US4218063A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic system for playing bingo
Assignee: GLS PARTNERSHIP
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Filing: 1978-03-07
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Granted: 1980-08-19
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Expires: 1998-03-07
Abstract
Abstract A system for playing bingo which includes a transmitter and at least one receiver. The transmitter includes a masterboard with associated ball-actuated switches which deliver signals in parallel format representing numbers in a bingo game. A parallel-to-series converter is provided to convert the signals into a series format. The receiver includes a series-to-parallel converter which effects a reconversion of the received signals into a parallel format and a flashboard which is coupled to outputs of the series-to-parallel converter and displays the numbers of a bingo game.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary D. Cooper
- 👤 Ronald D. Brigman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:15
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F3/00; A63F3/06; A63F3/0645
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
An electronic system for use in playing bingo wherein a plurality of players are each provided with a game card, the system comprising a transmitter including a masterboard for delivering signals in parallel format representing numbers in a bingo game, parallel-to series converter means responsive to the output of said masterboard for converting the signals in parallel format into signals in series format, and means for sending signals in a single train of pulses in series format to at least one location, and at least one receiver at said one location including series-to-parallel converter means responsive to signals received for converting said signals in series format to signals in parallel format representing the numbers in a bingo game, a flashboard having numerical indicia thereon representing said bingo game numbers, said flashboard being disposed for view by said plurality of players, means on said flashboard for visually activating said numbers on said flashboard, means for connecting said visually activating means to said series-to-parallel converter means whereby said visually activating means is responsive to signals from said series-to-parallel converter means for visually activating the numbers of a bingo game on said flashboard.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
An electronic system for use in playing bingo wherein a plurality of players are each provided with a game card, the system comprising a transmitter including a masterboard for delivering signals in parallel format representing numbers in a bingo game, parallel-to series converter means responsive to the output of said masterboard for converting the signals in parallel format into signals in series format, and means for sending signals in a single train of pulses in series format to at least one location, and at least one receiver at said one location including series-to-parallel converter means responsive to signals received for converting said signals in series format to signals in parallel format representing the numbers in a bingo game, a flashboard having numerical indicia thereon representing said bingo game numbers, said flashboard being disposed for view by said plurality of players, means on said flashboard for visually activating said numbers on said flashboard, means for connecting said visually activating means to said series-to-parallel converter means whereby said visually activating means is responsive to signals from said series-to-parallel converter means for visually activating the numbers of a bingo game on said flashboard.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
An electronic system for use in playing bingo according to claim 1, wherein said means for delivering signals in parallel format comprise a masterboard including a plurality of apertures into which numbered balls may be placed, a plurality of sensors positioned in proximity of said apertures to sense the presence of balls in said apertures.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electronic system for use in playing bingo according to claim 2, wherein said sensors are constituted by respective switch means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
An electronic system for use in playing bingo according to claim 2; wherein said transmitter includes memory means for storing data representative of current and immediately preceding condition of said sensors, and means for alternatingly supplying output from said memory means to said means for sending.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
An electronic system for use in playing bingo according to claim 2, wherein said transmitter includes a pair of shift registers for storing data representative of current and immediately preceding conditions of said sensors, and means for alternatingly supplying output from said pair of shift registers to said means to sending.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electronic system for use in playing bingo according to claim 2, wherein said transmitter includes means for supplying alternatingly data representing current and immediately preceding condition of said sensors to said means for sending.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electronic system for use in playing bingo according to claim 1, wherein said means for sending include a line driver.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electronic system for use in playing bingo according to claim 1, wherein said means for sending includes wireless transmitting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electronic system for use in playing bingo according to claim 8, wherein said wireless transmitting means are carrier current transmitter means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electronic system for use in playing bingo according to claim 1, wherein said flashboard includes indicator means for each bingo number.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electronic system for use in playing bingo according to claim 10, wherein said indicator means comprises light producing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
An electronic system for use in playing bingo according to claim 10, including respective control means in series with each said indicator means, a control electrode of each said control means being coupled to a respective output of said series-to-parallel converter means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electronic system for use in playing bingo according to claim 12, wherein said respective control means are respective triacs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electronic system for use in playing bingo according to claim 13, wherein each said indicator means comprises a respective light producing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electronic system for use in playing bingo according to claim 1, including means for syncronizing said transmitter and each said receiver.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
An electronic system for use in playing bingo according to claim 1, wherein said means for sending includes pulse width modulating means for producing a pulse train in which pulses of one width represent ZERO's and pulses of a second width represent ONE's.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
An electronic system for use in playing bingo according to claim 16, wherein said receiver includes pulse width discriminating means responsive to signals sent by said transmitter for developing a pulse train representing received pulses of a given width.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electronic system for use in playing bingo according to claim 1, wherein said means for sending includes radio transmitting means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electronic system for use in playing bingo according to claim 18, wherein said radio transmitting means are carrier current transmitter means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-08-19 | 1984-02-18 | 1984-08-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-08-19 | 1988-02-18 | 1988-08-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-08-19 | 1992-02-18 | 1992-08-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |