Abstract: An apparatus (10) for monitoring and registering a bingo game includes an arrangement for entering and storing a game card identifier (32) associated with each game card (30) issued in a game sequence. The apparatus (10) also includes storage (16) for storing the card pattern of each card issued in the game sequence, along with all of the symbols drawn by a game operator during the game sequence. A winning pattern comparing arrangement is connected to the card pattern and drawn symbol storage (16) and operates to compare the potential winning symbol patterns of each card issued in the game sequence with each drawn symbol immediately after the symbol is drawn. The comparison is to determine each match between the drawn symbol and a card symbol and discover the winning card in the game sequence. The apparatus (10) further includes a display for displaying the card identifier of the winning card or cards to the game operator and players.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing local programming with direct broadcast satellite transmissions includes a terrestrial transmitter for transmitting converted local channel signals in a first frequency band. The first frequency band is contained within a satellite broadcast frequency band in which the direct broadcast satellite channels are transmitted. The apparatus also includes at each user or subscriber location, a first antenna for receiving the converted local channel signals from the terrestrial transmitter and a second antenna for receiving a direct broadcast satellite channel signals from the satellite. The apparatus further includes a combiner for combining the converted local channel signals and the direct broadcast satellite channel signals on a single propagation path. A signal processor/decoder processes the combined signals on the single propagation path to produce a desired channel output to drive a television set.