Patents by Inventor Troy D. Nelson
Troy D. Nelson 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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Publication number: 20240108968Abstract: Card-handling devices may include a card-shuffling apparatus, a card output portion, and/or a card input portion. The card input portion may include a card rotation device. The card rotation device may be configured to receive and rotate cards about a minor axis of the cards. The card-handling device may include a card-shuffling apparatus including a carousel having at least one hundred compartments each configured to hold between one and ten cards and arranged radially about the carousel. The card-handling device may be positioned at a gaming structure with a playing surface. The card-handling device may include a card output portion for receiving shuffled cards from the card-shuffling apparatus. The card output portion may be configured to receive the cards where major faces of the playing cards are oriented in a plane substantially transverse to the playing surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Paul K. Scheper, Ronald R. Swanson, James B. Stasson, James P. Helgesen, Haven A. Mercer, Troy D. Nelson, Jamal Hani Kotifani, Feraidoon Bourbour, Peter Krenn
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Patent number: 11896891Abstract: Card-handling devices may include a card-shuffling apparatus, a card output portion, and/or a card input portion. The card input portion may include a card rotation device. The card rotation device may be configured to receive and rotate cards about a minor axis of the cards. The card-handling device may include a card-shuffling apparatus including a carousel having at least one hundred compartments each configured to hold between one and ten cards and arranged radially about the carousel. The card-handling device may be positioned at a gaming structure with a playing surface. The card-handling device may include a card output portion for receiving shuffled cards from the card-shuffling apparatus. The card output portion may be configured to receive the cards where major faces of the playing cards are oriented in a plane substantially transverse to the playing surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2018Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: SG Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Paul K Scheper, Ronald R. Swanson, James B. Stasson, James P. Helgesen, Haven A. Mercer, Troy D. Nelson, Jamal Hani Kotifani, Feraidoon Bourbour, Peter Krenn
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Patent number: 11335165Abstract: Methods of operating a gaming table wager sensing apparatus are disclosed. A method includes storing, in a first token sensor assembly, a state of the first token sensor assembly based on a sensed presence of a token. The method also includes associating a first player position with the first token sensor assembly and the state of the first token sensor assembly. Further, the method includes transferring, to the sensor memory component of the first token sensor assembly, a desired state of the first token sensor assembly based on the state of the first token sensor assembly. The method also includes enabling a number of light sources of the first token sensor assembly based on the desired state of the first token sensor assembly stored in the sensor memory component of the first token sensor assembly. Associated apparatuses and systems are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2020Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: SG Gaming, Inc.Inventors: James V. Kelly, Troy D. Nelson, Vladislav Zvercov, Attila Grauzer
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Patent number: 10864431Abstract: Methods of using automatic card shufflers may involve causing playing cards to be moved from a card input area to a temporary card storage utilizing a card input mechanism. A first number of playing card hands may be formed in a corresponding first number of designated card storage compartments of the temporary card storage when a control system of the automatic card shuffler is in a first operational mode. A second, different number of playing card hands may be formed in a corresponding second number of designated card storage compartments of the temporary card storage when the control system is in a second operational mode. The card storage compartments of the second number of designated card storage compartments may be distinct from the card storage compartments of the first number of designated card storage compartments.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2019Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: SG Gaming, Inc.Inventors: James B. Stasson, Robert J. Rynda, James P. Helgesen, Troy D. Nelson, Paul K. Scheper, Ronald R. Swanson, Colin A. Helsen, Nathan J. Wadds
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Publication number: 20200334951Abstract: Methods of operating a gaming table wager sensing apparatus are disclosed. A method include storing, in a first token sensor assembly, a state of the first token sensor assembly based on a sensed presence of a token. The method also include associating a first player position with the first token sensor assembly and the state of the first token sensor assembly. Further, the method includes transferring, to the sensor memory component of the first token sensor assembly, a desired state of the first token sensor assembly based on the state of the first token sensor assembly. The method also includes enabling a number of light sources of the first token sensor assembly based on the desired state of the first token sensor assembly stored in the sensor memory component of the first token sensor assembly. Associated apparatuses and systems are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: James V. Kelly, Troy D. Nelson, Vladislav Zvercov, Attila Grauzer
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Patent number: 10726669Abstract: A gaming table apparatus has a gaming table with a gaming table support surface. At least two token sensors are provided, which are electrically connected in series to a token sensor controller. The at least two token sensor units are physically restrained by the table support surface. The game controller is in communication with the token sensor controller, wherein the game controller is configured to associate player position data with transmitted wager data received from the token sensor controller.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2017Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: SG Gaming, Inc.Inventors: James V. Kelly, Troy D. Nelson, Vladislav Zvercov, Attila Grauzer
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Patent number: 10639542Abstract: Playing-card-shuffling devices may include a card input, a card output, and a temporary card-storage area. The card input may be located on a same lateral side of the temporary card-storage area as a lateral side of the temporary card-storage area on which the card output is located. A processor may be in communication with a graphic display, with touch screen controls integrated in the graphic display. The graphic display may be configured to automatically display information from the shuffler. The touch screen controls may be configured to receive user-inputted data to send to the processor to affect at least one of performance, activity and mode of operation of the shuffler. The graphic display may be located on a lateral side of the temporary card-storage area opposite the lateral side of the temporary card-storage area on which the card input and the card output are located.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: SG Gaming, 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, R. Brooke Dunn, Peter Krenn, Ernst Blaha
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Publication number: 20200086203Abstract: Card-handling devices may include a card-shuffling apparatus, a card output portion, and/or a card input portion. The card input portion may include a card rotation device. The card rotation device may be configured to receive and rotate cards about a minor axis of the cards. The card-handling device may include a card-shuffling apparatus including a carousel having at least one-hundred compartments each configured to hold between one and ten cards and arranged radially about the carousel. The card-handling device may be positioned at a gaming structure with a playing surface. The card-handling device may include a card output portion for receiving shuffled cards from the card-shuffling apparatus. The card output portion may be configured to receive the cards where major faces of the playing cards are oriented in a plane substantially transverse to the playing surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2018Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Paul K. Scheper, Ronald R. Swanson, James B. Stasson, James P. Helgesen, Haven A. Mercer, Troy D. Nelson, Jamal Hani Kotifani, Feraidoon Bourbour, Peter Krenn
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Patent number: 10569159Abstract: 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: September 26, 2017Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson, Paul K. Scheper, Troy D. Nelson, Feraidoon Bourbour, Attila Grauzer
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Patent number: 10549177Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 24, 2015Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Paul K. Scheper, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson, Troy D. Nelson, Attila Grauzer
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Patent number: 10546457Abstract: Methods of administering games of roulette may involve accepting a wager may from a player and using a ball launching system to launch at least one roulette ball into a track of a roulette wheel. A number and associated color may be randomly generated from within a range of numbers and associated colors. The triggering event may be identified by determining whether the randomly generated number is identical to a randomly generated number from an immediately preceding round. Upon identifying a triggering event, one or more additional special games of roulette may be played and a payout may be paid to the player according to a paytable associated with the outcome of the special game play. The amount of the wager may be collected for the house when the triggering event is not identified.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2016Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Roger M. Snow, Haven A. Mercer, Troy D. Nelson, James P. Helgesen, Paul K. Scheper, Jamal Hani Kotifani, Georg Fekete
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Patent number: 10532272Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 23, 2015Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Feraidoon Bourbour, Paul K. Scheper, Troy D. Nelson, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson, Attila Grauzer
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Patent number: 10311673Abstract: A gaming table apparatus has a gaming table with a gaming table support surface. A token sensor assembly includes a container having a height and side walls that define an inside and outside perimeter of the container, and a top surface and bottom surface, a translucent cover disposed on the top surface of the side walls, a circuit board secured to the inside perimeter of the container, a plurality of lights disposed on a top side of the circuit board, and a passive ambient light sensor disposed on the top side of the circuit board. The passive ambient light sensor and the translucent cover may operate within predetermined wavelength ranges for receiving and passing light, respectively. A condition of the passive ambient light sensor may not be polled if the plurality of lights is emitting light.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2016Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: James P. Helgesen, Troy D. Nelson, Vladislav Zvercov
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Publication number: 20190151746Abstract: Methods of using automatic card shufflers may involve causing playing cards to be moved from a card input area to a temporary card storage utilizing a card input mechanism. A first number of playing card hands may be formed in a corresponding first number of designated card storage compartments of the temporary card storage when a control system of the automatic card shuffler is in a first operational mode. A second, different number of playing card hands may be formed in a corresponding second number of designated card storage compartments of the temporary card storage when the control system is in a second operational mode. The card storage compartments of the second number of designated card storage compartments may be distinct from the card storage compartments of the first number of designated card storage compartments.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2019Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventors: James B. Stasson, Robert J. Rynda, James P. Helgesen, Troy D. Nelson, Paul K. Scheper, Ronald R. Swanson, Colin A. Helsen, Nathan J. Wadds
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Patent number: 10238954Abstract: Card shufflers usable in forming and dispensing randomized playing card hands for use in playing card games 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 wheel configured to rotate within the card shuffler. The rotatable wheel may have a plurality of card storage compartments therein, each of which may be sized and configured to hold two or more cards therein. Related methods involve the use of such card shufflers in playing card games.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2016Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: James B. Stasson, Robert J. Rynda, James P. Helgesen, Troy D. Nelson, Paul K. Scheper, Ronald R. Swanson, Colin A. Helsen, Nathan J. Wadds
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Patent number: 10226686Abstract: 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: March 27, 2015Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Bally Gaming, 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, R. Brooke Dunn, Peter Krenn, Ernst Blaha
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Publication number: 20180345123Abstract: 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: June 25, 2018Publication date: December 6, 2018Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Feraidoon Bourbour, James V. Kelly, Troy D. Nelson, Paul K. Scheper, Oliver M. Schubert, James B. Stasson
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Patent number: 10118087Abstract: A ball-launching system mounts to a top rim of a roulette wheel and positions a ball launcher configured to launch a roulette ball into the roulette wheel. The ball-launching system includes an outer jaw and an inner jaw which clamp to the top rim. At least a part of a ball launcher extends into a concave bowl of the roulette wheel and facilitates launching the roulette ball directly into a ball track underneath the top rim within the concave bowl.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2016Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Haven A Mercer, Troy D Nelson, James P Helgesen, Jamal H Kotifani, Georg Fekete, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson
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Patent number: 10105591Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus, a system, and method for automatically launching roulette balls into a ball track of a roulette wheel.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2015Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Haven A. Mercer, Troy D. Nelson, James P. Helgesen, Paul K. Scheper, Jamal Hani Kotifani, Georg Fekete
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Patent number: 10076701Abstract: A ball-launching system mounts to a top rim of a roulette wheel and positions a ball launcher configured to launch a roulette ball into the roulette wheel. The ball-launching system includes an outer jaw and an inner jaw, which clamp to the top rim. At least a part of a ball launcher extends into a concave bowl of the roulette wheel and facilitates launching the roulette ball directly into a ball track underneath the top rim within the concave bowl.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2016Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Haven A. Mercer, Troy D. Nelson, James P. Helgesen, Jamal Hani Kotifani, Georg Fekete, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson