WO2004038545A2

WO2004038545A2 - System and method for playing a lottery

Info

Publication number: WO2004038545A2
Application number: PCT/US2003/033213
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dale Brent Roark
Original assignee: Dale Brent Roark
Priority date: 2002-10-21
Filing date: 2003-10-21
Publication date: 2004-05-06
Also published as: WO2004038545A3; AU2003301633A1

Abstract

A system and method of playing a lottery includes the steps of providing a fixed population of unique numbers, allowing a player to select a fixed number of selected numbers from the numbers in the fixed population, and randomly selecting a sequence of winning numbers from the numbers in the fixed population. The sequence of winning numbers has more numbers than the fixed number of selected numbers but less than the fixed population. A prize is awarded to the player when each of their selected numbers match the winning numbers randomly selected. The prize decreases in value as a greater portion of the sequence of winning numbers is required to match the selected numbers. Therefore, the earlier the selected numbers are present in the sequence of wining numbers, the greater the value of the prize.

Description

PATENT

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

[0001] SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PLAYING A LOTTERY

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority benefit of provisional application number 60/420,395 filed on October 21, 2002, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0003] Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0004] Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention generally relates to a method and system for playing a scheme of chance and, more specifically, a method and system of playing a computer-based lottery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] There are many types of schemes of chance such as lotteries or the like and there a growing number of options available to players who enjoy partaking in such lotteries. In order to be successful, a lottery operator must balance several competing interests. For example, a lottery operator must provide a lottery which awards an enticing assortment and quantity of prizes while at the same time does not award too many prizes and is within all legal requirements. If the prizes and or odds of winning are not enticing to players, the players will look to other lotteries or games. If too may prizes are awarded, the lottery operator will not be profitable.

[0007] Many schemes of chance are used by charitable organizations to raise money. However, it can be difficult and time consuming for charitable organizations to organize and operate a scheme of chance within legal requirements. Particularly when they occur infrequently such as, for example, at an annual festival or other event.

[0008] Accordingly, there is a need for an improved system and method of playing a lottery or the like which successfully balances the competing interests and/or can be used by charitable organizations to raise money.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention provides a lottery system and method which overcomes at least some of the above-noted problems of the related art. According to the present invention, a method of playing a lottery includes, in combination, the steps of providing a fixed population of unique elements and allowing a player to select a fixed quantity of selected elements from the fixed population. A sequence of winning elements is then randomly selected from the fixed population. The sequence of winning elements has a quantity of the unique elements greater than the quantity of selected numbers but less than quantity of unique elements in the fixed population. A prize is awarded to the player when each of their selected elements match the winning elements. The prize decreases in value as a greater portion of the sequence of winning elements is required to match the selected elements with the winning elements.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of playing a lottery comprises, in combination, the steps of providing a fixed population of eighty unique elements and allowing a player to select seven selected elements from the fixed population. A sequence of forty-eight winning elements is randomly selected from the fixed population. A prize is awarded to the player when each of their selected elements match the winning elements.

[0011] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a system for playing a lottery comprises, in combination, a computer programmed to provide a fixed population of unique elements and to randomly select a sequence of winning elements from the fixed population. The computer is also programmed to compare a fixed quantity of selected elements from the fixed population to determine if there are matches with the winning elements. The sequence of winning elements has a quantity of the unique elements greater than the quantity of selected numbers but less than quantity of unique elements in the fixed population. The computer is programmed to award a prize when each of the selected elements match the winning elements. The prize decreases in value as a greater portion of the sequence of winning elements is required to match the selected elements with the winning elements.

[0012] From the foregoing disclosure and the following more detailed description of various preferred embodiments it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention provides a significant advance in the technology and art of lottery systems and methods. Particularly significant in this regard is the potential, the invention affords for providing a high quality, reliable, easily maintainable, secure system. Additional features and advantages of various preferred embodiments will be better understood in view of the detailed description provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] These and further features of the present invention will be apparent with reference to the following description and drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is flow chart of a scheme of chance or lottery according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a table showing odds of winning, probability, and preferred jackpots or payouts for the lottery of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a computer based gaming system for managing the lottery of FIGS. 1 and 2 at a point of sale;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a game card for use with the gaming system of FIG.

3;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a sales receipt for use with the gaming system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a patron or customer profile for use with the gaming system of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a computer based gaming system for managing the lottery of FIGS. 1 and 2 over the Internet. [0014] It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of a lottery system and method as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific prizes, operations, equipment and steps will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment. Certain features of the illustrated embodiments have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate visualization and clear understanding. In particular, thin features may be thickened, for example, for clarity or illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, to those who have knowledge or experience in this area of technology, that many uses and design variations are possible for the improved scheme of chance disclosed herein. The following detailed discussion of various alternative and preferred embodiments will illustrate the general principles of the invention with reference to a computer-based lottery system and method. Other embodiments suitable for other applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

[0016] As best shown in FIG. 1, the scheme of chance or lottery according to the present invention has a fixed population of unique elements such as unique numbers which can be selected by individual players or customers. The administrator of the lottery sets a predetermined quantity of the unique elements for the fixed population. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixed population has eighty unique numbers which are the consecutive numbers from 1 to 80. It is noted that the fixed population can have a greater or lesser quantity of numbers and/or can be made up of any desired numbers, that is, the numbers do not have to be consecutive. It is also noted that the elements of the fixed population can alternatively be any suitable item other than numbers such as, for example, letters, words, symbols, or the like or any combination thereof. Each individual player then selects a predetermined fixed quantity of selected elements from the elements in the fixed population which the player predicts will be winning elements selected from the elements of the fixed population. In the illustrated embodiment, each player selects seven selected elements or numbers from the fixed population of eighty numbers. It is noted that the players can alternatively be required to select a greater or lesser quantity of the selected elements within the scope of the present invention.

[0017] Once each of the players identifies their selected numbers and/or at a selected game time, the administrator utilizes a gaming system to randomly select a predetermined fixed quantity of winning elements from the elements of the fixed population. The quantity of winning elements is greater than the quantity of selected elements for each player but less than the quantity of elements in the fixed population. In the illustrated embodiment, forty-eight winning elements are selected from the fixed population of eighty numbers. The winning elements are randomly selected one by one until the entire predetermined fixed quantity of winning elements has been selected. The gaming system is preferably a computer-based system having a random number generator, but alternatively the gaming system can be any suitable gaming system which selects the winning elements in a random manner such as, for example, a bingo ball-type device.

[0018] Any player having less than all of their selected elements matching the randomly selected winning elements, loses the game. In the illustrated embodiment, the player loses if any of their seven selected numbers is not selected as one of the forty eight winning elements randomly selected by the administrator. Losing players preferably receive no prize or payout. Any player having all of their selected elements matching the randomly selected winning elements, wins the game. In the illustrated embodiment, the player wins if each of their seven selected numbers is selected as one of the forty eight winning elements randomly selected by the administrator. Each winning player preferably receives a prize or payout.

[0019] Game play for each player stops when all of their selected elements have been randomly selected as winning elements (the player wins) or when all of their selected elements do not match the winning elements once the gaming system has completed selection of all of the winning elements (the player loses), h the illustrated embodiment, some players maybe declared winners after the random selection of the first seven winning elements while other players may not be declared winners until all forty eight of the winning elements have been randomly selected. As best shown in FIG. 2, prizes or payouts are preferably awarded to winners on a descending payout schedule depending on how many winning elements were selected before all seven of their selected elements matched the winning elements. That is, larger prizes are awarded to those winning players matching all their selected elements from fewer randomly selected winning elements. A grand prize or payout is preferably awarded when all of a player's selected elements match the fewest possible number of winning elements. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, a grand prize or payout is awarded when the first seven winning elements randomly selected by the gaming system match the player's seven selected elements and the smallest prize or payout is awarded when all forty eight winning elements are randomly selected by the gaming system before all the player's seven selected elements are matched.

[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates odds and probability of winning the lottery of the illustrated embodiment where each player selects seven selected elements out of a fixed population of eighty elements and the gaming system selects forty-eight random wining elements. It can be seen that the odds of winning range from 1 : 3,174,603,175 for matching all seven of the selected elements with the first seven randomly selected wimiing elements to 1 : 43 for matching all seven of the selected elements after all forty eight of the randomly selected winning elements are selected. FIG. 2 also illustrates that the preferred descending prize or payout schedule ranges from fifty million US dollars ($50,000,000) for matching all seven of the selected elements with the first seven randomly selected winning elements to a complimentary game ticket for matching all seven of the selected elements after all forty eight of the randomly selected winning elements are selected. In the illustrated embodiment, cash or money is awarded for complete matches made during selection of the first thirty-one of the forty eight winning elements and complimentary tickets are awarded for complete matches made during the selection of the thirty- second to forty-eighth winning elements. Preferably, the complimentary tickets expire at the end of the immediately next game played. In the illustrated embodiment, it is expected that about one in seven players will win a prize (1421 out of 10,000 chances) of some kind and about 43% of all prizes awarded will be complementary game tickets. It is noted that the disclosed prizes or payouts are by way of example and the value, number, and type of the prizes or payouts can be different within the scope of the present invention. [0021] The lottery or gaming system according to the present invention can be utilized as a point-of-sale (POS) lottery or gaming system 10, an on-line lottery or gaming system 12 over the Internet or other suitable computer network, or any other suitable type of system. As best shown in FIG. 3, the POS lottery or gaming system 10 is preferably a stand-alone computer-based lottery management system including a computer or processor 14, a magnetic card reader 16, an optical mark read (OMR) scanner 18, at least one manual input device 20 such as, for example, a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, touch screen, or track ball, and a printer 21. The POS lottery system 10 preferably provides real-time lottery play at physical locations such as, for example, bingo halls, charity events, festivals, and other events/locations permitted by law in appropriate jurisdictions. Therefore, the system 10 preferably includes a stand-alone computer 14 which can be easily transported to remote event locations without the need for communication linkage to a home computer or the like. At the event location, the lottery is played using the system 10 once a day, several times a day, or over any other desirable period.

[0022] When utilizing the POS lottery system 10, game cards 22 are preferably provided. FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred game card 22 which includes eight game boards 24A to 24H printed thereon. It is noted that the game card 22 can alternatively include a greater or lesser quantity of game boards 24A to 24H. With the illustrated game card 22, the customer may play one to eight times on the same game card 22. The illustrated cost for playing each game board 24a to 24H is one US dollar ($1.00). It is noted that the cost can be a greater or lesser amount. Each game board 24a to 24H has boxes 25 numbered from one to eighty which represent the eighty numbers of the fixed population of elements which can be selected by the player. Beginning with game board A, the customer chooses their seven selected elements from the fixed population of elements by marking the appropriate boxes 25. If an error is made, the customer can merely void that game board 24A to 24H by marking a "VOID" box 26 in that game board 24A to 24H. The customer indicates the selected elements in as many game boards 24A to 24H as they want to play, and uses multiple game cards 22 if they would like to play more than eight times

[0023] Once filled out, the customer takes their game card or cards 22 and the appropriate fees for each game board 24A to 24H played to a processing location and turns the game card 22 and fee in to a game representative. The game card 22 is read or input into the lottery system 10 using the OMR scanner 18 and is automatically processed by software in the computer 14. Any game boards 22 in which the VOID box 26 was filled in are automatically deselected by the computer 14. If the customer wants the computer-based gaming system 10 to automatically select their selected numbers using a random number generator (RNG) of the computer 14, the customer can go directly to the processing location without filling out a game card 22 and the game representative will instruct the computer 14 using the manual input device 20 to automatically select the selected numbers for that customer. The gaming system 10 preferably automatically assigns a transaction number and stores the transaction number along with all related information of the transaction in memory of the computer 14.

[0024] The lottery system 10 preferably prints out a sales receipt 28 using the printer 21. FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred sales receipt 28 which identifies the game location 30 (such as "Valley Center Bingo" on the illustrated receipt), the name of the cashier 32 (such as "Willard Richardson" on the illustrated receipt), the date and time of the transaction 34 (such as "07/08/2002 01:35:17 PM" on the illustrated receipt), and the transaction number 36 (such as "001-001-2002070813517" on the illustrated receipt). The sales receipt 28 also preferably indicates the name, number and/or other identification 38 of the game being played (such as "Magic Star #1" on the illustrated receipt), the quantity of game boards 24A to 24H that are being played 40 (such as "11" on the illustrated receipt), and the seven selected elements 42 for each of the game boards 22A to 22H. The sales receipt 28 also preferably indicates the amount of money due 44, cash tendered 46, and change due 48. Finally, the sales receipt 28 preferably identifies the name and/or some other identifier 50 of the player (such as "Dale Roark" on the illustrated receipt).

[0025] The gaming system 10 preferably stores a customer or patron profile 52 for each patron or customer and assigns a customer identification (ID) number 60 for each patron. Preferably, an identification (ID) card with magnetic strip is provided to each player for ease of data entry when the player is playing future games. The system 10 preferably can also lookup registered players from memory in cases where the customer forgets or damages their ID card. To encourage players to be entered into the system 10 and onto the mailing list, they can be provided with complementary tickets. Fig. 6 illustrates a preferred patron profile 52 which can be printed by the printer 21 for verification of entered information by the patron and upon which the patron can make changes to be input into the lottery system 10. The patron profile 52 preferably includes the customer's name 50, the customer's mailing address 62, the customer's phone number 64, the customers email address 66, and the customer's date of birth 68. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the sales receipt 28 and the patron profile 52 each preferably include a bar code 54 representing the patron's ID number 60. If the customer does not want to be included on the mailing list and/or receive complementary tickets, they preferably can play the game as a cash only customer as indicated in FIG. 6.

[0026] To begin game play, the lottery system 10 selects, at random, the winning elements from the fixed population of elements with an internal random number generator or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, forty-eight winning numbers are selected one by one in sequence from the fixed population of eighty numbers. Game play stops when all the winning numbers have been selected, a total of forty-eight in the illustrated embodiment. Once selected, the sequence of winning elements is internally recorded in the memory of a game play database and may not be altered. The winning elements are displayed for the customer(s) in the order selected and preferably are at all times visible to the players. To win a prize, players must match all of their selected elements, on any one of their game boards 24 A to 24H, with the winning elements selected during that game play. In the illustrated embodiment, the seven selected numbers of one game board 24 A to 24H must match seven of the forty-eight winning numbers randomly selected by the lottery system 10. When game play ends, an internal game play verification process is automatically initiated by the computer 14 which validates the sequence of winning numbers selected. Upon validation, game play is finalized.

[0027] When the randomly selected winning numbers have been verified by the lottery system 10, an internal validation routine queries the customer transaction records for the played game against the verified sequence of winning numbers. The lottery system 10 automatically identifies and flags all winning entries.

[0028] When a customer presents his/her winning sales receipt(s) 28 for payment, the game operator first scans in the customer ID number bar code 54 at the bottom of the sales receipt 28, then swipes the patron ID card (except in the case of a cash-only sale). The scanned pafron ID number is cross-checked against the winning entries (which are tied to the Patron ID) flagged by the lottery system 10 and verified. Upon internal system verification of a winning element selection, the system 10 displays, to the operator, patron information, winning element selection, state and/or federal tax reporting requirements, and the prize or payout due. The game representative preferably presents the customer with a payment voucher which can be presented to a cashier for payment except the grand prize which is preferably paid in the form of an annuity such as a 30 or 40 year annuity but alternatively can be in other forms such as cash, check or electronic transfer.

[0029] The computer-based lottery system 10 preferably tracks sales of "chances" in "schemes of chance" and may be used for other tracking of "schemes of chance". The system 10 also preferably tracks patron information for purposes of compiling a mailing list database and for offering complimentary prizes (such as complimentary games) to customers (such as at birthdays, aggregate purchases, etc.).

[0030] The POS lottery system 10 is preferably marketed by a businesses (administrator) to businesses and charities (affiliates) and in turn be re-marketed by the affiliates to players/customers. The physical play of the lottery, at the bingo hall, charitable event, festival etc., using the POS lottery system 10 is preferably conducted entirely by employees of the game administrator not the affiliates. A portion of all revenue derived from the local play of the POS lottery system 10 is donated to charity, giving players an added incentive to play while contributing to a favorite organization.

[0031] The on-line lottery system 12 is a computer-based lottery management system which provides real-time lottery play over the Internet or other computer network. As best shown in Fig. 7, the server or computer 14 is in communication with the Internet 56 or other suitable computer network so that personal computers 58 or the like of customers can access a web page or the like of the system 12 to play the lottery. On-line play is preferably continuous in that it is continuously played at fixed intervals of time such as, for example, every fifteen minutes over twenty- four hours a day and three hundred and sixty five days a year. It is noted that on-line play can alternatively be at other intervals or triggering events within the scope of the present invention.

[0032] The online-system 12 is substantially the same as the POS system 10 except the location of the computer 14 and manner in which the customer information is input into the computer 14. A customer or player logs onto the website, provides appropriate clientele information and deposits money into an on-line account using a credit card, bank ACH, or other online payment method such as, for example, PAYPAL or FIREPAY. The player then begins play by choosing selected elements from the fixed population of elements or lets the computer 14 automatically select the selected elements for them using a random number generator (RNG) or the like. Like the POS lottery system 10, each game is preferably one US dollar ($1.00)to play but other suitable amounts can be utilized within the scope of the present invention. The selected elements for the player are displayed on a computer screen for viewing by the player and are confirmed by the player. The game is played as discussed above. All validation is performed internally by the computer 14. Winning plays are indicated and credits are automatically posted to the player's account. Players with positive balances in their accounts may request a "cash out" of their account at any time. Cash outs are preferably paid by check or electronic funds transfer to the player's bank or website account, except the grand prize which is preferably paid in the form of an annuity such as a 30 or 40 year annuity.

[0033] From the foregoing disclosure and detailed description of certain preferred embodiments, it is apparent that various modifications, additions and other alternative embodiments are possible without departing from the true scope and spirit of the present invention. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the present invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the benefit to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method of playing a lottery comprising, in combination, the steps of: providing a fixed population of unique elements; allowing a player to select a fixed quantity of selected elements from the fixed population; randomly selecting a sequence of winning elements from the fixed population; wherein the sequence of winning elements has a quantity of the unique elements greater than the quantity of selected numbers but less than quantity of unique elements in the fixed population; awarding a prize to the player when each of the selected elements match the winning elements; and wherein the prize decreases in value as a greater portion of the sequence of winning elements is required to match the selected elements with the wimiing elements.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the unique elements are unique numbers.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the winning elements are selected utilizing a random number generator of a computer.

4.^' The method according to claim 1, wherein the fixed population of unique elements has a quantity of about eighty unique elements.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the fixed quantity of selected elements is about seven selected elements.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the quantity of the sequence of winning elements has about forty-eight winning elements.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the unique elements are unique numbers.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fixed number of selected elements is about seven selected elements.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the quantity of the sequence of winning elements is about forty-eight winning elements.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the prize decreases in value from a grand prize money award to a game tickets for a subsequent game.

11. A method of playing a lottery comprising, in combination, the steps of: providing a fixed population of eighty unique elements; allowing a player to select seven selected elements from the fixed population; randomly selecting a sequence of forty-eight winning elements from the fixed population; and awarding a prize to the player when each of the selected elements match the winning elements.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the unique elements are unique numbers.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the prize decreases in value as a greater portion of the sequence of winning elements is required to match the selected elements with the winning elements.

14. A system for playing a lottery comprising, in combination: a computer programmed to provide a fixed population of unique elements and to randomly select a sequence of winning elements from the fixed population; wherein the computer is programmed to compare a fixed quantity of selected elements from the fixed population to determine if there are matches with the winning elements; wherein the sequence of winning elements has a quantity of the unique elements greater than the quantity of selected numbers but less than quantity of unique elements in the fixed population; wherein the computer is programmed to award a prize when each of the selected elements match the winning elements; and wherein the prize decreases in value as a greater portion of the sequence of winning elements is required to match the selected elements with the winning elements.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the unique elements are unique numbers.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the winning elements are selected utilizing a random number generator of the computer.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the fixed population of unique elements has a quantity of about eighty unique elements.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the fixed quantity of selected elements is about seven selected elements.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the quantity of the sequence of winning elements has about forty-eight wimiing elements.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the unique elements are unique numbers.