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CLAIMS
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A playing card system comprising:
a face side displaying markings having value in a game; and
a barrier hiding the markings of the face side, wherein the barrier is
a lid on a case and the face side is an interior side of the case,
wherein the barrier may be adjusted by a user to reveal the
markings on the face side.
2. The playing card system of claim 1, wherein the barrier is a sliding lid.
3. The playing card system of claim 1, wherein the barrier is a pivoting lid.
4. The playing card system of claim 1, wherein the barrier is a hinged lid.
5. The playing card system of claim 1, further comprising a notch on the
barrier, the notch configured to limit adjustment of the barrier to a pre- determined range, wherein the notch physically contacts an edge and
prevents further adjustment of the barrier.
6. The playing card system of claim 5, further comprising a closing edge on
the case, the closing edge configured to fix the barrier in a position by
physically contacting the notch and whereby the signifying marks are
hidden.
7. The playing card system of claim 5, further comprising a stopping edge on
the case, the stopping edge configured to prevent adjustment of the
barrier upon the barrier having been adjusted to a pre-determined
position by physically contacting the notch.
8. The playing card system of claim 5, further comprising another notch and
another stopping edge.
9. The playing card system of claim I 1 wherein the face side is configured to
separably attach to and from the case.
10. The playing card system of claim 1, wherein at least one side is rounded.
11. A playing card kit comprising a plurality of playing cards, each card
comprising:
a face side displaying markings having value in a game; and
a barrier hiding the markings of the face side, wherein the barrier is
a lid on a case and the face side is an interior side of the case,
wherein the barrier may be adjusted by a user to reveal the
markings on the face side.
12. The kit of claim 11, wherein the markings differ for each card in the kit.
13. The kit of claim 11, wherein the plurality of playing cards comprises fifty-
two playing cards.
14. The kit of claim 13, wherein the markings comprises thirteen ranks in four
suits.
15. The kit of claim 14, wherein the thirteen ranks are Ace, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
10, Jack, Queen, and King.
16. The kit of claim 14, wherein the four suits are hearts, diamonds, clubs, and
spades.
17. The kit of claim 13, wherein the set further comprises at least one joker
card.
18. A shuffling system, comprising:
at least one set of playing cards, each of the playing cards
comprising:
a face side displaying markings having value in a game; and
a barrier hiding the markings of the face side, wherein the
barrier is a lid on a case and the face side is an interior side
of the case, wherein the barrier may be adjusted by a user to
reveal the markings on the face side;
a shuffler configured to shuffle the at least one set of playing cards,
the shuffler comprising:
a body configured to accommodate randomizing agitation of
the at least one set of playing cards;
an opening large enough to allow entry and exit of the
plurality of playing cards; and
a randomizing agitation mechanism, the mechanism
configured to randomly rearrange the plurality of
playing cards located in the body of the shuffler.
19. The shuffling system of claim 18, further comprising a door to close the
opening of the body.
20. The shuffling system of claim 18, wherein the agitation mechanism is
automated. |
PLAYING CARD SYSTEM
by
Binh Quach
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application serial number 60/735,791, titled "Easy To Shuffle Playing
Cards" and filed November 10, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] This present invention relates, generally, to the field of gaming, and more
particularly to playing cards used in games.
Description of Related Art
[0003] Various games require the use of one or more playing cards. While there
are many possible variations of playing cards, a standard deck of playing cards
generally consists of fifty-two playing cards, each with different markings. The
fifty-two cards may be categorized by their markings into four different suits
with thirteen ranks in each suit. The four suits are generally hearts, diamonds,
spades, and clubs. The thirteen ranks are generally Ace (A) 7 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
Jack (J), Queen (Q), and King (K). The suits and ranks may have different values
and/or significance in different games. Occasionally, a standard deck is packaged
with one or more Joker cards.
[0004] Each playing card in a standard deck is generally constructed of a sheet of
paper or plastic. One side, the face side, displays the suit and rank. The other
side, the back side, generally does not indicate the markings on the face side.
This back side may instead display a variety of designs. Possible designs may
include a manufacturer's logo, a distributor's design, an artistic design, a novelty
design, or any of various custom designs. In a standard deck of cards, all fifty-
two cards generally display the same design on their back side.
[0005] Examples of games commonly played with at least one standard deck of
playing cards includes poker, blackjack, bridge, gin rummy, go fish, and various
others. Many of these card games may include elements of chance. To ensure a
fair game in a game of chance, players must be dealt playing cards at random.
