Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02671877 2009-07-13
15792700
ALLOCATION OF JACKPOTS IN A LOTTERY GAME
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to the field of lottery games,
and particularly to methods and systems for allocating
jackpots.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a lottery game, a participant who can match the numbers
drawn with those appearing on a previously purchased ticket
will win the jackpot. If several participants match the
numbers drawn, the jackpot pool is shared amongst the
winners. In some cases, secondary prizes are also allotted
for partial combinations of the winning numbers drawn.
A participant will be enticed to purchase a lottery ticket
when the jackpot amount is high, and/or when he or she
believes that there is a chance of winning. Various schemes
or scenarios have been devised to incite the purchase of
tickets by increasing the chances of winning. Other scenarios
focus on bolstering the secondary prizes for partial
combinations.
Corporations or entities that organize lottery draws are
constantly looking for ways to encourage the purchase of
lottery tickets. Therefore, there is a need for new methods
or devices to increase tickets sales.
SUMMARY
According to a first broad aspect, there is provided a
method of determining jackpots comprising the steps of:
determining a total jackpot amount; determining whether the
- 1 -
CA 02671877 2009-07-13
15792700
total jackpot amount is at least equal to a threshold, the
threshold being equal to a maximum jackpot amount plus an
excess jackpot amount; when the total jackpot amount is at
least equal to the threshold, setting a main jackpot at the
maximum jackpot amount, the main jackpot associated with a
main draw; and determining a number of additional draws and
corresponding additional jackpots each to be won using a same
player selection as for the main jackpot, using the excess
jackpot amount, the corresponding additional jackpots being
awarded independently of an allocation of the main jackpot.
In at least one embodiment of the above-described method, at
least one of the steps is performed by a processor.
In accordance with a second broad aspect, there is provided a
jackpot determining machine comprising: a memory for storing
a total jackpot amount; and a processor in communication
with the memory, the processor being configured for
performing the steps of: determining whether the total
jackpot amount is at least equal to a threshold, the
threshold being equal to a maximum jackpot amount plus an
excess jackpot amount; when the total jackpot amount is at
least equal to the threshold, setting a main jackpot at the
maximum jackpot amount, the main jackpot associated with a
main draw; and determining a number of additional draws and
corresponding additional jackpots each to be won using a same
player selection as for the main jackpot, using the excess
jackpot amount, the corresponding additional jackpots being
awarded independently of an allocation of the main jackpot.
In accordance with a further embodiment, there is provided a
computer readable memory having recorded thereon statements
- 2 -
CA 02671877 2009-07-13
15792700
and instructions for execution by a computer to carry out the
steps of: determining a total jackpot amount; determining
whether the total jackpot amount is at least equal to a
threshold, the threshold being equal to a maximum jackpot
amount plus an excess jackpot amount; when the total jackpot
amount is at least equal to the threshold, setting a main
jackpot at the maximum jackpot amount, the main jackpot
associated with a main draw; and determining a number of
additional draws and corresponding additional jackpots each
to be won using a same player selection as for the main
jackpot, using the excess jackpot amount, the corresponding
additional jackpots being awarded independently of an
allocation of the main jackpot.
In accordance with yet another embodiment, there is provided
a network executing a software process for allocating
jackpots, the network containing at least one computer, the
at least one computer configured for: determining a total
jackpot amount; determining whether the total jackpot amount
is at least equal to a threshold, the threshold being equal
to a maximum jackpot amount plus an excess jackpot amount;
when the total jackpot amount is at least equal to the
threshold, setting a main jackpot at the maximum jackpot
amount, the main jackpot associated with a main draw; and
determining a number of additional draws and corresponding
additional jackpots each to be won using a same player
selection as for the main jackpot, using the excess jackpot
amount, the corresponding additional jackpots being awarded
independently of an allocation of the main jackpot.
The expression "draw session" refers to the draws performed
to allocate a lottery pool. A draw session can comprise a
- 3 -
CA 02671877 2009-07-13
15792700
single draw. Alternatively, a draw session can comprise a
main draw and at least one additional draw.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description,
taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a flow chart of a method for determining lottery
winners, in accordance with an embodiment;
Fig. 2 is a flow chart of a method for determining jackpots
using a single threshold, in accordance with an embodiment;
Fig. 3 is a flow chart of a method of determining jackpots
using two thresholds, in accordance with an embodiment; and
Fig. 4 is a block diagram of jackpot determining device, in
accordance with an embodiment.
It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like
features are identified by like reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In a lottery game, a pool is to be shared between winners.
Usually, the pool is shared among a main prize and secondary
prizes which are less important than the main prize. The main
prize is referred to as the jackpot.
Figure 1 illustrates a method 100 for performing draws in a
lottery game. The first step 102 consists in determining
jackpots. In this step, the number of jackpots and their
associated amounts are determined. Once the jackpots have
- 4 -
CA 02671877 2009-07-13
15792700
been determined, the next step 104 is to perform at least one
draw in accordance with the determined jackpots in order to
determine winning selections. The number of draws is equal to
the number of the determined jackpots.
In an alternative embodiment, a first or main draw occurs
before jackpots are determined. If the draw session involves
secondary prizes, these prizes are allocated and a number of
additional draws are then determined as a function of the
remaining amounts for any subsequent jackpots. This will be
explained in more detail further below.
In one embodiment, all of the available prizes are monetary
amounts. Alternatively, the prizes can comprise monetary
amounts, free participations, vacations, merchandise and the
like. It should be understood that the pool can comprise any
prizes which can be associated with a monetary amount. For
example, a free participation to a next lottery draw can be
estimated to the fee of one participation or lower.
In one embodiment, a single prize, namely the jackpot is
available and the entire pool is associated with the jackpot.
In this case, a single draw is performed to provide a single
winning selection and the jackpot is shared between the
players having the winning selection. In another embodiment,
the prizes comprise a jackpot and at least one secondary
prize. In this case, a single draw is performed to provide a
single winning selection. The jackpot is associated with the
entirety of the winning selection and each secondary prize is
associated with a portion of the winning selection. While the
jackpot comprises a monetary amount, the secondary prizes are
not limited to monetary amounts. For example, a secondary
- 5 -
CA 02671877 2009-07-13
15792700
prize can be a free participation to a next draw session. In
the case where more than one secondary prize is present, the
secondary prizes may be ranked as a function of their
monetary value. The first secondary prize has a higher
monetary value than the second secondary prize which has a
higher monetary value than the third secondary prize, etc.
Figure 2 illustrates one embodiment of the method 102 for
determining jackpots. The first step 200 consists in
determining a total jackpot amount. The total jackpot amount
is the monetary amount to be shared between winners having
the jackpot winning selection. If there is no secondary
prize, the total jackpot amount is the entire pool of the
lottery game. Otherwise, if there are secondary prizes, the
total jackpot amount allocated to the jackpot is a portion of
the pool and the remaining of the pool is distributed among
the secondary prizes. At step 204, the total jackpot amount
is compared to a predetermined threshold. In this embodiment,
the threshold is a maximum jackpot amount. The maximum
jackpot amount is a predetermined maximum limit for the
jackpot. If the total jackpot amount is inferior or equal to
the maximum jackpot amount, a single jackpot is set at the
total jackpot amount (step 204) and no additional draws will
subsequently be performed to determine winners of additional
jackpots. In this case, the draw session consists of a single
draw. If the total jackpot amount is superior to the
threshold, then a main jackpot amount is set to the maximum
jackpot amount (step 206) for a main draw. The amount of the
total jackpot in excess of the maximum jackpot amount, namely
the difference between the total jackpot amount and the
maximum jackpot amount, is then used to determine at least
- 6 -
CA 02671877 2009-07-13
15792700
one additional draw (step 208). Subsequently, at least one
additional draw independent of the main draw will be
performed to determine the winning selections for the
additional jackpot(s). In this case, the draw session
consists of the main draw and the additional draw(s). For
example, the maximum jackpot amount is set at 50 million
dollars. If the total jackpot amount is equal to 30 million
dollars, then a single jackpot is set at 30 million dollars.
However, if the total jackpot amount is equal to 52 million
dollars, then a main jackpot is set at the maximum jackpot
amount, namely 50 million dollars, and the remaining two
million dollars are used to determine at least one additional
jackpot. The additional jackpots are determined in accordance
with additional jackpot amounts or with a number of
additional jackpots.
In an alternative embodiment, part of the excess of the
maximum jackpot amount may be used to increase the main
jackpot amount beyond the threshold, while the remaining part
is used for at least one additional draw. For example, if the
threshold is 50 million dollars and the total jackpot amount
is 60 million dollars, 5 million may be added to the main
jackpot, bringing the total to 55 million, and 5 million may
be split among additional jackpot amounts of 1 million each.
In this case, the draw session would consist of 6 draws.
These numbers are simply to illustrate the principle and the
amounts may be split in a variety of ways, without being
limited to a 50-50 split.
Figure 3 illustrates one embodiment of a method 300 for
determining jackpots in accordance with predetermined
additional jackpot amounts. In this embodiment, all of the
- 7 -
CA 02671877 2009-07-13
15792700
additional jackpot amounts have the same value. The first
step 200 consists in determining a total jackpot amount. At
step 302, the total jackpot amount is compared to a first
threshold, namely the maximum jackpot amount. If the total
jackpot amount is inferior or equal to the maximum jackpot
amount, a single jackpot is set for the total jackpot amount
(step 304) for a single draw. If the total jackpot amount is
superior to the maximum jackpot amount, then a main jackpot
is set for the maximum jackpot amount (step 306) for a main
draw. The next step 308 consists in comparing the total
jackpot amount to a second threshold. The second threshold
corresponds to the maximum jackpot amount plus the additional
jackpot amount. If the total jackpot amount is inferior to
the second threshold, i.e. if the amount of the total jackpot
amount in excess of the maximum jackpot amount is inferior to
the additional jackpot amount, then no further step is
performed and the draw session consists in only a single
draw, i.e. the main draw. The jackpot excess amount can be
transferred to a secondary prize, if any, or to the pool of
the next draw session. If the total jackpot amount is
superior or equal to the second threshold, i.e. if the amount
of the total jackpot amount in excess of the maximum jackpot
amount is superior or equal to the additional jackpot amount,
the next step 310 consists in determining the number of
additional draws required to allocate the excess amount. The
excess amount is divided by the additional jackpot amount and
the number of additional jackpots is given by the quotient of
the division. Each additional draw is associated with the
additional jackpot amount. For each additional jackpot, an
additional draw will be performed to determine winners of the
corresponding additional jackpot. For example, the maximum
- 8 -
CA 02671877 2009-07-13
15792700
jackpot amount is set at 50 million dollars and the
additional jackpot amount is set at 1 million dollars. If the
total jackpot amount is equal to 30 million dollars, then a
single jackpot is set at 30 million dollars. If the total
jackpot amount is equal to 50.5 million dollars, then a
single jackpot is set at the maximum jackpot amount, i.e. 50
million dollars. The remaining amount of the total jackpot
amount, namely the 500,000 dollars, is less than the
additional jackpot amount and can be transferred to at least
one secondary prize of the main draw, if any, or to the pool
of the next draw session. If the total jackpot amount is
equal to 52 million dollars, then a main jackpot is set at
the maximum jackpot amount, namely 50 million dollars. The
remaining amount of the total jackpot amount, i.e. 2 million
dollars, is divided by the additional jackpot amount, i.e. 1
million dollars, in order to calculate the number of
additional draws. In this case, two additional draws will
subsequently be performed to determine the winners of the two
additional jackpots. In this case, the draw session comprises
three draws, i.e. the main draw and the two additional draws.
If the total jackpot amount is equal to 52.1 million dollars,
then a main jackpot is set at the maximum jackpot amount,
i.e. 50 million dollars. The remaining amount of the total
jackpot amount, i.e. 2.1 million dollars, is divided by the
additional jackpot amount, namely 1 million dollars, in order
to calculate the number of additional jackpots. The number of
additional draws is equal to the quotient of the division,
namely 2. The remaining 100,000 dollars can be transferred to
the at least one secondary prize of the main draw, if any, or
to the pool of a next lottery event. In this case, the draw
- 9 -
CA 02671877 2009-07-13
15792700
session comprises three draws, i.e. the main draw and the two
additional draws.
