GB2271939A - Card-operated prize-determining apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus (2) for reading a card and determining when a prize has been won comprises a housing (4), a reader portion (6) for reading the card, comparator means for comparing a number or symbol on the card with a list of winning numbers or symbols in the apparatus (2), and display means (12) for displaying a prize number or symbol if the number or symbol on the card is a winning number or symbol. The preferred card bears a magnetic strip on which is encoded the number(s). <IMAGE>

Description

CARD-OPERATED PRIZE-DETERMINING APPARATUS This invention relates to card-operated prizedetermining apparatus and, more especially, this invention relates to apparatus for reading a card and determining when a prize has been won.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for reading a card and determining when a prize has been won, which apparatus comprises a housing, a reader portion for reading the card, comparator means for comparing a number or symbol on the card with a list of winning numbers or symbols in the apparatus, and display means for displaying a prize number or symbol if tWe number or symbol on the card is a winning number ct symbol.

Usually the apparatus or the invention will operate with numbers but it may equally well operate with symbols if desired. The displayed prize number or symbol will usually be compared with a prize list for determining the actual prize to be received, this actual prize to be received being dependent upon the prize number or prize symbol revealed.

Although apparatus for reading cards is well known in relation to cash dispensers and ticket machines, the use of apparatus for reading cards and for displaying a prize number or symbol depending upon the number or symbol contained within the card is believed to be a novel idea and it is one which finds especial use in the sales promotions industry.

Preferably, the reader portion is such that the card is passed through the reader portion for the reading of the card. Such an action is often referred to as a swipe action. The reader portion may read the card in other ways if desired.

The apparatus of the invention may include memory means for recording the number of times the card is presented to the reader portion, control means for ensuring that the memory means records the presentation of the card only a predetermined number of times in any predetermined period, and reward-indicating means for indicating a reward when a predetermined number of presentations of the card to the reader portion is registered.

The control means may ensure that the recording means records the presentation of the card only once per day. The control means may ensure that the recording means records the presentation of the card at other intervals as may be desired, for example once every two days or once each week.

The reward-indicating means may include a flashing light or lights.

The apparatus of the invention advantageously includes log means for providing a log of cards submitted to the apparatus, thereby to provide an indication of how the cards have been used and especially how individual cards have been used.

The log means may be such that it is able to provide a hard-copy print out.

The apparatus of the invention may include the prize list so that, for example, the prize list may be permanently or releasably attached to the apparatus.

Alternatively, the prize list may be separately mounted from the apparatus.

The apparatus of the invention may include means for periodically varying the winning numbers or symbols in the apparatus. Alternatively, the winning numbers or symbols may remain constant.

The present invention also extends to the combination of the apparatus of the invention and a plurality of the cards.

Each card may have a magnetic strip.

The number or symbol on the card will usually be encoded. Bar codes or dot codes may be employed. If desired, each card may be provided with its number or symbol in other ways. The number or symbol may be a single number or symbol or a sequence of numbers or symbols.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of card-operated prize-determining apparatus; and Figure 2 shows a card for use in the apparatus; and Figure 3 shows alternative apparatus to Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown apparatus 2 for reading a card and determining when a prize has been won. The apparatus 2 comprizes a housing 4 which is shaped as shown. The apparatus 2 also comprises a reader portion 6 for reading the card. The reader portion 6 includes a slot 8 through which the card is passed. The slot 8 is formed in an upstanding portion 10 of the housing 4.

The housing 4 contains comparator means (not shown) for comparing a number or symbol on the card with a list of winning numbers or symbols stored in the apparatus 2.

The apparatus 2 still further comprises display means 12 for displaying a prize number or symbol if the prize number or symbol on the card is a winning number or symbol. As shown in the drawing, the display means 12 is displaying the prize number 1.

The apparatus 2 includes memory means (not shown) for recording the number of times the card is presented to the reader portion 6, control means (not shown) for ensuring that the memory means records the presentation of the card only once per day, and reward-indicating means (not shown) for indicating a reward when a predetermined number of presentations of the card to the reader portion 6 is registered. As shown in the drawing, the housing 4 may have a display means 14 displaying the number of presentations of the card 2 to the reader portion 6. The displayed number is 2.

The apparatus 2 may also have a display or visit light 16 for indicating that the presentation of the card has been received by the apparatus 2. The reward-indicating means can include a win light 8. This win light 18 flashes when a win is achieved.

The housing 4 has an upstanding portion 20 which supports a cardboard display 22. The cardboard display may be stuck to the upstanding portion 20. As shown, the cardboard display 22 is able to display instructions on how to use the apparatus 2, together with any advertising/ promotional material that may be desired.

It will thus be seen that the apparatus 2 operates by reading an encoded number on a card, comparing that number with a list of winning numbers, and displaying a prize number in the display means 12. Also, the apparatus 2 records the number of times that the card has been presented to the apparatus 2 and provides a reward when a predetermined number of presentations has been made. The apparatus 2 is able to be produced as compact electronic apparatus which is of especial use in the marketing, advertising and sales promotion industries. Thus, for example, the apparatus 2 may be used on behalf of or direct by companies who wish to attract existing/potential customers to their premises and/or to encourage existing and potential customers to visit their premises regularly.

At the end of a promotion period, the apparatus 2 may be returned to the manufacturer. The apparatus 2 can thus be hired or sold as may be desired.

In an advantageous modification of the apparatus of the invention, the apparatus 2 is provided with log means (not shown) for providing a log of cards submitted to the apparatus, thereby to provide an indication of how the cards have been used and, in particular, how individual cards or batches of cards have been used. The ability to keep track of individual cards or batches of cards is advantageous in creating data base information on existing/potential customers to various premises. The frequency of visiting of the existing/potential customers to different premises can easily be obtained. If desired, the log means may be able to provide a hard-copy print out of the information so that, for example, the hard-copy print out may show a promoter how often the customer has visited his premises and which premises the customer has visited.If desired, the date and time of individual card presentations may be recorded.

The cards can be given to existingbrospective customers through a variety of distribution methods.

Customers are attracted to the promoter's premises because they first of all have a chance of winning a prize if their prize number comes up, and they will secondly be rewarded for their customer loyalty by being given a prize/reward on reaching a predetermined number of attendances as determined by the number of presentations of the customers card to the reader portion 6.

The cards will usually have a magnetic strip within the card and this magnetic strip will usually have the required number in coded form. As indicated above, the cards may be printed with unique numbers or various quantities of cards may be printed with the same numbers.

Figure 2 illustrates a typical card 24. The card 24 has a magnetic strip 26. The card 24 has an encoded unique promotion number and and encoded unique prize number. The card 24 can be personalised to each promotion.

The list of winning numbers or symbols in the apparatus 2 may be arranged to remain constant or it may be arranged to be automatically or manually variable as and when desired.

The apparatus of the invention can be programmed in a variety of ways, examples of which are given below.

1. Daily Winning Numbers To encourage card holders to visit an outlet to swipe their card repeatedly, the apparatus can be programmed to change the list of winning numbers encoded in its memory on a daily basis.

2. Fixed Winning Numbers The apparatus can be programmed with a set of winning numbers to remain constant throughout a promotion.

3. Winners Selected At Random To generate in-store excitement, the apparatus can be programmed to react not to an encoded prize number, but to the number of times the apparatus has been swiped by a different card. Thus the 94th, 206th, 410th etc. visitor can be selected as a winner.

4. Variation By Outlet The apparatus in different premises or in different parts of the same premises can be programmed with identical winning numbers or with different winning numbers. Thus customers can be encouraged to visit different outlets, or different parts of the same premises or complex to swipe different apparatus.

The apparatus 2 shown in Figure 1 may be mains or battery operated. Battery operated apparatus is advantageous for giving maximum position-siting flexibility.

