Flush Mounted Card Shuffler with Shuffling Mechanism Below a Gaming Table Surface

Abstract

A device for forming a random set of playing cards is disclosed. The device comprises: a top surface and a bottom surface of the device. A single card receiving area is provided for receiving an initial set of playing cards. A randomizing system for randomizing an order of the initial set of playing cards is provided. A card collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards one at a time into the card collection area, the collection surface receiving cards so that all cards are received below the top surface of the device is also provided. An image capture device reads rank and suit of each card before each card is received on the card collection surface. An elevator raises the card collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated at least to the top surface of the device. A processor controls operation of the device. A motor drives the elevator, wherein an encoder is provided for communication with the motor, and wherein the encoder provides a signal indicating that a shuffle has occurred. Embodiments include a processor that creates commands and then receives system signals verifying that the commands were properly executed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An automatic card shuffling apparatus, comprising:
 a top surface, wherein the automatic card shuffling machine is mountable in an opening in a gaming table surface such that the upper surface is substantially flush with respect to a gaming table surface;   card receiving area and a shuffled card return area, both areas accessible from the top surface;   a shuffling mechanism that randomly or pseudo randomly shuffles the cards beneath the upper surface;   an elevator that raises shuffled cards to an elevation above the shuffling mechanism;   a support surface for retaining shuffled cards in the shuffled card return area; and   a microprocessor for controlling the operation of the shuffling apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . The automatic card shuffling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the card receiving area has a lower support surface that is moveable in a vertical direction by means of an elevator. 
     
     
         3 . The automatic card shuffling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the card receiving area has a lower support surface that is stationary. 
     
     
         4 . The automatic card shuffling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface is substantially planar. 
     
     
         5 . The automatic card shuffling apparatus of  claim 1 , and further comprising at least one visual display mounted in the top surface. 
     
     
         6 . The automatic card shuffling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elevator raises shuffled cards into the shuffled card return area. 
     
     
         7 . The automatic card shuffling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the card receiving area is recessed with respect to the top surface. 
     
     
         8 . The automatic card shuffling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the card receiving area has a lower support surface. 
     
     
         9 . The automatic card shuffling apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the lower support surface is sloped. 
     
     
         10 . The automatic card shuffling apparatus of  claim 8 , and further comprising a pick-off roller extending through the lower support surface. 
     
     
         11 . The automatic card shuffling apparatus of  claim 10 , and further comprising a pair of rollers that receives cards moved by the pick-off roller and moves cards onto the elevator. 
     
     
         12 . The automatic card shuffling apparatus of  claim 1 , and further comprising a stationary card insertion slot in the card receiving area, and further comprising a pair of spaced apart grippers attached to a frame for suspending at least one card elevated by the elevator above the slot during shuffling. 
     
     
         13 . The automatic card shuffling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the elevator comprises a card support surface, wherein the card support surface raises cards into the shuffled card return area after shuffling. 
     
     
         14 . A method of shuffling cards, comprising:
 receiving a group of cards in a card receiving area accessible from a gaming table surface;   randomizing the cards at an elevation beneath the gaming table surface; and   elevating the cards to a location accessible from the gaming table surface.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , and further comprising supporting the randomized cards on a surface that elevates into a shuffled card return area. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the group of cards is a single deck of cards. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the elevated cards is a single deck of cards. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the location accessible from the gaming table surface comprises a shuffled card return area. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein cards are received in the card receiving area such that at least a portion of each card is located below the gaming table surface. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein cards are positioned face-down, wherein each card is located below the gaming table surface. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of randomizing comprises moving a card from the card receiving area to a stack, dividing the stack at a randomly determined location to form a gap, and inserting the moving card into the gap. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , and further comprising reuniting the divided stack to form a single stack.