller cylindrical section and vice versa. Pickup roller cylindrical sections and pickup roller planar sections may be arranged in in an alternating manner along the circumference. In a particular design, two pickup roller flat sections are present and arranged orthogonal to each other. Generally, the number of pickup roller flat sections and pickup roller cylindrical sections may be identical or different and be any number as appropriate, including one, i.e. a single pickup roller cylindrical section and/or a single pickup roller flat section. As discussed further below in the context of exemplary embodiments, a pickup roller flat section may face the change position card as most distal cad of the proximal removal subset in an initial step of transferring the change position card into its auxiliary card position respectively into the auxiliary receptacle in step (c), wherein the change position card is forced in distal direction against a flat section of the pickup roller. Subsequently, the pickup roller may be rotated to actually transfer the change position card into the catching area of the transport roller a cylindrical section of the pickup roller.

Further, a pickup roller flat section roller may facethe proximal insertion subset respectively its most distal card in the context of transferring the change position card back into the set receptacle in step (g).

Favourably, the transport rollers are also arranged and used to move the change position card from the auxiliary card position back into the set receptacle at its new position in step (g) of the position change procedure. Therefore, the rotational direction of the proximal and distal transport roller is favourably reversible, thereby allowing moving of the change position card along the primary lateral axis alternatively in the first and second lateral direction. It is noted that the transport rollers loose in step (g) contact) with the change position card before it assumes its final position in the set receptacle. In an embodiment, the intertie of the change position card is sufficient to continue the movement in the second lateral direction till its final position after losing contact with the transport rollers. In another embodiment, the second pusher is used to move the change position card into its final position in the set receptacle respectively between the proximal and distal insertion subset. Particularly favourable embodiments and aspects of step (g) are discussed further below.

In embodiments with an auxiliary receptacle, the transport rollers and the auxiliary receptacle are favourably arranged such that the contact between the change position card and the transport rollers is maintained when the change position card is seated respectively stored in the auxiliary receptacle. Therefore, the change position card favourably projects in the second lateral direction, i.e. generally towards the set receptacle out of the auxiliary receptacle respectively the auxiliary receptacle walls when stored by the auxiliary receptacle.

As mentioned before, the step of moving a change position card from the auxiliary card position back into the set receptacle between respectively at the interface of the proximal and distal insertion subset pursuant to step (g) is particularly critical for a smooth and reliable operation. In a particular embodiment, step (g) may include first bending a peripheral region of the proximal insertion subset in the proximal direction and second moving the change position card from the auxiliary card position into the set receptacle, thereby inserting the change position card into the set of cards at a position corresponding to the interface between proximal and distal insertion subset. The peripheral region of the proximal insertion subset is a region of the proximal insertion subset along the primary lateral axis that points in the primary lateral direction and does not overlap with the distal insertion subset. The bending is generally about a bending axis transverse to the normal axis and the primary lateral axis, in particular parallel to respectively aligned with the secondary lateral axis. By bending the proximal insertion subset in this manner, a gap is created between the proximal and distal insertion subset that widens towards the primary lateral direction respectively towards the change position card, thereby supporting a smooth movement of the change position card.

For bending the peripheral region of the proximal insertion subset as mentioned before, the card arranging device may include a bending device. The bending device comprises or includes a bending member that is configured to be selectively activated by the control unit and exert a pushing force in the proximal direction onto the proximal removal subset, in particular the distal card front of the most distal card of the proximal insertion subset in its activated state.

In an embodiment, the bending device may for example include a bending pin or bending nose or the like as bending member. The bending member being movable parallel to respectively along the normal axis. The bending device may further include a bending member actuator, for example a solenoid, for moving the bending member.

In a particular embodiment, the bending member is formed integrally with a pickup roller as explained before and realized by a radially protruding bending protrusion. The bending protrusion may in principle be arranged at any location along the pickup roller or a bending member is realized as a number of bending protrusions or bending noses that are distributed along the length of the pickup roller. In an exemplary embodiment, the bending member is realized as a rim that extends over substantially the full length of the pickup roller to contact the change position card substantially over its whole extension along the secondary lateral axis (i.e. typically along the shorter lateral card dimension), thereby ensuring uniform bending into the proximal direction.

In a particular design, the bending member is realized by one or more, for example one or two concentrically bending cylinders with the bending cylinder axes parallel to but axially offset with respect to the pickup roller axis.

Favourably, the bending member is madefrom a hard material of lowfriction, such as plastics, steel, Teflon or Teflon-coated metal. In such embodiment, the bending device can be activated by controlling the pickup roller to rotate into a contacting configuration where the bending protrusion points towards and contacts the proximal removal subset. The bending protrusion may protrude transverse or oblique with respect to the proximal insertion subset, in particular the distal card front of the most distal card of the proximal insertion subset. The bending device can be deactivated by rotating the bending protrusion out of contact with the proximal insertion subset.

In an embodiment with position control mode and force control mode as discussed before, rotating the pickup roller into the contacting configuration may be carried out in the position control mode, with the insertion position of step (e) of the position change procedure being maintained in a sub-step (g1 ). Subsequently, the control mode may be changed to the force control mode and a suitable pre-defined contact force e.g. in a range of 7N to 10N between the bending protrusion and the change position card, thereby ensuring appropriate bending of the change position card in a subsequent subset (g2). Alternatively, this step could also be carried out in position control mode. In a variant, the force control mode is used for bending the change position card, and the position is subsequently maintained in the position control mode.

As explained before, the pickup roller may also be used for moving the change position card from the set receptacle into an intermediate position from which it can be further moved via transport rollers. For this process, the bending protrusion should generally not interfere with the cards, in particular the change position card. Therefore, the pickup roller is favourably designed and arranged such that less than a full rotation of the pickup roller is needed to bring the change position card into the intermediate position. In this way, the pickup roller can be sufficiently rotated without the bending protrusion interfering with the cards.

Actually moving the change position card back into the set receptacle after bending the proximal removal subset may be carried out in position control or in the force control mode or partly in the force control mode and partly in the position control mode. In particular, a first force may be used in a sub-step (g3) to move the change position card in the second lateral direction, i.e. towards the set receptacle, until it is in contact with the bending member, in particular bending protrusion. Subsequently, force control mode may be used in sub-step (g4) with a reduced force as compared to sub-step (g3) to further move the change position card into the set receptacle. Reducing the contact force is advantageous because of reduced friction. Alternatively, in particular sub-step (g2) may be carried out in the position control mode.

In another embodiment, a separation device is present rather than a bending device as mentioned before. Structurally, the bending device may be designed similar to a bending deice as explained before. In particular, the separation device may include a separation member, such as a separation protrusion, that may be integral with a pickup roller. The separation protrusion may extend in a continuous manner parallel to the pickup roller axis at the circumference of the pickup roller or may be split into a number of separation elements that are arranged axially distributed along the pickup roller axis. For example diskshaped separation elements may be arranged with card contact elements of the pickup roller in an alternating manner. As discussed further below in more detail, the separation member generally serves the purpose of creating and minting a gap between the proximal and the distal insertion subset in the process of re-inserting the change position card into the set receptacle in step (f ) of the position change procedure without exerting a significant fore.

In a particular embodiment, a peripheral proximal receptacle wall region is elastically bending between a non-bent respectively straight wall configuration and a bent wall configuration where the peripheral proximal receptacle wall region is bent in the proximal direction. The peripheral proximal receptacle wall region is a peripheral region of the proximal receptacle wall that points in the first lateral direction respectively towards the auxiliary card position. In such design, the peripheral proximal receptacle wall region may be made from an elastically bendable material, such as a spring metal sheet. Further in such design, the peripheral proximal receptacle wall region is configured to contact the proximal removal subset and in particularthe proximal insertion subset. Favourably, the proximal receptacle wall is designed such that it contacts the set of cards and in particular the proximal removal or insertion subset over its full extension along the primary lateral axis. In particular, the peripheral proximal receptacle wall may contact the peripheral region of the proximal insertion subset over its full extension. In such design, a longitudinal extension of the distal receptacle wall along the primary lateral axis may be smaller as compared to the proximal receptacle wall, with the proximal receptacle wall projecting in the first lateral direction beyond the distal receptacle wall by the peripheral proximal receptacle wall region.

An elastically bendable peripheral proximal receptacle wall region is favourable in the context of bending the peripheral region of the proximal insertion subset. The peripheral proximal receptacle wall region is bent along with the peripheral region of the proximal insertion subset under the force exerted by the bending member as explained before and provides an elastic counter force in the distal direction. In this way, the peripheral region of the proximal insertion subset is clamped between the bending member and the peripheral proximal receptacle wall region, with the bending member serving as abutment for the force exerted by the proximal receptacle wall. Thereby, uncontrolled movement, vibration, fluttering or the like of the bent cards is avoided. In other embodiments, a peripheral proximal wall region of the receptacle wall that projects beyond the distal receptacle wall and overlaps with the transfer unit, in particular the pickup roller, may not especially be designed bendable and have no or little bending flexibility.

In embodiments that allow switching between a biasing configuration and a clearance configuration as mentioned before, the biasing configuration may in an embodiment be used in steps (a), (b), (e), (f) of the position change procedure. The clearance configuration may in particular be used in steps (d) and (h) of the change-position procedure since it is favourable here if the cards are not clamped respectively do not stick to each other friction- ally. In embodiments where the change position card is moved in step (c) from the set receptacle into the auxiliary card position, e.g. into an auxiliary receptacle via an intermediate position as explained before, sub-step (c1 ), i.e. the movement of the change position card from the deck receptacle into the intermediate position may be carried out in the biasing configuration, while sub-step (c2), i.e. the movement from the intermediate position into the auxiliary card position may be carried out in the clearance configuration in order to reduce friction. In step (g) of the position change procedure, the biasing configuration is favourably used until the change position card respectively its portion pointing in the second lateral direction is inserted into the gap between the proximal and the distal removal subset. Subsequently, the biasing configuration may be maintained until the change position card has been fully inserted, or the maximum-clearance configuration may be used in order to reduce friction. In an embodiment, the change position card is flat and extends along respectively parallel to the primary lateral axis in the auxiliary card position respectively when seated in the auxiliary receptacle. In another embodiment, the card transfer unit and/or the auxiliary receptacle are designed such that a peripheral region of the change position card is bent, in particular in an S-shaped manner, in the auxiliary card position. In particular, a first portion of the change position card, pointing away from the set receptacle extends, in the auxiliary card position, parallel to the secondary lateral axis, while a second portion of the change position card, pointing towards the set receptacle, is bent, in particular in an S-shaped manner in a viewing direction along the secondary lateral axis as peripheral portion. The bending may in particular be a bending in the proximal direction. The bent second portion may be a peripheral portion of the change position card and may be substantially smaller as compared to the first portion, typically e.g. 1 ,2mm to 1 ,5mm, for example 1 ,3mm, of the long card side. For such design, the auxiliary receptacle, in particular the proximal and distal auxiliary receptacle wall, may not be simply strait but designed accordingly provide the bending. As mentioned before, a peripheral section of the change-position card may be located in the card transfer unit, specifically between the transfer rollers, in the auxiliary card position. For such design, the bending may be, fully or partly, in a correspondingly designed card transfer unit. In a further design, the bending is distributed between the card transfer unit and an adjacent section of the auxiliary receptacle.

In an embodiment, the step (g) of re-inserting the change position card is executed differently as follows: In a first sub-step (g1 '), the set receptacle is displaced in the proximal direction, with distal insertion subset being forced against the first pusher respectively its distal end. This may be done, in dependence of the embodiment, via the biasing member in the biasing configuration or a wall-moving actuator, e.g. a wall moving voice coil actuator. As the set receptacle moves in the proximal direction, the position of the distal insertion subset is maintained and only the proximal insertion subset moves in the proximal direction. Consequently, a gap generally opens between the proximal and distal insertion subset. In a subsequent sub-step (g2^T), separation member, for example a separation protrusion as integrally formed with the pickup roller is broth into contact with the most distal card of the proximal insertion subset in its peripheral region. Thereby, it is ensured that the gap between the proximal and distal insertion subset is subsequently maintained respectively is opened in case the card of the proximal removal subset are somewhat tilted within the set receptacle and lean in distal direction against the distal insertion subset. It is noted that, in contrast to an embodiment with a bending member as described before, the separation member generally exerts little or at the most a low force on the proximal insertion subset respectively its most distal card. In subsequent sub-step (g3), the change position card may be transferred into the set receptacle via the transfer unit, in particular transport rollers, as described before. In this process, the change position card passes between the separation member, e.g. separation protrusion, and the most distal card of the proximal insertion subset. In dependence on the specific situation, the inertia of the change position card may or may not be sufficient to move into its final position in the set receptacle. Therefore, in a subsequent sub-step (g4), the change position card may be pushed, via the second pusher, along the second lateral axis into the set receptacle. At the same time, the cards of the proximal insertion subset are pushed along the primary lateral axis into the standard set configuration. In such embodiment, step (4) is accordingly executed integrally with step (g4), respectively with part of step (g). Step (g) respectively its subsets are favourably executed under position control of the set receptacle. For carrying out step (g) in the before-described manner, it is required for the second pusher to start its movement for step (g4) in a suited position along the primary lateral axis to allow pushing the change position card into the set receptacle. For this purpose, the second pusher is favourably chamfered or bevelled as mentioned before, thereby allowing it to assume a position along the primary lateral axis in the area of the auxiliary card position. Due to the chamfer, the second pusher may interfere with respectively bend the change position card out of the way when moving in the second lateral direction, without marking or otherwise damaging it.

In an embodiment, the card arranging device includes an integrated weight scale which may be realized by or include a load cell in coupling with the control unit of the card arranging device. The weight scale is configured to determine a measured weight of the set of cards that is received by the set receptacle. In a typical design, a load cell is integrated into the receptacle ground such that the weight of the set of cards rests fully or partly on the load cell. The card arranging device may be configured to execute a weight checking procedure. Such weight checking procedure may include determining a measured weight of the set of cards and determining if the measured weight corresponds to respectively equals an expected weight. If this is not the case, i.e., if the measured weight does not correspond to the expected weight respectively deviates from the expected weight by more than a pre-determined weight tolerance, the weight checking procedure favourably includes providing a corresponding indication, in particular a warning. Further in particular embodiments, the weight checking procedure includes ejecting the set of cards as explained before in this case. The weight tolerance for the set of cards is favourably set to a value that is favourably smaller, for example an order of magnitude smaller, than the weight of a single card. The weight scale further has generally a precision and resolution that is sufficient to determine the weight of a single card. Thereby, the weight checking procedure allows to quickly determine whether, the set of cards is complete respectively comprises an expected number of cards, e.g., the number of cards corresponding to a deck of cards used forthe game of Poker. In embodiments with biasing configuration and clearance configuration, the weight checking procedure is favourably carried out in the clearance configuration in order to ensure that all cards rest on the receptacle ground and the weight scale with their full weight.

The card arranging device may be configured to execute a weight checking procedure before executing the card arranging procedure and also particular preparatory procedures such an initial card order determination procedure, a card arranging planning procedure, or an integrity check as discussed further below.

While an integrity check and an integrity checking procedure as discussed further below may also be used to detect any missing card, i.e., if the actual number of cards corresponds to the expected number of cards, a weight checking procedure may provide this information very quickly. Therefore, the weight checking procedure may be foreseen prior to the subsequent and more time-consuming procedures as initial plausibility check. It is noted that a weight scale and a weight checking routine may, of course, also be foreseen in a dedicated integrity checking device as discussed further below in the same manner.

The card arranging device may include one or more sensors in operative coupling with the control unit. Such sensors may be used to control respectively coordinate and/or monitor and/or supervise the operation of the card arranging device. In particular, one or more optical sensors such as a (slotted) optical switches (also known as (fork) light barriers) reflex light barriers, and/or tactile sensor, such as a micro switch, may be foreseen. By way of example, slotted light barriers may be used for one or more of detecting if the change position card is fully received in the set receptacle, for one or more positions of ejection pin, and for an opened respectively closed open door position, as well as a maximum clearance position of the movable wall. Further, an optical sensor in form of a reflex light barrier may exemplarily be foreseen to detect if the change position card has left the card transfer unit, in particular the rollers as discussed before, when reinserting it into the set receptacle.

Optical and/or magnetic linear and/or rotatory encoders may be present for various drives or actuators. By way of example, in a particular design a rotatory encoder for a dropping roller drive as explained further below, a hall sensor for a linear motor that moves the first and second pusher along the primary lateral axis and a magnetic or optical relative encoder for the voice coil actuator that moves the set receptacle along the normal axis may be fore- seen. Further, sensors such as optical switches as mentioned before may be foreseen for relative encoder homing. Also, the rotational position of the pickup roller may be monitored, in particular in embodiments with a bending protrusion as mentioned. It is noted that one or more encoders may be integral parts of drives, in particular servo drives, which allow for direct position control

A user interface respectively human-machine interface as mentioned before may generally be realized in a number of ways as generally known in the art and may include one or more input devices, such as pushbuttons or switches and output devices, such as LEDs and/or display devices. Other input and/or output devices, for example audio cues, buzzers or loudspeakers, may also be used. In an embodiment of the card arranging device, a humanmachine interface includes a single pushbutton for controlling operation of the card arranging device, in particular starting a shuffling procedure, selecting an operation mode and ejecting a set of cards after shuffling, surrounded by a ring of RGB-LEDs to provide a clear indication of an operational state as well as error messages, warnings etc.

In an embodiment, the target card order is a generally random card order. The target card order being a random card order implies that the set of cards is shuffled, as typically required for playing card games, e.g. one or more decks of cards used for the game of Poker, the game of Bridge, the game of Blackjack, the game of Baccarat or the game of Skat. A card arranging device of this type is also referred to a shuffling device as mentioned before. Card shuffling may be achieved by repeatedly executing the position change procedure with suitably selected removal position and insertion position as discussed further below. In some embodiments, however, the card arranging device may be configured to bring the cards into a predetermined non-random card order, in particular a default card order as target card order. Such device is referred to as sorting device as mentioned before. When used for card games, however, it is noted that the card arranging device is not designed to and must not allow to bring the cards into any user-selected order other than a default or random one.

Since card sorting and card shuffling only distinguish in the way the card arranging procedure respectively the position change procedures are carried out, while the way the set of cards is manipulated may be identical in both cases, the card arranging device and in particular the control unit may be configured for alternative operating in a shuffling mode respectively sorting mode.

In an embodiment, a specially distinguished card, in particular a cut card, has a pre-determined position, in particular, a most proximal or most distal position within the set of cards in the target card order. A cut card is a typically uniform card of the same size as the other cards, in particular playing cards, that, however, does not carry a suit and rank and has generally simple plain card fronts. Also, the cut card may be coloured. A cut card is used as outermost card in a set of cards to prevent that anyone may identify an outermost card for which relevant information, in particular suit and/or rank or at least a part thereof, may otherwise be visible. If the target card order cut card is at its pre-determined position as mentioned before but the order of the cards is otherwise a random order, it is still a generally random card order.

To operate as shuffling device respectively in a shuffling mode, the card arranging procedure may be executed under control of a control unit in different ways as explained in the following.

In an embodiment, the removal position and the insertion position are both random positions in each execution of the position change procedure. In such embodiment, an arbitrarily respectively randomly chosen card (determined by the randomly determined removal position) is re-positioned to an arbitrarily respectively randomly selected new position (determined by the randomly determined insertion position), thereby altering its position within the set of cards. By repeating this process a number of times, an adequate shuffling respectively randomization of the card order can be achieved. In an alternative embodiment that may be favourable regarding the number of required position change procedures as well as the level of confidence of randomization, a card arranging planning procedure is first executed and the card arranging procedure is executed in accordance with the card arranging planning procedure as explained further below.

In an embodiment, the card arranging device includes a hardware random number generator. In such embodiment, the card arranging device is configured to determine the target card order and/or at least one of the removal position and the insertion position, in particular both of the removal position and the insertion position, of the position change procedure based on random data generated by the hardware random number generator.

Typical shuffling devices according to the state of the art rely on a software- respectively firmware-implemented random number generator as basis for the shuffling, with the respective program code being executed by a control unit, e.g. a microprocessor or microcontroller of the control unit. To ensure a sufficient grade of randomization as required, e.g. in regulated casino and cardroom gaming, it is generally desirable and potentially regulatory required to reset the respective hardware, e.g. microcontroller or microprocessor, prior to each shuffling, to avoid any corruption of the randomization process. By using a hardware random number generator, this drawback can be avoided, while ensuring adequate randomization.

Hardware random number generators are commercially available as dedicated hardware respectively semiconductor components as well as integrated into mother components in particular microcontrollers. They are typically used, e.g. for mobile communication and security applications. The hardware random number generator generates a random bit stream that is subsequently processed respectively scaled via the control unit, typically software firmware run on a microcomputer or microcontroller of the control unit, to obtain the target set order as random order, respectively random removal/insertion positions

In an embodiment, the card arranging device is configured to execute a card arranging planning procedure. The card arranging planning procedure includes determining, based on the target card order and an initial card order, the initial card order corresponding to an order of the cards within the set of cards prior to executing the card arranging procedure, a sequence of card position changes. Each card position change corresponds to an altering of a card position of one of the cards within the set of cards. For each execution of the position-change procedure, the removal position and the insertion position are determined in accordance with the sequence of card position changes.

The initial card order may in principle be known and pre-set, for example for a new deck of cards used for the game of Poker, where the cards are sorted by suit and rank. Typically, in particular if the cards have already been used, the initial card order is not known beforehand. Therefore, the initial card order may be determined by an integrated initial card order determination device as explained further below. The target card order may be a sorted card order for a sorting device respectively a device operating in a sorting mode as explained before. For a shuffling device respectively an arranging in shuffling mode, the target card order may in particular be determined based on random numbers that may for example be generated using a hardware random number generator as mentioned before.

For this type of embodiment, the target card order which may in particular be a random card order for the case of shuffling, is determined before the re-arranging of the cards is carried out respectively before the position of individual cards within the set of cards is changed respectively altered. Further for this type of embodiment, the actual position of each card within the set of cards is generally known at each point in time. While this type of embodiment requires some additional effort in comparison to randomly altering the position of cards within the set of cards, in particular providing and typically determining the initial card order, it allows an adequate randomization with a comparatively low number of repetitions of the position change procedure, which is desirable to keep the shuffling time low. For determining the sequence of position changes, different approaches may be used. The sequence of position changes may consist of placing the cards sequentially at their respective positions according to the target card order, if not already at that position. For example, the card that shall be most proximal respectively most distal within the set of cards according to the target card order may be moved to the most proximal respectively most distal position within the set of cards, unless it is already at this position. Subsequently, the card that shall be at the second-proximal respectively second-distal position within the set of cards according to the target card order may be moved to the second-most proximal respectively second-most distal position within the set of cards, unless it is already at this position, and so forth. Other approaches respectively algorithms that potentially require a lower number of repetitions of the position chance procedure, however, may be used as well.

The card arranging planning procedure may be executed prior to executing the card arranging procedure. For this type of embodiment, all individual position changes respectively the sequence are determined in advance, i.e. before the card arranging procedure is executed. However, it is in principle possible to at least partly execute the arrangement planning procedure in parallel with executing the card arranging procedure. For example, it may be possible to execute each card position change directly subsequent to planning it, one after the other.

In an embodiment, the card arranging device includes an initial card order determination device. The initial card order determination device includes a camera unit and an image processing unit. The initial card order determination device is configured to execute an initial card order determination procedure. The initial card order determination procedure includes capturing at least one card image of at least part of the proximal card front or distal card front of each card of the set of cards one after the other with the camera unit. In an embodiment, a number of card images is captured for each card. The initial card order determination procedure further includes determining, by the image processing unit, the initial card order from the captured images. The initial card order refers to an order of the cards within the set of cards prior to executing the card arranging procedure. During execution of the initial card order determination procedure, the order of the cards is generally not changed. While a single card image may be used in principle a number of card images may also be used to increase robustness.

The camera unit typically includes an electronic video and/or still image camera unit as generally known in the art and further includes auxiliary components such as lenses, lighting respectively illumination systems, optical filters etc. The image processing unit is generally implemented fully or partly by software or firmware running on one or more microcontrollers and/or microprocessors which may be dedicated fully or partly integral with a control unit. A card image is an image of a part of either of the proximal respectively distal card front that carries card identification information that is sufficient to identify a card. For playing cards as generally assumed, the card image is on the face side of the cards and the card identification information may in particular be the suit and rank that is shown on the face side of each card (with exception of a potentially present cut card as mentioned before), typically in proximity to one of the corners.

It is noted that the card image does not need to show the full available information, e.g. the full suit and rank, but a sufficient portion thereof that allows identification, in the following also referred to as card identification information. The arrangement and the image area of the camera unit are chosen to show such information. For determining the initial card orderfrom the captured images, the image processing unit is configured to determine to which reference image a captured image corresponds. This may be achieved using a variety of image recognition respectively image processing methods as generally known in the art, for example correlation-based image comparing respectively image recognition algorithms or using a correspondingly trained artificial neural network. Using a trained artificial neural network is favourably in that is rather robust regarding the card design and especially regarding card identification information. Training with a comparable small variety of decks of cards is generally sufficient to enable card identification of a rather large variety of cards, including cards from different manufacturers featuring different artwork.

It is generally required that all cards of the set of cards are oriented in the same manner, that is, the face side of each card showing in the same direction (in particular the proximal direction), i.e. the face side corresponds to the proximal card front. Whether this condition is actually met may be checked in the context of an integrity check as explained further below. In a design as generally assumed in the following, the camera unit has a viewing direction from proximal towards distal and is arranged proximal of the set receptacle along the normal axis. Reversed arrangements where the face side may also correspond to the distal face of each card, however, are possible as well. In any case, the camera unit is arranged and has a viewing direction to capture the card images as explained before.

In a particular embodiment of an initial card order determination device, the initial card order determination device includes a tilting member. The tilting member of such embodiment is configured to project into the receptacle room with a tilting member end being positioned within the receptacle room. Projection of the tilting member into the receptacle room may in an embodiment be selective. The initial card order determination device may further include a receptacle tilting member moving unit. The receptacle tilting member moving unit is arranged to vary a relative position between the tilting member and the set receptacle along the normal axis. The receptacle tilting member moving unit may in particular be integral with respectively formed by the receptacle-pusher moving unit as explained before, with the receptacle-pusher moving unit also serving as receptacle tilting member moving unit.

The cards of the set of cards may in each case assume a levelled card configuration and an alternative tilted card configuration, wherein the base section of the circumferential card edging of each card rests on the receptacle ground in its levelled configuration. In its respective tilted card configuration, each card is tilted around a tilting axis parallel to the normal axis with respect to the levelled card configuration by the tilting member pushing against the base section of its circumferential card edging.

The initial card order determination procedure may for such embodiment include, starting from an initial set configuration where all cards of the set of cards are in their respective tilted card configuration, controlling the receptacle tilting member moving unit to displace the set receptacle and the tilting member with respect to each other along the normal axis such that the cards pass the tilting member end and lose contact with the tilting member one afterthe other, thereby moving from their tilted card configuration intotheir respective levelled card configuration. The initial card order determination procedure may include capturing at least one image of each card before, while or subsequent to moving into its respective levelled card configuration. In an embodiment, the initial card order determination procedure includes capturing a set of card images of each card while moving into its levelled configuration and evaluating the set of card images for each card. It is noted that, if images are captured while a card is moving, the card identification information should move through the field of view of the camera unit. Typically, however, not all of the card identification information will be present in each picture. This is not problematic e.g. when using a neural network for image recognition.

The tilting member, for example an ejection pin or dedicated tilting pin as mentioned before, is favourably arranged slightly tilted with respect to gravity respectively with respect to the normal axis. As a consequence, also the tilted subset ill lean against and be supported by a receptacle wall, for example the receptacle wall, and in any case does not fall against the dropping roller.

The cards that are in the tilted card configuration form, in combination, a tilted subset of the set of cards, while the cards that have moved into their respective levelled card configuration form, in combination, a levelled subset of the set of cards. The movement of a card from its tilted card configuration into its levelled card configuration is also referred to as dropping of the respective card. In the initial set configuration, before the first respectively most distal card has dropped, all cards of the set of cards belong to the tilted subset, respectively the tilted subset is identical with the set of cards. When the last card has been dropped, all cards of the set of cards belong to the levelled subset respectively the levelled subset is identical with the set of cards. For the card arranging procedure as mentioned before, all cards are generally in their levelled configuration as it is given when the initial card order determination procedure is complete.

In a particular design, card identification is carried out in two steps for each of the cards in the initial card order determination procedure. In a first step, it is detected that a card is available for identification. This may in particular be done based on the images as captured by the camera unit, in particular determination that a card is non-moving respectively has assumed the levelled configuration. Alternatively or additionally, one or more levelled card configuration detecting sensors may be provided. A levelled card configuration detecting sensor may, for example be an acoustic sensor with corresponding signal processing that that detects a characteristic noise of a card hitting the receptacle ground. Other type of sensors that may be used as levelled card configuration detecting sensors are a force sensor or pressure sensor that is hit by a card upon assuming the levelled card configuration or an optical sensor that detects non-movement vs movement of the card. In a subsequent second step an image classification of a captured image is carried out, thereby identifying the card. In a favourable implementation, images are continuously captured during the sequential dropping of the cards. The identification of the cards is carried out subsequently, wherein only card images of each card in the levelled configuration subsequent to being dropped are used forthe identification, in particular by feeding them into the artificial neural network as mentioned before.