Such randomization may be achieved through shuffling of the cards. Shuffling
the playing cards randomly reorders a deck to produce a different permutation
in the order of the playing cards of the deck, which contributes to the random
distribution of playing cards to each player
[0006] There are a variety possible shuffling techniques and a wide range in the
quality of randomization resulting from these techniques. Good randomization
of a deck of cards may require multiple shuffles using different shuffling
techniques. Some games require that a deck be randomized multiple times
throughout the course of the game or series of games. These multiple acts of
randomization may consume a good deal of playing time. Furthermore, shuffling
skills may vary from player-to-player due to differences in experience and/or
manual dexterity. There are also many opportunities for mistakes, such as
inadvertently revealing the markings on one or more cards during the act of
shuffling. In the event of such a mistake, the exposed card may simply be
returned to the deck, which may be shuffled again or subjected to more extensive
shuffling to ensure the randomization of the deck. Some games and/or the
players of the same may regard such mistakes very seriously. As such, some
players may choose to abort the current game and start a new one as a result of
the card exposure. In the hands of an inexperienced and/or unskilled player,
shuffling may be even more time-consuming than it already needs to be and
possibly even disruptive to the game.
[0007] Inexperienced and/or unskilled shuffles may also result in poorly
randomized cards. Poor randomization may decrease the chance element in
games of chance, which may give some players an unfair advantage or
disadvantage. Poor randomization may also affect a player's ability to bluff if
other players can predict what cards he or she actually holds. The ability to bluff
may be a very important part of the strategy in various card games (e.g., poker).
Bluffing depends, in part, on restricting players from seeing or knowing the suit
or rank of the playing cards dealt to their opponents. Dealing playing cards faceĀ¬
down may be one way to allow a player to access and see only his or her own
playing cards. Different types of playing cards, decks of playing cards, and/or
card games may utilize different systems of markings, shuffling, and/or dealing.
[0008] Another possible danger with respect to randomization is intentional and
illicit manipulation of the cards by a player who is highly skilled at shuffling
and/or dealing. A player with a stake in the outcome of the game may be capable
of manipulating that outcome by deliberately shuffling and/or dealing the cards
into a non-randomized and/or predictable order to achieve a predetermined,
unfair result. To minimize manipulation, players may perform a procedure
commonly referred to as 'cutting the deck.' After the deck is shuffled, a non-
shuffling party may 'cut the deck' by selecting a random number of contiguous
cards from anywhere in the deck and moving those cards elsewhere in the deck,
while keeping all cards face-down. This procedure, when combined with
shuffling and dealing, further adds to the time-consuming nature of ensuring
proper randomization of the deck of cards, especially if shuffling, dealing, and
cutting have to be performed multiple times. There is, therefore, a need for
improved systems and methods for efficiently maintaining the randomness and
secrecy of playing card distribution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In various embodiments, the invention includes a playing card, with a
face side displaying markings that are significant in a game. The invention, in
various embodiments, further includes an adjustable barrier that shields the
markings from view. The adjustable barrier helps to prevent opponents from
accidentally and/or purposefully peeking at one's cards.
[0010] Some embodiments of the invention comprise one or more sets of fifty-
two playing cards, each with adjustable barriers hiding the signifying markings
on their face side. The markings on these sets of the invention may be the same
as the markings on a standard deck of cards. Therefore, these sets may be used in
the same and/or similar games as those utilizing one or more standard decks of
cards.
[0011] Some embodiments of the invention further include a shuffler to be used
with one or more sets. The shuffler randomizes the order and/or arrangement of
the one or more sets through an agitation mechanism. Various embodiments of
the agitation mechanism may include shaking, spinning, mixing, and others. The
shuffling system of the invention minimizes manipulation by giving players the
ability to hide the markings of the cards before it is placed in a shuffler and keeps
them hidden during shuffling and dealing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Fig. IA illustrates an example of a face side of a playing card as found in
the prior art.
[0013] Fig. IB illustrates an example of a back side of a playing card as found in
the prior art.
[0014] Fig. 2A illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary encased playing
card, according to various embodiments of the present invention.
[0015] Fig. 2B illustrates a plan view of the front of an exemplary encased
playing card, according to various embodiments of the present invention.
[0016] Fig. 2C illustrates a plan view of the back of an exemplary encased playing
card, according to various embodiments of the present invention.
[0017] Fig. 3A illustrates a notched lid of an exemplary encased playing card,
according to various embodiments of the present invention.
[0018] Fig. 3B illustrates a closing edge and a stopping edge on an exemplary
encased playing card, according to various embodiments of the present
invention.
[0019] Fig. 4A illustrates an exemplary shuffler as may be implemented in
various embodiments of the present invention.
[0020] Fig. 4B illustrates an exemplary shuffling system, according to various
embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a playing card with
an adjustable barrier on the face side of the playing card. The barrier may be
adjusted by a player to hide or reveal the markings (e.g., rank or suit) on the face
side of the playing card. Various embodiments of the present invention include
one or more sets of these playing cards wherein the face side of each card is
hidden by the adjustable barrier. The markings on the face side of each card may
have varying degrees of significance in terms of specific meaning, value, and/or
status for a player in various games. Some embodiments of the present
invention include at least one set of fifty-two playing cards with the same
markings as a standard deck of cards.
[0022] In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one set of cards
wherein the face side of the card is hidden by an adjustable barrier is shuffled in
a shuffler by, for example, manually spinning the shuffler. Cards may then be
dealt by a designated dealer from the shuffler, or the randomized cards may be
chosen from the shuffler by the players themselves. A player can reveal the
markings on his or her cards to themselves or any other appropriate party by
adjusting the barrier on each card. For example, a player may slide the barrier
open to review the cards that they have been dealt. At the end of the game (e.g. a
hand of poker), the players can adjust the barriers on each card to reveal or again
hide the card markings, and the cards may be placed back in the shuffler to be
shuffled for the next game.
[0023] Fig. IA illustrates an example of a face side 110 of a playing card from a
standard deck of cards as may be found in the prior art. The face side 110 of a
playing card typically displays markings that have some significance in a game.
In a standard deck of cards, these markings include rank 130 and suit 140. Fig. IB
illustrates an example of a back side of a playing card as may be found in the
prior art. The back side 120 of a card may display a design that has no particular
significance in a game.
[0024] Fig. 2A illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary encased playing
card, according to various embodiments of the present invention. Playing card
system 200 comprises a face side 110 of a card, a back side 120 of a card, and
further includes an adjustable barrier 210 that may hide markings on the face
side 110. . In the illustrated embodiment, the playing card system 200 would
shaped as a rectangular prism when it is in a closed position. A closed position
includes, for example, one where the markings on the face side 110 of the playing
card system 200 are completely hidden. Other embodiments of playing card
system 200 may include different shapes and sizes. For example, sides and/or
corners can be rounded.
[0025] Fig. 2B illustrates a plan view of the front of an exemplary encased
playing card, according to various embodiments of the present invention. As
illustrated in Fig. 2B, the adjustable barrier 210 can be adjusted to reveal the
markings of the playing card, including rank 130 and suit 140, if any, on the face
side 110 of the playing card 200.
[0026] In the embodiment depicted in Figs. 2A-C, the barrier 210 is a sliding lid
of an encased playing card system 200. The playing card system 200 in the
presently illustrated embodiment may comprise grooves that conform to the
shape and size of the barrier 210. The barrier 210 may be configured to slide
back and forth easily in the aforementioned grooves. The face side 110 is an
interior side of the playing card system 200. The markings, which may include
rank 130 and/or suit 140, on the face side 110 may be visible only when the
barrier 210 is adjusted to certain positions. In other positions, the markings on
the face side 110 may be hidden.
[0027] Fig. 2C illustrates a plan view of the back of an exemplary encased playing
card system 200, according to various embodiments of the present invention. The
back side 120 is the underside of the playing card system 200. Any design that
could be displayed on a back side of a standard playing card can be displayed on
the back side 120 of the playing card system 200 according to the various
embodiments of the present invention. Further, any of those designs can also be
displayed on the barrier 210.
[0028] Fig 3A illustrates a notched lid of an exemplary encased playing card,
according to various embodiments of the present invention. In the presently
illustrated embodiment the sliding lid barrier 210 comprises a notch 310, located
on the underside of the barrier 210. In various embodiments, the notch 310 may
appear in a variety of shapes, sizes, depths, and/or locations on the barrier 210. In
the embodiment pictured in Fig. 3A, the notch 310 is configured as a raised line
along the underside of the barrier 210. However, other embodiments may
include different shapes, sizes, depths, and/or positions. Various embodiments of
a notch 310 may also include different depths ranging from protrusion to
indentation on the barrier 210.
[0029] Fig. 3B is an illustration of an embodiment of a portion of the playing card
200 wherein barrier 210 not pictured for ease of illustration. In the embodiment
pictured in Fig 3B, the playing card system 200 further comprises a closing edge
320. The closing edge 320 and notch 310 can coordinate to fix the barrier 210 in a
closed position in the context of the playing card system 200. Like notch 310, the
closing edge 320 may be expressed differently in various embodiments, for
example, in different shapes, sizes, depths, and/or locations on the barrier 210.
