Patent Publication Number: US-6656045-B2

Title: Method and system for storing preselected numbers for use in games of bingo

Description:
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/478,685 filed on Jan. 6, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,398,646. 
    
    
     CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A “COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC” 
     A Computer Program Listing Appendix on a compact disc is submitted with this application. A duplicate copy of the compact disc is also submitted with this application. Each compact disc contains a file entitled “VIPickem.txt”. The file was created on Jun. 3, 2002 and is 314,671 bytes in size. The material contained on the compact disc is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an automated Bingo system having the ability to print sets of numbers on tickets on site. The system uses a computer to print the tickets, track the sale of the tickets and to validate winning tickets. In particular, the present invention relates to an automated system for playing Bingo where a computer stores the specific sets of Bingo numbers for a player and prints the tickets having the player&#39;s specific set of Bingo numbers to enable the player to play his specific Bingo numbers for various sessions of Bingo. 
     (2) Description of the Related Art 
     The related art has shown various automated Bingo games where a computer is used to produce and track the game boards and to validate the winning game boards on site. Illustrative are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,007,649 to Richardson and 5,687,971 to Khaladkar. 
     Richardson describes an automatic gaming system having a system base station, electronic gaming boards and validation units. The base station of the system includes a gaming library which contains a plurality of gaming cards created beforehand by the players. This allows the players to select the numbers on their cards. The gaming cards are downloaded from the base station into the electronic gaming boards. The base station retains auditing information about the downloaded cards. A validation code can also be downloaded into the electronic gaming boards. The electronic gaming boards can also have timers to prevent changing the gaming boards once the game has begun. 
     Khaladkar describes a Bingo system using a computer to print Bingo cards on site and to track the sale of the cards. The system generates a fixed series of cards. The series needs to be fixed in order to keep track of the cards in the game. The system extracts from the data memory, a plurality of series of the Bingo cards which are different and separate and there is no duplication within a series or between series of the Bingo cards set forth in that series. The system uses a single paper for the entire book of Bingo cards to avoid possible tampering. Each Bingo card is associated with a serial number which identifies the particular Bingo card uniquely so that each Bingo card can be retrieved from the memory by entry into the memory of the serial number. The serial number on the card is used to verify the winner. Cards are preprinted before the game. The customer does not select numbers on the cards. The system can also be used with video display Bingo cards. 
     Also, of interest is U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,516 to Kolinsk which describes a computerized Bingo game where the computer plays all the Bingo cards simultaneously. 
     Only of minimal interest is U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,432 to Rogaliner et al which describes a method of manufacturing Bingo paper. 
     There remains the need for an automated Bingo system which allows players to select their own numbers and store their numbers in the automated system for use in later sessions of Bingo. The present invention allows for the printing of game tickets on site having the player&#39;s preselected sets of Bingo numbers and for tracking and validating the sets of numbers using the automated system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a method and system for managing a Bingo game. The method and system of the present invention allow repeat players to easily play their favorite sets of numbers in multiple sessions of Bingo. The method and system also allow the hall to track the sale of Bingo tickets, easily verify the Bingo winners and keep track of VIP or repeat players. The use of the computer with the accounting, ticket and receipt and the verification programs allows for on site, point-of-sale printing of tickets with minimal risk of tampering. The system enables players to store preselected Bingo numbers or sets of Bingo numbers in the memory or database of the computer. The Bingo numbers are then-able to be retrieved by a player when the player wishes to play the preselected Bingo numbers in a Bingo game. In the method of using the system, the VIP player preselects numbers which he wishes to play in multiple Bingo sessions. The hall enters the numbers into the memory of the computer. On the date of the Bingo game, the VIP player gives the hall his VIP player identification number. The hall enters the VIP player identification number into the computer and the VIP player&#39;s preselected numbers are displayed on the display of the computer. The VIP player then chooses which preselected Bingo numbers to play in the particular game. The VIP player pays for the Bingo numbers. The VIP player can pay for the numbers using VIP points which the player has accumulated from previous games. Upon paying for the numbers, the player is provided with a ticket. The ticket includes the preselected numbers with a control number for each set of numbers and a validation number for the ticket. The sets of numbers are printed on a ticket. The player has the option of also having the sets of numbers downloaded into an electronic Bingo device. The ticket can also be enlarged to a game board by the system at the player&#39;s option. The VIP player is also provided with a receipt indicating the number of preselected sets of numbers which the player bought, the validation number for the ticket and the time and date of the Bingo game for which the ticket is valid. The receipt may also list the sales agent and the identification number of the computer which sold the ticket. The Bingo game is then played with the called Bingo numbers being entered into the computer. When a player calls BINGO, the hall enters the control number of the potentially winning set of Bingo numbers into the computer. The computer will instantly notify the hall whether or not the player has a winning set of Bingo numbers. To collect his prize, the player must present his receipt having the correct validation number. 
     The present invention relates to a system for managing a game of Bingo which comprises: a computer with a central processing unit (CPU) and with a memory and with a printer connected to the CPU; an input and output terminal connected to the CPU and memory of the computer; and a program in the computer enabling: (i) input of at least one set of numbers which is preselected by a player for repetitive play in games of Bingo over a period of time; (ii) addition by the computer of a control number for each set of numbers which is preselected by the player; (iii) output of a receipt with the control number, the set of numbers which is preselected, a price for the set of numbers which is preselected, a date of the game of Bingo and optionally a computer identification number; and (iv) output for verification of a winning set of numbers by means of the control number which is input into the computer by a manager of the game of Bingo. 
     Further, the present invention relates to a method for playing a game of Bingo which comprises the steps of: providing a system for managing a game of Bingo which comprises: a computer with a central processing unit (CPU) and with a memory and with a printer connected to the CPU; an input and output terminal connected to the CPU and memory of the computer; and a program in the computer enabling: (i) input of a set of numbers which is preselected by a player for repetitive play in games of Bingo over a period of time; (ii) addition by the computer of a control number for the set of numbers which is preselected by the player; (iii) output of a receipt with the control number, the set of numbers which is preselected, a price for the set of numbers which is preselected, a date of the game of Bingo and optionally a computer identification number; and (iv) output for verification of a winning set of numbers by means of the control number which is input into the computer by a manager of the game of Bingo; playing the game of Bingo using the set of numbers; and verifying the winning set of numbers with the control number with the program. 
     Still further, the present invention relates to a method using a programmable computer to track a set of numbers selected by a player to be played in a game of Bingo which comprises the steps of: receiving the set of numbers selected by the player to be played in the game of Bingo; assigning a control identifier to the set of numbers; storing the set of numbers and the control identifier on a computer readable medium; displaying the set of numbers to be played in the game of Bingo along with the control identifier; receiving a potentially winning control identifier corresponding to a potentially winning set of numbers after the game of Bingo has been played; and displaying the set of numbers corresponding to the potentially winning control identifier to determine whether the potentially winning set of numbers is a winning set of numbers. 
     Further still, the present invention relates to a method using a programmable computer to track a set of numbers selected by a player to be played in a game of Bingo which comprises the steps of: receiving a preselected set of numbers; assigning a player identifier to a group having the preselected set of numbers wherein all preselected sets of numbers corresponding to one player belong to one group and are assigned one player identifier; storing the preselected set of numbers and the player identifier on a computer readable medium; receiving the player identifier for the player to retrieve the group having the preselected set of numbers corresponding to the player; receiving the set of numbers to be played in the game of Bingo from the preselected set of numbers; assigning a control identifier for the set of numbers to be played in the game of Bingo; storing the control identifier for the set of numbers to be played in the game of Bingo on the computer readable medium; displaying the set of numbers to be played in the game of Bingo along with the corresponding control identifier; receiving a potentially winning control identifier corresponding to a potentially winning set of numbers after the game of Bingo has been played; and displaying the set of numbers corresponding to the potentially winning control identifier to determine whether the potentially winning set of numbers is a winning set of numbers. 
    
    
     The substance and advantages of the present invention will become increasingly apparent by reference to the following drawings and the description. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S) 
     FIGS. 1 and 1A are schematic representations of the system  10  of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a printout of a player receipt  50  for a one time player. 
     FIG. 3 is a printout of a player ticket  52  for a one time player. 
     FIG. 4 is a printout of a game board  54  for a one time player. 
     FIG. 5 is a printout of a player receipt  50  for a VIP player. 
     FIG. 6 is a printout of a player ticket  52  for a VIP player. 
     FIG. 7 is a printout of a game board  54  for a VIP player. 
     FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the method of using the Bingo system  10  to purchase numbers for a Bingo game by a VIP player. 
     FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the method of using the system  10  to purchase Bingo numbers for a Bingo game by a general public player. 
     FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the method of playing a Bingo game using the system  10  for either type of player after the set(s) of Bingo numbers  56  are purchased. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     The automated Bingo system  10  of the present invention allows for managing all aspects of a Bingo game. The system  10  preferably can be used with any version of the game of Bingo. In the preferred embodiment, the system  10  is used with a version of Bingo commonly referred to as “U-PICK-EM”, “PICK”, “PICK 7”, “PICK 6”, “SELECT 8”, “PICK 8” and “DO IT YOURSELF”. In this version of the game of Bingo, a player or the computer selects sets of numbers to be played in the game. Each set of numbers has the same amount of numbers. For example, for the game entitled “PICK 7”, all sets of numbers would have seven (7) numbers. The sets of numbers are displayed in horizontal rows. Preferably, the numbers range from 1 to 75; although, any range of numbers can be used. The hall or manager of the Bingo session calls the Bingo numbers in the range of numbers available for the particular game. Unlike standard Bingo, a letter in the word BINGO is not associated with the numbers. As the hall calls the numbers, the players mark their ticket or game boards. To win, a player must mark all numbers in a set of numbers which corresponds to marking one (1) horizontal row. In an alternative version of the “UPICK-EM” Bingo game, the hall has a second jackpot called a “hot ball”, “fish bowl”, “pickle jar” or “cookie jar”. To win this second jackpot, a player must achieve a winning Bingo configuration on a predetermined Bingo number as selected by the hall. Another alternative version of the “U-PICK-EM” Bingo game is the matrix option. In this version, a player or computer chooses the same number of sets of numbers as there are numbers in the set. For example, 5 sets of 5 numbers, 6 sets of 6 numbers, 7 sets of 7 numbers, etc. The sets are arranged in rows and columns with the number of rows equal to the number of columns. A player can win by marking all the numbers in either a row or column. For example, a ticket for a matrix version having 8 sets of 8 numbers would have 64 numbers with 16 sets of numbers in play allowing 16 different ways to achieve Bingo. The system  10  also allows for two (2) different types of Bingo players. The first type of player is a VIP or repeat player. A VIP player is a player who has played Bingo at the hall in the past and consistently plays Bingo at the hall. The second type of player is a general public player. A general public player is not a consistently, repeat player at the hall. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, the system  10  of the present invention includes a computer  12  having a CPU  14 , a display or monitor  20 , at least one (1) input/output device  18  and a printer  22 . A second computer  32  with a second printer  34  may also be included in the system  10 . The memory  16  of the computer  12  includes a computer memory  16  having a computer program  16  A which allows for managing most aspects of the Bingo game. The computer program  16  A is able to keep track of all the accounting involved in running a Bingo game, prepare the ticket  52  for the player and verify a winning set of Bingo numbers  56  and a winning ticket  52 . In particular, the computer program  16  A includes an accounting program which keeps track of the number of sets of numbers  56  sold for a specific Bingo game as well as the amount of money or number of buying points paid for each set of numbers  56 . The accounting program also allows for printing a receipt  50  for a player confirming the purchase of the sets of numbers  56 . The accounting program is able to keep track of the amount of money paid to various winners during each session. The accounting program also allows for special pricing of set(s) of numbers. For example, a player may receive a discount for purchasing multiple sets of numbers  56 . Preferably, the accounting program used in the system  10  is similar to the EPICT™ accounting program sold by Melange Computer Services, Inc. The computer program also includes a ticket program which prints tickets  52  having the sets of numbers  56  bought by the player at the point of sale. Alternatively, the ticket program downloads the ticket  52  into a portable electronic Bingo device  26  at the point of sale. Finally, the computer program includes a verification program. The verification program allows the hall to quickly and accurately verify that a ticket  52  has a winning set of Bingo numbers 56 and that the ticket 52 was valid for the particular Bingo game. An example of a computer program which will perform the method of the present invention is “VlPickem.txt” which is contained in the computer program listing appendix located on the compact disc submitted herewith and is incorporated herein by reference. 
     The memory  16  of the computer  12  also includes a player database  16  B having player files. The player files contain the favorite set or sets of Bingo numbers  56  which each VIP player likes to play for multiple sessions of the game of Bingo (FIG.  8 ). If the player is a general public player, then the player does not have a player file. The sets of Bingo numbers  56  in the player file are preselected by the player and are input into the player file. The player file is then given a player identification number  62  which is given to the VIP player. The player identification number  62  can be encoded on a magnetic strip on a VIP card (not shown). In the preferred embodiment, the preselected sets of Bingo numbers  56  are only entered once into the player database  16  B. In the preferred embodiment a VIP player is able to modify the preselected sets of numbers  56  in a player file at any time. Preferably, the player database  16  B can have an unlimited number of player files. In addition, preferably each player file has subfiles for each different version of the Bingo game. Thus, each subfile would include sets of Bingo numbers  56  which a VIP player has preselected to play in a specific version of the Bingo game. These subfiles are important where a hall plays several versions of Bingo. Preferably inactive player files which have not been accessed for a predetermined period of time are deleted from the player database  16  B. The memory  16  of the computer  12  also includes a temporary memory  16  C. The temporary memory  16  C includes the sets of numbers  56  selected by a player for a specific session of Bingo. The temporary memory  16  C also includes the control numbers  58  and the validation number  60  relating to a specific session of Bingo. The temporary memory  16  C is preferably erased after each session of Bingo. 
     For a VIP player to use the system  10 , the VIP player swipes his player identification card through a reader at the cashier counter where the Bingo tickets  52  are sold (FIG.  8 ). Alternatively, the cashier or computer operator types the player identification number  62  into the computer  12  using the input/output device  18  which is preferably a keyboard. The player&#39;s name may be inputted into the computer  12  to obtain the player&#39;s identification number  62 . The VIP player&#39;s player file is then displayed on the video display, video screen or monitor  20  of the computer system  10 . If the player&#39;s file contains subfiles then the player or cashier selects the subfile which corresponds to the version of the Bingo game which is to be played. The VIP player then selects the sets of numbers  56  he wishes to play. In combination with the sets of numbers  56  he selects, the VIP player can, also have the computer  12  select random. sets of numbers  56 . Alternatively, the VIP player can choose to play only computer selected sets of random Bingo numbers  56 . For a general public player, to purchase sets of numbers  56  for a Bingo game, the general public player indicates to the cashier how many sets of numbers  56  he wishes to play (FIG.  9 ). The computer  12  then randomly picks the numbers for the number of sets of numbers  56  to be purchased by the player. These sets of numbers  56  may be displayed on the monitor  20  of the computer  12  prior to the player buying the sets of numbers  56 . It is possible that a player may request that the computer  12  reselect the sets of numbers  56  if the player does not like the sets of numbers  56  originally selected by the computer  12 . If a general player would like to choose specific sets of numbers  56 , a player can start a player file directly prior to a game and become a VIP player. 
     Once the sets of numbers  56  are selected, the computer  12  assigns each set of numbers  56  a unique control number  58  (FIGS.  3  and  6 ). If the game is a matrix game, the columns as well as the rows are provided with a control number  58 . The accounting program then calculates the cost of the sets of numbers  56  to be played by the player. The VIP player then pays for the sets of numbers  56 . The VIP player can pay by cash or credit. In the preferred embodiment, the credit card information for a client is stored in the player file which eliminates the need for the player to produce a credit card. The player can also purchase sets of numbers  56  using buying points. Buying points are points earned by a player during previous games. The points result from a winning Bingo by a player. Alternatively, the player earns buying points based on the amount of sets of numbers  56  he purchases. Preferably, the accounting program calculates the total buying points a player has after each sale to a player and after each Bingo game, the total is then stored in the player&#39;s file in the player database  16 B of the computer  12 . In the preferred embodiment, the number of buying points a player has in his account is displayed on the monitor  20  along with the preselected set of numbers  56 , when the VIP player identification number  62  is entered into the computer  12 . However, a general public player can not purchase sets of numbers  56  using buying points since the player does not have a player file or an account to track his buying points. In addition, buying points are not awarded to general public players since there is no player file for those players. Once the VIP or general public player purchases the sets of numbers  56 , the computer  12  assigns the transaction or sale a single, unique validation number  60 . The player then receives a ticket  52  and a receipt  50 . The computer  12  also stores the sets of numbers  56  sold, the corresponding control numbers  58  and the validation number  60  in a temporary memory  16 C. The temporary memory  16 C preferably also includes the time and date of the particular session which the sets of numbers  56  and ticket  52  are valid. In the preferred embodiment, the information for a particular session of Bingo is deleted from the temporary memory  16 C after. a predetermined amount of time. 
