Patents by Inventor Steven J. Blad

Steven J. Blad 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: 20110198804
    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 keypad, 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 playing 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 winnings hands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Lynn Hessing, Daniel Mahoney, Steven J. Blad, Thomas Baker
  • Patent number: 7976023
    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 keypad, 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 playing 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 winnings hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Shuffle Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Lynn Hessing, Daniel Mahoney, Steven J. Blad, Thomas Baker
  • Publication number: 20100219582
    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. Adjustment means permit the shuffler to accommodate different sized cards. 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. By utilizing separate motors to drive the belts and rollers it is possible to cease the movement of the belts so that the rollers independently act upon the cards. A floating gate slightly forward of the stop arm dictates that a minimum number of cards are managed simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Thompson Baker, Steven J. Blad, Lynn Hessing, Phil Price, Carl W. Price
  • Patent number: 7669852
    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. Adjustment means permit the shuffler to accommodate different sized cards. 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. By utilizing separate motors to drive the belts and rollers it is possible to cease the movement of the belts so that the rollers independently act upon the cards. A floating gate slightly forward of the stop arm dictates that a minimum number of cards are managed simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Shuffle Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Thompson Baker, Steven J. Blad, Lynn Hessing, Phil Price, Carl W. Price
  • Patent number: 7594660
    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. Adjustment means permit the shuffler to accommodate different sized cards. 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. By utilizing separate motors to drive the belts and rollers it is possible to cease the movement of the belts so that the rollers independently act upon the cards. A floating gate slightly forward of the stop arm dictates that a minimum number of cards are managed simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Shuffle Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Thompson Baker, Steven J. Blad, Lynn Hessing, Phil Price, Carl W. Price
  • Patent number: 7461843
    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. Adjustment means permit the shuffler to accommodate different sized cards. 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. By utilizing separate motors to drive the belts and rollers it is possible to cease the movement of the belts so that the rollers independently act upon the cards. A floating gate slightly forward of the stop arm dictates that a minimum number of cards are managed simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Elixir Gaming Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Thompson Baker, Steven J. Blad, Lynn Hessing, Phil Price, Carl W. Price
  • Patent number: 7066464
    Abstract: Method of optimizing shuffling of cards with a shuffling machine relying on random ejection technology. Deterministic ejection of cards, verifying card stack position and number of cards remaining in a card stack, adjusting operational functions, including low-impact ejection and packer arm activation, and automatic analysis of card quality create an optimum system for shuffling cards using a shuffler which incorporates random ejection technology. A calibration procedure facilitates the optimization features. In another embodiment, multiple buttons or a single button provide means for an operator to navigate a list of menu items and select a desired menu item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Inventors: Steven J. Blad, Lynn C. Hessing, Tyson K. Adams, Kenneth R. Dickinson, Carl Ketcham, Tom Wing
  • 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20040036214
    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: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Thompson Baker, Steven J. Blad, Lynn Hessing, Phil Price, Carl W. Price
  • Patent number: 6675067
    Abstract: There is provided a system for remotely monitoring coin-operated machines. Data from the machines is collected and transmitted by the machine to a remote server. In alternate embodiments, several machines may be interconnected via a LAN to a local CPU which transmits data to the remote server, typically using the internet. The combination of one or more remote machines and the central monitoring site form a Virtual Private Network (VPN). An optional feature allows for e-mail or other type of alert messages to be sent from the remote server in response to the identification of one or more predetermined events for which a customer should immediately be notified. Browse and query tools working against a database of machine information are provided so that authorized customers or other interested parties may view data for individual or groups of coin-operated machines by means of a web page accessed via the internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Inventor: Steven J. Blad
  • Publication number: 20030151194
    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: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventors: Lynn Hessing, Daniel Mahoney, Steven J. Blad, Thomas Baker
  • Publication number: 20020113368
    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: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Lynn Hessing, Daniel Mahoney, Steven J. Blad
  • Publication number: 20020063035
    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: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Steven J. Blad, Kenneth R. Dickinson
  • Patent number: 6336544
    Abstract: A mobile inventorying and collection apparatus includes a mobile cart for immediate inventorying of moneys collected in a coin collection box at an area adjacent to a host machine such as a gaming machine, and collecting in a secured receptacle of the mobile cart inventoried coins and tokens in a secured manner, and transmitting this data as well as identification data of the coin box to either a CPU provided on-board the mobile cart for later downloading to a remote data management control system, or directly to the remote data system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Casinovations Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven J. Blad, Kenneth R. Dickinson
  • Patent number: 6328149
    Abstract: A mobile cart for inventorying monies collected from a coin operated machine. The mobile cart includes a receptacle for receiving and storing inventoried moneys, a data reception device, and a weight measuring device in electrical communication with the data reception device. The mobile cart also includes a receiving platform associated with the weight measuring device that is adapted to receive a coin box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventors: Steven J. Blad, Kenneth R. Dickinson
  • Publication number: 20010048374
    Abstract: There is provided a system for remotely monitoring coin-operated machines. Data from the machines is collected and transmitted by the machine to a remote server. In alternate embodiments, several machines may be interconnected via a LAN to a local CPU which transmits data to the remote server, typically using the internet. The combination of one or more remote machines and the central monitoring site form a Virtual Private Network (VPN). An optional feature allows for e-mail or other type of alert messages to be sent from the remote server in response to the identification of one or more predetermined events for which a customer should immediately be notified. Browse and query tools working against a database of machine information are provided so that authorized customers or other interested parties may view data for individual or groups of coin-operated machines by means of a web page accessed via the internet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Steven J. Blad