Apparatus and method for generating numbers
First Claim
1. A handheld device for generating one or more numbers, said device comprising:
- a) an electronic circuit including an electrically powered oscillator, a counter driven by said oscillator, and a microcontroller having a memory wherein is stored at least one set of parametric game data including at least identification of a predetermined set of numbers which may be generated;
b) means on said device manually operable by a user thereof for causing said counter to begin a program count function, continuously and repeatedly counting through said predetermined set of numbers, and for interrupting said program count function at a time of the user'"'"'s choosing; and
c) indicating means on said device for informing the user of the number in said counter at the moment of interrupting said program count function.
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Abstract
A hand held device includes an oscillator driving a microcontroller having as a part of its program a counter actuable by a user to initiate a program count function, counting through a predetermined range of numbers until the program count function is terminated manually at any moment of the user'"'"'s choosing. The number in the counter at the moment of termination of the count is visually displayed and/or stored in electronic memory. The microcontroller contains a plurality of game parameter data indicative of the lowest and highest numbers in the range and the number of selections to be made in generating a group of numbers. Switches on the device permit the user to select the active game data, to initiate the first program count function, to terminate the program count function and to reinitiate the program count function following each termination until the requisite number of selections has been made. A further feature permits the base frequency of the oscillator, and thus the counting rate of the counter, to be varied as a function of some external parameter such as a biometric parameter of the user, for example, by detuning the oscillator through a touch pad on the device housing. Visual and/or audible indicia provide a perceptible indication of the relative counting rate. A further, optional feature permits replacement game parameter data to be downloaded from an external source, and stored in nonvolatile memory for use by the microcontroller.
42 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A handheld device for generating one or more numbers, said device comprising:
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a) an electronic circuit including an electrically powered oscillator, a counter driven by said oscillator, and a microcontroller having a memory wherein is stored at least one set of parametric game data including at least identification of a predetermined set of numbers which may be generated;
b) means on said device manually operable by a user thereof for causing said counter to begin a program count function, continuously and repeatedly counting through said predetermined set of numbers, and for interrupting said program count function at a time of the user'"'"'s choosing; and
c) indicating means on said device for informing the user of the number in said counter at the moment of interrupting said program count function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A handheld device for selecting numbers, said device comprising:
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a. a programmable microcontroller having a memory containing a predetermined set of numbers;
b. a counter actuable to perform a program count function, iterating repeatedly through said set of numbers;
c. an oscillator supplying a clock input to said microcontroller and said counter;
d. actuating means on said device selectively operable by a user to initiate said program count function; and
e. deactuating means on said device selectively operable by said user for termination of said program count function, thereby selecting the number in said counter at the moment of said termination. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method of electronically generating numbers by a handheld device including a casing containing a power source, a microcontroller, and a counter actuable to perform a program count function wherein said counter iterates continuously and repeatedly through a predetermined set of numbers, said method comprising:
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a. manually initiating said program count function by said counter;
b. manually terminating said program count function at a moment selected by a user of said device; and
c. displaying and/or storing in electronic memory the number present in said counter at said moment of terminating said program count function. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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33. The method of 26 and further including changing said predetermined set of numbers.
Specification