Apparatus and Method for Generating Numbers
First Claim
1. A handheld device for randomly selecting at least one number, comprising:
- a sensor for detecting a biometric parameter of a user in proximity to said sensor and outputting an electrical signal that varies based on said biometric parameter;
a square wave oscillator for providing an output signal having a base frequency, wherein said oscillator is connected to said sensor so that said base frequency is at least partially dependent on said variable electrical signal;
a microcontroller connected to said oscillator to receive said output signal, wherein said microcontroller is programmed to increment through a sequence of numbers at a rate determined by said base frequency of said output signal.
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Accused Products
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. 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.
15 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A handheld device for randomly selecting at least one number, comprising:
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a sensor for detecting a biometric parameter of a user in proximity to said sensor and outputting an electrical signal that varies based on said biometric parameter; a square wave oscillator for providing an output signal having a base frequency, wherein said oscillator is connected to said sensor so that said base frequency is at least partially dependent on said variable electrical signal; a microcontroller connected to said oscillator to receive said output signal, wherein said microcontroller is programmed to increment through a sequence of numbers at a rate determined by said base frequency of said output signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification