Abstract: A device for forming a random set of playing cards comprises a card in-feed area, a shuffling system, a card removal area, and a card reading system located within the device, the card reading system employing a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor and a hardware component, the hardware component capable of converting signals from the CMOS sensor into vector sets and comparing the vector sets to known vectors to determine rank and suit.

Abstract: A device for forming a random set of playing cards comprises a card in-feed area, a shuffling system, a card removal area, and a card reading system located within the device, the card reading system employing a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor and a hardware component, the hardware component capable of converting signals from the CMOS sensor into vector sets and comparing the vector sets to known vectors to determine rank and suit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying unexpected cards in a card-handling device are disclosed. The method comprises providing a card-handling device, wherein the card-handling device comprises a card storage area, an output end for the manual removal of cards, a processor with associated memory, and a card recognition system capable of reading at least a rank of a card, wherein the associated memory has a data file of a set of expected card values, reading a value of a card, comparing the read card value to the set of expected card values, and when the card value is not an expected card value, generating an error signal indicative of a card not belonging to the set.

Abstract: A device for forming a random set of playing cards comprises a card in-feed area, a shuffling system, a card removal area, and a card reading system located within the device, the card reading system employing a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor and a hardware component, the hardware component capable of converting signals from the CMOS sensor into vector sets and comparing the vector sets to known vectors to determine rank and suit.

Abstract: A playing card delivery shoe is used in the play of the casino table card game of baccarat or blackjack or any game where cards are pulled one at a time from the shoe. The apparatus comprises a reader or an imager that scans lines bisecting the image at spaced intervals. The scanning occurs on playing cards in at least the region where suit and rank symbols are provided. The scanner output is a series of voltages that are converted to binary information. This binary information is compared to stored binary information to determine rank and suit. The upper surface of the output end of the shoe contains a partial barrier for cards being scanned. The partial barrier has an elevated surface and limits a size of a pathway so that only one card can be removed at a time.

Abstract: A device for forming a random set of playing cards comprises a card in-feed area, a shuffling system, a card removal area, and a card reading system located within the device, the card reading system employing a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor and a hardware component, the hardware component capable of converting signals from the CMOS sensor into vector sets and comparing the vector sets to known vectors to determine rank and suit.

Abstract: A playing card delivery shoe is used in the play of the casino table card game of baccarat or blackjack or any game where cards are pulled one at a time from the shoe. The apparatus comprises a reader or an imager that scans lines bisecting the image at spaced intervals. The scanning occurs on playing cards in at least the region where suit and rank symbols are provided. The scanner output is a series of voltages that are converted to binary information. This binary information is compared to stored binary information to determine rank and suit. The upper surface of the output end of the shoe contains a partial barrier for cards being scanned. The partial barrier has an elevated surface and limits a size of a pathway so that only one card can be removed at a time.

Abstract: A playing card delivery shoe is used in the play of the casino table card game of baccarat or blackjack or any game where cards are pulled one at a time from the shoe. The apparatus comprises a reader or an imager that scans lines bisecting the image at spaced intervals. The scanning occurs on playing cards in at least the region where suit and rank symbols are provided. The scanner output is a series of voltages that are converted to binary information. This binary information is compared to stored binary information to determine rank and suit. The upper surface of the output end of the shoe contains a partial barrier for cards being scanned. The partial barrier has an elevated surface and limits a size of a pathway so that only one card can be removed at a time.

Abstract: A device for forming a random set of playing cards comprises a card infeed area, a shuffling system, a card removal area; and a card reading system located within the device, the card reading system employing a CMOS sensor and a hardware component, the hardware component capable of converting signals from the CMOS sensor into vector sets and comparing the vector sets to known vectors to determine rank and suit.

Abstract: A device for forming a random set of playing cards comprises a card infeed area, a shuffling system, a card removal area; and a card reading system located within the device, the card reading system employing a CMOS sensor and a hardware component, the hardware component capable of converting signals from the CMOS sensor into vector sets and comparing the vector sets to known vectors to determine rank and suit.

Abstract: A playing card delivery shoe is used in the play of the casino table card game of baccarat or blackjack or any game where cards are pulled one at a time from the shoe. The apparatus comprises a reader or an imager that scans lines bisecting the image at spaced intervals. The scanning occurs on playing cards in at least the region where suit and rank symbols are provided. The scanner output is a series of voltages that are converted to binary information. This binary information is compared to stored binary information to determine rank and suit. The upper surface of the output end of the shoe contains a partial barrier for cards being scanned. The partial barrier has an elevated surface and limits a size of a pathway so that only one card can be removed at a time.

Abstract: A playing card delivery shoe is used in the play of the casino table card game of baccarat or blackjack or any game where cards are pulled one at a time from the shoe. The apparatus comprises a reader or an imager that scans lines bisecting the image at spaced intervals. The scanning occurs on playing cards in at least the region where suit and rank symbols are provided. The scanner output is a series of voltages that are converted to binary information. This binary information is compared to stored binary information to determine rank and suit. The upper surface of the output end of the shoe contains a partial barrier for cards being scanned. The partial barrier has an elevated surface and limits a size of a pathway so that only one card can be removed at a time.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying unexpected cards in a card handling device are disclosed. The method comprises providing a card handling device, wherein the card handling device comprises card storage area, an output end for the manual removal of cards, a processor with associated memory and a card recognition system capable of reading at least a rank of a card, wherein the associated memory has a data file of a set of expected card values, reading a value of a card, comparing the read card value to the set of expected card values, and when the card value is not an expected card value, generating an error signal indicative of a card not belonging to the set.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating back bet wagering is disclosed. The system includes a central processor in communication with information gathering devices that gather information about game play and a display device. The central processor is able to manipulate the information provided by the information gathering devices in order to generate data regarding game play, such as a ranking of perceived lucky players, and the display device provides a visual display of this data. The method includes recording game data in real-time, associating the game data with active players in the game, assigning a rank to the active players based on the associated game data, presenting the ranking of active players to one or more passive players and receiving back betting wagers from the one or more passive players.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for variable contribution progressive jackpots are disclosed. A variable contribution rate is determined as a function of a wager level. A contribution amount is determined by multiplying each wager by its corresponding contribution rate. The contribution amount is then added to the progressive jackpot meter.

Abstract: A nested cooler system for temporary storage of perishable food stuffs and more particularly to articles for convenient, temporary storage of human breast milk and infant formulas. The inner and outer coolers jointly or independently receive the perishable foodstuffs and freezable gel packs for cooling the perishable foodstuffs. The gel packs can be frozen and thawed several times and temporarily keep containers of milk within an acceptable temperature range to prevent spoilage. The gel packs fit within pockets in the coolers to maintain proper positioning of the gel packs relative to the bottles.

Abstract: A nested cooler system for temporary storage of perishable food stuffs and more particularly to articles for convenient, temporary storage of human breast milk and infant formulas. The inner and outer coolers jointly or independently receive the perishable foodstuffs and freezable gel packs for cooling the perishable foodstuffs. The gel packs can be frozen and thawed several times and temporarily keep containers of milk within an acceptable temperature range to prevent spoilage. The gel packs fit within pockets in the coolers to maintain proper positioning of the gel packs relative to the bottles.

Abstract: A nested cooler system for temporary storage of perishable foodstuffs and more particularly to articles for convenient, temporary storage of human breast milk and infant formulas. The inner and outer coolers jointly or independently receive the perishable foodstuffs and freezable gel packs for cooling the perishable foodstuffs. The gel packs can be frozen and thawed several times and temporarily keep containers of milk within an acceptable temperature range to prevent spoilage. The gel packs fit within pockets in the coolers to maintain proper positioning of the gel packs relative to the bottles.

Abstract: A nested cooler system for temporary storage of perishable foodstuffs and more particularly to articles for convenient, temporary storage of human breast milk and infant formulas. The inner and outer coolers jointly or independently receive the perishable foodstuffs and freezable gel packs for cooling the perishable foodstuffs. The gel packs can be frozen and thawed several times and temporarily keep containers of milk within an acceptable temperature range to prevent spoilage. The gel packs fit within pockets in the coolers to maintain proper positioning of the gel packs relative to the bottles.

Abstract: A nested cooler system for temporary storage of perishable foodstuffs and more particularly to articles for convenient, temporary storage of human breast milk and infant formulas. The inner and outer coolers jointly or independently receive the perishable foodstuffs and freezable gel packs for cooling the perishable foodstuffs. The gel packs can be frozen and thawed several times and temporarily keep containers of milk within an acceptable temperature range to prevent spoilage. The gel packs fit within pockets in the coolers to maintain proper positioning of the gel packs relative to the bottles.