Bingo paper

Abstract

Bingo players are provided with inexpensive electronic pagers that signal the current status of bingo cards purchased by players. A central computer automatically verifies all bingo cards sold to all players each time a new bingo number is called. Over a radio channel, the central computer notifies the electronic pagers of the current status of bingo cards purchased by the respective holders of the pagers. The pagers receive data transmitted by the central computer and display the received data including an identification of the leading bingo card and an indication of a bingo number needed to complete bingo. An identification of the bingo cards being monitored by the pager is input into the pager by a player via the pager's keypad or by a cashier that operates a point-of-sale terminal. The point-of-sale terminal communicates with the central computer and optionally with the electronic pagers as well.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An automated system for playing a bingo game including: 
 a central data processing means in combination with at least one electronic pager and in further combination with at least one bingo card associated with said electronic pager;    said at least one bingo card competing for a winning in said bingo game;    said central data processing means verifying said at least one bingo card upon calling of a new called bingo number in said bingo game and transmitting a current status of said at least one bingo card in said bingo game;    said electronic pager receiving said current status of said at least one bingo card and signaling said current status of said at least one bingo card.    
     
     
         2 . Automated system of  claim 1  wherein said electronic pager stores an identification number of said electronic pager in memory of said electronic pager.  
     
     
         3 . Automated system of  claim 2  wherein said data processing means includes a point-of-sale terminal inputting said identification number of said electronic pager and assigning said at least one bingo card to said electronic pager identified by said identification number.  
     
     
         4 . Automated system of claim I wherein said electronic pager includes a local data entry means and a remote data entry means.  
     
     
         5 . Automated system of  claim 4  wherein said remote data entry means is a radio-frequency receiver.  
     
     
         6 . Automated system of  claim 4  wherein an identification of said at least one bingo card assigned to said electronic pager is input into said electronic pager via said local data entry means.  
     
     
         7 . Automated system of  claim 1  wherein said electronic pager transmits information to said central data processing means.  
     
     
         8 . Automated system of  claim 7  wherein said information includes said identification of said at least one bingo card.  
     
     
         9 . Automated system of claim I wherein said central data processing means transmits said current status over a wireless communication channel.  
     
     
         10 . Automated system of claim I wherein said electronic pager displays an identification of said at least one bingo card assigned to said electronic pager.  
     
     
         11 . Automated system of  claim 1  wherein said electronic pager displays said at least one bingo card assigned to said electronic pager.  
     
     
         12 . Automated system of  claim 1  wherein said central data processing means transmits said new called bingo number and said electronic pager receives and displays said new called bingo number.  
     
     
         13 . Automated system of claim 12  wherein confirmation of said new called bingo number is inputted to said electronic pager via a local data entry means.  
     
     
         14 . Automated system of  claim 1  wherein said central data processing means includes a bingo caller terminal and said point-of-sale terminal transmits sales transaction data to said bingo caller terminal.  
     
     
         15 . Automated system of  claim 14  wherein said sales transaction data includes an identification of said electronic pager.  
     
     
         16 . Automated system of  claim 1  wherein said electronic pager transmits a service request to a said central data processing means.  
     
     
         17 . Automated system of  claim 1  wherein said electronic pager displays an advertisement.  
     
     
         18 . Automated system of  claim 1  wherein said central data processing means assigns priority to transmission of said current status in an inverse correlation to a degree of closeness of said at least one bingo card to a winning in said bingo game.  
     
     
         19 . An automated system for playing a bingo game including: 
 a central data processing means in communication with at least one electronic pager associated with at least one bingo card;    said at least one bingo card competing for a winning in said bingo game;    said central data processing means, upon calling of a new called bingo number in said bingo game, transmitting a current status of said at least one bingo card in said bingo game;    said electronic pager receiving said current status transmission of said at least one bingo card and signaling said current status of said at least one bingo card.    
     
     
         20 . Automated system of  claim 19  wherein said electronic pager transmits information to said central data processing means.  
     
     
         21 . Automated system of  claim 20  wherein said central data processing means and said electronic pager transmit over a wireless communication channel.  
     
     
         22 . Automated system of  claim 21  wherein said central data processing means transmits said new called bingo number and said electronic pager receives and displays said new called bingo number.  
     
     
         23 . Automated system of  claim 20  wherein said electronic pager transmits a service request to a said central data processing means.  
     
     
         24 . Automated system of  claim 19  wherein said electronic pager includes means to display information received from central data processing means.