The configuration of the closing edge 320 corresponds to the configuration of
notch 310 to hold the barrier closed. The notch 310 and closing edge 320 should
be able to respond to user adjustment with minimal effort on the user's part. A
user should be able to easily adjust the barrier into and out of a closed position
with a minimal degree of physical effort but not so little effort that the barrier
inadvertently comes open during, for example, the act of shuffling.
[0030] Fig. 3B further illustrates a stopping edge 330 on playing card system 200.
The stopping edge 330 works with a notch 310 to prevent further user
adjustment away from closed position. Like the closing edge 320, the stopping
edge 330 may be configured differently in various embodiments, for example, in
different shapes, sizes, positions, and/or depths. The configuration of the
stopping edge 320 corresponds to the configuration of notch 310 to stop the
barrier from adjusting further away from closed position. In embodiments where
the barrier 210 is a sliding lid, the notch 310 and the stopping edge 330 prevent
the barrier 210 from sliding completely out and detaching completely. The
stopping edge 330 accomplishes this by catching the notch 310 before that
detachment can happen and stopping the barrier 210 from adjusting towards
positions where detachment can occur.
[0031] In some embodiments, the barrier 210 may be a pivoting lid. In such an
embodiment, a stopping edge 330 would only allow the barrier 210 to pivot
within certain ranges around an axis. In various embodiments, a stopping edge
330 may work with a different notch on the barrier 210 than the notch working
with a closing edge 320. Various embodiments may also include multiple notches
310, closing edges 320, and stopping edges 330. Other embodiments are
envisioned including, for example, a hinged lid.
[0032] Fig. 4A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a shuffler 400. A shuffler
400 comprises a body 420 configured to hold multiple shuffling playing card
systems (200), an opening 410 large enough for a playing card 200 to enter and
exit the body 420, and an agitation mechanism 440. Fig. 4A illustrates a large
spherical cage embodiment. In various other embodiments, the body 420 may be
configured differently in different shapes, sizes, and transparencies. For example,
the body 420 may be an opaque cylinder capable of shuffling hundreds of
playing cards 200; it may also be a clear cube capable of shuffling only one set of
fifty- two playing cards 200.
[0033] In the shuffling system illustrated in Fig, 4B, playing cards 200 enters the
body 420 through an opening 410. The opening 410 may be configured
differently in various embodiments, such as different shapes and sizes. In the
illustrated embodiment, the opening 410 appears as a round hole in the body 420
of the shuffler 400. Other embodiments of the opening 410 may include a slot or
a funnel. Some embodiments of the invention may further comprise a door 430 to
cover the opening 410. The agitation mechanism 440 is a mechanism that
randomly rearranges the plurality of playing cards 200 contained in the body 420
of the shuffler 400.
[0034] Various embodiments of the shuffler 400 may comprise various agitation
mechanisms 440, which shuffle by shaking, spinning, mixing, and/or various
other ways of rearranging the playing cards. With a traditional deck of playing
cards as may be found in the prior art, such a shuffler or agitation mechanism
could not be used as to do so would result in the exposure of various markings
on a playing card. This exposure would eradicate the unpredictability and/or
secrecy that are important elements in many card games. These problems are
solved by the barrier 210 component of the playing card system 200, which
prevents exposure of the markings, which may include rank 130 and suit 140, on
the face side 110 of the playing card system 200, while still allowing for varied
options in shuffling. Significantly, embodiments of the present invention allow
for quick and efficient methods of shuffling even in the absence of traditional
shuffling skills and/or dexterity.
[0035] In many casinos and home games, various card games require that
someone shuffle and deal the cards. With dealers, there is always a danger of
dealer manipulation and/or mistake. A skilled dealer may be able to deal one or
more known cards from anywhere in the deck; and an unskilled dealer may deal
a player too many or too few cards or flip cards over inadvertently. If anyone
sees markings that he or she is not supposed to, an unfair advantage or
disadvantage may arise. Dealer manipulation and/or mistake may be minimized
by the shuffler 400, because the dealer does not handle the playing cards 200
directly. Because dealer manipulation is minimized, the need for a cut is also
reduced. Because the markings of playing cards can be kept secret before,
during, and after a shuffle, the shuffling system further allows each player to
choose his or her next playing card 200. This may introduce an additional
randomization element to the randomization created by one or more shuffles in a
shuffler 400.
[0036] The embodiments discussed herein are illustrative. These embodiments
are described with reference to illustrations; various modifications or adaptations
of the methods and or specific structures described may be apparent to those
skilled in the art. All such modifications, adaptations, or variations that rely
upon the teachings herein, and through which these teachings have advanced
the art, are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the various
embodiments. Hence, these descriptions and drawings should not be considered
in a limiting sense, as it is understood that the present invention is in no way
limited to only the embodiments illustrated.