US5312104A — Card reader for blackjack table

Claim 1

Independent Claim 98 words

A device for reading a mark placed on selected cards of a deck of specialized playing cards in a game of blackjack to indicate to a dealer that the dealer has been dealt "21", comprising: (a) a housing having a means for receiving a playing card when such card is disposed face down in a blackjack table; (b) means for reading a mark on the card while the card is disposed adjacent said means for receiving; and (c) means for indicating when the dealer has been dealt "21", said indicating means being connected to said means for reading.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 98 words

A device for reading a mark placed on selected cards of a deck of specialized playing cards in a game of blackjack to indicate to a dealer that the dealer has been dealt "21", comprising: (a) a housing having a means for receiving a playing card when such card is disposed face down in a blackjack table; (b) means for reading a mark on the card while the card is disposed adjacent said means for receiving; and (c) means for indicating when the dealer has been dealt "21", said indicating means being connected to said means for reading.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 13 words

The device of claim 1, wherein said means for receiving is a hood.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 40 words

The device of claim 1, wherein said means for reading includes a sensor located within said housing and adapted to read the mark and, if the mark is present, to provide an output to send to said means for indicating.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 12 words

The device of claim 3, wherein said sensor is a magnetic sensor.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 12 words

The device of claim 3, wherein said sensor is an optic sensor.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 34 words

The device of claim 1, wherein said means for reading includes: (a) an electronic bar code reader located within said housing; and, (b) a means for decoding cooperating with said electronic bar code reader.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 14 words

The device of claim 1, wherein said means for indicating comprises a light means.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 19 words

The device of claim 1, wherein said means for reading is connected to the blackjack table in coplanar fashion.

Claim 10

Independent Claim 92 words

A device for reading a portion of a specialized playing card in a game of blackjack to indicate to a dealer that the dealer has been dealt a blackjack pair, comprising: a housing means having an upper member, said upper member defining a top surface and a card reading aperture; means for reading a portion of a specialized playing card, said means for reading being connected to said housing means adjacent said aperture; and means operatively associated with said reading means for informing a blackjack dealer of the presence of a blackjack.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 92 words

A device for reading a portion of a specialized playing card in a game of blackjack to indicate to a dealer that the dealer has been dealt a blackjack pair, comprising: a housing means having an upper member, said upper member defining a top surface and a card reading aperture; means for reading a portion of a specialized playing card, said means for reading being connected to said housing means adjacent said aperture; and means operatively associated with said reading means for informing a blackjack dealer of the presence of a blackjack.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 30 words

The device of claim 9, further comprising a means for receiving the portion of the specialized card to be read, said means for receiving being connected to said upper member.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 42 words

The device of claim 10, wherein said means for reading comprises: a means for reflecting an image of the portion of the specialized playing card through said card reading aperture when the specialized playing card is held against said means for receiving.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 23 words

The device of claim 11, wherein said means for reading further comprises a means for illuminating the portion of the specialized playing card.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 13 words

The device of claim 12, wherein said means for illuminating includes a lamp.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 13 words

The device of claim 11, wherein said means for reflecting is a mirror.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 19 words

The device of claim 9, wherein said means for reading is connected to a blackjack table in coplanar fashion.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 223 words

A method of using a card reading device for increasing the speed of play of a game of blackjack in a fair and secure manner, said card reading device being categorized as having a means for reading a portion of a specialized playing card while said playing card is disposed face down on said device, means for receiving said portion of said specialized playing card to be read, said means for receiving adapted to align said face down card with said means for reading; comprising the steps of: dealing a hand of blackjack to a plurality of players, including the dealer; ascertaining whether the dealer's down card is an Ace if the dealer's up card has a value of ten, and if said down card is an Ace, terminating the hand, or, alternatively, if said down card is other than an Ace, continuing to play; ascertaining whether the dealer's down card has a value of ten if the dealer's up card is an Ace, and if said down card has a value of ten terminating the hand, or, alternatively, if said down card does not have a value of ten, continuing to play; wherein the step of ascertaining whether the dealer's down card is an Ace is carried out using said card reading device to read a portion of said specialized playing card.

Claim 19

Independent Claim 223 words

A method of using a card reading device for increasing the speed of play of a game of blackjack in a fair and secure manner, said card reading device being categorized as having a means for reading a portion of a specialized playing card while said playing card is disposed face down on said device, means for receiving said portion of said specialized playing card to be read, said means for receiving adapted to align said face down card with said means for reading; comprising the steps of: dealing a hand of blackjack to a plurality of players, including the dealer; ascertaining whether the dealer's down card is an Ace if the dealer's up card has a value of ten, and if said down card is an Ace, terminating the hand, or, alternatively, if said down card is other than an Ace, continuing to play; ascertaining whether the dealer's down card has a value of ten if the dealer's up card is an Ace, and if said down card has a value of ten terminating the hand, or, alternatively, if said down card does not have a value of ten, continuing to play; wherein the step of ascertaining whether the dealer's down card is an Ace is carried out using said card reading device to read a portion of said specialized playing card.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 77 words

A device for sensing specialized indicia from a downwardly facing card on a playing table during the game of blackjack to determine if a dealer has been dealt "21", comprising: means for receiving a portion of a playing card having specialized indicia, the playing card being downwardly facing; means for sensing the presence of the specialized indicia; and means for informing the dealer when the dealer has been dealt "21" operatively associated with said means for sensing.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 77 words

A device for sensing specialized indicia from a downwardly facing card on a playing table during the game of blackjack to determine if a dealer has been dealt "21", comprising: means for receiving a portion of a playing card having specialized indicia, the playing card being downwardly facing; means for sensing the presence of the specialized indicia; and means for informing the dealer when the dealer has been dealt "21" operatively associated with said means for sensing.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 103 words

A device for reading a portion of each card of a deck of specialized playing cards in a game of blackjack to determine when a dealer has been dealt "21", comprising: (a) a deck of specialized playing card; (b) a housing having a top planar member defining a top planar surface; (c) means for reading a portion of each of said specialized playing cards while each said specialized playing card is disposed face down on a blackjack table and on said top planar surface; and (d) indicating means operatively associated with said reading means for indicating when the dealer has been dealt "21".

Claim 23

Independent Claim 103 words

A device for reading a portion of each card of a deck of specialized playing cards in a game of blackjack to determine when a dealer has been dealt "21", comprising: (a) a deck of specialized playing card; (b) a housing having a top planar member defining a top planar surface; (c) means for reading a portion of each of said specialized playing cards while each said specialized playing card is disposed face down on a blackjack table and on said top planar surface; and (d) indicating means operatively associated with said reading means for indicating when the dealer has been dealt "21".

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 30 words

The device of claim 18, further comprising means for receiving a corner of each of said specialized playing cards, said means for receiving being connected to said top planar surface.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 29 words

The device of claim 19, wherein said means for receiving is a hood attached to said top planar surface having at least two vertical side walls and a top.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 23 words

The device of claim 18, further comprising a case defining a recess, said housing being removably attached to said case within said recess.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 30 words

The device of claim 18, wherein all Ace cards of said specialized playing cards have first specialized indicia means at the upper right and lower left opposite diagonal corners thereof.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 32 words

The device of claim 22, wherein all ten value cards of said specialized playing cards have second specialized indicia means at the upper left and lower left right opposite diagonal corners thereof.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 25 words

The device of claim 18, wherein said means for reading comprises an optic sensor electrically connected to said means for indicating and a power source.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 28 words

The device of claim 23, wherein said means for reading is a magnetic sensor and said first and second specialized indicia means is comprised of a ferromagnetic material.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 24 words

The device of claim 18, wherein all Ace cards of said specialized playing cards have first bar code means at opposite diagonal corners thereof.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 25 words

The device of claim 26, wherein all ten value cards of said specialized playing cards have second bar code means at opposite diagonal corners thereof.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 17 words

The device of claim 27, wherein said means for reading comprises a means for reading bar code.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 49 words

The device of claim 18, wherein said means for indicating is a light means connected to a power source, said light means being energized when said means for reading senses that the specialized playing card being read is of a desired value, indicating that the blackjack dealer has "21."

Claim 35

Independent Claim 76 words

A device for reading a portion of a specialized playing card in a game of blackjack to indicate to a dealer that the dealer has been dealt "21," comprising: a housing, said housing including an upper member defining an upper surface and an aperture; a means for reading a portion of a specialized playing card when the portion is positioned in registry with said aperture; and means for indicating when the dealer has been dealt "21."

Claim 36

Independent Claim 76 words

A device for reading a portion of a specialized playing card in a game of blackjack to indicate to a dealer that the dealer has been dealt "21," comprising: a housing, said housing including an upper member defining an upper surface and an aperture; a means for reading a portion of a specialized playing card when the portion is positioned in registry with said aperture; and means for indicating when the dealer has been dealt "21."

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 28 words

The device of claim 30, further comprising a means for receiving the portion of the specialized playing card, said means for receiving being connected to said upper member.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 40 words

The device of claim 30, wherein said means for reading comprises a means for reflecting the image of the portion of the specialized playing card through said aperture when the specialized playing card is held against said means for receiving.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 18 words

The device of claim 32, further comprising a means for illuminating the portion of the specialized playing card.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1997-05-16	1997-11-15	1998-05-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2001-05-16	2001-11-15	2002-05-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2005-05-16	2005-11-15	2006-05-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Card reader for blackjack table

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