Patents by Inventor James P. Helgesen

James P. Helgesen 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
  • Publication number: 20220305369
    Abstract: A playing card handling device comprises an elevator platform configured to receive one or more cards from an input platform to form a shuffled set of cards, a card gripper positioned above the elevator platform, and configured to grip cards from the shuffled set of cards, and a processor configured to control the elevator platform to have a grip position for the card gripper to grip the shuffled set of cards, wherein the grip position is adjusted based, at least in part, on a correction value associated with a particular card insertion. A related method includes determining a grip position of an elevator platform of a card handling device based, at least in part, on a desired insertion location within a stack of shuffled cards as adjusted based on a corrective value that is different for a plurality of different insertion locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: James V. Kelly, James P. Helgesen, Vladislav Zvercov, Feraidoon Bourbour, Robert J. Rynda
  • Patent number: 11358051
    Abstract: A playing card handling device comprises an elevator platform configured to receive one or more cards from an input platform to form a shuffled set of cards, a card gripper positioned above the elevator platform, and configured to grip cards from the shuffled set of cards, and a processor configured to control the elevator platform to have a grip position for the card gripper to grip the shuffled set of cards, wherein the grip position is adjusted based, at least in part, on a correction value associated with a particular card insertion. A related method includes determining a grip position of an elevator platform of a card handling device based, at least in part, on a desired insertion location within a stack of shuffled cards as adjusted based on a corrective value that is different for a plurality of different insertion locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: SG Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Kelly, James P. Helgesen, Vladislav Zvercov, Feraidoon Bourbour, Robert J. Rynda
  • Publication number: 20210069577
    Abstract: A playing card handling device comprises an elevator platform configured to receive one or more cards from an input platform to form a shuffled set of cards, a card gripper positioned above the elevator platform, and configured to grip cards from the shuffled set of cards, and a processor configured to control the elevator platform to have a grip position for the card gripper to grip the shuffled set of cards, wherein the grip position is adjusted based, at least in part, on a correction value associated with a particular card insertion. A related method includes determining a grip position of an elevator platform of a card handling device based, at least in part, on a desired insertion location within a stack of shuffled cards as adjusted based on a corrective value that is different for a plurality of different insertion locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: James V. Kelly, James P. Helgesen, Vladislav Zvercov, Feraidoon Bourbour, Robert J. Rynda
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10857448
    Abstract: A playing card handling device comprises an elevator platform configured to receive one or more cards from an input platform to form a shuffled set of cards, a card gripper positioned above the elevator platform, and configured to grip cards from the shuffled set of cards, and a processor configured to control the elevator platform to have a grip position for the card gripper to grip the shuffled set of cards, wherein the grip position is adjusted based, at least in part, on a correction value associated with a particular card insertion. A related method includes determining a grip position of an elevator platform of a card handling device based, at least in part, on a desired insertion location within a stack of shuffled cards as adjusted based on a corrective value that is different for a plurality of different insertion locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: SG Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Kelly, James P. Helgesen, Vladislav Zvercov, Feraidoon Bourbour, Robert J. Rynda
  • Publication number: 20200122020
    Abstract: A playing card handling device comprises an elevator platform configured to receive one or more cards from an input platform to form a shuffled set of cards, a card gripper positioned above the elevator platform, and configured to grip cards from the shuffled set of cards, and a processor configured to control the elevator platform to have a grip position for the card gripper to grip the shuffled set of cards, wherein the grip position is adjusted based, at least in part, on a correction value associated with a particular card insertion. A related method includes determining a grip position of an elevator platform of a card handling device based, at least in part, on a desired insertion location within a stack of shuffled cards as adjusted based on a corrective value that is different for a plurality of different insertion locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: James V. Kelly, James P. Helgesen, Vladislav Zvercov, Feraidoon Bourbour, Robert J. Rynda
  • 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: 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: 10486055
    Abstract: A playing card handling device comprises an elevator platform configured to receive one or more cards from an input platform to form a shuffled set of cards, a card gripper positioned above the elevator platform, and configured to grip cards from the shuffled set of cards, and a processor configured to control the elevator platform to have a grip position for the card gripper to grip the shuffled set of cards, wherein the grip position is adjusted based, at least in part, on a correction value associated with a particular card insertion. A related method includes determining a grip position of an elevator platform of a card handling device based, at least in part, on a desired insertion location within a stack of shuffled cards as adjusted based on a corrective value that is different for a plurality of different insertion locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Kelly, James P. Helgesen, Vladislav Zvercov, Feraidoon Bourbour, Robert J. Rynda
  • 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: 10286291
    Abstract: An automatic card-handling device, having a card-handling device that includes a controller, the card-handling device configured for shuffling an input set of cards and delivering an output set of cards resulting from the shuffling; and a communication module operably coupled to the controller, wherein the communication module is configured for sending and receiving information related to operation of the card-handling device across a communication port configured for operable coupling to a cellular network, wherein the information related to the operation of the automatic card-handling device includes information about the use of the card-handling device; and wherein a factor in a usage fee for the card-handling device is use of the card-handling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan J. Wadds, Colin A. Helsen, Zbigniew Czyzewski, James P. Helgesen, Russ Marsden
  • 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20170266541
    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: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Haven A. Mercer, Troy D. Nelson, James P. Helgesen, Paul K. Scheper, Jamal H. Kotifani, Georg Fekete
  • Publication number: 20170098343
    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: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: James P. Helgesen, Troy D. Nelson, Vladislav Zvercov