Patents Assigned to Shuffle Master GmbH & Co KG
  • Patent number: 11898837
    Abstract: Card-handling devices may include an input area sized and shaped to receive cards and an output area for outputting at least some of the cards. A defect detection system may be located along a card path downstream from the input area. The defect detection system may be configured to scan at least one card to determine whether at least one characteristic of the at least one card has been modified beyond a predetermined limit or whether the at least one characteristic of the at least one card is within the predetermined limit. A diverter may be configured to divert the at least one card from the card path when the at least one characteristic of the at least one card has been modified beyond the predetermined limit and enable the at least one card to continue on the card path when the at least one characteristic of the at least one card is within the predetermined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Shuffle Master GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: Peter Krenn
  • Patent number: 11577151
    Abstract: Card handling devices may include one or more features for detecting a deficiency relating to at least one card. Methods of operating a card handling device may include detecting a deficiency relating to at least one card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Shuffle Master GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Colin A. Helsen, Peter Krenn
  • Patent number: 11462079
    Abstract: Monitoring systems for monitoring electronic card handling devices are disclosed. A monitoring system includes a monitoring server configured to receive card handling performance data from a number of electronic card handling devices. The monitoring server is further configured to associate received performance data with a corresponding electronic card handling device. The monitoring server is further configured to display the performance data associated with at least some of the electronic card handling devices. Other related systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Shuffle Master GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Ravi Nagaragatta, Georg Fekete
  • Patent number: 10933300
    Abstract: Card handling devices may include one or more features for detecting a deficiency relating to at least one card. Methods of operating a card handling device may include detecting a deficiency relating to at least one card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Shuffle Master GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Colin A. Helsen, Peter Krenn
  • Patent number: 10885748
    Abstract: Monitoring systems for monitoring electronic card handling devices are disclosed. A monitoring system includes a monitoring server configured to receive card handling performance data from a number of electronic card handling devices. The monitoring server is further configured to associate received performance data with a corresponding electronic card handling device. The monitoring server is further configured to receive user input, and in response to the user input, identify a plurality of electronic card handling devices of the number of electronic card handling devices. The monitoring server is further configured to display a graphical user interface including at least one graphical representation of the performance data associated with the identified electronic card handling devices. Other related systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Shuffle Master GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Ravi Nagaragatta, Georg Fekete
  • Patent number: 10814212
    Abstract: Card handling systems include shuffling devices, shoe devices, and a card transfer system for automatically transferring cards from the shuffling device into the shoe device. Shuffling devices may include a divider configured to contact at least one card positioned within a compartment of the shuffling device. Shoe devices may include a card loading system for loading cards into a card storage area through an opening in a base of the shoe device. Methods of providing cards during a casino table game play include identifying card information including a rank and a suit of each card in a shuffling device and a shoe device and transporting cards from the shuffling device to the shoe device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Shuffle Master GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Ernst Blaha, Peter Krenn, Todd M. Haushalter
  • Patent number: 10722779
    Abstract: Card handling systems include shuffling devices, shoe devices, and a card transfer system for automatically transferring cards from the shuffling device into the shoe device. Shuffling devices may include a divider configured to contact at least one card positioned within a compartment of the shuffling device. Shoe devices may include a card loading system for loading cards into a card storage area through an opening in a base of the shoe device. Methods of providing cards during a casino table game play include identifying card information including a rank and a suit of each card in a shuffling device and a shoe device and transporting cards from the shuffling device to the shoe device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Shuffle Master GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Ernst Blaha, Peter Krenn, Todd M. Haushalter
  • Patent number: 10706656
    Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and sorting disks includes a wheel having at least one well for receiving a disk, a motor coupled to the wheel, a collecting device positioned relative to the wheel, a disk sensor, an ejector, and a controller. The collecting device has at least a first collector and a second collector configured for receiving disks. The disk sensor is configured to detect a value of a parameter of a disk received in the well and generate a parameter value signal. The ejector is coupled to the wheel proximate the well and configured to eject a disk from the well in a plane parallel to a bottom surface of the wheel in response to an eject signal. The controller is operably coupled with the disk sensor and the ejector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Shuffle Master GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Peter Wolfgang DeRaedt, Ludo DeMeutter
  • Patent number: 10668363
    Abstract: Card handling devices may include a card shuffling apparatus and a card output portion having a card buffer area positioned at an interface of the card shuffling apparatus and the card output portion. The card output portion may be configured to move relative to the card shuffling apparatus and alter the orientation of the card buffer area. Card handling devices having a substantially flat card output area may include an interface portion having an at least substantially flat draw surface. The substantially flat card output area may permit playing cards to be drawn from an outlet of the substantially flat card output area in a plurality of at least substantially horizontal directions. Methods of shuffling playing cards may include altering an orientation of a card buffer area and inserting cards into the card buffer area at both a top and a bottom of a group of cards within the card buffer area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Shuffle Master GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Peter Krenn, Ernst Blaha
  • Patent number: 10632363
    Abstract: Card handling devices may include a card shuffling apparatus and a card output portion having a card buffer area positioned at an interface of the card shuffling apparatus and the card output portion. The card output portion may be configured to move relative to the card shuffling apparatus and alter the orientation of the card buffer area. Card handling devices having a substantially flat card output area may include an interface portion having an at least substantially flat draw surface. The substantially flat card output area may permit playing cards to be drawn from an outlet of the substantially flat card output area in a plurality of at least substantially horizontal directions. Methods of shuffling playing cards may include altering an orientation of a card buffer area and inserting cards into the card buffer area at both a top and a bottom of a group of cards within the card buffer area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Shuffle Master GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Peter Krenn, Ernst Blaha
