U.S. patent application number 10/436040 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-18 for apparatus and method for generating numbers.
Invention is credited to Romano, James P..
Application Number | 20040229681 10/436040 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33417075 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040229681 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Romano, James P. |
November 18, 2004 |
Apparatus and method for generating numbers
Abstract
A hand held device includes an oscillator driving a
microcontroller having as a part of its program a counter actuable
by a user to initiate a program count function, counting through a
predetermined range of numbers until the program count function is
terminated manually at any moment of the user's choosing. The
number in the counter at the moment of termination of the count is
visually displayed and/or stored in electronic memory. The
microcontroller contains a plurality of game parameter data
indicative of the lowest and highest numbers in the range and the
number of selections to be made in generating a group of numbers.
Switches on the device permit the user to select the active game
data, to initiate the first program count function, to terminate
the program count function and to reinitiate the program count
function following each termination until the requisite number of
selections has been made. A further feature permits the base
frequency of the oscillator, and thus the counting rate of the
counter, to be varied as a function of some external parameter such
as a biometric parameter of the user, for example, by detuning the
oscillator through a touch pad on the device housing. Visual and/or
audible indicia provide a perceptible indication of the relative
counting rate. A further, optional feature permits replacement game
parameter data to be downloaded from an external source, and stored
in nonvolatile memory for use by the microcontroller.
Inventors: |
Romano, James P.; (Syracuse,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BOND, SCHOENECK & KING, PLLC
ONE LINCOLN CENTER
SYRACUSE
NY
13202-1355
US
|
Family ID: |
33417075 |
Appl. No.: |
10/436040 |
Filed: |
May 12, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/22 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07C 15/006
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/022 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A handheld device for generating one or more numbers, said
device comprising: a) an electronic circuit including an
electrically powered oscillator, a counter driven by said
oscillator, and a microcontroller having a memory wherein is stored
at least one set of parametric game data including at least
identification of a predetermined set of numbers which may be
generated; b) means on said device manually operable by a user
thereof for causing said counter to begin a program count function,
continuously and repeatedly counting through said predetermined set
of numbers, and for interrupting said program count function at a
time of the user's choosing; and c) indicating means on said device
for informing the user of the number in said counter at the moment
of interrupting said program count function.
2. The device of claim 1 and further including means for manually
and selectively changing said predetermined set of numbers.
3. The device of claim 2 and further including means for
automatically resuming said program count function following
interruption thereof.
4. The device of claim 3 and further including electronic storage
means for storing said number in said counter at the moment of
interrupting said program count.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for causing said
counter to begin said program count function comprise a manually
operable switch.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein said means for interrupting said
program count function comprise said manually operable switch.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein said oscillator is constructed to
have a base frequency, and further including detuning means
operable to vary said base frequency and thereby the counting rate
of said counter.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein said detuning means is responsive
to a biometric parameter of a user holding said handheld
device.
9. The device of claim 8 and further including a touch pad on said
device for providing an input to said detuning means in response to
physical contact of said touchpad by a user holding said handheld
device.
10. The device of claim 9 and further including means on said
device providing perceptible indicia commensurate with said
counting rate.
11. The device of claim 10 wherein said indicia are visually
perceptible and comprise a plurality of illuminable members
arranged in sequence to permit continuous scrolling of illumination
at a rate commensurate with said counting rate.
12. The device of claim 1 wherein said counter is implemented as
firmware in the program of said microcontroller.
13. The device of claim 1 and further including an electrically
erasable, electronically programmable memory wherein said program
data is stored.
14. The device of claim 13 and further including an interface
connection for connecting said device to an external computer for
downloading files into said electronically programmable memory.
15. A handheld device for selecting numbers, said device
comprising: a. a programmable microcontroller having a memory
containing a predetermined set of numbers; b. a counter actuable to
perform a program count function, iterating repeatedly through said
set of numbers; c. an oscillator supplying a clock input to said
microcontroller and said counter; d. actuating means on said device
selectively operable by a user to initiate said program count
function; and e. deactuating means on said device selectively
operable by said user for termination of said program count
function, thereby selecting the number in said counter at the
moment of said termination.
16. The device of claim 15 and further including a casing wherein
said microcontroller and said oscillator are housed.
17. The device of claim 16 and further including a battery housed
in said casing for supplying electrical power to said
microcontroller and said oscillator.
18. The device of claim 17 wherein said counter is implemented as
firmware in the program of said microcontroller.
19. The device of claim 15 wherein said actuating means comprises a
first operation of a switch and said deactuating means comprises a
second operation of said switch.
20. The device claim 15 and further including a changeable visual
display of a plurality of digits mounted to said casing.
21. The device of claim 20 and further including means for
actuating said visual display to display the number present in said
counter upon said deactuation thereof.
22. The device of claim 21 and further including electronic storage
means for storing the number present in said counter upon said
deactuation thereof.
23. The device of claim 15 wherein said oscillator has a base
frequency, and further including means for varying said frequency
and thereby the counting rate of said counter.
24. The device of claim 23 wherein said varying means comprise
detuning means for said oscillator.
25. The device of claim 24 and further comprising perceptible
indicia responsive to said counting rate of said counter.
26. A method of electronically generating numbers by a handheld
device including a casing containing a power source, a
microcontroller, and a counter actuable to perform a program count
function wherein said counter iterates continuously and repeatedly
through a predetermined set of numbers, said method comprising: a.
manually initiating said program count function by said counter; b.
manually terminating said program count function at a moment
selected by a user of said device; and c. displaying and/or storing
in electronic memory the number present in said counter at said
moment of terminating said program count function.
27. The method of claim 26 wherein said displaying is effected
through a digital display to said casing.
28. The method of claim 27 wherein said digital display comprises
two digits.
29. The method of claim 26 and further including providing within
said casing an oscillator continuously operable to provide
operating signals to said microcontroller.
30. The method of claim 29 wherein said counter is implemented in
firmware in said microcontroller.
31. The method of claim 30 wherein said oscillator has a base
frequency establishing the counting rate of said counter, and
further including the step of altering said base frequency and
thereby said counting rate.
32. The method of claim 31 wherein said oscillator frequency is
varied as a function of a biometric parameter of the user of said
device.
33. The method of 26 and further including changing said
predetermined set of numbers.
34. The method of claim 26 and further including automatically
reinitiating said program count function following each manual
termination thereof a discrete number of times, thereby generating
a plurality of numbers equal to said discrete number of times said
program count function is terminated.
35. The method of claim 34 and further including storing in said
microcontroller a plurality of parametric game data including at
least identification of the numbers in said predetermined set and
the number of times said program count function will be
automatically reinitiated following each termination thereof.
36. The method of claim 35 wherein a each of said plurality of
parametric game data is associated with a unique set of inputs to
said microcontroller, and further including manually selecting the
one of said game data which is operable.
37. The method of claim 36 and further including changing one or
more of said game data stored in said microcontroller.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the electronic generation
of one or more numbers in a chance-related manner. More
specifically, the invention relates to number generation by an
electronic clock or counter with selective controls for initiating
and terminating operation of the counter, i.e., the "counting"
operation, as well as means for selecting the range or set from
which numbers are to be selected, and the number of selections to
be made, i.e., how many numbers will be generated to form the
required number set. The invention further relates to various
schemes for varying the counting rate.
[0002] Generation of numbers in a random manner is virtually as old
as the concept of numbers itself. The chance selection of one or
more numbers is often made the subject of a game with rules related
to the significance of the selected number(s). For example, the
flipping of a coin or casting of one or more dice, if performed in
a manner which precludes conscious manipulation of the outcome,
yields what may be termed a chance-generated result. In fact, it is
the very randomness of the numeric selection process, i.e., the
practical impossibility of predicting the outcome of an individual
selection transaction, that defines number-related gaming or
gambling. At least, this is the case for the individual or short
term sequence of random number selection, ignoring the application
of probability theory (the "law of averages") after many
repetitions of the operation.
[0003] Although sweepstakes or lottery games have been in practice
for centuries, their widespread adoption by governmental bodies in
the United States (primarily at the state level) has been quite
recent. There are at present some 37 states, plus the District of
Columbia, offering a total of more than 175 number-selection
lottery games, some 55 of which may be said to be unique (the
others simply being repeated in a plurality of states). The games
wherein preselected numbers, symbols, or other devices are printed
on cards and revealed only after the player has purchased the card
are not within the scope of the invention, only those games which
involve prediction by the player of number(s) to be subsequently
selected in a random manner.
[0004] Of course, every player has his or her favorite way of
predicting the numbers which will be randomly selected in the
manner prescribed by the particular lottery operation. Some players
prefer to select the numbers in an essentially random manner, much
like the way in which the winning numbers are selected. To this
end, there are numerous random number generators available which
operate electronically while remaining simple and inexpensive
enough to appeal to a mass market. Typically, the user manipulates
a switch to initiate operation of a clock, i.e., an electronic
counter with a fixed counting rate, typically from several thousand
to over a million numbers per second depending on the particular
components chosen by the manufacturer of the device. After a time
interval which is also a function of the electronic components,
cycling stops and the number present in the counter at that instant
is displayed and/or stored in the device. The process is repeated
until the desired quantity of numbers has been selected. The
duration of the time interval is intentionally established
electronically in a manner which is imprecise with respect to the
counting rate so that the counter does not stop at the same number
for each repetition. However, the counter stops and the number is
selected, at each repetition, under control of the built-in
electronics and not the user. Additionally, these numbers can, and
often are, generated mathematically using algorithms known as
pseudo-random number generators. These also are not subject to user
control.
[0005] It is a principal object of the present invention to provide
electronic apparatus for, and a method of, generating a number or
sequence of numbers wherein the user exercises a degree of control
over the selection process but does not know what number will be
selected.
[0006] Typically, a single lottery authority (state) offers a
plurality of games having different parametric game data (lowest
and highest number values used, how many numbers are selected,
etc.). Likewise, a lottery game in one state may have the same or
different parameters from those in the games of other states, and
the same name may be used in two or more states to indicate games
with different parameters. Accordingly, it is useful to have a
number generating device including manually manipulated input means
for selecting a desired game, i.e., for causing the microcontroller
to perform according to the parametric game data of the game chosen
by the user.
[0007] It is another object to provide a number generating device
for use in any of a plurality of number predicting games having
differing game parameters wherein the device may be selectively
initialized by the user in a simple manner to operate according to
the parameters of a desired game.
[0008] Interest may be added to the electronic number selection
process by offering to the user an interactive means for affecting
the result, i.e., for changing the counting rate of the counter. Of
course, the number(s) selected are still a function of the
apparatus and are not known in advance to the user. Although the
possibilities are numerous, one such means is a bio-feedback system
wherein an input to the oscillator which establishes the operating
frequency, and hence the counting rate of the counter driven
thereby, is a function of some instantaneous physical attribute of
the user, e.g., body reactance, temperature, pulse rate, blood
pressure, etc.
[0009] It is a further object to provide an electronic device
having a counter for counting repeatedly through a set of numbers
wherein the counting rate is influenced by a contemporary physical
condition of the user.
[0010] Additional objects are to provide electronic apparatus and
methods for generating a number, or a set of N numbers, in a manner
controlled by the user, wherein the apparatus/method includes one
or more of the following:
[0011] the device is incorporated in a wireless telephone;
[0012] the counting rate of the device is affected by a plurality
of sensing means;
[0013] the numbers generated are stored in a memory for future
access;
[0014] the device includes a visual and/or audible indication of
counting rate;
[0015] the user refers to a chart of game names and locations
(states) to obtain instructions for initializing the device to
conform to the number selection criteria for the desired game.
[0016] Other objects will in part be obvious and will in part
appear hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] In accordance with the foregoing objects, the invention
envisions a relatively small and lightweight (hand held) case
having a plurality of buttons (switches) for selective user
actuation, a numeric display preferably of two digits, and LED
displays for indicating various conditions of the device. The case
contains a microcontroller and power source such as a 9 volt,
alkaline, transistor radio battery. The microprocessor is connected
to an oscillator of conventional design through a counter of one or
more stages which converts the pulse output of the oscillator to a
square wave required for operation of the microcontroller program.
Accompanying the device is a list or chart containing the names of
all states (and the District of Columbia) where lottery games are
offered, followed by the name of each game offered by each lottery
authority. Each game is assigned an identifying number
corresponding to its parametric game data, e.g., the numerical
range (lowest and highest numbers in the set) and the number of
selections to be made. The user actuates one or more of a plurality
of game selector switches to enter the identifying number of the
game to be played, thereby directing the microprocessor to operate
according to the parametric data of that game.
[0018] When the desired game number is displayed the user presses a
"select" button on the case which causes the microcontroller to
execute a program count function, i.e., the counter which is
implemented in firmware (part of the program which resides in the
microprocessor's memory) begins counting through the set of
allowable numbers in the selected game, and continuously recycles
through this count. At any desired time, the user again presses the
"select" button which causes the number present in the counter at
that moment to be displayed and entered into memory for later
playback, and, assuming more than one number is to be selected in
the designated game, the counter resumes counting. Again, the
"select" button is pressed at any time the user wishes to display
and store the second number, and resume counting. This sequence is
repeated until the number of selections for the designated game has
been made. A "last #" indicator light (LED) will light after
selection of the last number, and the computer enters the playback
mode. Pressing the "end/results" button causes the computer to
cycle through the memory. Following a second press of the
"end/results" button, the selected numbers are sequentially shown
in the display, beginning with the first number selected. This
process continues until the "reset" button is pressed, following
which the same game may be repeated or a different game may be
initiated by entering a new game number in the game selection
switch(es).
[0019] The oscillator base frequency, which controls counting
speed, is established by the value of a capacitor in the oscillator
circuit. In the basic version of the invention, the counting speed
remains fixed although the user may actuate the processor at any
desired time to select the number in the counter at that instant.
The counting rate is sufficiently fast that the user cannot
actually choose the number which will be in the counter at the
moment of actuation. In an alternate, but preferred, version one or
more sensors are incorporated in the device to affect counting
speed. For example, the case may include a touchpad for contact by
the user's hand or finger during the selection process. The
reactance of the hand/finger acts as a detuning component of the
circuit to reduce the oscillator frequency (counting rate). Other
sensors may be used, individually or in combination, to vary
oscillator frequency and thus counting rate. Visual and/or audible
indicia may be provided on the case to indicate counting parameters
(e.g., whether the counting rate is increasing or decreasing) to
the user
[0020] The foregoing and other features of construction and
operation of the apparatus and method of the invention will be more
readily understood and fully appreciated from the following
detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is an electrical schematic diagram of circuitry
embodying the invention in a first embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 1A is the schematic of FIG. 1 with additional elements,
forming a second embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a front view of a handheld case containing, or
having mounted thereon, elements of the circuit shown schematically
in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 2A is a front view of the case of FIG. 2, modified to
include the additional circuit elements of FIG. 1A; and
[0025] FIG. 3 is a logic block diagram illustrating operational
features of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] One form of circuitry for implementing the invention is
schematically detailed in FIG. 1. Power is provided by 9 volt,
alkaline (transistor radio type) battery 10 connected through
on/off switch Sw1 to voltage regulator 12, providing the system
operating voltage at terminal 14 for connection to the various
other circuit locations indicated by V+. "Reset" and "select"
switches Sw2 and Sw3, respectively, are connected to pins on
opposite sides of microcontroller 16. "Game selector" switch Sw4 is
shown as a plurality (six, in the illustrated version) of
individually operable switches, four of which are connected through
chip 18 and two through chip 20 to one side of microcontroller 16,
along with switch Sw3 and latch output 22. Pins on the opposite
side of microcontroller 16 are connected to "reset" switch Sw2,
counter 24, "end game" switch Sw5, to ground and to latch output
26. An uneven number (3 in the illustrated design) of inverters 28
are connected in a ring fashion, as shown, to provide oscillator
30. As is the usual case, microcontroller 16 requires a 50% duty
cycle, i.e., a square wave, to operate its program. Since the
output of oscillator 30 is a pulse, it is applied to the first
stage of counter 24 and thence (via line 31) to the clock input of
microcontroller 16 as a square wave. In fact, in the present
embodiment, counter 24 may be a single stage counter (i.e., a
flip-flop) since its only purpose is to convert the pulse output of
the oscillator to a square wave input to the microcontroller.
[0027] The numerical display of the illustrated circuit has two
digits 32 and 34 although this may obviously be varied to
accommodate all games which the device is expected to provide.
Digits are displayed in conventional manner by electrical inputs to
the appropriate ones of the seven segments forming each of the
digits. Chips 36 and 38 which drive the digital display include
inputs on lines indicated as blank, test and latch, in addition to
the four indicated data inputs, and each chip provides seven
outputs to the respective segments of the two digits forming the
display. An optional, but preferred, setup mode indicator is
provided by LED 40, connected between chip 20 and the regulated
voltage.
[0028] To initiate a number selection process with the circuit of
FIG. 1 the device is initialized and setup mode indicator 40 is
turned on by placing switch Sw1 in the "on" position. The user then
manipulates switch Sw4 in a prescribed manner to enable the
controller program to operate according to the parametric game data
of the desired game, i.e., the lowest and highest numbers in the
set, the number of selections to be made and whether or not numbers
may be repeated in the same set. This game selection operation is
performed by the user placing the six switches denoted collectively
as "game selector switch" Sw4 in positions prescribed for the game
the user desires to play. This operation is expedited by providing
to the user a list of the names of lottery games offered by each
lottery authority (e.g., each state which operates lotteries, plus
D.C.) with a number (or other designator) assigned to the games in
a group having the same parameters. The user, after ascertaining
the game designator from the list, enters via switch Sw4 the
designator corresponding to the group including the lottery game
which the user intends to play. Microprocessor 16, when in setup
mode, continually reads the collective binary value of switch SW4
and causes the current value (i.e. game number) to be displayed.
When the desired game is selected, the user then presses the
"select" button to close switch Sw3, whereupon microcontroller
blanks the display, reads the selected game parameters, and places
the selected game number in the "game" register (memory location)
for later use by the program. A virtual (or software) counter (not
the hardware counter 24 of either disclosed embodiment)) is
implemented as a software loop consisting of multiple commands
(instructions). Under program control, the microcontroller executes
these instructions sequentially, initiating what is termed a
"software count function." That is, the software counter increments
through a sequence of all allowable numbers in the game being
played, and repeats this cycle continuously until the user again
presses the "select" button. The number present in the software
counter at that moment is displayed (by digital displays 32, 34)
and retained in the device's memory for later playback. It should
be noted that, while the count would normally be in a continuous
sequence from the lowest to the highest allowable number, such is
not necessarily the case. For example, one of the games may be in
the nature of a dice game, using the usual pair of six-sided dice.
For each "roll" of the dice there are 36 possible combinations of
die faces. These 36 combinations may be listed in a look-up table
and accessed in non-sequential order, although each possible
combination is included in every iteration.
[0029] Assuming the selected game requires that multiple numbers be
selected, the computer automatically resumes the counting cycle and
continues until the user again presses the "select" button. The
second number, i.e., the number present in the counter when the
"select" button is next pressed, is displayed and entered in
memory. This process continues, with a number being selected
(displayed and entered in memory) each time the user presses the
"select" button until the requisite number of selections has been
made. When the last number in the set is selected and displayed,
LED 40 lights to indicate "last #." The user may then press the
"end game" button to close switch Sw5, causing the computer to
enter the playback mode and cycle through the memory. Pushing the
"end game" button a second time displays the selected numbers from
first to last selected. This process continues until the "reset"
button is pressed to close switch Sw2, permitting the same number
selection process to be repeated or allowing a new game number to
be entered via switch Sw4.
[0030] There are some lottery games (e.g., Keno) in which the user
decides the number of selections to be made. When playing such
games, the device has no parametric information relating to the
number of selections. When the designator for a Keno-type game is
entered via switch Sw4, successive selections will be made, up to a
predetermined maximum (e.g., 20), until the user presses the "end
game" button (Sw5) to indicate that the desired number of
selections has been made. Upon pressing of the "end game" button,
the playback mode is activated and continues until the "reset"
button is pressed, indicating initiation of another game.
[0031] It will be noted that the numbers are not selected in an
entirely random manner as they are when the counting cycle of a
clock is automatically interrupted at a time which is a function of
the electronics of the device, nor is it a pseudo random event
dictated by a mathematical algorithm. In effect, the user's
personal sense of timing is what determines the number which is
ultimately displayed. In the present invention counting is
interrupted, and the number in the counter at that moment is
selected and displayed, under the control of the user, even though
the user does not know the number in the counter at any given
moment and thus does not mentally pick the selected number. The
base oscillator frequency is established by capacitor 42.
[0032] An alternate version of the circuit is shown schematically
in FIG. 1A. This circuit includes all features of the circuit of
FIG. 1, as just described, and further includes means for varying
the oscillator frequency (counting rate of both the hardware and
firmware counters) and visible and/or audible indicia relating to
counter speed. Sensor 44 provides an electrical input to oscillator
30 which is used as a detuning component of the circuit to reduce
the counting speed. For example, sensor 44 may be in the nature of
a "bio-feedback" touchpad which is contacted by the user's hand,
thumb or finger(s) when the device is held in the hand and
operated. The reactance of the user's hand provides an electrical
input to the circuit, slowing the oscillator frequency
proportionately to the value of the signal (reactance). The device
is operated in the same manner as the previously described
embodiment with each number selected at the moment the user presses
the "select" button. However, the counting speed is varied as a
function of the signal provided by sensor 44, which tends to be a
constantly variable dynamic, lending a further degree of interest
to the number selection process. Of course, there are many
parameters other than reactance of the user's body which may be
used to provide the detuning component in proportion to which
oscillator frequency is varied. To give only a few examples, these
could include one or more of: the user's body temperature (internal
or epidermal), blood pressure, or respiration rate, as well as
environmental factors such as barometric pressure, air temperature,
and light level. EEG pads, which measure brain wave activity are a
prime candidate for bio sensory input to the device. Wired or
wireless means could be employed to connect the device to such
sensors.
[0033] A secondary means for varying the counting rate is to
program various delay loops in software between count steps based
on the sensor data being read at the moment. Hardware variation in
the oscillator circuit and software variation in the program can
occur simultaneously, accommodating simultaneous sensor inputs.
Some of these parameters may be sensed directly by means
incorporated in the device while others may be measured
independently of the device and entered, for example, via a rotary
switch which is adjusted to vary the value of the signal providing
the detuning component. As a further refinement, when the device
includes the counter speed variation feature, it is preferred that
a visual or audible indication of clock speed be provided. To that
end, hardware counters 46 and 48 (successive stages of flip-flops)
provide inputs to an array of LEDs 50 which cycle (scroll) at a
rate proportional to counter speed. Also, signal frequency is
divided by 2 at each stage of the counter, thus being slower by
half at each successive stage until the frequency becomes slow
enough to cause the LEDs to scroll at a visually perceptible rate.
The LEDs (and/or audio device 43) are physically connected to the
slower nodes of the hardware counter.
[0034] In FIG. 2 is illustrated an example of a hand held device
including casing 52, within which the circuitry of FIG. 1 is
enclosed, and upon which the displays and manually operated buttons
are mounted. Toggle switch 54, at the lower left of the casing
face, provides manual operation of on/off switch Sw1. Game Select
switch Sw4 is operated by selective positioning of the six buttons
at lower right denoted collectively by reference numeral 56. The
switches indicated as Sw2, Sw3 and Sw5 in the schematic of FIG. 1
are in the form of momentary push-button switches actuated by
pressing buttons 58, 60, and 62, respectively, on case 52. The LED
indicating game setup and last number is denoted by reference
numeral 40 in both FIGS. 1 and 2. Digital displays 32 and 34 are
positioned above switches 58, 60 and 62.
[0035] Case 52' of FIG. 2A is a physical implementation of the
schematic illustration of FIG. 1A. The elements common to the FIG.
2 embodiment are indicated in FIG. 2A by the same reference
numerals with a prime sign (') added. In addition to the common
elements, case 52' includes, mounted above the two-digit display,
five LEDs indicated collectively by reference numeral 50, the same
numeral used in FIG. 1A to denote the schematic version of the LEDs
which are cycled to provide a visual indication of relative
counting speed. Also shown in FIG. 2A is input device 44, again
using the same reference numeral as in the schematic, which may
simply be a piece of copper tape affixed in the indicated or other
desired position on the case and electrically connected to the
oscillator circuit as shown in the schematic. As earlier indicated,
device 44 may be a touchpad responsive to reactance of a portion of
the user's hand which holds casing 52' during operation thereof, or
other sensor or input device which furnishes a detuning component
to oscillator 30 affecting the frequency thereof. Operations are
performed by the user in the same manner and sequence for the
circuit and physical components of the FIG. 1A/2A embodiment as for
the FIG. 1/2 embodiment when input device 44 operates automatically
in response to a sensed condition. If input device 44 must be
manipulated in some manner by the user, as in the case, for
example, of a rotary switch, then this additional operation is
performed. In any event, the number in the counter at the moment
the user presses "Select" button 60, is displayed and stored in the
device memory.
[0036] The invention also contemplates modifications wherein the
parametric game data is stored separately in an erasable,
electrically programmable memory (EEPROM, FLASH, or equivalent).
This would allow the user to keep the device data-current as
various games are added or deleted, or parameters (range of
numbers, number of selections) of existing games are changed. One
means of implementing this would be for the user to access an
internet website where a file containing the current version of the
parametric data is stored. The device could then incorporate one or
more commercially available hardwired or wireless interface
connection, such as a USB port or RS232 serial port, and could make
use of future standard interfaces as they become generally
available. The user would connect the device to the computer using
the interface hardware, select the file to download and press a
button on either the device or the computer (keyboard or mouse
click) to initiate the download. Under program control, the device
would rewrite the information in the EEPROM, FLASH, or the like,
thus updating the device. Any of a number of schemes could be used
to invoke the reprogramming algorithm, e.g., reserving one of the
settings on the "game select" switch for this function. The
non-reprogrammable model is intended to be sufficiently economical
to make replacement practical; however, the reprogrammable device
would be more flexible and convenient.
[0037] From the foregoing it will be understood that the present
invention provides electronic means for and methods of selecting
numbers in a manner especially suited to lottery type games wherein
numbers are selected according to parametric game data which
specify such parameters as the range of numbers from which
selections are made, the number of selections to be made, and the
like. This data is stored for a plurality of games with means
provided, e.g., in the form of manually manipulated switch means on
a handheld device, for selecting the game or type of game to be
played; that is, the user manipulates switch(es) telling a
microcontroller which set of parametric game data is to be used for
a given game. It should be noted here that a myriad of input
options are suitable to the game select function. Keypads, sequence
switches, software display/select prams are just a few of the
optional means which could perform this function. A conventional
oscillator is connected to the clock input of the microcontroller
through the first stage of a hardware counter, converting the pulse
output of the oscillator to the square wave input required by the
controller. Although the oscillator operates continuously, its
frequency may be varied and, in one aspect of the invention, a
detuning input is provided to the oscillator to affect its
frequency and thus the counting rate of the counter. Upon closing a
switch, under selective control of the user, a program count
function is initiated, wherein the program counter, implemented in
firmware as part of the controller program, successively (although
not necessarily in a continuous sequence) counts through the
allowable numbers of the game for which numbers are being selected.
Also at the closing of a switch (in the disclosed embodiment, the
same switch used to initiate the program count function) the count
is interrupted (by the program of the microcontroller) and the
number present in the software counter at that moment becomes the
selected number. The selected number is indicated in some
perceptible form to the user and, preferably, stored in memory for
later retrieval. Although a digital display for visually indicating
the selected number has been shown and described, the invention
also contemplates a version wherein the digital display and
associated drivers are replaced with a voice chip and speaker
capable of verbalizing the chosen numbers, which could prove useful
to sight impaired users of the device.
[0038] The closing of the switch to make a number selection is
entirely under the control of the intuitive timing of the user of
the device although, as pointed out earlier, the user has no way of
knowing what number will be selected at the moment of switch
closing. This is the case both when the oscillator frequency is
fixed and when means are provided to vary the frequency and thus
the counting rate. The microcontroller operates its program at the
clock rate it receives from the oscillator (through the first
counter stage to provide the required square wave) even though this
rate may be varying as the device operates.
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