Patents by Inventor Ernst Blaha

Ernst Blaha 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).

  • 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: 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: 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
  • 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: 10350481
    Abstract: Card handling devices comprise a card handling zone. A card infeed tray is configured to pass cards to the card handling zone and a separate card output tray is configured to receive cards from the card handling zone. A control system of the card handling device comprises at least one electronic signal processor, at least one memory device in electrical communication with the electronic signal processor, and a computer program stored in the memory of the memory device. The computer program is programmed to cause the control system to selectively control at least one of a card infeed system, the card handling zone, and a card output system of the card handling device and to receive an input from a user input to selectively perform at least one of a shuffling operation, a sorting operation, and a dealing operation using the card handling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul K. Scheper, Peter Krenn, Attila Grauzer, Ernst Blaha
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20180290048
    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: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Peter Krenn, Ernst Blaha
  • Publication number: 20180243642
    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: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Peter Krenn, Ernst Blaha
  • Publication number: 20180207513
    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: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Ernst Blaha, Peter Krenn, Todd M. Haushalter
  • Publication number: 20180207514
    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: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Ernst Blaha, Peter Krenn, Todd M. Haushalter
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20180043241
    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: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Ernst Blaha, Peter Krenn, Todd M. Haushalter
  • Publication number: 20180036627
    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: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Ernst Blaha, Peter Krenn
  • Patent number: 9789385
    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: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Shuffle Master GmbH & Co KG
    Inventors: Ernst Blaha, Peter Krenn
  • Publication number: 20170216713
    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: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    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
  • Patent number: 9717979
    Abstract: Card handling devices comprise a card handling zone. A card infeed tray is configured to pass cards to the card handling zone and a separate card output tray is configured to receive cards from the card handling zone. A control system of the card handling device comprises at least one electronic signal processor, at least one memory device in electrical communication with the electronic signal processor, and a computer program stored in the memory of the memory device. The computer program is programmed to cause the control system to selectively control at least one of a card infeed system, the card handling zone, and a card output system of the card handling device and to receive an input from a user input to selectively perform at least one of a shuffling operation, a sorting operation, and a dealing operation using the card handling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Ernst Blaha, Peter Krenn, Paul K. Scheper