Patent US5217224A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5217224A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Prize award system for coin laundry
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1991-11-05
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Granted: 1993-06-08
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Expires: 2011-11-05
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for awarding prizes to equipment users during off-peak hours of an establishment. A plurality of machines, such as coin laundry washing machines or dryers, are all coupled through an activity interface to a master control unit. The master control unit comprises a timer, a counter, a display, and signal means to signal award of a prize. The timer runs until a preset time interval expires, and then triggers the counter to select a random number representing one of the machines coupled to the master control unit. The master control unit determines whether the selected machine is operating by querying the activity interface corresponding to the selected machine. If the machine is operating, the signal means is triggered to audibly or visually award a prize. If the selected machine is not operating, another machine is selected at random. The process continues until an operating machine is selected. After a prize is awarded, the master control unit idles until it is reset, causing the timer to begin running again.
Inventors
- 👤 Brent Sincock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:55
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; G07C; G07C15/00; G07C15/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for awarding to users of a plurality of devices, comprising: interface means coupled to each of the devices for providing an active signal when the device is operating; prize announcement means for identifying a prize winner; control means coupled to the interface means and the prize announcement means comprising a timer, a random number generator responsively coupled to the timer for generating a random number corresponding to one of the devices upon expiration of the timer, and logic means coupled to the random number generator for testing whether the device corresponding to the random number is operating, and if so, for triggering the prize announcement means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for awarding to users of a plurality of devices, comprising: interface means coupled to each of the devices for providing an active signal when the device is operating; prize announcement means for identifying a prize winner; control means coupled to the interface means and the prize announcement means comprising a timer, a random number generator responsively coupled to the timer for generating a random number corresponding to one of the devices upon expiration of the timer, and logic means coupled to the random number generator for testing whether the device corresponding to the random number is operating, and if so, for triggering the prize announcement means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus of claim 1, wherein the interface means comprises an interface circuit coupled to a source of power in one of the devices, the interface circuit comprising a rectifier for feeding current to an optoisolator, thereby providing an active signal when the device is operating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus of claim 1, wherein the prize announcement means comprises a plurality of audible and visual signaling devices.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus of claim 3, wherein the visual signaling device comprises at least one digital display means for displaying a number corresponding to a winning device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus of claim 1, wherein the prize announcement means comprises at least one digital display means for displaying a number corresponding to a winning device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus of claim 1, wherein the timer comprises a digital timer integrated circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus of claim 1, wherein the random number generator comprises a plurality of flip-flop circuits coupled to the timer, the flip-flops being coupled to a plurality of activity input lines from the devices, the flip-flops having a trigger input from the timer and a digital output activated in response to the trigger input.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus of claim 1, wherein the logic means comprises first and second monostables each coupled to a buffered clock input from the timer, the first monostables having an output coupled to a display decoder, the second monostable having an output coupled to the prize announcement means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for awarding prizes to users of a plurality of devices, comprising: interface means coupled to each of the devices for providing an active signal when the device is operating; prize announcement means for announcing a prize winner; control means coupled to the interface means and the prize announcement means comprising a timer, a random number generator responsively coupled to the timer for generating a random number corresponding to one of the devices upon expiration of the timer, and logic means coupled to the random number generator for testing whether the device corresponding to the random number is operating, and if so, for triggering the prize announcement means, further including time of day sensing means for setting a time delay amount of the timer longer during off-peak hours of the devices.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for awarding prizes to users of a plurality of devices, comprising: interface means coupled to each of the devices for providing an active signal when the device is operating; prize announcement means for announcing a prize winner; control means coupled to the interface means and the prize announcement means comprising a timer, a random number generator responsively coupled to the timer for generating a random number corresponding to one of the devices upon expiration of the timer, and logic means coupled to the random number generator for testing whether the device corresponding to the random number is operating, and if so, for triggering the prize announcement means, further including time of day sensing means for setting a time delay amount of the timer longer during off-peak hours of the devices.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
Apparatus of claim 9, wherein the time of day sensing means comprises a real time clock providing a digital output corresponding to the actual time of day, and interval selection means coupled to the clock and to the timer for setting the timer to a long time interval when the digital output of the real time clock is equal to a preset off-peak time.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
147 words
A prize award method, in a system comprising a plurality of devices comprising interface means coupled to each of the devices for providing an active signal when the device is operating; prize announcement means for identifying a prize winner; and control means coupled to the interface means comprising a timer, a random number generator responsively coupled to the timer, and logic means coupled to the random number generator for testing whether the device corresponding to the random number is operating, the method comprising the steps of: setting a time interval in the timer; running the timer until expiration of the time interval; generating a random number corresponding to one of the devices upon expiration of the timer using the random number generator; using the logic means to test whether the device corresponding to the random number is operating, and if so, for triggering the prize announcement means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
147 words
A prize award method, in a system comprising a plurality of devices comprising interface means coupled to each of the devices for providing an active signal when the device is operating; prize announcement means for identifying a prize winner; and control means coupled to the interface means comprising a timer, a random number generator responsively coupled to the timer, and logic means coupled to the random number generator for testing whether the device corresponding to the random number is operating, the method comprising the steps of: setting a time interval in the timer; running the timer until expiration of the time interval; generating a random number corresponding to one of the devices upon expiration of the timer using the random number generator; using the logic means to test whether the device corresponding to the random number is operating, and if so, for triggering the prize announcement means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the time interval is inversely related to customer traffic in the establishment.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the time interval is longer during off-peak hours in the establishment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
153 words
A prize award method, in a system comprising a plurality of machines in a commercial laundry establishment, each machine being coupled to interface means for providing an active signal when the machine is operating, prize announcement means for identifying a prize winner, and control means coupled to the interface means comprising a timer, a random number generator responsively coupled to the timer, and logic means coupled to the random number generator for testing whether the machine corresponding to the random number is operating, the method comprising the steps of: setting a time interval in the timer; running the timer until expiration of the time interval; generating a random number using the random number generator, the random number corresponding to one of the machines upon expiration of the timer; using the logic means to test whether the machine corresponding to the random number is operating, and if so, for triggering the prize announcement means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
153 words
A prize award method, in a system comprising a plurality of machines in a commercial laundry establishment, each machine being coupled to interface means for providing an active signal when the machine is operating, prize announcement means for identifying a prize winner, and control means coupled to the interface means comprising a timer, a random number generator responsively coupled to the timer, and logic means coupled to the random number generator for testing whether the machine corresponding to the random number is operating, the method comprising the steps of: setting a time interval in the timer; running the timer until expiration of the time interval; generating a random number using the random number generator, the random number corresponding to one of the machines upon expiration of the timer; using the logic means to test whether the machine corresponding to the random number is operating, and if so, for triggering the prize announcement means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for awarding prizes to users of a plurality of commercial laundry machines, comprising: an activity interface coupled to each of the commercial laundry machines for providing an active signal when the laundry is operating; digital display means for identifying a prize winner; a controller coupled to the activity interface and the digital display means comprising a timer, a random number generator responsively coupled to the timer for generating a random number corresponding to one of the commercial laundry machines upon expiration of the timer, and logic circuit coupled to the random number generator for testing whether the laundry machine corresponding to the random number is operating, and if so, for triggering the digital display means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
116 words
Apparatus for awarding prizes to users of a plurality of commercial laundry machines, comprising: an activity interface coupled to each of the commercial laundry machines for providing an active signal when the laundry is operating; digital display means for identifying a prize winner; a controller coupled to the activity interface and the digital display means comprising a timer, a random number generator responsively coupled to the timer for generating a random number corresponding to one of the commercial laundry machines upon expiration of the timer, and logic circuit coupled to the random number generator for testing whether the laundry machine corresponding to the random number is operating, and if so, for triggering the digital display means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus of claim 15, wherein the an activity interface comprises an interface circuit coupled to a source of power in one of the commercial laundry machines, the interface circuit comprising a rectifier for feeding current to an optoisolator, thereby providing an active signal when the laundry machine is operating.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus of claim 15, wherein the digital display means comprises a plurality of audible and visual signaling devices.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus of claim 15, wherein the digital display means comprises at least one numeric display for displaying a number corresponding to a winning laundry machine.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus of claim 15, wherein the timer comprises a digital timer integrated circuit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
55 words
Apparatus of claim 15, wherein the random number generator comprises a plurality of flip-flop circuits coupled to the timer, the flip-flops being coupled to a plurality of activity input lines from the commercial laundry machines, the flip-flops having a trigger input from the timer and a digital output activated in response to the trigger input.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus of claim 15, wherein the logic circuit comprises first and second monostables each coupled to a buffered clock input from the timer, the first monostables having an output coupled to a display decoder, the second monostable having an output coupled to the digital display means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for awarding prizes to users of a plurality of commercial laundry machines, comprising: an activity interface coupled to each of the commercial laundry machines for providing an active signal when the laundry machine is operating; digital display means for identifying a prize winner; a controller coupled to the activity interface and the digital display means comprising a timer, a random number generator responsively coupled to the timer for generating a random number corresponding to one of the commercial laundry machines upon expiration of the timer, and a logic circuit coupled to the random number generator for testing whether the machine corresponding to the random number is operating, and if so, for triggering the digital display means, further including time of day sensing means for setting a time delay of the timer longer during off-peak hours of the establishment.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for awarding prizes to users of a plurality of commercial laundry machines, comprising: an activity interface coupled to each of the commercial laundry machines for providing an active signal when the laundry machine is operating; digital display means for identifying a prize winner; a controller coupled to the activity interface and the digital display means comprising a timer, a random number generator responsively coupled to the timer for generating a random number corresponding to one of the commercial laundry machines upon expiration of the timer, and a logic circuit coupled to the random number generator for testing whether the machine corresponding to the random number is operating, and if so, for triggering the digital display means, further including time of day sensing means for setting a time delay of the timer longer during off-peak hours of the establishment.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus of claim 22, wherein the time of day sensing means comprises a real time clock providing a digital output corresponding to the actual time of day, and a plurality of capacitors coupled to the clock and to the timer for setting the timer to a long time interval when the digital output of the real time clock is equal to a preset off-peak time.
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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) | 1996-06-07 | 1996-12-07 | 1997-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-06-07 | 2000-12-07 | 2001-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-06-07 | 2004-12-07 | 2005-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |