Abstract:
A multi-state flashing button and method of conducting a lottery using such a button. One or more multi-state buttons including an internal timer are distributed along with a relatively large number of single-state flashing buttons. The timer causes the multi-state buttons to change from a flashing state to non-flashing state at the end of a predetermined time-out interval, and a prize is awarded to each participant having a button which undergoes such a change of state.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to games of chance, and more particularly to lotteries employing electronic devices for participants. 
   Lotteries conventionally employ paper tickets bearing preprinted numbers, letters and/or symbols in different combinations, one or more of which represent a winning combination. The winning ticket or tickets may be predetermined or selected in a drawing. It has also been proposed, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,453 to Koza et al., to provide a memory circuit in or on a lottery ticket along with an antenna, radio receiver, and comparator designed to receive a winning code, compare it with a code stored in the memory of the ticket, and, in the event of a match, provide an audio and/or visual indication that the ticket is a winning ticket. Such circuit components necessarily increase the cost and complexity of the ticket. 
   Moreover, there is a continuing need for innovation in lotteries as well as in other games of chance, and in particular a need for more creative ways to maintain interest among current participants and to attract more participants. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a new method of conducting a lottery involving distribution of electrically illuminated buttons among lottery participants, at least one of said buttons including a light circuit having more than one state including a flashing state and a non-flashing state. According to the inventive method, the state of the light circuit is changed between the flashing state and the non-flashing state in response to a predetermined condition, and a prize is awarded to a participant having an illuminated button with a light circuit which changes state between the flashing state and the non-flashing state. 
   Among other advantages, the invention provides a creative way to maintain interest among current game participants and to attract more participants. The advantages of the present invention will be more apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a contest button according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an electrical schematic of a circuit useful in a contest button according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a set of timing diagrams for the circuit of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a functional flow diagram illustrating the basic steps of an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
     FIG. 1  is an exploded view of one embodiment of a button  10  according to the present invention. The button includes a circuit board  12  affixed to the back surface of a plate  14  which may be provided with one or more holes  16  for LEDs such as LED  18  which may protrude partially through the plate. Transparent portions of the plate may be provided in lieu of holes. The front surface of plate  14  is preferably provided with a company logo, slogan or other indicia. The button may further be provided with a conventional pin  20  for attachment to clothing. 
   The LED(s) may be controlled by a flasher circuit mounted on the circuit board in a conventional manner. Two types of buttons are contemplated for use in a lottery according to the present invention, both employing the same plate type  14  and having substantially the same dimensions and outward appearance. One type has a conventional flasher circuit employing a simple oscillator to cause continual flashing of the LED(s), e.g., a type ADT705 IC available from Advanced Devices Technology, or a flasher circuit as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,439, assigned to the assignee of the present invention and hereby incorporated by reference. Another type of button according to the present invention is contemplated in which flashing of an LED is sustained for a predetermined time interval, after which the LED stops flashing and remains on. It is contemplated that a number of each type of button will be distributed to individuals and that those individuals wearing a button which stops flashing will be recognized as winners. 
   One embodiment of the latter type of button has an IC timer or one-shot which is triggered by manual switch actuation. A suitable circuit for this type of button is shown in  FIG. 2  and includes an AL2766 CMOS IC, available from Integroth Technology Co., Ltd., connected to three monochromatic LEDs, designated herein as L 1 , L 2  and L 3  according to the pins to which they are connected, and one bicolor LED  22 . LEDs L 1 , L 2  and L 3  may be conventional clear-lens red LEDs, and the bicolor LED may, for example, be a type 3044RG-04 (3 mm red/green with clear lens) or type 3044YG-04 (3 mm yellow/green with clear lens). Clear lenses are desirable for all LEDs so that the two types of buttons match each other as much as possible except for the light effects. The circuit may also include current-limiting resistors such as resistor  24  connected to LEDs L 1 , L 2  and L 3 , two timing control resistors R 1  and R 2  and a pushbutton membrane switch  26  connected as shown in the schematic, along with a battery source, e.g., a pair of button cells, connected to the IC as indicated in the schematic to provide a 3V DC power supply. Multiple time-out intervals or pre-set times are provided by the IC, and a desired time-out interval is selected by wire bonding of three option pins Opt1, Opt2 and Opt3 as indicated in the following table, in which a “1” indicates a high logic state, i.e., VDD (left open and pulled high internally), a “0” indicates a low logic state, i.e., ground, and an “X” indicates that the state does not matter: 
   
     
       
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               Opt3 
               Opt2 
               Opt1 
               Pre-set Time 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               0 
               0 
               0 
               2 minutes 
             
             
               0 
               0 
               1 
               15 minutes 
             
             
               0 
               1 
               0 
               30 minutes 
             
             
               0 
               1 
               1 
               45 minutes 
             
             
               1 
               X 
               0 
               60 minutes 
             
             
               1 
               X 
               1 
               120 minutes 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   The circuit also includes a duty cycle option, determined by wire bonding of option pin Opt4 of the IC, as follows: 
   
     
       
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
               Opt4 = 0 
               Duty Cycle = 1/48 
             
             
                 
               Opt4 = 1 
               Duty Cycle = 1/6 
             
             
                 
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   The timing parameters may be adjusted by selection of the values of R 1  and R 2 , which control the pre-set time oscillation and LED flash rate. Values of 56K and 240K, respectively, are suitable for the above-referenced timing parameters. 
   Actuation of the switch causes flashing of LEDs L 1 , L 2  and L 3  in a chase sequence as indicated in  FIG. 3 , each LED turning on when its respective control pin goes low. Flashing in this manner continues until the timer times out, i.e., at time  26  in  FIG. 3 , at which time the three monochromatic LEDs stop flashing and remain on indefinitely. The bicolor LED is connected with, e.g., the cathode of a red LED element connected to L 4  and the cathode of a green LED element connected to L 5  such that the bicolor LED flashes red until the timer times out and then turns green indefinitely, as will be appreciated from the timing diagram of  FIG. 3 . When the switch is closed again, all four LEDs are turned off. The circuit is configured such that the switch must be pressed again to restart the cycle. 
   The functional flow diagram of  FIG. 4  illustrates the basic steps of an embodiment of the claimed method, as may also be understood by reference to the claims. 
   While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. For example, in some applications of the invention it may be suitable to have the flashing sequence initiated after a steady on condition of an LED rather than afterward. The IC may alternatively be designed to drive only one LED via an output such as L 1 , or may be designed to drive only one bicolor LED via outputs such as L 4  and L 5 , or such simplified button designs may be implemented with the IC as described above but with only selected outputs connected to an LED or LEDs.