Patents by Inventor Steven Louis Forte

Steven Louis Forte 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: 20180126254
    Abstract: An automatic playing card shuffler incorporating cameras, non-imaging sensors, embedded systems and/or micro-vision systems for detecting anomalies and undesired markings on playing cards. Combinations of cameras, non-imaging sensors, embedded systems and/or micro-vision systems integrated in or proximate to automatic playing cards shufflers collect images and card information for analysis to determine if anomalies and undesired markings on playing cards are indicative of a scam or worn cards, or provide skilled players with an advantage to determine if anomalies and undesired markings on playing cards are indicative of a scam, unintentional, or the result of normal manufacturing variances, which could provide skilled players with an advantage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Earnest Riordan, Louis Wilson DeGregorio, Dino Louis DeGregorio, Steven Louis Forte
  • Patent number: 9943751
    Abstract: An automatic playing card shuffler incorporating means for detecting marked cards. One or more light spectrum emitters or variable light spectrum illuminators transmit light at frequencies/wavelengths which is reflected off card backs through one or more spectrum filters causing invisible markings to become visible. A camera may capture images of the now visible markings. A camera and software collaborate to capture images and analyze the same for markings on the card backs such as smudges, nicks and scuffs and edge demarcations. The automatic playing card shufflers are configured to not only detect marked cards but to detect patterns relative to the card markings. The automatic card shufflers are communicatively linked with a casino management system and/or security system such that casino personnel may be alerted in real time to the discovery of marked cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Shark Trap Gaming & Security Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Earnest Riordan, Louis Wilson DeGregorio, Dino Louis DeGregorio, Steven Louis Forte
  • Patent number: 9873034
    Abstract: A single deck shuffler includes a pre-shuffle bin, card-selector assembly, drive wheel and post-shuffle bin. The pre-shuffle bin is configured to accept a single deck of cards. While in the pre-shuffle bin, a modest downward force is applied to the single deck of cards. A base of the pre-shuffle bin is an independent member that selectively raises and lowers the deck of cards pursuant to a randomly-selected card number (e.g., 1-52). Once positioned correctly based on the randomly-selected card number, an upper body of the card-selector assembly moves forward to push a number of cards off the top of the deck corresponding to the randomly-selected card number thereby exposing a bottom card (i.e., the randomly-selected card) to a drive wheel. The drive wheel propels the card from the pre-shuffle bin into the post-shuffle bin. The process is repeated until each card is propelled into the post-shuffle bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Earnest Riordan, Louis Wilson DeGregorio, Dino Louis DeGregorio, Steven Louis Forte, Westley Thomas Davis, Zachary Joesph Cook, Joseph William Riesen, Brendan John O'Toole
  • Publication number: 20170319946
    Abstract: An automatic card shuffler to shuffle eight decks of cards (or less) and deal a round of Baccarat. The automatic shuffler comprises two pre-shuffle bins, each receiving approximately four decks of cards wherein the pre-shuffle bins are spaced apart from one another with card slides directing to a card-receiving area. Cards are randomly selected from the cards in each of the pre-shuffle bins and propelled onto the card slides directing the cards to the card-receiving area. Once a sufficient number of buffer cards (e.g., seven) have been deposited into the card-receiving area, a card flipper moves the seven cards against a face plate of an integral dealing shoe. A buffer-holder member maintains the buffer cards against the face plate for dealing as the card flipper returns to a home position to receive more shuffled cards while buffer cards are being dealt in a round of Baccarat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Earnest Riordan, Louis Wilson DeGregorio, Dino Louis DeGregorio, Steven Louis Forte, Westley Thomas Davis, Zachary Joesph Cook, Joseph William Riesen, Brendan John O'Toole
  • Publication number: 20170319945
    Abstract: A single deck shuffler includes a pre-shuffle bin, card-selector assembly, drive wheel and post-shuffle bin. The pre-shuffle bin is configured to accept a single deck of cards. While in the pre-shuffle bin, a modest downward force is applied to the single deck of cards. A base of the pre-shuffle bin is an independent member that selectively raises and lowers the deck of cards pursuant to a randomly-selected card number (e.g., 1-52). Once positioned correctly based on the randomly-selected card number, an upper body of the card-selector assembly moves forward to push a number of cards off the top of the deck corresponding to the randomly-selected card number thereby exposing a bottom card (i.e., the randomly-selected card) to a drive wheel. The drive wheel propels the card from the pre-shuffle bin into the post-shuffle bin. The process is repeated until each card is propelled into the post-shuffle bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Earnest Riordan, Louis Wilson DeGregorio, Dino Louis DeGregorio, Steven Louis Forte, Westley Thomas Davis, Zachary Joesph Cook, Joseph William Riesen, Brendan John O'Toole
  • Patent number: 9573047
    Abstract: A single deck shuffler includes a pre-shuffle bin, card-selector assembly, drive wheel and post-shuffle bin. The pre-shuffle bin is configured to accept a single deck of cards. While in the pre-shuffle bin, a modest downward force is applied to the single deck of cards. A base of the pre-shuffle bin is an independent member that selectively raises and lowers the deck of cards pursuant to a randomly-selected card number (e.g., 1-52). Once positioned correctly based on the randomly-selected card number, an upper body of the card-selector assembly moves forward to push a number of cards off the top of the deck corresponding to the randomly-selected card number thereby exposing a bottom card (i.e., the randomly-selected card) to a drive wheel. The drive wheel propels the card from the pre-shuffle bin into the post-shuffle bin. The process is repeated until each card is propelled into the post-shuffle bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Shark Trap Gaming & Security Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Earnest Riordan, Louis Wilson DeGregorio, Dino Louis DeGregorio, Steven Louis Forte, Westley Thomas Davis, Zachary Joseph Cook, Joseph William Riesen, Brendan John O'Toole