Patents by Inventor Lance Merrell

Lance Merrell 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: 20160240035
    Abstract: A gaming table system for error reduction and efficiency are disclosed. The gaming table system include a gaming table can have sensors for determining the values of the dealt cards. Additional table sensor can use used to determine the players bet and prospective payout. Intelligent markers can be integrated with the system, where the markers preferably include a mechanism for signaling the receiving bettor to acknowledge receipt of the marker, which acknowledgement may turn off the indicating mechanism. The method of indication could be visual, audible or otherwise which would signal a bettor to interact with the marker. The intelligent markers communicate with table sensors and a shoe to monitor the status of games, and to signal alerts when a mistake occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: The United States Playing Card Company
    Inventors: Lance Merrell, Ken Miller, Carol Rouillard, Todd Brainard, Mohit Ahuja
  • Patent number: 9254435
    Abstract: A card dealing system incorporating playing cards with rank and suit information encoded thereon via micro-dots, and a shoe capable of reading such micro dots as a playing card is drawn from the shoe. A game controller unit determines the positioning of the micro-dots on the playing card, and determines the rank and suit information therefrom. The game controller thereby monitors the progress and status of a card game. The shoe includes a mechanism for increasing the force needed to pull a card from the shoe in certain circumstances. The engagement of this mechanism may be tied to the rules of the game, or may relate to circumstances apart from the rules of the game, such as the detection of a cut card or a virtual cut card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: The United States Playing Card Company
    Inventors: Ken Miller, Carol Rouillard, Lance Merrell, Venkata Krishnamurty, Dylan Horvath, Logan Taylor, Scott Bodaly, Andriy Nazar, Mike Liwak
  • Publication number: 20160001170
    Abstract: Intelligent markers and a card distribution error reduction system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention includes intelligent markers which are effectively “player acknowledgement” indicators. The markers preferably include a mechanism for signaling the receiving bettor to acknowledge receipt of the marker, which acknowledgement may turn off the indicating mechanism. The method of indication could be visual, audible or otherwise which would signal a bettor to interact with the marker. The intelligent markers communicate with table sensors and a shoe to monitor the status of games, and to signal alerts when a mistake occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: The United States Playing Card Company
    Inventors: Carol Rouillard, Chris Hayes, Lance Merrell, Ken Miller, Mohit Ahuja
  • Publication number: 20150014925
    Abstract: A card dealing system incorporating playing cards with rank and suit information encoded thereon via micro-dots, and a shoe capable of reading such micro dots as a playing card is drawn from the shoe. A game controller unit determines the positioning of the micro-dots on the playing card, and determines the rank and suit information therefrom. The game controller thereby monitors the progress and status of a card game. The shoe includes a mechanism for increasing the force needed to pull a card from the shoe in certain circumstances. The engagement of this mechanism may be tied to the rules of the game, or may relate to circumstances apart from the rules of the game, such as the detection of a cut card or a virtual cut card.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: The United States Playing Card Company
    Inventors: Ken Miller, Carol Rouillard, Lance Merrell, Venkata Krishnamurty, Dylan Horvath, Logan Taylor, Scott Bodaly, Andriy Nazar, Mike Liwak