GB2303233A

GB2303233A - Number checking device

Info

Publication number: GB2303233A
Application number: GB9614335A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Frederick Shepherd
Original assignee: SHEPHERDS SCRAP METALS
Current assignee: SHEPHERDS SCRAP METALS
Priority date: 1995-07-13
Filing date: 1996-07-08
Publication date: 1997-02-12
Also published as: GB9514371D0; GB9614335D0

Abstract

A checking device, suitable for checking lottery entries or other numbers, includes means 13-19 for entering combinations of numbers into the device and storage means for storing the number combinations. The device is arranged to compare each of the stored combinations of numbers with an additionally-entered number combination in order to determine whether any of the stored combinations matches the additionally-entered combination. The device may be hand-held and may have a display 12, which indicates when such a match of combinations has been found, and a lid 11.

Description

Number Checking Device This invention relates to a number checking device and, more particularly but not solely, to a device for checking, for example, National Lottery numbers.

Syndicates are often set up by groups of people, for example within firms and other organisations, in order to increase their chances of winning games such as the National Lottery. Each member of the syndicate pays a predetermined amount of money and lines of numbers are bought accordingly: if any of those lines wins, all of the members of the syndicate are entitled to a share of the proceeds.

Usually, one or more members of a syndicate are appointed to oversee the buying and checking of lottery numbers. However, if the syndicate has a large number of members, the manual checking can be a time-consuming job. This procedure can also result in errors being made. I have now devised an apparatus which overcomes these problems.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a number checking device, comprising means for entering into the device a plurality of combinations of numbers, and storage means for storing said combinations of numbers, the device being arranged to compare each of the stored combinations of numbers with an additionally-entered combination of numbers in order to determine a match between any of the stored combinations and the additionally-entered combination.

Thus, each line of numbers chosen for a National Lottery draw, for example, may be entered into the device and stored as a group or combination within the storage means or memory. When the draw has taken place, the winning numbers are entered into the device and the software therein checks each line of stored numbers against the winning numbers in order to determine whether any of the chosen lines matches with the winning numbers.

Preferably the device comprises a display which indicates to the user which numbers in each stored combination of numbers correspond with the numbers in the additionally-entered combination. Preferably the device may be preprogrammed with information concerning how many matching numbers in each line are required to win such that the device can also display to the user which and how many combinations of numbers have won a prize.

The device is preferably hand-held, and may conveniently be solar powered or may be powered by a battery. The device may include a cover which is hinged along one edge thereof, and folds down over the keyboard when the device is not in use.

Preferably the contents of the storage means or memory may only be altered by depressing a particular button or a plurality of such buttons which are situated on the outside of the device. Preferably up to 495 different combinations or lines of numbers may be stored within the device and each combination of numbers preferably comprises six numbers.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawing, the single Figure of which is a perspective view of a number checking device in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown a number checking device which comprises a housing 10 of such a shape and size as to be conveniently hand-held.

The housing 10 is closed when not in use by a lid 11 which, when opened, exposes a display 12 and a number of push-buttons 14. Ten of the buttons are marked with the numerals 0 to 9 respectively and the remainder control various functions of the device.

The device is provided with a memory, situated within the housing 10.

Instructions for operating the number checking device are displayed on the inner face of the lid 11. In use, the person using the device switches it on by depressing an on/off button 13 and then depresses an "enter board" button 15 and enters the six numbers which make up a chosen line (or "board") for the British National Lottery draw. The six numbers are stored in the memory as a group or combination representing a line; A number of such lines, up to a maximum of 495 in the case of the illustrated device, may be entered as a list and this list is stored as an array within the memory. The contents of the memory can only be altered by pressing a specific button 19, or combination of buttons on the front of the device; thus the memory cannot be wiped accidentally. A button may be provided for entering the number of the draw to which the entered lines relate.

When the lottery draw has taken place, the user enters the set of winning numbers and presses a 'check' button 16. The depression of the 'check' button causes software within the housing to run; this software checks each of the winning numbers against those stored within the memory for a match and indicates to the user which and how many of the lines is a winning line. The device may be arranged such that the display 12 shows the user which lines are winning lines and which numbers within the line correspond with those drawn.

Thus, for example, in the case of the British National Lottery, a syndicate chooses up to 495 lines or boards of six numbers between 1 and 49. Note that each National lottery card, or "playslip", contains five boards. These lines are entered into the device of the present invention in the manner described above.

When the National Lottery winning numbers are announced, i.e. six numbers plus the bonus number, these seven numbers are entered into the device.

The display panel then shows, in the following order, from left to right: (A) The board which has won with the highest win (if any).

(B) The playslip reference number. This number enables the user to find and check quickly the winning playslip which has been previously marked with the corresponding number by the syndicate operator.

(C) Which of the 5 prizes have been won (if any).

(D) The number of wins of that particular prize (if any). The above display information is based on the British National Lottery prizes as follows: 1st prize - 6 matching numbers.

2nd prize - 5 matching numbers plus bonus number.

3rd prize - 5 matching numbers.

4th prize - 4 matching numbers.

5th prize - 3 matching numbers.

In the event of a second prize win which includes the bonus number, the display shows 5 matched numbers and the letter 'B' which represents the bonus number.

In the event of a prize being displayed, the display shows the highest win first, along with the number of boards which have won that particular prize.

The device is scrolled by means of scrolling buttons 17 to show each playslip number which has an equal value prize. The same procedure is used to locate any remaining prizes in descending value until all winning boards have been shown and any wins are eliminated from that part of the display.

Thus, the device provides first prize through to fifth prize in that order. Non-winning boards will be omitted; therefore it is not necessary to scroll through every board as only winning boards will be displayed consecutively.

In the event of no wins, the display is preferably arranged to show "No Win".

It will be appreciated that while the foregoing description relates to the U.K. National Lottery system, the device of the present invention may be arranged for use in any lottery system where the participants choose their own numbers.

The illustrated device is battery-powered but it may alternatively be provided with a solar panel in order to avoid memory loss due to battery failure.

The device of the present invention may optionally be provided with additional buttons 14 for entering the number of the draw and changing a line of numbers.

A particular line can be displayed from the memory of the device by using the scrolling buttons which display the appropriate playslip number. The scrolling device displays the board entries and the playslip reference numbers in numerical order. This information can be scrolled in a forward or reverse direction.

Claims

1. A number checking device comprising means for entering into the device a plurality of combinations of numbers, and storage means for storing said combinations of numbers, the device being arranged to compare each of the stored combinations of numbers with an additionally-entered combination of numbers in order to determine a match between any of the stored combinations and the additionally-entered combination.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, comprising a display which indicates to the user which numbers in each stored combination of numbers correspond with the numbers in the additionally-entered combination of numbers.

3. A device as claimed in either of the preceding claims, which is programmed with details of the numbermatching required for a stored combination to constitute a winning combination of numbers.

4. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein up to 495 different combinations of numbers may be stored.

5. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims which is of such dimensions as to permit it to be hand-held.

6. A device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the means for entering data into the device comprises a plurality of push-buttons.

7. A device as claimed in Claim 6, having a lid to cover the push-buttons when the device is not in use.

8. A number checking device for checking lottery entries, which device is substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawing.