Contest button

• US 6,948,712 B1
• Filed: 08/06/2002
• Issued: 09/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Buztronics
• Original Assignee: Buztronics
• Inventors: Lewis, Edward D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, J.
• Application Number:
  US10/213,349
• Time in Patent Office: 1,148 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463/16, 463/17, 463/18, 463/19, 463/22, 273/269, 273/139, 273/138.1, 273/432, 273/460, 273/461, 273/138.2, 273/463, 362/104, 362/570, 362/571
• US Class Current: 273/139
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2452 as a signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/1078 of the count-down type
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/081 electric

Abstract

A multi-state flashing button and method of conducting a lottery using such a button. One or more multi-state buttons including an internal timer are distributed along with a relatively large number of single-state flashing buttons. The timer causes the multi-state buttons to change from a flashing state to non-flashing state at the end of a predetermined time-out interval, and a prize is awarded to each participant having a button which undergoes such a change of state.

Claims

1. A method of conducting a lottery, comprising:

distributing electrically illuminated buttons among lottery participants, at least one of said buttons including a light circuit having more than one state including a flashing state and a non-flashing state;

changing the state of said light circuit between said flashing state and said non-flashing state in response to a predetermined condition; and

awarding a prize to a participant having an illuminated button with a light circuit which changes state between said flashing state and said non-flashing state,

wherein said light circuit on said button includes a timer and said change of state occurs at the end of a predetermined time-out interval of said timer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said light circuit switches from said flashing state to said non-flashing state at the end of said predetermined time-out interval.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said non-flashing state is an ON state in which said light circuit energizes a light source continually.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said light source is a multi-color LED and said light circuit causes said LED to flash in one color and then continually emit a different color of light upon said change of state.

5. A method of conducting a lottery, comprising:

distributing electrically illuminated buttons among lottery participants, at least one of said buttons including a light circuit having more than one state including a flashing state and a non-flashing state;

changing the state of said light circuit between said flashing state and said non-flashing state in response to a predetermined condition; and

awarding a prize to a participant having an illuminated button with a light circuit which changes state between said flashing state and said non-flashing state,

wherein said light circuit switches from said flashing state to said non-flashing state in response to said predetermined condition.

6. A method of conducting a lottery, comprising:

distributing electrically illuminated buttons among lottery participants, at least one of said buttons including a light circuit having more than one state including a flashing state and a non-flashing state;

changing the state of said light circuit between said flashing state and said non-flashing state in response to a predetermined condition; and

awarding a prize to a participant having an illuminated button with a light circuit which changes state between said flashing state and said non-flashing state,

wherein said non-flashing state is an ON state in which said light circuit energizes a light source continually.

7. A method of conducting a lottery, comprising:

distributing electrically illuminated buttons among lottery participants, at least one of said buttons including a light circuit having more than one state including a flashing state and a non-flashing state;

changing the state of said light circuit between said flashing state and said non-flashing state in response to a predetermined condition; and

awarding a prize to a participant having an illuminated button with a light circuit which changes state between said flashing state and said non-flashing state,

wherein said light circuit includes a multi-color LED and causes said LED to flash in one color and then continually emit a different color of light upon said change of state.