GB1584477A - Random selection of numbers - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN THE RANDOM SELECTION OF NUMBERS (71) 1, KITH ANTHONY HOARE, of 11 Thorne Avenue, Flixton, County of Lancaster, - a British Subject, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me; and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The invention relates ç to the random selection of numbers.

The invention is particularly applicable for the random selection of-a number for the gameof; for ex8mplb; Bingo, such selection at the 'p?esent time. reiduces;-the number available after each selection by I but the selected number still remains in the series although it cannot be re-selected and may cause a block when a plurality of adjacent numbers have been selected and eliminated from further selection.

The object of the invention is to ensure random selection at each stage by removing after each operation the number which has been selected thereby reducing the number of possible numbers available for selection by 1 and loading the remaining numbers or symbols to a second memory store.

According to the invention the method of operation comprises holding in adjacent cells in a random memory store a set of numbers or symbols from which a selection is to be made, operating a control circuit to cause the random selector to indicate and display the number or symbol selected, removing the selected number or symbol and re-assembling the remaining numbers or symbols in the same or in another group of adjacent cells, re-operating the control circuit to select a further number or symbol and repeating the transfer of the remaining numbers or symbols alternately from one set of cells to another until the required number of randomly selected numbers or symbols have been obtained.

In an apparatus for the electronic random selection of numbers or symbols the set numbers or symbols from which a selection is to be made is held in adjacent cells of a RAM and after selection is made, the selected number or symbol is removed from the set and the remaining numbers or symbols are re-assembled in another group bf adjacent -cells having no gaps which would remove the true randomness of the selection. Two RAMS are used and the remainder set of numbers or symbols are transferred from one to the. other after each selection. The extracted number of symbol in each case is displayed: The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying diagram.

The -random selector employs two areas of stores of Random Access Memory (referred to herein as RADII. A and RAM B,) which may be physically one and the same or separate, each being able to contain the range of numbers or symbols under consideration. Alternatively RAM A and RAM B may be substituted by two known shift registers.

The control of RAM A and RAM B or their alternatives is by a circuit for extracting numbers or symbols referred to on the drawing as a proportionally reducing counter and control circuitry for error and general operation, from RAM A and transferring the remaining numbers or symbols to RAM B so that only the numbers or symbols available for selection are present.

At the commencement of operation the Proportionally Reducing Counter provides pulses for extracting a number or symbol and RAM A is loaded with the numbers or symbols under review. After a selection has been made the number or symbol is removed from RAM A and the remainder of the numbers or symbols are transferred electronically to RAM B.

The second selection is then made from RAM B, the Proportionally Reducing Counter is again decremented and the number or symbol supplied being again extracted and the remainder of the numbers or symbols being transferred back electronically to RAM A.

This process is repeated until all the numbers required have been selected. To provide a constant check on the possibility of error, circuitry may be added to correct or indicate malfunction. Further circuitry may count and indicate a required number of selections, and numbers selected may be displayed on the apparatus or by remote control elsewhere.

WHAT I CLAIM IS:- 1. A method for operation of a random selector of numbers or symbols comprising holding in adjacent cells in a random memory store a set of numbers or symbols from which a selection is to be made, operating a control circuit to cause the random selector to indicate and display the number or symbol selected, removing the selected number or symbol and re-assembling the remaining numbers or symbols in the same or in another group of adjacent cells, reoperating the control circui to select a further number or symbol and repeating the transfer of the remaining numbers or symbols alternately from one set of cells to another until - the required number of randomly selected numbers or symbols heave been obtained.

2. Apparatus for carrying out the method of Claim 1, for the electronic random selecof numbers or symbols from a diminishing range comprising two areas of random access memory (RAM) and a control circuit providing pulses for extracting a number or symbol from one area of RAM and further circuitry returning the remainder of the numbers or symbols to the other arena of RAM and passing the extracted numbers or symbols to circuitry for display of said random numbers or symbols already selected.

3. Apparatus for the electronic random selection of numbers or symbols for carrying out the method of claim 1 substantially as described with reference to the accompanying diagram.

4. A method of operation- of a random selector of numbers or symbols substantially as hereinbefore described.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (4)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. may count and indicate a required number of selections, and numbers selected may be displayed on the apparatus or by remote control elsewhere. WHAT I CLAIM IS:-

1. A method for operation of a random selector of numbers or symbols comprising holding in adjacent cells in a random memory store a set of numbers or symbols from which a selection is to be made, operating a control circuit to cause the random selector to indicate and display the number or symbol selected, removing the selected number or symbol and re-assembling the remaining numbers or symbols in the same or in another group of adjacent cells, reoperating the control circui to select a further number or symbol and repeating the transfer of the remaining numbers or symbols alternately from one set of cells to another until - the required number of randomly selected numbers or symbols heave been obtained.

2. Apparatus for carrying out the method of Claim 1, for the electronic random selecof numbers or symbols from a diminishing range comprising two areas of random access memory (RAM) and a control circuit providing pulses for extracting a number or symbol from one area of RAM and further circuitry returning the remainder of the numbers or symbols to the other arena of RAM and passing the extracted numbers or symbols to circuitry for display of said random numbers or symbols already selected.

3. Apparatus for the electronic random selection of numbers or symbols for carrying out the method of claim 1 substantially as described with reference to the accompanying diagram.

4. A method of operation- of a random selector of numbers or symbols substantially as hereinbefore described.