TW201720496A - 紙牌處理設備及相關總成及組件 - Google Patents

紙牌處理設備及相關總成及組件 Download PDF

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TW201720496A
TW201720496A TW105139873A TW105139873A TW201720496A TW 201720496 A TW201720496 A TW 201720496A TW 105139873 A TW105139873 A TW 105139873A TW 105139873 A TW105139873 A TW 105139873A TW 201720496 A TW201720496 A TW 201720496A
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彼得 卡倫
恩斯特 比拉哈
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夏佛馬士特公司
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    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F1/00Card games
    • A63F1/06Card games appurtenances
    • A63F1/12Card shufflers
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
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    • A63F1/06Card games appurtenances
    • A63F1/14Card dealers
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F11/00Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
    • G07F11/02Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines
    • G07F11/04Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which magazines the articles are stored one vertically above the other
    • G07F11/045Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which magazines the articles are stored one vertically above the other for sheet shaped or pliable articles
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07FCOIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F11/00Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles
    • G07F11/02Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines
    • G07F11/04Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which magazines the articles are stored one vertically above the other
    • G07F11/14Coin-freed apparatus for dispensing, or the like, discrete articles from non-movable magazines in which magazines the articles are stored one vertically above the other with means for raising the stack of articles to permit delivery of the topmost

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Abstract

紙牌處理設備可包括一洗牌裝置;以及一紙牌輸出部分,其具有經定位於該洗牌裝置與該紙牌輸出部分之一接口處的一紙牌緩衝區。該紙牌輸出部分可經構造以相對於該洗牌裝置移動且改變該紙牌緩衝區之取向。具有一大體平坦的紙牌輸出區之紙牌處理設備可包括具有一至少大體平坦的抽取表面之一接口部分。該大體平坦的紙牌輸出區可容許於複數個至少大體水平的方向上自該大體平坦的紙牌輸出區之一出口抽取遊戲牌。對遊戲牌進行洗牌之方法可包括改變一紙牌緩衝區之一取向;以及於該紙牌緩衝區內之一組紙牌之一頂部及一底部處將紙牌插入該紙牌緩衝區中。

Description

紙牌處理設備及相關總成及組件
本揭示內容係關於紙牌處理設備及相關總成、組件以及方法。詳言之,本揭示內容之實施例係關於紙牌處理設備、紙牌處理設備之紙牌緩衝區、紙牌處理設備之大體上平坦的紙牌輸出區以及洗牌方法。
投注遊戲通常係基於隨機生成之紙牌排列的結果。此種遊戲係於遊戲場所中廣泛地玩耍,且通常,單副或多副五十二(52)張遊戲牌可用來玩遊戲。使用多副遊戲牌之遊戲可包括,例如,六至十副用於諸如二十一點及巴卡拉之遊戲,以及兩副遊戲牌用於諸如雙副牌二十一點之遊戲。許多其他特定遊戲可在王牌及所選紙牌移除或不移除之情況下使用單副或多副紙牌。
自玩家的角度來看,發牌員於洗牌上必須花費的時間減少了遊戲的刺激性。自賭場之角度來看,洗牌時間減少了玩耍之手數,且具體而言減少了於給定時間量內置放及確定之賭注數目,從而因此降低了賭場營收。賭場希望在不改變遊戲或添加更多桌之情況下增加藉由該遊戲生成之營收量。用於增加營收之一選項係減少發牌員處理遊戲牌及洗牌所花費的時間。此可藉由在使用一組紙牌進行遊戲的同時對第二組紙牌進行洗牌 來完成。其他選項包括減少洗牌時間。
對減少洗牌時間的期望已導致機械及機電洗牌設備的發展。此種設備增加洗牌及發牌速度,進而增加實際玩耍時間。此種設備亦藉由減少發牌員或莊家必須花費用以準備玩遊戲之時間量來增加遊戲的刺激性。
然而,與現存洗牌機設計一起工作對使用者(發牌員)之肌肉造成不必要的負擔。使用兩全組紙牌亦增加提供遊戲之成本。
此外,與洗牌機聯合使用之紙牌輸出區或牌盒經常藉由使用以相對於桌面成大體銳角定向之紙牌分配接口來輸出紙牌而對發牌員之手部及腕部造成負擔。為了自此等牌盒抽取紙牌,發牌員經常不得不以麻煩且不舒適的角度重複扭轉他們的腕部。此外,牌盒經常係不易於調節以滿足發牌員之紙牌抽取偏好(例如,發牌員優選相對於桌子抽取紙牌之方向)。
當使用自動紙牌洗牌機時,算牌係顯著問題。當玩家能夠預測仍將分發哪些紙牌及正分發的彼等紙牌之鄰近度時,遊戲場經常損失賭場優勢。期望遊戲場降低或消除玩家算牌之能力。連續的洗牌機有助於降低算牌能力,而消除算牌且改良紙牌遞送的人體工學之額外方式可為期望的。
本揭示內容之一些實施例包括一種具有用於對遊戲牌進行洗牌之洗牌裝置及紙牌輸出部分之紙牌處理設備。紙牌輸出部分可包括經定位於洗牌裝置與紙牌輸出部分之接口處的紙牌緩衝區。紙牌輸出部分可進一步經構造以相對於洗牌裝置移動,以便改變紙牌緩衝區相對於洗牌裝 置的取向。
本揭示內容之一些實施例包括一種具有大體平坦的紙牌輸出區之紙牌處理設備。紙牌處理設備可包括接口部分,該接口部分具有至少大體平坦的抽取表面及經設置於接口部分上方的蓋體。接口部分與蓋體可界定處於接口部分與蓋體之間的出口。大體平坦的紙牌輸出區可經構造以容許遊戲牌於複數個不同、至少大體水平的方向上、於接口部分之抽取表面上自大體平坦的紙牌輸出區之出口抽取,而無需首先於平行於大體平坦的紙牌輸出至一中心縱軸的一方向上自出口進行抽取。
本揭示內容之一些實施例包括一種紙牌處理設備,其具有:洗牌裝置,其用於對遊戲牌進行洗牌;紙牌輸出區;以及紙牌輸出部分,其用於自洗牌裝置接收遊戲牌且將遊戲牌遞送至紙牌輸出區。紙牌輸出部分可包括經定位於紙牌處理設備內、處於洗牌裝置與紙牌輸出部分之接口處的紙牌緩衝區。紙牌緩衝區可經構造以暫時固持一組遊戲牌。紙牌輸出部分可進一步包括紙牌饋送系統,其經構造以按照一次一張的方式自紙牌緩衝區移除遊戲牌且按照一次一張的方式將該等遊戲牌遞送至大體平坦的紙牌輸出區。紙牌饋送系統可進一步經構造以在先前發送之遊戲牌自大體平坦的紙牌輸出區抽取之前都不將遊戲牌發送至大體平坦的紙牌輸出區。
本揭示內容之一些實施例包括一種洗牌方法。該方法可包括:將遊戲牌輸入至紙牌處理設備之紙牌輸入部分中;將該等遊戲牌自紙牌輸入部分傳送至洗牌裝置中;將至少一遊戲牌自洗牌裝置輸出至紙牌緩衝區中;改變紙牌緩衝區相對於洗牌裝置的取向;以及在紙牌緩衝區處於一經改變之取向的同時將至少另一遊戲牌自洗牌裝置輸出至紙牌緩衝區 中。
本揭示內容之一些實施例包括一種洗牌方法。該方法可包括:自紙牌處理設備之暫時儲存區移除遊戲牌;利用紙牌處理設備之紙牌緩衝區中之遊戲牌形成一組遊戲牌;將至少一遊戲牌添加至該組遊戲牌之底部;以及將至少一遊戲牌添加至該組遊戲牌之頂部。
本揭示內容之一些實施例包括一種洗牌方法。該方法可包括:於第一方向上將遊戲牌移動至紙牌處理設備之紙牌緩衝區中;以及於第二方向上將紙牌移出紙牌緩衝區,其中第二方向與第一方向界定一鈍角。
藉由參考附圖中所例示之示例性實施例之以下詳細描述可更充分地瞭解本揭示內容。
圖1展示根據本揭示內容之實施例之紙牌處理設備的透視圖,其中外殼之部分經移除以展示紙牌處理設備之內部組件;圖2展示圖1之紙牌處理設備的側面正視圖,其中外殼之額外部分經移除以展示紙牌處理設備之內部組件;圖3展示圖1之紙牌處理設備之紙牌輸入部分的放大側視圖;圖4A展示圖1之紙牌處理設備之洗牌裝置的放大側視圖;圖4B展示圖4A之紙牌處理設備之洗牌裝置的包裝機臂部分的放大透視圖;圖5A展示圖1之紙牌處理設備之處於第一取向的紙牌輸出部分的放大側視圖; 圖5B展示處於第一取向的紙牌輸出部分的放大側視圖;圖5C展示圖5A之處於第二取向的紙牌輸出部分的放大側視圖;圖5D展示處於第二取向的紙牌輸出部分的放大側視圖;圖5E展示圖5A-5D之紙牌輸出部分之紙牌緩衝區的放大透視圖;圖6展示圖1之紙牌處理設備之大體平坦的紙牌輸出區的透視圖;圖7展示根據本揭示內容之實施例的紙牌處理設備之紙牌通路的放大側視圖;圖8為根據本揭示內容之實施例之用於遊戲牌的洗牌的流程圖;圖9展示根據本揭示內容之實施例的用於自紙牌處理設備之洗牌裝置移除遊戲牌之紙牌傳送系統的透視圖;以及圖10展示根據本揭示內容之實施例的紙牌處理設備之控制系統的示意性表示。
如本文所使用,任何關係術語,諸如「第一」、「第二」、「上方」、「下方」、「頂部」、「底部」、「下伏」、「上部」、「下部」等係用於清楚地及方便地理解本揭示內容及附圖,且不暗示或視任何特定偏好、取向或次序而定,除非上下文明確另外指示。舉例而言,此等術語可指代紙牌處理設備之元件相對於桌面的取向,紙牌處理設備可於該桌子上定位、安裝 及/或操作(例如,如圖所示)。
如本文所使用,術語「豎直的」及「水平的」可指代如於圖紙上定向的附圖,且絕不會限制裝置之取向,或該裝置之任何部分之取向,除非明顯的是,鑒於重力,該裝置之特定取向對於操作係必要的或期望的。舉例而言,當指代圖中所示之元件時,術語「豎直的」或「水平的」可指代紙牌處理設備之元件相對於桌子之桌面的取向,紙牌處理設備可經安裝及操作至該桌子。
本揭示內容之一些實施例可包括具有「紙牌緩衝區」(例如,紙牌處理設備內之可暫時收集遊戲牌的區域)之紙牌處理設備。紙牌處理設備可包括紙牌緩衝區,該紙牌緩衝區在遊戲牌係插入紙牌緩衝區中時相對於洗牌裝置移動。當紙牌緩衝區移動時,洗牌裝置可將遊戲牌插入已存在於紙牌緩衝區中之一組遊戲牌頂部及底部(例如,下方)處。本揭示內容之一些實施例可包括使遊戲牌超越紙牌緩衝區中之該組遊戲牌的紙牌處理設備。換言之,紙牌可向上超過紙牌緩衝區中之其他紙牌,以使得向上超過其他紙牌的紙牌係於紙牌緩衝區中之其他紙牌之前自紙牌處理設備抽取(例如,分發)。換言之,已存在於紙牌緩衝區中之遊戲牌可具有一次序,該等遊戲牌將按該次序自紙牌處理設備進行分發,且紙牌處理設備可使得其他遊戲牌能夠跳過(例如,按次序跳到前面)已存在於紙牌緩衝區中之遊戲牌且於已存在於紙牌緩衝區中之遊戲牌之前進行分發。舉例而言,紙牌緩衝區可使遊戲牌自紙牌緩衝區內之一組遊戲牌頂部抽取(進行分發),且紙牌緩衝區可使得一或多張紙牌能夠定位於紙牌緩衝區中之紙牌堆疊頂部上(例如,使得該一或多張紙牌將於紙牌緩衝區中之剩餘紙牌之前抽取) 或定位於紙牌堆疊中之另一位置(例如,堆疊底部)中。
本揭示內容之一些實施例可包括紙牌處理設備,該紙牌處理設備包括大體平坦的紙牌輸出區(例如,大體平坦的紙牌遞送區或大體平坦的牌盒)。大體平坦的紙牌輸出區可包括接口部分,該接口部分具有以相對小的銳角(例如,5°至20°)相對於桌子之桌面定向的表面,紙牌處理設備可經定位及/或安裝至該桌子。大體平坦的紙牌輸出區進一步可允許於至少大體水平方向的整個範圍內(包括彼此垂直的方向)自大體平坦的紙牌輸出區之出口抽取遊戲牌。
圖1展示根據本揭示內容之實施例之紙牌處理設備100的透視圖,其中紙牌處理設備100之一或多個外殼的部分經移除以展示紙牌處理設備100之內部組件。紙牌處理設備100可經構造以安裝成紙牌處理設備100之至少大部分處於桌子(例如,遊戲桌)之桌面(例如,遊戲桌面)的水平面下方,且經構造以將洗好的遊戲牌遞送至桌面及/或自桌面或鄰近桌面接收將要洗牌之遊戲牌。紙牌處理設備100可包括框架結構102、外殼104、與顯示器106進行通訊之控制系統105、以及相對於桌面大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108。
圖2展示圖1之紙牌處理設備100的側面正視圖,其中紙牌處理設備100之一或多個外殼的額外部分經移除以展示紙牌處理設備100之內部組件。紙牌處理設備100可包括紙牌輸入部分202、洗牌裝置204、以及紙牌輸出部分206。紙牌輸入部分202可包括用於接收將要洗牌之遊戲牌的紙牌入口區208。紙牌入口區208可經佈置於紙牌處理設備100之洗牌裝置204的與大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108相同的一側上。此外,當紙牌處理 設備100係安裝至桌子212時,紙牌入口區208可經定向成定位於桌面210上方且接近於該桌面(諸如擱置於桌面上),且可觸及於桌子212處施行遊戲之發牌員,紙牌處理設備100係安裝至該桌子。因此,當紙牌處理設備100係安裝至桌子212時,大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108及紙牌入口區208可經定向處於彼此接近的位置且接近於桌子212之頂面210。紙牌輸入部分202之紙牌入口區208及大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108的取向可減少紙牌處理設備100之需要曝露於桌子212之桌面210上方的量,紙牌處理設備100係安裝至該桌子。紙牌輸出部分206可包括接近紙牌處理設備100之紙牌輸出部分206與洗牌裝置204的接口216的紙牌緩衝區214。
在操作中,紙牌輸入部分202可於紙牌入口區208處自桌子212接收未洗的遊戲牌,且可將該等未洗的遊戲牌遞送至洗牌裝置204。洗牌裝置204可至少部分地對未洗的遊戲牌進行洗牌且可將已洗的遊戲牌遞送至紙牌處理設備100之紙牌輸出部分206之紙牌緩衝區214。紙牌輸出部分206可將遊戲牌自紙牌緩衝區214(例如,一次一張)傳送至大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108,其中發牌員可自大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108手動抽取遊戲牌(例如,一次一張)以便分配紙牌。
圖3展示如圖2所示之紙牌處理設備100之紙牌輸入部分202的放大側視圖。紙牌輸入部分202可包括第一框架總成302、第一樞轉軸304、第一紙牌饋送系統306、第一紙牌成像系統308、以及第一感測器310。第一紙牌饋送系統306可包括第一紙牌通路312(例如,通路,遊戲牌沿著該通路移動穿過紙牌輸入部分202)。第一紙牌通路312可自紙牌輸入部分202之紙牌入口區208通向紙牌處理設備100之洗牌裝置204。第一 紙牌饋送系統306可進一步具有一組拾取輥314,該組拾取輥於由箭頭315所指示之方向上個別地傳送遊戲牌。額外的成對輥316、318a、318b、320a和320b可將遊戲牌自紙牌入口區208移位至洗牌裝置204。舉例而言,未洗的遊戲牌堆疊可經置放於紙牌入口區208中,且第一紙牌饋送系統306之該組拾取輥314可自該未洗的遊戲牌堆疊底部(例如,下方)個別地獲取遊戲牌,且額外的成對輥316、318a、318b、320a、320b可將遊戲牌傳送至洗牌裝置204。在一些實施例中,紙牌入口區208可經構造以接收一或多張遊戲牌。在一些實施例中,紙牌入口區208可經構造以一次接收一或多張遊戲牌。
在一些實施例中,第一紙牌成像系統308可沿著第一紙牌饋送系統306之第一紙牌通路312定向。第一紙牌饋送系統306可將遊戲牌傳送經過第一紙牌成像系統308,且當每張遊戲牌在插入洗牌裝置204之前沿著第一紙牌通路312移動時,第一紙牌成像系統308可俘獲每張紙牌之識別資訊。舉例而言,第一紙牌成像系統308可包括俘獲每張紙牌之影像的照相機或行掃描設備。在一些實施例中,第一紙牌成像系統308可包含2011年4月26日授予給Downs的美國專利第7,933,448號、2010年7月27日授予給Downs等人的美國專利第7,764,836號或2014年8月12日授予給Blaha等人的美國專利第8,800,993 B2號中所描述之成像設備中之一或多者,該等專利中之每一者的揭示內容以全文引用之方式併入本文中。在一些實施例中,第一紙牌成像系統308不需要俘獲整張紙牌之影像,而可僅偵測級別及花色資訊、遊戲牌上之特殊標記,諸如例如批號、遊戲場識別符、盒號、移位號、桌號、條碼、字符、任何已知的其他類型之特殊標記或其組合。 在一些實施例中,紙牌處理設備100之控制系統105(圖1)可自第一紙牌成像系統308接收訊號,以判定正由第一紙牌成像系統308讀取或感測之每張遊戲牌的級別及/或花色。紙牌處理設備100之控制系統105(圖1)可將與每張紙牌有關之至少一些資料(例如,由紙牌處理設備100處理之遊戲牌的存貨、全套紙牌組合等)儲存於控制系統105(圖1)之記憶體部分中。可將內儲資料與於第一紙牌成像系統308或紙牌處理設備100中之另一位置處所收集之資料進行比較。舉例而言,第一紙牌成像系統308可與紙牌輸出部分206中之第二紙牌成像系統508(圖5A)聯合使用,以使遊戲牌的存貨維持於洗牌裝置204中、自紙牌輸入區208饋送至洗牌裝置204、以及自洗牌裝置204饋送至大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108。換言之,可維持通過紙牌處理設備100發送之紙牌存貨總量。第一紙牌成像系統308與第二紙牌成像系統508之交互作用係關於圖5A進一步詳細地描述。
紙牌輸入部分202的第一感測器310可經定向成接近紙牌輸入區208且可用來感測遊戲牌是否存在於紙牌輸入區208中。此外,第一感測器310可經構造以將訊號發送至控制系統105(圖1)且通知該控制系統遊戲牌存在於紙牌輸入區208中。此外,控制系統105(圖1)可經構造以在遊戲牌係置放於紙牌輸入區208中且由第一感測器310感測到時啟動洗牌循環(例如,利用紙牌處理設備100對遊戲牌進行洗牌的過程)。在一些實施例中,第一感測器310可包括光學感測器及紅外感測器中之至少一者。
一起參考圖2及圖3,紙牌輸入部分202之第一樞轉軸304可包含於兩端處可旋轉地安裝至紙牌處理設備100之框架結構102的第一軸322。第一樞轉軸304之第一軸322可沿著大體平行於桌子212之桌面210 的水平面軸向地延伸,紙牌處理設備100可經安裝至該桌子。此外,紙牌輸入部分202之第一樞轉軸304可經定向成接近紙牌輸入部分202之紙牌入口區208,且在紙牌處理設備100係安裝至桌子212時可經定位並間隔於桌子212之桌面210上方。在一些實施例中,紙牌輸入部分202可相對於紙牌處理設備100之剩餘部分於箭頭305所表示的方向上繞第一樞轉軸304旋轉。紙牌輸入部分202可於方向305上遠離紙牌處理設備100之紙牌輸出部分206及洗牌裝置204旋轉,且當紙牌輸入部分202係遠離紙牌輸出部分206及洗牌裝置204旋轉時,紙牌輸出部分206及洗牌裝置204可至少部分地曝露。舉例而言,在使用期間,紙牌輸入部分202可繞第一樞轉軸304及遠離紙牌處理設備100之紙牌輸出部分206及洗牌裝置204旋轉,以便有助於紙牌處理設備100之維護、故障檢修及/或修理。換言之,在圖3中,紙牌輸出部分202可繞第一樞轉軸304旋轉以曝露紙牌處理設備100之其他部分以便進行維護。
圖4A展示圖1之紙牌處理設備100之洗牌裝置204的截面側視圖。如圖4A所示,洗牌裝置204可包括多隔間迴轉料架402及包裝機臂設備404。洗牌裝置204之多隔間迴轉料架402可具有複數個隔間406(例如,三十九個隔間406),該複數個隔間經形成於自可旋轉的中心構件412延伸之間隔的多對相鄰指狀物408、410之間。複數個隔間406中之每一隔間406可經界定於多隔間迴轉料架402之間隔的兩對相鄰指狀物408、410之間。指狀物408、410各自可包括斜切邊緣414、416,該斜切邊緣允許並導引遊戲牌插入先前由紙牌輸入部分202之第一紙牌饋送系統306(圖3)沈積於複數個隔間406中之遊戲牌頂部上或其下方。斜切邊緣414、416可 包括平坦的、成角度表面或彎曲表面。遊戲牌之紙牌邊緣可接觸斜切邊緣414、416且可經偏轉並導引至隔間406中。在一些實施例中,相鄰指狀物408、410可包括偏置元件(例如,彈簧418),該偏置元件於相鄰指狀物408、410之間延伸以便在遊戲牌插入多隔間迴轉料架402之後幫助將該等遊戲牌牢固地固持於複數個隔間406內。注意,在其他實施例中,多隔間迴轉料架402可包括三十九(39)個以下的隔間406或三十九(39)個以上的隔間406。在一些實施例中,複數個隔間406中之每一隔間406的大小及形狀可經設定以固持六張與二十張之間的遊戲牌。在一些實施例中,複數個隔間406中之每一隔間406的大小及形狀可經設定以固持十張與十六張之間的遊戲牌。舉例而言,複數個隔間406中之每一隔間406的大小及形狀可經設定以固持十三張紙牌。
儘管本揭示內容之紙牌處理設備100係描述為包括多隔間迴轉料架402之洗牌裝置204,但洗牌裝置204可包括任何合適的洗牌機構,諸如例如1997年10月14日授予Sines等人的美國專利第5,676,372號、2001年7月3日授予Grauzer等人的美國專利第6,254,096號、2003年11月25日授予Grauzer等人的美國專利第6,651,981號、以及2003年12月9日授予Blaha等人的美國專利第6,659,460號所揭露之彼等,該等專利中之每一者的揭示內容以全文引用之方式併入本文中。在一些實施例中,洗牌裝置204可具有轉輪或迴轉料架設計,該轉輪或迴轉料架設計在某些方面與以上所提及且以引用之方式併入的美國專利第6,659,460號及美國專利第8,800,993 B2號所揭露之洗牌設備類似。
在一些實施例中,洗牌裝置204可以至少一種操作模式(如 連續洗牌機)進行操作。換言之,洗牌裝置204可經構造以(例如,在每一輪遊戲之後)連續地接收紙牌且可連續第洗牌並將紙牌提供給發牌員而無需卸載未使用的紙牌。相比之下,對一或多副紙牌進行批量洗牌涉及於每一洗牌循環之後卸載整組紙牌。舉例而言,洗牌裝置204可對遊戲牌進行洗牌,以使得前一輪丟棄及重新插入紙牌處理設備100中之遊戲牌能有出現(例如,被分發)在下一輪的機會。
在一些實施例中,洗牌裝置204可以至少一種操作模式(如批量洗牌機)進行操作。舉例而言,洗牌裝置204可經構造以對一全套或一「盒」一或多副紙牌(例如,一副、兩副、四副、六副、八副紙牌等)進行洗牌且隨後將來自彼等副之紙牌提供給發牌員(例如,一次一張紙牌),直至該組紙牌被發完或發到切牌。
圖4B為圖4A之洗牌裝置204之包裝機臂設備404的放大透視圖。一起參考圖4A及圖4B,洗牌裝置204之包裝機臂設備404可幫助將遊戲牌插入多隔間迴轉料架402之複數個隔間406之每一隔間406中。包裝機臂設備404可包括電動機420、細長的包裝機臂422、包裝機臂軸423、以及偏心凸輪構件424。細長的包裝機臂422可包括推動器部分426及樞轉臂部分428。細長的包裝機臂422之推動器部分426可具有大體L形狀,該大體L形狀具有第一支腿430及第二支腿432。第二支腿432可於與第一支腿430延伸的方向至少大體垂直的方向上自第一支腿430之第一端部延伸。細長的包裝機臂422之樞轉臂部分428可於與細長的包裝機臂422之推動器部分426之第二支腿432延伸的方向至少大體相反的方向上自第一支腿430之第二端部延伸。第一支腿430之第二端部可旋轉地耦接至包裝機臂軸 423,該包裝機臂軸可經連接至紙牌處理設備100之框架結構102。細長的包裝機臂422之樞轉臂部分428可經耦接至偏心凸輪構件424。
細長的包裝機臂422可繞包裝機臂軸423旋轉且細長的包裝機臂422之推動器部分426之第二支腿432可沿著第一紙牌饋送系統306(圖3)之第一紙牌通路312部分地平移,以確保將遊戲牌適當加載於多隔間迴轉料架402之複數個隔間406內。電動機420可使偏心凸輪構件424旋轉,該旋轉繼而可引起包裝機臂設備404之細長的包裝機臂422沿著弧形路徑來回擺動。
在一些實施例中,包裝機臂設備404可用來在遊戲牌離開成對輥320a、320b時沿著第一紙牌通路312將額外的力提供至該遊戲牌。舉例而言,包裝機臂設備404可經定位於紙牌處理設備100中,以使得包裝機臂設備404之細長的包裝機臂422之第二支腿432的一部分可抵接遊戲牌之後緣且迫使該遊戲牌至少大體上完全進入洗牌裝置204之複數個隔間406中之一隔間406中。在一些實施例中,包裝機臂設備404可與以上所提及且以引用之方式併入的美國專利第6,659,460號、美國專利第7,766,332號以及美國專利第8,800,993 B2號所揭露之裝置類似。
圖5A展示圖1之紙牌處理設備100之處於第一取向的紙牌輸出部分206的側視圖。圖5B展示處於第一取向的紙牌輸出部分206的放大側視圖。圖5C展示圖1之紙牌處理設備100之處於第二取向的紙牌輸出部分206的側視圖。圖5D展示處於第二取向的紙牌輸出部分206的放大側視圖。圖5E展示圖1之紙牌處理設備100之紙牌輸出部分206之紙牌緩衝區214的放大透視圖。一起參考圖5A-5E,洗牌裝置204可進一步包括紙牌 傳送系統502,且紙牌輸出部分206可包括紙牌緩衝區214、第二框架總成503、第二樞轉軸504、第二紙牌饋送系統506、第二紙牌成像系統508、以及致動系統510。
一起參考圖4及圖5A-5E,洗牌裝置204之紙牌傳送系統502可將遊戲牌自多隔間迴轉料架402之複數個隔間406傳送至紙牌處理設備100之紙牌輸出部分206之紙牌緩衝區214。在一些實施例中,紙牌傳送系統502可經構造以按照一隔間406接隔間406的方式卸載複數個隔間406。舉例而言,紙牌傳送系統502可於卸載第二隔間406之前完全卸載第一隔間406。在一些實施例中,第二隔間406可為鄰近於第一隔間406的隔間406。在其他實施例中,第二隔間406可為隨機選擇的隔間406且可不必為鄰近於第一隔間406的隔間406。在一些實施例中,紙牌傳送系統502可能不按照一隔間406接隔間406的方式卸載複數個隔間406,而是可以隨機(例如,非順序的)次序自複數個隔間406卸載遊戲牌。舉例而言,紙牌傳送系統502可自第一隔間406卸載一或多張遊戲牌而不卸載第一隔間406中之其他遊戲牌,且隨後可自第二隔間406卸載一或多張遊戲牌(例如,卸載或不卸載第二隔間406中之其他遊戲牌)。在一些實施例中,紙牌傳送系統502一次可卸載一張遊戲牌。在其他實施例中,紙牌傳送系統502一次可卸載多張遊戲牌。
參考圖5A-5E,如上所述,紙牌輸出部分206之紙牌緩衝區214可經定位於紙牌處理設備100之洗牌裝置204與紙牌輸出部分206的接口216(圖2)處。在一些實施例中,紙牌緩衝區214可經定位於紙牌處理設備100內,以使得發牌員不可觸及紙牌緩衝區214。紙牌輸出部分206之 紙牌緩衝區214可自洗牌裝置204接收遊戲牌且可能夠在將遊戲牌傳送至大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之前暫時固持一組遊戲牌512。如以下進一步詳細地論述,紙牌緩衝區214可將具有許多遊戲牌之一組遊戲牌512維持於九張至二十一張的範圍內。
紙牌輸出部分206之紙牌緩衝區214可包括板514(例如,支承)、彈簧(例如,偏壓)516、第一紙牌導引件518、第二紙牌導引件520、以及緩衝拾取輥524。板514可包括用於支撐一組遊戲牌512之上表面526及相對的底面527。彈簧516可經附接至板514之底面527,且板514及彈簧516之組合可形成彈簧加載的板。舉例而言,彈簧516可朝向緩衝拾取輥524推動板514及/或使板514壓靠於該組遊戲牌512上。緩衝拾取輥524可經定向成處於板514上方,且紙牌緩衝區214可將該組遊戲牌512固持於板514之上表面526與緩衝拾取輥524之間。第一紙牌導引件518可經定向成處於板514上方且接近緩衝拾取輥524。第一紙牌導引件518可包括第一部分528及第二部分530。第一紙牌導引件518之第一部分528可於一方向上自緩衝拾取輥524延伸,該方向係朝向洗牌裝置204、與緩衝拾取輥524之外圓周相切、以及平行於紙牌緩衝區214之板514之上表面526。第一紙牌導引件518之第二部分530可自第一部分528之面向洗牌裝置204的一側自第一紙牌導引件518之第一部分528向上延伸(例如,於遠離紙牌緩衝區214的方向上)。第一紙牌導引件518之第二部分530可於第一平面532中延伸,該第一平面係定向成相對於紙牌緩衝區214之板514之上表面526成銳角。第一紙牌導引件518之第二部分530亦可形成第一斜切邊緣534,該第一斜切邊緣通向板514與緩衝拾取輥524之間的區域且允許並導引遊戲牌插 入已存在於紙牌緩衝區214中之該組遊戲牌512頂部544上。第二紙牌導引件520可為板514之一部分且於板514之面向洗牌裝置204的一側上自板514向下延伸(例如,於遠離紙牌緩衝區214的方向上)。第二紙牌導引件520可於第二平面536中延伸,該第二平面係定向成相對於板514之上表面526成銳角。第二紙牌導引件520可形成第二斜切邊緣538,該第二斜切邊緣通向板514與緩衝拾取輥524之間的區域且允許並導引遊戲牌插入已存在於紙牌緩衝區214中之該組遊戲牌512底部542處(例如,下方)。換言之,第一紙牌導引件518及第二紙牌導引件520可自板514與緩衝拾取輥524之間的空間向外延伸、發散及/或成扇形散開,且可將由紙牌傳送系統502所傳送之遊戲牌自多隔間迴轉料架402導引至板514與緩衝拾取輥524之間的空間中。
紙牌緩衝區214的大小可調節以容納不同量之遊戲牌。舉例而言,如上所論述,紙牌緩衝區214之板514可為彈簧加載的。因此,板514可能夠相對於洗牌裝置204之紙牌傳送系統502大體垂直地上下平移。此外,板514可能夠相對於緩衝拾取輥524平移,以使得板514與緩衝拾取輥524之間的空間在板514平移時擴展或收縮。紙牌緩衝區214之容積可回應於遊戲牌係由紙牌傳送系統502插入紙牌緩衝區214中或遊戲牌係由緩衝拾取輥524自紙牌緩衝區214移除而擴展或收縮。
在一些實施例中,紙牌輸出部分206之紙牌緩衝區214可將最小數目之遊戲牌維持於紙牌緩衝區214中。舉例而言,紙牌輸出部分206之紙牌緩衝區214可將五至七張遊戲牌維持於紙牌緩衝區214中。在一些實施例中,紙牌輸出部分206之紙牌緩衝區214可將七至九張遊戲牌維持於紙 牌緩衝區214中。在一些實施例中,紙牌輸出部分206之紙牌緩衝區214可將九張以上的遊戲牌維持於紙牌緩衝區214中。舉例而言,紙牌輸出部分206之紙牌緩衝區214可將九張遊戲牌維持於紙牌緩衝區214中。在一些實施例中,紙牌輸出部分206之紙牌緩衝區214可具有經裝配於紙牌輸出部分206之紙牌緩衝區214中之最大數目的遊戲牌。舉例而言,經裝配於紙牌緩衝區214中之最大數目的遊戲牌可處於十至十五張遊戲牌之範圍內。在其他實施例中,經裝配於紙牌緩衝區214中之最大數目的遊戲牌可處於十五至二十張遊戲牌之範圍內。在其他實施例中,經裝配於紙牌緩衝區214中之最大數目的遊戲牌可處於二十至二十五張遊戲牌之範圍內。在一些實施例中,經裝配於紙牌緩衝區214中之最大數目的遊戲牌可為二十二張遊戲牌。
一起參考圖1及圖5A-5E,在一些實施例中,控制系統105可對存在於紙牌緩衝區214中之許多遊戲牌進行計數。舉例而言,控制系統105可追蹤多少張遊戲牌藉由紙牌傳送系統502插入紙牌緩衝區214中,且控制系統105可追蹤多少張遊戲牌藉由第二紙牌饋送系統506自紙牌緩衝區214移除。藉由追蹤遊戲牌進入及離開紙牌緩衝區214之移動,控制系統105可判定紙牌緩衝區214何時含有紙牌緩衝區214中之最小數目的遊戲牌。此外,控制系統105可判定紙牌緩衝區214何時含有紙牌緩衝區214中之最大數目的紙牌。在判定紙牌緩衝區214含有紙牌緩衝區214中之最小數目的紙牌後,控制系統105可藉由使紙牌傳送系統502將額外的遊戲牌插入紙牌緩衝區214中來將遊戲牌添加至紙牌緩衝區214。在判定紙牌緩衝區214含有紙牌緩衝區214中之最大數目的紙牌後,控制系統105可使紙牌傳送系 統502暫時停止將遊戲牌添加至紙牌緩衝區214。控制系統105之功能及操作係關於圖10進一步詳細地描述。
在一些實施例中,紙牌輸出部分206可至少具有相對於紙牌處理設備100之洗牌裝置204的第一取向及第二取向,如圖5A-5E分別展示。參考圖5A及圖5B,當紙牌輸出部分206處於第一取向時,洗牌裝置204之紙牌傳送系統502可於已存在於紙牌緩衝區214中之該組遊戲牌512底部542處(例如,下方)將遊戲牌插入紙牌輸出部分206之紙牌緩衝區214中。舉例而言,紙牌傳送系統502可自多隔間迴轉料架402(圖4)之複數個隔間406(圖4)之一移除一或多張遊戲牌,且可藉由以下方式將遊戲牌插入紙牌緩衝區214中:使遊戲牌抵靠第二紙牌導引件520之第二斜切邊緣538及板514之上表面526滑動,直至遊戲牌處於板514與紙牌緩衝區214之緩衝拾取輥524之間。換言之,紙牌傳送系統502可自多隔間迴轉料架402(圖4)之複數個隔間406(圖4)之一移除一遊戲牌,且可使該遊戲牌之前緣抵靠第二紙牌導引件520之第二斜切邊緣538滑動,直至遊戲牌壓靠於該組遊戲牌512之最底部紙牌之底面上。紙牌傳送系統502可使遊戲牌繼續於該組遊戲牌512之最底部紙牌之底面與板514之上表面之間滑動,直至遊戲牌係與該組遊戲牌512中之其他遊戲牌至少大體對齊(例如,疊套)。此種操作可導致將遊戲牌插入該組遊戲牌512之底部542處。此外,當處於第一取向時,第二紙牌饋送系統506之緩衝拾取輥524可自紙牌緩衝區214之該組遊戲牌512之頂部544移除遊戲牌,且該組遊戲牌512可按照與遊戲牌藉由紙牌傳送系統502插入紙牌緩衝區214中相同的次序來傳送至紙牌處理設備100之大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108。
參考圖5C及圖5D,當紙牌輸出部分206處於第二取向時,紙牌傳送系統502可於已存在於紙牌緩衝區214中之該組遊戲牌512頂部544處將遊戲牌插入紙牌輸出部分206之紙牌緩衝區214中。舉例而言,紙牌傳送系統502可自多隔間迴轉料架402(圖4)之複數個隔間406(圖4)之一移除一或多張遊戲牌,且可藉由以下方式將遊戲牌插入紙牌緩衝區214中:使遊戲牌抵靠第一紙牌導引件518之第二部分530之第一斜切邊緣534及第一紙牌導引件518之第一部分528滑動,直至遊戲牌處於板514與紙牌緩衝區214之緩衝拾取輥524之間。換言之,紙牌傳送系統502可自多隔間迴轉料架402(圖4)之複數個隔間406(圖4)之一移除一遊戲牌,且可使該遊戲牌之前緣抵靠第一紙牌導引件518之第二部分530之第一斜切邊緣534滑動,直至遊戲牌壓靠於該組遊戲牌512之最上部紙牌之頂面上。紙牌傳送系統502可使遊戲牌繼續於該組遊戲牌512之最上部紙牌之頂面與第一紙牌導引件518之第一部分528之間滑動,直至遊戲牌係與該組遊戲牌512中之其他遊戲牌至少大體對齊(例如,疊套)。此種操作可導致將遊戲牌定位於該組遊戲牌512之頂部544處。因此,可藉由第二紙牌饋送系統506之緩衝拾取輥524將於已存在於紙牌緩衝區214中之該組遊戲牌512之頂部544處插入紙牌緩衝區214中的任何遊戲牌在已存在於紙牌緩衝區214中之遊戲牌之前移除。相應地,當處於第二取向時,紙牌處理設備100之紙牌緩衝區214可能夠執行超越功能,其中自多隔間迴轉料架402(圖4)抽取之遊戲牌可向上超過(例如,超越或搶先於)已存在於紙牌緩衝區214中之該組遊戲牌512。在一些實施例中,一次僅一張遊戲牌將向上超過已存在於紙牌緩衝區214中之該組遊戲牌512。在其他實施例中,一次多張遊戲牌 將搶先於已存在於紙牌緩衝區214中之該組遊戲牌512。
在一些實施例中,紙牌輸出部分206可經構造成以至少大體上隨機或自動(例如,沒有人為干預)的方式於第一取向與第二取向之間移動。舉例而言,紙牌輸出部分206可由控制系統105(圖1)完全控制,以使得於桌子212(圖2)處施行紙牌處理設備100之發牌員及/或於桌子212(圖2)處玩耍之任何玩家未察覺紙牌輸出部分206的移動及紙牌緩衝區214中之紙牌的置放次序。在一些實施例中,控制系統105可包括隨機數產生器,且可基於該隨機數產生器所生成之數字來判定紙牌輸出部分206何時於第一取向與第二取向之間移動。在一些實施例中,紙牌輸出部分206之預設位置可為第一取向。舉例而言,紙牌輸出部分206通常可以第一取向定向,且可在由控制系統105判定時暫時正好移動至第二取向。
一起參考圖1及圖5A-5E,在一些實施例中,紙牌輸出部分206可藉由紙牌輸出部分206之致動系統510於第一取向與第二取向之間來回移動。致動系統510可於一端處安裝至紙牌處理設備100之框架結構102且於另一端處安裝至紙牌輸出部分206之第二框架總成503,且可能夠延伸及回縮。此外,致動系統510可由紙牌處理設備100之控制系統105進行控制。當致動系統510延伸或回縮時,致動系統510可至少使紙牌處理設備100之大體整個紙牌輸出部分206相對於紙牌處理設備100之洗牌裝置204移動。在一些實施例中,致動系統510可移動紙牌輸出部分206,以使得紙牌輸出部分206之紙牌緩衝區214至少部分地於相對於洗牌裝置204之紙牌傳送系統502的垂直方向上移動。因此,當致動系統510使紙牌輸出部分206之紙牌緩衝區214垂直地來回移動時,洗牌裝置204之紙牌傳送系統502 可能夠於紙牌緩衝區214中之該組遊戲牌512之頂部544及底部542處自洗牌裝置204插入遊戲牌。在一些實施例中,致動系統510可包括電子活塞、電子螺線管以及電動機心軸中之一或多者。在其他實施例中,致動系統510可為氣動的。
在一些實施例中,紙牌輸出部分206可相對於紙牌處理設備100之洗牌裝置204繞第二樞轉軸504旋轉。舉例而言,第二樞轉軸504可包括於兩端處可旋轉地安裝至紙牌處理設備100之框架結構102的第二軸546。第二樞轉軸504之第二軸546可於大體平行於桌子212(圖2)之桌面210(圖2)的方向上軸向地延伸,紙牌處理設備100可經安裝至該桌子。在一些實施例中,紙牌輸出部分206之第二樞轉軸504可經定向成接近紙牌處理設備100之大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108。當致動系統510移動紙牌輸出部分206時,紙牌輸出部分206可繞第二樞轉軸504旋轉且紙牌輸出部分206之紙牌緩衝區214可於相對於洗牌裝置204的垂直方向上至少部分地移動,從而因此允許紙牌傳送系統502於紙牌緩衝區214中之該組遊戲牌512之頂部544及底部542處插入遊戲牌。如上所述,允許紙牌傳送系統502於紙牌緩衝區214中之該組遊戲牌512之頂部544處插入遊戲牌使得遊戲牌能夠超越紙牌緩衝區214中之該組遊戲牌512,作為遊戲牌旁路過程之一部分。
使遊戲牌超越紙牌緩衝區214中之該組遊戲牌512可有助於防止玩家算牌。舉例而言,算牌之若干方法依賴於在一副或若干副紙牌分批重新洗牌或通過連續洗牌機再循環之前瞭解將要分發、已分發及/或盒中保留之一組遊戲牌512(例如,呈選定數目副)中之遊戲牌的級別。如以上所提及,紙牌處理設備100之洗牌裝置204可為連續洗牌裝置且可操作來至 少部分地對所使用之遊戲牌進行洗牌以使其返回至多隔間迴轉料架402之複數個隔間406及紙牌輸出部分206之紙牌緩衝區214中而無需在一輪遊戲結束時卸載全部紙牌。此外,藉由使遊戲牌超越(例如,繞過)紙牌緩衝區214中之該組遊戲牌512,前一手所使用之遊戲牌可能至少在重新插入紙牌處理設備100之後幾乎立即被分發。因此,玩家可能更難以瞭解下一手期望或不期望哪些遊戲牌。當使用將一組紙牌固持於緩衝區中且不使遊戲牌超越盒或洗牌裝置中之其他遊戲牌的紙牌處理設備時,玩家可期望針對至少某一數目的遊戲牌(例如,紙牌緩衝區214中之最小數目的遊戲牌或盒中已收集之遊戲牌)不分發來自前一手之遊戲牌。然而,於使用本揭示內容之紙牌處理設備100的桌子212(圖2)處玩耍的玩家不能假定針對某一數目的遊戲牌將不分發前一手之遊戲牌。實際上,使遊戲牌隨機超越紙牌緩衝區214中之該組遊戲牌512可使得玩家幾乎不可能使用已知的方法來有效地算牌。相應地,使遊戲牌超越紙牌緩衝區214中之該組遊戲牌512進一步使遊戲牌自大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108分發之次序隨機化,且可有助於在算牌係常見問題的情況下維持紙牌遊戲中的賭場優勢。
再次參考圖5A-5E,紙牌輸出部分206之第二紙牌饋送系統506可包括第二紙牌通路540(例如,通路,遊戲牌沿著該通路移動穿過紙牌輸出部分206)。第二紙牌通路540可自紙牌處理設備100之紙牌緩衝區214通向紙牌處理設備100之大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108。第二紙牌饋送系統506之緩衝拾取輥524可自紙牌輸出部分206之紙牌緩衝區214中所收集之一組遊戲牌512的頂部544處自紙牌緩衝區214移除遊戲牌。第二紙牌饋送系統506可進一步具有額外的成對輥548、550、552、554、556,該等額 外的成對輥可使遊戲牌自紙牌緩衝區214移位至紙牌處理設備100之大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108。舉例而言,如上所述,第二紙牌饋送系統506之緩衝拾取輥524可自紙牌緩衝區214中之該組遊戲牌512的頂部544處移除遊戲牌,且額外輥548、550、552、554、556可將該等遊戲牌傳送至大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108。在一些實施例中,紙牌輸出部分206之第二紙牌饋送系統506可以一次一張的方式將遊戲牌傳送至大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108。在一些實施例中,第二紙牌饋送系統506可不將另一遊戲牌傳送至大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108,直至大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108中所存在的遊戲牌(例如,先前發送到大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108)係自大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108取出(例如,分發或由發牌員以其他方式移除)。換言之,在控制系統105接收到指示大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108中不存在遊戲牌的訊號之前,不可將另一遊戲牌遞送至大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108。
此外,由於紙牌處理設備100之超越功能且因為可以一次一張的方式將遊戲牌發送至大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108,所以在將下一張遊戲牌發送至大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之前紙牌處理設備100內可能不存在不能改變的遊戲牌集合。因此,當與習知的洗牌機比較時,遊戲牌之隨機化係由本揭示內容之紙牌處理設備100進一步增加。
在一些實施例中,第二紙牌成像系統508可沿著第二紙牌饋送系統506之第二紙牌通路540定向。第二紙牌饋送系統506可將遊戲牌傳送經過第二紙牌成像系統508,且當每張遊戲牌在插入大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之前沿著第二紙牌通路54移動時,第二紙牌成像系統508可俘獲每張紙牌之識別資訊。第二紙牌成像系統508可與第一紙牌成像系統308類似 且可包含上述組件中之任一者。舉例而言,第二紙牌成像系統508可包括第二感測器509等。一起參考圖3、圖5A及圖5B,第一紙牌成像系統308及第二紙牌成像系統508可一起使用以通過紙牌處理設備100持續發送遊戲牌之存貨。舉例而言,當遊戲牌係插入洗牌裝置204中時,控制系統105(圖1)可獲取遊戲牌之第一存貨,且當遊戲牌係插入大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108中時,控制系統105(圖1)可獲取遊戲牌之第二存貨。此外,第一存貨及第二存貨可經比較及對比以判定紙牌處理設備100之行為、洗牌裝置204之有效性、以及遊戲牌相對於遊戲牌如何進入洗牌裝置204之隨機性。此外,第一存貨及第二存貨可用來偵測紙牌處理設備100所處理之多副遊戲牌中之破壞、欺騙或缺乏。
圖6為紙牌處理設備100之大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108的透視圖。紙牌處理設備100之大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108(例如,大體平坦的紙牌遞送區或大體平坦的牌盒)可包括接口部分602、蓋體604、感測器606、以及出口608。大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之蓋體604可經定向成處於接口部分602上方且可覆蓋大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之接口部分602之至少一部分。大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之蓋體604及接口部分602可界定處於蓋體604與接口部分602之間的出口608。此外,紙牌輸出部分206之第二紙牌饋送系統506(圖5A)可能夠以一次一張的方式通過出口608發送遊戲牌。
大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之接口部分602可具有下表面610、相對的至少大體平坦的抽取表面612、第一端部614、以及相對的第二端部616。接口部分602之抽取表面612可能夠支撐遊戲牌,該等遊戲牌係 自紙牌輸出部分206之第二紙牌饋送系統506(圖5A)發送至大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108中。接口部分602之抽取表面612可經界定成相對於接口部分602之下表面610(或桌子212之桌面210的表面,紙牌處理設備100係安裝至該桌子,如圖2所示)呈銳角β。換言之,大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之接口部分602可具有至少大體楔形。在一些實施例中,銳角β可處於3°至5°的範圍內。在一些實施例中,銳角β可處於5°至10°的範圍內。在一些實施例中,銳角β可處於10°至20°的範圍內。在一些實施例中,銳角β可為至少約10°。銳角β可經選擇以便於手動移除紙牌時為發牌員提供最大量的舒適度。大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之接口部分602之第二端部616可經附接至紙牌處理設備100之紙牌輸出部分206或可接近於其。大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之接口部分602之第一端部614可經定向成遠離紙牌處理設備100之紙牌輸出部分206。
當紙牌處理設備100係安裝至桌子212(圖2)時,大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之接口部分602之下表面610可擱置於桌子212(圖2)之桌面210(圖2)上,且接口部分602之抽取表面612可經定向成相對於桌面210(圖2)呈銳角β。當與習知的牌盒比較時,使接口部分602之抽取表面612經定向成相對於桌子212(圖2)之表面呈相對小的銳角β可降低發牌員在自大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108抽取遊戲牌時需要扭轉其腕部及抬高其手部的程度。因此,大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108可增加發牌員可向玩家分發遊戲牌之速度,這繼而可增加遊戲可於桌子212(圖2)處施行之步調。此外,大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108可隨時間的推移降低發牌員在桌子212(圖2)處施行遊戲時其腕部及/或手部體驗到的疲勞。
大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之蓋體604可具有基座部分618及自基座部分618延伸之兩個側向間隔開的臂部分620、622。蓋體604之基座部分618可經定向成接近大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之接口部分602之第二端部616且可延伸到大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之接口部分602之第二端部616上方。蓋體604之兩個臂部分620、622可自蓋體604之基座部分618朝向大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之接口部分602之第一端部614延伸。蓋體604之兩個臂部分620、622可藉由垂直延伸穿過蓋體604之切口624彼此分開。舉例而言,蓋體604在自大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之蓋體604之頂部觀察時可具有至少大體U形,其中基座部分618形成U之底部部分且兩個臂部分620、622形成U之兩個延伸臂。在一些實施例中,蓋體604中之切口624可具有半圓形形狀。在其他實施例中,蓋體604中之切口624可具有矩形形狀。切口624可用來曝露遊戲牌中之經發送至大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108的部分且可使得該等遊戲牌對於發牌員更可觸及。在一些實施例中,蓋體604之切口624與蓋體604之基座部分618及兩個臂部分620、622的接口可界定倒角邊緣626,該倒角邊緣可使得發牌員更舒適地自大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108抽取遊戲牌。
在一些實施例中,大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之蓋體604之兩個臂部分620、622中的每一臂部分620、622可藉由開口628、630來與大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之接口部分602之抽取表面612至少部分地分開。換言之,兩個臂部分620、622可自蓋體604之基座部分618延伸且可以懸臂的方式懸伸於大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之接口部分602之至少一部分上。使蓋體604之兩個臂部分620、622中的每一臂部分620、622與接口 部分602之抽取表面612分開的開口628、630可允許遊戲牌於兩個臂部分620、622下方通過且穿過開口628、630。換言之,因此,開口628、630可容許由第二紙牌饋送系統506(圖5A)發送至大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108中的遊戲牌於多個、不同、至少大體水平的方向上自大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之出口608抽取。包含夾角之方向範圍可經特徵化為「可抽取角度」,遊戲牌可於該等方向上自大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之出口608抽取。舉例而言,遊戲牌可於可抽取角度內延伸之任何方向上自大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之出口608抽取。可抽取角度可處於沿著大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之接口部分602中抽取表面612延伸的第三平面632內,且可以大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之中心縱軸634為中心,以使得可抽取角度之一半延伸至中心縱軸634之每一側。在一些實施例中,可抽取角度可為至少60°。換言之,可抽取角度中之可抽取遊戲牌的第一方向於第三平面632中可偏離可抽取角度中之可抽取遊戲牌的第二方向至少60°,該第三平面含有大部分抽取表面612。在一些實施例中,可抽取角度可為至少90°。在一些實施例中,可抽取角度可為至少135°。在一些實施例中,可抽取角度可為180°或更大。因此,遊戲牌可於複數個方向上自大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之出口608抽取,該複數個方向包括彼此垂直或甚至經定向成彼此處於鈍角關係之方向。
換言之,開口628、630可容許由第二紙牌饋送系統506(圖5A)發送至大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108中的遊戲牌於多個至少大體水平的方向上自大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之出口608抽取,而無需首先於與紙牌輸出部分206之第二紙牌通路540(圖5A)共線或平行於大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之中心縱軸634的方向上進行抽取。換言之,一旦遊戲牌在藉由 紙牌輸出部分206之第二紙牌通路540(圖5A)發送至大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之後擱置於大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108中,發牌員作出以自大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之出口608抽取遊戲牌的初始抽取移動可處於可抽取角度內延伸之任何方向上。
此外,在一些實施例中,大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之接口部分602之抽取表面612可不包括阻塞開口628、630的脊部或壁部。換言之,接口部分602之抽取表面612可為連續平面的,且可於兩個臂部分620、622下方延伸且完全穿過開口628、630。因而,遊戲牌在穿過開口628、630且自大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之接口部分602之抽取表面612抽取時可能不必越過任何脊部或壁部。
使允許發牌員自大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之出口608抽取遊戲牌的大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108處於方向範圍內可比其他盒更有優勢,因為大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108可減少對重新佈置紙牌處理設備100之盒的取向以滿足發牌員之紙牌抽取偏好或物理限制的需要。此外,大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108可減少對交換經安裝至桌子212(圖2)之紙牌處理設備的盒以便適應發牌員之紙牌抽取偏好的需要。此外,大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108可增加這樣的位置,在該等位置處發牌員在桌子212(圖2)處施行遊戲的同時可舒適地位於桌子212(圖2)處。因而,大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108可實現更為通用的牌盒,該牌盒在發牌員於給定桌子212(圖2)處改變時不需要進行調節。另外,大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108可增加發牌員的效率且可減少桌子212(圖2)處之停機時間(諸如更換或調節盒所需的時間),從而可繼而增加桌子212(圖2)處之盈利。
大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之感測器606可經定向於大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之接口部分602中且可與控制系統105(圖1)進行通訊。感測器606可感測大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108中何時存在或不存在遊戲牌。在一些實施例中,感測器606可感測遊戲牌於大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之接口部分602之抽取表面612上的移動。在其他實施例中,感測器606可感測遊戲牌之存在或不存在。舉例而言,感測器606可包括紅外感測器。在一些實施例中,在操作期間,當大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之感測器606感測到大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108中不存在遊戲牌或發牌員自大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108抽取遊戲牌之行為時,控制系統105(圖1)可引導紙牌輸出部分206之第二紙牌饋送系統506(圖5A)自紙牌輸出部分206之紙牌緩衝區214(圖5A)移除遊戲牌且將該遊戲牌發送至紙牌輸出部分206之中。在一些實施例中,在操作期間,當大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之感測器606感測到大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108中存在遊戲牌時,控制系統105(圖1)可引導紙牌輸出部分206之第二紙牌饋送系統506停止將遊戲牌發送至大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108。舉例而言,如上所述,紙牌處理設備100可以一次一張的方式將遊戲牌發送至大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108,且可不將另一遊戲牌發送至大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108直至先前所發送之遊戲牌已自大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108移除為止。
一起參考圖1、圖2及圖6,大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之整體平坦的結構及紙牌輸入部分202(例如,接近大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108)之紙牌入口區208的取向可容許大部分紙牌處理設備100安裝於桌子212之桌面210下方,紙牌處理設備100係安裝至該桌子。
圖7為圖1之紙牌處理設備100的局部側視圖。洗牌裝置204之紙牌傳送系統502可至少部分地界定第三紙牌通路702(例如,一通路,遊戲牌在離開洗牌裝置204之多隔間迴轉料架402及進入紙牌緩衝區214時沿著該通路移動穿過紙牌傳送系統502)。在一些實施例中,紙牌輸出部分206之第二紙牌通路540及紙牌傳送系統502之第三紙牌通路702可具有經界定處於第二紙牌通路540與第三紙牌通路702之間的夾角Φ。在一些實施例中,角度Φ可處於90°與175°的範圍內。在一些實施例中,角度Φ可處於125°與175°的範圍內。此外,在一些實施例中,角度Φ在紙牌輸出部分206經定向成第一取向時與紙牌輸出部分206經定向成第二取向時相比可為不同的。
換言之,遊戲牌在移動穿過洗牌裝置204之紙牌傳送系統502時可首先沿著第三紙牌通路702行進且行進至紙牌緩衝區214。當自緩衝區214抽取紙牌時,該等紙牌隨後在離開紙牌緩衝區214時可偏轉成沿著該第二紙牌通路540行進(例如,被迫行進)且行進穿過紙牌輸出部分206。換言之,遊戲牌在進入紙牌緩衝區214時可於第一方向上行進,且在離開紙牌緩衝區214時可於不同的第二方向上行進。在一些實施例中,第一方向與第二方向可界定一鈍角。
在一些實施例中,第三紙牌通路702可於預期紙牌移動之相對於桌子212(圖2)之桌面210(圖2)至少部分地下降的方向上延伸,且第二紙牌通路540可於相對於桌子212(圖2)之桌面210(圖2)至少部分地傾斜的方向上延伸。在其他實施例中,第三紙牌通路702可於預期紙牌移動之至少大體水平的方向上延伸,且第二紙牌通路540可於預期紙牌移 動之相對於桌子212(圖2)之桌面210(圖2)至少部分地傾斜的方向上延伸。
圖8展示過程801之流程圖,在該過程中紙牌處理設備100可對遊戲牌進行洗牌。一起參考圖2、圖3、圖4A及圖8,如動作800中所表示,可將遊戲牌加載至紙牌處理設備100之紙牌輸入部分202之紙牌入口區208中。如動作802中所表示,可藉由第一紙牌饋送系統306將遊戲牌自紙牌入口區208進行傳送且沿著第一紙牌通路312傳送通過紙牌輸入部分202。如動作804中所表示,沿著第一紙牌通路312,第一紙牌成像系統308可俘獲每張遊戲牌之第一影像。如動作806中所表示,可將遊戲牌插入多隔間-迴轉料架402之複數個隔間406中。可將遊戲牌暫時儲存於多隔間迴轉料架402之複數個隔間406中。
一起參考圖5A-5E及圖8,如動作808中所表示,可藉由紙牌傳送系統502將遊戲牌自多隔間迴轉料架402之複數個隔間406抽出。如動作810中所表示,紙牌傳送系統502可將遊戲牌插入紙牌處理設備100之紙牌輸出部分206之紙牌緩衝區214中。如動作812中所表示,可藉由利用紙牌傳送系統502將紙牌插入紙牌緩衝區214中來於紙牌緩衝區214中內形成一組遊戲牌512。
在一些實施例中,在一組遊戲牌512已定位於紙牌緩衝區214內之後,如動作814中所表示,紙牌傳送系統502可於該組遊戲牌512之底部542處將至少一張遊戲牌自多隔間迴轉料架402之複數個隔間406插入紙牌輸出部分206之紙牌緩衝區214中。在一些實施例中,在一組遊戲牌512已定位於紙牌緩衝區214內之後,如動作816中所表示,紙牌傳送系統 502可於該組遊戲牌512之頂部544處將至少一張遊戲牌自多隔間迴轉料架402之複數個隔間406插入紙牌輸出部分206之紙牌緩衝區214中。在一些實施例中,在至少一張遊戲牌已於該組遊戲牌512之頂部544或底部542處插入之後,如動作815中所表示,可改變紙牌輸出部分206之取向,且因此可改變紙牌緩衝區214相對於洗牌裝置204之取向。紙牌緩衝區214之取向可經改變(例如,來回、連續地、間歇地等)以使得紙牌傳送系統502能夠於紙牌緩衝區中所形成的該組遊戲牌512之頂部544及底部542中之兩者處插入遊戲牌。舉例而言,可自第一取向至第二取向或自第二取向至第一取向來改變紙牌輸出部分206之取向。
如動作818中所表示,可藉由拾-取輥524自紙牌緩衝區214、自該組遊戲牌512之頂部544處移除遊戲牌。如動作820中所表示,可藉由第二紙牌饋送系統306使遊戲牌自紙牌緩衝區214且沿著第二紙牌通路540移動穿過紙牌輸出部分206。如動作822中所表示,沿著第二紙牌通路540,第二紙牌成像系統508可俘獲每張遊戲牌之第二影像。如動作824中所表示,可將遊戲牌遞送至大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108,其中可於相對於第二紙牌通路540的多個、不同、至少大體水平的方向上自大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108抽取遊戲牌。
圖9為紙牌傳送系統502之放大透視圖。紙牌傳送系統502可包括用於自多隔間迴轉料架402移除紙牌之彈出總成902及用於將遊戲牌插入紙牌緩衝區214中之排出供給系統904。彈出總成902可包括至少一推動器臂906及至少一柱908。至少一推動器臂906可樞轉地耦接至至少一柱908且可經構造以繞至少一柱908樞轉(例如,旋轉)。至少一推動器臂906 可於至少大體垂直於至少一柱908延伸之方向的方向上自至少一柱908縱向地延伸。當至少一推動器臂906繞至少一柱908樞轉時,至少一推動器臂906之遠端910(例如,至少一推動器臂之未耦接至至少一柱908的端部)可平移成接近多隔間迴轉料架402之複數個隔間406。在一些實施例中,至少一推動器臂906之遠端910可沿著紙牌傳送系統502之第三紙牌通路702至少部分地平移。在平移期間,至少一推動器臂906之遠端910可經構造以卡住位於多隔間迴轉料架402之複數個隔間406中之一隔間406中的至少一遊戲牌之一側(例如,側向側)的邊緣。舉例而言,遊戲牌之部分可自複數個隔間406之兩側縱向地延伸,且至少一推動器臂906之遠端910在至少一推動器臂906繞至少一柱908樞轉時可卡住遊戲牌之自複數個隔間406延伸的部分。此外,至少一推動器臂906可經構造以推動來自隔間406之至少一遊戲牌,且沿著紙牌傳送系統502之第三紙牌通路702推動至少一遊戲牌並推動至紙牌傳送系統502之排出供給總成904中。
在一些實施例中,紙牌傳送系統502可包括處於多隔間迴轉料架402之每一側向側上之彈出總成902。舉例而言,紙牌傳送系統502可包括多隔間迴轉料架402之第一側之第一彈出總成及處於多隔間迴轉料架402之第二側上的第二彈出總成。此外,第一彈出總成及第二彈出總成可協作(例如,同步)以自多隔間迴轉料架402之複數個隔間406移除至少一紙牌。舉例而言,第一彈出總成之第一推動器臂可卡住自隔間406之第一側突出之至少一遊戲牌的一部分,且第二彈出總成之第二推動器臂可卡住自隔間406之第二側突出之至少一遊戲牌的一部分。總之,第一彈出總成及第二彈出總成可推動來自隔間406之至少一遊戲牌,且沿著紙牌傳送系統 502之第三紙牌通路702推動並推動至紙牌傳送系統502之排出供給總成904中。
排出供給總成904可包括兩個排出輥912、914,該兩個排出輥經構造以將至少一遊戲牌夾持於兩個排出輥912、914之間。舉例而言,兩個排出輥912、914可經構造以夾持遊戲牌,該等遊戲牌藉由紙牌傳送系統之彈出總成902來推出多隔間迴轉料架402之複數個隔間406。換言之,彈出總成902可將紙牌推出多隔間迴轉料架402之複數個隔間406,且隨後可將遊戲牌推動到兩個排出輥912、914之間。
兩個排出輥912、914可相對於彼此旋轉、將遊戲牌夾持於彼此之間、以及將遊戲牌插入紙牌輸出部分206之紙牌緩衝區214中。在一些實施例中,兩個排出輥912、914之一可自由地旋轉且兩個排出輥912、914中之另一者可經耦接至由排出電動機918操作的齒輪及皮帶系統916。齒輪及皮帶系統916及排出電動機918可使兩個排出輥912、914中之另一者旋轉且可由控制系統105進行控制。在一些實施例中,兩個排出輥912、914中之兩者可經耦接至齒輪及皮帶系統916及排出電動機918。
在一些實施例中,紙牌傳送系統502可經構造以一次移動多張遊戲牌(例如,一起或按順序)。舉例而言,紙牌傳送系統502一次可移動經堆疊於彼此之上的至少兩張遊戲牌。此外,紙牌傳送系統502可能夠利用彈出總成902來移動至少一遊戲牌,同時利用排出供給總成904來移動至少另一紙牌。在其他實施例中,紙牌傳送系統502一次可移動一張遊戲牌。
圖10為本揭示內容之紙牌處理設備100的實施例中所使用 之控制系統105(諸如圖1所示)的示意圖。一起參考圖1及圖10,紙牌處理設備100可包括用於控制紙牌處理設備100之各種組件(諸如以上及本文所論述的)之控制系統105。控制系統105可(例如,通過顯示器106及輸入設備920)自使用者接收輸入訊號、自本文所述之各種感測器中之一或多者接收輸入訊號及/或用於選擇性地控制紙牌處理設備100之各種先前描述的主動組件中之一或多者。
在一些實施例中,整個控制系統105可物理地定位於紙牌處理設備100內。換言之,控制系統105可經整合至紙牌處理設備100之組件中或與其整合,該等組件諸如例如洗牌裝置204、紙牌輸入部分202(圖2)、紙牌輸出部分206、以及平臺的紙牌輸出區108。在其他實施例中,控制系統105中之一或多個組件可物理地定位於紙牌處理設備100外部。此種組件可包括,例如,電腦設備(例如,桌上型電腦、膝上型電腦、手持電腦、個人資料助理(PDA)、網路伺服器等)。此種外部組件可經構造以執行功能,諸如例如影像處理、獎勵系統管理、網路通訊等。
控制系統105可包括至少一電子訊號處理器922(例如,微處理器)。控制系統105亦可包括至少一記憶體設備924,該至少一記憶體設備用於儲存將要由電子訊號處理器922讀取之資料及/或用於儲存由電子訊號處理器922發送至至少一記憶體設備924之資料。控制系統105亦可包括一或多個顯示器106、一或多個輸入設備920以及一或多個輸出設備926。舉例而言而非限制,一或多個輸入設備920可包括小鍵盤、鍵盤、觸控板、按鈕、開關、槓桿、觸控螢幕、壓敏墊板等,且一或多個輸出設備920可包括圖形顯示設備(例如,螢幕或監視器)、列印機、一或多個發光二極體 (LED)、用於發射可聽訊號之設備等。在一些實施例中,輸入設備920及輸出設備926可經整合至單一整體結構(例如,顯示器106)中。
一起參考圖1、圖2、圖5-7及圖10,控制系統105可經構造以與先前描述之感測器中之每一者進行電通訊。舉例而言,控制系統105可與第一紙牌成像系統308之第一感測器310、第二紙牌成像系統508之第二感測器509、以及大體平坦的紙牌輸出區108之感測器606進行電通訊。此外,控制系統105可與額外的感測器928進行電通訊,該等額外的感測器可沿著第一紙牌通路312、第二紙牌通路540以及第三紙牌通路702設置。舉例而言,額外的感測器928可包括處於紙牌入口區208中、接近成對輥316、318、320、接近排除輥912、914、接近緩衝拾取輥524或接近額外的輥548、550、552、554、556等之感測器。在一些實施例中,額外的感測器928可沿著相應的紙牌通路被包括於每一對輥(例如,一對輥316)前部或後部,以便追蹤遊戲牌於整個紙牌處理設備100中之移動。此外,在一些實施例中,額外的感測器928可經包括於紙牌入口區208中,以感測紙牌入口區208中之遊戲牌之存在或不存在。如先前所論述,以上所列舉之感測器中之每一者可與控制系統105進行電通訊。此外,控制系統105可與以上所列舉之成對輥中之每一者之控制器(例如,電動機或致動器)中的每一者、致動系統510、洗牌裝置204、以及紙牌傳送系統502進行電通訊。
在一些實施例中,紙牌處理設備100可藉由連接或以其他方式提供紙牌處理設備100之控制系統105與網絡930之間的通訊來併入桌上遊戲管理系統中。舉例而言,紙牌處理設備100上之資料埠(未展示)可用來通過導線、電纜或無線連接將電通訊提供至網路930。網絡930可與控 制系統105之電子訊號處理器922進行通訊。在額外的實施例中,網絡930可直接與紙牌處理設備100之一或多個上-述控制器、或與控制系統105之電子訊號處理器922及紙牌處理設備100之上-述控制器兩者進行通訊。
以上所描述及附圖中所例示之本揭示內容之實施例不限制本揭示內容之範疇,該範疇係由隨附申請專利範圍及其合法等同物之範疇所涵蓋。任何等同實施例皆處於本揭示內容之範疇內。實際上,根據本說明書,本揭示內容之各種修改(除本文所展示並描述的彼等之外,諸如所述元件之替代的可用組合)對於熟習此項技術者將是明白的。此種修改及實施例亦落於隨附申請專利範圍及等同物之範疇內。

Claims (33)

  1. 一種紙牌處理設備,其包含:一洗牌裝置,其用於對遊戲牌進行洗牌;以及一紙牌輸出部分,其包含經定位於該洗牌裝置與該紙牌輸出部分之一接口處的一紙牌緩衝區,該紙牌輸出部分經構造以相對於該洗牌裝置移動,以便改變該紙牌緩衝區相對於該洗牌裝置之一取向。
  2. 如申請專利範圍第1項之紙牌處理設備,其中該紙牌處理設備經構造以將該紙牌輸出部分定位成相對於該洗牌裝置的一第一取向,以使得該洗牌裝置經構造以將該等遊戲牌於該紙牌緩衝區中之一組紙牌之一頂部處插入該紙牌緩衝區中;且經構造以將該紙牌輸出部分定位成相對於該洗牌裝置的一第二取向,以使得該洗牌裝置經構造以將該等遊戲牌於該紙牌緩衝區中之該組紙牌之一底部處插入該紙牌緩衝區中。
  3. 如申請專利範圍第2項之紙牌處理設備,其進一步包含一致動系統,該致動系統經附接至該紙牌輸出部分及該紙牌處理設備之一框架結構,該致動系統經構造以使該紙牌輸出部分於該第一取向與該第二取向之間移動。
  4. 如申請專利範圍第3項之紙牌處理設備,其中該致動系統包含一電子心軸。
  5. 如申請專利範圍第1項之紙牌處理設備,其進一步包含:一紙牌輸入部分,其具有一紙牌入口區,該紙牌入口區經構造以定位於一桌子之一桌面上方,以用於接收將要洗牌之遊戲牌且使將要洗牌之該等遊戲牌遞送至該洗牌裝置;以及 一大體平坦的紙牌輸出區,其經構造以定位於該桌子之該桌面上方,以用於自該紙牌輸出部分之該紙牌緩衝區接收紙牌,其中該紙牌輸出部分之該紙牌入口區及該大體平坦的紙牌輸出區兩者皆定位成接近該紙牌處理設備之該洗牌裝置之一側。
  6. 如申請專利範圍第1項之紙牌處理設備,其中該紙牌緩衝區包含:一支承,其具有用於支撐一組遊戲牌之一上表面;一拾取輥,其經定向成處於板上方;以及一偏置裝置,其經附接至該板且經構造以朝向該拾取輥推動該板,其中該紙牌緩衝區經構造以將該組遊戲牌固持於該板與該拾取輥之間。
  7. 如申請專利範圍第6項之紙牌處理設備,其中該紙牌緩衝區之該板可至少部分地於相對於該紙牌緩衝區之該拾取輥的一垂直方向上平移。
  8. 如申請專利範圍第1項之紙牌處理設備,其進一步包含一紙牌輸入部分,該紙牌輸入部分包含:一第一紙牌饋送系統,其用於將遊戲牌自一紙牌入口區傳送至該洗牌裝置,該第一紙牌饋送系統界定一第一紙牌通路;以及一第一成像系統,其沿著該第一紙牌饋送系統之該第一紙牌通路定向且用於讀取正沿著該第一紙牌饋送系統之該第一紙牌通路傳送的遊戲牌。
  9. 如申請專利範圍第1項之紙牌處理設備,其中該紙牌輸出部分進一步包含:一第二紙牌饋送系統,其用於將遊戲牌自該紙牌緩衝區傳送至該紙牌處理設備之一大體平坦的紙牌輸出區,該第二紙牌饋送系統界定一第二紙牌通路;以及 一第二成像系統,其沿著該第二紙牌饋送系統之該第二紙牌通路定向且用於讀取正沿著該第二紙牌饋送系統之該第二紙牌通路傳送的遊戲牌。
  10. 如申請專利範圍第1項之紙牌處理設備,其中該紙牌緩衝區經構造以固持最小九張遊戲牌及最大二十二張遊戲牌。
  11. 一種具有一大體平坦的紙牌輸出區之紙牌處理設備,該紙牌處理設備包含:一接口部分,其具有一至少大體平坦的抽取表面;以及一蓋體,其經設置於該接口部分之上,該接口部分及該蓋體界定處於該接口部分與該蓋體之間的一出口,其中該大體平坦的紙牌輸出區經構造以容許遊戲牌於大體處於該抽取表面所界定之一平面內的複數個不同方向上、於該接口部分之該抽取表面上自該大體平坦的紙牌輸出區之該出口抽取,而無需首先於平行於該大體平坦的紙牌輸出之一中心縱軸的一方向上自該出口進行抽取。
  12. 如申請專利範圍第11項之紙牌處理設備,其中該複數個不同方向中之一第一方向係偏離該複數個不同方向中之一第二方向至少60°。
  13. 如申請專利範圍第11項之紙牌處理設備,其中該大體平坦的紙牌輸出區之該接口部分之該抽取表面經構造以定位成相對於一桌子之一桌面呈小於10°的一角度,該大體平坦的紙牌輸出區係定位於該桌子上。
  14. 如申請專利範圍第11項之紙牌處理設備,其中該大體平坦的紙牌輸出區之該接口部分進一步包含一第一端部及一相對的第二端部,且其中該大體平坦的紙牌輸出區之該蓋體進一步包含:一基座部分,其經定向成處於該接口部分之該第二端部上方;以及 兩個側向間隔開的臂部分,其由一切口分開且自該基座部分朝向該接口部分之該第一端部延伸,其中該基座部分之該兩個臂部分中的每一者係與該大體平坦的紙牌輸出區之該接口部分之該抽取表面分開,以形成至少一開口。
  15. 如申請專利範圍第14項之紙牌處理設備,其中該兩個側向間隔開的臂部分中之每一者係由至少一開口來懸置於該大體平坦的紙牌輸出區之該接口部分之該抽取表面上方。
  16. 如申請專利範圍第11項之紙牌處理設備,其中該大體平坦的紙牌輸出區經構造以容許遊戲牌於包括彼此垂直的方向之該複數個不同、至少大體水平的方向上、於該接口部分之該抽取表面上自該大體平坦的紙牌輸出區之該出口抽取。
  17. 如申請專利範圍第11項之紙牌處理設備,其中該大體平坦的紙牌輸出區經構造以容許遊戲牌於包括相隔135°的方向之該複數個不同方向上、於該接口部分之該抽取表面上自該大體平坦的紙牌輸出區之該出口抽取。
  18. 一種紙牌處理設備,其包含:一洗牌裝置,其用於對遊戲牌進行洗牌;一紙牌輸出區;以及一紙牌輸出部分,其用於自該洗牌裝置接收遊戲牌且將遊戲牌遞送至該紙牌輸出區,該紙牌輸出部分包含:一紙牌緩衝區,其經定位於該紙牌處理設備內、處於該洗牌裝置與該紙牌輸出部分之一接口處,其中該紙牌緩衝區經構造以暫時固持一組遊戲 牌;以及一紙牌饋送系統,其經構造以按照一次一張的方式自該紙牌緩衝區移除遊戲牌且按照一次一張的方式將該等遊戲牌遞送至該紙牌輸出區,其中該紙牌饋送系統經構造以在一先前發送之遊戲牌自該紙牌輸出區抽取之前都不將一遊戲牌發送至該大體平坦的紙牌輸出區。
  19. 如申請專利範圍第18項之紙牌處理設備,其中該紙牌輸出部分之該紙牌緩衝區經構造以相對於該洗牌裝置移動,以便於該紙牌緩衝區中之該組遊戲牌之一頂部及一底部處選擇性地接收遊戲牌。
  20. 如申請專利範圍第18項之紙牌處理設備,其中該紙牌緩衝區係定位於該紙牌處理設備內、處於接近該紙牌輸出區之一位置處。
  21. 一種洗牌方法,其包含:將遊戲牌輸入至一紙牌處理設備之一紙牌輸入部分中;將該等遊戲牌自該紙牌輸入部分傳送至一洗牌裝置中;將至少一遊戲牌自該洗牌裝置輸出至一紙牌緩衝區中;改變該紙牌緩衝區相對於該洗牌裝置的一取向;以及在該紙牌緩衝區處於一經改變之取向以改變該紙牌緩衝區中之遊戲牌級序列的同時將至少另一遊戲牌自該洗牌裝置輸出至該紙牌緩衝區中。
  22. 如申請專利範圍第21項之方法,其進一步包含:在該紙牌緩衝區處於一經改變之取向的同時,於該紙牌緩衝區中之一組遊戲牌之頂部上的一第一位置處將該至少另一遊戲牌自該洗牌裝置輸出至該紙牌緩衝區中。
  23. 如申請專利範圍第21項之方法,其進一步包含:於該紙牌緩衝區中之 該組遊戲牌下方的一第二位置處將至少一遊戲牌自該洗牌裝置輸出至該紙牌緩衝區中。
  24. 一種洗牌方法,其包含:自一紙牌處理設備之一暫時儲存區移除遊戲牌;利用該紙牌處理設備之一紙牌緩衝區中之該等遊戲牌形成一組遊戲牌;將至少一遊戲牌添加至該組遊戲牌之底部;以及將至少一遊戲牌添加至該組遊戲牌之頂部。
  25. 如申請專利範圍第24項之洗牌方法,其中將至少一遊戲牌添加至該組遊戲牌之該底部及將至少一遊戲牌添加至該組遊戲牌之該頂部包含將該至少一遊戲牌添加至該組遊戲牌之該底部且隨後將該至少一遊戲牌添加至該組遊戲牌之該頂部。
  26. 如申請專利範圍第25項之洗牌方法,其進一步包含:在將該至少一遊戲牌添加至該組遊戲牌之該底部之後及在將該至少一遊戲牌添加至該組遊戲牌之該頂部之前,改變該紙牌處理設備之該紙牌緩衝區的一取向。
  27. 如申請專利範圍第26項之洗牌方法,其中改變該紙牌緩衝區之一取向包含使該紙牌緩衝區之該取向自一第一取向旋轉至一第二取向。
  28. 如申請專利範圍第27項之洗牌方法,其進一步包含:在該紙牌緩衝區處於該第二取向的同時將該至少一遊戲牌添加至該組遊戲牌之該頂部。
  29. 如申請專利範圍第27項之洗牌方法,其進一步包含:在自該紙牌緩衝區移除蓋紙牌緩衝區中之該組遊戲牌中之其他遊戲牌之前,將經添加 至該組遊戲牌之該頂部的該至少一遊戲牌遞送至一紙牌輸出區。
  30. 一種洗牌方法,其包含:於一第一方向上將遊戲牌移動至一紙牌處理設備之一紙牌緩衝區中;以及於一第二方向上將紙牌移出該紙牌緩衝區,其中該第二方向與該第一方向界定一鈍角。
  31. 如申請專利範圍第30項之洗牌方法,其中於第一方向上移動該等遊戲牌包含於相對於一表面的一下降方向上移動該等遊戲牌,該紙牌處理設備之至少一部分係定位於該表面上,且其中於該第二方向上移動該等遊戲牌包含於相對於該表面的一傾斜方向上移動該等遊戲牌,該紙牌處理設備之該至少一部分係定位於該表面上。
  32. 一種用於一遊戲桌之紙牌處理設備,其包含:一外殼,其用於安裝至一遊戲桌,該外殼包含一紙牌入口區,該紙牌入口區用於接收將要洗牌之紙牌,以及一紙牌輸出區,該紙牌輸出區供一發牌員於該桌子處自用於分發遊戲牌之該紙牌處理設備獲取紙牌,該紙牌入口區及該紙牌輸出區經設置成在該外殼係安裝至一桌子時被佈置於該遊戲桌之頂部處;一洗牌裝置,其用於自該紙牌入口接收紙牌;一紙牌緩衝區,其用於自該洗牌裝置接收並固持一組紙牌;一紙牌輸出部分,其用於以一次一張的方式將紙牌自該紙牌緩衝區傳送至該紙牌輸出區;一裝置,其經構造以改變該紙牌緩衝區之一取向,以於該組紙牌之該頂 部或該底部處自該洗牌裝置接收紙牌,從而改變該組中之紙牌佈置;一感測器,其用於回應於一發牌員自該紙牌輸出區移除一紙牌而提供一訊號;以及一處理器,其用於自該感測器接收該訊號且回應於其而控制該紙牌輸出部分來將另一紙牌自該紙牌緩衝區傳送至該紙牌輸出區,該處理器經構造以控制該洗牌裝置來將紙牌重新供應至該緩衝區,以維持其中的該組紙牌以便供應至該紙牌輸出區,其中紙牌係連續地供應至該紙牌輸出區。
  33. 如申請專利範圍第32項之設備,該紙牌輸出區包含一平坦的抽取表面及一蓋體,該抽取表面及該蓋體界定其間一出口的一平面間距,以便容許紙牌於大體處於該出口之平面內的複數個不同方向上自該出口拉出,而無需首先自該出口進行抽取。
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