Patents by Inventor James B. Stasson
James B. Stasson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9220972Abstract: A multiple-mode card shuffling and/or card verification device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing or arranging system for the initial set of playing cards that can be disabled, a card collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the card collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, a card imaging system and an elevator for raising the card collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device. The processor is programmed such that cards can be verified without changing an order of cards present in the card receiving area, verified during randomization, and randomized without card verification.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2014Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Oliver M. Schubert, James V. Kelly, James B. Stasson, Feraidoon Bourbour, Paul K. Scheper, Troy D. Nelson
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Publication number: 20150290529Abstract: A device for forming a random set of playing cards is disclosed. The device comprises: a top surface and a bottom surface of the device. A single card receiving area is provided for receiving an initial set of playing cards. A randomizing system for randomizing an order of the initial set of playing cards is provided. A card collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards one at a time into the card collection area, the collection surface receiving cards so that all cards are received below the top surface of the device is also provided. An image capture device reads rank and suit of each card before each card is received on the card collection surface. An elevator raises the card collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated at least to the top surface of the device. A processor controls operation of the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2015Publication date: October 15, 2015Inventors: Feraidoon Bourbour, Paul K. Scheper, Troy D. Nelson, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson, Attila Grauzer
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Publication number: 20150224389Abstract: Methods of handling cards using card-handling devices may involve transferring a set of playing cards into a card storage device of a card-handling device using a card input mechanism by distributing the set of playing cards among compartments of the card storage device. Cards may be simultaneously removed from at least two of the compartments to form a stack of cards using a movable ejector.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Inventors: James B. Stasson, Attila Grauzer, Robert J. Rynda, Paul K. Scheper, Ronald R. Swanson
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Publication number: 20150209655Abstract: Automatic card shufflers include a card input mechanism for inputting cards into the card shuffler, a card storage device for receiving cards from the card input mechanism and temporarily storing cards within the card shuffler, and a card output mechanism for outputting shuffled cards from the card shuffler. The card storage device may include a movable rack configured to move vertically within the card shuffler. The movable rack may have a plurality of card storage compartments therein, each of which may be sized and configured to hold two cards therein. The card output mechanism includes a movable ejector configured to simultaneously eject cards out from two or more card storage compartments of the movable rack. Related methods include methods of fabricating such card shufflers, and methods of using such card shufflers.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2014Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventors: James B. Stasson, Robert J. Rynda, Paul K. Scheper, Ronald R. Swanson, Attila Grauzer
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Publication number: 20150196833Abstract: A device for forming a random set of playing cards is disclosed. The device comprises: a top surface and a bottom surface of the device. A single card receiving area is provided for receiving an initial set of playing cards. A randomizing system for randomizing an order of the initial set of playing cards is provided. A card collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards one at a time into the card collection area, the collection surface receiving cards so that all cards are received below the top surface of the device is also provided. An image capture device reads rank and suit of each card before each card is received on the card collection surface. An elevator raises the card collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated at least to the top surface of the device. A processor controls operation of the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: Paul K. Scheper, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson, Troy D. Nelson, Attila Grauzer
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Publication number: 20150196834Abstract: A playing card handling device is disclosed. The device includes a first side and a second opposite side. Components of the device include a card infeed tray, a card output tray and a card handling zone. The card infeed tray and card output tray are on the same first side of the device and an upper surface of the card infeed tray and an upper surface of the card output tray are in the same plane. Card handling devices of the present invention also include a touch screen display, as well as a movable card gate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: Paul K. Scheper, Attila Grauzer, James V. Kelly, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson, Feraidoon Bourbour, Troy D. Nelson, David B. Lopez, Mark L. Yoseloff, Russell Brooke Dunn, Peter Krenn, Ernst Blaha
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Publication number: 20150182850Abstract: Automatic card shufflers include a card input mechanism for inputting cards into the card shuffler, a card storage device for receiving cards from the card input mechanism and temporarily storing cards within the card shuffler, and a card output mechanism for outputting shuffled cards from the card shuffler. The card storage device may include a movable rack configured to move vertically within the card shuffler. The movable rack may have a plurality of card storage compartments therein, each of which may be sized and configured to hold two cards therein. The card output mechanism includes a movable ejector configured to simultaneously eject cards out from two or more card storage compartments of the movable rack. Related methods include methods of fabricating such card shufflers, and methods of using such card shufflers.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2014Publication date: July 2, 2015Inventors: James B. Stasson, Robert J. Rynda, Paul K. Scheper, Ronald R. Swanson, Attila Grauzer
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Publication number: 20150145205Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into plural hands of cards, wherein each of the hands contains a random arrangement of cards. The apparatus may comprise a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack, and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanism and the elevator so that an individual card is moved into an identified compartment. The number of compartments receiving cards and the number of cards moved to each compartment may be selected.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Feraidoon Bourbour, Troy D. Nelson, Robert J. Rynda, Paul K. Scheper, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson
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Publication number: 20150130132Abstract: A device for automatically calibrating for card size and thickness during card handling is disclosed. The device includes a card receiving area, a card stacking area and a card moving system for moving cards from the card receiving area to the card stacking area. An elevator located in the card stacking area has a movable platform for moving a stack of cards. At least one sensor senses at least one of position of the platform, height of the platform, position of a card in the elevator, height of a card or cards in the elevator, pressure applied to a card in the elevator, presence of the platform at a predetermined height, presence of the platform at a predetermined position, presence of card(s) on the platform, and absence of card(s) on the platform. A method for calibrating a card handling device during shuffling is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2015Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventors: Attila Grauzer, James B. Stasson, Feraidoon Bourbour, Paul K. Scheper, Troy D. Nelson, Ronald R. Swanson
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Patent number: 8998211Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into plural hands of cards, wherein each of the hands contains a random arrangement of cards. The apparatus may comprise a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack, and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanism and the elevator so that an individual card is moved into an identified compartment. The number of compartments receiving cards and the number of cards moved to each compartment may be selected.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2013Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Feraidoon Bourbour, Troy D. Nelson, Robert J. Rynda, Paul K. Scheper, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson
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Patent number: 8960674Abstract: Automatic card shufflers include a card input mechanism for inputting cards into the card shuffler, a card storage device for receiving cards from the card input mechanism and temporarily storing cards within the card shuffler, and a card output mechanism for outputting shuffled cards from the card shuffler. The card storage device may include a movable rack configured to move vertically within the card shuffler. The movable rack may have a plurality of card storage compartments therein, each of which may be sized and configured to hold two cards therein. The card output mechanism includes a movable ejector configured to simultaneously eject cards out from two or more card storage compartments of the movable rack. Related methods include methods of fabricating such card shufflers, and methods of using such card shufflers.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2012Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: James B. Stasson, Robert J. Rynda, Paul K. Scheper, Ronald R. Swanson, Attila Grauzer
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Publication number: 20150048569Abstract: A multiple-mode card shuffling and/or card verification device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing or arranging system for the initial set of playing cards that can be disabled, a card collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the card collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, a card imaging system and an elevator for raising the card collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device. The processor is programmed such that cards can be verified without changing an order of cards present in the card receiving area, verified during randomization, and randomized without card verification.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2014Publication date: February 19, 2015Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Oliver M. Schubert, James V. Kelly, James B. Stasson, Feraidoon Bourbour, Paul K. Scheper, Troy D. Nelson
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Patent number: 8944904Abstract: A device for automatically calibrating for card size and thickness during card handling is disclosed. The device includes a card receiving area, a card stacking area and a card moving system for moving cards from the card receiving area to the card stacking area. An elevator located in the card stacking area has a movable platform for moving a stack of cards. At least one sensor senses at least one of position of the platform, height of the platform, position of a card in the elevator, height of a card or cards in the elevator, pressure applied to a card in the elevator, presence of the platform at a predetermined height, presence of the platform at a predetermined position, presence of card(s) on the platform, and absence of card(s) on the platform. A method for calibrating a card handling device during shuffling is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2013Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Attila Grauzer, James B. Stasson, Feraidoon Bourbour, Paul K. Scheper
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Patent number: 8899587Abstract: A multiple-mode card shuffling and/or card verification device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing or arranging system for the initial set of playing cards that can be disabled, a card collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the card collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, a card imaging system and an elevator for raising the card collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device. The processor is programmed such that cards can be verified without changing an order of cards present in the card receiving area, verified during randomization, and randomized without card verification.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2013Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Oliver M. Schubert, James V. Kelly, James B. Stasson, Feraidoon Bourbour, Paul K. Scheper, Troy D. Nelson
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Publication number: 20140203505Abstract: A playing card handling device is disclosed. The device includes a first side and a second opposite side. Components of the device include a card infeed tray, a card output tray and a card handling zone. The card infeed tray and card output tray are on the same first side of the device and an upper surface of the card infeed tray and an upper surface of the card output tray are in the same plane. Card handling devices of the present invention also include a touch screen display, as well as a movable card gate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2014Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: SHFL entertainment, Inc.Inventors: Paul K. Scheper, Attila Grauzer, James V. Kelly, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson, Feraidoon Bourbour, Troy D. Nelson, David B. Lopez, Mark L. Yoseloff, Russell Brooke Dunn, Peter Krenn, Ernst Blaha
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Patent number: 8702101Abstract: A playing card handling device is disclosed. The device includes a first side and a second opposite side. Components of the device include a card infeed tray, a card output tray and a card handling zone. The card infeed tray and card output tray are on the same first side of the device and an upper surface of the card infeed tray and an upper surface of the card output tray are in the same plane. Card handling devices of the present invention also include a touch screen display, as well as a movable card gate.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2012Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: SHFL Entertainment, Inc.Inventors: Paul K. Scheper, Attila Grauzer, James V. Kelly, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson, Feraidoon Bourbour, Troy D. Nelson, David B. Lopez, Mark L. Yoseloff, Russell Brooke Dunn, Peter Krenn, Ernst Blaha
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Publication number: 20140103608Abstract: A device for forming a random set of playing cards is disclosed. The device comprises: a top surface and a bottom surface of the device. A single card receiving area is provided for receiving an initial set of playing cards. A randomizing system for randomizing an order of the initial set of playing cards is provided. A card collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards one at a time into the card collection area, the collection surface receiving cards so that all cards are received below the top surface of the device is also provided. An image capture device reads rank and suit of each card before each card is received on the card collection surface. An elevator raises the card collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated at least to the top surface of the device. A processor controls operation of the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: SHFL entertainment, Inc.Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Oliver M. Schubert, James V. Kelly, James B. Stasson, Feraidoon Bourbour, Paul K. Scheper
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Publication number: 20140049005Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into plural hands of cards, wherein each of the hands contains a random arrangement of cards. The apparatus may comprise a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack, and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanism and the elevator so that an individual card is moved into an identified compartment. The number of compartments receiving cards and the number of cards moved to each compartment may be selected.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2013Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: SHFL entertainment, Inc.Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Feraidoon Bourbour, Troy D. Nelson, Robert J. Rynda, Paul K. Scheper, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson
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Patent number: 8651485Abstract: A playing card shuffling device includes a visual display in information communication with the playing card shuffling device. At least one processor is programmed to provide displayable information to the visual display indicative of an amount of time remaining or time expired in a procedure performed by the playing card shuffling device.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: SHFL Entertainment, Inc.Inventor: James B. Stasson
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Publication number: 20140027979Abstract: Automatic card shufflers include a card input mechanism for inputting cards into the card shuffler, a card storage device for receiving cards from the card input mechanism and temporarily storing cards within the card shuffler, and a card output mechanism for outputting shuffled cards from the card shuffler. The card storage device may include a movable rack configured to move vertically within the card shuffler. The movable rack may have a plurality of card storage compartments therein, each of which may be sized and configured to hold two cards therein. The card output mechanism includes a movable ejector configured to simultaneously eject cards out from two or more card storage compartments of the movable rack. Related methods include methods of fabricating such card shufflers, and methods of using such card shufflers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2012Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: SHUFFLE MASTER, INC.Inventors: James B. Stasson, Robert J. Rynda, Paul K. Scheper, Ronald R. Swanson, Attila Grauzer