  • Patent number: 10583349
    Abstract: Card handling systems include shuffling devices, shoe devices, and a card transfer system for automatically transferring cards from the shuffling device into the shoe device. Shuffling devices may include a divider configured to contact at least one card positioned within a compartment of the shuffling device. Shoe devices may include a card loading system for loading cards into a card storage area through an opening in a base of the shoe device. Methods of providing cards during a casino table game play include identifying card information including a rank and a suit of each card in a shuffling device and a shoe device and transporting cards from the shuffling device to the shoe device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Shuffle Master GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Ernst Blaha, Peter Krenn, Todd M. Haushalter
  • Patent number: 10456659
    Abstract: Automatic card shufflers include a card shuffling mechanism, a base at least partially supporting the card shuffling mechanism, a shoe to receive cards from the card shuffling mechanism, and a card imaging system configured to detect at least one indicia on the cards, the card imaging system being at least partially disposed within the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Shuffle Master GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Peter Krenn, Ernst Blaha, Attila Grauzer
  • Patent number: 10339765
    Abstract: A monitoring system for monitoring casino gaming devices through a casino network is disclosed. The monitoring includes casino gaming devices configured to generate performance data and transmit the data corresponding to the monitored usage of the casino gaming devices over a casino network, a monitoring server configured to store and manage a database including the game data received from the casino gaming devices, and an operator station configured to retrieve and display the game data on a graphical user interface having icons that display real-time operational parameters of the casino gaming devices. A related method for gathering and maintaining operational performance indicators for a plurality of casino table devices operably coupled to a casino network including a middleware server and a client terminal is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Shuffle Master GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Ravi Nagaragatta, Georg Fekete
  • Patent number: 10255741
    Abstract: Chip sorting devices may include at least one chip collection tube having at least one adjustable wall that at least partially defines an inner diameter of the at least one chip collection tube. The at least one adjustable wall may be at least partially rotatable to define different inner diameters. Chip sorting devices may include a chip hopper having a relief mechanism for clearing chips that become jammed between a chip chamber and a base plate of the chip hopper. Methods of sorting chips may include actuating the relief mechanism to increase a space between a top plate of the relief mechanism and the chip chamber. Methods of setting up a chip sorting device may include adjusting an inner lateral dimension of the at least one chip collection tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Shuffle Master GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: Peter Krenn
  • Patent number: 10220297
    Abstract: A card feed system for feeding cards into a card handling system. The card feed system includes a card input compartment with a playing card support surface, a front wall, a rear wall and two side walls. The playing card support surface slopes toward the front wall at an angle between 12 degrees and 22 degrees. A slot is provided in the front wall to allow single cards to pass into the card handling system. The card feed system also includes a card moving system to advance cards through the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Shuffle Master GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Ernst Blaha, Peter Krenn
  • Patent number: 10096192
    Abstract: Chip sorting devices may include at least one chip collection tube having at least one of a chip stack alignment cup or a stabilizer positioned over the at least one chip collection tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Shuffle Master GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: Peter Krenn
  • Patent number: 9993719
    Abstract: Card handling devices may include a card shuffling apparatus and a card output portion having a card buffer area positioned at an interface of the card shuffling apparatus and the card output portion. The card output portion may be configured to move relative to the card shuffling apparatus and alter the orientation of the card buffer area. Card handling devices having a substantially flat card output area may include an interface portion having an at least substantially flat draw surface. The substantially flat card output area may permit playing cards to be drawn from an outlet of the substantially flat card output area in a plurality of at least substantially horizontal directions. Methods of shuffling playing cards may include altering an orientation of a card buffer area and inserting cards into the card buffer area at both a top and a bottom of a group of cards within the card buffer area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Shuffle Master GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Peter Krenn, Ernst Blaha
  • Patent number: 9990792
    Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and sorting disks includes a wheel having at least one well for receiving a disk, a motor coupled to the wheel, a collecting device positioned relative to the wheel, a disk sensor, an ejector, and a controller. The collecting device has at least a first collector and a second collector configured for receiving disks. The disk sensor is configured to detect a value of a parameter of a disk received in the well and generate a parameter value signal. The ejector is coupled to the wheel proximate the well and configured to eject a disk from the well in a plane parallel to a bottom surface of the wheel in response to an eject signal. The controller is operably coupled with the disk sensor and the ejector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Shuffle Master GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Peter Wolfgang DeRaedt, Ludo DeMeutter
  • Patent number: 9836909
    Abstract: Chip sorting devices may include at least one chip collection tube having at least one adjustable wall that at least partially defines an inner diameter of the at least one chip collection tube. The at least one adjustable wall may be at least partially rotatable to define different inner diameters. Chip sorting devices may include a chip hopper having a relief mechanism for clearing chips that become jammed between a chip chamber and a base plate of the chip hopper. Methods of sorting chips may include actuating the relief mechanism to increase a space between a top plate of the relief mechanism and the chip chamber. Methods of setting up a chip sorting device may include adjusting an inner lateral dimension of the at least one chip collection tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Shuffle Master GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: Peter Krenn
  • Patent number: 9802114
    Abstract: Card handling systems include shuffling devices, shoe devices, and a card transfer system for automatically transferring cards from the shuffling device into the shoe device. Shuffling devices may include a divider configured to contact at least one card positioned within a compartment of the shuffling device. Shoe devices may include a card loading system for loading cards into a card storage area through an opening in a base of the shoe device. Methods of providing cards during a casino table game play include identifying card information including a rank and a suit of each card in a shuffling device and a shoe device and transporting cards from the shuffling device to the shoe device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Shuffle Master GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: Peter Krenn