GB2284386A

GB2284386A - Checking of winning combinations.

Info

Publication number: GB2284386A
Application number: GB9422755A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin Barnes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-12-03
Filing date: 1994-11-11
Publication date: 1995-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 2014-11-11
Also published as: AU1114995A; GB2284386B; WO1995015200A1; GB9422755D0

Abstract

A method of checking whether a selection from a published array of symbols is a winning selection includes the use of a masking sheet having window portions thereon representing the selection. The masking sheet is positioned over the published display and the symbols then appearing in the window portions are checked to see whether, together, they represent a winning selection. The mask may comprise a transparent sheet which is opacified except at the windowed areas, which latter may be defined by borders only. In alternatives the mask is of opaque material through which window apertures are cut. The windowed areas may be pre-perforated, whereby the selection is made by removing selected windows. <IMAGE>

Description

CHECKING OF WINNING COMBINATIONS This invention relates to methods for checking that particular combinations are winning ones. In particular the present invention provides methods for establishing whether a published display of symbols, in a newspaper or other publication, includes a selection or combination which is a winning selection or combination.

According to the present invention there is a provided a method of checking whether a selection from a published display of symbols is a winning selection comprising the steps of: (a) providing the selection in the form of a masking sheet having a masked area thereon which is shaped and dimensioned to be capable of overlying at least a portion of the display, said masked area including window portions each of which is dimensioned and positioned in the masked area so that, when the masked area is positioned over the display, or portion thereof, a symbol in the display is revealed, at least some of the window portions together representing the selection to be checked; (b) positioning the masking sheet so that the masking area overlies at least a portion of the display and a plurality of symbols are revealed in window portions of the masked area; and (c) checking whether the revealed symbols together represent a winning selection.

The present invention also provides a masking sheet for use in the method of the invention and comprising a masked area shaped and dimensioned to be capable of overlying a portion of a published display of symbols, said masked area including window portions, representing a selection of symbols, for revealing a plurality of said symbols, so that it can be determined whether the selection is a winning selection.

The present invention may be used in connection with a variety of games. For instance, in one embodiment of the present invention a newspaper or other publication may publish an array or table of different symbols. Masking sheets may be provided with a masked area corresponding to at least a portion of the table and having window portions disposed within the masked area. The masking sheet can be positioned over the array of symbols. It can then be seen whether the symbols revealed in the window portions represent a winning combination. By way of examples, a winning combination may be one in which all the symbols are identical or all of the same type.

In another embodiment, the invention may be used to check the results of sporting fixtures, for instance, in a football pools selection. It is normal practice for at least certain newspapers to publish the results of football matches in a form suitable for checking against a pools selection. For instance, a typical format which is published in newspapers comprises a two column display of symbols. A first column gives the numbers of the football matches according to that used by the football pools companies. The second column gives the results of the matches in the form of the number of points attributed to the result by the football pools companies. For instance, a score draw is given three points and the symbol three would appear against the number of a match where a score draw has occurred.In this case the masking sheet may include one or more selections, each in the form of a masked area, having window portions therein, which may be lined up with the second column of the published array. It is then very easy to check whether the particular selection is a winning one by adding up the points in the windows which have been revealed.

The present invention, in the embodiment concerned with football pools, allows a person to check one or more selections very rapidly. It also increases the certainty of the results. It is typical practice for the average person to check his selections more than once, and often many times.

However the present invention allows the person to establish very quickly, and with great certainty, whether his selections are potentially winning ones.

The masking sheet can be made of any suitable material, for instance, paper, card, plastic or transparency film. The windows can be provided in different ways, for instance in the form of transparent areas in an otherwise opaque masked area.

In another example, they can be provided by means of holes in the masking sheet. The windows can be of any suitable shape (for instance, square, oblong or round) but must be of the appropriate dimensions to show a symbol in the published display.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 shows a masking sheet and published display for use in connection with a first embodiment of the present invention; - Figure 2 shows a masking sheet for use in connection with a second embodiment of the present invention; - Figure 3 shows a masking sheet for use in connection with a third embodiment of the present invention; - Figure 4 shows a masking sheet for use in connection with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and - Figure 5 illustrates the method of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, a published display of symbols is in the form of a pools check 1 which is typical of those published in newspapers. The pools check is a two column array, the left hand column giving the numbers of the matches and the right hand column giving the number of points associated with the results of the matches in accordance with the standard adopted by the football pools companies.

Also shown in Figure 1 is a masking sheet 3 which is made of a transparency film (plastic). This sheet 3 includes a masking area 5 divided into rectangles 7 most of which are shaded but there are included some rectangles 9 which are not shaded, these rectangles 9 providing window portions within the masked area of the sheet. Next to the masked area is a column of numbers 11 which correspond to the numbers of the matches and along the top of the masked area is a row of letters 13, each letter being associated with one column of the masked area.

In this embodiment, there are ten window portions 9 in each column and together they represent a selection of football matches. The selection might be a winning selection if sufficient score draws (3 points each) are associated with that particular selection. The dimensions of the masked area, and the window portions associated therewith, are such that, as will be described below, the sheet 3 can be positioned over the pools check 1 so that the match results appear in the window portions. It can then easily be determined whether the selection is a winning one.

Referring to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings, a masking sheet is similar to that described above with reference to Figure 1. However in this case the window portions are indicated by black bordered squares 21 and, apart from these black borders, essentially the whole of the "masked area" is in fact transparent. Accordingly the term "masking sheet" includes a sheet in which the "masked area" is not masked in the sense of obscuring the underlying pools check data but simply indicates that area of the data which is to be ignored.

The only data to be taken into account is that appearing in the black bordered squares.

Referring to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings, a masking sheet 31 is similar to that described with reference to Figure 1 but in this case the masked area includes shaded columns 33 with window portions positioned thereon. Between a pair of shaded columns there is a transparent or coloured column 35 which simply acts to separate the selection columns 33.

Referring to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings, a masking sheet 41 is made of card or paper. All the lines delineating the rectangular spaces 43 are perforated. Accordingly the user of the card can determine his/her selection in each lettered column by punching out the rectangular squares from that column. The masking sheet can then be used in the same way as the masking sheet shown in Figures 1 to 3, as will be described in further detail below.

Referring now to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings, the manner of use of the masking sheet shown in any of Figures 1 to 4 will now be described. In this case the masking sheet 57 is closely similar to that shown in Figure 3 although the manner of use of the masking sheets of the other drawings is essentially identical. The sheet 57 includes columns 52, each of which is headed by a letter, the column itself being opaque apart from window portions 53 which in any one column together make up the selection to be checked. Between each lettered column is a transparent space 54. To the left hand side of the sheet there is a column of numbers 55 which correspond to those of the matches shown in the pools check 56.

As shown in Figure 5, the masking sheet 57 is placed over the pools check so that the windows of a particular lettered column disclose the results of the matches for that selection.

As shown in the drawing, of the five matches forming part of the selection three are score draws (3 points each) and two are matches with results giving lower points (1 points each).

Reference is also made to small black squares 51 which may be optionally included. They are positioned just outside the checking area and serve the purpose of place guides on the transparent sheet.

Claims

1. A method of checking whether a selection from a published display of symbols is a winning selection comprising the steps of: (a) providing the selection in the form of a masking sheet having a masked area thereon which is shaped and dimensioned to be capable of overlying at least a portion of the display, said masked area including window portions each of which is dimensioned and positioned in the masked area so that, when the masked area is positioned over the display, or portion thereof, a symbol in the display is revealed, at least some of the window portions together representing the selection to be checked; (b) positioning the masking sheet so that the masking area overlies at least a portion of the display and a plurality of symbols are revealed in window portions of the masked area; and (c) checking whether the revealed symbols together represent a winning selection.

2. A method according to Claim 1 in which the published display of symbols includes at least some symbols which are identical or all of the same type and the winning selection is one in which all the revealed symbols are either identical or all of the same type.

3. A method according to Claim 1 in which the published display of symbols represents the results of sporting fixtures.

4. A method according to Claim 3 in which the sporting fixtures are football matches and the method is used to check whether a selection is a winning selection in a football pools competition.

5. A method according to any of the preceding claims in which the masked area is essentially opaque apart from the window portions.

6. A method according to any of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the masked area is essentially transparent, the window portions being defined by means of borders therefore represented on the masking sheet.

7. A method according to any of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the masking area is arranged in columns with transparent or coloured areas arranged between the columns.

8. A method according to any of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the masking sheet is essentially opaque, holes being provided in the sheet to represent the window portions.

9. A method according to any of Claims 1 to 5 wherein the masking sheet is essentially opaque and is provided with an array of perforated lines allowing the easy removal of areas from the sheet to represent the window portions.

10. A method according to Claim 1 and substantially as herein described.

11. A method of checking whether a selection from a published display of symbols is a winning selection, the method being substantially as described with reference to any of Figures 1 to 4, together with Figure 5, of the accompanying drawings.

12. A masking sheet for use in a method as claimed in any of the preceding claims.