A device for generating at least one series of characters
The device addresses the limitation of single-game devices by allowing versatile character generation across multiple games through rotatable segments and integrated storage, enhancing user experience and efficiency.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NEIRYNCK POL
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-09
Smart Images
Figure EP2025068105_09072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] A device for generating at least one series of characters
[0002] Technical field
[0003] The present invention relates to a device for generating at least one series of characters, preferably for playing games, such as for example lottery games.
[0004] Background art
[0005] From the prior art devices are known for generating series of characters for playing games, such as for example lottery games. These devices have however the advantage that they are only suitable for playing one type of game.
[0006] Disclosure of the invention
[0007] It is an aim of the present invention to provide a single device for generating at least one series of characters for different types of games.
[0008] This aim is achieved according to the invention with a device showing the technical characteristics of the first independent claim.
[0009] Therefore, the present invention provides a device for generating at least one series of characters. The device comprises a first body. Preferably, the first body extends along a longitudinal direction. The first body is provided with a predetermined number N1 of segments which are rotatably mounted on the first body. Preferably, the segments of the first body are arranged adjacent to each other. Preferably, the segments of the first body are rotatable around the longitudinal direction. Each segment of the first body is provided with a predetermined number M1 of faces. Each face of the segments of the first body is provided with a character. It should be noted that the characters may be any type of characters, such as for example numbers, letters, symbols or combinations thereof. The device comprises a second body. The second body is provided with a predetermined number N2 of segments which are rotatably mounted on the second body. Preferably, the segments of the second body are arranged adjacent to each other. Preferably, the segments of the second body are rotatable around the longitudinal direction. Each segment of the second body is provided with a predetermined number M2 of faces. Each face of the segments of the second body is provided with a character. The second body is moveably received in the first body. Preferably, the second body is thereby moveable alongthe longitudinal direction. The second body is moveable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the second body is received in the first body, i.e. received in the first body such that the segments of the second body are not accessible for being rotated. In the second position the second body extends out of the first body, i.e. extends out of the first body such that the segments of the second body are accessible for being rotated.
[0010] The device according to the present invention offers the advantage that with a single compact device at least one series of characters can be generated for different types of games. At least one series of characters can be generated for a first type of game by rotating the segments on the first body, and at least one series of characters can be generated for a second type of game by rotating the segments on the second body when the second body is in the second position.
[0011] In an embodiment of the device according to the present invention the device further comprises a third body. The third body encloses a storage volume. The third body is provided with an entrance opening allowing entry to the storage volume. The third body is moveably received in the second body. Preferably, the third body is thereby moveable along the longitudinal direction. The third body is moveable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the third body is received in the second body, i.e. received in the second body such that the entrance opening is not accessible for entry to the storage volume. In the second position the third body extends out of the second body, i.e. extends out of the second body such that the entrance opening is accessible for entry to the storage volume.
[0012] This embodiment offers the advantage that a further game element, such as for example a prize for winning a game for which at least one series of characters is generated by means of the device, can be stored in the device, i.e. in the storage volume of the device.
[0013] In an embodiment of the device according to the present invention the third body may be provided with a closing member for closing off the entrance opening. The closing member is moveable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position the entrance opening is closed off by the closing member. In the open position the entrance opening is open.In an embodiment of the device according to the present invention the device further comprises a locking mechanism configured for locking the third body in the first position. The locking mechanism is configured for unlocking the third body from the first position by rotating the segments of the second body to predetermined positions with respect to each other.
[0014] This embodiment offers the advantage that the storage volume, and any further game element stored therein, is only accessible when the segments of the second body are rotated to the predetermined positions with respect to each other, i.e. when a predetermined unlocking combination is formed with the segments of the second body.
[0015] In an embodiment of the device according to the present invention the locking mechanism is further configured for locking the second body in the first position. The locking mechanism is configured for unlocking the third body from the first position by rotating the segments of the first body to predetermined positions with respect to each other.
[0016] This embodiment offers the advantage that the storage volume, and any further game element stored therein, is only accessible when the segments of both the first body and the second body are rotated to their respective predetermined positions with respect to each other, i.e. when a predetermined unlocking combination is formed with the segments of the first body and a predetermined unlocking combination is formed with the segments of the second body.
[0017] In an embodiment of the device according to the present invention the segments mounted on the first body are removably mounted on the first body such that the segments mounted on the first body can be replaced with a different set of segments. In an embodiment of the device according to the present invention the segments mounted on the second body are removably mounted on the second body such that the segments mounted on the second body can be replaced with a different set of segments.
[0018] These embodiments offer the advantage that the device can easily be adapted for generating at least one series of characters for playing other types of games by replacing the segments on the first body and / or the segments on the second body with other segments suitable for generating at least one series of characters for playing the other types of games.In an embodiment of the device according to the present invention the device further comprises an electronic registration unit. The electronic registration unit is configured for electronically registering the characters on at least one row of aligned faces of the segments of the first body as the at least one series of characters. The electronic registration unit is configured for electronically registering the characters on at least one row of aligned faces of the segments of the second body as the at least one series of characters. The electronic registration unit is configured for communicating the at least one series of characters to a further device. Preferably, the electronic registration unit is configured for communicating the at least one series of characters to a further device upon a request from the further device for retrieving the at least one series of characters generated by the first body or the second body.
[0019] This embodiment offers the advantage that the at least one series of characters generated by means of the device can easily be communicated to a further device, such as for example a server or a cash register configured for registering the at least one series of characters for playing a game, such as for example a lottery game. In this way the user of the device or other person does not have to enter the at least one series of characters manually in the further device.
[0020] In an embodiment of the device according to the present invention the first body is provided for playing a predetermined first lottery game. The number N1 of segments of the first body is the number of characters to be drawn in the first lottery game. The faces of the segments of the first body are provided with characters for playing the first lottery game. Each segment of the first body is provided on its faces with different characters of the drawable characters of the first lottery game than the other segments of the first body. Or, if characters are to be drawn from a plurality of subsets of characters for playing the first lottery game, then each segment of the first body is provided on its faces with different characters of the drawable characters of an associated subset of the first lottery game than the other segments of the first body associated with the same subset. The number M1 of faces of each segment of the first body is determined to be at least sufficient to provide all drawable characters of the first lottery game on the faces of the segments of the first body. Or, if characters are to be drawn from a plurality of subsets of characters for playing the first lottery game, the number M1of faces of each segment of the first body is determined to be at least sufficient to provide all drawable characters of a largest subset of characters for playing the first lottery game on the faces of the segments of the first body associated with said largest subset. The second body is provided for playing a predetermined second lottery game. The number N2 of segments of the second body is the number of characters to be drawn in the second lottery game .The faces of the segments of the second body are provided with characters for playing the second lottery game. Each segment of the second body is provided on its faces with different characters of the drawable characters of the second lottery game than the other segments of the second body. Or, if characters are to be drawn from a plurality of subsets of characters for playing the second lottery game, then each segment of the second body is provided on its faces with different characters of the drawable characters of an associated subset of the second lottery game than the other segments of the second body associated with the same subset. The number M2 of faces of each segment of the second body is determined to be at least sufficient to provide all drawable characters of the second lottery game on the faces of the segments of the second body. Or, if characters are to be drawn from a plurality of subsets of characters for playing the second lottery game, the number M2 of faces of each segment of the second body is determined to be at least sufficient to provide all drawable characters of a largest subset of characters for playing the second lottery game on the faces of the segments of the second body associated with said largest subset.
[0021] This embodiment offers the advantage that the first lottery game can be played by using the characters on each row of aligned faces of the segments of the first body as a separate series of characters. Hence, the characters formed by a first row of aligned faces of the segments of the first body are used as a first series of characters for playing the first lottery game, the characters on a second row of aligned faces of the segments of the first body are used as a second series of characters for playing the first lottery game, ..., and the characters on the M1throw of aligned faces of the segments of the first body are used as a M1thseries of characters for playing the first lottery game. If the user of the device fills out all these series of characters on a lottery form for the first lottery game, then the user will at least have played all characters that are drawn in the first lotterygame, although not necessarily in the same field or fields of the lottery form of the first lottery game.
[0022] The first lottery game and / or the second lottery game may be a national lottery game, a regional lottery game, such as for example a European lottery game, or a lottery game at a global level, i.e. a World Lotto.
[0023] This embodiment also offers the advantage that the second lottery game can be played by using the characters on each row of aligned faces of the segments of the second body as a separate series of characters. Hence, the characters formed by a first row of aligned faces of the segments of the second body are used as a first series of characters for playing the second lottery game, the characters on a second row of aligned faces of the segments of the second body are used as a second series of characters for playing the second lottery game, ..., and the characters on the M2throw of aligned faces of the segments of the second body are used as a M2thseries of characters for playing the second lottery game. If the user of the device fills out all these series of characters on a lottery form for the second lottery game, then the user will at least have played all characters that are drawn in the second lottery game, although not necessarily in the same field or fields of the lottery form of the second lottery game.
[0024] The present invention also provides an assembly for playing a lottery game. The assembly comprises the embodiment of the device according to the present invention of which the first body is provided for playing the first lottery game and the second body for playing the second lottery game. The assembly comprises at least one lottery form of a first lottery form configured for playing the first lottery game and a second lottery form configured for playing the second lottery game.
[0025] The assembly according to the present invention offers the advantage that the at least one series of characters generated by means of the first body, i.e. the characters on at least one row of aligned faces of the segments of the first body can be noted down on the first lottery form, if present, and that the at least one series of characters generated by means of the second body, i.e. the characters on at least one row of aligned faces of the segments of the second body can be noted down on the second lottery form, if present. The first lottery form and the second lottery form are not intended to be the official lottery form for playing respectively the first lottery game and the second lottery game, but are intendedas a memory aids for noting down the at least one series of characters generated by means of the first body for playing the first lottery game and for noting down the at least one series of characters generated by means of the second body for playing the second lottery game.
[0026] In an embodiment of the assembly according to the present invention the first lottery form, if present, is provided with the number M1 of fields configured for playing the first lottery game. The second lottery form, if present, is provided with the number M2 of fields configured for playing the second lottery game.
[0027] This embodiment offers the advantage that the first lottery form is provided for noting down all series of characters formed by the characters on each row of aligned faces of the segments of the first body. In this way, when the user of the assembly plays the first lottery game with all these series of characters, then the user will at least have played all characters that are drawn in the first lottery game, although not necessarily in the same field or fields of the lottery form of the first lottery game.
[0028] This embodiment also offers the advantage that that the second lottery form is provided for noting down all series of characters formed by the characters on each row of aligned faces of the segments of the second body. In this way, when the user of the assembly plays the second lottery game with all these series of characters, then the user will at least have played all characters that are drawn in the second lottery game, although not necessarily in the same field or fields of the lottery form of the second lottery game.
[0029] The present invention also provides a method for generating at least one series of characters by means of the device according to the present invention. The method comprises the step of determining whether at least one series of characters is to be generated with the first body or the second body. If at least one series of characters is to be generated with the first body the method comprises the step of randomly rotating the segments of the first body with respect to each other. If at least one series of characters is to be generated with the first body the method comprises the step of using the characters on at least one row of aligned faces of the segments of the first body as the at least one series of characters. If at least one series of characters is to be generated with the second body the method comprises the step of moving the second body to the second position if the second body is not in the second position. If at leastone series of characters is to be generated with the second body the method comprises the step of randomly rotating the segments of the second body with respect to each other. If at least one series of characters is to be generated with the second body the method comprises the step of using the characters on at least one row of aligned faces of the segments of the second body as the at least one series of characters.
[0030] In an embodiment of the method according to the present invention the embodiment of the device according to the present invention of which the first body is provided for playing the first lottery game and the second body for playing the second lottery game is used. If at least one series of characters is to be generated with the first body the method further comprises the step of providing a first lottery form configured for playing the first lottery game. If at least one series of characters is to be generated with the first body the method further comprises the step of noting the at least one series of characters generated by means of the first body on the first lottery form. If at least one series of characters is to be generated with the second body the method comprises the step of providing a second lottery form configured for playing the second lottery game. If at least one series of characters is to be generated with the second body the method comprises the step of noting the at least one series of characters generated by means of the second body on the second lottery form.
[0031] The present invention also provides a computer implemented method for generating at least one series of characters .The method comprises the step, performed by a processing unit of a computing device, of simulating the device according to the present invention on a screen of the computing device. The method comprises the step, performed by the processing unit, of receiving user input from a user input device of the computing device whether at least one series of characters is to be generated with the first body or the second body of the simulated device. If at least one series of characters is to be generated with the first body the method comprises the step, performed by the processing unit, of receiving user input from a user input device of the computing device for randomly rotating the segments of the first body with respect to each other. If at least one series of characters is to be generated with the first body the method comprises the step, performed by the processing unit, of displaying the rotation of the segments of the first body on the screen of the computing device. If at leastone series of characters is to be generated with the first body the method comprises the step, performed by the processing unit, of using the characters on at least one row of aligned faces of the segments of the first body as the at least one series of characters. If at least one series of characters is to be generated with the second body the method comprises the step, performed by the processing unit, of displaying the movement of the second body to the second position on the screen of the computing device if the second body is not displayed in the second position on the screen of the computing device. If at least one series of characters is to be generated with the second body the method comprises the step, performed by the processing unit, of receiving user input from a user input device of the computing device for randomly rotating the segments of the second body with respect to each other. If at least one series of characters is to be generated with the second body the method comprises the step, performed by the processing unit, of displaying the rotation of the segments of the second body on the screen of the computing device. If at least one series of characters is to be generated with the second body the method comprises the step, performed by the processing unit, of using the characters on at least one row of aligned faces of the segments of the second body as the at least one series of generated characters.
[0032] In an embodiment of the computer implemented method according to the present invention the embodiment of the device according to the present invention of which the first body is provided for playing the first lottery game and the second body for playing the second lottery game is simulated. If at least one series of characters is to be generated with the first body the method comprises the step, performed by the processing unit, of displaying the at least one series of characters on the screen of the computing device for a user to note the at least one series of characters on a first lottery form configured for playing the first lottery game. Alternatively, if at least one series of characters is to be generated with the first body the method comprises the step, performed by the processing unit, of sending the at least one series of characters to a server via a network interface of the computing device for electronically playing the first lottery game. If at least one series of characters is to be generated with the second body the method comprises the step, performed by the processing unit, of displaying the at least one series of characters on the screen of the computing device for a user tonote the at least one series of characters on a second lottery form configured for playing the second lottery game. Alternatively, if at least one series of characters is to be generated with the second body the method comprises the step, performed by the processing unit, of sending the at least one series of characters to a server via a network interface of the computing device for electronically playing the second lottery game.
[0033] Brief description of the drawings
[0034] The invention will be further elucidated by means of the following description and the appended figures.
[0035] Figure 1 shows a side view of a device for generating at least one series of characters according to a first embodiment of the present invention with the second body in the second position.
[0036] Figure 2 shows a side view of the device of Figure 1 with the second body in the second position.
[0037] Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the device of Figure 1 in cross section.
[0038] Figure 4 shows a cross section through a segment of the first body of the device of Figure 1.
[0039] Figure 5 shows a device for generating at least one series of characters according to a second embodiment of the present invention with the second body and the third body in the second position.
[0040] Figure 6 shows a first lottery form according to an embodiment of the present invention for playing a first lottery game.
[0041] Figure 7 shows a second lottery form according to an embodiment of the present invention for playing a second lottery game.
[0042] Modes for carrying out the invention
[0043] The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes. The dimensionsand the relative dimensions do not necessarily correspond to actual reductions to practice of the invention.
[0044] Furthermore, the terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. The terms are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and the embodiments of the invention can operate in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.
[0045] Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. The terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and the embodiments of the invention described herein can operate in other orientations than described or illustrated herein.
[0046] The term “comprising”, used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It needs to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components, or groups thereof. Thus, the scope of the expression “a device comprising means A and B” should not be limited to devices consisting only of components A and B. It means that with respect to the present invention, the only relevant components of the device are A and B.
[0047] Figures 1-4 show a device 100 for generating at least one series of characters according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The device 100 comprises a first body 110 extending along a longitudinal direction L. In the shown embodiment the first body 110 is provided for generating one or more series of numbers for playing a first lottery game in which 6 numbers have to be drawn out of 45 numbers ranging from 1 to 45. It should however be noted that in alternative embodiments the first body 110 may also be provided for other types of lottery games in which another amount of numbers has to be drawn out of another total amount of numbers. The lottery game may be a national lottery game, a regional lottery game, such as for example a European lottery game, or a lottery game at a global level, i.e. a World Lotto. It should also be noted that in alternative embodiments the first body 110 may also be provided for playing any other type of game for which at least one series of characters needs to begenerated. Hereby, the characters may be any type of characters, such as for example numbers, letters, symbols or combinations thereof.
[0048] For generating one or more series of numbers for playing the first lottery game the first body 110 is provided with N1 segments 112 that are mounted adjacent to each other on the first body 110. The segments 112 are rotatably mounted on the first body 110, such that the segments 112 are rotatable around the longitudinal direction L. Thereby, the segments 112 can be rotated independently from each other. In the shown embodiment the number N1 of segments is 6, which corresponds to the amount of numbers that has to be drawn for playing the first lottery game. Each segment 112 of the first body 110 is provided with M1 faces 114. The amount M1 of faces 114 on each segment 112 is chosen such that the total amount of faces 114 on all the segments 112, i.e. N1 x M1 , is at least the total amount of numbers for playing the first lottery game, i.e. at least 45. In the shown embodiment the number M1 of faces 114 on each segment 112 is chosen to be 8, such that N1 x M1 = 6 x 8 = 48, which is the first multiple of N1 = 6 above 45, i.e. the total amount of numbers for playing the first lottery game. It should however be noted that in alternative embodiments the number M1 may be chosen to be larger, if desired.
[0049]
[0050] Table 1 : Arrangement of the characters on the faces of the segments of the first body.
[0051] Each face 114 of the segments 112 of the first body 110 is provided with one of the 45 numbers ranging from 1 to 45 for playing the first lottery game. Thereby, each segment 112 of the first body 110 is provided on its faces 114 with different numbers of the numbers 1-45 for playing the first lottery game than theother segments 112 of the first body 110. This may for example be done as shown in Table 1 where the faces 114 of the first segment 112 are provided with the numbers 1-8, the faces 114 of the second segment 112 with the numbers 9-16, the faces 114 of the third segment 112 with the numbers 17-24, the faces 114 of the fourth segment 112 with the numbers 25-32 and the faces 114 of the fifth segment 112 with the numbers 26-40. The faces 114 of the sixth segment 112 are provided with the remaining numbers 41-45, whereby some numbers are repeated since eight faces 114 are available for the five numbers 41-45. Hereby, the numbers that are repeated may be chosen freely. It should be noted that, if further faces 114 would be provided on the segments 112 of the first body 110, i.e. more than the current eight, then these further faces 114 may be provided with one or more of the same numbers provided on the first eight faces 114 of the same segments 112, as is already the case for the sixth segment 112.
[0052] For generating a series of numbers for playing the first lottery game, the segments 112 of the first body 110 are first randomly rotated with respect to each other. Then, numbers on one row of aligned faces 114 of the segments 112 can then be used as the six numbers for playing the first lottery game by filling them in on one of the fields of a lottery form for the first lottery game. The numbers on the other rows of aligned faces 114 of the segments 112 can thereby obviously be used as other series of numbers for playing the first lottery game, which can be filled in on the other fields of a lottery form for the first lottery game. If the series of numbers on all rows of aligned faces 114 of the segments 112 are used for playing the first lottery game, then all numbers that are drawn in the first lottery game will have been played, although not necessarily in the same field or fields of the lottery form of the first lottery game.
[0053] For noting down the series of numbers on all rows of aligned faces 114 of the segments 112 of the first body 110 there may be provided a first lottery form 210, as shown in Figure 6. This first lottery form 210 is provided with M1 = 8 fields of each N1 = 6 numbers. It should be noted that the first lottery form 210 is not intended to be the official lottery form for playing the first lottery game, but is merely intended as a memory aid for noting down the series of numbers generated by means of the first body 110 for playing the first lottery game.
[0054] The segments 112 of the first body 110 are removably mounted on the first body 110, and held onto the first body 110 by means of a stop 116, as canbe seen in Figure 3. The stop 116 is removably connected to the first body 110, such that the stop 116 can detached from the first body 110. When the stop 116 is detached from the first body 110, the segments 112 can be taken off the first body 110 to be replaced by a different set of segments 112 provided for generating at least one series of characters for a different type of game.
[0055] The device 100 also comprises a second body 120 extending along the longitudinal direction L. In the shown embodiment the second body 120 is provided for generating one or more series of numbers for playing a second lottery game in which 5 numbers have to be drawn out of a first subset of 50 numbers ranging from 1 to 50 and 2 numbers out of a second subset of 12 numbers ranging from 1 to 12. It should however be noted that in alternative embodiments the second body 120 may also be provided for other types of lottery games in which another amount of numbers has to be drawn out of another total amount of numbers. The lottery game may be a national lottery game, a regional lottery game, such as for example a European lottery game, or a lottery game at a global level, i.e. a World Lotto. It should also be noted that in alternative embodiments the second body 120 may also be provided for playing any other type of game for which at least one series of characters needs to be generated. Hereby, the characters may be any type of characters, such as for example numbers, letters, symbols or combinations thereof.
[0056] The second body 120 is moveably received in the first body 110. Thereby, the second body 120 is moveable along the longitudinal direction L. The second body 120 is moveable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the second body 120 is received in the first body 110 such that rotatable segments 122 of the second body 120, which will be explained in further detail below, are not accessible for being rotated for generating one or more series of numbers for playing the second lottery game. In the second position the second body 120 extends out of the first body 110 such that the rotatable segments 122 of the second body 120 are accessible for being rotated for generating one or more series of numbers for playing the second lottery game. Hence, if the user wishes to use the device 100 for generating one or more series of numbers for playing the second lottery game, the user has to move the second body 120 to the second position. The second body 120 being moveable between the first position and the second position as such, offers the advantage that with a singlecompact device 100 at least one series of numbers can be generated for playing two types of lottery games.
[0057] For generating one or more series of numbers for playing the second lottery game the second body is provided with N2 segments 122 that are mounted adjacent to each other on the second body 120. The segments 122 are rotatably mounted on the second body 120, such that the segments 122 are rotatable around the longitudinal direction L. Thereby, the segments 122 can be rotated independently from each other. In the shown embodiment the number N2 of segments is 7, which corresponds to the amount of numbers that has to be drawn for playing the second lottery game, i.e. 5 numbers from the first subset and 2 numbers from the second subset. Thereby, five segments 122 are thus provided for the first subset and two segments 122 for the second subset. Each segment 122 of the second body 120 is provided with M2 faces 124. The amount M2 of faces 124 on each segment 122 is chosen such that the total amount of faces 124 on all the segments 122 associated with the largest subset, i.e. the first subset, which amount is 5 x M2, is at least the total amount of numbers in said largest subset for playing the second lottery game, i.e. at least 50. In the shown embodiment the number M2 of faces 124 on each segment 122 is chosen to be 10, such that 5 x M2 = 5 x 10 = 50, which is the first multiple of 5 that is at least 50, i.e. the total amount of numbers in the largest subset for playing the second lottery game. It should however be noted that in alternative embodiments the number M2 may be chosen to be larger, if desired.
[0058]
[0059] Table 2: Arrangement of the characters on the faces of the segments of the second body.
[0060] Each face 124 of the segments 122 of the second body 120 associated with the first subset is provided with one of the 50 numbers ranging from 1 to 50 of the first subset for playing the second lottery game, and each face 124 of the segments 122 of the second body 120 associated with the second subset is provided with one of the 12 numbers ranging from 1 to 12 of the second subset for playing the second lottery game. Thereby, each segment 122 associated with the first subset is provided on its faces 124 with different numbers of the numbers 1-50 of the first subset than the other segments 122 associated with the first subset, and each segment 122 associated with the second subset is provided on its faces 124 with different numbers of the numbers 1-12 of the second subset than the other segments 122 associated with the second subset. This may for example be done as shown in Table 2 where the faces 124 of the first segment 122 associated with the first subset are provided with the numbers 1-10 of the first subset, the faces 124 of the second segment 122 associated with the first subset with the numbers 11-20 of the first subset, the faces 124 of the third segment 122 associated with the first subset with the numbers 21-30 of the first subset, the faces 124 of the fourth segment 122 associated with the first subset with the numbers 31-40 of the first subset, the faces 124 of the fifth segment 122 associated with the first subset with the numbers 41-50 of the first subset and the faces 124 of the sixth segment 122 associated with the second subset with the numbers 1-10 of the second subset. The faces 124 of the seventh segment 122 associated with the second subset are provided with the remaining numbers 11-12 of the second subset, whereby these numbers are repeated since 10 faces 124 are available for the two numbers 11-12. Hereby, the numbers that are repeated may be chosen freely. It should be noted that, if further faces 124 would be provided on the segments 122 of the second body 120, i.e. more than the current ten, then these further faces 124 may be provided with one or more of the same numbers provided on the first ten faces 124 of the same segments 122, as is already the case for the seventh segment 122.
[0061] For generating a series of numbers for playing the second lottery game, the second body 120 is first moved to the second position. Next, the segmentsThen, numbers on one row of aligned faces 124 of the segments 122 can then be used as the seven numbers for playing the second lottery game by filling them in on one of the fields of a lottery form for the second lottery game. The numbers on the other rows of aligned faces 124 of the segments 122 can thereby obviously be used as other series of numbers for playing the second lottery game, which can be filled in on the other fields of a lottery form for the second lottery game. If the series of numbers on all rows of aligned faces 124 of the segments 122 are used for playing the second lottery game, then all numbers that are drawn in the second lottery game will have been played, although not necessarily in the same field or fields of the lottery form of the second lottery game.
[0062] For noting down the series of numbers on all rows of aligned faces 124 of the segments 122 of the second body 120 there may be provided a second lottery form 220, as shown in Figure 7. This second lottery form 220 is provided with M2 = 10 fields of each N2 = 7 numbers. It should be noted that the second lottery form 220 is not intended to be the official lottery form for playing the second lottery game, but is merely intended as a memory aid for noting down the series of numbers generated by means of the second body 120 for playing the second lottery game.
[0063] The segments 122 of the second body 120 are removably mounted on the second body 120, and held onto the second body 120 by means of a stop 126, as can be seen in Figure 3. The stop 126 is removably connected to the second body 120, such that the stop 126 can detached from the second body 120. When the stop 126 is detached from the second body 120, the segments 122 can be taken off the second body 120 to be replaced by a different set of segments 122 provided for generating at least one series of characters for a different type of game.
[0064] In a further embodiment the device 100 may also be provided with an electronic registration unit (not shown) that is configured for electronically registering the numbers on at least one row of aligned faces 114 of the segments 112 of the first body 110 as the at least one series of numbers for playing the first lottery game, and for electronically registering the numbers on at least one row of aligned faces 124 of the segments 122 of the second body 120 as the at least one series of numbers for playing the second lottery game. The electronicregistration unit is configured for communicating the registered at least one series of numbers to a further device, such as for a server or a cash register configured for registering the at least one series of numbers for playing the first lottery game or the second lottery game, preferably upon a request from the further device for retrieving the at least one series of characters generated by the first body 110 or the second body 120. In this way the user of the device 100 or other person does not have to enter the at least one series of numbers manually in the further device.
[0065] In a further embodiment the device 100 may also be provided with a third body 130 extending along the longitudinal direction L, such as shown for the second embodiment of the device 100 in Figure 5. The third body 130 encloses a storage volume 132 in which a further game element can be stored. Such a further game element may for example be a prize for winning a game for which at least one series of characters was generated by means of the device 100, or an element that is needed for playing the game for which at least one series of characters was generated by means of the device 100. The third body 130 is provided with an entrance opening 134 allowing entry to the storage volume 132.
[0066] The third body 130 is moveably received in the second body 120. Thereby, the third body 130 is moveable along the longitudinal direction L. The third body 130 is moveable between a first position and a second position. In the first position the third body 130 is received in the second body 120 such that the entrance opening 134 is not accessible for entry to the storage volume 132. In the second position the third body 130 extends out of the second body 120 such that the entrance opening 134 is accessible for entry to the storage volume 132.
[0067] Preferably, this embodiment of the device 100 is further provided with a locking mechanism (not shown). The locking mechanism is configured for locking the third body in the first position, and configured such that it can be unlocked by rotating the segments 122 of the second body 120 to predetermined positions with respect to each other. Hence, in this embodiment the third body 130 can only be moved to the second position for accessing the storage volume 132 by moving the segments 122 of the second body 120 to said predetermined positions with respect to each other. Optionally, the locking mechanism may also be configured for locking the second body 120 in the first position, and such that it can be unlocked by rotating the segments 112 of the first body 110 topredetermined positions with respect to each other. Hence, in this embodiment the third body 130 can only be moved to the second position for accessing the storage volume 132 by moving the segments 121 of the first body 110 to their predetermined positions with respect to each other, by moving the second body 120 to the second position, and by moving the segments 122 of the second body 120 to their predetermined positions with respect to each other.
[0068] Optionally, the third body 130 may further be provided with a closing member (not shown) for closing off the entrance opening 134. The closing member is moveable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position the entrance opening 134 is closed off by the closing member, and in the open position the entrance opening 134 is open.
[0069] The present invention also provides a computer implemented method for generating at least one series of characters, for example at least one series of numbers for playing the first lottery game or the second lottery game. The method is performed by means of a processing unit of a computing device, such as for example a smart phone or a personal computer.
[0070] For playing the first lottery game or the second lottery game the method is provided for performing the step of simulating for example the device 100 of Figures 1 -4 on a screen of the computing device.
[0071] The method is further provided for performing the step of receiving user input from a user input device of the computing device whether at least one series of numbers is to be generated with the first body 110 of the simulated device 100 for playing the first lottery game or with the second body 120 of the simulated device 100 for playing the second lottery game. Hereby, the user input device may for example be a keyboard, a computer mouse or a touch screen of the computing device.
