GB2213070A

GB2213070A - Random number generator

Info

Publication number: GB2213070A
Application number: GB8728285A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Plant
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-12-03
Filing date: 1987-12-03
Publication date: 1989-08-09
Also published as: GB8728285D0

Abstract

A random or pseudo random number (or character) generator comprises a hollow plastics container-like portion and at least one partially transparent or translucent extended hollow plastics leg-like portion which projects outwardly from the container, there being a plurality of die located within the chamber formed by the two portions so that die may pass from the container to the leg sequentially. The number of die within the chamber and any markings on such die may be particularly adapted for use in generating a number of random entries in respect of a pools coupon. <IMAGE>

Description

Random Nuaber Generator This invention relates to a random or pseudo random number andlor character generator.

According to the present invention a random or pseudo random number and/or character generator comprises a hollow container-like portion and at least one partially transparent or translucent extended hollow leglike portion, which projects outwardly from the container, there being a plurality of die located within the chamber formed by the two portions so that die may pass from the container-like portion of the chamber to the leg-like portion of the chamber sequentially, The container-like portion preferably comprises a plastics sphere having an integrally formed plastics leglike portion projecting outwardly therefrom The leg-like portion preferably comprises a hollow cylinder which is closed at its free end.The leglike portion may be marked so that, in use, any die or dice located within the leg-like portion can be counted relatively easily.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 7 is a partially completed pools coupon in respect of the United Kingdom; and, Figure 2 is a random number generator for use on the pools coupon of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1, a pools coupon 1 comprises generally a series of rows and columns In the United Kingdom, (or rather Great Britain) a particular football match is given a game number. These game numbers are arranged on the pools coupon in a column 3. The pools player then considers each football game and tries to predict which of the games played will result in a score draw. The pools player is allowed to predict that from 1G to 15 games of those played will result in a score draw, and his selections are entered in a column 4.In the U.K. pools game, a player predicts which games will result in score draws by entering an X in the appropriate box (as seen in Figure 1) but in other pools games he may predict that a game will result in a no score draw (as indicated by O) a home win (as indicated by a number 1) or an away win (as indicated by a number 2).

Once the original pools coupon has been posted to the pools company, and the results of all the football matches are known, the pools player can enter those results in another column 5 of the pools coupon as shown in Figure 1. From Figure 1 it will be seen that the players predictions in respect of games 3, 6 and 57 were wrong, whereas his predictions in respect of games 5 and 51 were correct. If the pools player predicts any 8 score draws correctly then he will win a prize.

In an alternative or an additional version of the game, a pools player can set up a series of standing predictions so that he will only need to complete a pools coupon once every few months or so, as opposed to every week. Each such standing prediction is commonly referred to as a "perm" or a "plan". In this case, there are 8 perms lettered A to H respectively arranged as 8 columns numbered 10 to 17 respectively. Again, the pools player enters from 10 to IS X's in column 10 to predict which games are going to be score draws. in a similar manner the player enters his predictions in columns II to 17 and these 8 sets of predictions are entered for a specified number of weeks.Clearly, as a pools player is entering a prediction in respect of a football match in which he does not know the teams, then there will be very little skill in completing such a pools coupon. In this connection, many pools players enter randomly or pseudo randomly generated predictions.

Ref erring now to Figure 2, a random or pseudo random number generator 2 comprises generally a spherical plastics container 18 and a cylindrical leg 19 (also formed from plastics).

In the present embodiment, t the spherical container is formed from a substantially opaque plastics whereas at least the extended portion of the leg is formed from a transparent or translucent plastics. As will be seen in Figure 2, the leg is formed integrally with the container and is joined at a smooth neck portion 20. As the number generator 2 is manufactured for use in respect of a British pools coupon, there are 58 dice 21 located within the generator 2. Each dice has 6 identical sides, the 58 dice being numbered from 1 to 58 to represent each football game appearing on the pools coupon. When the random number generator 2 is not in use all 58 die will be located within the spherical container 18.However, when the number generator is in use the die will fall from the spherical portion into the leg-like portion where they can be seen by a pools player. Since a pools player will want either 10 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15 random numbers, the leg IS of the generator 2 is marked so that the 10th to the 15th die is clear.

To use the number generator to predict which football games will result in score draws, a pools player will adopt the following procedure Firstly, he will shake the random number generator to mix the die into a new sequence. Secondly, he will permit the die to fall sequentially from the spherical container into the leg.

Thirdly, he will select the first, say, 12 dice, and enter an X in the box of column 10 having the same number as the number on each die The pools player will then repeat this procedure in respect of columns 11 to 17.

It will be appreciated that an alternative embodiment, would be to have a random number generator having 58 die, 15 of which were marked with an X to represent score draws the remaining die being marked with a O t 1 or 2 to represent other results. The die will then be allowed to fall from the spherical portion into the leg-like portion ( which will hold 58 die ) and the positions of the die with X markings will determine the position in columns 10 to 17 of the score draw predictions.

Tt will also be appreciated that the particular arrangement and markings of the die can be altered to the particular pools games played in other countries, for example israel.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments, the intention extends to any novel one or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification and/or drawings, or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process disclosed herein

Claims

CLLINS CLAIKS 1. A random or pseudo random number and/or character generator comprising a hollow container-like portion and at least one partially transparent or translucent extended hollow leg-like portion which prot ects outwardly from the container, there being a plurality of die located within the chamber formed by the two portions so that die may pass from the container-like portion of the chamber to the leg-like portion of the chamber sequentially.
2. A random or pseudo random number and/or character generator according to Claim 1 wherein the containerlike portion is a plastics sphere having an integrally formed plastics leg-like portion protectiong outwardly therefrom.
3. A random or pseudo-random number and/or character generator according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the leg-like portion is a hollow cylinder which is closed at its free end.
4. A random or pseudo random number and/or character generator according to any preceding Claim or Claims wherein the leg-like portion is marked so that, in use, any die or dice located within the legvlike portion can be counted relatively easily.

5 * A random or pseudo random number and/or character generator substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.