US4768151A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic bingo card manager
Assignee: BINGO BRAIN Inc ST LOUIS MO 14943 GREENLEAF VALLEY DRIVE ST LOUIS MO 63017
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Filing: 1986-12-22
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Granted: 1988-08-30
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Expires: 2006-12-22
Abstract
Abstract An electronic device for managing at least two bingo cards. The device has stored standard card configurations which correspond to physical cards which have been selected by a player. Also stored are standard winning patterns. The processor compares "called" numbers with card configurations which correspond to the physical cards being played by the user. The device alerts the player when a winning card occurs. When "padded" paper cards are used, the device generates each succeeding game board.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth A. Birenbaum
- 👤 Stephen E. Hutchison
- 👤 Mark K. Virkus
- 👤 Chester F. Jankowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:14
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F3/00; A63F3/06; A63F3/0625; A63F3/064; A63F9/00; A63F9/24; A63F2009/2483; A63F2009/2491
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A hand held device for managing at least two bingo cards which comprises: (a) memory means having stored number configurations that are associated with identification numbers some of which correspond to the number configurations and related identification numbers contained on at least some bingo cards; (b) calculation means which comprise means for retrieving selected number configurations from said memory means, means for sequentially recording and comparing selected numbers with those number configurations which have been retrieved from the memory means; and means for determining whether the location of said selected numbers in said number configurations forms a selected pattern; (c) entry means for communicating with said calculation and memory means; and (d) communication means for providing data from said calculation means to an operator, wherein said entry means instructs the memory means and calculation means through the use of said identification numbers which number configurations are to be retrieved from the memory means into the calculation means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A hand held device for managing at least two bingo cards which comprises: (a) memory means having stored number configurations that are associated with identification numbers some of which correspond to the number configurations and related identification numbers contained on at least some bingo cards; (b) calculation means which comprise means for retrieving selected number configurations from said memory means, means for sequentially recording and comparing selected numbers with those number configurations which have been retrieved from the memory means; and means for determining whether the location of said selected numbers in said number configurations forms a selected pattern; (c) entry means for communicating with said calculation and memory means; and (d) communication means for providing data from said calculation means to an operator, wherein said entry means instructs the memory means and calculation means through the use of said identification numbers which number configurations are to be retrieved from the memory means into the calculation means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said memory means is a separable unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said memory means contains the number configurations of specific bingo card manufacturers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said calculation means comprises a microprocessor, a ROM, a RAM and clock generator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said entry means comprises a key pad.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said key pad comprises numerical keys and function keys.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said entry means provides the calculation means with winning patterns.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said entry means provides the calculation means said selected numbers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said entry means instructs said calculation means which configuration is to be retrieved from the memory means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said entry means instructs said calculation means when a new game has commenced.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said communication means comprises a liquid crystal display.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said entry means instructs the calculation means as to what data to transmit to said communication means.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for managing at least two bingo cards which comprises: (a) permanently storing number configurations some of which correspond to the number configurations contained on at least some bingo cards; (b) selecting certain number configurations by use of an identification number that appears on the cards that are to be played; (c) transferring said selected number configurations from storage to a calculating unit; (d) selecting a pattern of number positions which determines a winning configuration; (e) imputing selected numbers and determining whether each of said number matches one of the numbers in said number configurations; (f) following said matching, determining whether the matched umbers in any of the number configurations corresponds to the elected winning number positions; and (g) displaying the information contained in said calculating unit.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for managing at least two bingo cards which comprises: (a) permanently storing number configurations some of which correspond to the number configurations contained on at least some bingo cards; (b) selecting certain number configurations by use of an identification number that appears on the cards that are to be played; (c) transferring said selected number configurations from storage to a calculating unit; (d) selecting a pattern of number positions which determines a winning configuration; (e) imputing selected numbers and determining whether each of said number matches one of the numbers in said number configurations; (f) following said matching, determining whether the matched umbers in any of the number configurations corresponds to the elected winning number positions; and (g) displaying the information contained in said calculating unit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said method further comprises storing said number configurations in a separable unit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said selected numbers are inputted through a key pad.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said number configurations are related to specific bingo card manufacturers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the number configuration closest to winning is displayed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the number configurations for the next game having identification numbers which are displaced in a predetermined relationship from the identification numbers of the previous game are automatically transferred from storage to the calculating unit without entering the identification numbers of the selected number configurations.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the number configuration and identification number are determined by use of the first column of bingo card numbers.
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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) | 1991-08-30 | 1992-02-29 | 1992-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-08-30 | 1996-02-29 | 1996-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-08-30 | 2000-02-29 | 2000-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |