US3584876A

US3584876A - Electronic card dealer

Info

Publication number: US3584876A
Application number: US851218A
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas E Segers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-08-19
Filing date: 1969-08-19
Publication date: 1971-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 1988-06-15

Abstract

An electronic card dealer having control circuitry to establish various probabilities between relative values with a display panel of flashing cards which are selected at random.

Description

United States Patent.v

Inventor Thomas E. Segers 36S Beech Ave, Fail-field, Ohio 45014 Appl No. 851,218

Filed Aug. 19, 1969 Patented June 15, 1971 ELECTRONIC CARD DEALER 3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl. 273/ 138A Int. Cl A63b7l/06, A63f 1/18 Field of Search 273/138 A,

[56] References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,459,427 8/ 1969 Rhodes 273/138A 3,533,629 10/1970 Raven 273/138A FOREIGN PATENTS 1,107,552 3/1968 Great Britain 273/138A Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Assistant Examiner-Arnold W. Kramer Attorney-Edward J. Utz

ABSTRACT: An electronic card dealer having control circuitry to establish various probabilities between relative values with a display panel of flashing cards which are selected at random.

ATENTED JUN! 5197;

SHEET 2 OF 6 MAUI . l I I l I m mh wg WV w NS INVENTOR THOMAS E. SEGERS PATENTEDJUNISISYI 3.584.876

FIG 5 2 :ORNEY ATENIED Juu'l 519m SHEET 5 BF 6 INVENTUR 'HOMAS E. S EGERS PATENIED JUN 1 5 19m SHEET 6 BF 6 fifi INVEN'I'OR THOMAS E. SI'ICI'IRS ELECTRONIC CARD DEALER My invention relates to an Electronic Card Dealer, which provides for continuous visual entertainment utilizing a visual display to simulate the shuffling of cards and the random selection of two cards: namely, a red card and a green result card.

The principal object of my invention is to provide an electronic game device with a display panel of flashing cards which are selected at random. Another object of my invention is to provide an electronic game device which employs control circuitry for establishing electronically various mathematical probabilities.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a cabinet having a display panel which combined with electrical circuitry which produces unsynchronized flashing to cause illuminations of the display panel so that the cards in the display panel appear to shuffle optically.

The device contains control circuitry that establishes various probabilities between the relative values of the two selected cards. For example, the lower the value of the selected red card, the greater the probability the selected green result card will have a value higher than of the selected red card. The type of continuous visual entertainment provided by the display panel of the device would be adaptable to many kinds of commercial decorative displays in various forms of commercial applications.

My invention comprises a cabinet having a display panel that contains a deck of six translucent playing cards. The playing cards are: nine, ten, jack, queen, king, ace of spades. The ten, jack, queen, and king, may be illuminated in the color red, or in the color green. Once a card becomes illuminated, it flashes continuously on and off, and there is no synchronization between the flashing of any two cards. Once a game is completed, only one red card and one green result card will remain illuminated on the display panel.

A typical game consists of the following sequence of events:

Prior to the beginning of a new game, the public will see on the display panel one flashing red card, and one flashing green result card. This represents the outcome of the previous game.

A small fraction of a second after device automatically begins a new game, the outcome of the previous game will be instantaneously erased, and the entire deck instantaneously becomes green. Each card will immediately begin to flash in a manner that is not synchronized with the flashing of any other card. Owing to lack of synchronization in the flashing, the entire deck will appear optically to shuffle.

About seconds later, either a ten, or jack, or queen, or king will instantaneously turn red. In terms of relative card value, the task of the forthcoming green result card is to be higher in value than the red card. The selection of a particular red card is completely unpredictable on a game-to-game basis.

Roughly 9 seconds later, four of the five flashing green cards will instantaneously cease to be illuminated. The one green card that remains illuminated on the display panel is the green result card. The selection of a particular green result card is completely unpredictable on a game-to-game basis. The display panel will now show one flashing red card, and

one flashing green result card, as it did before the game started.

About 5 seconds later, the device will automatically begin a new game and the entire process will be repeated.

The display panel offers a total of 20 possible red card and green result card combinations. From the viewers standpoint, the selection of a particular red card and the selection of a particular green result card are not predictable. For these reasons, in addition to the simulated shuffling owing to lack of synchronization between the flashing of 198, 199, 201, the device has been tentatively called: Electronic Card Dealer.

Some basic circuits (or'variations of them) which have been used in the design of the Electronic Card Dealer are:

Eccles-Jordan bistable multivibrator (also known as a binary circuit);

Free running plate coupled multivibrator; And" circuit (also known as a coincidence" circuit); and

Monostable blocking tube oscillator. In the drawings, I show in: FIG. I, the cabinet with card viewing opening, FIG. 2 is a wiring diagram, FIG. 3 is a wiring diagram, FIG. 4 is a wiring diagram, FIG. 5 is a wiring diagram, FIG. 6 is a wiring diagram, FIG. 7 is a wiring diagram. In the drawings the same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the several vie'ws.

PROBABILITY OF SUCCESS THEORY In the following discussion the probability of success is defined to be the probability that the randomly selected green result card will be higher in value than the randomly selected red card. The fundamental idea upon which a dependable probability of success is based is the time-controlled opening and closing of an electronic switch. The electronic switch is composed of the two diodes, 50 and 51 (FIG. 3). When the cathode voltage of 52 is negative, the diodes conduct, causing the cathode of 52 to be clamped at about minus 8 volts of diode voltage drop, with respect to ground; then the electronic switch is defined to be open. When the cathode voltage of 52 is positive, the diodes do not conduct current, and the electronic switch is defined to be closed. With reference to FIG. 3, the time during which the cathode voltage of 52 is negative the electronic switch open-is called no success time and is designated T The time during which the cathode voltage of 52 is positive-the electronic switch is closedis called success time and designated T FIG. 3 presents a portion of the main schematic diagram, showing the two

diodes

50 and 51, tube 52, resistor 53, and resistor 54, which will be described below. The grid of 52 is driven with a voltage waveform in phase with the voltage waveform at the cathode of 52 in FIG. 3. When the voltage at the grid of 52 is positive, the cathode voltage of 52 is positive (defined as interval T and

diodes

50 and 51 cannot conduct current because they are back-biased. As the diodes are not conducting, the impedance to ground at the cathode is high; if a chance-trigger occurs during this interval it will pass through resistor 54 and appear at the output of the electronic switch with negligible attenuation; then a green result card success will be registered. When the voltage at the grid of 52 is negative, the cathode voltage of 52 will be negative (defined as interval T i causing the diodes to conduct about ll milliamps. Because of the diode current the impedance to ground at the cathode of 50 is only a few-hundred ohms, so that should a chance-trigger occur during this interval it will be severely attenuated by resistor 54 and only a minute portion of its voltage will appear across the low impedance output of the electronic switch; then a green result card success will not be registered.

The width of the chance-trigger is negligible with respect to the width of any T or T interval. The time of occurrence of the chance-trigger is at random with respect to the time of occurrence of any T or T interval, and only one chance trigger occurs in each game. From elementary probability theory the expected success probability, based on a large number of games, that the green result card will be higher in value than the red card can be expressed in equation (1) as:

In equation (1), A is the expected probability of a green result card success, based on a large number of games: T is success time, or the time interval during which the cathode voltage of 52 is positive (electronic switch closed); T is no success time, or the time interval during which the cathode voltage of 52 is negative (electronic switch open). The intervals T and T which determine the probability of success A in equation (1) generated in the free running plate coupled multivibrator circuit in FIG. 3 of drawings. The output of this circuit is at the plate of 5S, and is almost a perfect rectangular waveform which is DC coupled to the grid of 52. This voltage drives the cathode voltage of 52 positive during T, intervals; negative during T intervals. For the configuration, it is a reasonable approximation to assume that the duration of the T,- interval is proportional to the sum of the resistances of 63 and 64 multiplied by the capacitance of 641. It is also a reasonable approximation to assume that the duration of the T interval is proportional to the capacitance of 56 and 57 (connected in parallel) multiplied by one of the following sums of resistances, namely: 59 plus 73, or 78 plus 79, or 80 plus 81, or 82 plus 83. As will be explained below, the particular sum to be utilized (59 plus 73, etc.) depends upon the particular red card that is randomly selected by the display circuitry. A typical functional example of how the above configuration determines the green result card success probability A of equation( I) is as follows: If, for a particular game, the red card is a ten, 59 and 73 will be the only grid resistors of 62 returned to 300 volts, as relay 74 is energized, and relays 75, 76, 77 are not energized (FIG. 6); so that the other grid resistors terminate in an open circuit. Using the above approxi mations for T and T in terms of their corresponding resistances and capacitances, equation (I) may be rewritten with a fair degree of accuracy as follows, where the electrical values of the items are understood to be in basic units of resistance and capacitance:

(2) (63+64)(641)+(59+73)(Va1ue of 56 and 57 in parallel) If the values of

resistors

59 and 73 are picked to make the denominator twice as large as the numerator in equation (2), the value of the green card success probability A will be onehalf or 50 percent. In other words, on the average, the randomly selected green card will be higher than the red ten card in 50 percent of the games. If, for a particular game, the red card is a jack, 78 and 79 will be the only grid resistors returned to 300 volts, as relay 75 is energized and relays 74, 76, 77 are not energized. In this case, 78 and 79 will take the place of

resistors

59 and 73 in equation (2), and the value of the success probability A will be changed to a different value. If, for a particular game, the red card is'a queen, 80 and 81 will be the only grid resistors returned to 300 volts, as relay 76 is energized, and relays 74, 75, 77 are not energized. In this

case

80 and 81 will take the place of

resistors

59 and 73 in equation (2), and the value of the success probability A will again be changed to another different value. If, for a particular game, the red card is a king, 82 and 83 will be the only grid resistors returned to 300 volts, as relay 77 is energized, and relays 74, 75, 76, are not energized. In this case, 82 and 83 will take the place of

resistors

59 and 73 in equation (2), and the value of the success probability A will yet again be changed to an entirely different value.

Although the value of the green result card success probability is completely arbitrary, in order to create realistic probabilities between the relative values of the cards, the higher the value of the randomly selected red card, the higher would be the sums of 78 and 79 (corresponding to a red jack),. 80 and 81 (corresponding to a red queen), 82 and 83 (corresponding to a red king), respectively.

It will be easily noted that making these sums higher increases the value of the denominator in equation (2), making the probability of a green result card success correspondingly lower in value. This approach results in a natural correlation of probabilities between the relative values of the two cards. For example, the higher the value of the randomly selected red card, the lower is the probability that the randomly selected green result card will have a higher value than the randomly selected red card.

LII

VISUAL DISPLAY AND DISPLAY CIRCUITRY The visual display as it 25 in FIG. 1, presented by the machine in a deck of six playing cards situated horizontally across the face of the device. The six cards in the prototype equipment are: nine, ten, jack, queen, king, and ace of spades, respectively (FIG. 1) The type of playing cards used are not limited to the type generally used in the United States.

The card selected by the machine is red in color, and the result card selected is green in color. The equipment is designed so that in any given game, the red card selected by the machine will be either a ten, or jack, or queen, or king.

The selection of the red card is completely at random, and the selection of the green result card is completely at random. The machine has the facility of memorizing the outcome of a game and presenting the outcome of a game permanently on the visual display in the form of a continuously flashing red card and a continuously flashing green result card until a new game is automatically begun by the device, at which time the outcome of the preceding game is visually erased, and a visual shuffling of all the cards, which instantaneously turn green, I

takes place. In the visual shuffling and the selections of cards a physical movement of the cards does not take place. The shuffling is simulated by the nonsynchronized flashing of lights behind the cards, and the selection is done by relay switch contacts.

Since the selection of the red card by the machine, and the selection of the green result card, are at random; and since the machine completely recycles itself from game to game, it will be necessary to make initial assumptions in order to have a definite starting point in the discussion. Assume that the previous game terminated with a red ten and a green nine result card. Prior to the beginning of a new game, relay 123 will be energized, and the binary of 85 and 86 (FIG. 6) will be receiving a switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage from 87. Relay 88 will not be energized and will be delivering the switched 300- volt-plate supply to the binary of 89 and 90. The relay 74 will be energized, and the relay contact section 91 will be completing the 1 IO-volt circuit of the red light 92 through flasher 93, and the red ten will be flashing on the display. Relay 94 is energized and is delivering a switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage to the binary of 95 and 96 and the isolation amplifier 97 through the relay contacts 129a and 129. The relay 98 will be energized and delivering the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage to the binary of 99 and 100.

Relay 101 will be energized, and, consequently, relay contacts 102 and 103 'will be connected. Relay 104 will be energized, and, consequently, the

relay contacts

105, 106, 108, 109, will be connected to

contacts

110, 111, 112 and 113, respectively. The relay 114 will be energized, and

relay contact sections

115, 116, 117, and 118, will be in their no-success, as shown in the (FIG. 6) schematic diagram. Relay 119 will be energized, and the relay contact section 120 will be in its no-success position, as shown on the schematic diagram (FIG. 2). Due to the state ofrelays 101, 104, 121, and 120, the green light that has a completed llO-volt circuit through its associated flasher is 122. Consequently, a green nine result card will be flashing on the display.

For purposes of identifying the time of occurrence of major electrical events in terms of proper sequence, the times T T T and T will be used throughout the remainder of the discussion of the equipment. T,, is the time of occurrence of a new game. T is the time of occurrence of the red card selection (about 4 seconds after T,,). T is the time of occurrence of the chance-trigger which may or may not cause the registering of a green result card success in the binary of 58 and 69 of FIG. 3. Time T occurs about 4 seconds after T and will be discussed in detail later in the discussion of the device. T, is the time of occurrence of the green result card selection (about 5 seconds after T A small fraction of a second after the machine automati cally begins a new game (time T relay 123 will be deenergized, and the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage is removed from 124 and 125, with the consequence that the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage is removed from the binaries of 126 and 127. Therefore, the relay 74 will become deenergized, and the relay contact section 91 will switch and complete the l lO-volt circuit of the green light 128 flasher 93, and the red ten card from the previous game will instantly become a flashing green ten card. It should be called to the readers attention that the instantaneous change in color occurs because the ten, jack, queen, and king, each has a red bulb and a green bulb situated behind it. The switched 300- volt-plate supply voltage is removed from 129 and 130, with the consequence that the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage is removed from the binaries of 131 and 132 and the isolation amplifier 97. Relay 101 will, therefore, become deenergized, connecting 133 to 102. Relay 104 will become deenergized, and, consequently, the

relay contacts

105, 106, 108, 109, will switch to

contacts

134, 135, 136, 137, respectively. The relays 114 and 120 will stay energized, and 115, 116, 117, 118, and 120, will remain in their no-success positions. Due to the deenergization of

relays

74, 101, and 104, all of the cards in the deck will instantaneously turn green, and be flashing in an unsynchronized manner.

About 4 second later (time T,,) relay 123 is energized, and the 300-volt-plate supply voltage is applied to the binary of 85 and 86 from relay contact 124, and the grid to cathode voltage of each tube will increase in a positive direction and attain a value to conduct plate current. Once this condition is reached, the slightest fluctuation in the grid to cathode voltage of any one of the tubes, in the form of random noise and induced hum, will cause a regenerative action which puts the binary of 85 and 86 into one of its two possible stable states; stable state No. i will be defined to be that in which 85 is permanently conducting plate current (with the grid to cathode voltage of 86 clamped at zero volts). Since the particular stable state into which the binary of 85 and 86 is forced by regeneration depends upon random tube noise and induced electrical hum, it is not possible to predict the particular stable state which will exist after the application of the 300-volt-plate supply voltage from 124 to the binary of 85 and 86, on a game-to-game basis, stable state No. 1 will occur in approximately 50 percent of the games, and stable state No. 2 will occur in approximately 50 percent of the games. The output of the binary of 85 and 86 is taken from the plate of 86 and DC coupled to the grid of the isolation amplifier 138 through 139 and 140. During stable state No.1 the plate voltage of 86 will be close to 300 volts, and 138 will conduct plate current and energize relay 125a. 125 is also connected to 124. When 1250 is energized, 125 connects to 141, which connects the switched 300-volt-supply voltage to the binary of 142 and 143. During stable state No. 2 the plate voltage of 86 will be close to 70 volts, because 86 is conducting plate current at approximately zero volts of bias. The resulting voltage at the grid of 138 will be sufficiently negative to cut off 138, and 138 will not energize relay 1250 with plate current. When 125a is not energized, 125 connects to 144, which connects the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage to the binary of 89 and 90. Therefore, for the binary of 142 and 143 and the binary of 89 and 90, the event of receiving the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage will occur at random on a game-to-game basis. On a statistical basis, for many games, the binary of 142 and 143 will receive the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage in approximately 50 percent of the games, and the binary of 89 and 90 will receive the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage in approximately 50 percent of the games. The plate of 89 is DC coupled by 144 and 145 to the grid of tube 146, which supplies coil current to relay 74. The plate of 90 is DC coupled by 147 and 148 to the grid of tube 149, which supplies coil current to relay 75. ln the event that the binary of 89 and 90 receives the switched 300- volt-plateaupply voltage from relay 125a, it will be forced into one of its two possible stable states, and either 74 or 75 will be energized. lf 74, is energized, contact section 91, shown in FIG. 2 will switch in" the red light 92 and illuminate the ten of spades in red. Contactsection 150 will switch such that the

grid resistors

59 and 73 of F 10. 3 receive 300 volts from 151, causing the success probability A to be set at some predetermined value as has been previously discussed. If 75 is energized, the contact section 154 will "switch in" the red light 155 and illuminate the jack of spades" in red. 156 will switch such that the

grid resistors

78 and 79 receive 300 volts from 157, causing the success probability A to be changed to another predetermined value less than that ofa red ten.

What has already been said about the relationship existing between tube noise and induced electrical hum and the two possible stable states into which the binary of and 86 may be forced after the application of the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage, may also be said about the binary of 89 and and about the binary of 142 and 143, when considered separately. Consequently, on a statistical basis, it can be said that the occurrence ofa "red ten of spades" will be at random on a game-to-game basis, and, for many games, the red ten of spades will occur in approximately 25 percent of the games. Also, it can be said, on a statistical basis, that the occurrence of a "red jack of spades will be at random on a gamete-game basis, and, for many games, the "red jack of spades" will occur in approximately 25 percent of the games.

The circuit action of

relays

76 and 77 is the same as that of 74 and 75. Upon applying the above discussion to the binary of 142 and 143, we see it is obvious that the same randomtivity and statistical properties states above apply also to the red queen of spades (with a less than that ofa red jack) and to the red king of spades (with less than that of a red queen). Therefore, at time T the selection of a given red card will be at random on a game-to-game basis, and for many games, a given red card will occur in approximately 25 percent of the games.

At time T ifa success is registered, the

relays

121 and 157 will switch to their success position; if, at time T a success is not registered, the

relays

121 and 157 will remain in their nosuccess position. Said relays are shown in their no-success position on the schematic diagram.

The function of the circuitry also is to select a green result card at time T,,. It doesthis by causing a single green result card to be illuminated and flashing at time T,,. What has already been said about the randomtivity of the binary of 85, 86 (with respect to the randomtivity of the occurrence of any one of its two possible stable states, when it receives the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage) can also be said about the binaries of 95, 96, and 158, 159. The binary of 99, 100 has its randomtivity enhanced by small hum voltages that are coupled to its grid circuits through 160 and 161. Since randomtivity is possessed by the

binaries

95, 96, 99, 100 and 158, 159, the possible energization of

relay

162 or 163 will be at random at T when the relay 164 is energized and supplies the switched 300-voltplate supply voltage of the binary of 95, 96 and to the isolation amplifier 97. This statement concerning randomtivity is made under the assumption that the only possible source of coil current for 98 is 97 (and not 165-nor 166), and it is also made under the assumption that the randomtivity of the binary of 99, 100 is not influenced by plate current from 167. Similarly, the possible energization of relay 168 is at random at T when the relay 164 is energized and supplies the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage to the isolation amplifier 169, This statement concerning randomtivity is made under the assumption that the randomtivity of the binary of 158, 159 is not influenced by plate currents from 166 nor 170. Note that the binary of 158, 159 receives the switched 300-volt-supply voltage at time T from 124 (FIG. 4), and that the isolation amplifier 169 (FIG. 6) receives the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage from 129 (FIG. 6) at time T,,.

If the assumptions are true, then the possible energization of either 162 or 163 or 168 (FIG. 6) will be completely at random at time T,,, on a game-to-game basis. If the assumptions are not true, or are only partially true, the randomtivity will be influenced by possible plate currents from tubes 166, 170, 167

and 165 (FIG. 6). Since relay 171 (FIG. 2) is energized at time T,, (with.172, 106, 108, 109 connected to 173, 111, 174, 175 respectively), it is obvious (see FIG. 2 schematic diagram) that, for a success or a no-success position of relays 121 (FIG. 7) and 157 (FIG. 6), the particular green result card presented on the display will be determined by the state of the relay contacts of 162, 163, and 168.

From the preceding general discussion, it is easily seen that the state of these relay contacts will be determined by a complete randomtivity or by an influenced randomtivity, on a game-to-game basis. Therefore the particular green result card will also be determined by a complete randomtivity or by an influenced randomtivity at time T Red king (success not registered): At time T the plate voltage of 143 (FIG. 6) will be approximately 300volts, because the plate current of 143 is cut off and 142 is conducting. The relay contacts of 114, 182,183,184 and 185 (FIG. 2) will remain in their no-success position at time T This means that the grid to cathode voltages of 167, 165, 166, 170 (FIG. 6), are well below bias cutoff potential, and, consequently, these tubes will not conduct plate current. 176 is a filter capacitor which prevents transients from influencing the randomtivity of the binary of 158, 159 at time T At time T relay contact 129 will deliver the switched 300-volt-supply voltage to the binary of 95, 96 and to the isolation amplifier 97, also to the relay contact 130. If, at time T the stable state assumed by the binary of 95, 96 is such that 97 conducts, then 98 will supply the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage to the binary of 99, I00, causing either 162 or 163 to be energized. If 163 is energized, relay contacts 133 (FIG. 2) and 103 will be connected, causing a none green result card.

If 162 (FIG. 6) is energized, 177 (FIG. 2) will be connected to 178, causing a ten green result card. If at time T,,, the stable state assumed by the binary of 95, 96 (FIG. 6) is such that 97 does not conduct plate current, 98 will not supply the switched 300-volt-plate supply to the binary of 99, 100, and consequently, neither 162 nor 163 will be energized. Consequently, the green result card will be dependent upon the binary of 158, 159 in the following manner: the stable state of the binary of 158, 159 is determined, at time TB, when it receives the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage from 124 (FIG. 4). If the stable state is such that relay 168 (FIG. 6) is energized, at time T when 169 receives the switched 300- plate-volt supply voltage from 129, then reply contacts 179 (FIG. 2) and 180 will be connected, causing a queen green result card. If the stable state is such that 168 (FIG. 6) is not energized at time T the relay contacts 179 (FIG. 2) and 181 will be connected, causing a jack green result card. Therefore, for a red king and a success not registered, the green result card will be either a nine, or ten, or jack, or queen.

Red ten (success registered): At time T the plate voltage of 89 (FIG. 6) will be approximately 300 volts, because the plate current of 89 is cut off and 90 is conducting. The relay contacts of 114, 182, 183, 184 and 185 (FIG. 2) will switch to their success position at time T,-. This means that the grid to cathode voltages of 167, 165, 166 and 170 are well below cutoff potential, and, consequently, these tubes will never pass plate current. The circuit action is identical to that of a red king and success not registered (described above). The only difference is that, since the relay contact sections 184 (FIG. 6) and 185 (FIG. 2) are in their success position, the energization of 162 (FIG. 6) now cause a king green result card, and the energization of 163 now causes an ace green result card. If neither 162 nor 163 is energized, a queen green result card will occur (if 168 is not energized). Therefore, for a red ten and a success registered, the green result card will be either a jack or queen, or king, or ace.

Red king (success registered): At time T the plate voltage of 143 will be approximately 300 volts, because the plate current of 143 is cut off and 142 is conducting. The relay contacts of 114, 182, 183, 184 (FIG. 6) and 185 (FIG. 2) will switch to their success positions at time T The plate voltage of 143 (FIG. 6) will be coupled by 185 and 186 to the grids of 167 and and cause the grid to cathode voltages of 167 and 165 to be clamped at approximately zero volts. Tubes 166 and are biased well below cutoff potential and will not conduct plate current. At time TD, relay contact 129 will deliver the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage to the binary of 95, 96, and to the isolation amplifier 97, also to the relay contact 130. However, regardless the type of stable state that the binary of 95, 96 assumes, the relay 98 will always be energized by plate current from 165, because, as stated above, the grid to cathode voltage of 167 and 165 were clamped at zero volts at time TC. Therefore, relay 98 will always deliver a switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage to the binary of 99, 100. Similarly, the binary of 99, 100 will be forced by the plate current of 167 to assume the stable state in which 100 is conducting plate current and 99 is cut off. As a consequence, 163 will be energized, and the green result card will always be an ace. Therefore, for a red king and a success registered, the green result card will always be an ace.

Red ten (success not registered): At time T,,, the plate voltage of 89 will be approximately 300 volts, because the plate current of 89 is cut off and 90 is conducting. The relay contacts of 114, 182, 183, 184 and 185, will remain in their nosuccess position at time T The plate voltage of 89 will be coupled by 187 and 186 to the grids of 167 and 168 and cause the grid to cathode voltages of 167 and 168 to be clamped at approximately zero volts. Tubes 166 and 170 are biased below cutoff potential and will not conduct plate current. The circuit action is identical to that of a red king and a success registered (described above). The only difference is that, since the

relay contact sections

184 and 185 are in their no-success positions, the energization of 163 now causes a nine green result card. Therefore, for a red ten and a success not registered, the green result card will always be a nine.

Red queen (success not registered): At time T the plate voltage of 142 will be approximately 300 volts, because the plate current of 142 is cut off and 143 is conducting. The relay contacts of 114, 182, 183, 184 and 185 will remain in their nosuccess position at time T The plate of 142 is coupled by 188 and 189 to the grid of 170 and causes the grid to cathode voltage of 170 to be clamped at approximately zero volts. Tubes 166, 167 and 168 are biased well below cutoff potential and will not conduct plate current. The reader should note that the plate of 170 is now connected to the plate of 159 through the relay contact section 183, because 117 is not connected to 190. At time T relay contact 129 will deliver the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage to the binary of 95, 96 and to the isolation amplifier 97 also to the relay contact 130. If, at time T the stable state assumed by the binary of 95, 96 is such that 97 conducts, then 98 will supply the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage to the binary of 99, 100, causing either 162 or 163 to be energized. If 163 is energized, a

relay contacts

133 and 103 will be connected, causing a nine green result card. If 162 is energized, 177 will connect to 178, causing a ten green result card. If, at.time T tube 97 does not conduct, 98 will not supply the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage to the binary of 99, 100. Consequently, neither 162 nor 163 will be energized, and the green result card will be a jack for the following reason: because of plate current from 170 the binary of l58,l59 (which receives the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage from 124 at time T will be forced to assume a stable state in which 159 is conducting plate current and 158 is cut off. Therefore, the plate voltage of 159 will be low (about 70 volts). Consequently the voltage at the grid of 169 (due to the DC coupling resistors 191 and 192) will be below bias cutoff potential, and 169 will not conduct plate current. This means that 168 will not be energized. Consequently, the

relay contacts

179 and 181 will be in contact, causing a jack green result card. Therefore, for a red queen and a success not registered, the green result card will be either a nine, or ten, or jack.

Red jack (success registered): At Time T,,, the plate voltage of 90 will be approximately 300 volts, because the plate current of 90 is cut off and 89 is conducting. The relay contacts of 114, 182, 183, 184, and 185, will switch to their success position at time T The plates voltage of 90 is coupled by 147 and 148 to the grid of 166 and causes the grid to cathode voltage of 166 to be clamped at approximately zero volts. Tubes 170, 167 and 165 are biased below cutoff potential and will not conduct plate current. The plate of 166 is now connected to the plate of 158 through the relay contact section 182, because 116 is now connected to 193. At time T,,, relay contact 129 will deliver the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage to the binary of 95, 96 and to the isolation amplifier 97; also to-the relay contact 130. If, at time T the stable state assumed by the binary of 95, 96 is such that 97 conducts, then 98 will supply the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage to the binary of 99, 100, causing either 162 or 163 to be energized. If 163 is energized

relay contacts

133 and 103 will be connected, causing an ace green result card. If 162 is energized, 177 will connect to 178, causing a king green result card. If, at time T,,, tube 97 does not conduct, 98 will not supply the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage to the binary of 99, 100. Consequently, neither 162 nor 163 will be energized, and the green result card will be a queen for the following reason: because of plate current from 166, the binary of 158, 159 (which receives a switched 300-volt-plate supply from 124 at time T,,) will be forced to assume a stable state in which 158 is conducting plate current and 159 is cut off. Therefore, the plate voltage of 159 will be approximately 300 volts, and the voltage at the grid of 169 (due to the DC coupling resistors 191 and 192) will be clamped at approximately zero volts, with respect to the cathode. Therefore, 169 will conduct plate current. Consequently, relay 168 will be energized, and the

relay contacts

179 and 180 will be connected, causing a queen green result card. Therefore, a red jack and a success registered, the green result card will be either a queen, or king, or ace.

Red jack (success not registered): At time T the plate voltage of 90 will be approximately 300 volts, because the plate current of 90 is cut off and 89 is conducting. The relay contacts of 114, 182, 183, 184, and 185, will remain in their nosuccess position at time T The plate voltage of 90 is coupled by 147 and 148 to the grid of 166 and causes the grid to cathode voltage of 166 to be clamped at approximately zero volts. Tubes 170,167 and 165 are biases well below cutoff potential and will not conduct plate current. The reader should note that the plate of 166 is now connected to the plate of 97, because 116 is now connected to 194, and 194 is jumpered to 195. At time T relay contact 129 will deliver the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage to the binary of 95, 96 and to the isolation amplifier 97; also to the relay contact 130. However, regardless the type of stable state that the binary of 95,96 assumes, the relay 98 will always be energized by plate current from 166, because, as stated above, the grid to cathode voltage of 166 is clamped to zero volts. Therefore, relay 98 will always deliver the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage to the binary of 99, 100 causing either 162 or 163 to be energized. If 163 is energized,

relay contacts

133 and 103 will be connected, causing a nine green result card. If 162 is energized, 177 will connect to 173, causing a ten green result card. Therefore, for a red jack and a success not registered, the green result card will be either a nine or ten.

Red queen (success registered): At time T,,, the plate voltage of 142 will be approximately 300 volts, because the plate current of 142 is cut off and 143 is conducting. The relay contacts of 114, 182, 183, 184 and 185 will switch to their success position at time T The plate voltage of 142 is coupled by 188 and 189 to the grid of 170 and causes the grid to cathode voltage of 170 to be clamped at approximately zero volts. Thus 166, 167 and 168 are biased well below cutoff potential and will not conduct plate current. The reader should note that the plate of 170 is now connected to the plate of 97 through the relay contact section 183, because 117 now connects to 195. The circuit action at time T,, will be identical to that of a red jack and a success not registered (described above) because plate current from 170 will always energize relay 98. The only difference is that, since the

relay contact sections

184 and 185 are in their success positions, the energization of 163 now causes an ace green result card, and the energization of 162 now causes a king green result card. Therefore, for a red queen and a success registered, the green result card will be either a king, or an ace.

The

resistors

196, 197, 198,199,201, 200, keep flashers operating when no light bulb current is passing through the flashers.

CONTROL CIRCUIT THEORY Since the device will automatically start a new game approximately 4 seconds after the completion of a game, T,, will be used as the initial reference point in the presentation of the control circuit theory. As previously stated in the discussion of the visual display and display circuitry, relay 94 becomes energized at time T This causes the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage to be applied to 398 (FIG. 4) from relay contact 129 (FIG. 6). Because of the large value of capacitor 399 (FIG. 4), the voltage at the junction of 398 and 400 (which is applied to the grid of tube 401) will begin to increase positively, from a value of about minus volts, in a slow exponential manner. Tube 401 will not be conducting plate current, because its grid to cathode voltage will be well below grid bias cutoff potential. However, after roughly 4 seconds, the voltage at the junction of 398 and 400 will have increased to a value that permits 401 to begin to conduct plate current. When 401 begins to conduct plate current, the binary of 205 and 252 (FIG. 4) will undergo a transition of stable state, and a new game will begin. As previously stated, the time when a new game begins is designated T With the occurrence of time T,, the relay 94 becomes deenergized. As a consequence, the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage is removed from 398, and the voltage at the junction of 398 and 400 will decrease to about minus 180 volts, causing the plate current of 401 again to be cutoff. When time T,, recurs, the entire above process will be repeated. The important event to note is that time T, has occurred, and that a transition of stable state occurs in the binary of 205 and 252. At the end of the transition, the plate current of 252 is cut off, and 205 conductsplate current. Due to the transition in the binary of 205 and 252, the voltage at the plate of 205 drops from approximately 300 volts to about 70 volts, and the voltage at the plate of 252 increases from about 70 volts to approximately 300 volts. The voltage in.- crease at the plate of 252 is DC coupled by 253 and 254 (FIG. 5) to the grid of 255, causing the grid bias of 255 to increase from a value below cutoff potential to approximately zero volts of bias. The resulting plate current of 255 will cause a transition in the binary of 235 and 256. At end of this transition, 256 will not conduct plate current, and 235 will conduct plate current. The decrease in voltage at the plate of 205 is DC coupled by 257 and 258 (FIG. 4) to the grid of 259, causing the grid of 259 to decrease from approximately zero volts of bias to a value below cutoff potential. This causes the plate current of 259 to be cut off and relay 123 to be deenergized. On deenergization of 123, switch contact 260 will be grounded by 261, and 265 (FIG. 4) will be ungrounded. The grounding of 260 causes the timing sweep charging capacitor 263 (FIG. 5) to discharge through 269 to ground potential, as is indicated.

The ungrounding of 265 (FIG. 4) will reset the binary of 266 and 267 (FIG. 9) and will also reset the binaries of 268, 269 and 58,69 (FIG. 7). Resetting of these two binaries occurs, because when 265 is ungrounded, the cathodes of 267 and 269 and 58 are open-circuited. This type of resetting produces a transition in the binaries of 266, 267 and 268, 269

and 58, 69 because (the instant 265 is ungrounded) the plate currents of 267, 269 and 58 will be cut off, and 266, 268 and 69 will start to conduct plate current. This effective transition will be permanent because when 263 is eventually grounded by energization of 123 (as it is sometime later at T the plate currents of both 267, 269 and 58 will stay cut off. This is true,

because the grids of 267, 269 and 58 are being held to a negative voltage far below the negative value of cutoff bias sufficient to cut off a tube by the set of voltage dividers 270 and 271 (FIG. and the sets of

voltage dividers

272, 273 and 642, 643 (FIG. 3) respectively. The result is that, with ungrounding of 265 the current through the coil of 94 (FIG. 5) in the plate circuit of 267 is cut off, and 266 starts to conduct plate current. At the same time, the plate current of 58 is cut off, and 268 starts to pass plate current through the coil of relay 274 (FIG. 3). In regard to the binaries of 268, 269 and 58,59 it was assumed that 268 and 69 had been passing plate current, because a success had been registered in the previous game. If a success had not been registered in the previous game, 268 and 69 would already be conducting plate currents, and the resetting of the binaries of 268, 269 and 58, 69 would not be needed. However, in order to satisfy both conditions, the binaries of 268, 269 and 58, 69 are reset at the beginning of every new game. Therefore, 274 and 121 always start a new game in their energized (no-sucess) position. The relay contact sections, 275, 276, 277 and 105, 110, 134 are shown in FIG. 7, where the energization of relay 274 causes the energization of relay 121, and that the deenergization of relay 94 causes the deenergization of relay 104. Relay 123 has two contact sections.

Contact section

260, 261, 265 already has been discussed. When 123 is deenergized,

relay section

278, 124, 279 switches so that 278 connects to 279. This produces the following two results: firstly, deenergization of I23 removes the switched 300-volt'plate supply voltage from the circuits of FIG. 6, and from the binary of 158, 159 in FIG. 6. Secondly, relay contact 279 receives the switches 300 volts from 278. 279 is connected to the grid of 280 through 282, 281 and 283 (FIGA). Prior to deenergization of 123, the grid of 280 was at approximately minus 90 volts with respect to ground (due to the voltage divider composed of 283, 282, and 281), and tube 280 passed no plate current. At time T the deenergization of 123 causes 300 volts to be placed at junction of 283 and 282. Due to the capacity of 283, the voltage at the grid of 280 will start to increase from about minus 90 volts in a positive direction in a slow exponential manner.

Before time T relay 123 was energized, causing either 74, or 75, or 76, or 77, to be energized, and also causing 168 (FIG. 6) to be or not be energized. Also, before time T,,, relay 94 was energized, causing the energization of 104, and also causing the energization of either 162 or 163, provided that relay 98 was energized. Also, before time T,,, the

relays

274 and 121 could be in their no-success position (energized) or in their success position (deenergized), depending on outcome of the previous game. Therefore, prior to T,,, one red card and one green result card are presented on the display. At time T,,, deenergization of 123 will remove the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage from the circuits of FIG. 6, and from the binary of 158, 159 (FIG. 6), causing the

relays

74, 75, 76, 77, and 168, to be in their deenergized states. At time T,,, the deenergization of 94 causes the deenergization of 104, and also causes the

relays

162 and 163 to be in their deenergized states. Also at time T,,, the

relays

274 and 121 are reset to their nosuccess positions, if a success was registered in the previous game. Ifa success was not registered in the previous game, the

relays

274 and 121 remain in their no-success position. Therefore, at time T the public will see all the cards turn green and see them start to shuffling on the display, because all six green light bulbs will have their 1 lOv. AC circuits closed. The expression all the cards" is used with reservation, because the green result card from the previous game was already green and flashing prior to time T,,.

The grid voltage of 280 will increase positively in an exponential manner until time T when 280 conducts plate current and forces the binary of 205 and 252 to assume its original stable state, in which 252 conducts plate current and the plate current of 205 is cut off.

Time T occurs approximately 5 seconds after time T The plate voltage of 205 will be close to 300 volts, because 205 is not conducting plate current. Consequently, 259 will conduct plate current and energize relay 1 23. When relay 123 is energized at time T the following four circuits actions take place: 1. The relay contact 260 becomes ungrounded. Consequently, a timing sweep voltage will start to rise across capacitor 263, because 263 now charges through 285 toward a voltage of approximately 210 volts, which is the voltage existing at junction of the voltage divider consisting of284 and 286 (FIG. 5).

2. Relay contact 265 becomes grounded, and, consequently, the cathodes of 267, 269, and 58 are grounded.

3. Three-hundred volts is removed from relay contact 279, causing the grid voltage of 280 to decrease toward minus volts. Consequently, the plate current of 280 is rapidly cut off.

4. Relay contact 124 receives 300 volts and delivers the switched 300-volt-plate supply voltage to the circuits of FIG. 10 and the binary of 158, 159 (FIG. 6).

The last of the four actions listed above causes either 74, or 75, or 76, or 77 to be energized, and also causes the binary of 158, 159 to assume of its two possible stable states. Consequently, at time T the machine will select either a ten, or jack, or queen, or king, red card. In the all-green shuffling deck presented on the display, the viewer will see the particular card turn instantly in color, from green to red.

The voltage across 263 at time T, is fed to the grid of the cathode follower of 225 (FIG. 5). The timing sweep output voltage of the cathode follower appears across the cathode resistor 287, and is DC coupled (FIG. 5). The timing sweep output voltage is DC coupled by 288 and 289 to the grid of tube 290 (FIG. 5). As the timing sweep output voltage of 225 (FIG. 5) increases, the grid to ground voltage of 290 will slowly sweep in a positive direction from a value that is well below bias cutoff potential. Capacitor 291 and resistor 292 couple a few volts of 60-cycle filament voltage to the grid of 290. This lightly modulates the slowly increasing sweep voltage at the grid of 290 with 60 cycles. At time T the voltage at the grid of 290 will attain a value that is more positive than the bias cutoff potential of 290, and 290 will begin to conduct plate current through the plate load resistor 293. This forces the binary of 235 and 256 to assume a stable state in which 256 conducts plate current and 235 is cut off. Therefore, at time T the plate voltage of 235 will increase abruptly from 70 volts to approximately 300 volts.

Capacitor 294 (FIG. 4 and 5) couples the abrupt positive change in voltage (which occurs at time T at the plate of 235) to the grid of 295 (FIG. 4). The circuitry which is functionally described as a change-trigger generator is a monostable blocking tube oscillator.

Tubes

295 and 296 are operated at a value of grid bias well below cutoff potential, due to the bias ing network of 297 and 298, and the biasing network of 300 and 299. Consequently, at all times (excluding the time in the region of T the voltage output of the chance-trigger generator, which appears across the cathode resistor 301 (FIG. 4) is essentially zero volts. However, at time T the abrupt positive voltage change that is coupled from the plate of 235 to the grid of 295 will cause 293 to conduct momentarily a pulse of plate current and to initiate a regenerative action in the 1 microsecond blocking tube oscillator transformer 644. The action quickly drives the grid of 296 highly positive with respect to its cathode for a period of, roughly, 1 microsecond. As a consequence, 296 will pass a high value of plate current through the cathode resistor 301. Therefore, a voltage pulse, having time duration of roughly 1 microsecond and a peak amplitude of about 50 volts, will appear across 301. The chancedrigger is not critical, and a peak amplitude anywhere between 25 and 75 volts can be considered normal.

At this point in the discussion, it should be called to the reader's attention that the introduction that the introduction of the 60-cycle modulationinto the grid circuit of 290 by 291 and 292, will cause the time T at which the chance-trigger is generated, to occur in the neighborhood of 4 seconds after time T and be randomly staggered, roughly 16 milliseconds in time, on a game basis. Therefore, on a game to game basis, the time of occurrence of the change-trigger will be at random with respect to the T intervals of the output voltage. Capacitor 263 is a filter which bypasses high frequency noise to ground.

Prior to time T the stable state of the binary of 58 and 69 is such that 69 conducts plate current and 58 is cut off. if the change-trigger occurs during a T, interval, a success is registered in the binary of 58 and 69, because (when the chancetrigger occurs during T interval) it will have sufficient peak amplitude at the output of the electronic switch to cause the trigger tube 51 to force the binary of 58 and 69 to assume a stable state in which 69 is cut off and 58 conducts plate current. If the chance-trigger does not occur during T interval, a success will not be registered, because (when the chancetrigger does not occur during T interval) it will not have sufficient peak amplitude at the output of the electronic switch to cause the trigger tube 51 to force a change of stable state in the binary 58 and 69. Consequently, when a success is not registered, there will be no change of stable state in the binary of 58 and 69, and 69 will continue conducting plate current with 58 remaining cut olT.

Resistors 304 and 305 (FIG. 3) couple the plate voltage of 69 to the grid of 306. Capacitor 307 acts as a bypass capacitor to ensure that the grid circuit of 306 is only sensitive to a change of DC level in the plate voltage of 69. When the plate voltage of 69 is at 70 volts, the grid to ground voltage of 306 is well below bias cutoff potential, and 306 does not conduct plate current. The binary of 268 and 269 is always reset at time T, to ensure that the binary is in a stable state in which 268 conducts plate current and energizes relay 274. When relay 274 is energized, the

relay contact section

275, 276, 277 (FIG. 7) causes the energization of relay 121. If, in the previous game, a success was registered, both 274 and 121 will be in the deenergized, or success, conditions prior to time T,,. The resetting, at time T,,, will then cause the

relays

274 and 121 to be energized, and their contact sections will switch to their nosuccess position. If a success was not registered in the previous game, the resetting action occurs needlessly, and the relay contacts will remain in their no-success position at time T,,. Therefore, at time T,,, the contact sections of 274 and 121 will either' be switched to their no-success positions or remain in their no-success positions. If a success is registered at time T the plate voltage of 69 will increase to about 300 volts, and the grid to ground voltage of 306 will become clamped to approximately zero volts, causing 306 to conduct plate current through plate load resistor 303. This will force the binary of 268 and 269 to assume a stable state in which 269 conducts plate current and 268 is cut off. When the plate current of 268 is cut off, relays 274 and 121 are deenergized, and the relay contact sections of 274 and 121 switch to their success position. if a success is not registered at time T the switch contact sections of 274 and 121 remain in their no-success position.

The timing sweep output of the cathode follower of 225 is also DC coupled by 308 and 309 to the grid of tube 310 (FIG. As the timing output voltage of 225 increases, the grid to ground voltage of 310 will slowly sweep in a positive direction from a value that is well below bias cutoff potential. At time T,, (which occurs approximately 5 seconds after time T the voltage at the grid of 310 will attain a value that is more positive than the bias cutoff potential of3l0, and 310 will begin to conduct plate current. The flow of plate current through 310 and time T causes the binary of 266 and 267 to assume a stable state in which 267 conducts plate current through the relay coil of 94 and 266 is cutoff. Therefore, at time T relay 94 is energized. Relay 94 has its relay contacts drawn in (FIGS. 2, 6, 7). Due to the energization of relay 94, at time T relay contacts and (FIG. 7) will be connected, causing the energization of relay 104. Relay contacts 129a and 129 will also be connected, causing the binaries of 95, 96 and 99, 100 and the isolation amplifiers 97 to receive the switched 300-volt-plate su ply voltage.

The result of t e energization of relays 94, at time T with the consequent energization of relay 104, is the selection of the randomly selected green result card seen by the public on the display panel 25. This represents the completion of one game, and (as has been previously explained) approximately 4 seconds later the machine will automatically begin a new game.

It should be noted that transistors may be used where desired and are considered equivalent.

External power to the device is supplied through ON-OFF switch 394. When 394 is switched to its ON position, power is delivered to the tube filaments such as 127, 131, 132, 413 and power supplies such as 414, as known in the art.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by U.S. Letters Patent is:

1. An electronic card dealer comprising an electronically operated device having a display panel for displaying a deck of six differently valued translucent playing cards; a device which continuously and automatically generates games for visual entertainment whereby a small fraction of a second after the beginning of a game, all of the cards displayed will become i1- luminated green, means for flashing said illuminating device unsynchronized for a period of time, means for causing any one of four selected cards to instantly turn red at random, and means for then selecting one of the remaining five cards at random and causing it to remain illuminated green, the comparison of the chance selected green illuminated card with the chance selected red illuminated card determining the outcome of the game.

2. In a device as described in claim 1, having a time controlled opening and closing electronic switch composed of two diodes, said electronic switch adapted to be open when the diodes conduct and adapted to be closed when the diodes do not conduct and electronic means whereby when the electronic switch is closed during a particular instant of time the resultant green selected card will be higher in value than the resultant red selected card, and when the electronic switch is open during the same particular instant time the resultant green selected card will be lower in value than the resultant red selected card, said time controlled opening and closing of the electronic switch being such that the probability of a green result selected card being higher in value than the resultant red selected card is inversely proportional to the value of the resultant red card, the magnitude of the inverse proportionality being arbitrary.

3. A device as described in claim 1, in which the random selection of the cards that determine outcome of the game is determined by the minute noise voltages which exist inherently in electronic circuits and components, such as tubes, transistors, resistors, and capacitors as applied to binary circuits, said random selection being manifested by the electrical state which a binary circuit acquires when power is initially applied to it, the randomtivity of selection not determined by any mechanical means.

Claims

1. An electronic card dealer comprising an electronically operated device having a display panel for displaying a deck of six differently valued translucent playing cards; a device which continuously and automatically generates games for visual entertainment whereby a small fraction of a second after the beginning of a game, all of the cards displayed will become illuminated green, means for flashing said illuminating device unsynchronized for a period of time, means for causing any one of four selected cards to instantly turn red at random, and means for then selecting one of the remaining five cards at rAndom and causing it to remain illuminated green, the comparison of the chance selected green illuminated card with the chance selected red illuminated card determining the outcome of the game.