In a particular embodiment including a tilting member, the tilting member is arranged to be movable by the tilting member drive between a retracted tilting member position and an advanced tilting member position by a tilting member drive. The tilting member may be configured to not project into the receptacle room in the retracted tilting member position and to project into the receptacle room in the advanced tilting member position. Whether or not the tilting member actually projects into the receptacle room may depend on the relative position between tilting member and set receptacle along the normal axis, as determined by receptacle tilting member moving unit. In such embodiment with a movably arranged tilting member, the initial card order determination procedure may include a preparatory step of controlling the tilting member drive to move the tilting member from the retracted tilting member position into the advanced tilting member position, thereby pushing all cards of the set of cards from a respective levelled card configuration into a respective tilted card configuration, thereby establishing the initial set configuration. The preparatory step is generally executed prior to dropping the cards one after and capturing the card images as explained before. For this type of embodiment, the cards of the set of cards are in each case in their levelled configuration prior to the initial card order determination procedure being executed. In alternative embodiments, however, the card arranging device may be configured such that tilting member, in particular an ejection pin as explained below, is already in the advanced tilting member position before a set of cards is initially placed in respectively inserted into the set receptacle by a user. In such embodiment, all cards are accordingly directly in their respective tilted card configuration.

The tilting member may in particular be formed by an ejection member, in particular an ejection pin as explained before. In a design with a number of ejection members, moving only one of them out of its retracted ejection member position into the receptacle room and towards its advanced ejection member position, will result in the set of cards being tilted by the ejection member, e.g. ejection pin. For such embodiment, the advanced tilting member position is favourable an intermediate ejection member position, for example intermediate ejection pin position, between the retracted ejection member position and the advanced ejection member position. Further in such design, movement of the ejection members is favourably separately controllable, respectively each of the e.g. two to five ejection members has a separate ejection member drive. In other embodiments, however, some or all ejection members may share a drive and be movable together. Further, the ejection member drive of the ejection member that serves as tilting member is also respectively formed integral with the tilting member drive. An ejection member also serving as tilting member is generally movable independent from further ejection members. In alternative designs, however, the tilting member and the tilting member drive are separate and distinct. In any case, operation of the tilting member drive is controlled by the control unit.

Regarding the receptacle tilting member moving unit, it is noted that it in principle only needs to enable a relative movement along the normal axis. In particular embodiments where the receptacle tilting member moving unit is integral with respectively formed by the receptacle-pusher moving unit, the set receptacle is movable with respect to a support structure of the card arranging device by the receptacle-pusher moving unit along the normal axis only, in particular via a dedicated receptacle displacement actuator as mentioned before.

In dependence of the design, the relative movement between the set receptacle and the tilting member may be such that the set receptacle moves in proximal direction orthe distal direction relative to the tilting member for dropping the cards one after the other. In the following, it is generally assumed that the set receptacle moves into the distal direction with respect to the tilting member. In such design, the tilting member end is a distal tilting member end. An alternative arrangement, however, is possible as well.

For dropping the cards one after the other, an actuator of the receptacle tilting member moving unit, in particularthe receptacle displacement actuator as mentioned, may be controlled to displace the set receptacle in the distal direction continuously or substantially continuously. In an embodiment, the receptacle displacement actuator may be operated in a position control mode. In such design, the receptacle displacement actuator, or more generally an actuator of the receptacle tilting member moving unit may be controlled to move the set receptacle and the tilting member relative to each other into a position that is assumed when all cards have been dropped, while providing a speed limit. Alternatively, a speed control mode is used which may be foreseen in addition to a position control mode and force control mode as mentioned before. In a further variant, the position control mode may be used, and the actuator is controlled to move into a sequence of position in a number of steps generally corresponding to the number of cards that are spaced by each other by a distance generally corresponding to the card thickness. The total moving distance for dropping the cards generally corresponds to the set thickness, i.e. the combined card thickness of all cards. In embodiments where the set receptacle includes a movable wall and a reference wall as explained before, in particular the dropping of the cards one after the other is favourably carried out in the clearance configuration in order to reduce friction.

It is noted that in embodiments where the relative movement of the set receptacle and the tilting member, e.g. an ejection member, is achieved by moving the set receptacle along the normal axis with respect to the support structure, the tilting member is generally fixed respectively stationary with respect to the normal axis. In alternative embodiments, however, the set receptacle may be stationary respectively fixed with respect to the normal axis, and the tilting member, e.g. an ejection member, is moved. In such embodiment, the moving direction of the tilting member is reversed to the moving direction of the set receptacle as generally referred to in the description above. What is in any case decisive is the relative movement. In a particular embodiment of an initial card order determination device of the before-mentioned design, the initial card order determination device includes a dropping roller in coupling with a dropping roller drive. The dropping roller may have a dropping roller axis that extends along respectively parallel to the card fronts and may for example extend along respectively parallel to the primary lateral axis. In embodiments where the set receptacle is moved in the distal direction relative to the tilting member for dropping the cards as generally assumed, the dropping roller is arranged to contact and f rictionally engage the distal card front of the most distal card of the tilted subset, i.e. the distal outermost card of the tilted subset. In alternative embodiments where the set receptacle is moved in the proximal direction relative to the tilting member for dropping the cards, the dropping roller may be arranged to contact and f rictiona lly engage the proximal card front of the most proximal card of the tilted subset, i.e. of the proximal outermost card of the tilted subset.

Typically, the dropping roller is arranged fixed along the normal axis. For dropping the cards one after the other, the card front that contacts the dropping roller, e.g. the distal card front of the most distal card of the tilted subset, is forced against the dropping roller. In alternative embodiments, the dropping roller may be arranged movable along the normal axis and biased against the tilted subset e.g. by a dropping roller biasing spring.

The dropping roller, more particular its circumferential surface, and the tilting member end are favourably aligned with each other such that, in a top view respectively viewing direction along the secondary lateral axis, are positioned with respect to each other such that a gap is present between them with a gap width that corresponds to the thickness of a single card. Favourably, the gap width is adjustable respectively tuneable, in particular in a calibration process. It is noted that the dropping roller axis being parallel to the primary lateral axis results in the dropping roller being oblique with respect to the cards of the tilted subset. This, however, is not problematic as long a sufficient contact surface is ensured. In principle, however, it would also be possible to arrange the dropping roller axis differently, e.g. with the dropping roller axis extending parallel with the extension of the tilted subset.

While dropping the cards one after the other the control unit controls the dropping roller drive to rotate the dropping roller in a direction such that the card that contacts the dropping roller, e.g. the most distal card of the tilted subset, is forced towards its levelled configuration, typically downwards.

While dropping the cards one after the other as explained before may in principle be based on gravity only, providing a dropping roller as mentioned ensures a smooth, properly timed and quick dropping. Further, dirt such as hand cream, fat, oil or food particles, or static electricity may result in cards sticking together, resulting in cards potentially not being dropped separately and one after the other if relying on gravity only. A dropping roller ensures that any desired sticking force between neighbouring cards is overcome.

In a favourable design with a dropping roller, the position of the dropping roller is variable respectively adjustable, typically manually adjustable, along its axis, thereby allow a positioning of the dropping roller in dependence of the card size. In particular cards used for the game of Poker and cards used for the game of Bridge may require different positions of the dropping roller due to their significantly different size.

In embodiments with a movable wall and a reference wall as explained before, the movable wall is in the clearance configuration for dropping the cards one after the other, such that the tilted subset is clamped between the reference wall and the dropping roller and is forced in the distal direction by the reference wall, without interference of the movable wall and generally without friction.

In a favourable embodiment, rotation of the dropping roller is started in a configuration where the dropping roller does not contact the set of cards i.e. the set of cards does not contact the dropping roller but is spaced apart from the dropping roller in proximal direction. Rotation of the dropping roller may in particular be started before pushing the set of cards against the dropping roller.

By tilting the set of cards as a whole and subsequently moving respectively returning the cards one after the other into their respective levelled configuration respectively by dropping the cards one after the other, the card identification information comes into the field of view of the camera and one or more images can be captured by the camera unit for one card after the other. If, as generally assumed, the face side of each card, i.e. the side carrying the card identification information, is the proximal card front, the card identification information is visible for a camera unit having a viewing direction from proximal towards distal after and potentially while being dropped, before it is hidden by the next following card. That is, the card identification information is visible for the most proximal card of the levelled subset.

If, alternatively, the face side of each card is the distal card front, the card identification information is visiblefor a camera unit having a viewing direction from distal towards proximal before and potentially while being dropped. That is, the card identification information is visible for the most distal card of the tilted subset. In a particular embodiment of an initial card order determination device, the initial card order determination device is configured to determine from the captured images an actual set composition of the set of cards, to compare the actual set composition with a given expected set composition and to provide an indication if the actual set composition does not match the expected set composition.

The expression "set composition" may refer to the total composition of the set of cards from generally distinguishable cards as distinguishable in particular via card identification information on the face side of the cards as explained before. The expected set composition is the composition of the set of cards that should be given for a particular application, for example the composition of a deck used for the game of Poker, with each card being unique and distinguishable by suit and rank. It is not essential, however, that all cards are distinguishable from all other cards. This is not the case, e.g., if the set of cards is made of two decks of poker cards. The expression "set composition", however, does not refer to the order of the individual cards within the set of cards.

Typically, the set composition additionally relates to the orientation of the individual cards within the set of cards, in particular which of the proximal and distal card front of each card corresponds is the face side respectively the backside of each card. The expected set composition generally requires that all cards are oriented in a common and generally pre-defined way, i.e. the face side is the proximal card front or the distal card front for all cards.

Further, the actual set composition may refer to the total number of cards of the set of cards corresponding to an expected number of cards, for example 52 cards plus an additional cut card. The determination respectively checking whether the actual set composition corresponds to an expected set composition is also referred to as integrity checking procedure.

A set of cards where the actual set composition meets the expected set composition may in particular be a set of cards that is fit for being used, e.g. for card games. The assessment whether the actual set composition corresponds to the expected set composition is also referred to as integrity check. An integrity check is passed if the actual set composition corresponds to the expected set composition and is failed if the actual set composition does not correspond to the expected set composition. Further the integrity check may additionally or alternatively include counting an actual number of cards of the set of cards and determining whether the actual number of cards corresponds to an expected number of cards. That is, the actual set composition may correspond to the expected set composition if a counted number of cards corresponds to an expected number of cards, for example 52 cards.

In a particular embodiment, the card arranging device is configured to provide an indication if the integrity check fails. The card arranging device may further be configured to control a door of the card arranging device and an ejection device as explained before to move a door into the open position and eject the set of cards if the integrity check is failed, favourably upon a corresponding explicit command provided by a user. If the integrity check is passed, the card arranging device is generally configured to automatically execute the card arranging procedure.

It is noted that, when determining the initial card order as explained before, the information required for an integrity check is also obtained as a side effect, since it also relies on the same captured images. In some embodiments, however, the card arranging device is also configured to operate in an integrity checking mode respectively operate as integrity checking device. In this case, the card arranging device may only execute the initial card order determination procedure, including the determination whether the actual set composition corresponds to the expected set composition, without subsequently executing the card arranging procedure if the integrity check is passed. Also, if merely an integrity check is required, the determination of the actual card order as initial card order is not required. Instead, it may only be determined if the actual set composition corresponds to the expected set composition.

It is noted that an integrity check respectively carrying out an integrity checking procedure as well as the initial card order determination does, as such, rely on a number but not all elements of a card arranging device in accordance with the present disclosure. In particular, the first and second pusher and the card transfer unit are not required in this context. Also, the receptacle pusher moving unit is not required with all of its functionality as mentioned before, since it is sufficient to allow variation of the relative position between the tilting member and the set receptacle along the normal axis, e.g. by moving the set receptacle, as explained before.

According to an aspect, the present disclosure releases to an integrity checking device for checking the integrity of a set of cards, the set of cards including a number of cards, in particular playing cards, wherein the cards each have a proximal card front and a distal card front, the proximal and the distal card front being parallel to each other, wherein the cards each further have a circumferential card edging, the circumferential card edging extending between and connecting the proximal and the distal card front of the respective card. The integrity checking device includes set receptacle, the set receptacle having a proximal receptacle wall, a distal receptacle wall and a receptacle ground. The distal receptacle wall is spaced apart with respect to the proximal receptacle wall in a distal direction along a normal axis by a receptacle clearance. The proximal receptacle wall, the distal receptacle wall and the receptacle ground delimit a receptacle room in which the set of cards can be accommodated with a proximal card front of a most proximal card facing the proximal receptacle wall and the distal card front of a most distal card facing the distal receptacle wall and with a base section of the circumferential card edging of each card resting on the receptacle ground.

The integrity checking device further includes a tilting member. The tilting member is configured to project into the receptacle room with a tilting member end being positioned within the receptacle room. Projection of the tilting member into the receptacle room may in an embodiment be selective. The initial card order determination device may further include a receptacle tilting member moving unit. The receptacle tilting member moving unit is arranged to vary a relative position between the tilting member and the set receptacle along the normal axis.

The cards of the set of cards may in each case assume a levelled card configuration and an alternative tilted card configuration, wherein the base section of the circumferential card edging of each card rests on the receptacle ground in its levelled configuration. In its respective tilted card configuration, each card is tilted around a tilting axis parallel to the normal axis with respect to the levelled card configuration by the tilting member pushing against the base section of its circumferential card edging. The integrity checking device may further include a camera unit and an image processing unit. The integrity checking device is configured to execute an integrity checking procedure. The integrity checking procedure may include staring from an initial set configuration where all cards of the set of cards are in their respective tilted card configuration, controlling the receptacle tilting member moving unitto displace the set receptacle and the tilting member with respect to each other along the normal axis such that the cards pass the tilting member end and lose contact with the tilting member one after the other, thereby moving from their tilted card configuration into their respective levelled card configuration. The integrity checking procedure further includes capturing at least one card image of at least part of the proximal card front or distal card front of each card of the set of cards one after the other with the camera unit.

The integrity checking procedure may further include determining from the captured images an actual set composition of the set of cards, to compare by the image processing unit the actual set composition with a given expected set composition and to provide an indication if the actual set composition does not match the expected set composition.

Further aspects, embodiments and variants of an integrity checking device according to the present disclosure, in particular the design of its structural and functional components as well as the way the integrity checking procedure is carried out correspond to embodiments as described before in the context of a card arranging device and may be used in a dedicated integrity checking device as well. By way of example, the integrity checking device may include an ejection device and the tilting member may also be an ejection member, for example an ejection pin as mentioned before. The receptacle tilting member moving unit may be designed as discussed before in the context of the receptacle-pusher moving unit and may in particular be designed to move the set receptacle with respect to a support structure of the card arranging device by the receptacle-pusher moving unit along the normal axis only. It is noted, however, that the precision and speed of a comparatively expensive voice coil actuator may not be required in a standalone integrity checking device. Another type of drive respectively actuator, for example a simpler type of linear motor or a spindle drive, may be used instead. Also, the integrity checking device may include a door as explained before.

It is noted that in particular in a standalone integrity checking device, the tilting member may in an embodiment not be movable but fixed. The tilting member may in such design for example be a fixed tilting pin or a tilting surface that is fixedly arranged with respect to the receptacle ground in a tilted manner and receives the set of cards in the tilted configuration. As standalone device, such integrity checking device may optionally be designed to be place on top of a table. Further, it may optionally be designed for inserting the set of cards into the set receptacle by a user and removing the set of cards by a user from a side, in particular along the primary lateral axis. Like an integrity checking device, also a card arranging device may optionally be designed as stand-alone device.

In a further aspect, the overall objective is achieved by a method for arranging a set of cards, the set of cards including a number of cards, in particular playing cards, in a target card order using a card arranging device. The card arranging device may be but is not necessarily a card arranging device as disclosed above and/or further below. Regarding the properties and composition of the set of cards, reference is made to the preceding description. Also terms and expressions are used in the same way as in the preceding description as well as the exemplary embodiments. The card arranging procedure includes repeatedly executing a position change procedure. The position change procedure includes removing a change position card from the set of cards, the change position card having an initial card position within the set of cards. The removing consists of or includes moving the change position card along a primary lateral axis in a first lateral direction. The position change procedure further includes inserting the change position card into the set of cards at a target card position within the set of cards. Inserting the change position card consists of or includes moving the change position card in a second lateral direction. The second lateral direction is opposite to the first lateral direction. Moving the change position card along the primary lateral axis may in particular be done by displacing of the change position card along the primary lateral axis in a linear or substantially linear manner. The target card position within the set of cards is different from the initial card position within the set of cards. The target card order may in particular be a random card order or default card order as mentioned before.

In a further aspect, the overall objective is achieved by a card arranging device that is con- figured to execute the method for arranging a set of cards.

Further particular embodiments and variants of the method for arranging a set of cards as well as the corresponding card arranging device are disclosed and further discussed in the context of a card arranging device above and further below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The herein described invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying figures which should not be considered limiting to the invention described in the appended claims. The figures show:

Fig. 1 a card arranging device in accordance with the present disclosure in a sche- matic top view;

Fig. 2 the card arranging device of Fig. 1 in a view corresponding to Fig. 1 together with a set of cards and further features of the card arranging device;

Fig. 3 an exemplary configuration in a position change procedure executed by a card arranging device pursuant to Fig. 2 at the beginning of the position change procedure;

Fig. 4 an exemplary further configuration in a position change procedure, subse- quent to the configuration Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 an exemplary further configuration in a position change procedure, subse- quent to the configuration Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 an exemplary further configuration in a position change procedure, subsequent to the configuration Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 an exemplary further configuration in a position change procedure, subsequent to the configuration Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 an exemplary further configuration in a position change procedure, subse- quent to the configuration Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 an exemplary further configuration in a position change procedure, subse- quent to the configuration Fig. 8; Fig. 10 an exemplary further configuration in a position change procedure, subse- quent to the configuration Fig. 9;

Fig. 1 1 an exemplary further configuration in a position change procedure, subse- quent to the configuration Fig. 10;

Fig. 1 2 an exemplary further configuration in a position change procedure, subsequent to the configuration Fig. 1 1 ;

Fig. 1 3 an exemplary further configuration in a position change procedure, subsequent to the configuration Fig. 1 2;

Fig. 14 an exemplary further configuration in a position change procedure, subsequent to the configuration Fig. 1 3;

Fig. 1 5 an exemplary further configuration in a position change procedure, subsequent to the configuration Fig. 14;

Fig. 1 6 an exemplary further configuration in a position change procedure, subsequent to the configuration Fig. 1 5;

Fig. 1 7 an exemplary further configuration in a position change procedure, subse- quent tothe configuration Fig. 1 6 atthe end of the position change procedure;

Fig. 18 An integrity checking device in accordance with the present disclosure together with a set of cards in a schematic front view in a configuration at the beginning of an integrity checking procedure;

Fig. 1 9 A schematic side view corresponding to Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 A schematic top view corresponding to Fig. 18;

Fig. 21 The integrity checking device of Fig. 18 in a further configuration in an integrity checking procedure, subsequent to the configuration of Fig. 18, in a view corresponding to Fig. 1 8;

Fig. 22 A schematic side view corresponding to Fig. 21 ; Fig. 23 The integrity checking device of Fig. 18 in a further configuration in an integrity checking procedure, subsequent to the configuration of Fig. 21 ;

Fig. 24 A schematic side view corresponding to Fig. 23;

Fig. 25 A card arranging device and/or integrity checking device in accordance with the present disclosure after ejecting a set of cards in a schematic side view;

Fig. 26 A schematic side view corresponding to Fig. 25;

Fig. 27 An exemplary configuration of a card arranging device according to a further embodiment together with a set of cards prior to the execution of a position change procedure; Fig. 28 An exemplary further configuration of the card arranging device of Figure 27, subsequent to the configuration of Fig. 27;

Fig. 29 An exemplary further configuration of the card arranging device of Figure 27, subsequent to the configuration of Fig. 28;

Fig. 30 An exemplary further configuration of the card arranging device of Figure 27, subsequent to the configuration of Fig. 29;

Fig. 31 An exemplary further configuration of the card arranging device of Figure 27, subsequent to the configuration of Fig. 30;

Fig. 32 An exemplary further configuration of the card arranging device of Figure 27, subsequent to the configuration of Fig. 31 ; Fig. 33 An exemplary further configuration of the card arranging device of Figure 27, subsequent to the configuration of Fig. 32;

Fig. 34 An exemplary further configuration of the card arranging device of Figure 27, subsequent to the configuration of Fig. 33;

Fig. 35 An exemplary further configuration of the card arranging device of Figure 27, subsequent to the configuration of Fig. 34;

Fig. 36 An exemplary further configuration of the card arranging device of Figure 27, subsequent to the configuration of Fig. 35;

Fig. 37 An exemplary further configuration of the card arranging device of Figure 27, subsequent to the configuration of Figure 36 at the end of the position change procedure;

Fig. 38 A pickup roller of a further embodiment of card arranging device in a perspective view;

Fig. 39 A top view corresponding to Fig. 38; Fig. 40 A subassembly of a card arranging device according to a further embodiment in a perspective view;

Fig. 41 A transport roller of a further embodiment of card arranging device in a perspective view. EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all features are shown. Indeed, embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in many different form s and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein, rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Whenever possible and appropriate, like reference numbers will be used to refer to like features, in particular components or parts. However, for clarity reasons not every feature may be referenced in each and every figure showing the respective feature. Further, relative dimensions and distances as appearing in thefigures may not correspond to the actual physical design in the interest of clarity.

In the following, reference is first made to Figures 1 , 2, both showing a card arranging device 1 in accordance with the present disclosure in a schematic top view. The shown card arranging device is in particular a shuffling device but may also serve as a sorting device. The card arranging device 1 has in integrated initial card order determination unit and integrity checking device. While major components of the initial card order determination device and integrity checking device are also shown in Figures, 1 , 2, the operation of an initial card order determination device and integrity checking device will be mainly discussed further below in the context of Figure 18 to Figure 24. The view of Figure 2 generally corresponds to Figure 1 . In Figure 2, however, a set of cards 9 which may in particular form a deck of cards used for the game of Poker or the game of Bridge is additionally shown, while Figure 1 shows the card arranging device as such, without the deck of cards 9. A most proximal card is referenced as 91 p and a most distal card is referenced as 91 d. Cards in general are referenced as 91 , the circumferential card edging as 91 E. It is noted that for illustrative and clarity reasons the shown number of cards 91 is smaller than it would typically be the case.

The normal axis N, defining a proximal direction p and a distal direction d, and a primary lateral axis L- 1 transverse to the normal axis N, with the primary lateral axis L- 1 defining a first lateral direction 1-1 and a second lateral direction I-2 are indicated by dashed lines and arrows, respectively. (See e.g. Figure 19 for a secondary lateral axis L-2 which is transverse to the normal axis N and the primary lateral axis L-1 , defining a third lateral direction I-3 and a fourth lateral direction I-4). The fourth lateral direction I-4 is assumed to exemplarily correspond to the direction of gravity, and the expression "top view" is used with respect to a viewing direction towards the fourth lateral direction. It is noted that the exact position of the axes N, L-1 , L2 is merely exemplary. In particular, any of the axes may generally be parallel shifted.

The card arranging device 1 includes a set receptacle 1 1 with a proximal receptacle wall 1 1 p and a distal receptacle wall 1 1 d spaced apart from each other along the normal axis N by a receptacle clearance c to receive the set of cards 9 in a receptacle room (not referenced) between them. The card receptacle 1 1 further includes a receptacle ground 1 1 1 (best visible e.g. in Figure 19) on which the cards of the set of cards 9 rest when received in the receptacle room. In the shown design, the proximal receptacle wall is also the force exerting receptacle wall.

The proximal receptacle wall 1 1 p is a reference wall and the distal receptacle wall 1 1 d is a movable wall in the shown design. The proximal receptacle wall 1 1 p is generally fixed (but in part bendable as explained below), while the distal receptacle wall 1 1 d is displaceable along the normal axis N relative to the proximal receptacle wall 1 1 p, thereby allowing a variation of the receptacle clearance c. A wall moving device 1 7 is foreseen to allow moving the distal receptacle wall 1 1 d as movable wall from a biasing configuration where the distal receptacle wall 1 1 d contacts the most proximal card 91 d into a clearance configuration. For this purpose, the wall moving device 1 7 may include a retraction solenoid 1 71 as wall moving drive which, when energized, forces the distal receptacle wall 1 1 d into the distal direction d against the force of a biasing spring member 1 73, for example a coil spring, that exerts a force onto the distal receptacle wall 1 1 d in the proximal direction p. In the biasing configuration where the retraction solenoid 1 71 is de-energized, the set of cards 9 is clamped between the proximal receptacle wall 1 1 p and the distal receptacle wall 1 1 d, with the proximal receptacle wall 1 1 d contacting the most proximal card 91 p and the distal receptacle wall 1 1 d contacting the most distal card 91 d of the set of cards 9. Alternatively, the wall moving drive 1 71 may be a wall moving voice coil actuator. In such design, the biasing spring as well as a locking solenoid 1 72 as explained further below may be omitted.

The set receptacle 1 1 is as a whole movable along the normal axis N by way of a voice coil actuator 142 as exemplary receptacle displacement actuator in a guided manner.

A first pusher 1 31 and a second pusher 1 32 are arranged spaced apart with respect to each other along the primary lateral axis L- 1 . In the shown design, the first pusher 1 31 and the second pusher 1 32 are formed integrally with each other and connected via a pusher linkage member 1 33 that extends between them, resulting in a U-shape in the top view. The first pusher 1 31 and the second pusher 1 32 are sufficiently spaced apart along the primary lateral axis L-1 to allow the set of cards 9 to be received between them without contact respectively with clearance along the primary lateral axis L- 1 . Via a pusher displacement actuator that is exemplarily realized as linear motor 1 41 , the first pusher 1 31 and the second pusher 1 32 may be moved along the primary lateral axis L-1 in the first lateral direction 1-1 respectively the second lateral direction I-2 together with each other in a guided manner. The voice coil actuator 142 and the linear motor 141 form, together with linear guides (not shown in detail), a receptacle pusher moving unit.

In a particularly favourable design, the second pusher 1 32 is at its at its side pointing away from the first pusher 1 31 respectively at the side towards the auxiliary receptacle 1 2 as explained below (corresponding to the first lateral direction 1- 1 ) chamfered or bevelled. This allows the second pusher 1 32 to overlap along the primary lateral axis L-1 with a change position card in the auxiliary receptacle 1 2.

Thefirst pusher 1 31 and the second pusher 1 32 are arranged to project into the receptacle room from proximal towards distal via cut-outs of the proximal receptacle wall 1 1 p in dependence of the position of the set receptacle 1 1 along the normal axis N.

An auxiliary receptacle 1 2 as auxiliary card support is arranged spaced apart with respect to the set receptacle 1 1 in the first lateral direction 1-1 , with the set receptacle 1 1 and the auxiliary receptacle 1 2 being fixed to each other along the primary lateral axis L-1 . The auxiliary receptacle 1 2 comprises a proximal auxiliary receptacle wall 1 2p and a distal auxiliary receptacle wall 1 2d which are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart to receive a single card between them, i.e. with a clearance slightly wider than the card thickness. In the shown example, the auxiliary receptacle 1 2 is symmetrical with respect to the primary lateral axis L-1 .

A card transfer unit 1 5 is arranged along the primary lateral axis L-1 between the set receptacle 1 1 and the auxiliary receptacle 1 2. The card transfer unit 1 5 serves the purpose of moving a change position card between the set receptacle 1 1 and the auxiliary receptacle 1 2 as discussed further below in more detail. The card transfer unit 1 5 includes a pickup roller 1 51 and exemplarily two transport rollers 1 53, with the transport rollers 1 53 being displaced with respect to the pickup roller 1 51 in the first lateral direction 1-1 . The transport rollers 1 53 are aligned with each other along the primary lateral axis L-1 and spaced apart from each other along the normal axis N with a gap between them that allows a single card, in particular a change position card, to pass between them under frictional contact. The transport rollers 1 53 are arranged along the normal axis N symmetrical with respect to the auxiliary receptacle 1 2. The transport rollers 1 53 as well as the pickup roller 1 51 extend along axes parallel to the secondary lateral axis L-2 and are rotatable about such axes. The transport rollers 1 53 may be coupled to a transport roller drive (not separately shown) to rotate in opposite rotational directions with respect to each other in a reversible manner. The pickup roller 1 51 is coupled to a separate pickup roller drive (not separately shown) to rotate in a reversible manner. As will become apparent further below, the pickup roller 1 51 generally rotates by less than a full revolution, in contrast to the transport rollers 1 53.

In a design variant, only one of the transport rollers 1 53 is directly coupled to and driven by the transport roller drive, while the other transport roller 1 53 is non-driven respectively passive and rotates due to its contact with a change-position card as explained further below. The non-driven respectively passive transport roller 1 53 is favourably arranged in a spring-biased manner against the other driven transport roller 1 53.

The pickup roller 1 51 further includes a bending protrusion 1 52 that exemplarily has the shape of a cylinder section with diameter that is equal or similar to the pickup roller 1 51 as such and is radially displaced to the pickup roller axis. The bending protrusion serves the purpose of bending a proximal insertion subset in the proximal direction p as discussed further below.

In the shown design, the proximal receptacle wall 1 1 p further has a larger extension along the primary lateral axis L- 1 as compared to the distal receptacle wall 1 1 d and in particular extends further in the first lateral direction 1-1 towards the auxiliary receptacle 1 2 by a peripheral proximal receptacle wall region 1 1 p'. In contrast to the receptacle walls 1 1 p, 1 1 d which are in principle stiff, the peripheral proximal receptacle wall region 1 1 p' is elastically bendable in the proximal direction p.