The apparatus 2 shown in Figure 1 is preferably sited near staff to allowwinriing cards easily to be verified.

In cases where this siting near staff is not practical, the apparatus of the invention can be modified such that when a prize in won, a card or token is dispensed which the customer can then present as proof of winning. The card may be a printed card. The token may be a plastics or a metal token.

Also, when a pre-determined number of visits to the apparatus has been made, then a different card or token can be dispensed, again for presentation by the customer to a member of staff in order that the customer can claim his or her reward.

Figure 3 shows apparatus 2 which is designed as a large freestanding machine which can dispense a card or a token to winning customers, and/or to customers who have made the required number of pre-determined visits, thus earning them a reward. The apparatus 2 shown in Figure 3 is mains operated. For simplicity of comparison and illustration, similar parts as in Figure 1 have been given the same reference numerals.

It will be seen that the apparatus 2 shown in Figure 3 has an upstanding housing 28 having an inclined upper face 30.

The face 30 has an illuminated area 32 for receiving a hirerls brand name. The face 30 also has an instruction panel 34 giving instructions on how to play, the apparatus 2. The face 30 still further has an illuminated graphics panel 36 which informs a player if they have won an instant prize, and which may also inform players of the number of times their card has been swiped through the slot 8.

The housing 28 has prize token or card dispensing means 38 including a dispensing slot 40. If a token is dispensed, then the token may be numbered in order to determine an appropriate prize. If a card is dispensed, then the card may be a pre-printed card which may be a numbered pre-printed card or which may be printed with details of the prize that has been won.

The housing 28 also includes visit dispensing means 42 including a dispensing receptacle 44. The slot 40 can be replaced by the dispensing receptacle 44 and vice versa.

The dispensing means 42 may dispense a token or a card once a required number of visits has been achieved by a card holder.

The housing 28 also includes a display area 46 for displaying optional advertising or other information.

The apparatus 2 is mains operated and has an electric lead 48 and a plug 50.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the apparatus of the invention may enable an owner or a hirer to set a predetermined number of visits by a card user, consequent upon which the apparatus will offer a guaranteed reward. Also, the apparatus of the invention may be produced in any suitable and appropriate sizes and shapes. Where the apparatus of the invention has been hired, when it is returned to the owner, it can be de-programmed to provide a printout of which card numbers were swiped, in which outlet, on which days and how often across a given promotional period.

Through a variety of techniques, the holder of a given card can be identified and thus information can be obtained about aparticular customers use of particular outlets and frequency, thus providing useful database information.

The card-operated prize-determining apparatus and/or the card may be called by the trade mark ELECTRONIC VISITING CARD.

Claims (12)

1. Apparatus for reading a card and determining when a prize has been won, which apparatus comprises a housing, a reader portion for reading the card, comparator means for comparing a number or symbol on the card with a list of winning numbers or symbols in the apparatus, and display means for displaying a prize number or symbol if the number or symbol on the card is a winning number or symbol.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the reader portion is such that the card is passed through the reader portion for the reading of the card.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 and including memory means for recording the number of times the card is presented to the reader portion, control means for ensuring that the memory means records the presentation of the card only a predetermined number of times in any predetermined period, and reward-indicating means for indicating a reward when a predetermined number of presentations of the card to the reader portion is registered.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which the control means is such that it ensures that the recording means records the presentation of the card only once per day.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4 in which the reward-indicating means includes a flashing light or lights.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including log means for providing a log of cards submitted to the apparatus, thereby to provide an indication of how the cards have been used.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the log means is such that it is able to provide a hard-copy print out.

8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including a prize list.

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and including means for periodically varying the winning numbers or symbols in the apparatus.

10. Apparatus for reading a card and determining when a prize has been won, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. The combination of apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and a plurality of the cards.

12. The combination of claim 11 in which each card has a magnetic strip.