     The ticket  52  issued to the player is printed on a printer  22  of the computer  12  (FIGS.  3  and  6 ). The printed ticket  52  is preferably the size of a standard store receipt. In addition, the ticket  52  can be downloaded into an electronic Bingo device  26 . The ticket  52  preferably has a listing of the sets of numbers  56  to be played by the player. The sets of numbers  56  are preferably arranged in horizontal rows. Each set of numbers  56  is provided with a unique transaction control number  58 . The unique control number  58  for each set of numbers  56  is preferably adjacent each row having the set of numbers  56 . For a matrix session, the control numbers  58  are preferably adjacent each row and at the top or bottom of each column. The ticket  52  also has the validation number  60  for that ticket  52  or sale. In addition, the time and date of the game is indicated on the ticket  52 . If the player is a VIP player, the ticket  52  also preferably includes the player&#39;s name or player identification number  62 . If the player is a general public player, then the ticket  52  preferably includes the words “general public” or includes a standard general public identification number. Once the sale is made and the ticket  52  is provided to the player, the player may enter his identification number  62  or the validation number  60  into a second computer  32  having a second program memory  36  with a second computer program. The second printer  34  prints a large game sheet or game board  54  having the sets of numbers  56  (FIGS.  4  and  7 ). The larger game board  54  preferably includes the same information as the original ticket  52 . The larger game board  54  makes it easier for a player to mark his card. 
     The player is also provided with a receipt  50 . The receipt  50  preferably has the validation number  60 , the amount of sets of numbers  56  purchased, the session of the game for which the sets of numbers  56  were purchased, the total value of the sales of the sets of numbers  56  and the amount due, amount received and change due for the sale (FIGS.  2  and  5 ). The receipt  50  also preferably includes the date and time the sets of numbers  56  were purchased, the name of the hall having the Bingo game, the identification of the computer  12  which sold the sets of numbers  56  and the identification of the operator of the computer  12 . If the player is a VIP player, the ticket  52  may also include a buying point transaction accounting including the buying point total, the points redeemed, points earned, the new point total and the dollar value of the points (FIG.  5 ). 
     In the preferred embodiment, only one (1) Bingo game is on sale at one time. However, it is possible that multiple Bingo games could be sold at the same time. Preferably, all sets of numbers  56  for a particular game must be purchased the day of the game. The sales of sets of numbers  56  for a particular session of Bingo are preferably stopped 5 minutes before the start of the game. This prevents players from selecting sets having numbers which have already been called. In an alternative embodiment, the sets of numbers  56  must be purchased directly before the-game. In the preferred embodiment, the computer  12  keeps track of only one game and the sets of numbers  56  for that game. Preferably, the sets of numbers  56  for a specific game would be printed on a single ticket  52  with a corresponding separate receipt  50 . 
     The “U-PICK-EM” Bingo game is preferably played similarly to standard Bingo games (FIG.  10 ). The hall randomly selects numbers and calls the numbers. Any well known means can be used to select the numbers. In the preferred embodiment, the selection of numbers and calling of numbers is not done using the computer  12 . However, the computer  12  may automatically enter the Bingo numbers as they are selected or called. The computer  12  can use a ball call interface to automatically enter the winning Bingo numbers into the computer  12 . A ball call interface is a device that reads the Bingo numbers once they are called and placed into the ball call blower rack. Alternatively, the Bingo numbers can be manually entered into the computer  12 . As the numbers are called, each player marks their ticket  52 , game board  54  or electronic Bingo device  26  appropriately. When a player or players have covered all of the numbers of a set of numbers  56 , the player signals a Bingo. Alternatively, where the game is a matrix game, the player would signal when all the numbers in either a row or column on the ticket  52  is covered. Therefore in a matrix game, a winning set of numbers  56  may not be a set of numbers  56  selected by a player but rather include a single number for each set of numbers  56  selected by a player. When a player signals a Bingo, the player shows his ticket  52  and receipt  50  to the hall. The hall enters the control number  58  of the set of numbers  56  forming the winning Bingo into the computer  12 . The computer  12  compares the player&#39;s set of numbers  56  with the called numbers. The computer  12  then indicates whether the set of numbers  56  was sold for that particular session and whether the set of numbers  56  is a winning set of numbers  56 . If the set of numbers  56  is verified as a winning set, the set of numbers  56  is preferably displayed on monitors  24  in the hall so that the remaining players can see the winning set of numbers  56 . To collect a winning jackpot, the player must show his original receipt  50  to the hall. The hall compares the validation numbers  60  of the receipt  50  and ticket  52  to confirm that the ticket  52  was purchased for that particular session. 
     It is intended that the foregoing description by only illustrative of the present invention and that the present invention be limited only by the hereinafter appended claims.