In the shown design, the card arranging device 1 further includes an ejection device with exemplarily two ejection pins 1 61 , 1 62 as ejection members. The ejection pins 1 61 , 1 62 are exemplarily separately movable by corresponding ejection pin drives 1 63, 1 64 as ejection member drives which may in particular be servo drives, between a respective retracted ejection pin position and a respective advanced ejection pin position. In their respective retracted ejection pin position, the ejection pins 1 61 , 1 62 stand back or are flush with the receptacle ground 1 1 1 and do in particular not project into the receptacle room, while they do project into the receptacle room in their respective advanced ejection pin position respectively may project into the receptacle room in dependence of the position of the set receptacle along the normal axis N. By moving both pins 1 61 , 1 62 together from their respective retracted ejection member position into their respective advanced ejection member position, a set of cards may be pushed in the fourth lateral direction I-4 to be ejected. In the shown design, one of the ejection pins, namely ejection pin 1 61 also serves as tilting member respectively tilting pin as discussed further below. Figures 1 , 2 further show a camera unit 22 with a field of view 22', with the camera unit 22 having a viewing direction from proximal towards distal and being arranged proximal with respect to the set receptacle 1 1 . Further, a dropping roller 21 is shown that is rotatable by a dropping roller drive (not separately shown) around a dropping roller axis which extends parallel to the primary lateral axis L-1 . The camera unit 22 as well as the dropping roller 21 are used in the context of initial card order determination and integrity checking as discussed further below in more detail.

A number of further elements are only schematically shown in Figure 2 for clarity reasons. A control unit 5 controls the operation of the card arranging device 1 and/or an integrity checking device 2 as discussed further below in a manner according to the general description and as further discussed in the following. The control unit is configured to execute respectively control execution of procedures such as the card arranging procedure for shuffling and/or sorting, an arranging planning procedure, an initial card order determination procedure and/or an integrity checking procedure. In particular, the control unit 5 controls the operation of the drives and actuators, evaluates feedback and general sensor information. Favourably, the control unit 5 includes a hardware random number generator 51 . The control unit 5 may further include an image processing unit 52 for processing images as captured by the camera unit 22.

A user interface respectively human machine interface 6 is provided in operative coupling with the control unit 5. As mentioned in the general description, the human machine interface 6 may, for example, be realized by a single pushbutton and a ring of RGB-LEDs. The card arranging device further includes a pickup roller drive 1 51 a, for example a motorized servo drive, for driving the dropping roller, as well as a transport roller drive 1 53a for driving the transport rollers 1 53.

Further, a communication interface, such as an USB interface, may be present for the purposes as discussed in the general description. Such USB port or generally communication interface may be hidden or locked and accessible only with particular authorization.

Further, Figure 2 schematically shows an anti-rotation device 7 that prevents a change position card from rotating beyond a critical angle as discussed above around the normal axis respectively an axis parallel thereto. The anti-rotation device 7 is a stop that is arranged above the cards respectively displaced in the third lateral direction with respect to the card and is hit by the circumferential card edging of the change position card when rotating.

The structural components of the card arranging device 1 are generally mounted to a housing structure respectively support structure 999 from which a base plate is visible (see also

Figure 18).

In the following, the operation of the card arranging device when executing a position change procedure is discussed in more detail with reference to Figure 3 to Figure 17. All of these figures show a top view of the card arranging device 1 , similar to Figures 1 , 2. For the sake of clarity, however, elements that are not relevant in the context of a position change procedure are generally not shown. As explained in the general description, a number of position change procedures are generally executed in a sequential manner under control of a control unitfor shuffling, but also for sorting. The following discussion accord- ingly refers to both cases. Movements are indicated by bold arrows as appropriate. A double-sided arrow indicates, in particular for the set receptacle 1 1 , that the movement may generally be in two opposite directions in particular the proximal or the distal direction. Otherwise, the movement direction is indicated by a single-sided arrow. Rotations of rollers are indicated by curved arrows.

Regarding the control mode of the voice coil actuator 142 as receptacle displacement actuator, and the configuration of the distal receptacle wall 1 1 d as movable wall, it is assumed that such modes are maintained where not stated differently. Further, the distal receptacle wall may generally be locked in position by way of the locking solenoid 1 72 in the biasing configuration in situations where the movable wall is in the biasing configuration during a position change procedure. This, however, depends on the specific design and is not mandatory. It is noted that if a wall moving voice coil actuator as mentioned before is used, a desired position can be maintained by corresponding control of the wall moving voice coil actuator, and the locking solenoid 1 72 is accordingly not required.

In Figure 3, the set receptacle 1 1 (with the proximal receptacle wall 1 1 p and the distal receptacle wall 1 1 d being referenced) has been moved as step (a) of the position change procedure via the voice coil actuator 142 along the normal axis N into a removal position. It can be seen that the pushers, in particular the first pusher 1 31 covers part of the set of cards 9 along the normal axis N. The cards that the first pusher 1 31 covers form the proximal removal subset pr and the other cards form the distal removal subset dr, with the most distal card of the proximal removal subset pr being the change position card 91 ' (see Figure 4). The distal receptacle wall 1 1 d as movable wall is in the biasing configuration and the voice coil actuator 142 is operated in the position control mode. It is noted that the pushers 1 31 , 1 32 are for this step in a position where they do not interfere with respectively not contact the cards of the set of cards 9.

Subsequently, step (b) of the position change procedure is carried out where the pushers, in particular the first pusher 1 31 , are moved in the first lateral direction 1-1 . Thereby, the cards that are covered by the first pusher 1 31 along the normal axis N are pushed by the first pusher 1 31 in the first lateral direction 1-1 . Figure 4 illustrates the situation at the end of step (b) of the position change procedure where the set of cards 9 is in its removal offset set configuration. It can be seen that the proximal removal subset pr and in particular the change position card 91 ' overlaps with and respectively is covered by the pickup roller 1 51 along the primary lateral axis L-1 , but are spaced apart along the normal axis N, such that the change position card 91 ' does not contact the pickup roller 1 51 .

For moving the change position card 91 ' into the auxiliary receptacle 1 2 as step (c) of the position change procedure, the set receptacle 1 1 is first displaced in the distal direction d, thereby forcing the change position card 91 ' with its distal card front against the pickup roller 1 51 , as illustrated in Figure 5. This is typically done in force control mode, but position control mode is also possible. This step forms an intermediate step (cO) as preparatory step for the transfer of the change position card 91 ' into the auxiliary receptacle 1 2 in step (c) of the position change procedure.

Subsequently, the pickup roller 1 51 is controlled to rotate such that it further displaces the change position card 91 ' in the first lateral direction 1-1 by way of frictional contact, until an end region of the change position card 91 ' is located between the transport rollers 1 53 respectively is in a catching area of the transport rollers 1 53, as illustrated in Figure 6. This step forms sub-step (c1 ) of the position change procedure as explained in the general description and is typically carried out in force control mode but could also carried out in position control mode. It can be seen that the change position card is now displaced in the first lateral direction I- 1 with respect to both the proximal removal subset pr and the distal removal subset dr in the set receptacle 1 1 .

Subsequently, the change position card 91 ' is moved, as sub-step (c2) of the position change procedure, into the auxiliary receptacle 1 2 via the transport rollers 1 53 which are rotated by the transport roller drive in opposite directions as indicated. Figure 7 illustrates the situation upon the movement of the change position card being completed. It is noted that, while the auxiliary receptacle 1 2 is exemplarily shown as having continuous respectively through-going, plate- or sheet-shaped proximal and distal auxiliary receptacle walls, 1 2p, 1 2d in addition to an auxiliary receptacle ground 1 21 extending between them, this is not essential. Instead, a number of spaced apart support posts and/or a number of spaced apart non-driven rotatable rollers that extend parallel to the transport rollers 1 53 respectively along the secondary lateral axis L-2 may be foreseen, for example. Further in a variant, the proximal 1 2p and distal 1 2d auxiliary receptacle walls may not be present, but only an auxiliary card support that corresponds to the auxiliary receptacle ground 1 21 as abutment for gravity acting in the fourth lateral direction I-4.

As can be seen, the auxiliary receptacle 1 2 is shorter as compared to the cards 91 , in particular the change position card 91 ' along the primary lateral axis L- 1 such that the change position card 91 ' projects beyond the auxiliary receptacle 1 2 in the first lateral direction I- 1 . As mentioned in the general description, the movement into the auxiliary receptacle 1 2 may be carried out, for example under force control with a favourably reduced force, in a passive mode where the voice coil actuator 1 42 is non-energized, or in position control mode with the position of the set receptacle 1 1 as obtained in sub-step (c1 ) respectively shown in Figure 6 being maintained. Further, the distal receptacle wall 1 1 d as movable wall is favourable in the clearance configuration. Alternatively, however, the biasing configuration could be used. In this case, the set receptacle 1 1 may be somewhat moved into the proximal direction p as discussed below. Thereby, it is ensured that the second pusher

I 32 will contact all cards of the proximal removal subset pr, since some distal cards of the proximal removal subset pr may have moved into the distal direction.

Subsequently, an intermediate step (dO) as illustrated in Figure 8 is carried out as preparatory step for step (d) of the position change procedure. In step (dO), the set receptacle

I I is moved in the proximal direction p such that the pushers, in particular the second pusher 1 32, covers along the normal axis N the proximal removal subset pr, which at this point does not include the change position card 91 '. The most distal card of the proximal removal subset is referenced 91".

Subsequently, step (d) of the position change procedure is carried out where the pushers, in particularthe second pusher 1 32, are moved in the second lateral direction I-2. Thereby, cards of the proximal removal subset pr are pushed by the second pusher 1 32 in the second lateral direction I-2 into the standard set configuration where the proximal removal subset pr (without change position card 91 ') and the distal removal subset dr are aligned along the primary lateral axis L-1 . This step is favourably carried out in position control mode with the distal receptacle wall 1 1 d as movable wall being in the clearance configuration. Figure 9 illustrates the situation at the end of this step where the whole set of cards 9 (with exception of the change position card 91 ') is accommodated in the set receptacle 1 1 between the proximal receptacle wall 1 1 p and the distal receptacle wall 1 1 d. In this situation, the distal receptacle wall 1 1 d as movable wall is moved into the biasing configuration, thereby clamping the set of cards 9 between the proximal receptacle wall 1 1 p and the distal receptacle wall 1 1 d.

Subsequently, the set receptacle 1 1 is moved as step (e) of the position change procedure via the voice coil actuator 142 along the normal axis N into an insertion position where the pushers, in particular the first pusher 1 31 , partly covers the set of cards 9 along the normal axis N. This step is in principle similarto step (b) of the position change routine as discussed before. The cards of the set of cards 9 that a re covered by first pusher 1 31 along the normal axis N form a proximal insertion subset pi, while the other cards form a distal insertion subset di. The distal pusher end of 1 31 d of the first pusher 1 31 is along the normal axis N generally between the proximal front and the distal front of the most distal card of the proximal insertion subset pi, for example approximately in the middle between the card fronts. The situation after moving the set receptacle 1 1 into the insertion position is illustrated in Figure 10. Prior to moving the set receptacle into the insertion position, the pushers 1 31 , 1 32 may be moved as compared to the situation as shown in Figure 9, into the first lateral direction 1-1 into a position where they do not interfere with the cards when the set receptacle ( 1 1 ) is subsequently moved along the normal axis N.

It is noted that the rotational position of the pickup roller 1 51 is, like in the preceding steps, such that the bending protrusion 1 52 does not interfere with the change position card 91 '.

Subsequently, step (f) of the position change procedure is carried out where the pushers, in particular the first pusher 1 31 , are moved in the first lateral direction I- 1 , as illustrated in Figure 1 1 . Thereby, the cards that are covered by the first pusher 1 31 along the normal axis N are pushed by the first pusher 1 31 in the first lateral direction 1-1 . Figure 11 illustrates the situation at the end of step (f ) of the position change procedure with the set of cards 9 being in its insertion offset set configuration. It can further be seen that the proximal insertion subset pi overlaps with respectively is covered by the pickup roller 1 51 along the primary lateral axis L-1 , but are spaced apart along the normal axis N. This step is generally similar to step (b) of the position change procedure as explained before. The insertion position, however, is different from the removal position. The proximal pi and distal di insertion subsets are accordingly different from the proximal pr and distal dr removal subset. As explained in the following, the change position card 91 ' is subsequently placed between the most distal card of the proximal insertion subset pi and the most proximal card of the distal insertion subset di.

Subsequently, step (g) of the position change procedure is carried out, where the change position card is again inserted respectively moved back into the set receptacle 1 1 at its appropriate new position. First, the pickup roller 1 51 is rotated into a position where the bending protrusion 1 52 points in proximal direction p respectively towards the proximal insertion subset pi, as illustrated in Figure 12. However, the bending protrusion is separated from the proximal insertion subset pi by a gap and does therefore not yet contact the proximal insertion subset pi. It is noted that the rotational position of the pickup roller 1 51 was in all preceding steps such that no interference or interaction occurred between the bending protrusion 1 52 and any card of the set of cards 9.

Next, the proximal insertion subset, pi, in particular the distal card front of its most distal card, is forced in distal direction againstthe bending protrusion 1 52, typically in force con- trol mode of the voice coil actuator 142. Thereby, a peripheral region of the proximal insertion subset pi is bent in the proximal direction under the controlled force exerted by the proximal receptacle wall 1 1 p and the counterforce that is exerted by the bending protrusion 1 52 and the pickup roller as abutment. Along with the peripheral region of the proximal insertion subset pi, the elastically bendable peripheral proximal receptacle wall region 1 1 p' which supports the proximal insertion subset pi is bent in the proximal direction. A gap G opens under the force atthe interface of the proximal pi and distal di insertion subset at the (generally vertical oriented) side facing the auxiliary receptacle 1 2, as illustrated in Figure 13.

Next, the transport rollers 1 53 are controlled to rotate, thereby moving the change position card 91 ' from the auxiliary receptacle 1 2 back into the set receptacle 1 1 , with the change position card 91 ' being inserted into the gap G between the proximal pi and the distal insertion subset, as illustrated in Figure 14. In this process, the change position card passes under frictional contact between the bending protrusion 1 52 and the proximal insertion subset pi and is therefore also somewhat elastically deformed, as illustrated. The rotational direction of the transport rollers 1 53 is opposite to Figure 7. The step is favourably carried in force control mode and with the movable wall 1 1 d in the biasing configuration.

In a here-assumed design, the rotational speed of the transport rollers 1 53 is sufficiently high to allow the change position card 91 ' to continue its movement in the second lateral direction I-2 when losing contact with the transport rollers such that it is inserted into the set receptacle without a driving force being applied. The configuration at the end of the movement of the change position card is shown in Figure 15. It is noted, however that in a variant the change position card could stay in contact with the transport rollers 1 51 and be subsequently moved by the second pusher 1 32, with a preceding movement of the set receptacle 1 1 in the proximal direction. In a further variant the pickup roller 1 51 may be rotated such that the bending protrusion 1 52 does not interfere with the change position card 91 ', force the change position card 91 ' against the pickup roller 1 51 and rotate the pickup to displace the change position card 91 ' in the second lateral direction I-2 towards the set receptacle 1 1 .

Subsequently, two intermediate steps (h01 ), (h02) are carried out in the here-described embodiment that are illustrated, in combination, in Figure 16. In step (h01 ), pushers, in particular the first pusher 1 31 , are moved in the second lateral direction I-2 into a position where the first pusher 1 31 is displaced in the second lateral direction I-2 with respect to the set of cards 9, in particular the cards of the distal insertion subset di, i.e. into a position where a gap G is present between the circumferential card edging 91 E of the cards of the distal insertion subset di and the first pusher 1 31 . This step is carried out to allow movement of the set receptacle 1 1 in the proximal direction in subsequent step (h02) without interference. When moving the pushers 1 31 , 1 32 as described, the proximal insertion subset pi is pushed in the shown embodiment into the second lateral direction I-2 by the second pusher 1 32.

In subsequent step (h02), the set receptacle is moved into the proximal direction p into a position where the pushers, in particular the second pusher 1 32 covers the proximal insertion subset pi and the change position card 91 '.

Subsequently, step (h) of the position change procedure is carried out where the cards of the set of cards 9 are again brought into the standard set configuration. This is carried out by moving the pushers 1 31 , 1 32, in particular the second pusher 1 32, into the second lateral direction I-2, such that the cards of the proximal insertion subset pi together with the change position card 91 ' are pushed into the second lateral direction I-2 until they are aligned along the primary lateral axis L-1 with the cards of the distal insertion subset and the standard configuration is accordingly reached. The resulting configuration which in this design given at the end of the position change procedure is shown in Figure 17.

Subsequently, the position change procedure may again be executed as necessary with different removal and insertion position. Subsequent to the situation as illustrated in Figure 17 and the next following execution of the position change procedure, however, the pushers 1 31 , 1 32 are favourably somewhat moved into the first lateral direction 1-1 such that the second pusher 1 32 loses contact with the cards.

Figures 18, 19, 20 schematically show an exemplary embodiment of an integrity checking device 2 in accordance with the present disclosure in a frontal view (Figure 18) with a viewing direction from proximal towards distal, a side view (Figure 19) and a top view (Figure 20). In the shown design, the integrity checking device 2 may be a standalone device. The operation, however, corresponds to the operation of an integrity checking device as part of a card arranging device 1 and as discussed before with reference to the preceding figures. The integrity checking device 2 may at the same time be an initial card order determination device of a card arranging device 1 as discussed before, with the control unit 5 also controlling operation of the initial card order determination device and card arranging device. In this case, the integrity checking procedure and initial card order determination are carried out along with each other as discussed before under control of the control unit 5. If the integrity checking device 2 is a standalone device and not part of a card arranging device 1 , no initial card order determination may be required. Further, if the integrity checking device 2 is a standalone device, a corresponding control unit and user interface of adopted, generally limited functionality are present.

It is noted that features that are features of a card arranging device 1 that are not relevant in the context of integrity checking and initial card order determination may not be shown. It is further noted that Figures 1 , 2 as discussed above, illustrate the integration of the integrity checking device 2 into a card arranging device 1 .

Figures 18, 19, 20 show an initial configuration, after the set of cards 9 has been inserted into the set receptacle 1 1 and before the integrity checking procedure is carried out. The ejection pin 1 61 which in this design also serves as tilting pin is in its retracted ejection pin position, with the associated ejection pin drive 1 63, see Figure 1 , also serving as tilting pin drive. The other ejection pin 1 62 and its associated injection pin drive 1 64 are not shown for clarity reasons.

All cards of the set of cards 9 are accordingly in their levelled configuration and rest on the receptacle ground 1 1 1 . The distal receptacle wall 1 1 d as movable wall is shown in its biasing configuration, resulting in the set of cards 9 being clamped between the proximal receptacle wall 1 1 p and the distal receptacle wall 1 1 d, respectively.

The camera unit 22 is arranged such that it can capture an image of a corner section 91 C of a card 91 , in particular of a most proximal card of a levelled subset as discussed further below. The corner section 91 C of a card carries the card identification information, e.g. suit and rank of a poker card. Further, a door arrangement 4 with a door 41 and a door coupling solenoid 42 is shown. By the control unit energizing the door coupling solenoid 42, the door 41 is mechanically and generally rigidly coupled to the set receptacle 1 1 , such that any movement of the set receptacle 1 1 along the normal axis N is followed by the door 41 . The door coupling solenoid may be arranged auxiliary receptacle 1 2 any desired location. In a particular design, it is for example arranged at the distal respectively movable wall 1 1 d.

The integrity checking device 2 respectively card arranging device 1 is mounted below the tabletop 4' of a game table. The tabletop 4' has a table cut-out 4a' via which a set of cards can be inserted into respectively removed out of the set receptacle 1 1 respectively its receptacle room as explained in the following. Reference 4' may in a further embodiment refer to a top side of a housing if a card arranging device 1 and/or integrity checking device 2 is a stand-alone device, and reference 4a' may refer to a housing cut-out. Also, the device may have a generally closed housing that is mounted under the tabletop 4' of a game table.

The door 41 is linearly guided in door guide 43, e.g. which may, e.g. include or consist of guide rails, along the normal axis N. For inserting respectively loading a set of cards 9 into the set receptacle 1 1 respectively ejecting a set of cards 9 from the set receptacle, the door coupling solenoid 42 is activated and the voice coil actuator is controlled to move the set receptacle into a position under cut-out 4a' in the tabletop of a game table such that the set receptacle is accessible from top of table top 4' via the table cut-out 4a'. Along with the movement of the set receptacle 1 1 , the door 41 moves from a closed-door position where the table cut-out 4a' is covered by the door 41 into an open-door position. After inserting respectively removing the set of cards 9, the door 41 may be closed in an analogue opposite manner. It is noted that a door, for example but not necessarily of the here-described design, is generally present also in a card arranging device 1 that does not include an initial card order determination device and/or integrity checking device 2. Also, a door is generally present in a stand-alone integrity checking device.

As initial step of the integrity check, illustrated in Figures 21 , 22 in a front view and side view, respectively, the ejection pin 1 61 , which also serves as tilting pin as mentioned, is moved by its ejection member drive 1 63 into an intermediate ejection pin position where it is displaced in the third lateral direction I-3 as compared to the retracted ejection member position. As mentioned in the general description, the intermediate ejection pin position is along the secondary lateral axis L-2, between the retracted ejection pin position and an advanced ejection pin position as discussed further below and corresponds to an advanced tilting member position respectively advanced tilting pin position. In doing so, the ejection pin 1 61 pushes against the base section 91 E' of the circumferential card edging 91 E, with the set of cards respectively its cards 91 being tilted in each case and moved from a previous levelled card configuration into a respective tilted card configuration where the base section 91 E^T is skewed respectively angled with respect to the receptacle ground. After moving the ejection pin 1 61 as tilting pin into its intermediate ejection pin position, the distal receptacle wall 1 1 d as movable wall is brought into the clearance configuration via the retraction solenoid 1 71 . It is noted that the integrity checking device could also be provided with the ejection pin 1 61 being directly in its intermediate ejection member position.

Further, the dropping drive 21 a (schematically shown in Figure 18) is activated, resulting in the dropping roller 21 to rotate as indicated in Figure 22. The dropping roller 21 is arranged to overlap with the set of cards when tilted, such that it can contact the distal card front of the most distal card 91 d (respectively the most distal card of a tilted subset as discussed below), as visible, e.g. in Figure 22. In the configuration of Figures 19, 20, however, a gap is present between the dropping roller and the most distal card 91 d, such they are not in contact. As best visible in Figure 21 , a sufficient portion of the set of cards 9 respectively its cards 91 remain located between the proximal 1 1 p and distal 1 1 d to ensure appropriate positioning of the cards with the cards 91 respectively their card fronts being substantially parallel to a plane as defined by the primary lateral axis L-1 and secondary lateral axis L-2.

It is noted that especially the arrangement of the dropping roller 21 is schematic and in particularthe extension of the dropping roller 21 along its axis may be significantly smaller. Ideally, the dropping roller 21 is dimensioned and arranged to contact the most distal card 91 d only in a small peripheral region.

Subsequently, as illustrated in Figures 23, 24 which generally correspond to Figures 21 , 22, the set receptacle 1 1 is moved by the voice coil actuator 142 in distal direction. As explained in the general description, the (distal) ejection pin end 1 61 e respectively tilting pin end of the ejection pin 1 61 is aligned respectively adjusted with respect to the dropping roller 21 . By moving the set receptacle 1 1 in distal direction, the set of cards 9 is forced against the rotating dropping roller. Since the ejection pin 1 61 does not move, the card 91 facing and contacting the dropping roller 21 loses contact with the ejection pin 1 61 and moves respectively is forced back into its levelled card configuration, referred to as dropping. The dropping happens sequentially for all cards 91 one after the other, beginning with the most distal card 91 d and ending with the most proximal card 91 p. The cards 91 that have not yet been dropped form, in combination, a tilted subset 9T, and the cards 91 that have already been dropped form, in combination, a levelled subset 9L, with the levelled subset 9L being distal from the tilted subset 9T.

A corner section 91 C (see Figure 20) is covered by the field of view 22' of the camera unit 22 for each card 91 respectively directly subsequent to being dropped, i.e. the most proximal card of the levelled subset 9L, since it is not hidden by the even more proximal cards which are still in their respective tilted card configuration respectively belong to the tilted subset. A card image or a number of card images of each dropped card is captured accordingly.

This process continues until all cards of the set of cards 9 have been dropped and the respective card images captured.

It is noted that moving the set receptacle in the distal direction and dropping the cards 91 one after the other as explained, results in the distance by which the ejection pin 1 61 projects into the receptacle room of the set receptacle continuously decreasing. As the most proximal card 91 p as last card is dropped, the ejection pin 1 61 does not further project into the receptacle room.

It is assumed that the face side that shows the card identification information, e.g. suit and rank shall be the proximal card front. If, for one or more cards, this is not the case, the card identification information is not present in the card image, resulting in the integrity check having failed. Further, the control unit stores an expected set composition as explained in the general description and determines from the captured images if the actual set composition of the set of cards 9 matches the expected set composition. If this is not the case because e.g. any card is missing or a card e.g. of a particular suit and rank duplicated respectively present more often than expected, the integrity check has failed. Only if the integrity check has not failed, it has passed. The control unit is configured to determine if the integrity check has passed and controls further action as appropriate and discussed before.

If the integrity checking device 2 is at the same time an initial card order determination device of a card arranging device, the control unit, in particular the control unit 5 of the card arranging device, is further configured to store the card order as determined from the card images as initial card order and input for a subsequent card arranging planning procedure. Further prior to proceeding with a card arranging procedure as discussed before, the ejection pin 1 61 is moved back into its retracted ejection pin configuration.

In the following, reference is additionally made to Figures 25, 26 which illustrate the ejection of a set of cards from the set receptacle 1 1 for the purpose of removal. Starting from a configuration where the set of cards 9 is accommodated in the set receptacle 1 1 and the door 41 is closed, the door 41 is moved from its closed into its opened door position as explained before. Subsequently, both ejection pins 1 61 , 1 62 are moved from their respective retracted ejection pin position into their respective advanced ejection pin position (see, e.g. Figures 25, 26) via their respective injection pin drives 1 63, 1 64 in a synchronous manner. Thereby, the set of cards 9 with its cards 91 is pushed respectively lifted into the third lateral direction I-3 and partly passes through the table cut-out 4a'. In the advanced ejection pin position of ejection pins 1 61 , 1 62, the set of cards 9 projects beyond the tabletop 4 to be grasped and removed by a user. The distal receptacle wall 1 1 d as movable wall is favourably in the clearance configuration to allow easy removal of the set of cards

9. After removing the set of cards 9, a further set of cards can be inserted for arrangement and/or integrity checking in the clearance configuration. Subsequently, the ejection pins 1 61 , 1 62 are moved into their retracted position, thereby placing the further set of cards in the set receptacle 1 1 and the door 41 is closed.

In the following, the operation of a further embodiment of the card arranging device 1 when executing a position change procedure is discussed with reference to Figure 1 to Figure 37. In the interest of conciseness, not all steps are necessarily explained in full detail, but the description is mainly focussed on particular aspects that differ from the beforediscussed embodiment. Also the description of the structure focusses on particular aspects of this embodiment.

In the here-discussed design, the arrangement of retraction solenoid 1 71 , locking solenoid 1 72 and biasing spring member 1 73 is favourably replaced by a wall moving voice coil actuator 1 71 ' (schematically shown in Figure 27 only) as explained in the general description. Instead of selectively energizing the solenoids 1 71 , 1 72, the wall moving voice coil actuator 1 71 ' is controlled accordingly to compress the cards within the set receptacle 1 1 with an appropriate force as required respectively to adjust the receptacle clearance c. A voice coil actuator allows bidirectional movement of the moving wall via the control signal of the voice coil actuator.

Regarding the pushers, the second pusher 1 32 is somewhat longer as compared to the first pusher 1 31 , such that the distal pusher end 1 32d of the second pusher 1 32 is displaced in distal direction d along the normal axis N with respect to the distal pusher end 1 31 d of the first pusher. Further, an outer side of the second pusher 1 32 that points away from the first pusher 1 32 is chamfered or bevelled. Due to the design of the second pusher 1 32, it move into the 1-1 and deflect the change position card 91 ' that is held between the transport rollers 1 53 (see Figures 32, 33), without damaging or marking the change-position card 91 '. In the vertical direction respectively along the secondary normal axis L-2, the second pusher 1 32 is arranged above the card transfer unit 1 5 respectively its rollers as well as the auxiliary receptaclel 2, in order to allow its movement without interfering.

As referenced in Figures 33, 34, the pickup roller 1 51 has in this embodiment along its circumference pickup roller flat sections 1 51 ' and between them a pickup roller cylindrical section 1 51" that may in each case contact a card and are made from an elastic respectively resilient material, in particular rubber. Between the pickup roller flat sections 1 51 , a separation protrusion 1 52' is present that is generally designed similar to the bending protrusion 1 52 of the before discussed embodiment but fulfilling a somewhat different function as explained further below. The separation protrusion 1 52' is favourably made from a hard respectively low-friction material such as metal or plastics, like in the before-discussed embodiment. Along the rotational axis of the pickup roller 1 51 , the flat pickup roller sections 1 51 ' and the cylindrical pickup roller section are not continuous. Instead but are in each case split into two card contact elements that are such that a resulting force that is exerted onto contacting points is aligned with the primary lateral axis L- 1 and corresponds to the centreline of the contacted card. A corresponding design is given for the transport rollers 1 53. The separation protrusion 1 52' is also not axially continuous but has in this design three axially separated segments, each segment being formed by a separation element.

Further, the auxiliary receptacle 1 2 is designed somewhat differently as follows: In a top view respectively a viewing direction along the secondary lateral axis, the auxiliary recep- taele 1 2 has an auxiliary receptacle interface section 1 2' that is displaced in proximal direction d as compared to an auxiliary receptacle main section 1 2'". The auxiliary receptacle interface section 1 2' and the auxiliary receptacle main section 1 2'" extend parallel to each other. Specifically, the proximal auxiliary wall 1 2p and the distal auxiliary receptacle wall 1 2d extend parallel to each other and parallel to the primary lateral axis L-1 (see, e.g. Figure 2). in the auxiliary receptacle interface section 1 2' and the auxiliary receptacle main section 1 2'". It is noted that the auxiliary receptacle interface section 1 2' is short as compared to the auxiliary receptacle main section 1 2'". The auxiliary receptacle interface section serves the purpose of receiving a change-position card from the card transfer unit 1 5 respectively transfer it into the card transfer unit 1 5 in a correctly aligned manner. The auxiliary receptacle 1 2 further has an auxiliary transition section 1 2" that is adjacent to and connects the auxiliary receptacle interface section 1 2' and the auxiliary receptacle main section 1 2'". In a top view, the overall shape of the auxiliary receptacle 1 2 is accordingly substantially S-shape and a change position card that is accommodated in the auxiliary receptacle will be bent correspondingly.

It is noted that, while different designs and variations are possible, Figures 38, 39 shows a pickup roller that may be uses in the context of the here-described embodiment. Similarly, Figure 40 shows a subunit of a card arranging device 1 , specifically major elements of the transport unit 1 5 and an auxiliary receptacle 1 2, that may be used.

In the configuration as shown in Figure 27, step (a) of the position change procedure has been executed, similar to Figure 3 as explained before.

In the configuration shown in Figure 28, step (b) of the position change procedure has been executed, generally similar to Figure 4, however, with some difference as follows: The pickup roller 1 51 is in a rotational position where a flat portion 1 51 ' thereof faces the change position card 91 ', with the distal card front of the change position card 91 ' and the pickup roller 1 51 being spaced apart by a minimal gap. It is noted that no dedicated elastically bendable peripheral proximal receptacle wall region 1 1 p as in the before described embedment is required.

Due to the design of the pickup roller 1 51 in this embodiment, however, an explicit step of forcing the change position card 91 ' against the pickup roller 1 51 , as shown above in Figure 4, is not required. Instead, the pickup roller 1 51 is, starting from the configuration as shown in Figure 28, moved to rotate such that its cylindrical portions 1 51" contact the distal card front of the change position card 91 ' and displaces the change position card in the first lateral direction 11 , until an end region of the change position card 91 ' is located between the transport rollers 1 53 respectively is in a catching area of the transport rollers 1 53, as illustrated in Figure 29, with Figure 29 also indicating the rotation of the pickup roller 1 51 .

The rotation of the pickup roller 1 51 between the configurations of Figure 28 and Figure 29 is such that different flat sections 1 51 ' (referenced in Figure 34, see also Figures 38, 39) of the pickup roller 1 51 face the proximal removal subset pr and in particular the change position card 91".

From the configuration shown in Figure 29, the change position card is transferred into the into the auxiliary receptacle 1 2 where it assumes the auxiliary card position by rotating the transport rollers 1 53 as indicated. The configuration when the transfer of the change position card 91 ' into the auxiliary receptacle 1 2 and accordingly step (c) of the position change procedure is completed is shown in Figure 30, generally corresponding to Figure 7 for the before-discussed embodiment. It can be seen that the change position card is 91 ' is bent to an S-shape due to the design of the proximal and distal auxiliary receptacle wall, 1 2p, 1 2d, as mentioned before. In order to prevent the proximal removal subset pr from being unintentionally displaced in the first lateral direction 1-1 due to the frictional contact with the change position card 91 , an abutment is foreseen which is realized in this design as a proximal stopping wall 1 54p that extends along the normal axis N and is along the primary lateral axis L-1 arranged between the proximal receptacle wall 1 1 p and the transport rollers 1 53. Similarly, in order to prevent the distal removal subset dr from being unintentionally displaced in the first lateral direction I- 1 , an abutment is foreseen which is realized in this design as a distal stopping wall 1 54d that extends along the normal axis N and is along the primary lateral axis L-1 arranged between the distal receptacle wall 1 1 d and the pickup roller 1 51 .

Subsequently, step (d) of the position change procedure is carried out in generally the same way is discussed before. Figure 31 shows the configuration after completing the step, where the set of cards is again in the standard set configuration, respectively all cards in the set receptacle 1 1 are aligned along the primary lateral axis L-1 . It is noted that in the here-described design the intermediate step (dO) as discussed above with reference to Figure 8 is not required. That is, the pushers, in particular the second pusher 1 32 can be directly moved into the second lateral direction I-2 without prior movement of the set receptacle 1 1 in the proximal direction p and can further directly push cards of the proximal removal subset pr respectively of the distal insertion subset as well as the change position card 91 , into the set receptacle 1 1 respectively into the standard set configuration. Subsequently, step (e) of the position change procedure is executed, thereby moving the set receptacle 1 1 into the insertion position. Figure 32 illustrates the configuration at the end of this step, corresponding to Figure 10 for the before-discussed embodiment.

For creating a configuration where the proximal insertion subset pr is offset with respect to the distal insertion subset dr pursuant to step (f) of the position change procedure, the proximal insertion subset pi pushed into the insertion offset configuration via the first pusher 1 31 . The configuration at the end of this step is shown in Figure 33. The step is carried out in substantially the same manner as step (b), with Figure 33 generally corresponding to Figure 28. Similar to the change position card 91 ' in Figure 28, a flat portion 1 51 ' of the pickup roller 1 51 faces the most distal card 91" of the proximal insertion subset pi with a minimal gap.

It is noted that due to the cards being bendable and since the second pusher 1 32 is chamfered or bevelled as explained before, the second pusher 1 32 can enter the room of the auxiliary receptacle 1 2 and interfere with the change position card 91 ' without damaging respectively marking the same.

The re-insertion of the change position card 91 ' in step (g) is in this embodiment carried out as follows.

First, the voice coil actuator 142 respectively receptacle displacement actuator is controlled to move the receptacle 1 1 somewhat in proximal direction p as indicated. At the same time, the distal receptacle wall 1 1 d as movable wall forces the distal insertion subset di against the first pusher 1 31 respectively its distal end 1 31 d. In dependence of the design, this can be achieved e.g. as follows: In an embodiment with a retraction solenoid 1 71 and a biasing spring member 1 73, the retraction solenoid 1 71 may be de-energized, such that the biasing spring member 1 72 forces the distal receptacle wall 1 1 d in proximal direction. In embodiments with a wall moving voice coil actuator 1 71 ', the wall moving voice coil actuator 1 71 ’ is controlled to exert a force onto the distal receptacle wall 1 1 d in proximal direction. In any case, the position of the distal receptacle wall 1 1 d and the distal insertion subset di along the normal axis is maintained, and only the proximal receptacle wall 1 1 p moves, generally together with the proximal insertion subset 1 1 p, in proximal direction, thereby increasing the receptacle clearance (c) and generating a gap between the proximal insertion subset pi and the distal insertion subset di. It is noted that the force that can be exerted by the receptacle displacement actuator is larger than the force via which the distal insertion subset is forced against the first pusher 1 31 as mentioned. Further, it is noted that clamping the distal insertion subset di between the distal receptacle wall 1 1 d and the first pusher 1 31 is not mandatory, but found favourable for the subsequent re-insertion of the change position card 91 ' into the set receptacle 1 1 .

Subsequently, the pickup roller 1 51 is rotated as indicated such that separation protrusion 1 52' points in proximal direction. The amount of the previous movement of the set receptacle 1 1 in proximal direction as explained before is selected such that favourably the separation protrusion 1 52' contacts the most distal card 91" of the proximal insertion subset pi without exerting significant force, or small gap remains between the separation protrusion and the most distal card 91" of the proximal insertion subset pi. In any case, the separation protrusion 1 52" ensures that the gap between the proximal and distal insertion subset is maintained and undesired card moments in particular of the proximal insertion subset are prevented. Subsequently, the change position card is moved in the second lateral direction 1-2 via the transport rollers 1 53. thereby, the change position card is inserted between the proximal insertion subset pi, respectively its most distal card 92", and the distal insertion subset di under contact with the separation protrusion 1 52', as illustrated in Figure 35. Figure 36 illustrates the configuration when the change position card 91 ' has left the auxiliary receptacle 1 2 and is largely re-inserted into the set receptacle 1 2.

In dependence of the rotational speed of the transport rollers 1 53 and the frictional conditions, the change position card 91"may fully move into the set receptacle 1 1 after losing contact with the transport rollers 1 53 due to its inertia as discussed before. However, in dependence of the frictional conditions, the movement of the change position card 91 ' may end before. In this case, the change position card is further pushed into the set receptacle 1 1 via the second pusher 1 32 in step (h), as illustrated in Figure 37, illustrating the configuration after completing the position change procedure. Figure 37 generally corresponds to Figure 17 for the first described embodiment. It is noted that the intermediate steps (h01 ), (h02) are not necessary for this embodiment.

In the following, reference is additionally made to Figures 38, 39, showing a pickup roller 1 51 in a perspective view and a top view, respectively. The pickup roller 1 51 comprises in this design two pickup roller card contact elements 1 51 b that are made, at least at their circumferential surface, from a high-friction material, such as rubber. Each pickup roller card contact element 1 51 ' comprises, along its circumference, two flat sections 1 51 b' that are arranged orthogonal to each other, while on the further portions of the circumference cylindrical sections 1 51 b" are foreseen. The pickup roller card contact elements 1 51 b arranged such that the cylinder contours of the cylindrical sections 1 52b" are aligned with each other and their cylinder axes coincide with a pickup roller drive shaft 1 55 on which the card contact elements 1 51 b are arranged in a rotationally fixed manner. The pickup drive shaft 1 51 is coupled to a pickup roller drive 1 51 a as mentioned before. In combination, the flat sections 1 51 b' form a pickup roller flat section 1 51 ' and the cylindrical sections 1 51 b" form a pickup roller cylindrical section 1 51".

Alternating with the pickup roller card contact elements 1 51 b, a total number of exemplary three in the shown design disk-shaped elements 1 52b is foreseen, the separation elements 1 52b forming, in combination a separation member. The separation elements 1 52b are made from low-friction material, e.g. metal or plastics.

The separation elements 1 52b are cylindrical, but a flat section 1 52b' is foreseen at their circumference. The flat sections 1 52b' lie in each case in a common plane with a flat section 1 51 b' of each circumferential surface of each pickup roller card contact elements 1 51 b.

While the separation elements 1 52b are, like the pickup roller card contact elements 1 51 a, rotationally fixed on the pickup roller drive shaft 1 55, they are arranged eccentrically and further have a smaller diameter. As a result, a separation portion S of each separation 1 52b projects beyond the contour as determined by the pickup roller card contact elements 1 51 b. The separation portions S form, in combination, an axially distributed bending protrusion 1 52'.

In the following, reference is additionally made to Figure 41 , showing a showing transport roller 1 53 in a perspective view and a top view, respectively. Similar to the pickup roller 1 51 illustrated in Figures 39, 39, the transport roller 1 53 comprises two cylindrical transport roller card contact elements 1 53b' that are arranged axially distributed on a transport roller drive shaft 1 57 in a rotationally fixed manner.

In the following, reference is additionally made to Figure 40, showing a subassembly of a card arranging device 1 in accordance with the present disclosure in particular auxiliary receptacle 1 2 and i card transfer unit 1 5. It is noted that the transport rollers 1 53, while being present and arranged between the pickup roller 1 51 and the auxiliary card receptacle 1 2 and parallel to the pickup roller 1 51 , are hidden in this view. The pickup roller may in particular be designed as explained before with reference to Figures 38, 39. The pickup roller 1 51 as well asthe transport rollers 1 53 are rotationally beard by transfer unit support structure 1 56.

The inner room of the auxiliary receptacle 1 2 as defined by the proximal auxiliary receptacle wall 1 2p and distal auxiliary receptacle wall 1 2d is slot-shaped and generally extends parallel to the primary lateral axis L1 . In a peripheral section of the auxiliary receptacle 1 2, however the auxiliary receptacle walls 1 2p, 1 2d are bent in proximal direction, thereby forming an auxiliary receptacle transition section 1 2". In a thereto directly adjacent section of the transport unit support structure 1 56 an auxiliary receptacle interface section 1 2' is formed, that extends, like to main portion of the auxiliary receptacle 1 2, parallel to the primary lateral axis L-1 , but is offset with respect to the main portion of the auxiliary receptacle 1 2 in proximal direction. As a result, a peripheral region of change position card 91 ' will, in the auxiliary card position, be bent in an S-shaped manner. In the shown design, an additional lateral stopping wall 1 2l is foreseen that limits the possible movement of the change position card in the I-2 direction beyond the auxiliary card position respectively beyond the auxiliary receptacle 1 2. Damping material such as rubber foam may be foreseen for damping the noise that occurs upon a change-position card hitting the lateral stopping wall 1 2d.

Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS

I card arranging device

I I set receptacle

1 1 p proximal receptacle wall (reference wall) I force exerting receptacle wall

1 1 p' peripheral proximal receptacle wall region

I I d distal receptacle wall (movable wall)

I I I receptacle ground

1 2 auxiliary receptacle

1 2' auxiliary receptacle interface section

1 2" auxiliary receptacle transition section

1 2'" auxiliary receptacle main section

1 2p proximal auxiliary receptacle wall

1 2d distal auxiliary receptacle wall

1 2l lateral stopping wall

1 21 auxiliary receptacles ground I auxiliary card support

1 31 first pusher

1 31 d distal pusher end (first pusher)

1 32 second pusher

1 32d distal pusher end (second pusher)

1 33 pusher linkage member

142 voice coil actuator (receptacle displacement actuator)

141 linear motor (pusher displacement actuator)

1 5 card transfer unit

1 51 pickup roller

1 51 ' pickup roller flat section

1 51" pickup roller cylindrical section

1 51 b pickup roller card contact element

1 51 b' flat section of pickup roller card contact element

1 51 b" cylindrical section of pickup roller card contact element 51 a pickup roller drive 52 bending protrusion 52' separation protrusion 52b separation element 52b' flat section of separation element 53 transport roller 53 transport roller card contact element53a transport roller drive 54p proximal stopping wall 54d distal stopping wall 55 pickup roller drive shaft 56 transfer unit support structure 57 transport roller drive shaft 61 ejection pin /tilting pin 62 ejection pin 61 e ejection pin end / tilting pin end 63 ejection pin drive I tilting pin drive64 ejection pin drive 7 wall moving device 71 retraction solenoid 71 ' wall moving voice coil actuator 72 locking solenoid 73 biasing spring member integrity checking device 1 dropping roller 1 a dropping roller drive 2 camera unit 2' field of view door arrangement 1 door 42 door coupling solenoid

43 door guide

4' table top

4a' table cut-out

5 control unit

51 hardware number generator

52 image processing unit

6 human-machine interface

7 anti rotation device

9 set of cards

9T tilted subset

9L levelled subset

91 card

91 p most proximal card

91 d most distal card

91 E card edging

91 E’ base section of circumferential card edging

91 C card corner (with card identification information)

91 ' change position card

91" most distal card of proximal removal subset

999 support structure c receptacle clearance p proximal direction d distal direction pr proximal removal subset dr distal removal subset pi proximal insertion subset di distal insertion subset

1-1 first lateral direction

I-2 second lateral direction 1-3 third lateral direction

1-4 fourth lateral direction

S Separation portion of separation element

N normal axis G gap

L-1 primary lateral axis

L-2 secondary lateral axis

Claims

1. Card arranging device (1 ) for arranging a set of cards (9), the set of cards (9) including a number of cards (91 ), in particular playing cards, in a target card order, wherein the cards (91 ) each have a proximal card front and a distal card front, the proximal and the distal card front being parallel to each other, wherein the cards (91 ) each further have a circumferential card edging (91 E), the circumferential card edging (91 E) extending between and connecting the proximal and the distal card front of the respective card (91), the card arranging device ( 1 ) including: a set receptacle (11), the set receptacle (11) having a proximal receptacle wall (11 p), a distal receptacle wall (11 d) and a receptacle ground (111), the distal receptacle wall (11 d) being spaced apart with respect to the proximal receptaclewall (11 p) in a distal direction (d) along a normal axis (N) by a receptacle clearance (c), the proximal receptacle wall (11 p), the distal receptacle wall (11 d) and the receptacle ground (111) delimiting a receptacle room in which the set of cards (9) can be accommodated with the proximal card front of a most proximal card (91 p) facing the proximal receptacle wall (11 p) and the distal card front of a most distal card (91 d) facing the distal receptacle wall (11 d) and with a base section (91 E') of the circumferential card edging (91 E) of each card (91 ) resting on the receptacle ground (111), a first (131) and second (132) pusher, the first (131) and second (132) pusher being arranged spaced apart with respect to each other along a primary lateral axis (L-1 ), the primary lateral axis (L-1 ) extending transverse to the nor- mal axis (N) and defining a first (1-1 ) and opposed second (I-2) lateral direction, the first ( 1 31 ) and second ( 1 32) pusher being arranged to project into the receptacle room, a receptacle-pusher moving unit, the receptacle-pusher moving unit being arranged to vary a relative position between the set receptacle ( 1 1 ) and the first ( 1 31 ) and second ( 1 32) pusher along the normal axis (N) and along the primary lateral axis (L-1 ), a card transfer unit ( 1 5), the card transfer unit ( 1 5) being configured to move a change position card (91 ') along the primary lateral axis (L-1 ) between the set receptacle ( 1 1 ) and an auxiliary card position, wherein the card arranging device ( 1 ) is configured to execute a card arranging procedure, the card arranging procedure including repeatedly executing a position change procedure, the position change procedure including: a) controlling the receptacle-pusher moving unit to move the first pusher ( 1 31 ) and the set receptacle ( 1 1 ) with respect to each other along the normal axis (N) into a removal position, wherein, in the removal position, the first pusher ( 1 31 ) covers along the normal axis (N) a proximal removal subset (pr) of the set of cards (9) and does not cover along the normal axis (N) a distal removal subset (dr) of the set of cards (9), the proximal (pr) and distal (dr) removal subset being adjacent to each other, b) controlling the receptacle-pusher moving unit to move the first pusher ( 1 31 ) and the set receptacle ( 1 1 ) with respect to each other along the primary lateral axis (L-1 ), thereby pushing the proximal removal subset (pr) by the first pusher ( 1 31 ) in the first lateral direction (I- 1 ) from a standard set configuration into a removal offset set configuration were the proximal removal subset 119

(pr) is offset with respect to the distal removal subset (dr) in the first lateral direction (1-1 ) in an overlapping manner, wherein a most distal card of the proximal removal subset (pr) is the change position card (91 '), c) controlling the card transfer unit ( 1 5) to move the change position card (91 ') from the set receptacle ( 1 1 ) into the auxiliary card position, thereby removing the change position card (91 ') from the proximal removal subset (pr), d) controlling the receptacle-pusher moving unit to move the second pusher ( 1 32) and the set receptacle ( 1 1 ) with respect to each other along the primary lateral axis (L-1 ), thereby pushing the proximal removal subset (pr) by second pusher ( 1 32) in a second lateral direction (I-2), the second lateral direction (I- 2) being opposed to the first lateral direction (1-1 ), into the standard set configuration, e) controlling the receptacle-pusher moving unit to move the first pusher ( 1 31 ) and the set receptacle ( 1 1 ) with respect to each other along the normal axis (N) into an insertion position different from the removal position, wherein, in the insertion position, the first pusher ( 1 31 ) covers along the normal axis (N) a proximal insertion subset (pi) of the set of cards (9) and does not cover along the normal axis (N) a distal insertion subset (di) of the set of cards (9), the proximal (pi) and distal (di) insertion subset being adjacent to each other, f ) controlling the receptacle-pusher moving unit to move the first pusher ( 1 31 ) and the set receptacle ( 1 1 ) with respect to each other along the primary lateral axis (L-1 ), thereby pushing the proximal insertion subset (pi) by the first pusher ( 1 31 ) in the first lateral direction (1-1 ) from the standard set configuration into an insertion offset set configuration were the proximal insertion 120 subset (pi) is offset with respect to the distal insertion subset (di) in the first lateral direction (1- 1 ) in an overlapping manner, g) controlling the card transfer unit ( 1 5) to move the change position card (91 ') from the auxiliary card position into the set receptacle ( 1 1 ), thereby inserting the change position card (91 ') into the set of cards (9) at a position corresponding to the interface between the proximal (pi) and the distal (di) insertion subset, h) controlling the receptacle-pusher moving unit to move the second pusher ( 1 32) and the set receptacle ( 1 1 ) with respect to each other along the primary lateral axis (L- 1 ), thereby pushing the cards (91 ) of the set of cards (9) by the second pusher ( 1 32) into the standard set configuration. Card arranging device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the first ( 1 31 ) and second ( 1 32) pusher are rigidly coupled, in particular formed integral with each other. Card arranging device ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the set receptacle ( 1 1 ) is movable with respect to a support structure of the card arranging device ( 1 ) by the receptacle-pusher moving unit along the normal axis (N) only, and wherein the first ( 1 31 ) and second ( 1 32) pusher are movable with respect to the support structure by the receptacle-pusher moving unit along the primary lateral axis (L- 1 ) only. Card arranging device ( 1 ) according to claim 3, wherein the receptacle-pusher moving unit includes a receptacle displacement actuator to move the set receptacle ( 1 1 ) with respect to the first ( 1 31 ) and second ( 1 32) pusher along the normal axis (N), and a pusher displacement actuator, in particular a linear motor ( 141 ), distinct from 121 the receptacle displacement actuator, to displace the first ( 1 31 ) and second ( 1 32) pusher with respect to the set receptacle ( 1 1 ) along the primary later axis (L-1 ).

5. Card arranging device ( 1 ) according to claim 4, wherein the receptacle displacement actuator is a voice coil actuator ( 142).

6. Card arranging device ( 1 ) according to either of claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the card arranging device ( 1 ) is configured to control the receptacle displacement actuator to alternatively operate in a position control mode and a force control mode, wherein a receptacle position of the set receptacle ( 1 1 ) along the normal axis (N) is controlled in the position control mode and a normal force that is exerted by either of the proximal ( 1 1 p) or distal ( 1 1 d) receptacle wall is controlled in the force control mode.

7. Card arranging device ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receptacle clearance (c) is variable.

8. Card arranging device ( 1 ) according to claim 7, wherein one of the proximal ( 1 1 p) and the distal ( 1 1 d) receptacle wall is a movable wall and the other of the proximal ( 1 1 p) and distal ( 1 1 d) receptacle wall is a reference wall, wherein the card arranging device ( 1 ) further includes a wall moving device, the wall moving device ( 1 7) in particular including either a retraction solenoid ( 1 71 ) and a biasing spring member ( 1 73) or a wall moving voice coil actuator, wherein the movable wall is changeable via the wall moving device ( 1 7) between a biasing configuration where the movable wall is biased towards the reference wall and an alternative clearance configuration where the receptacle clearance (c) is larger than an extension of the set of cards (9) along the normal axis (N). 122

9. Card arranging device ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the card transfer unit (15) is configured to interact with the change position card (91') by way of friction.

10. Card arranging device (1 ) according to claim 9, wherein the card transfer unit (15) includes a pickup roller (151 ), the pickup roller (151) being rotatable about a pickup roller axis by a pickup roller drive (151a), wherein the pickup roller axis extends transverse to the normal axis (N), in particular parallel to a secondary lateral axis (L- 2), the secondary lateral axis (L-2) being transverse to the primary lateral axis (L-1 ), wherein the proximal removal subset (pr) can be clamped between the pickup roller (151) and the proximal receptacle wall (11 p).

11. Card arranging device ( 1 ) according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein a card-contacting circumferential surface of the pickup roller (151) includes a number of pickup roller flat sections (151') and at least one pickup roller cylindrical section (151").

12. Card arranging device (1 ) according to claim 11 , wherein the card transfer unit (15) includes a number of transport rollers (153), the transport rollers (153) being each rotatable about a respective transport roller axis by a transport roller drive (153a), wherein the transport roller axes extends in each case parallel with the pickup roller axis, wherein the transport rollers (153) are arranged offset with respect to the pickup roller in the primary lateral direction (1-1 ).

13. Card arranging device according to anyone of claims 9 to 12, wherein the pickup roller (151) and orthe transport rollers (152) includes in each case a number of card 123 contact members, the card contact members being axially distributed and spaced apart along the pickup roller axis respectively transport roller axis.

14. Card arranging device ( 1 ) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein an outer side of the second pusher ( 1 32), pointing away from the first pusher ( 1 31 ), is chamfered or bevelled.

15. Card arranging device ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the card transfer unit ( 1 5) and/or the auxiliary receptacle ( 1 2) are designed such that a peripheral region of the change position card (91 ') is bent, in particular in an S- shaped manner, in the auxiliary card position.

16. Card arranging device ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the target card order is a generally random card order.

17. Card arranging device ( 1 ) according to claim 1 6, wherein a specially distinguished card, in particular a cut card, has a pre-determined position, in particular a most proximal or most distal position within the set of cards (9) in the target card order.

18. Card arranging device ( 1 ) according to either of claims 1 6 or claim 1 7, wherein the card arranging device ( 1 ) includes a hardware random number generator (51 ), wherein the card arranging device is configured to determine the target card order and/or at least one of the removal position and the insertion position, in particular both of the removal position and the insertion position of the position change procedure based on random data generated by the hardware random number generator (51 ).

19. Card arranging device ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the card arranging device ( 1 ) is configured to execute a card arranging planning procedure, wherein the card arranging planning procedure includes determining, based on the target card order and an initial card order, the initial card order corresponding to an order of the cards (91 ) within the set of cards (9) prior to executing the card arranging procedure, a sequence of card position changes, wherein each card position change corresponds to an altering of a card position of one of the cards (91 ) within the set of cards (9).

20. Card arranging device ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the card arranging device ( 1 ) includes an initial card order determination device, the initial card order determination device including a camera unit (22) and an image processing unit (52), wherein the initial card order determination device is configured to execute an initial card order determination procedure, the initial card order determination procedure including capturing at least one card image of at least part of proximal card front or distal card front of each card (91 ) of the set of cards (9) one after the other with the camera unit (22) and determining by the image processing unit (52) the initial card order from the captured images.

21 . Card arranging device ( 1 ) according to claim 20, the initial card order determination device including: a tilting member ( 1 61 ), wherein the tilting member ( 1 61 ) is configured to project into the receptacle room with a tilting member end ( 1 61 e) being positioned within the receptacle room, 125 a receptacle tilting member moving unit, the receptacle tilting member moving unit being arranged to vary a relative position between the tilting member ( 1 61 ) and the set receptacle ( 1 1 ) along the normal axis (N), wherein the receptacle tilting member moving unit is in particular integral with the receptacle-pusher moving unit, wherein the cards (91 ) of the set of cards (9) may in each case assume a levelled card configuration and an alternative tilted card configuration, wherein the base section (91 E') of the circumferential card edging (91 E) of each card rests on the receptacle ground ( 1 1 1 ) in its levelled configuration, and wherein each card (91 ) is in its tilted card configuration tilted around a tilting axis parallel to the normal axis (N) with respect to the levelled card configuration by the tilting member ( 1 61 ) pushing against the base section (91 E^T) of its circumferential card edging (91 E), wherein the initial card order determination procedure includes: staring from an initial set configuration where all cards (91 ) of the set of cards (9) are in their respective tilted card configuration, controlling the receptacle tilting member moving unit to displace the set receptacle ( 1 1 ) and the tilting member ( 1 61 ) with respect to each other along the normal axis (N) such thatthe cards (91 ) pass the tilting member end ( 1 61 e) and lose contact with the tilting member ( 1 61 ) one after the other, thereby moving from their tilted card configuration into their respective levelled card configuration, and capturing the at least one card image of each card (91 ) before, while or subsequent to moving into its respective levelled card configuration. Card arranging device ( 1 ) according to either of claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the initial card order determination device is configured to determine from the captured images an actual set composition of the set of cards (9), to compare the actual set 126 composition with a given expected set composition and to provide an indication if the actual set composition does not match the expected set composition. Method for arranging a set of cards (9), the set of cards (9) including a number of cards (91 ), in particular playing cards, in a target card order using a card arranging device, in particular a card arranging device ( 1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, the method including executing a card arranging procedure, the card arranging procedure including repeatedly executing a position change procedure, the position change procedure including:

- removing a change position card (91 ') from the set of cards (9), the change position card (91 ') having an initial card position within the set of cards, the removing of the change position card (91 ') including moving the change position card along a primary lateral axis (L-1 ) in a first lateral direction (1- 1 ) and

- inserting the change position card (91 ') into the set of cards (9) at a target card position within the set of cards, (9) the inserting of the change position card including moving the change position card (91 ') in a second lateral direction ( I- 2 ) , the second lateral direction (I-2) being opposite to the first lateral direction (1-1 ), wherein the target card position within the set of cards is different from the initial card position within the set of cards. Card arranging device ( 1 ), the card arranging device ( 1 ) being configured to execute the method according to claim 23.