Patents by Inventor Ronald R. Swanson

Ronald R. Swanson 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: 6651982
    Abstract: A card shuffling device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing system for randomizing the initial set of playing cards, a collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, and an elevator for raising the collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Shuffle Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Feraidoon Bourbour, Troy D. Nelson, Paul K. Scheper, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson
  • Patent number: 6651981
    Abstract: A card shuffling device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing system for randomizing the initial set of playing cards, a collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, and an elevator for raising the collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Shuffle Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Troy D. Nelson, Paul K. Scheper, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson, Feraidoon Bourbour
  • Patent number: 6588750
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into plural hands of cards, wherein each of the hands contains a random arrangement of the same quantity of cards. The apparatus comprises a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack, and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanism and the elevator so that an individual card is moved into an identified compartment. The number of compartments receiving cards and the number of cards moved to each compartment may be selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Shuffle Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Feraidoon Bourbour, James Phillip Helgesen, Troy D. Nelson, Robert J. Rynda, Paul K. Scheper, James Bernard Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson
  • Patent number: 6588751
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into a second group of cards, wherein the second group of cards is randomly arranged or shuffled. The apparatus comprises a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack for moving cards one at a time into a selected one of the compartments, another card moving mechanism for moving cards from one of the compartments to a second card receiver and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanisms and the elevator. A count of cards within specified areas of the card handling system is maintained and card handling is halted and all cards counted by adding a count of all cards not within the specified areas to the total of cards counted within the specified areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Shuffle Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Feraidoon Bourbour, James Phillip Helgesen, Troy D. Nelson, Robert J. Rynda, Paul K. Scheper, James Bernard Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson
  • Publication number: 20030094756
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into a second group of cards, wherein the second group of cards is randomly arranged or shuffled. The apparatus comprises a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack for moving cards one at a time into a selected one of the compartments, another card moving mechanism for moving cards from one of the compartments to a second card receiver and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanisms and the elevator. A count of cards within specified areas of the card handling system is maintained and card handling is halted and all cards counted by adding a count of all cards not within the specified areas to the total of cards counted within the specified areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Feraidoon Bourbour, Troy D. Nelson, Robert J. Rynda, Paul K. Scheper, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson
  • Publication number: 20030090059
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into a second group of cards, wherein the second group of cards is randomly arranged or shuffled. The apparatus comprises a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack for moving cards one at a time into a selected one of the compartments, another card moving mechanism for moving cards from one of the compartments to a second card receiver and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanisms and the elevator. A count of cards within specified areas of the card handling system is maintained and card handling is halted and all cards counted by adding a count of all cards not within the specified areas to the total of cards counted within the specified areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Feraidoon Bourbour, James P. Helgesen, Troy D. Nelson, Robert J. Rynda, Paul K. Scheper, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson
  • Publication number: 20030075865
    Abstract: A card shuffling device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing system for randomizing the initial set of playing cards, a collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, and an elevator for raising the collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: Shuffle Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Troy D. Nelson, Paul K. Scheper, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson
  • Publication number: 20030073498
    Abstract: A card shuffling device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing or arranging system for the initial set of playing cards, a collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, and an elevator for raising the collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device. An automatic card shuffler includes a microprocessor with memory. An automated calibration system is provided that calibrates the precise position of the card supporting platform in the elevator so that precise insertion of cards can be performed during card handling procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Shuffle Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Atilla Grauzer, Feraidoon Bourbour, James V. Kelly, Troy D. Nelson, Paul K. Scheper, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson
  • Publication number: 20030067112
    Abstract: A card shuffling device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing system for randomizing the initial set of playing cards, a collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, and an elevator for raising the collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Applicant: Shuffle Master,Inc.
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Feraidoon Bourbour, Troy D. Nelson, Paul K. Scheper, James B. Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson
  • Publication number: 20030052449
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into a second group of cards, wherein the second group of cards is randomly arranged or shuffled. The apparatus comprises a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack for moving cards one at a time into a selected one of the compartments, another card moving mechanism for moving cards from one of the compartments to a second card receiver and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanisms and the elevator. A count of cards within specified areas of the card handling system is maintained and card handling is halted and all cards counted by adding a count of all cards not within the specified areas to the total of cards counted within the specified areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Feraidoon Bourbour, James Phillip Helgesen, Troy D. Nelson, Robert J. Rynda, Paul K. Scheper, James Bernard Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson
  • Publication number: 20030052450
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into a second group of cards, wherein the second group of cards is randomly arranged or shuffled. The apparatus comprises a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack for moving cards one at a time into a selected one of the compartments, another card moving mechanism for moving cards from one of the compartments to a second card receiver and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanisms and the elevator. A count of cards within specified areas of the card handling system is maintained and card handling is halted and all cards counted by adding a count of all cards not within the specified areas to the total of cards counted within the specified areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Feraidoon Bourbour, James Phillip Helgesen, Troy D. Nelson, Robert J. Rynda, Paul K. Scheper, James Bernard Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson
  • Publication number: 20030042673
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into plural hands of cards, wherein each of the hands contains a random arrangement of cards. The apparatus comprises a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack, and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanism and the elevator so that an individual card is moved into an identified compartment. The number of compartments receiving cards and the number of cards moved to each compartment may be selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Shuffle Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Feraidoon Bourbour, Troy D. Nelson, Robert J. Rynda, Paul K. Scheper, James Bernard Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson
  • Publication number: 20020163125
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into a second group of cards, wherein the second group of cards is randomly arranged or shuffled. The apparatus comprises a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack for moving cards one at a time into a selected one of the compartments, another card moving mechanism for moving cards from one of the compartments to a second card receiver and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanisms and the elevator. A count of cards within specified areas of the card handling system is maintained and card handling is halted and all cards counted by adding a count of all cards not within the specified areas to the total of cards counted within the specified areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Applicant: Shuffle Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Feraidoon Bourbour, Troy D. Nelson, Robert J. Rynda, Paul K. Scheper, James Bernard Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson
  • Patent number: 6254096
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into a second group of cards, wherein the second group of cards is randomly arranged or shuffled. The apparatus comprises a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack for moving cards one at a time into a selected one of the compartments, another card moving mechanism for moving cards from one of the compartments to a second card receiver and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanisms and the elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Shuffle Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Feraidoon Bourbour, James Phillip Helgesen, Troy Nelson, Robert J. Rynda, Paul K. Scheper, James Bernard Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson
  • Patent number: 6149154
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into plural hands of cards, wherein each of the hands contains a random arrangement of the same quantity of cards. The apparatus comprises a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack, and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanism and the elevator so that an individual card is moved into an identified compartment. The number of compartments receiving cards and the number of cards moved to each compartment may be selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Shuffle Master Gaming
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Feraidoon Bourbour, James Philip Helgesen, Troy Nelson, Robert J. Rynda, Paul K. Scheper, James Bernard Stasson, Ronald R. Swanson
  • Patent number: 4886888
    Abstract: Amino acids can be purpified and/or concentrated by extracting aqueous mixtures such as fermentation broths by contacting an aqueous mixture containing amino acids with an organic solution containing a water insoluble extractant selected from the group consisting of:1. A quaternary ammonium ion having the formula: ##STR1## where R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are aliphatic, each having from 1 to 22 carbon atoms, and together have a minimum of 25 carbon atoms, and where at least three of the four R groups are at least a C.sub.4.2. A quaternary phosphonium ion having the formula: ##STR2## where R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are as defined above. 3. A tertiary sulfonium ion having the formula: ##STR3## where R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 each are aliphatic with from 1 to 22 carbon atoms, and together have a minimum of 24 carbons and where at least two of these groups are at least a C.sub.6.4. An organic boride ion having the formula: ##STR4## where R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Assignee: Henkel Corporation
    Inventors: Francis W. Tuominen, Ronald R. Swanson, Phillip L. Mattison, Kenneth D. MacKay, Bradley W. Glorvigen
  • Patent number: 4661606
    Abstract: Amino acids can be purified and/or concentrated by extracting aqueous mixtures such as fermentation broths by contacting an aqueous mixture containing amino acids with an organic solution containing a water insoluble extractant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: Henkel Corporation
    Inventors: Francis W. Tuominen, Ronald R. Swanson, Phillip L. Mattison, Kenneth D. MacKay, Bradley W. Glorvigen
  • Patent number: 3939203
    Abstract: Certain 2-hydroxy benzophenoximes containing an electron withdrawing substituent(s). Compositions comprised of such benzophenoximes and certain .alpha.-hydroxy aliphatic oximes. Compounds and compositions are useful for the extraction of metal values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1968
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1976
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip L. Mattison, Ronald R. Swanson