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).

  • Publication number: 20240108968
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    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
  • Patent number: 11896891
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 11335165
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: SG Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Kelly, Troy D. Nelson, Vladislav Zvercov, Attila Grauzer
  • Patent number: 10864431
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20200334951
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: James V. Kelly, Troy D. Nelson, Vladislav Zvercov, Attila Grauzer
  • Patent number: 10726669
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: SG Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Kelly, Troy D. Nelson, Vladislav Zvercov, Attila Grauzer
  • Patent number: 10639542
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20200086203
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    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
  • Patent number: 10569159
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson, Paul K. Scheper, Troy D. Nelson, Feraidoon Bourbour, Attila Grauzer
  • Patent number: 10549177
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul K. Scheper, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson, Troy D. Nelson, Attila Grauzer
  • Patent number: 10546457
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger M. Snow, Haven A. Mercer, Troy D. Nelson, James P. Helgesen, Paul K. Scheper, Jamal Hani Kotifani, Georg Fekete
  • Patent number: 10532272
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Feraidoon Bourbour, Paul K. Scheper, Troy D. Nelson, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson, Attila Grauzer
  • Patent number: 10311673
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Helgesen, Troy D. Nelson, Vladislav Zvercov
  • Publication number: 20190151746
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    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
  • Patent number: 10238954
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 10226686
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20180345123
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Feraidoon Bourbour, James V. Kelly, Troy D. Nelson, Paul K. Scheper, Oliver M. Schubert, James B. Stasson
  • Patent number: 10118087
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Haven A Mercer, Troy D Nelson, James P Helgesen, Jamal H Kotifani, Georg Fekete, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson
  • Patent number: 10105591
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus, a system, and method for automatically launching roulette balls into a ball track of a roulette wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Haven A. Mercer, Troy D. Nelson, James P. Helgesen, Paul K. Scheper, Jamal Hani Kotifani, Georg Fekete
  • Patent number: 10076701
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Haven A. Mercer, Troy D. Nelson, James P. Helgesen, Jamal Hani Kotifani, Georg Fekete, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson