WO2003034693A2

WO2003034693A2 - Lottery by telephone

Info

Publication number: WO2003034693A2
Application number: PCT/IL2002/000836
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gad Selok
Original assignee: La La Gram Ltd.
Priority date: 2001-10-17
Filing date: 2002-10-17
Publication date: 2003-04-24
Also published as: IL145999A0; AU2002339713A1; WO2003034693A3

Abstract

A method for selling a lottery ticket that includes receiving a telephone call from a user who wants to purchase a gambling ticket by telephone. During the telephone call, gambling information is allocated to the user for a given sum. The information relating to the gambling information is then transferred to a trusted means, thereby allowing the transferred information to be accessible to the user.

Description

LOTTERY BY TELEPHONE

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to participation in a lottery, inter alia. Lotteries are generally run by one or more lottery operators, who can be licensed, for example, by a government or can be part of a governmental agency. Governments highly encourage profitable lottery systems, since lottery profits help in supporting, as a rule, community projects such as building and renovating new schools, buying new equipment and supplying for educational and welfare institutions, etc. The more successful the lottery system, the less the need to raise resources for these education and welfare projects through other means, such as increasing the tax rates. In many countries, lotteries have seen a decrease in profits, and in order to cope with this siuation, new gambling games have been offered by the lottery operators in order to encourage the "impulse" of customers to buy lottery tickets or participate in lottery games. The operators also seek ways to improve the ease of purchasing lottery tickets and increase their availability. Currently, in order to participate in a lottery, a person buys a lottery ticket at a business authorized to sell lottery tickets (point of purchase). The person may choose his own number combination or allow the computer to select the combination automatically for him.

Upon completing the purchase, the person receives a form on which her selections are printed and the form is stamped (or the like) at the point of purchase attesting that the form was duly processed by the lottery authorities. Note that the selections are, as a rule, embedded on a special form issued by the lottery operator, which is readily identifiable as such. The special characteristic of the form may include the operator's logo, special form templates and other unique characteristics which not only serve for identifying the form as a lottery form, but which further hinder the prospects of forging blank documents, using, say, computers, printers or document photocopying machines. At a given date and time, the winning number combination is drawn and publicized. The person checks his selected number combination against the winning number combination. If there is a correspondence in some or all of the numbers, the person can redeem his winnings, either by approaching a point of purchase or at the lottery operator's premise. Generally, most winnings and/or the smaller winnings are collected at a point of purchase and the larger winnings are collected directly from the lottery operator. Note that for many kinds of lottery games, the specified form serves as important evidence that the holder is entitled to redeem the prize. This has not only legal bearings, but also important physiological effect on the customer who knows that the form that she holds is acceptable, as a rule, by the authorities as proof of her participation in the lottery game.

The shortcomings of the above-described system include the following: As the lottery is generally run for the government of a specific jurisdiction, lottery tickets are only sold at points of purchase located within that specific jurisdiction. Whether the closest point of purchase is across the street or across the border, a person or her appointed agent needs to visit a point of purchase in order to purchase a lottery ticket. In addition, the winner or her appointed agent is responsible for checking the selected number combination against the winning combination and approaching the lottery operator or a point of purchase to collect her winnings. In some places, the point of purchase is located in non-secure areas and customers may hesitate to access the point of purchase, say, during the late evening. Moreover, a disabled person who wishes to participate in the lottery games may face difficulty in accessing the point of purchase in order to buy the lottery ticket or redeem her winnings.

Note also that in some countries, there is the constant threat of radical groups carrying out acts of terror against civilians, in particular in crowded areas. Consequently, customers may hesistate to gather near a point of purchase in order to purcase their lottery ticket(s), and prefer safety over participation in the lottery game. The foregoing limitations may further adversly affect the participation rate of customers in the lottery game and obviously reduce the loterry operator's profits.

There are proposals which purport to improve the lottery operations and their availability, some by using the a telephone, as discussed in the following US patents:

6,110,044 - Method and apparatus for issuing and automatically validating gaming machine payout tickets;

6,086,477 - Methods and apparatus wherein a lottery entry is entered into lottery drawings until the lottery is identified as a winner;

5,327,485 - Telephone lottery play system;

6,044, 135 - Telephonic - interface lottery system;

4,969, 183 - Telephone lotto number systen and service;

5,083,272 - Interactive telephone lottery system with verification code; 6,215,016 - information offering system for providing a lottery on a network;

4,996,705 - use of telecommuncations systems for lotteries;

5216595 - system and method for integration of lottery terminals into point of sale systems; 6267670 -System and method for performing lottery ticket transactions utilizing point-of-sale terminals;

5239165 - Bar code lottery ticket handling system;

5,265,033 discloses a means of sending and receiving electronic "email" from and ATM or POS terminal; 5,604,341 discloses a means of using ATM terminals as sites to conduct video conferences with other ATMs or other video conference sites, such as a personal computer;

5,901,204 discloses a means of downloading a single video image and a short audio segment digitally from a remote library to an ATM; 5,918,748 discloses a means for an ATM to receive deposits of paper currency and checks from a user; 5,929,897 discloses a means for an ATM terminal user to initiate a transaction with a branch of a financial institution;

5,949,492 discloses a means of transmitting additional broadcast channels of information that relate and are in concert with radio and television broadcast transmissions. Such channels must be received by other electronic and hardware means such as readers and display windows. These receivers would be built and integrated into radios, televisions, ATMs, and other equipment; 6,003,019 discloses a means for a customer to request and receive financial or other services through a multi-component network which comprises devices such as telephones, a personal computer, an interactive television and possibly an ATM.

The means permits the use of multiple processes such as withdrawal of money or request for a loan at the same site, with separate channels available to process each action. The system also shares data such that if, for example, a customer orders a washing machine from the communication device, this data will be shared to deduct it from their financial account, and they may be prompted whether they want to insure the washing machine, with all systems using the same customer information. Such devices may also be able to correspondingly distribute a product from an associated vending machine or device.

It is possible today to purchase movie tickets over the telephone. The tickets can be picked up at the box office before the time of the selected show. The customer gives his credit card which is used to make the purchase to the box office clerk for identity verification and receives the purchased tickets.

What is needed in the art is a method for selling lottery tickets without requiring the purchaser to necessarily visit a point of purchase whilst providing the lottery operator and the participant access to information related to a purchased lottery ticket in a trusted manner. What is further needed in the art is to use a point of sale (POS) as means for access to information related to a purchased lottery information in a trusted manner. What is further needed in the art is to use an automatic teller machine (ATM) as means for accessing information related to a purchased lottery ticket in a trusted manner. What is also needed in the art is a method for automatically crediting any lottery winnings.

What is also needed in the art is a method for providing access to trusted information related to telephone transactions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION For convenience only, the description below refers mainly to a "lotto" lottery game. Those versed in the art will readily appreciate that in the context of the invention, the term lottery should be construed in a broad manner to encompass games where strategy and/or plan has a little (if any) effect compared to luck (and/or possibly other factors) in determining the prospects of winning. Thus, lottery in the context of the invention includes by way of non limiting examples any of the following: lotto game, various gambling on sport events, such as football match or horse racings etc. Note also that whereas for convenience of description the description refers to telephone connected to wired network, it likewise applies to cordless telephone, cellular telephone etc. The invention provides for a method for selling a lottery ticket comprising the steps of: receiving a telephone call from a user who wants to purchase at least one gambling ticket by telephone; and during said telephone call, allocating a gambling information to said user for a given sum, wherein said gambling information is at least part of said gambling ticket; transferring information relating to said gambling information to trusted means, thereby allowing at least part of said transferred information or a derivative thereof to be accessible to said user through said trusted means. The invention further provides for a method for delivering lottery winnings to a user, comprising the steps of: receiving data representative of at least one winning ticket confirmation number and data representative of an amount of winnings corresponding to said at least one winning ticket confirmation number; comparing said data representative of at least one winning ticket confirmation number or a derivative thereof to data representative of at least one stored ticket confirmation number or a derivative thereof, wherein said data representative of at least one stored ticket confirmation number was received in confirmation of at least one lottery ticket purchased by telephone by the user; and if said comparing step yields at least one match between said data representative of at least one winning ticket confirmation number or a derivative thereof and said data representative of at least one stored ticket confirmation number or a derivative thereof, causing an account of the user to be credited for said amount of winnings.

Still further, the invention provides for a method for providing access for a user to a transaction executed by telephone by the user, comprising the steps of: receiving information regarding a telephone transaction executed by the user; and upon request of the user through a bank machine, providing access to a product related to said transaction, wherein said received information allows said bank machine to produce said product.

Yet further, the invention provides for a method for providing access for a user to a gambling transaction executed by telephone by the user, comprising:: receiving information regarding a gambling telephone transaction executed by the user; and upon request of the user through a bank machine, providing access to a product related to said gambling transaction, wherein said received information allows said bank machine to produce said product.

The invention provides for a method for selling a service or merchandise by telephone comprising: receiving a telephone call from a user who wants to purchase a service or merchandise by telephone; selling said service or merchandise to said user; and transferring information relating to said sold service or merchandise to a bank machine operator, thereby allowing at least part of said transferred infonnation or a derivative thereof to be accessible to said user through a bank machine.

The invention further provides for a system for selling a lottery ticket comprising the steps of: means including receiver for receiving a telephone call from a user who wants to purchase at least one gambling ticket by telephone; and means including allocator for allocating during said telephone call a gambling information to said user for a given sum, wherein said gambling information is at least part of said gambling ticket; means including communication for transferring information relating to said gambling information to trusted means, thereby allowing at least part of said transferred information or a derivative thereof to be accessible to said user through said trusted means.

Still further, the invention provides for a system for verifying winnings for gambling tickets purchased by a user, comprising: means including receiver for receiving data representative of at least one winning ticket confirmation number; means including comparator for comparing said data representative of at least one winning ticket confirmation number or a derivative thereof to data representative of at least one stored ticket confirmation number or a derivative thereof, wherein said data representative of at least one stored ticket confirmation number was received in confirmation of at least one gambling ticket purchased by telephone by the user; means including for recording information related to the results of said comparing; and means including provider for providing said recorded information or a derivative thereof to the user, including transferring said information or a derivative thereof to trusted means thereby allowing said transferred information or a derivative thereof to be accessible to the user through the trusting means.

Yet further, the invention provides for a system for providing access for a user to a transaction executed by telephone by the user, comprising: a bank machine including: means including a receiver for receiving information regarding a telephone transaction executed by the user, means including a producer for producing a product related to said transaction, wherein said received information allows said means including said producer to produce said product, and means including a provider for providing access to said product, upon request of the user.

The invention provides for a system for providing access for a user to a gambling transaction executed by telephone by the user, comprising: a bank machine including: means including a receiver for receiving information regarding a gambling transaction executed by the user, means including a producer for producing a product related to said gambling transaction wherein said received information allows said means including said producer to produce said product , and means including a provider for providing access to said product, upon request of the user.

Yet further, the invention provides for a system for selling a service or merchandise by telephone comprising: means including a receiver for receiving a telephone call from a user who wants to purchase a service or merchandise by telephone; means including a seller for selling said service or merchandise to said user; and means including a transferor for transferring information relating to said sold service or merchandise to a bank machine operator, thereby allowing at least part of said transferred information or a derivative thereof to be accessible to said user through a bank machine.

The invention further provides for a system for providing access for a user to a gambling transaction executed by telephone by the user, comprising: a bank machine including: means including a receiver for receiving information regarding a gambling transaction including purchase of at least one gambling ticket by the user, and means including a provider for providing access to said gambling information, upon request of the user. The invention provides for a method for performing telephone lottery, comprising: providing a telephone operator for receving telephone calls from users who want to purchase gambling tickets for a given gambling participation fee; transferring information relating to said gambling information to trusted means, thereby allowing at least part of said transferred information or a derivative thereof to be accessible to said user through said trusted means; receiving a commission fee that constitutes a certain percentage of said gambling participation fee; allocating a share of said commission to the operator of said trusted device, thereby exempting the users for paying commission to said operator.

Still further, the invention provides for a method for performing a telephone lottery, comprising: providing a telephone operator for receving telephone calls from users who want to purchase gambling tickets for a given gambling participation fee; transferring information relating to said gambling information to trusted means, thereby allowing at least part of said transferred information or a derivative thereof to be accessible to said user through said trusted means; receiving a commission fee that constitutes a certain percentage of said gambling participation fee; allocating a share of said commission to gambling point of purchase operators who are devoid of the capability to receive telephone calls.

Yet further, the invention provides for a method for performing a telephone lottery, comprising: providing a telephone operator for receving telephone calls from users who want to purchase gambling tickets for a given gambling participation fee; transferring information relating to said gambling information to trusted means, thereby allowing at least part of said transferred information or a derivative thereof to be accessible to said user through said trusted means; receiving a commission fee that constitutes a certain percentage of said gambling participation fee; allocating a share of said commission to messenger operator who deliver portion of said information to users.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 illustrates a network for lottery by telephone, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention ;

FIG. 2 shows possible methods involved in the lottery by telephone methodology, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a menu of functions available as part of the telephone contact with user method, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the steps involved in selling lottery tickets by telephone, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the steps involved in reading back a purchased lottery ticket by telephone, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 shows a menu of lottery functions available by a bank machine, according to a preferred embodiment of the present inventions;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the steps involved in providing access to information about a purchased lottery ticket via a bank machine, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the steps involved in verifying winnings, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the steps involved in providing comparison results over the telephone, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the steps involved in providing comparison results via a bank machine, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 illustrates a network for selling a service or merchandise by telephone, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred embodiment of the present invention allows participation by telephone in a lottery and use of trusted means for accessing lottery related information, e.g., by means of a secured terminal, such as an automatic teller machine (ATM). Specifically, the present embodiment allows the sale of lottery tickets, the provision of access to information related to lottery tickets through trusted means; the information may further include one or more of the following: the provision of a print out of lottery tickets, the verification of lottery winnings, the crediting of lottery winnings and others. The information to be printed may vary, depending upon the particular application. By another preferred embodiment, the secured terminal is a point of sale (POS) as means for access to information related to a purchased lottery ticket in a trusted manner. By still another preferred embodiment, there are provided other means to receive the specified information in a trusted manner. Whereas for convenience, the description below focuses on lottery games, it applies to any lottery games (such as lotto), those versed in the art will readily appreciate that the invention is applicable to any other lottery or gambling game. A non-limiting example of the latter is gambling on football matches or games. Note also that for convenience, certain embodiments refer to the use of

ATM. The same embodiments, likewise, apply to any bank machine which provides interface to customers to perform bank and possibly other transactions. Note also that occasionally the terms transaction and information are used interchangeably, and the same applies to tickets and documents. Another aspect of a preferred embodiment of the present invention involves the provision of access through a bank machine to a product relating to a telephone transaction.

The principles and operation of lottery by telephone according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

For ease of exposition, the description below is presented without expanding on data processing which is well known in the art. To those skilled in the art, it should be evident that information can be represented in different data forms or processed using different means, with little or no impairment of the content of the information.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates a network 100 for lottery by telephone, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A user 102 uses a telephone 104 to contact a lottery telephone operator 108 to purchase a lottery ticket. Telephone 104 can be connected to lottery telephone operator 108, for example, through a telephone exchange 106 (e.g. plain old telephone system POTS) and/or through a base station 107 (wireless telephone system). If the ticket is purchased using a debit or credit card, the debit or credit card operator 118 is contacted by lottery telephone operator 108 for authorization. The process of receiving authorization for a debit or credit card purchase is well known in the art. Lottery telephone operator 108 sends part or all of the information received from user 102 (including preferably the number combination of each ticket) to lottery operator 110 and preferably receives a ticket confirmation number from lottery operator 110 for each ticket. Lottery operator 110 (note that the term operator includes agent and/or licensee thereof) in some preferred embodiments is authorized by a governmental authority to operate the lottery. Preferably, lottery telephone operator 108 also sends part or all of the information received from user 102 to a bank machine operator 112 so that user 102 can display or receive a print out of the purchased lottery ticket or information related to the purchase lottery ticket through bank machine (i.e. automatic teller machine ATM) 116. By another embodiment, the lottery phone operator can send the information to Point of Sale (POS) operator (120) for delivering the information to distinct POS terminals (122) in addition or instead to the specified ATM. One significant advantage of using ATMs is that the latter are widely circulated geographically and as a rule are promiscuous in the sense that an ATM installed in a given bank branch can provide service to customers of the same bank or of other banks. Another advantage of the ATM is that they do not require any manned presence during operation and they accordingly, in many cases, operate on a 24-hour basis, facilitating, thus, convenient access to the customer, who is also well acquainted with their functionality, since they use them regularly for bank transactions such as drawing cash, running queries pertaining to their accounts through easy to use menus, etc.

The information can be sent to a dedicated point of sales - serving as a secured terminal (124) (again, in addition or in lieu of the above ATM and/or POS means) that communicate with the lottery operators. The latter, unlike the regular point of purchase, are un-manned and can operate also out of office hours.

The means specified above with reference to the various preferred embodiments are trusted, inter alia, due to the fact that they are normally sealed packages which are protected and accessible only to trusted institutes. For example, an ATM is typically firmly mounted to an outer wall of a bank building. Such an ATM is, as a rule, accessible to customers for a designated purpose (e.g. performing a bank transaction) but at the same time, it is very difficult (if at all possible) to intervene in a hostile manner with the ATM operation. Soft interference (e.g. by computer hackers) is also difficult, bearing in mind the high level of computer security means that are normally employed by bank computer systems. These characteristics confer high credibility to such devices among consumers who regard information provided therefrom as quite credible. Note also, that insofar as the operator is concerned, such trusted devices are also advantageous, since a document issued therefrom (bearing, for example, information including a winning number combination) may be regarded as having higher credibility (when presented, e.g. for redeeming winnings). This higher credibility is apparent when compared, for example, to infonnation obtained through non-trusted devices such as a home fax or printed emails.

For a better understanding of the foregoing, consider a situation where the customer communicated by phone the lottery phone operator and picked her number combination for the next lottery event. She received as a confirmation a voice message confirming her selection, and/or document transmitted, say by fax or email to the customer's home. In the case that it turns out that the so transmitted number combination is a winning combination, the customer uses the printed information (e.g. as extracted from the email or received in the fax) as evidence for redeeming the prize. This is of particular relevance for bearer lottery tickets as compared to lottery tickets by name. In using un-trusted devices (such as home fax or printer) for issuing the documents that will later be used for redeeming the prize, there is, obviously ,a risk that the document printouts may be forged at the customer end by intervention in the printing device operation and or the communication thereto. Accordingly, the lottery operator may hesitate in acknowledging, say, bearer documents issued by an un-trusted device as evidence for redeeming a prize, and prefer to approve documents issued by trusted terminal. In certain embodiments, where the operator would prefer still a higher level of credibility of the documents issued from the secured terminals (say ATM), various known per se paper proof techniques may be utilized, such as watermark(s) incoφorated in the printed documents. Typical, yet not exclusive, techniques are the known per se two-dimensional bar code, imprinting of hidden images, etc. Such technologies are applicable even for low resolution printing devices which fonn part of the more older models of the ATM which are still in use. The existing infrastructure of an ATM can, thus, be used with only limited required upgrade.

Note that as is known per se, the incorporation of a watermark in the document (say ATM printout with the customers selected combination of numbers) hinders the possibility of forgery, since if the printed information is modified somehow (e.g. to reflect the number of a winning combination) the contents of the document (with the forged combination) will no longer conectly conespond to the watermark (say a two-dimensional bar code representative of the original combination), and the forgery will be easily revealed when the person attempts to redeem a prize based on the forged form. By still another modified embodiment, the secured terminal may be loaded with forms having the operator's template (similar to those received at a point of purchase), thereby further enhancing the credibility of the printed documents. The above referred to features, such as the incorporation of watermarks may be also employed, mutatis mutandis.

Reverting now to Fig. 1, there may be other trusted means (designated generally (130)) for providing lottery related information. For example, there are businesses which may wish to use in a more efficient manner their messengers by "out-sourcing" their messenger services. Consider, for example, a post office which employs, on a regular basis, messengers in a wide range of geographical sites for delivering post packages to a customer's home or business.

In the case that the messengers are not used in their full capacity for delivering postal goods, it may be prudent, business-wise, to "out- source" the messenger service at a relatively low cost to other businesses requiring messenger services, since, insofar as the post office is concerned, the costs in connection with employing the emissaries are in any case incuned. Thus, by one embodiment, the lottery operator or any agent thereof may find it useful in response to a customer telephone order (e.g. in a manner discussed in more detail below), to issue a lottery ticket and to deliver a stamped lottery ticket to the customer at home (and/or any other designated location as instructed by the customer), imposing very little or no further costs for the client. The operator may absorb the messenger costs, which, as specified are very little. Thus, by way of another non-limiting embodiment, such a messenger service (at no cost to client) may be offered to customers whose participating fee exceed a pre-determined sum.

The invention is, of course, not bound by the specific details of the trusted means in the form of ATM, POS, dedicated terminal and messenger services, discussed above. Accordingly, any of the above may be modified, depending upon the particular application. Note, however, that there is an important psychological benefit that is brought about by utilizing trusted means in the manner specified. The operator has a level of confidence

Bearing all this in mind, attention is now drawn again to Fig. 1, where, lottery telephone operator 108 receives the results of lottery draws from lottery operator 110, including the confirmation number of winning tickets, and compares (matches) the winning ticket confirmation numbers to ticket confirmation numbers of tickets sold by telephone. Winnings are then preferably automatically deposited in account 114 of the winning user 102. The process of directly depositing money in a third party account is well known in the art. Preferably, information derived from the comparison (for example, number of matching numbers, amount of winnings, etc. per ticket and/or user) and/or winning combinations are also sent to bank machine operator 112 (and or other means, as discussed above) so that user 102 can access the comparison information and/or winning combinations through bank machine 116. Note that the by this embodiment, the contents of the information sent and or printed may vary, depending upon the particular application. It should be evident that lottery operator 110 and lottery telephone operator 108 may in some prefened embodiments be part of the same entity. In other prefened embodiments, lottery telephone operator 108 may be licensed by or be an agent of lottery operator 110. It should also be evident that credit/debit card operator 116 and bank machine operator 112 may, in some prefened embodiments, be part of the same entity.

Although one bank machine operator 112 is shown in Figure 1, in some prefened embodiments, more than one bank machine operator 112 operating different groups of bank machines 116, interact with lottery telephone operator 108. In these prefened embodiments, lottery information is available at bank machines 116 that are part of more than one money network, such as Bank Hapoalim, Visa, MasterCard, Isracard, Cirrus, etc. By the same token, more than one operator 110 forms part of the system (designated for simplicity as a single block 110) and, depending upon the particular application, one or more of the operators 110 may communicate with a plurality of secured terminals 124. The same holds true to possibly more than one lottery phone operator (108).

Note that the invention is by no means bound by the specific architecture of Fig. 1, and thus, depending upon the particular embodiments, some modules may be modified and/or others may be added, all as required and appropriate.

An overall methodology 200 of lottery by telephone, according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention, is illustrated in Figure 2. The methodology includes one or more of the following methods: telephone contact with user 202, transfer of ticket information 204, and transfening lottery information 206 by one or more trusted means, e.g. bank machine 208, POS terminal 210, dedicated terminal 212 messenger service 214 and/or other means, designated generally 216. Note also that the other means may be an un-trusted means, such as a home fax or PC, to which information may be transmitted, if desired, in addition to those of the trusted means. Also shown in Fig. 2 is the verification of winnings module 218. Note that the invention is by no means bound by the methodology of Fig. 2, and thus, depending upon the particular embodiments, some modules may be modified and/or others maybe added, all as required and appropriate.

It is assumed that user 102 initiates telephone contact with lottery telephone operator 108 in order to perform one or more functions. Figure 3 illustrates a prefened embodiment of a menu of functions available for the method 202 of the lottery telephone operator's telephone contact with user. Preferably, most functions of method 202 can be performed without human intervention at the end of lottery telephone operator 108, using preferably a machine generated voice to "talk" with user 102. User 102, however, preferably has the option of performing one or more of the functions with the help of a customer service representative 314. As it is well known in the art, for the functions performed without customer service assistance, inputs from user 102 can be inputted using the touch key pad of telephone 104 and/or by verbal commands spoken into telephone 104, and received through the telephone connection by lottery telephone operator 108.

It should be evident that the functions shown in Figure 3 are for illustrative purposes only, and that more or less functions and/or different functions can be presented as part of the menu in other prefened embodiments. In the preferred embodiment of Figure 3, user 102 has the option of purchasing tickets by telephone 302, receiving and/or verifying information about purchased tickets 304, receiving the results of past lottery draws 306, receiving comparison results 308, leaving a message 310, configuring the manner in which lottery information is conveyed 312 (e.g. in addition to the trusted means, the customer has the option to specify if non-trusted means should be utilized, such as home fax number; and/or in the case of messenger specifying address for delivery, etc), or speaking to a customer service representative 314. If desired, some or all of the options may involve interactive communication with the customer. (Note that in the context of the invention, the terms customer and user are used interchangeably). In a prefened embodiment, lottery telephone operator 108 includes a system for selling a lottery ticket. In a prefened embodiment, lottery telephone operator 108 includes means including a receiver for receiving a telephone call, for example a POTS telephone receiver or a wireless telephone receiver. Continuing with the same prefened embodiment, lottery telephone operator 108 also includes means including an allocator for allocating a lottery combination, for example a software program for automatically selecting numbers or a receiver for receiving numbers from user 102, and for example a software program for designating the numbers as being part of the lottery ticket.

Figure 4 is a flowchart of the steps involved in the sale of lottery tickets by telephone 302, according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention. As part of the sale during the telephone call, a number combination is allocated to a user 102 by lottery telephone operator 108. It should be evident that the order of the steps shown in Figure 4 is not binding and that the steps can be performed in a different order in other prefened embodiments. Note also that one or more of the steps may be modified and/or others may be added, depending upon the particular application. The method of Figure 4 is followed by lottery telephone operator 108 in conjunction with other parties as described below. A telephone call is received from user 102 in step 402. In prefened embodiments where more than one option is available by telephone, an indication of the selection of ticket purchase option by user 102 is received in step 404. Optionally, an identification of user 102 is received in step 406. The identification may be used for example to group lottery tickets in a lottery account or as a back-up in case other identification means such as transaction number and/or credit/debit card number (see below) are not used or later lost. An indication of the selection of the type of lottery ticket by user 102 is received in step 408 from user 102. It should be evident that if only one type of lottery ticket is available, step 408 is unnecessary. In preferred embodiments where both manual and automatic choice of numbers is implemented, the selection of automatic or manual choice of numbers is received in step 410 from user 102. If manual is selected or manual is the default, the combination of numbers in accordance with the lottery ticket type is received in step 414 from user 102. If automatic is selected or automatic is the default, the combination of numbers is automatically chosen, e.g. randomly, in step 412. The combination of numbers is preferably read back in step 416 to user 102. If confirmation of the numbers from user 102 is not received in step 418, then conected numbers are received from user 102 in step 420. Steps 416, 418 (and possibly 420) are repeated until confirmation is received from user 102. In other prefened embodiments steps 416, 418 and/or 420 are only performed for manually selected numbers or are not performed at all. In prefened embodiments where more than one ticket can be sold during one telephone call, if an indication is received in step 422 that another ticket is desired to be purchased by user 102, then steps 408 through 418 are repeated.

Once all the desired tickets have been purchased by user 102, payment details are received from user 102 in step 424. Payment details can include, for example, card number, card validity, and national identity number of card holder. If necessary, payment authorization is received from credit or debit card operator 118 in step 426. In some prefened embodiments, a "black" list which includes users with bad credit is checked in addition to or instead of requesting payment authorization. In these prefened embodiments, if specific user 102 appears on the "black" list, lottery purchase by specific user 102 is denied. If desired or necessary, user account 114 details (for crediting any winnings) are received from user 102 in step 428.

Preferably a transaction number is given to user 102 in step 430 which identifies all tickets purchased during the telephone call. In other prefened embodiments, a transaction number to identify each lottery ticket separately is given instead ( for example, after step 418). In still other prefened embodiments, no transaction number is given and identification of the ticket(s) is possible using either identification received in step 406 or payment details received in step 424. Optionally, in step 432, an indication can be received that user 102 desires to perform another option during the same telephone call, for example one of the options shown in Figure 3 and the function is performed in step 434. Payment is preferably by credit card or debit card, although other means of payment are possible, for example periodic lottery account settling, or through the telephone bill, pre-payed cards for one time or multiple use etc. If other means of payment are used, step 426 (payment authorization from card operator) is not performed. If identification is received in step 406, which allows accessing of previously stored payment details for user 102, then step 424 can be eliminated entirely or modified to allow receipt of user confirmation of the details.

In some prefened embodiments payment can be made out directly to lottery operator 110 in which case lottery operator 110 separately compensates lottery telephone operator 108. In other prefened embodiments, payment may be made out to lottery telephone operator 108 who will then transfer the payment less a service fee to lottery operator 110.

The account 114 specified in step 428 or at any time before or during the lottery ticket purchase, may be an account at a financial institution, for example a bank account, brokerage account, or credit/debit card account. For example, the same credit/debit card used for paying for the ticket may be credited with any winnings. Alternatively, account 114 can be an account with lottery by telephone operator 108 (i.e. certain or all winnings are used to buy more lottery tickets). If user 102 wants winnings directly deposited into his account at a financial institution, financial institution account details can be provided directly from user 102 during a transaction, for example in step 428. Alternatively, financial institution account details may be provided indirectly through credit card or debit card operator 118, if such details are available to operator 118. Alternatively, one or more financial institution account details can be provided the first time a user uses lottery by telephone or establishes a lottery account with lottery telephone operator 108. It should be evident that if the identification received in step 406 identifies user 102 for whom account details for crediting winnings have already been received, then either step 428 can be eliminated (i.e., it is assumed that user 102 wants winnings deposited in her one account 114 or depending on the amount of the winnings in one of her accounts 114) or step 428 can be altered so that selection of one of stored accounts 114 and/or confirmation of the stored account information is received in step 428. In some prefened embodiments, either direct deposit is not available to users 102 (i.e. no step 428), or users 102 can choose not to exercise the direct deposit option (i.e. step 428 is modified to allow a user to decline providing account details).

The transfer of at least part of purchased ticket information (function 204) is performed in certain prefened embodiments. In prefened embodiments in which lottery telephone operator 108 is not part of the same entity as lottery operator 110, at least part of the lottery ticket information, including preferably the number combination, may need to be transfened to lottery operator 110, for central secure storage of information on all lottery tickets. In many cases, lottery telephone operator 108 acts as an agent or licensee of lottery operator 110 and transfers any lottery ticket information using the standards specified by lottery operator 110. Lottery operator 110 may specify the format of the ticket information transfened, the frequency of transfening ticket information and the security means to be employed to protect some or all of the ticket information during transfer. In some prefened embodiments, information relating to one or more tickets, either for same user 102 or different users 102, may be transfened at the same time. In some prefened embodiments, the frequency of transfer can be a few times a day or open online. In some other prefened embodiments, the transfer may be in the format of a daily diskette. In some prefened embodiments there is a protected computer line, for example using the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol between lottery telephone operator 108 and lottery operator 110. Preferably by returning ticket confirmation numbers to lottery telephone operator 108, lottery operator 110 will confirm the receipt of the transfened information, including preferably the number combinations for the sold lottery tickets, and the storage of the information in the central data base of lottery operator 110. In some prefened embodiments, the confirmation number is also provided to user 102 and may or may not be identical to the transaction number provided to user 102 in step 430.

In some prefened embodiments, a record of winners is also transfened to lottery operator 110 for confirmation (see below with reference to Figure 8)

In a prefened embodiment of the present invention, information regarding purchased tickets and possibly other lottery information (such as winning combinations and/or comparison results) is also transfened e.g.. to bank machine operator 112, using for example the X.25 protocol. A connection to an X.25 network for lottery telephone operator 108 is an example of means including a transferor for transfening infonnation to a bank machine operator 112. In these cases, the information is available through bank machine 116. For example, lottery ticket transaction information and possibly other lottery information may be available at bank machines 116 operated by bank machine operator 112. In some preferred embodiments, bank machine operator 112 may receive payments from lottery telephone operator 108 either based on the number of user accesses and/or print-outs or on a fixed basis. In other prefened embodiments, bank machine operator 112 may receive payments from user 102, for example a transaction fee for access and/or print out. In other prefened embodiments, bank machine operator 112 may not receive extra payment for the service of offering lottery information. In any event, bank machine operator may benefit from increased visits to bank machines 116 for lottery information. Note that the provision of information through the ATM is advantageous from the standpoint of the bank which can benefit from commissions that pertain to information delivered from the ATM. There may be different business models which for loading the commission on one or more of the customer, the lottery phone operator, the lottery operator, etc. Had other trusted means (discussed above) been used ,the provision of information accessing the latter applies to the other means, mutatis mutandis. In the latter step 431 may apply where the customer specifies her prefened manner of receipt information, for example whether un-trusted means should be employed (in addition to the trusted), say email (which can be encrypted, using say SSL), fax etc. If desired this information may be logged in the system for further use in following lotteries.

Figure 5 shows one of the options for purchased ticket telephone function 304, namely the reading back of a purchased lottery ticket to a user 102 by telephone, according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention. It should be evident that the order of the steps shown in Figure 5 is not binding and that the steps can be performed in a different order in other prefened embodiments. Note also that one or more of the steps may be modified and/or others may be added, depending upon the particular application. Note also that the reading back may serve also as another means for later verification as the customer's selection during the telephone session may be recorded.

In step 502, a call is received from user 102. In prefened embodiments where more than one lottery option is available by telephone, in steps 504 and 506 an indication of the selection of the read back option (one of purchased ticket telephone function 304) is received from user 102. An identification is received in step 508. The identification can identify one or more ticket(s) purchased during one or more transactions or the identification may identify user 102. The identification may be one or more of the following depending on the prefened embodiment: transaction number, credit/debit card number, a name (actual or pseudonym) and/or password, personal identification number (PIN), telephone number, an identity number (for example social security number), etc. If the identification is the telephone number of user 102, it may be automatically identified (e.g. call identification) or input by user 102. A conespondence between the identification and the one or more tickets or user would have had to be established prior to step 502, for example during the purchase of the ticket(s) to be read back or during establishment of a lottery account with lottery telephone operator 108. In some prefened embodiments, the required identification is the transaction number (in step 508), and if the transaction number is unavailable, then the required identification to is the credit/debit card number ( in step 508) followed by the lottery draw date (in step 512).

If a specific lottery ticket is identified by the identification then that specific lottery ticket is read back in step 514. If more than one lottery ticket is identified by the identification, then in step 512 either additional identification needs to be received from user 102 to select a specific lottery ticket or one of the identified lottery tickets is automatically selected. The selected lottery ticket is read back in step 514. Selection of a specific lottery ticket by user 102 can be pro-active, i.e. user 102 provides a means of identifying the specific ticket, for example date of purchase, date of lottery draw, one or more numbers in the combination, type of ticket etc. In other prefened embodiments selection of a specific lottery ticket by user 102 can be reactive, i.e. user 102 is presented with identifying characteristics of the different tickets and selects one. Automatic selection of the lottery ticket to be read back can be for example based on closest lottery draw date, most recent purchase, any other factor, or randomly. In some prefened embodiments, other tickets identified by the same identification can also be read back, either automatically, or with user approval in step 516. In some prefened embodiments, other tickets identified by a different identification can also be read back in step 518 with the provision of the different identification of the other tickets. Optionally, in step 520, an indication can be received that user 102 desires to perform another option during the same telephone call, for example one of the options shown in Figure 3, and the function is performed in step 522.

In some prefened embodiments only outstanding (i.e. prior to lottery draw) lottery tickets can be read back in the process of Figure 5 while in other prefened embodiments, lottery tickets for lotteries which have already been drawn can also be read back. It should be evident that in some prefened embodiments, interaction by telephone between user 102 and lottery telephone operator 108 is sufficient and no lottery information needs to be provided via bank machine. However, in certain cases, users 102 may be detened from purchasing lottery tickets by telephone because no physical evidence of the transaction is given and/or because lottery telephone operator 108 is not deemed to be sufficiently trusted. In order to provide written evidence, another step can be added to the process illustrated in Figure 4 in which either a written copy of the purchased ticket(s) and/or a written receipt for the ticket purchasing transaction is transfened by lottery telephone operator 108 to user 102, for example by fax machine, electronic mail, or regular mail. However, user 102 may still be psychologically uncomfortable if user 102 is unsure of the credibility of lottery telephone operator 108 and fears the ticket purchase is not valid, and/or if user 102 is afraid of forgery during the transfer of the ticket(s) and/or receipts. The ability to see a display or receive a print out through bank machine 116 may convince users 102 to use lottery by telephone because bank machines 116 are viewed as reliable and users 102 are even willing to conduct money transactions using bank machines 116. In addition, the convenience of bank machines 116 may also prod users to participate in lottery by telephone. Bank machines 116 are widely available, so a user can easily visit bank machine 116 to see a display or receive his print out. In addition, users generally visit bank machine 116 on a regular basis, so that seeing the display or receiving the print out need not involve an extra trip to bank machine 116. As may be recalled, the advantage of using one or more of the various options of trusted means has been discussed in detail with reference to various embodiment above.

Figure 6 shows a menu of the lottery functions 206 available by bank machine 116, according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention. Note that this embodiment illustrates examples of various options of one trusted means, i.e. the ATM. As specified above the invention is not bound to this particular example of trusted means, and the description with reference to Fig.6 applies to other trusted means, mutatis mutandis. It should be evident that the functions shown in Figure 6 are for illustrative purposes only and that more or less functions and/or different functions can be presented as part of the menu in other prefened embodiments. Functions relating to purchased tickets 602, winning combinations 604 and/or comparison results 606 are available via bank machine 116, according to the illustrated prefened embodiment. As it is well known in the art, bank machines 116 include input means to receive inputs from users 102, for example through punching in on the keypad, touch-screen selection, and/or card insertion.

In a prefened embodiment, bank machine 116 constitutes a system for providing access for a user to a lottery transaction executed by telephone. In a prefened embodiment, bank machine 116 includes means including a receiver for receiving information regarding a lottery transaction , for example a connection to an X.25 network. Continuing with the same prefened embodiment, bank machine 116 includes means including a producer for producing a product related to the lottery transaction, for example a software program. In addition, in the same prefened embodiment, bank machine 116 includes means including a provider for providing access to the product, for example a display screen or a printer.

In some prefened embodiments, one of the purchased ticket functions 304 and/or 602 allows changing the combination of a ticket after purchase but before the actual lottery draw. In some of these prefened embodiments, the change option may be subject to a time limit after purchase, for example up until the transfer of the ticket information to lottery operator 110. Note, incidentally, that change option likewise applies to the embodiments described with reference to Fig. 4 and 5. If the change option is available via bank machine, then the system would have to allow the change to be communicated from bank machine operator 112 back to lottery telephone operator 108 using, for example, the X.25 protocol.

Figure 7 shows one of the options for purchased ticket function 602, namely the accessing by display or print out of information about the lottery ticket purchase, according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention. It should be evident that the order of the steps shown in Figure 7 is not binding and that the steps can be performed in a different order in other prefened embodiments. Note also the one or more of the steps may be modified and/or others may be added, all as required and appropriate depending upon the particular application. The displayed or printed information can resemble a lottery ticket and/or a receipt for the purchase of a lottery ticket. What is necessary is that the display or print out should give reliable evidence to the transaction, in order to provide sufficient psychological comfort to user 102.

In some prefened embodiments, a display of transaction information at a bank machine may provide sufficient psychological information because a bank machine is viewed as reliable. The display can include identifying features of the transaction and/or the actual selected lottery combination. In other prefened embodiments, only a print-out (i.e. a hard copy evidence) may provide sufficient psychological comfort. The written evidence in the print out which provides sufficient psychological comfort may vary in different preferred embodiments. In some cases, it may be assumed that users 102 receive sufficient psychological comfort from a print out which includes identifying features of the transaction (similar to a receipt), for example a transaction number, and/or date (and perhaps time) of purchase even without details of the actual selected lottery combination. In other cases, it may be assumed that users 102 receive sufficient psychological comfort if the print out includes the selected lottery combination and the lottery draw date (similar to a ticket) even without identifying features of the transaction. In still other cases, it may be assumed that users 102 receive sufficient psychological comfort only if the print out includes both the lottery combination and identifying features of the transaction. Note that in certain embodiments where reliability is also required from the operator's side, various data may be mandatory, such as transaction identification. The mandatory data may vary depending upon the reliability level required by the operator, and as already specified additional means for enhancing security may be employed, such as various paper proof techniques, e.g. watermark. In the prefened embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, bank machine 116 receives an indication that user 102 is interested in lottery information (step 702). In prefened embodiments where more than one lottery option is available by bank machine 116, bank machine 116 then receives an indication that user 102 is interested in accessing information on purchased tickets (steps 704 and 706). Bank machine 116 then receives identification in step 708. The identification can identify one or more ticket(s) purchased during one or more transactions or the identification may identify user 102. A conespondence between the identification and the one or more tickets or user would have had to be established prior to step 708, for example during the purchase of the ticket(s) to be read back or during establishment of a lottery account with lottery telephone operator 108. The identification may be one or more of the following depending on the prefened embodiment: transaction number, credit/debit card number, a name (actual or pseudonym) and/or password, personal identification number (PIN), telephone number, an identity number (for example social security number), etc. In some prefened embodiments, user 102 may for identification insert the credit/debit card used to purchase the lottery ticket and perhaps also punch in a PIN. The identification may be the same or different than the identification used to perform money transactions at bank machine 116. In some cases, step 708 may be perfonned before step 702, for example if user 102 first performs a bank transaction such as withdrawing cash using a bank, debit or credit card and then while the bank/credit/debit card (which also serves as identification for lottery purposes) is still inserted, user 102 desires lottery information. If the identification identifies only one ticket, then bank machine receives an indication of whether user 102 wants a display and/or print-out of the ticket (step 712) and performs the display and/or print-out (step 714). It should be evident that if only display or print out is allowed then step 712 is unnecessary. If the identification identifies more than one ticket then in step 711 either additional identification to select a specific lottery ticket needs to be received from user 102 or one of the identified lottery tickets is automatically selected. Selection of a specific lottery ticket by user 102 can be pro-active, i.e. user 102 provides (for example by punching in) a means of identifying the specific ticket, for example date of purchase, date of lottery draw, one or more numbers in the combination, type of ticket etc. In other prefened embodiments selection of a specific lottery ticket by user 102 can be reactive, i.e. user 102 is presented with identifying characteristics of the different tickets and selects one, for example using a touch-screen. Automatic selection of the lottery ticket to be accessed can be for example based on closest lottery draw date, most recent purchase, any other factor, or randomly. In some prefened embodiments other tickets with the same identification can also be accessed, either automatically, or with user approval in step 716. In some prefened embodiments, other tickets with different identification can also be accessed with the provision of identification of the other tickets (step 720). Optionally, other lottery functions can then be performed (steps 722 and 723) and/or other bank transactions can then be performed (steps 724 and 726)

In some prefened embodiments only information on outstanding (i.e. prior to lottery draw) lottery tickets can be accessed while in other prefened embodiments, information on lottery tickets for past lottery draws can also be accessed. In some prefened embodiments, an additional step can be added to the method illustrated in Figure 7, for example after step 712, in which bank machine 116 receives from user 102 an indication of the type of information to be printed out and/or displayed. In these embodiments, user 102 can request information resembling a receipt and/or a lottery ticket, depending on the preference of user 102. Note, incidentally, that one or more of the foregoing selections can be made at earlier stage, say, for example, during information delivery selection step 431 of Fig. 4.

Reverting now to Fig. 7, once one or more winning lottery combinations have been drawn for a given lottery draw, information on the one or more winning combinations is preferably made available to users 102 via telephone (function 306) and/or bank machine (function 604). In some prefened embodiments, the winning combinations are transfened first from lottery operator 110 to lottery telephone operator 108 and then from lottery telephone operator 108 to bank machine operator 112.

In some prefened embodiments of the present invention, lottery telephone operator 108 performs a verification of winnings (method 208). Lottery telephone operator 108 includes a system for verifying winnings for lottery tickets in a preferred embodiment. In a prefened embodiment, the system includes means including a receiver for receiving the winning ticket confirmation numbers, for example a connection to an SSL line. Continuing with the same prefened embodiment the system further includes means including a comparator, for example a software program, for comparing the winning ticket confirmation numbers with stored ticket confirmation numbers, and means including a recorder, for example a software program for recording information. In addition, the same prefened embodiment includes means including a provider for providing the recorded information, for example a POTS or wireless telephone receiver and a machine voice generator, or a connection to an X.25 network to transfer the information to bank machine operator 112.

A prefened embodiment of the system may include memory for storing recorded information or ticket confirmation numbers.

Figure 8 illustrates the verification method according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention. It should be evident that the order of the steps shown in Figure 8 is not binding and that the steps can be performed in a different order in other prefened embodiments. Note also that depending on the specific embodiment, one or more of the steps may be modified or deleted and/or one or more step may be added. It is assumed that once one or more winning combinations have been drawn, lottery operator 110 can determine the ticket confirmation numbers whose number combinations match either fully or partially the winning combinations and also the amounts of winnings for each winning ticket confirmation number. However, the identity of the winning tickets is not known to lottery operator 110. Lottery telephone operator 108 therefore perfonns verification method 208. Winning ticket confmnation numbers, amount of winnings for each winning ticket confirmation number and preferably winning combinations are received in step 802 by lottery phone operator 108, preferably directly from lottery operator 110 using, if desired, an encrypted communication. In step 804, lottery telephone operator 108 compares the winning ticket confirmation numbers with stored information about lottery tickets purchased through lottery telephone operator 108. The stored information can be for example in data bases located at telephone operator 108. For example, received information may provide a correspondence between winning ticket confirmation numbers and amount of winnings. Continuing with the example, stored information may provide a conespondence between ticket confirmation numbers (previously received from lottery operator 110 - see above) and ticket identification (and preferably account 114 to be credited). In this example, the comparison includes matching the winning ticket confirmation numbers with the stored ticket confirmation numbers in order to yield a conespondence between amount of winnings and winning ticket identification (and preferably account to be credited). In step 806, for each winning ticket, the amount of the winnings is recorded. In some prefened embodiments, for tickets that did not win, a zero amount of winnings is recorded so that non- winners 102 when accessing comparison results (function 308 or 606) learn that the ticket did not win. Alternatively, no record is made for non winning tickets and during the access of comparison results (function 308 or 606) relating to any ticket for which no record exists, a zero amount of winnings is conveyed to user 102. Preferably lottery telephone operator 108 transfers in an encrypted manner the record of the winning tickets and the conesponding winnings (and possibly winning accounts 114 to be credited) to lottery operator 110 for confirmation and receives in an encrypted manner confirmation of winnings in step 808. The confirmation provides a guarantee to the telephone lottery operator. Preferably the comparison results are made available by telephone to users 102 (function 308) in step 810. Preferably, the comparison results are transfened to bank machine operator 112 (and/or other trusted means as discussed above) in step 812 so that the comparison results are accessible by bank machine (function 606).

In a prefened embodiment of the present invention, lottery telephone operator 108 also includes a system for delivering lottery winnings to a user, including means including receivers and comparators (as discussed above). The same prefened embodiment also includes means for causing an account to be credited, for example a direct or indirect (through a financial institution) connection to a money transfer network which allows a money transfer to account 114, or a connection, for example an SSL line, to lottery operator 110 to transfer a list of winners to be credited (see below)

Preferably, account 114 of winner 102 is credited in step 814. It should be evident that in some prefened embodiments, lottery telephone operator 108 can cause account 114 of winner 102 to be credited by providing money to account 114. The money may have been transfened from lottery operator 110 to lottery telephone operator 108 for crediting purposes, or the money may have been held in reserve at lottery telephone operator 108 for crediting purposes (for example., a certain percentage of payments for ticket purchases were retained at telephone operator 108 and not transfened to lottery operator 110) In other prefened embodiments, by transfening the winners list in step 808, lottery telephone operator 108 causes account 114 to be credited with money transfened directly from lottery operator 110 to account 114.

Figure 9 shows a method for making comparison results available by telephone to users (function 308), according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention. It should be evident that the order of the steps shown in Figure 9 is not binding and that the steps can be performed in a different order in other prefened embodiments. Note also that depending on the specific embodiment, one or more of the steps may be modified or deleted and/or one or more step may be added. A telephone call is received in step 902 from user 102. In prefened embodiments where more than one lottery option is available by telephone, during the telephone call, an indication of selection of the option of retrieving comparison results is received from user 102 in step 904. In step 906, identification is received. The identification can identify one or more ticket(s) purchased during one or more transactions or the identification may identify user 102 as explained above with reference to Figure 5. If the identification identifies a single lottery ticket the comparison results for that ticket are voiced in step 916. The comparison results can include, for example, the number of matches, if any, and the amount of winnings, if any. If the identification relates to more than one ticket or to user 102, an indication is received whether cumulative results are desired in step 910. Cumulative results provided in step 912 can be for example, the total winnings for the group of identified tickets purchased by telephone, the total winnings for user 102 for all tickets purchased by telephone, or the total winnings for user 102 for tickets purchased by telephone subject to one or more criteria. For example, the criteria can be time-oriented, so as to provide results for tickets purchased by telephone during a given period of time or for tickets purchased by telephone whose lottery draws are during a given period of time. The total winnings can of course be zero.

If individual ticket results are instead desired, a selection of one of the identified tickets occurs in step 914, either automatically or through additional identification by user 102, and the comparison results is voiced in step 916. Selection by user 102 of a specific lottery ticket out of all identified tickets can be pro-active or reactive as described above with reference to Figure 5. Automatic selection of a lottery ticket for checking comparison results can be for example based on closest lottery draw date, most recent purchase, any other factor, or randomly. Preferably, for a winning ticket that is checked, if direct deposit of winnings in account 114 has occuned, crediting information is voiced in step 918. The crediting information can include for example, the date the winnings were credited to the account, a reference number, and if necessary information to identify account 114. In some prefened embodiment, other tickets with the same identification can also be checked, either automatically, or with user approval in step 920. In some prefened embodiments, other tickets with different identification can be checked in step 926 with the provision of the required identification. Optionally, another function, for example one of those shown in Figure 3 can be performed in the same telephone call (steps 928 and 930).

It should be evident that in prefened embodiments where only cumulative or only non-cumulative results are available if more than one ticket is identified, the flowchart of Figure 9 should be adjusted accordingly. Note that whereas in Fig. 9 illustrated an embodiment for making comparison results available by telephone to users, the various options illustrative by way of example in Fig. 9 may be provided in any of the trusted means and/or possibly tlirough other non trusted means, say the email.

Accordingly, Figure 10 illustrates a method of receiving comparison results (function 606) using a bank machine 116 (illustrating one form of a trusted means), according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention. It should be evident that the order of the steps shown in Figure 10 is not binding and that the steps can be performed in a different order in other prefened embodiments. Note also that depending on the specific embodiment, one or more of the steps may be modified or deleted and/or one or more step may be added.

An indication of selection of lottery information is received from user 102 in step 1002. In prefened embodiments where more than one lottery option is available by bank machine 116, an indication of the selection of comparison results option is received in step 1004. In step 1006, identification is received. The identification can identify one or more ticket(s) purchased during one or more transactions or the identification may identify user 102 as explained above with reference to Figure 7. If the identification identifies a single lottery ticket then comparison results for that ticket are displayed and/or printed out in step 1020 (depending on indication of user selection received in step 1018). The comparison results can include, for example, the number of matches, if any, and the amount of winnings, if any. If the identification relates to more than one ticket or to user 102, an indication is received whether cumulative results are desired in step 1010. Cumulative results are displayed and/or printed out in step 1014 (depending on indication of user selection received in step 1012). Cumulative results can be for example, the total winnings for the group of identified tickets purchased by telephone, the total winnings for user 102 for all tickets purchased by telephone, or the total winnings for user 102 for tickets purchased by telephone subject to one or more criteria. For example, the criteria can be time-oriented, so as to provide results for tickets purchased by telephone during a given period of time, or purchased by telephone whose lottery draws are during a given period of time. The total winnings can of course be zero.

If individual ticket results are instead desired, a selection of one of the identified tickets occurs in step 1016, either automatically or through additional identification by user 102, and the comparison results are displayed and/or printed out in step 1020 (depending on indication of user selection received in step 1018). Selection by user 102 of a specific lottery ticket out of all identified tickets can be pro-active or reactive as explained above with reference to Figure 7. Automatic selection of a lottery ticket for checking comparison results can be for example based on closest lottery draw date, most recent purchase, any other factor, or randomly. Preferably, for a winning ticket that is checked, if direct deposit of winnings in account 114 has occuned, crediting information is displayed and/or printed/out in step 1022 (depending on indication of user selection received in step 1018). The crediting information can include for example, the date the winnings were credited to account 114, a reference number, and if necessary information to identify account 114.

In some prefened embodiments, other tickets with the same identification can also be checked, either automatically, or with user approval in step 1024. In some prefened embodiments other tickets with different identification can be checked in step 1030 with the provision of the required identification. Optionally, another function, for example one of those shown in Figure 6 can be performed (steps 1032 and 1033) and/or other banking transactions can be performed (steps 1034 and 1036).

In prefened embodiments where only display or only print out is available, steps 1012 and 1018 can be eliminated. In prefened embodiments, where only cumulative or only non-cumulative results are available if more than one ticket is identified, the flow chart of Figure 10 should be adjusted accordingly.

It should be evident that the method of Figure 8, 9, and 10 can be altered if the amount of winnings for each winning ticket confirmation is not received, the amount of winnings is not recorded nor credited in account 114, and only the existence of a win for a particular lottery ticket is recorded. In this case, there is still an advantage to user 102 in that user 102 does not need to check all lottery tickets because the attention of user 102 is directed to any winning tickets during a telephone call or during access of the bank machine. User 102 can then contact lottery operator 110 for additional information and collection. In some prefened embodiments, the functions assigned above to lottery telephone operator 108 (and or lottery operator and/or other operators) may be divided among more than one lottery telephone operator 108 and/or among different physical locations. The various embodiments discussed above serve the general goal of lottery operators to increase the participation rate of the public and to use the lottery profits in order to contribute to the community. Using a telephone which is a well known device, widely circulated and easy to use (compared to, say access through the internet) provides an easy way to participate. The trusted manners of obtaining information that pertain to lottery copes with the psychological banier of various types of customers and accordingly they may now feel more secured that their selected combination has been duly processed and received by the lottery operator and that the other pertinent infonnation are delivered to them in a trusted fashion. The use of the trusted means also provides security to the operator who may rely on printouts issued by means of the trusted device as credible for redeeming prizes (in the case that no automatic crediting is performed). The availability of the trusted device insofar as their locations, their compatibility (say in the case of ATMs where a client of given bank can use ATM of a different bank) as well as flexible operational hours (in some cases as e.g. the ATM, it may be around the clock), renders this facet of delivery of information very appealing insofar as the common customer is concerned.

The new proposed lottery operation discussed above with respect to various embodiment is appealing and affords by one embodiment establishment of business model which is win-win to all sides. By this embodiment this business model is based on the underlying premise that in certain embodiments discussed above the operational costs are considerably low compared to the traditional point of purchase model. For instance, the manpower involved in handling the telephone operator, lottery operator and/or other operators is significantly less than those employed in traditional point of purchase model thereby considerably reducing costs. The same holds true for at least some of the proposed trusted means, say the ATM which is operable virtually without man-in-the-loop. The other premise which is of importance is that lottery systems are operating as a rule on commission based. Thus, for instance, in a given non-limiting scenario the operator of a point of purchase receives a given cut of her overall revenue, another certain cut is allocated to regional distributor having has a rule few point of purchase assigned to her, etc. (other modes of allocation ar,e of course, available). The net effect is that traditionally, very large amount of money is allocated as commissions.

By this embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the telephone lottery operator is an "agent" which is entitles to a commission similar to, for instance, point of purchase and possibly also as regional distributor (considering the above non-limiting commission allocation). Now, bearing in mind the relatively low operational costs of an operator of the kind specified, the operator can allocate portion of his designated commission, for one or more of the following, (i) financing the bank commissions (in the case of using ATM), (ii) the messenger costs, thereby obviating the need to load undue additional costs on the customer. By some embodiment the operator may (iii) allocate certain part of the commission for to the traditional point of purchase operators and/or the regional distributor (and to others if other mode of commission hierarchy exists), in order to compensate for potential loss of profit at their end due to migration of lottery participants from the traditional way of purchasing lottery tickets at the point of purchase to the telephone manner discussed above with respect to one of more embodiments. This allocation of commission to the traditional players or part of them would expect to reduce or eliminate reluctance at the traditional point of purchase operators end, since the more the new comer competition succeeds, the more commission they get from its operation. It is thus evidence that by this model an all win-win situation is accomplished. Note that the latter (i) and/or(ii) and/or (iii) options are only an example and are by no means binding.

In another aspect of the invention, print out or display by bank machines of information regarding telephone transactions can be performed for transactions which are not necessarily lottery transactions. The same psychological benefits from the information printed-out or displayed by bank machines discussed above for lottery telephone transactions accrue to any telephone transactions. A network 1100 is illustrated for ordering (purchasing) a service or merchandise by telephone in Figures 11, according to a prefened embodiment of the present invention. Identical numbers to those used as in Figure 1 are used for identical parties. User 102 calls telephone transaction telephone operator 1102 and orders a service or merchandise. Telephone transaction operator 1102 may be the agent or licensee of a merchandise or service provider 1104 or may be part of the same entity. Authorization is received from credit/debit card operator 118 if necessary. Part or all of the information is transfened to merchandise or service provider 1104 if necessary (for example if two separate entities). Part or all of the telephone transaction information is transfened to (one or more) bank machine operator 112 so that a product related to the transaction can be provided at bank machines 116. The transaction-related product provided by bank machine 116 may in some cases be a receipt for the purchased merchandise/service, in some cases the purchased merchandise itself or an equivalent, or in some cases both. The transaction related product may be displayed and/or printed out. For example, in the case of buying movie tickets by telephone, the product printed out from the bank machine may be a receipt for the purchase and/or the actual tickets.

Transaction telephone operator 1102 in a prefened embodiment of the present invention includes a system for selling a service or merchandise by telephone. In a prefened embodiment, transaction telephone operator 1102 includes means including a receiver for receiving a telephone call, for example a POTS telephone receiver or a wireless telephone receiver. Continuing with the same prefened embodiment, telephone transaction operator 1002 also includes means including a seller, for example a software program for selling the service or merchandise, and means including a transferor for transfening information to a bank machine operator, for example a connection to an X.25 network..

In a prefened embodiment, bank machine 116 constitutes a system for providing access for a user to a transaction executed by telephone. In a prefened embodiment, bank machine 116 includes means including a receiver for receiving information regarding a telephone transaction , for example a connection to an X.25 network. Continuing with the same prefened embodiment, bank machine 116 includes means including a producer for producing a product related to the transaction, for example a software program. In addition, in the same prefened embodiment, bank machine 116 includes means including a provider for providing access to the product, for example a display screen or a printer.

It will also be understood that at least part of the system according to the invention may be a suitably programmed computer. Likewise, the invention contemplates a computer program being readable by a computer for executing at least part of the method of the invention. The invention further contemplates a machine-readable memory tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine for executing the at least part of the method of the invention.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.

Claims

1. A method for selling a lottery ticket comprising the steps of: receiving a telephone call from a user who wants to purchase at least one gambling ticket by telephone; and during said telephone call, allocating a gambling information to said user for a given sum, wherein said gambling information is at least part of said gambling ticket; transfening information relating to said gambling information to trusted means, thereby allowing at least part of said transfened information or a derivative thereof to be accessible to said user through said trusted means.

2. The method according to Claim 1, wherein said gambling ticket being a lottery ticket and said gambling information includes number combination.

3. The method according to Claims 1 or 2, wherein said trusted means include at least one bank machine.

4. The. method according to Claim 3, wherein said bank machine being an automatic teller machine (ATM).

5. The method according to anyone of the preceding Claims, wherein said trusted means includes at least one Point of Sale (POS) terminal.

6. The method according to anyone of the preceding Claims, wherein said trusted means includes at least one dedicated terminal.

7. The method according to anyone of the preceding Claims, wherein said trusted means includes messenger service.

8. The method according to Claim 7, wherein said trusted means is employed only if said sum reaches or exceeds a predetermined value.

9. The method according to anyone of the preceding Claims, further comprising the step of transfening information relating to said gambling information to non trusted means.

10. The method according to Claim 9, wherein said non trusted means includes at least one of the following telefax machine at user's location, email transmission printable at PC printer at user's location.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding Claims, further comprising: the user selecting at least one of said trusted means and said information is transfened to at least said selected trusted means.

12. The method according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, further comprising: the user selecting at least one of said non-trusted means and said information is transfened to at least said selected non trusted means.

13. The method according to any one of the preceding Claims, further comprising, in response to user command printing on a form accessible information through said trusted means.

14. The method according to Claim 13, wherein said form has a pre defined template that resembles a gambling ticket.

15. The method according to Claims 13 or 14, further comprising incorporating on said form at least one watermark for authenticating said information.

16. The method of anyone of Claims 2 to 15, , wherein said allocating, includes receiving said number combination from said user, and designating said received number combination to be at least part of said ticket.

17. The method of any one of Claims 2 to 15„ wherein said allocating, includes selecting said number combination and designating said selected number combination to be at least part of said ticket.

18. The method of any one of Claims 2 to 17, further comprising: transfening information relating to said lottery ticket to an operator of a lottery corresponding to said lottery ticket.

19. The method of any one of Claims 2 to 18, further comprising: allocating an identification to said lottery ticket.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said identification identifies said user and said allocating an identification includes receiving said identification from said user during said telephone call.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said allocating an identification includes generating an identification and providing said identification to said user during said telephone call.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein said identification is a credit or debit card number.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein said identification is a transaction number.

24. The method of any one of the preceding Claims, further comprising: : receiving a second telephone call from said user; and during said second telephone call, reading back to said user said gambling information.

25. A method for verifying winnings for a gambling ticket purchased by a user, comprising: receiving data representative of at least one winning ticket confirmation number; comparing said data representative of at least one winning ticket confirmation number or a derivative thereof to data representative of at least one stored ticket confirmation number or a derivative thereof, wherein said data representative of at least one stored ticket confirmation number was received in confirmation of at least one gambling ticket purchased by telephone by the user; recording information related to the results of said comparing; and providing said recorded information or a derivative thereof to the user, including transfening said information or a derivative thereof to trusted means; thereby allowing said transfened information or a derivative thereof to be accessible to the user through the trusting means.

26. The method according to Claim 25, wherein said gambling ticket being a lottery ticket.

27. The method of claims 25 or 26, wherein said providing includes: receiving a telephone call from the user; and during said telephone call, upon request from the user, voicing said recorded information or a derivative thereof.

28. The method of any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein said recording includes: : if said comparing step yields at least one match between said data representative of at least one winning ticket confirmation number or a derivative thereof and said data representative of at least one stored ticket confirmation number or a derivative thereof, recording data representative of an amount of winnings for said at least one lottery ticket, said recorded infonnation including said data representative of said amount.

29. The method according to any one of Claims 25 to 28, wherein said trusted means include at least one bank machine.

30. The method according to any one of Claims 25 to 29, wherein said trusted means includes at least one Point of Sale (POS) terminal.

31. The method according to any one of Claims 25 to 30, wherein said trusted means includes at least one dedicated terminal.

32. The method according to any one of Claims 25 to 31, wherein said trusted means includes messenger service.

33. The method according to Claim 32, wherein said trusted means is employed only if said sum reaches or exceeds a predetermined value.

34. The method according to any one of Claims 25 to 33, further comprising the step of transfening information relating to said gambling information to non trusted means.

35. The method according to Claim 34, wherein said non-trusted means includes at least one of the following telefax machine at user's location, email transmission printable at PC printer at user's location.

36. The method according to any one of Claims 25 to 35, further comprising: the user selecting at least one of said trusted means and said information is transfened to at least said selected trusted means.

37. The method according to any one of Claims 25 to 36, further comprising: the user selecting at least one of said non-trusted means and said information is transfened to at least said selected non-trusted means.

38. The method according to anyone of the Claims 25 to 37, further comprising, in response to user command printing on a form accessible information through said trusted means.

39. The method according to Claim 38, wherein said form has a pre-defined template that resembles a gambling ticket.

40. The method according to Claims 38 or 39, further comprising incorporating on said form at least one watermark for authenticating said information.

41. A method for delivering lottery winnings to a user, comprising the steps of: receiving data representative of at least one winning ticket confirmation number and data representative of an amount of winnings conesponding to said at least one winning ticket confirmation number; comparing said data representative of at least one winning ticket confirmation number or a derivative thereof to data representative of at least one stored ticket confirmation number or a derivative thereof, wherein said data representative of at least one stored ticket confirmation number was received in confirmation number of at least one lottery ticket purchased by telephone by the user; and if said comparing step yields at least one match between said data representative of at least one winning ticket confirmation number or a derivative thereof and said data representative of at least one stored ticket confirmation number or a derivative thereof, causing an account of the user to be credited for said amount of winnings.

42. A method for providing access for a user to a transaction executed by telephone by the user, comprising the steps of: receiving information regarding a telephone transaction executed by the user; and upon request of the user through a bank machine, providing access to a product related to said transaction, wherein said received information allows said bank machine to produce said product.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein said product is a receipt of said transaction.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein said product is at least part of an item purchased by said transaction or an equivalent thereof.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein said step of providing access includes the step of printing out said product.

46. The method of claim 43, wherein said transaction is a ticket gambling purchase.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein said product includes data representative of a number combination forming at least part of a lottery ticket purchased during said transaction.

48. The method according to anyone of Claims 43 to 47, wherein said access to a product includes printing out the product.

49. A method for providing access for a user to a gambling transaction executed by telephone by the user, comprising:: receiving information regarding a gambling telephone transaction executed by the user; and upon request of the user through a bank machine, providing access to a product related to said gambling transaction, wherein said received information allows said bank machine to produce said product.

50. The method according to Claim 49, wherein said gambling transaction being a lottery transaction.

51. The method according to Claims 49 or 50, wherein said access including printing out the product.

52. A method for selling a service or merchandise by telephone comprising: receiving a telephone call from a user who wants to purchase a service or merchandise by telephone; selling said service or merchandise to said user; and transfening information relating to said sold service or merchandise to a bank machine operator, thereby allowing at least part of said transfened information or a derivative thereof to be accessible to said user through a bank machine.

53. A system for selling a lottery ticket comprising the steps of: means including receiver for receiving a telephone call from a user who wants to purchase at least one gambling ticket by telephone; and means including allocator for allocating during said telephone call a gambling information to said user for a given sum, wherein said gambling information is at least part of said gambling ticket; means including communication for transfening information relating to said gambling information to trusted means, thereby allowing at least part of said transfened information or a derivative thereof to be accessible to said user through said trusted means.

54. The system according to Claim 53, wherein said gambling ticket being a lottery ticket and said gambling information includes number combination.

55. A system for verifying winnings for gambling tickets purchased by a user, comprising: means including receiver for receiving data representative of at least one winning ticket confirmation number; means including comparator for comparing said data representative of at least one winning ticket confinnation number or a derivative thereof to data representative of at least one stored ticket confirmation number or a derivative thereof, wherein said data representative of at least one stored ticket confirmation number was received in confirmation of at least one gambling ticket purchased by telephone by the user; means including for recording information related to the results of said comparing; and means including provider for providing said recorded information or a derivative thereof to the user, including transfening said information or a derivative thereof to trusted means thereby allowing said transfened information or a derivative thereof to be accessible to the user through the trusting means.

56. The method according to Claim 55, wherein said gambling ticket being a lottery ticket.

57. A system for providing access for a user to a transaction executed by telephone by the user, comprising: a bank machine including: means including a receiver for receiving information regarding a telephone transaction executed by the user, means including a producer for producing a product related to said transaction, wherein said received information allows said means including said producer to produce said product, and means including a provider for providing access to said product, upon request of the user.

58. The system of Claim 57, including means including a printer for printing out said product , upon request of the user.

59. A system for providing access for a user to a gambling transaction executed by telephone by the user, comprising: a bank machine including: means including a receiver for receiving information regarding a gambling transaction executed by the user, means including a producer for producing a product related to said gambling transaction wherein said received information allows said means including said producer to produce said product , and means including a provider for providing access to said product, upon request of the user.

60. The system according to Claim 59, wherein said gambling transaction being a lottery transaction.

61. The system of Claims 59 or 60, including means including a printer for printing out said product , upon request of the user.

62. A system for selling a service or merchandise by telephone comprising: means including a receiver for receiving a telephone call from a user who wants to purchase a service or merchandise by telephone; means including a seller for selling said service or merchandise to said user; and means including a transferor for transfening infonnation relating to said sold service or merchandise to a bank machine operator, thereby allowing at least part of said transfened information or a derivative thereof to be accessible to said user through a bank machine.

63. A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps of Claim 1.

64. A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps of Claim 25.

65. A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps of Claim 42.

66. A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps of Claim 49.

67. A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps of Claim 52.

68. A system for providing access for a user to a gambling transaction executed by telephone by the user, comprising: a bank machine including: means including a receiver for receiving information regarding a gambling transaction including purchase of at least one gambling ticket by the user, and means including a provider for providing access to said gambling information, upon request of the user.

69. The system according to Claim 68 wherein said gambling information being lottery information, pertaining to lottery ticket,

70. The system according to Claim 68 or 69, wherein said bank machine being an automatic teller machine (ATM).

71. The system according to anyone of Claims 68 to 70, further comprising, in response to user command printing on a form gambling through said trusted means.

72. The system according to Claim 71, wherein said form has a pre defined template that resembles a gambling ticket.

73. The method according to Claims 71 or 72, further comprising incorporating on said form at least one watermark for authenticating said information.

74. A method for performing telephone lottery, comprising: providing a telephone operator for receiving telephone calls from users who want to purchase gambling tickets for a given gambling participation fee; transferring information relating to said gambling information to trusted means, thereby allowing at least part of said transfened information or a derivative thereof to be accessible to said user through said trusted means; receiving a commission fee that constitutes a certain percentage of said gambling participation fee; allocating a share of said commission to the operator of said trusted device, thereby exempting the users for paying commission to said operator.

75. A method for performing a telephone lottery, comprising: providing a telephone operator for receving telephone calls from users who want to purchase gambling tickets for a given gambling participation fee; transferring information relating to said gambling information to trusted means, thereby allowing at least part of said transfened information or a derivative thereof to be accessible to said user through said trusted means; receiving a commission fee that constitutes a certain percentage of said gambling participation fee; allocating a share of said commission to gambling point of purchase operators who are devoid of the capability to receive telephone calls.

76. A method for performing a telephone lottery, comprising: providing a telephone operator for receiving telephone calls from users who want to purchase gambling tickets for a given gambling participation fee; transfening information relating to said gambling information to trusted means, thereby allowing at least part of said transfened information or a derivative thereof to be accessible to said user through said trusted means; receiving a commission fee that constitutes a certain percentage of said gambling participation fee; allocating a share of said commission to messenger operator who deliver portion of said information to users..