GB2197971A

GB2197971A - Automated national bingo

Info

Publication number: GB2197971A
Application number: GB08628576A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan William Robinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-11-28
Filing date: 1986-11-28
Publication date: 1988-06-02
Also published as: GB8628576D0

Abstract

The invention describes an arrangement to automate and improve the recently introduced National Bingo Game whereby the sequence of transmitted bingo numbers is stored electronically for later recall and display, thus eliminating errors arising from operator read-out of the normal computer printout and providing a more efficient and attractive presentation. A unit 6 is coupled at 10 in parallel with a computer printer and stores the numbers in non-volatile memory 14 without the need for handshake signals. Electronics 17 allow recalled numbers from memory 14 to be displayed on a monitor or TV which may be coupled to the unit by a cable, by modulation of the electric mains or by a radio, ultrasonic or infra-red link. <IMAGE>

Description

AUTOMATED NATIONAL BINGO The invention relates to an improvement in the recently introduced National Bingo Game wereby a large number of remote bingo game establishments are interconnected with a central computer via the commercial telephone network.

The National Bingo Game is played "on line" such that all remote establishments can play the game simultaneously without fear of malpractice and to provide an almost immediate interaction amongst many thousands of players. Each establishment houses a telephone terminal, computer system and printer, the correct sequences of 90 numbers being transmitted through the telephone network and printed on the printer to enable the game to be played in each establishment locally by reading the printed numbers in turn until the local winner is established. Details of each local winner are then entered via the computer terminal and the central computer processes this information and informs each establishment of the outright winner.

Various weaknesses and difficulties have been identified already in the format of the game so described and the invention here referred attempts to overcome or reduce these#difficulties.

Fig. 1 illustrates the arrangement where the computer (1) is connected to a standard telephone network socket (2) for reception of the transmitted bingo numbers. On demand the user can instruct via the keyboard (3) of he computer that the number set be printed on the associated printer (4). The complete computer system is standardised as an ICL OPD machine and serial protocol is used to control the printer.

The novel device comprising items (5) and (6) consists of a printer interface connection (5) which allows the computer signals to be sent to the memory display and control unit (6) without affecting the data signals destined for the printer i.e. no handshake or control signals originate from the novel device thus ensuring there is no possibility of conflict in the normal computer/printer communication.

The memory display and control unit is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The serial data from computer to printer is tapped off and enters as a pair of wires (10) carrying data and ground reference at 9600 band. None of the normal RS232 protocol control signals are used as mentioned earlier such that the connection of the displayed unit is transparent to the original computer system. This however imposes the requirement of the display unit that it is always able to accept data without exception.

Data received at the input is converted at the interface (11) to normal digital logic levels and applied to a serial protocol convertor (UART) (12) and tinder control of the central processor (13) is stored in the non volatile data memory (14).

A pair of light emitting diodes (15) and (16) are used to provide indication of the transfer of data into the data memory. Both lights flash as lines of number information are transferred successfully into the data memory and when transfer is complete numeric checks are carried out and if the data set is confirmed as being valid, the single green light is illuminated, otherwise various combinations of the two lights are used to specify various forms of data transfer fault. Numbers held in Data Memory are displayed under computer control via the display control (17) and output as a composite video signal to drive monitors (18) or as a VHF signal to drive normal television (19).

Acceptance of data by the novel device is initiated by an operator using a number keypad (20) Fig. 3. when the novel device is first switched on pressing switch 1 selects Data Acceptance mode and the sequence of events is as described earlier.

The device can then be switched off and disconnected from the computer system and transported to the Hall where the National Bingo Game is to be played.

The sequence of called numbers being retained in the non volatile data memory (14) Fig. 2.

The novel device is then connected to the video terminal display system within the Hall by means of normal UHF television or Composite video optional connections fig. 3 (19) and (18) respectively. The unit is switched on. The mode to select display of the National Bingo numbers is selected by pressing button 2 and the first number is displayed in a large display format on the video monitor. Subsequent numbers are displayed in turn as the operator presses the next number key (25) which is prominent on the front panel of the device.

Various options exist for back tracking on previously displayed numbers and for showing the numbers called at any given moment on a positional grid as is normal practice for bingo game presentations.

Other modes are optional at switch on, and include "in house randomly generated bingo number sequences allowing the unit to be used for bingo games independent of the national network, together with other number/letter/domino random selection games that are popular in public houses and social clubs.

An option to the device includes a small number display (26) on the front panel which gives indication to the operator of the number currently displayed by the video monitors. This is of benefit when the operator needs to be positioned in an inconvenient place for viewing the video or television monitors.

To provide a more permanent installation, two units may be employed - one located adjacent to the National Bingo local computer installation, the other located in the Bingo Hall environment. The two units are interconnected such that the number set can be transferred to the Bingo Hall without means of physical disconnection as previously described. Various forms of interconnection may be employed, but direct wire connection or modulation of the main electricity supply are most obvious.

Claims

1. An electronic memory unit allowing National Bingo Game ninety number random sequence transmissions to be stored for later recall and display.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1 where storage of the transmitted numbers is achieved by parallel connection to the computer printer and is achieved without use of normal control signals, thereby having no affect on the existing computer/printer protocol.

3. An arrangement according to previous claims whereby the two sets of 90 number sequences are automatically checked to ensure one set is identical to the other, and that each set contains 90 discreet numbers in the range 1 - 90.

4. An arrangement according to previous claims which said stored random sequences of numbers are caused to be displayed in succession by operation of a "next number" mechanism.

5. An arrangement according to previous claims whereby the electronic memory unit is caused to forget the stored numbers after a pre-arranged time delay, to prevent accidental recall and display of previously transmitted sequences.

6. An arrangement whereby the electronic memory unit is transported from the location of the National Bingo Computer terminal to some remote position for recall and display of stored numbers.

7. An arrangement according to previous claims whereby the electronic memory unit and display circuitry are two units physically separated and interconnected by some communication medium, thus obviating transportation of the device.

8. An arrangement according to claim 7 where the communication medium is a purpose installed cable.

9. An arrangement according to claim 7 where the communication medium is by signal modulation of existing mains wiring.

10. An arrangement according to claim 7 whereby the communication medium is radio, ultrasonic, infra-red or other communications medium.

11. An arrangement according to previous claims whereby National Bingo Game derived numbers may be overlayed on standard television or advertising video information displays.

11. An arrangement according to previous claims whereby normal commercially available Random Number Generator product facilities are made available to the National Bingo Game transmitted sequence of numbers.

12. An arrangement according to previous claims whereby National Bingo Game derived numbers may be overlayed on standard television or advertising video information displays.

The preceding claims have been superseded by the following claims:1. An electronic memory unit allowing National Bingo Game (or similar dis. d o.a,ion arrangements, involving transmission of Bingo game number sequences from a central point to remote "halls" via telephone link, radio transmission, or other communication medium) ninety number random sequence transmissions to be stored for later recall and display, whereby storage of the transmitted numbers is achieved by connection to an authorised National Bingo Game (or similar distributed location arrangements, involving transmission of Bingo game number sequences from a central point to remote "halls" via telephone link, radio transmission, or other communication medium) computer terminal system.

4. An arrangement whereby said stored random sequences of numbers are prevented from being displayed unless the conditions of claim 3 have been met.

6. An arrangement whereby the electronic memory unit is transported from the location of the computer terminal to some remote position for recall and display of stored numbers.

10. An arrangement according to claim 7 whereby the communication medium is radio, ultrasonic, infra-red or other communication6 medium.