Automated television bingo game system

摘要

A system and method to provide a mass audience television game show based on bingo that is played on impulse many times per day. Players use erasable daubers to mark system generated plastic laminated sheets of reusable bingo cards. Entry to the game is by telephone with the automatic acquisition of players names and other information required to play the game. Billing is provided by a '900' number billing service or by charging a players credit card. A computer system plays the selected bingo balls against all the entered bingo cards, determines the winners and announces the winners names over the television channel. This system is totally automated without any staff required to accept players entries or to operate the television game show. A semi-automated version includes an announcer and the selection and display of the bingo balls manually over the television channel as well as the personal announcement of the winners.