Automated bingo game based on RFID-tagged balls
OwnerBertil Ronald Ericksoninventor
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Abstract
Embodiments of the disclosed technology provide a method of integrating radio frequency identification (RFID) and near field communication (NFC) to add excitement, features, automation or semi-automation, and digital connectivity to a traditional Bingo or lottery game. Any game of chance may be played using embodiments of the disclosed technology. Balls used for purposes of randomization comprise freely movable RFID tags situated therein. When a ball is chosen, such as when it is the first or only ball to pass through an exit tube of a mixing apparatus, its RFID tag (with data corresponding to indicia on the ball) is read, and appropriate action can be taken, such as to update a video screen accordingly, check Bingos, check lottery winning tickets, and so forth.
Claims19
A randomized ball selector comprising:
- a video screen;
- a chamber comprising an exit tube;
- a plurality of balls in said chamber, each single ball comprising a hollow interior with a freely moving radio frequency identification tag therein, said radio frequency identification tag having unique indicia stored thereon;
- a mixing apparatus adapted for mixing a said plurality of balls within said chamber;
- and
- a near field communication reader in said exit tube;
- wherein
- upon exit of a single ball of said plurality of balls into said exit tube, said radio frequency identification tag transmits data corresponding to said unique indicia stored therein, said near field communication reader reads said unique indicia of said single ball and said video screen exhibits a display corresponding to said unique indicia of said single ball.
A plurality of balls usable for a ball selector, each ball of said plurality of balls comprising:
- a generally spherical encasement with a hollow interior;
- human-readable indicia on said spherical encasement;
- and
- a radio frequency identification tag freely movable within said hollow interior and adapted to transmit data corresponding to said human-readable indicia.
A method of playing a game of chance comprising:
- placing a plurality of balls within a chamber of a mixing apparatus, each ball of said plurality of balls comprising a hollow interior with a freely moving radio frequency identification tag therein said radio frequency identification tag having unique indicia stored therein;
- while mixing said plurality of balls in said chamber, opening access to an exit tube at least until a first ball of said plurality of balls exits through said tube;
- providing a near field communication reader in said exit tube;
- receiving and reading data from a said radio frequency identification tag of said first ball;
- exhibiting on a video screen human-readable indicia associated with said first ball.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.