ALAN FRANK
Engineers in Pittsburgh, PA

6186892, Feb 13, 2001

Oct 16, 1997

8/951334

Alan Frank - Pittsburgh PA
Jane M. McIntyre - Pittsburgh PA

A63F 1300, A63F 924, G06F 1700, G06F 1900

463 19

A method and apparatus for playing bingo having a prize structure which is based upon the true mathematical probabilities of forming pre-announced winning bingo patterns after each random bingo number is drawn and telecasting the mechanical random number generating process live, while simultaneously transceiving information interactively over the telephone or a global communications network, for example, the Internet. In this game, players are not required to assemble in one place. An unlimited number of players can participate simultaneously from different remote locations without changing any individual player's chances of winning.

5088737, Feb 18, 1992

Sep 12, 1990

7/581051

Alan Frank - Pittsburgh PA
Cindy B. Schiavon - Pittsburgh PA
Diane Frank - Pittsburgh PA

A63F 700

273138A

A completely automatic, player operable, currency accepting instant lottery machine including a random number generator containing air-mixed balls which are marked on their surfaces with commonly recognized digits and also marked with a uniform pattern of bar code markings arranged in tall and narrow strips. After a mixing process, the balls which have randomly settled into the lower settlement pockets of the transparent random number generator are caused to rotate by jets of compressed air directed tangentially at their surfaces in opposite directions. Bar code scanning light pens located adjacent the settlement pockets and in close proximity to the rotating, randomly selected balls read the bar codes and transmit electronic signals to a computer in the machine which compares the randomly generated number to the player's previously selected number to determine if a successful match has occurred, in which case, a redeemable ticket is dispensed.

4601471, Jul 22, 1986

Jul 3, 1985

6/751689

Alan Frank - Pittsburgh PA

A63F 700

273144B

A random number generating device for randomly selecting one of a plurality of suspendable balls which are stirred and circulated in a chamber by an upflowing fluid stream. Upon termination of fluid flow one of the balls falls downwardly through a relatively narrow bottom trough into a lower pocket having a transparent wall. The device is provided with steeply sloping inclined facing sidewalls flaring outwardly from said trough and sufficiently steep so that upon termination of fluid flow non-selected balls are out of contact with the selected ball as it falls from the trough into the pocket. Thereby, any jamming of non-selected balls occurs at an elevated level and does not prevent a single, randomly selected ball from entering the pocket at the end of each cycle.