US 9,751,002 B2Granted

Random digit generator featuring differently colored balls

OwnerAlan Frankinventor

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Abstract

The current invention is an improvement to the random number generator described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,088,737. Random digits are generated by mixing ten differently colored balls in a transparent chamber. The entire surfaces of all the balls are uniformly colored and unmarked. None of the balls contains any electronic identification devices. A color sensor mounted near the settlement pocket of the mixing chamber emits data that is unique for each ball. A miniature computer and novel software correlate the data emitted for each of the ten balls with a different digit. One of the balls is randomly separated from the others and comes to rest near the color sensor without human intervention. The computer and its software record the digit that is correlated with the randomly separated ball and command a mini-projector to display the digit on the ball's surface in an upright position.

Claims4

Dependent claims

A system for randomly generating at least one lottery object indicia, comprising:

a transparent chamber;
a plurality of lottery objects having a substantially spherical shape, similar size, different colors, and no markings on the surface of the lottery objects, the plurality of lottery objects are positioned inside the transparent chamber,
means for mixing the plurality of lottery objects within the transparent chamber,
a selection pocket located within the transparent chamber for receiving a selected lottery object that was separated from all other lottery objects in the transparent chamber;
a color sensor for sensing color data of the selected lottery object, wherein the color sensor includes an ambient light shield having a circular opening with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the selected lottery object, the color sensor is located proximate the selection pocket, and the selected lottery object resting against the ambient light shield when the selected lottery object is positioned in the selection pocket;
a computer for receiving the color data of the selected lottery object transmitted from the color sensor, wherein the computer associates the color data of the selected lottery object with a selected lottery object indicia;
and
a means for displaying an image of the selected lottery object indicia.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 14/747,340Filed 23 Jun 2015
Published: US 2016/0375352 A129 Dec 2016
Granted: 5 Sep 2017
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

A63F 7/048
Using balls to be shaken or rolled in small boxes , e.g. comprising labyrinths: used for generating random numbers
A63F 9/24
Games not otherwise provided for: games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for
G06F 7/588
Random or pseudo-random number generators: random number generators, i.e. based on natural stochastic processes
G07C 15/001
Generating random numbers; Lottery apparatus: with balls or the like

Family

US 2016/0375352 A1Pre-grant publication · published 29 Dec 2016
US 9,751,002 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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