Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02281803 1999-08-24
WO 98/36809 PCT/US98/03145 -
INTERNET SCRATCH-OFF GAME
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an intemet version of scratch-off games of
the
type wherein a player removes a portion of an image to expose gaming symbols,
the
matching of which determines a win.
Background of the Invention
A multitude of scratch-off gaming cards are presently available through retail
outlets such as convenience stores. Such games have meet with great success
and
developed a following of dedicated players as well as casual players. However,
to
participate in the games, players have to travel to a retail source of game
cards.
Q~jectives of the Invention
It is a primary objective of the present invention to provide scratch-off
gaming via
an electronic media.
Another objective of the invention is to provide scratch-off game cards as
electronically produced images transmitted over the Internet.
SUMMARY OF THE, INVENTION
The image of A scratch-off game card displayed on an intemet Web page is
created by
generating a game image which includes one or more alphanumerics and/or
symbols
which comprise a classical scratch-off matching game. The areas containing the
game
elements are replaced or covered by a second image which obscures the gaming
elements
which may or may not be present as subliminal portions of the basic game card.
A
SUBSTITUTE SHEET ( rule 26 )
CA 02281803 1999-08-24
WO 98/36809 PCT/US98/03145
-2-
browser player determines if the scratch-off game card represents a win by
dragging the
cursor over the sections of the card image which hide the gaming areas. This
action
removes the screening image or initiates the image of the gaming symbols to
give the
player the impression that his or her action with the courser is removing a
covering from
S the symbols. In the best mode of practicing the invention, the gaming
alphanumerics
and/or symbols are created by a random number generator mechanism. The
foregoing
and other objectives and features of the invention will become more readily
apparent from
the detailed description of the preferred and best mode of practicing the
invention which
follows and is supported by the accompanying drawings, wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a process flow chart illustrating the functional sequence used to
implement a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 is a simulation of a typical preliminary game player registration
Internet
Web page used in practicing the invention.
Figure 3 illustrates the interactive hyperlink structure bringing about the
invention.
Figure 4 is an exemplary Internet Web page containing a typical game card
partially scratched off.
Figure 5 illustrates the progression of a typical scratch-off game.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the best mode of practicing the invention, an image of a scratch-off game
card
is derived from an intemet source and displayed on a browser's terminal. The
game card
image contains gaining alphanumerics and/or symbols created by a random number
generator mechanism. At the game provider source, a cover image is
superimposed over
SUBSTITUTE SHEET ( rule 26 )
1 ... _ _.__.~..-.~.._..~ u_ 1 _. .. _
CA 02281803 1999-08-24
WO 98/36809 PCT/US98/03145
-3-
at least the portions of the game card containing the randomly generated
gaming elements
and the merged images are supplied as an Internet web page. When a game play
is
authorized, the pair of superimposed images in an appropriate image file are
transmitted
to a selected player on the Internet. The randomly generated gaming elements
are not
S generated until an Internet browser elects to play the game and meets any
predetermined
prerequisites. When the game card is created, the win/no-win status of the
card is known
by the provider but the browser is not aware of the gaming elements. Movement
of the
browser's cursor across the browser's screen is read over the external link
coupling the
browser's web page display to the game card cover image file and creates a
permanent
window by deleting the portion of the cover image file as the cursor is moved
around
various coordinates of the file. Thus portions of the underlying superimposed
image from
the game card file are exposed. Alternately, the cursor movement paints the
gaming
images to create an identical effect for the player. The game provider has
previously
determined if the thus exposed portions of the image game card constitute a
winning
I S selection and the browser's cursor movements simply advise the game
provider that the
browser is playing. If the uncovered portions of the image game card represent
a winning
selection and the browser was certified as a bona fide contestant, the browser
is advised
and the browser's account is appropriately credited or if an actual prize
rather than a credit
is being awarded, an e-mail message identifying the winning browser is
transmitted to the
prize supplier so that the appropriate prize may be shipped to the browser.
The functional sequence used to implement a preferred embodiment of the best
mode for practicing the invention is illustrated by Figure 1. An Internet
browser is lead to
the advertising banner 10 as a normal browsing function on the Internet or
hyperlinked by
a participating advertiser. Game identification and selected sponsor logos
follow the
advertising banner in a program box I 1 which includes pointers 12
{hyperlinks) that
SUBSTITUTE SHEET ( rule 26 )
CA 02281803 1999-08-24
WO 98/36809 PCT/US98/03145
_4_
transport a browser and prospective game player to web pages which include
game related
information such as instructions for playing the game 14, a list of prizes 15,
rules which
govern play 16 and a list of participating sponsors 17.
Upon reaching the first group of hyperlink pointers 12, a perspective player
typically elects to jump to the "Prizes" Web page 15. The list entices the
player to
investigate further by using a browser to jump back to the Web page containing
the
program box 11 to check the "How to Play" Web page 14 and occasionally the
"Rules &
Regulations" Web page 15, jumping back to the program box 11 after each Web
page is
investigated. If sufficiently motivated, a perspective player may select the
demo game
pointer 18 which hyperlinks the player to a demonstration game Web page 19.
This Web
page is identical in appearance to an actual game Web page 20. It
automatically links the
player to the demonstration scratch-off game card 21 which is identical to an
actual game
card 22.
In the preferred embodiment, the "How to Play" Web page 14 begins with an
introduction such as "HOW DO SHOPPERS PLAY?", followed by the following
instructions in a typical application:
IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A WALLET:
Visit any of the Participating CyberCash Merchant sites
Make a transaction with your CyberCash Wallet using the Credit Card or
Cybercoin service(s).
Go into your CyberCash Wallet and select the Transaction Log in your
Wallet.
Make note of the "Order ID Number" to get your free game play. (Cut &
Paste)
SUBSTITUTE SHEET ( rule 26 )
__ . t
CA 02281803 1999-08-24
WO 98/36809 PCT/US98/03145
-5-
Select the "CLICK HERE TO PLAY" button at the Point-of Sale Web
page! ... and Play!
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A WALLET:
Select the CyberCash Wallet Button.on the CyberCash site
(www.cybercash.com) or the program Web page
(www.cybercash.com/sweepstakes).
Download the CyberCash Wallet & quickly install.
Create a User ID and bind a credit card and/or checking account,
* (You can download money from your credit card to use with Cybercoin
Service.)
* (Bank verification for your checking account, may take up to 3 business
days)
Visit any of the Sweepstakes Participating CyberCash Merchant sites.
Use your Wallet to make a transaction using CyberCash Credit or
Cybercoin service.
After successful transaction, go into your CyberCash Wallet and select the
Transaction Log in your Wallet.
Make note of the "Order ID Number" to get your free game play or ... (Cut
2p & Past the number)
Select the "CLICK HERE TO PLAY" button at the Point-of Sale Web
page!
SUBSTITUTE SHEET ( rule 26 )
CA 02281803 19,99-08-24
WO 98/36809 PCT/US98/03145
-6-
HOW TO PLAY THE GAME? (NON Java Enabled Browsers)
Enter your E-Mail Address, CyberCash ID #, and order 1D
Then, select "I Agree to Play".
A new window will appear displaying your prize amounts.
Match three (3) like prizes, and win that prize!
HOW TO PLAY THE GAME? (Java Enabled Browsers)
Enter your E-Mail Address, CyberCash ID #, and Order ID #
Then, select "I Agree to Play".
A new window will appear displaying your game card.
Using your mouse and pointer, "scratch" the boxes on the game card to
reveal the prizes.
Match three (3) like prizes, and win that prize!
HOW MANY TIMES CAN I PLAY?
You can play one ( 1 ) time per one ( 1 ) successful CyberCash transaction.
HOW DO I GET MY PRIZE?
Participant will be requested to complete an "Eligibility Release Form",
upon receiving a winning game card.
Prizes will be mailed or shipped to information provided on Form.
Make sure the information you enter for your game play is accurate! If
not, send an E-mail with yourwpdated information to
ccp,~omo , rizes.com.
SUBSTITUTE SHEET ( rule 26 )
.r,_..~....._........._.... ,t ..,_.._..~. _,.........
CA 02281803 1999-08-24
WO 98/36809 PCT/US98/03145
SLJMMARY OF RULES
Players must be at least 18 years or older.
No Purchase Necessary (See Official Rules for alternative means of entry).
All federal, state and local laws apply. Void where prohibited by law.
Void in the state of Florida until November 10 1996
Game is void in Province of Quebec in Canada.
Participant information must be true and correct. False information may
result in disqualification from game.
The following rules and regulations are presented by the "Rules and
Regulations"
Web page 16:
1. NO PURCHASE OR TRANSACTION NECESSARY TO PLAY: The
CyberCash Instant win Game and Sweepstakes #CCSGOOI begins at 12:01 am
EST, November 1, 1996, and ends at 11:59 pm ET on December 31, 1996 or upon
the play and completion of all 40,000 game tickets, whichever occurs first.
2. ELIGIBILITY: Game is only open to legal residents of the United States and
Canada at least 18 years old, Employees and directors of ReaITIME MEDIA
(RTM), CyberCash, Yahoo, Softbank, First Union, Khera Communications,
participating sponsors, participating merchant web sites, information
providers,
sysops, gameops, software developers, content providers, their affiliates
subsidiaries, advertisers, advertising agencies, promotional and marketing
agencies, and their' immediate families (and those living in their same
households)
are ineligible. By participating you agree to these official rules and to the
SUBSTITUTE SHEET ( rule 26 )
CA 02281803 1999-08-24
WO 98/36809 PCT/US98/03145
_g_
decisions of the judges which are final and binding in all respects. The
Instant
Win Game & Sweepstakes is void in the Province of Quebec in Canada, void in
the state of Florida until November 25, 1996, and where prohibited by law.
3. HOW TO PLAY: You may play the instant win game by accessing sponsors
Internet address at.http://www.cybercash.com for a list of participating
Merchants
URL's Web addresses. When you complete a transaction by using your
CyberCash Wallet or Cybercoin you will be presented with a unique transaction
number. Record this number as you will need to enter it into a Held to play
the
instant game. You will then be presented with an Instant Win Game Card
containing representations of a total of 6 prize boxes, You will be instructed
to
enter your full name. E-mail address, CyberCash ID and unique transaction
number in the fields provided and select "the I Agree to Play" switch. You
will
then scratch off (with mouse) the graphic image covering the 6 prize boxes to
reveal the prizes. If you do not have the Java browser, software enabling you
to
view the Graphic covering, you will immediately be presented with the complete
game card and the prizes. If you match exactly three (3) of the same prizes
you
win that prize subject to verification.
4. SWEEPSTAKES and SECOND CHANCE DRAWING: For each game play you
complete whether by Internet or by the alternate means of entry you will be
automatically entered into a database for the $10,000 Cash Grand Prize and any
other unclaimed prizes from the instant portion of the game. Winners) will be
selected in an electronic randomized drawing on or about January 15, 1997. The
Grand Prize sweepstakes winner and any other winners remaining from the
instant
SUBSTITUTE SHEET ( rule 26 )
1 _.._.r_.__.___... T __..~__..._.~ ~
CA 02281803 1999-08-24
WO 98/36809 PCT/IJS98/03145
-9-
portion of this game will be notified by electronic mail E-mail or postal
mail.
Odds of winning cash grand prize depend on the number of eligible entries but
can
not exceed 1: 40,000. Odds of winning unclaimed instant win game prizes depend
on the number of eligible entries and number 0 unclaimed remaining instant win
prizes can not exceed 1: 40,000.
5. ALTERNATE MEANS OF ENTRY: To Enter without purchase or transaction
legibly print your name, complete address, E-mail address (optional), zip
code,
and daytime telephone number on a 3 inch x 5 inch piece of paper and mail to:
"Cybercoin Free Play Request", P.O. Box 4613 Philadelphia, PA 19127 USA.
Game play requests must be postmarked by December 31 1996 aid received by
3anuary 7, 1997. Limit one entry per person per day and each entry must be
mailed in a separately stamped envelope. RTM official personnel will play one
(1) free instant win Game on your behalf per entry received. Only winners will
be
1 S notified by electronic mail, or regular postal mail, No photocopies,
reproductions
or facsimiles allowed. Sponsor is not responsible for late lost, illegible,
incomplete, stolen, misdirected, or postage due mail.
6. PRIZES AVAILABLE and ODDS OF WINNING: The overall odds of obtaining
a winning game card are based on random selection of 40,000 game cards are:
1:123. Number of prizes and odds of winning prizes of different values are as
follows: (5) $500 are 1: 8000; (25) $100 are 11600; (2) Sony TV's (approximate
retail value $400) are 1: 20,000', (4) Sony CD Discman (approximate retail
value
$200) are 1; 10,000; (10) Sony Walkman (approximate retail value $57) are
4000;
(280) assorted Softbank, Yahoo & CyberCash t-shirts (approximate retail value
$
SUBSTITUTE SHEET ( rule 26 )
CA 02281803 1999-08-24
WO 98/36809 PCT/US98/03145
-10-
10) are 1: 143. Prizes will only be awarded upon winner validation and
verification by RTM.
7. PRIZE AWARDING: Sponsor reserves the right to substitute any non cash prize
of equal or greater value for prizes that become unavailable. If any potential
winner is a Canadian resident prior to the award of the prize, winner must
correctly answer a mathematical skill question without either human or
mechanical aid, By acceptance of a prizes, where lawful, winner consents 10
these
of hislher name, likeness, voice, picture, and or sobriquet name without
further
consideration for advertising or promotional purposes. Prize winners may be
required to execute and return an affidavit of eligibility and liability
release and
where lawful publicity release within 21 days of notification. Non-compliance,
or
if prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable may result in
forfeiture of
prize. By accepting prize, winner agrees that Sponsor, it's parents,
affiliates, and
related companies, and their respective officers, directors, employees,
representatives and agents are not responsible and will be held harmless by
winner
against, for any loss or damage to person or property due in whole or in part
directly or indirectly to possession, acceptance, use or misuse of any prize
in this
Game, or participation in this promotion.
8. VVINNERS LIST: List of major prize winners in the instant Winner Game and
Sweepstakes will be posted in the "Winners Circle" section located at:
hrip://www.cybercash.com, winners names will appear for a minimum of 30 days
after contest ends. Thereafter, a winners' list will only be available by
sending an
ZS E-mail "Winners List Request" to ccpromo@prizes.com, or by sending a self
SUBSTITUTE SHEET ( rule 26 )
1, _._._.._..~_._~___.._. 1
CA 02281803 1999-08-24
WO 98/36809 PCT/US98/03145
-11-
address stamped envelope for receipt by Jan 7, 1997 to: "CyberCoin Winners
List, Request", P.O. Box 4613 Philadelphia, PA 19127 USA. Please specify
CyberCash game number, along with your E-mail address.
S 9. DISQUALIFICATION: Sponsor is not responsible for lost, interrupted or
unavailable network server or other connections, miscommunications, failed
phone or computer or telephone transmissions or technical failure, jumbled,
scramble or misdirected transmission or other error of any kind, whether
human,
mechanical or electronic. Persons found tampering with the Game will be
disqualified. If disqualified, Sponsor reserves the right to terminate players
eligibility to play the game for any of the above abuses. In the event the
game is
compromised by virus, bugs, non-authorized human intervention or other causes
beyond the control of Sponsor, which corrupts or impairs the administration,
security, fairness or proper play of the Game, Sponsor reserves the right in
its sole
discretion to suspend or terminate the Internet portion of the Game and
sweepstakes but continue with the free alternate means of entry portion
10. TAX INFORMATION: All taxes on prizes are the sole responsibility of the
winners
When an Internet browser becomes a player by making a purchase from a
participating merchant and/or otherwise entering the contest, the browser is
hyperlinked
to the instant win sweepstakes Web page, 20 of Figure 1. Typically the Web
page is
similar to Figure 2. It may differ as required by advertiser needs but it must
have
provisions for obtaining player related data such as e-mail address 23 which
enables the
SUBSTITUTE SHEET ( rule 26 )
CA 02281803 1999-08-24
WO 98/36809 PCT/US98/03145
-12-
game provider to forward prizes; CyberCash Wallet ID number 24 which enables
the
game provider to deposit a prize in a player's account, debit a
player/purchaser's account
for an order or debit a player's account if it is not a free or premium gift
game; and if the
game is a premium for purchasing from a participating advertiser, the
browser/purchaser's
order number 25 to verify the purchase before authorizing a game. The
supporting
structural organization behind the preferred embodiment of the invention
illustrated by
Figure I is outlined by Figure 3 which demonstrates the underlying hyperlink
structure
bringing about the invention. Participating merchant home Web pages, 32,
include a
hyperlink pointer 33 which jumps browsers to the game details Web page, 34.
This Web
page includes program box 11 of Figure. I and the hyperlink pointers
associated
therewith. It may also include rotating or sequencing advertisements, 35 of
Figure 3, for
different participating merchants. The advertisement either part of a fixed or
a
sequencing list, are hyperlink pointers to participating merchants home Web
pages which
are hyperlinked to appropriate point of sales Web pages. A free game play
hyperlink
pointer 36 on participating merchant home Web pages or point of sales Web
pages jumps
the browser to the Instant Win Game Web page, 40, which is equivalent to the
Instant
Win Sweepstakes Web page 20 of Figure 1. The browser is instructed to enter
his or her
name, e-mail address, CyberCash ID number and Order/Transaction number
generated
when the sales leading to this jump was made. If the browser has no CyberCash
Account,
the "CyberCash" portion of the CyberCash ID number request serves as a
hyperlink
pointer to jump to the "How to Play" Web page which contains the following:
SUBSTITUTE SHEET ( rule 26 )
T T 1
CA 02281803 1999-08-24
WO 98/36809 PCT/US98/03145
-13-
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A WALLET:
Select the CyberCash Wallet Button on the CyberCash site
(www.cybercash.com) or the program Web page
(www.cybercash.com/sweepstakes).
Download the CyberCash Wallet & quickly install.
Create a User 117 and bind a credit card and/or checking account,
* (You can download money from your credit card to use with Cybercoin
Service.)
* (Bank verification for your checking account, may take up to 3 business
days)
Visit any of the Sweepstakes Participating CyberCash Merchant sites.
Use your Wallet to make a transaction using CyberCash Credit or
Cybercoin service.
After successful transaction, go into your CyberCash Wallet and select the
Transaction Log in your Wallet.
Make note of the "Order ID Number" to get your free game play or... (Cut
& Past the number)
Select the "CLICK HERE TO PLAY" button at the Point-of Sale Web
page!
In a similar manner, if the browser makes a purchase at a participating
merchant's
home Web page, the browser is asked how the purchase is to be paid for. If
CyberCash is
selected and the browser has no account, the "CyberCash" portion of the
CyberCash ID
number request serves as a hyperlink pointer to jump to the "How to Play" Web
page at
the section containing "IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A WALLET:"
SUBSTITUTE SHEET ( ruie 26 )
CA 02281803 1999-08-24
WO 98/36809 PCT/fJS98/03145
-14-
When the "Instant Win Game" questions are answered, the data are verified by
the
game ReaITIME MEDIA Contest Management 41. If the data supports a legitimate
player, a game card is randomly generated, registered as a win or no-win card
as
appropriate according to the game rules. The game card is overlaid by a
primary or
covering image which masks the game card in the areas containing the numbers
or
symbols which constitute the variables of the scratch-off game and this
composite is
provided to the playing browser as A automatic hyperlinked Web page, 42 which
appears
as a typical conventional scratch-off game card, Figure 4, with instructions
to scratch off
certain sections by dragging the pointing cursor thereover to determine if the
card is a
winner. Only one complete mask 51 remains in the game card 50 illustrated in
Figure 4.
Four mask have been removed 52 and the cursor 53 is in the process of removing
the fifth
mask 54.
The scratch-off actions of the player triggers an E-mail message to the
ReaITIME
MEDIA Contest Management 4I and the CyberCash Administrative Office 43. The
ReaITIME MEDIA Contest Management 41 directs the shipping of prizes to winners
and
the collection of release forms. The CyberCash Administrative Office 43 debits
the
appropriate participating merchant for the prize and credits the player's
CyberCash
account if appropriate.
In the best mode of practicing the invention, when a player enters the
personal
data and activates the "I Agree to Play" hyper-link pointer of Figure 2, the
player's data is
transmitted to the contest management site, 61 of Figure 5. Contest management
verifies
the player is a bonafide player based on the data, 62, and randomly generates
the gaming
symbols of a scratch-off game card, 63. The gaming symbols may be a single
symbol or
a set of symbols. At this point, contest management determines if the symbols
randomly
generated for the player are a winning group, 64.
SUBSTITUTE SHEET ( rule 26 )
___.._._~.~_ .. T _ ___.__ . T
CA 02281803 1999-08-24
WO 98/36809 PCT/US98/03145
-15-
Contest management proceeds with the generation of the image file of the
player's
game card using any of a variety of well known image creation programs. In the
preferred embodiment the image file is a GIF file (Compuserve Graphics
Interchange
Format) selected because it is optimized for electronic downloading and
therefore faster
than the higher quality JPEG files. The gaming symbols are merged into the
basic game
card static image and inserted into the Web page along with a GIF image file
of the static
game card with blank windows covering the areas of the game card which contain
the
gaming symbols. This is the cover image. The two game card images, gaming
symbol
image and cover image, are superimposed on the same area of the Web page and
transmitted to the player, 66. also transmitted is a program which will enable
a JAVA
enabled terminal to selectively remove the cover image to expose the gaming
symbols. If
the receiving terminal is not JAVA enabled, the cover image will not be
generated and the
player will see only the gaming symbol image. If the receiving terminal is
3AVA
enabled, both images are displayed and the player cannot see the gaming
symbols until
the cursor is dragged over the areas of the cover image masking the symbols.
As the
cursor is dragged over these areas, 67, the cover image is deleted or erased
to allow the
player to see the underlying symbol image.
Contest management process the prize, 68, by crediting the players account or
initiating the shipment of the won premium.
While preferred embodiments of this invention have been illustrated and
described, variations and modifications may be apparent to those skilled in
the art. The
image files may differ and the gaming symbols may be any of a variety of
images such as
numbers, dollar amounts, premium images, etc. Therefore, we do not wish to be
limited
thereto and ask that the scope and breadth of this invention be determined
from the claims
which follow rather than the above description.
SUBSTITUTE SHEET ( rule 26 )
