GB2338319A

GB2338319A - Lottery Apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2338319A
Application number: GB9805258A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Micheal James Aynsley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-03-13
Filing date: 1998-03-13
Publication date: 1999-12-15
Also published as: GB9805258D0

Abstract

Apparatus for comparing numbers comprising a keypad 3 through which numbers can be entered and through which the apparatus can be controlled, a display 9 having seven double digit cells 9A to 9G to display numbers entered through the keypad, a memory to store a number of sets of six sequential numbers, each representing the numbers chosen for a lottery ticket, and a comparator to compare each set of six sequential numbers with a set of seven sequential numbers entered through the keypad and representing the number drawn in the lottery. Numbers may also be randomly generated.

Description

2338319 1 The present invention relates to an apparatus to compare numbers

chosen for one or more lottery tickets with the number drawn in the lottery.

Many people play the UK lottery. For each ticket purchased, six numbers under 50 need to be chosen. When the lottery is drawn the six numbers are compared with the six numbers on the lottery balls and a "bonus balP. A number of these players purchase a large number of lottery tickets, such as 50 tickets, and it is a tedious process having to compare the numbers selected c) for each ticket with the number drawn. The invention provides an apparatus to assist in this process.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus comprising: a) a keypad through which numbers can be entered and through which the apparatus can be controlled, b) a display having seven double digit cells to display numbers entered through the keypad, c) a memory to store a plurality of sets of six sequential numbers, each representing the numbers chosen for a lottery ticket, and d) a comparitor to compare each set of six sequential numbers with a set of seven sequential numbers entered through the keypad representing the number drawn in the lottery.

2 Preferably the apparatus further calculates the number of sets of numbers entered which have 3,4,5, 5+, or 6 numbers the same as seven numbers entered representing the number drawn in the lottery.

Preferably the display displays alphanumeric data.

Preferably the apparatus further includes a random number generator to randomly select six numbers.

Preferably the apparatus further allows correction of numbers entered into the apparatus.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which 4 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus, and Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a circuit.

Referring to the drawing there is shown an apparatus 1 which is generally the size of a J= 0 calculator and may be formed of plastics. Apparatus 1 has a keypad 2 through which numbers can be entered and through which the apparatus can be controlled. Keypad 2 includes ten numeric keys 3, an "On/Off' key 4, a "SelecC key 5, a pair of "Scroll" keys 6, a "Reject" key 7 and an "Enter" key 8.

3 A display is provided in the form of an alphanumeric LCD display 9 having seven double digit cells 9A-9G to display numbers entered through the keypad and also to display words. Cell 9G is spaced apart from cell 9F. Below each of cells 9B-9F are the numbers 3,4,5,5+, and 6 respectively printed on the keypad 2.

Referring to Figure 2, the keypad 2 is connected to a processor 10 which is powered by a power source 11 controlled by Mn/OW key 4. Power source 11 may be batteries to make the apparatus portable, or it could be a "mains" power source. In addition to being connected to display 9, processor 10 is connected to a memory 12 and random number generator 1 J3). Processor 10 performs a number of tasks as described below and includes a comparitor.

The apparatus functions as follows.

A user will be intending to purchase one or more number of lottery tickets each with six chosen numbers selected from 1 to 49.

The user switches the machine on using switch 4. When "SelecC key 5 is pressed, one of the following sets of words appear on the display 9: a) "Enter Selection" b) "Random Number Generator" 4 c) Wiew/Change Number" d) "Enter Drawn Number" The user presses the "Select" key 5 until "Enter Selection" appears on the display. The "Enter" key 8 is pressed to clear the display, and the user then enters six double digit number corresponding to the numbers to be chosen on a ticket. The numbers will appear in Cells 9A-9F. (If it is desired to enter the number " 1 " this must be entered as a double digit ', 0 1 ', as shown in cell 9A). If a mistake is made the reject button 7 may be pressed to clear the display and the numbers corrected by entering them again. Once the numbers for a ticket have been correctly entered the "Enter" key 8 is pressed and these six sequential numbers are stored in memory 12 and the display is cleared. This process is repeated for the number of tickets to be purchased. It is thought that the memory will be designed to store say one hundred sets of six sequential numbers, but the memory may be larger or smaller.

Instead of the user choosing six sequential numbers, these numbers may be randomly chosen by the apparatus. To do this, the "SelecC key is pressed until the words "Random Number Generator" appear and the Tnter" key is pressed. Six double digit random numbers will appear on the display. The "Enter" key is pressed again to store this set of numbers in the memory.

The user can go to the retail outlet to purchase tickets with the apparatus. The "Select" key 5 is pressed until the words Wiew/Change" number appear on the display 9. All the sets of number stored in the memory can be recalled using the "ScrolP keys 6 and these numbers given to the outlet to purchase the desired lottery tickets. Any number in the memory can also be corrected or cancelled at any time by calling it up on the screen and pressing the "Reject" and re-entering a new number or no number followed by pressing the "Enter" key.

0 When the lottery has been drawn, the winning numbers are entered into the apparatus. This is done by pressing the "SelecC key 5 until the "Enter Draw Number" appears on the screen. The seven numbers are entered (six balls plus bonus ball numbers), with the bonus ball number appearing in cell 9G (The "Reject" key 7 can be used if the numbers are entered incorrectly). The "Enter" key is then pressed. The comparitor in the processor 10 then compares each set of six sequential numbers in the memory with the set of seven sequential numbers representing the numbers drawn in the lottery. The number of sets with either 3,4,5,5+, or 6 numbers equal to the drawn number are then shown in display cells 9B-9F above the respective numbers 3,4,5,5+ and 6 respectively.

It is envisaged that different sizes of apparatus could be produced. For example one size could be for individuals who purchase say under 50 tickets, and another for syndicates which might purchase hundreds of tickets.

6 The apparatus could take a difFerent form to that specifically described above. Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention-

Claims

1. Apparatus for comparing numbers comprising a keypad through which numbers can be entered and through which the apparatus can be controlled, a display having seven double digit cells to display numbers entered through the keypad, a memory to store a plurality of sets of six sequential numbers, each representing the numbers chosen for a lottery ticket, and a comparator to compare each set of six sequential numbers with a set of seven sequential numbers entered through the keypad representing the number drawn in the lottery.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including means for calculating the number of sets of numbers entered which have 3,4,5, 5+, or 6 numbers the same as seven numbers entered representing the number drawn in the lottery.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the display displays alphanumeric data.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the apparatus further includes a random number generator to randomly select six numbers.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the apparatus further includes means for correcting numbers entered into the apparatus.

6. Apparatus for comparing numbers substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.