Patents by Inventor Thompson A. Baker
Thompson A. Baker 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).
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Patent number: 10092821Abstract: Card-handling devices may include a randomizer configured to randomize ordering of playing cards in a set of playing cards. An output may be configured to present a group of cards at a time from the randomizer for removal from the card-handling device. An image capturer may be positioned and configured to capture image data of at least a portion of each playing card handled by the randomizer, the image data comprising at least a suit and a rank of each playing card. A nontransitory memory device may be operatively connected to the randomizer and to the image capturer, the nontransitory memory device configured to store at least the image data and group assignment data of each playing card in each group of cards presented for removal by the output. A display may be operatively connected to the nontransitory memory, the display configured to display a history of the image data and group assignment data of each playing card in each group of cards presented for removal by the output upon request.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2017Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: Bally Technology, Inc.Inventors: Lynn C. Hessing, Daniel J. Mahoney, Steven J. Blad, Thompson A. Baker
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Publication number: 20170304712Abstract: Card-handling devices may include a randomizer configured to randomize ordering of playing cards in a set of playing cards. An output may be configured to present a group of cards at a time from the randomizer for removal from the card-handling device. An image capturer may be positioned and configured to capture image data of at least a portion of each playing card handled by the randomizer, the image data comprising at least a suit and a rank of each playing card. A nontransitory memory device may be operatively connected to the randomizer and to the image capturer, the nontransitory memory device configured to store at least the image data and group assignment data of each playing card in each group of cards presented for removal by the output. A display may be operatively connected to the nontransitory memory, the display configured to display a history of the image data and group assignment data of each playing card in each group of cards presented for removal by the output upon request.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventors: Lynn C. Hessing, Daniel J. Mahoney, Steven J. Blad, Thompson A. Baker
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Patent number: 9700785Abstract: The present invention features a playing card shuffling device, which through the use of a small image capturing means, captures an image of a face value of each card and stores the image in memory. This image is sorted in the format of a bitmap image. An operator of the device would be able to recall, through the use of a keypad, the images of the cards that comprised 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: GrantFiled: April 12, 2016Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Lynn C. Hessing, Daniel J. Mahoney, Steven J. Blad, Thompson A. Baker
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Publication number: 20160236067Abstract: The present invention features a playing card shuffling device, which through the use of a small image capturing means, captures an image of a face value of each card and stores the image in memory. This image is sorted in the format of a bitmap image. An operator of the device would be able to recall, through the use of a keypad, the images of the cards that comprised 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: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: Lynn C. Hessing, Daniel J. Mahoney, Steven J. Blad, Thompson A. Baker
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Patent number: 9333415Abstract: The present invention features a playing card shuffling device, which through the use of a small image capturing means, captures an image of a face value of each card and stores the image in memory. This image is sorted in the format of a bitmap image. An operator of the device would be able to recall, through the use of a keypad, the images of the cards that comprised 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: GrantFiled: May 12, 2014Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Lynn Hessing, Daniel J. Mahoney, Steven J. Blad, Thompson A. Baker
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Publication number: 20140246831Abstract: The present invention features a playing card shuffling device, which through the use of a small image capturing means, captures an image of a face value of each card and stores the image in memory. This image is sorted in the format of a bitmap image. An operator of the device would be able to recall, through the use of a keypad, the images of the cards that comprised 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: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: SHFL entertainment, Inc.Inventors: Lynn Hessing, Daniel J. Mahoney, Steven J. Blad, Thompson A. Baker
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Patent number: 8814164Abstract: An apparatus for randomly arranging and dealing a plurality of playing cards includes a device for moving cards and randomly ejecting playing cards from an initial set of playing cards located in a card input unit for an initial delivery of randomly arranged playing cards to a card delivery unit. The card delivery unit includes upper powered rollers and lower powered belts for receiving and transporting the playing cards through the card delivery unit and into a card collection unit. A playing card limiter is adjustable to allow a greater number or a lesser number of cards to pass from the card delivery unit to the card collection unit. Methods of randomly arranging and dealing a plurality of playing cards may include related apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2013Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.Inventors: Thompson Baker, Steven J. Blad, Lynn Hessing, Phil Price, Carl W. Price
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Publication number: 20130256989Abstract: An apparatus for randomly arranging and dealing a plurality of playing cards includes a device for moving cards and randomly ejecting playing cards from an initial set of playing cards located in a card input unit for an initial delivery of randomly arranged playing cards to a card delivery unit. The card delivery unit includes upper powered rollers and lower powered belts for receiving and transporting the playing cards through the card delivery unit and into a card collection unit. A playing card limiter is adjustable to allow a greater number or a lesser number of cards to pass from the card delivery unit to the card collection unit. Methods of randomly arranging and dealing a plurality of playing cards may include related apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Inventors: Thompson Baker, Steven J. Blad, Lynn Hessing, Phil Price, Carl W. Price
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Patent number: 8444146Abstract: An apparatus for randomly arranging and dealing a plurality of playing cards includes a device for moving cards and randomly ejecting playing cards from an initial set of playing cards located in a card input unit for an initial delivery of randomly arranged playing cards to a card delivery unit. The card delivery unit includes upper powered rollers and lower powered belts for receiving and transporting the playing cards through the card delivery unit and into a card collection unit. A playing card limiter is adjustable to allow a greater number or a lesser number of cards to pass from the card delivery unit to the card collection unit. Methods of randomly arranging and dealing a plurality of playing cards may include related apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2010Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: SHFL Entertainment, Inc.Inventors: Thompson Baker, Steven J. Blad, Lynn Hessing, Phil Price, Carl W. Price
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Publication number: 20100219582Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Inventors: Thompson Baker, Steven J. Blad, Lynn Hessing, Phil Price, Carl W. Price
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Patent number: 7669852Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 22, 2006Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Shuffle Master, Inc.Inventors: Thompson Baker, Steven J. Blad, Lynn Hessing, Phil Price, Carl W. Price
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Patent number: 7594660Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 22, 2006Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: Shuffle Master, Inc.Inventors: Thompson Baker, Steven J. Blad, Lynn Hessing, Phil Price, Carl W. Price
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Patent number: 7461843Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 8, 2004Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: Elixir Gaming Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Thompson Baker, Steven J. Blad, Lynn Hessing, Phil Price, Carl W. Price
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Publication number: 20060220312Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2006Publication date: October 5, 2006Inventors: Thompson Baker, Steven Blad, Lynn Hessing, Phil Price, Carl Price
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Publication number: 20060220313Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2006Publication date: October 5, 2006Inventors: Thompson Baker, Steven Blad, Lynn Hessing, Phil Price, Carl Price
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Patent number: 6959925Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 14, 2004Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: VendingData CorporationInventors: Thompson Baker, Steven J. Blad, Lynn Hessing, Phil Price, Carl W. Price
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Patent number: 6698756Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 23, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: VendingData CorporationInventors: Thompson Baker, Steven J. Blad, Lynn Hessing, Phil Price, Carl W. Price
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Publication number: 20040036214Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2002Publication date: February 26, 2004Inventors: Thompson Baker, Steven J. Blad, Lynn Hessing, Phil Price, Carl W. Price
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Patent number: 4609090Abstract: Method and apparatus for minimizing the work required for moving, handling, and rolling heavy boxes and the like having a center of gravity. The apparatus incorporates a ramp contoured to the locus of points described by the surfaces of the workpiece as that workpiece rotates about its center of gravity, as that center of gravity is horizontally translated while simultaneously maintained at constant vertical elevation.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1982Date of Patent: September 2, 1986Inventors: George V. McIlvaine, Thompson A. Baker, Walter U. Uebelacker