Patents Assigned to VendingData Corporation
  • Patent number: 6959925
    Abstract: An automatic card shuffler includes a card input unit, card ejection unit, card separation and delivery unit and card collection unit. A card ejection unit ejects cards in a singular fashion from a stack of cards placed into the input unit. The cards are ejected to a stop arm maintaining the entrance to the card separation unit. Upon processor command, the stop arm raises to allow a plurality of cards to pass under to the card separation and delivery unit. A series of rotating belts and rollers act to separate the cards and propel them individually to the collection unit. A floating gate slightly forward of the stop arm dictates that a minimum number of cards are managed simultaneously. The shuffler is controlled by a processing unit in communication with multiple internal sensors. An audio system communicates voice outputs regarding shuffler malfunctions and instructions to an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: VendingData Corporation
    Inventors: Thompson Baker, Steven J. Blad, Lynn Hessing, Phil Price, Carl W. Price
  • Patent number: 6886829
    Abstract: The present invention features a playing card shuffling device, which through the use of a small image capturing means, captures an image of the face value of each card and stores the image in memory. This image is sorted in the format of a bitmap image. The operator of the machine would be able to recall through the use of a key pad, the images of the cards that comprised the individual hands in the previous game. This feature allows for verification of a winning hand after a game has been completed. Thereby, a quick recheck of hands before paying a winning hand is performed. The face value of each card is determined by character recognition software. These card values would be stored in memory for archival access for use in monitoring the randomness of the game and determining the number of winning hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: VendingData Corporation
    Inventors: Lynn Hessing, Daniel Mahoney, Steven J. Blad, Thomas Baker
  • Patent number: 6845905
    Abstract: The present invention features a tracking system for currency containers in a gaming casino. Currency is received in removable containers having a memory chip for storing information such as the container ID, the ID of the gaming machine, the date and time the container was placed in a gaming machine. A mobile cart or a hand-carried unit is provided to store and transport the containers to a counting room. Data in each container's memory is verified and continuously monitored by the cart. A docking station verifies, reads, and transmits data to a remote computer and also provides a printout. All temporary data is erased from memory, and the containers are ready for reuse. Each time a container is inserted into a machine or other apparatus, a date and time is written to memory so that a complete adit trail is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: VendingData Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Blad, Kenneth R. Dickinson
  • Patent number: 6726205
    Abstract: A playing card integrity checker utilises a blue light source to illuminate the playing face of each card to use template matching to identify the value and suit of each card based on stored templates from cards of the same card manufacturer. This information and the number of cards counted is matched against the cards needed for a predetermined game. The absence of required cards or the presence of superfluous cards is reported. Cards that have their faces reversed or appear marked are also reported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: VendingData Corporation
    Inventor: William Westmore Purton
  • Patent number: 6719288
    Abstract: The present invention features a card shuffling machine having a controller that can be operated remote from the shuffling machine. A remote control unit is provided for remotely communicating operator-selected commands to the shuffling machine. The shuffling machine is capable of shuffling and dealing various games and between different modes of operation, including batch mode and continuous mode. The remote control unit includes a housing, a controller disposed therein, a display in electrical communication with the controller, and at least one user-operated key in electrical communication with the controller for electrically communicating a shuffle command to said shuffling machine allowing the dealer to select between various modes of operation, including batch mode, continuous mode, and between various games to be played.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: VendingData Corporation
    Inventors: Lynn Hessing, Daniel Mahoney, Steven J. Blad
  • Patent number: 6698756
    Abstract: An automatic card shuffler includes a card input unit, card ejection unit, card separation and delivery unit and card collection unit. A card ejection unit ejects cards in a singular fashion from a stack of cards placed into the input unit. The cards are ejected to a stop arm maintaining the entrance to the card separation unit. Upon processor command, the stop arm raises to allow a plurality of cards to pass under to the card separation and delivery unit. A series of rotating belts and rollers act to separate the cards and propel them individually to the collection unit. A floating gate slightly forward of the stop arm dictates that a minimum number of cards are managed simultaneously. The shuffler is controlled by a processing unit in communication with multiple internal sensors. An audio system communicates voice outputs regarding shuffler malfunctions and instructions to an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: VendingData Corporation
    Inventors: Thompson Baker, Steven J. Blad, Lynn Hessing, Phil Price, Carl W. Price
  • Patent number: D488193
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Vendingdata Corporation
    Inventor: James J. Girard
  • Patent number: D490481
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: VendingData Corporation
    Inventor: Lynn Hessing