[0072] If at least one series of numbers is to be generated with the first body 110 of the simulated device 100 for playing the first lottery game, then the method is provided for performing the step of randomly rotating the segments 112 of the first body 110 of the simulated device 100 with respect to each other. Hereby, the random rotation of the segments 112 of the first body 110 of the simulated device 100 may be done automatically by the processing unit of the computing device, or the processing unit may receive user input from the user input device of the computing device for randomly rotating the segments 112 of the first body 110 ofthe simulated device 100. Then, the numbers on at least one row of aligned faces 114 of the segments 112 of the first body 110 of the simulated device 100 is used as the at least one series of numbers for playing the first lottery game. This may for example be done by sending the at least one series of numbers to a server via a network interface of the computing device for electronically playing the first lottery game. This may for example also be done by displaying the at least one series of numbers on the screen of the computing device for a user to note the at least one series of numbers on a lottery form configured for playing the first lottery game. If the user wants to play the first lottery game with the numbers on all rows of aligned faces 114 of the segments 112 of the first body 110 of the simulated device 100, i.e. with all the series of numbers generated by means of the first body 110 of the simulated device 100, then this displaying may for example be done by visually unfolding the segments 112 of the first body 110 of the simulated device 100 into the first lottery form 210 shown in Figure 6.
[0073] If at least one series of numbers is to be generated with the second body 120 of the simulated device 100 for playing the second lottery game, then the method is provided for performing the step of displaying the movement of the second body 120 of the simulated device 100 to the second position on the screen of the computing device if the second body 120 of the simulated device 100 is not displayed in the second position on the screen of the computing device. Then, the method is provided for performing the step of randomly rotating the segments 122 of the second body 120 of the simulated device 100 with respect to each other. Hereby, the random rotation of the segments 122 of the second body 120 of the simulated device 100 may be done automatically by the processing unit of the computing device, or the processing unit may receive user input from the user input device of the computing device for randomly rotating the segments 122 of the second body 120 of the simulated device 100. Then, the numbers on at least one row of aligned faces 124 of the segments 122 of the second body 120 of the simulated device 100 is used as the at least one series of numbers for playing the second lottery game. This may for example be done by sending the at least one series of numbers to a server via a network interface of the computing device for electronically playing the second lottery game. This may for example also be done by displaying the at least one series of numbers on the screen of the computing device for a user to note the at least one series ofnumbers on a lottery form configured for playing the second lottery game. If the user wants to play the second lottery game with the numbers on all rows of aligned faces 124 of the segments 122 of the second body 120 of the simulated device 100, i.e. with all the series of numbers generated by means of the second body 120 of the simulated device 100, then this displaying may for example be done by visually unfolding the segments 122 of the second body 120 of the simulated device 100 into the second lottery form 220 shown in Figure 7.
Claims
22Claims1. A device (100) for generating at least one series of characters, wherein the device (100) comprises:a first body (110), wherein the first body (110) is provided with a predetermined number N1 of segments (112) which are rotatably mounted on the first body (110), wherein each segment (112) of the first body (110) is provided with a predetermined number M1 of faces (114), wherein each face (114) of the segments (112) of the first body (110) is provided with a character; anda second body (120), wherein the second body (120) is provided with a predetermined number N2 of segments (122) which are rotatably mounted on the second body (120), wherein each segment (122) of the second body (120) is provided with a predetermined number M2 of faces (124), wherein each face (124) of the segments (122) of the second body (120) is provided with a character,wherein the second body (120) is moveably received in the first body (110), wherein the second body (120) is moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the second body (120) is received in the first body (110), and wherein in the second position the second body (120) extends out of the first body (110) such that the segments (122) of the second body (120) are accessible for being rotated.
2. The device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the device (100) further comprises:a third body (130), wherein the third body (130) encloses a storage volume (132), wherein the third body (130) is provided with an entrance opening (134) allowing entry to the storage volume (132),wherein the third body (130) is moveably received in the second body (120), wherein the third body (130) is moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the third body (130) is received in the second body (120), and wherein in the second position the third body (130) extends out of the second body (120) such that the entrance opening (134) is accessible for entry to the storage volume (132).
3. The device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the device (100) further comprises a locking mechanism configured for locking the third body (130) in the first position, wherein the locking mechanism is configured for unlocking the third body (130) from the first position by rotating the segments (122) of the second body (120) to predetermined positions with respect to each other.
4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism is further configured for locking the second body (120) in the first position, wherein the locking mechanism is configured for unlocking the third body (130) from the first position by rotating the segments (112) of the first body (110) to predetermined positions with respect to each other.
5. The device (100) according to any one of the claims 1-4, wherein the segments (112) mounted on the first body (110) are removably mounted on the first body (110) such that the segments (112) mounted on the first body (110) can be replaced with a different set of segments (112), and / or wherein the segments (122) mounted on the second body (120) are removably mounted on the second body (120) such that the segments (122) mounted on the second body (120) can be replaced with a different set of segments (122).
6. The device (100) according to any one of the claims 1-5, wherein the device (100) further comprises an electronic registration unit, wherein the electronic registration unit is configured for:electronically registering the characters on at least one row of aligned faces (114) of the segments (112) of the first body (110) as the at least one series of characters;electronically registering the characters on at least one row of aligned faces (124) of the segments (122) of the second body (120) as the at least one series of characters; andcommunicating the at least one series of characters to a further device.
7. The device (100) according to any one of the claims 1 -6, wherein:the first body (110) is provided for playing a predetermined first lottery game, the number N1 of segments (112) of the first body (110) is thenumber of characters to be drawn in the first lottery game, the faces (114) of the segments (112) of the first body (110) are provided with characters for playing the first lottery game, each segment of the first body (110) is provided on its faces (114) with different characters of the drawable characters of the first lottery game than the other segments (112) of the first body (110) or, if characters are to be drawn from a plurality of subsets of characters for playing the first lottery game, then each segment (112) of the first body (110) is provided on its faces (114) with different characters of the drawable characters of an associated subset of the first lottery game than the other segments (112) of the first body (110) associated with the same subset, the number M1 of faces (114) of each segment (112) of the first body (110) is determined to be at least sufficient to provide all drawable characters of the first lottery game on the faces (114) of the segments (112) of the first body (110) or, if characters are to be drawn from a plurality of subsets of characters for playing the first lottery game, at least sufficient to provide all drawable characters of a largest subset of numbers for playing the first lottery game on the faces (114) of the segments (112) of the first body (110) associated with said largest subset; andthe second body (120) is provided for playing a predetermined second lottery game, the number N2 of segments (122) of the second body (120) is the number of characters to be drawn in the second lottery game, the faces (124) of the segments (122) of the second body (120) are provided with characters for playing the second lottery game, each segment (122) of the second body (120) is provided on its faces (124) with different characters of the drawable characters of the second lottery game than the other segments (122) of the second body (120) or, if characters are to be drawn from a plurality of subsets of characters for playing the second lottery game, then each segment (122) of the second body (120) is provided on its faces (124) with different characters of the drawable characters of an associated subset of the second lottery game than the other segments (122) of the second body (120) associated with the same subset, the number M2 of faces (124) of each segment (122)25of the second body (120) is determined to be at least sufficient to provide all drawable characters of the second lottery game on the faces (124) of the segments (122) of the second body (120) or, if characters are to be drawn from a plurality of subsets of characters for playing the second lottery game, at least sufficient to provide all drawable characters of a largest subset of numbers for playing the second lottery game on the faces (124) of the segments (122) of the second body (120) associated with said largest subset.
8. An assembly for playing a lottery game, wherein the assembly comprises: the device (100) according to claim 7; andat least one lottery form (210, 220) of:a first lottery form (210) configured for playing the first lottery game; anda second lottery form (220) configured for playing the second lottery game.
9. The assembly according to claim 8, wherein:the first lottery form (210), if present, is provided with the number M1 of fields configured for playing the first lottery game; andthe second lottery form (220), if present, is provided with the number M2 of fields configured for playing the second lottery game.
10. A method for generating at least one series of characters by means of the device (100) according to any one of the claims 1-7, wherein the method comprises the steps of:determining whether at least one series of characters is to be generated with the first body (110) or the second body (120);if at least one series of characters is to be generated with the first body (110):randomly rotating the segments (112) of the first body (110) with respect to each other; and26using the characters on at least one row of aligned faces (114) of the segments (112) of the first body (110) as the at least one series of characters;if at least one series of characters is to be generated with the second body (120);moving the second body (120) to the second position if the second body (120) is not in the second position;randomly rotating the segments (122) of the second body (120) with respect to each other; andusing the characters on at least one row of aligned faces (124) of the segments (122) of the second body (120) as the at least one series of characters.
11. The method according to claim 10, at least in combination with claim 7, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:if at least one series of characters is to be generated with the first body (110):providing a first lottery form (210) configured for playing the first lottery game; andnoting the at least one series of characters generated by means of the first body (110) on the first lottery form (210);if at least one series of characters is to be generated with the second body (120);providing a second lottery form (220) configured for playing the second lottery game; andnoting the at least one series of characters generated by means of the second body (120) on the second lottery form (220).
12. A computer implemented method for generating at least one series of characters, wherein the method comprises the steps, performed by a processing unit of a computing device, of:27simulating the device (100) according to any one of the claims 1-7 on a screen of the computing device;receiving user input from a user input device of the computing device whether at least one series of characters is to be generated with the first body (110) or the second body (120) of the simulated device (100); if at least one series of characters is to be generated with the first body (110):receiving user input from a user input device of the computing device for randomly rotating the segments of the first body (110) with respect to each other; anddisplaying the rotation of the segments (112) of the first body (110) on the screen of the computing device; andusing the characters on at least one row of aligned faces (114) of the segments (112) of the first body (110) as the at least one series of characters;if at least one series of characters is to be generated with the second body (120):displaying the movement of the second body (120) to the second position on the screen of the computing device if the second body (120) is not displayed in the second position on the screen of the computing device;receiving user input from a user input device of the computing device for randomly rotating the segments (122) of the second body (120) with respect to each other;displaying the rotation of the segments (122) of the second body (120) on the screen of the computing device; andusing the characters on at least one row of aligned faces (124) of the segments (122) of the second body (120) as the at least one series of generated characters.2813. The computer implemented method according to claim 12, at least in combination with claim 7, wherein the method further comprises the steps, performed by the processing unit of the computing device, of:if at least one series of characters is to be generated with the first body (110):displaying the at least one series of characters on the screen of the computing device for a user to note the at least one series of characters on a first lottery form (210) configured for playing the first lottery game; orsending the at least one series of characters to a server via a network interface of the computing device for electronically playing the first lottery game;if at least one series of characters is to be generated with the second body (120):displaying the at least one series of characters on the screen of the computing device for a user to note the at least one series of characters on a second lottery form (220) configured for playing the second lottery game; orsending the at least one series of characters to a server via a network interface of the computing device for electronically playing the second lottery game.