Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02384704 2002-03-08
WO 02/13930 PCT/IBO1/00073
LOTTERY TICKET PLAY ACTION GAME
Field Of The Invention
The present invention is directed to a lottery ticket in which the play action
game
is based on chance or is controlled by the player. The play action game
provides for
movement of the player through a grid of play regions in which each play
region may
be provided with a prize supporting symbol, a prize defeating symbol or a
directional
symbol advising the player to proceed to another play region. The player may
win a
prize if he or she uncovers a prize supporting symbol andlor accumulates a
minimum
number of prize supporting symbols before obtaining a preselected number of
prize
defeating symbols.
Background Of The Invention
Scratch-off lottery tickets are common in the lottery industry. Game data is
covered by a scratch-off layer and when the scratch-off layer is removed, the
game data
is exposed. Once the scratch-off layer is removed, if the game symbols provide
a
certain pattern (e.g. three of the same symbol) the player may win a prize.
Thus, the
typical scratch-off lottery tickets require the player to remove the scratch-
off layer and
immediately determine what prize has been won.
It is desirable in the scratch-off lottery industry to provide lottery tickets
which not
only provide the opportunity to win a prize, but also provide the opportunity
to play a
CA 02384704 2002-03-08
WO 02/13930 PCT/IBO1/00073
game which adds to the value and enterfiainment of the lottery ticket itself.
One class
of such games are games based on chance in which the outcome of the game and
whether a prize is won is solely determined by the lottery ticket itself.
Another class of
games are called probability games in which the player has some control over
the
~ 5 actions taken to seek a prize. Both classes of games provide excitement
and
stimulation because they provide the added element of playing a game in
addition to
the opportunity to win a prize.
It would therefore be a significant advance in the scratch-off industry to
provide
a lottery game which can be based on chance or probability and provide the
player the
opportunity to play a game and possibility of winning a valuable prize.
Summary Of The Invention
The present invention is generally directed to a lottery ticket having a play
area
in the form of a plurality of individual play regions each covered by a
scratch-off layer.
The play area itself may contain all of the game playing indicia including
instructions for
uncovering individual play regions or a second play area (e.g. a directional
region) may
be provided for directing the player as to which individual play regions are
to be
uncovered. The player proceeds from a starting point and may continue the game
until
the relevant game playing indicia have been exposed. The play action game may
be
played as a game of chance or a probability game.
-2-
CA 02384704 2002-03-08
WO 02113930 PCT/IBO1/00073
In one particular aspect ofithe present invention, there is provided a lottery
ticket
having a play action game with a play area comprising a grid of individual
play regions
with each play region containing a prize supporting symbol, a prize defeating
symbol,
or a directional symbol advising the player to proceed to another play region,
wherein
a prize is won if the player accumulates at least a minimum number of prize
supporting
symbols. fn one aspect of the play action game the minimum number of prize
supporting symbols must be uncovered before accumulating a preselected number
of
prize defeating symbols. The play area is covered by a removable scratch-off
layer
which is removed to reveal the individual play regions.
In this embodiment of the invention, the game may be based on chance by
having the lottery ticket itself direct the player to a preselected starting
point in the form
of a preselected individual play region. In this way, the outcome of the play
action
game is predetermined because the player's moves are controlled by the
preselection
of the starting point.
The game may be played as a probability game wherein the player selects his
or her own starting point which could be in the form of an individual play
region and thus
the course of the play action game and the outcome is determined by the
player.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the game playing indicia which
control which particular individual play regions may be uncovered are located
in a
second area in the form of a separate region (i.e. a directional region) from
the first play
-3-
CA 02384704 2005-05-16
area.. This aspect of the play action may be played as a game of chance or as
a
probability game.
When played as a game of chance, the separate region contains a
predetermined number of directional areas, each containing indicia identifying
an
individual play region which is to be uncovered. The player is required to
expose all
directional areas within the directional area to play the game. In this way,
the outcome
of the game is predetermined by the lottery ticket itself.
When played as a probability game, the directional region may also contains a
predetermined number of directional areas. However, the player is required to
play less
than all of the directional areas and selects the directional areas to be
played and thus
the outcome of the game is determined by the player. In addition to or in the
alternative,
the player chooses which play region he/she wants to scratch first. Therefore,
the
outcome is determined by the player.
In a broad aspect, the present invention relates to a lottery ticket
comprising a
play area comprising a plurality of individual play regions each containing at
least one
of a prize supporting symbol, a prize defeating symbol or a directional symbol
at least
one of the play regions containing a directional symbol advising the player to
proceed
to another non-adjacent play region, wherein a prize is won if the player
accumulates
at least a minimum of prize supporting symbols before obtaining a preselected
number
of prize defeating symbols, said play area being covered by a removable
scratch-off
layer.
Brief Description Of The Drawings
The following drawings in which like reference characters indicate like parts
are
illustrative of embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the
invention
as disclosed in the application.
-4-
CA 02384704 2002-03-08
WO 02/13930 PCT/IBO1/00073
Figure 1 is a top view of an embodiment of a lottery ticket of the present
invention prior to playing in which indicia directing the play action is
within the play area;
Figure 2 is a top view of the lottery ticket of Figure 1 showing the removal
of the
scratch-off layer covering all of the individual play regions;
Figure 3 is a graphic illustration showing embodiments of the prize supporting
symbols and prize defeating symbols and the number of each which may be
required
to win a specific prize or to lose the game;
Figure 4 is a top view of another embodiment of a lottery ticket of the
present
invention in which indicia for directing the play action is in a region
outside the play
area;
Figure 5 is a top view of the lottery ticket of Figure 4 showing removal of
the
scratch-off layers from some of the directional areas and corresponding
individual play
regions;
Figure 6 is a top view of an embodiment of a lottery ticket similar to Figure
4
played as a probability game in which less than all of the directional areas
are exposed
at the choice of the player; and
-5-
CA 02384704 2002-03-08
WO 02/13930 PCT/IBO1/00073
Figure 7 is a top view of the lottery ticket of Figure 6 showing removal of
the
scratch-off layer from less than all of the directional areas and
corresponding individual
play region.
Detailed Description Of The Inven,~on
Referring to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a lottery ticket as an embodiment
of
the present invention. The lottery ticket 2 has a top face 4 which includes a
play area
6 which includes a plurality of individual play regions 8. The play area 6 may
be in any
form but must include a minimum of two individual play regions, most
preferably eve or
more play regions. There could be a variety of different formats for the play
regions so
long as their Location can be readily identified by the player in accordance
with the
instructions of playing the game as described in detail hereinafter. In the
specific
embodiment shown in Figure 1, the individual play regions 8 are arranged in a
plurality
of rows 10 (labeled 1-10) and a plurality of columns 12 (labeled columns A-G).
In the embodiment shown specifically in Figure 1, a specii~ic play region 8
rnay
therefore be identified by a suitable letter (e.g. B) and a suitable number
(e:g. 7) to
specifically identify a particular play region (e.g. B7). The play area 6 is
covered by a
scratch-off layer shown generally by the numeral 14 which may have an
overprinting
layer thereon with desirable graphics to illustrate the theme of the game.
_g_
CA 02384704 2002-03-08
WO 02/13930 PCT/IBO1/00073
The lottery ticket of Figure 1 is shown in Figure 2 with the scratch-off layer
14
removed from all of the play regions 8. There is thus revealed for each
individual play
region 8 a prize supporting symbol, a prize defeating symbol, or a directional
symbol as
explained in detail hereinafter. In an optional feature of the invention, one
or more
classes of other symbols may be used to augment the particular symbols
mentioned
above.
As shown specifically in Figure 2, a prize winning symbol is shown in the play
region B2 and is identified by reference numeral 16A. The game area 6 may also
contain one or more other types of prize supporting symbols 16B such as that
shown
in play region 8 identified as G6.
Prize defeating symbols 18 also appear in the play area 6. Such prize
defeating
symbols are designated by the numeral 18 such as appearing in the play region
8
identified as A1.
The game area 6 in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 also includes directional
symbols which provide instructions to the player to move from one individual
play region
to another individual play region. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the
directional
symbols do not include a prize supporting symbol or a prize defeating symbol
but such
symbols may, optionally, be included as part of the directional symbol. By way
of
example, if the player lands on the individual play region identified as A6
containing the
-7-
CA 02384704 2002-03-08
WO 02/13930 PCT/IB01/00073
phrase "move to D5" then the player must move from that individual play region
to the
play region D5.
The lottery game in accordance with the embodiment of the lottery ticket shown
in Figures 1 and 2 can be played as a game of chance when the player is
directed by
play instructions provided by the lottery ticket such as in the box 20 marked
for
example, "Start". The player removes the scratch-off layer from the box 20 and
follows
the directions within the box. The box will direct the player to a single play
region 8.
The player then removes the scratch-off layer from that particular play region
to begin
the game. This individual play region will contain at least one symbol from
among prize
supporting symbols, prize defeating symbols or directional symbols. If a prize
supporting symbol is uncovered, this is applied towards the minimum number of
prize
supporting symbols needed to win a prize. If a prize defeating symbol is
uncovered
then this counts toward a preselected number of prize defeating symbols which
ifi
obtained results in the player automatically losing the game. If either a
prize supporting
symbol or a prized defeating symbol is uncovered in the first play region
uncovered by
the player, there will also be a directional symbol to direct the player to
another play
region. If the player uncovers a directional symbol, the player follows the
directions by
moving to the individual play region corresponding to the directional symbol
and then
follows the directions contained within that particular individual play
region.
In the probability game version of the same lottery ticket the "Start" box 20
is not
necessary because the player may select any individual play region 8 to begin
the
_g_
CA 02384704 2002-03-08
WO 02/13930 PCT/IB01/00073
game. Once the particular play region 8 is selected, the game is played in the
same
manner as the game of chance version described above.
In the game of chance version, the game continues until the player wins a
prize
or the player accumulates the preselected number of prize defeating symbols in
which
event the lottery ticket immediately becomes a losing ticket.
In the probability version, the game continues at the player's discretion
until the
player is satisfied that he or she has obtained a desired prize orthe player
accumulates
the preselected number of prize defeating symbols (typically from 1 to 3 prize
defeating
symbols) in which case the lottery ticket immediately becomes a losing ticket.
The player may determine if a prize has been won from a prize designation area
which typically appears on the front face of the lottery ticket. One such
prize
designation area is shown in Figure 3. As shown therein, the presence of two
round
shaped "bombs" signifies a losing game. The uncovering of two or more stacks
of coins
results in a winning ticket. It the player uncovers two bombs at any time
during play of
the play action game, the lottery ticket is immediately a losing ticket. If
the player is able
to uncover two stacks of coins before uncovering two bombs, then the player
can win
a prize such as $2 as shown specifically in Figure 3. Additional stacks of
coins results
in more valuable prizes such as six stacks of coins resulting in a $20 prize.
_g_
CA 02384704 2002-03-08
WO 02/13930 PCT/IBO1/00073
The prize area as shown in Figure 3 may include additional symbols which, for
example, may direct the player to uncover any box at his or her selection. As
shown
specifically in Figure 3, additional prize supporting symbols are provided in
the form of
"sacks of gold" or "palm trees" wherein uncovering one or more of these
symbols results
in a different or more valuable prize than that described for the stacks of
coins. For
example, if the player uncovers two sacks of gold before uncovering two bombs,
then
he or she may win a more valuable prize than if two stacks of coins are
uncovered (e.g.
$500 as opposed to $2).
Referring to Figures4-7 there are shown additional embodiments ofthe invention
in the format of a game of chance as well as a probability game. In these
embodiments
of the invention, the instructions provided by the directional symbols for
moving a player
in the play area comes from a separate directional region comprised of
individual
directional areas lying outside of the main or first play area. For the game
of chance
as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the directional region contains a preselected
number of
directional areas, all ofwhich are to be uncovered by the player. In the
probability game
version as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the directional region contains a
preselected
number of directional areas Less than all of which are uncovered by the
player. The
player does have the opportunity to select which of the preselected
directional areas he
or she wishes to play as part of the game and thereby controls the ultimate
outcome of
the game.
-10-
CA 02384704 2002-03-08
WO 02/13930 PCT/IB01/00073
Referring to Figures 4 and 5, there is shown a play area 6 which includes a
plurality of individual play regions 8. The play area 6 may be in any form but
must
include a minimum of two individual play regions and may be set up in a manner
similar
to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1. As shown specifically in
Figures
4 and 5, the individual play regions 8 are arranged in a plurality of rows 10
(labeled rows
1-8) and a plurality of columns 12 (labeled columns A-J).
There is provided a second play area in the form of a directional region 30
comprised of a plurality of individual directional areas 32 each having a
directional
symbol 34 (see Figure 5) covered by a scratch-off layer 36. The directional
symbol 34
will identify a particular individual play region 8 which is to be uncovered
by the player.
Thus, as shown in Figure 5, the individual play regions D2, H5 and J7 have
been
uncovered in the play area 6. As shown in Figure 5, the three uncovered
directional
areas D2, H5 and J7, respectively correspond to individual play regions 8
within the play
area 6. When the corresponding individual play regions 8 are uncovered, the
region D2
shows a directional symbol ("Go To A8"), the region H5 shows the letters "FG"
and the
play region J7 shows the "TD". In this particular game, the directional symbol
(Go To
A8) instructs the player to uncover the individual play region A8 which
contains a
"football" symbol which is not indicative of a prize. On the other hand, the
symbol "FG"
is indicative of a prize which may be selected from a separate prize region
{not shown).
The symbol "TD" also indicates a prize which may be selected from an adjacent
prize
. region 40 which when uncovered indicates a dollar sign which may include a
specific
-11-
CA 02384704 2002-03-08
WO 02/13930 PCT/IBO1/00073
dollar amount or an amount obtained from another region from the lottery
ticket (not
shown).
As previously explained, the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5 is played as a game
of chance so that the player is required to uncover all of the directional
areas 32 of the
directional region 30. If one or more prize symbols (e.g. "FG" and/or "TD")
are
uncovered, the player may win a prize.
A probability version of the game shown in the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5
is shown in Figures 6 and 7 wherein the directional region 30 includes a
plurality of
directional areas 32 only some of which are uncovered by the player. As shown
specifically in Figure 7, only four of the fourteen directional areas in the
directional
region are uncovered and the corresponding individual play regions 8 are
exposed in
the play area 6. However, in one embodiment of the invention, the individual
play
regions 8 may contain additional directional symbols requiring the player to
move to a
different individual play region (e.g. individual play region D4 contains the
directional
symbol "Go to H8") which requires the player to uncover individual play region
H8. The
selection of which of the directional 32 areas are to be exposed is within the
control of
the player, although there can be a limit as to the number of directional
areas a player
is allowed to uncover in order for the game to be valid. Therefore, the player
has some
control over whether a prize is won and the ultimate value of the prize.
_12_
CA 02384704 2002-03-08
WO 02/13930 PCT/IB01/00073
Modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary
skill
in the art and include the use of additional or different prize supporting
symbols, prize
defeating symbols and other directional symbols which may result in a prize,
altering the
value of a particular prize or may result in a losing ticket.
-13-