While figure 3 refers to additional jackpots having the same
additional jackpot amount, it should be understood that the
additional jackpot amount may vary from one additional
jackpot to another. For example, a first additional jackpot
amount may be set at 1 million dollars, a second additional
jackpot may be set at 2 million dollars, and the next
additional jackpot amounts may each be set at 3 million
dollars. The first additional jackpot is used to determine
the threshold. In this case, if the total jackpot amount is
56 million dollars, then four draws are necessary for
distributing the total jackpot amount among winners. The main
draw is associated with a 50 million dollar jackpot. A first
additional draw is associated with a 1 million dollar
jackpot. A second additional draw is associated with a 2
million dollar jackpot and a third additional draw is
associated with a 3 million dollar jackpot. Alternatively,
the first additional jackpot amount may be set at 3 million
dollars, the second additional jackpot may be set at 2
million dollars, and the next additional jackpot amounts may
each be set at 1 million dollars.
In one embodiment, the additional jackpots are determined in
accordance with a predetermined number of additional draws.
The number of additional draws is predetermined and the
excess money is shared between the additional draws. The
distribution of the excess money between the additional
jackpots can be performed randomly or according to a
predetermined sharing scheme. For example, a predetermined
portion of the excess amount is allocated to each additional
- 10 -
CA 02671877 2009-07-13
15792700
jackpot. For example, there can be three additional jackpots
and the sharing scheme can be the following: 50%, 250, and
25%. The first additional jackpot is set to 50% of the excess
amount while the second and third additional jackpot are each
set to 25% of the excess amount. Referring back to the
previous example, the first additional jackpot is then set to
1 million dollars while the second and third additional
jackpots are each set to 500,000 dollars. It should be
understood that the number of additional jackpots and the
sharing scheme illustrated above are exemplary only. For
example, the number of additional jackpots can be equal to
one or two, or superior to three, and the excess money can be
evenly shared between the additional draws.
While the previous embodiments refer to the determination of
draws in accordance with either a predetermined number of
additional draws or with predetermined additional jackpot
amounts, the determination of the additional jackpots can be
performed randomly. In a first example, the number of
additional jackpots is determined randomly within a
predetermined range. For example, the predetermined range can
be [1, 5], i.e. the number of additional jackpots can take
any value from 1 to S. The excess amount of the total jackpot
is then distributed between the additional jackpot amounts
either evenly or according to a predetermined distribution
scheme. In a second example, the additional jackpot amounts
are determined randomly within a predetermined range. For
example, if the excess amount of the total jackpot is 2.4
million dollars, a first additional random amount is randomly
determined within the range comprised between 1 million
dollars and 1.2 million dollars. For example, the first
- 11 -
CA 02671877 2009-07-13
15792700
additional jackpot amount is set at 1.1 million dollars. The
excess amount is then 1.3 million dollars. A second
additional jackpot amount is determined randomly and set at
1.2 million dollars. As the excess amount is then 0.1 million
dollars, there is no third additional jackpot. The
predetermined ranges may vary as a function of the excess
jackpot amount.
Referring back to figure 1, step 104 consists in performing
the number of draws corresponding to the number of previously
determined jackpots. If the determination of the jackpots
(step 102) results in a single jackpot, then a single draw is
performed. The single draw provides the winning selection and
the single jackpot and the secondary prizes, if any, are
distributed in accordance with the winning selection. If at
least one additional draw has been determined, a main draw
and an additional draw for each additional jackpot are
independently performed. The main draw provides the winning
selection for the main jackpot and the secondary prizes, if
any. Each additional draw provides a new single winning
selection and the additional jackpots are allocated in
accordance with their corresponding winning selection. Then
the number of winners for each draw is determined. With
respect to the main draw, the winners are the holders of at
least part of the drawn winning selection. A winner can win
the jackpot or a secondary prize. If more than one player has
the same winning selection, the corresponding prize is shared
among the winners. In the case of an additional draw, only
the players having the entire jackpot winning selection are
winners since there is no secondary prize.
- 12 -
CA 02671877 2009-07-13
15792700
Alternatively to the flowchart of figure 1, a first or main
draw is performed, jackpots are determined, and additional
draws are subsequently performed accordingly.
In order to participate in the lottery game, a player buys a
ticket which comprises at least one selection. The selection
may be chosen by the player or randomly generated when the
player is buying the lottery ticket. Each selection of the
lottery ticket allows the player to participate in all of the
draws including the main draw and the additional draws, if
any, and each selection of the lottery ticket provides the
player with a chance to win the main jackpot and the
additional jackpots, if any. Taking the example of a lottery
ticket comprising a single selection, the single selection is
compared to the winning selection of the main draw in order
to determine if the owner of the lottery ticket wins the main
jackpot or another prize associated with the main draw. If
the total jackpot amount allows additional draws, the single
selection is also compared to the winning selection of each
one of the additional draws. If the single selection
corresponds to the winning selection of one of the additional
draws, the owner of the lottery ticket wins the additional
jackpot associated with the corresponding additional draw. In
another example, each lottery ticket comprises three
selections. In this case, each one of the three selections
provides the holder of the lottery ticket with a
participation in all of the draws of a draw session. For
example, if two additional draws have been determined in
addition to the main draw, each one of the three selections
are compared to the winning selection of the main draw and
the winning selections of the additional draws in order to
- 13 -
CA 02671877 2009-07-13
15792700
determine if the player wins a prize. As a result, a same
selection provides the player with a participation in the
main draw and also in the additional draws.
It should be understood that when the total jackpot amount
allows for at least one additional draw, the additional draws
are performed even if the main jackpot is not won. The
allocation of the additional jackpots are independent of an
allocation of the main jackpot.
It should be understood that the draws can be performed
manually or automatically by a machine having a processor
configured for randomly determining selections. For example,
when additional draws are to take place, the main draw may be
performed manually and the additional draws may be performed
automatically by the machine.
The following illustrates an exemplary standard lottery game.
This standard lottery game is one example of a lottery game
in which additional draws may be performed to allocate the
lottery pool to winners. Each draw session consists of at
least one main draw. For the main draw, seven main numbers in
addition to one bonus number are drawn at random. These eight
numbers are all different and drawn from among all numbers
from one to forty-nine. Table 1 illustrates an example of
winning selections.
Winning selections Definition
7/7 (JACKPOT) The seven main numbers
6/7+ Any six main numbers and the bonus number
- 14 -
CA 02671877 2009-07-13
15792700
6/7 Any six main numbers and one other number
5/7 Any five main numbers and two other
numbers or any five main numbers, one
other number, and the bonus number
4/7 Any four main numbers and three other
numbers or any four main numbers, two
other numbers, and the bonus number
3/7+ Any three main numbers, the bonus number
and three other numbers
3/7 Any three main numbers and four other
numbers
TABLE 1
The term "other number" refers to any number which has not
been drawn. A prize is associated with each winning
selection. The monetary value of a prize may be
predetermined. For example, the prize associated with the
jackpot selection (7/7 winning selection) can be fixed.
Alternatively, the monetary value of a prize can be a
predetermined percentage of the pool. In this case, the
jackpot prize is shared between all winners having the 7/7
winning selection. In another example, each winner having the
3/7 winning selection wins a free play for a next draw
session.
As un-won prizes are transferred to the pool of a next draw
session, the pool of the lottery can increase from one draw
session to the next. In this example, the maximum jackpot
amount is set to 50 million dollars and the additional
- 15 -
CA 02671877 2009-07-13
15792700
jackpot amount is predetermined and set at 1 million dollars.
A threshold is defined as the sum of the maximum jackpot
amount and the additional jackpot amount. In this case, the
threshold is set at 51 million dollars. If the total jackpot
amount, namely the prize associated with the 7/7 winning
selection, is equal to 35 million dollars, then a single
jackpot is set at 35 million dollars and a single draw is
performed. The draw provides seven main numbers and one bonus
number. The total jackpot amount is shared between all of the
winners having the seven drawn main numbers. The remaining of
the lottery pool is shared between the winners of the
secondary winning selections as illustrated in table 1. For
example, the prize associated with the 6/7+ winning selection
is shared between winners having any six drawn main numbers
in addition to the drawn bonus number. In another example,
any winner having any three drawn main numbers receives a
free participation for a next draw session.
If the total jackpot amount is equal to 50.5 million dollars,
then the total jackpot amount is superior to the maximum
jackpot amount but inferior to the threshold. In this case, a
single jackpot to be shared between winners of the 7/7
winning selection is set at the maximum jackpot amount, i.e.
50 million dollars. The amount of the total jackpot amount in
excess of the maximum jackpot amount, i.e. 500,000 dollars,
is transferred and added to the prize associated with the
6/7+ winning selection. If no player wins the winning 6/7+
selection, the amount for the 6/7+ winner is transferred to
the pool of the next draw session. The remaining of the
lottery pool is allocated among the winners of the secondary
prizes.
- 16 -
CA 02671877 2009-07-13
15792700
If the total jackpot amount is equal to 53.1 million dollars,
then the total jackpot amount is superior to the threshold
and more than one jackpot is to be determined. The main
jackpot is set at the maximum jackpot amount, namely 50
million dollars. The number of additional jackpots is given
by the quotient of the division of the total jackpot amount
minus the maximum jackpot amount by the additional jackpot
amount. It results in three additional jackpots of one
million dollars each. The remainder of the division,
i.e.100,000 dollars, is transferred and added to the prize
associated with the 6/7+ winning selection of the main draw.
If no player wins the 6/7+ winning selection of the main
draw, the amount for the 6/7+ winner is transferred to the
pool of the next draw session or to a subsequent secondary
prize. Three additional draws are then performed. For the
main draw, seven main numbers and one bonus number are drawn
while only seven main numbers are drawn for each additional
draw since no secondary prizes are associated with an
additional draw. The winners of the 7/7 selection of the main
draw share the 50 million dollar jackpot while the winners of
the 7/7 winning selection of each additional draw share the
corresponding additional jackpot amount. The remaining of the
lottery pool is shared among winners of secondary prizes of
the main draw. If a jackpot is not won, its associated amount
is transferred to the pool of the next draw session or to a
secondary prize. In addition, if a main jackpot is won but
one or more additional jackpots are not won, the un-won
additional jackpot amounts may be transferred to a next draw
session and allocated to a future main jackpot.
- 17 -
CA 02671877 2009-07-13
15792700
In one embodiment, each lottery ticket comprises three
selections and each selection includes seven numbers
comprised between 1 and 49. For example, a player buys a
lottery ticket comprising the three following selections:
First selection: 4, 26, 34, 35, 42, 45, 47;
Second selection: 6, 12, 20, 23, 28, 32, 34;
Third selection: 13, 15, 19, 26, 45, 46.
The total jackpot amount is 52 million dollars and the
maximum jackpot amount is set at 50 million dollars so that
one main draw and two additional draws are performed. The
jackpot associated with the main draw is set at the maximum
jackpot amount, namely 50 million dollars, and each one of
the two additional draws is associated with a one million
dollar jackpot.
A main draw is performed and the 7/7 winning selection
associated with the main draw is the following: 6, 10, 23,
30, 32, 40, 44 with a bonus number equal to 49. Each one of
the two additional draws is performed independently of the
main draw. The 7/7 winning selection associated with the
first additional draw is : 6, 12, 20, 23, 28, 32, 34. The 7/7
winning selection associated with the second additional draw
is 3, 7, 8, 13, 15, 19, 41. Since the first player
selection comprises no numbers from the 7/7 winning selection
associated with the main draw and the two additional draws,
no prize is associated with the first player selection. Since
the second player selection has three numbers, i.e. 6, 23,
and 32, in common with the 7/7 winning selection associated
with the main draw, the player wins the prize associated with
- 18 -
CA 02671877 2009-07-13
15792700
the 3/7 winning selection, i.e. a free participation for a
next draw session, for example. Furthermore, since the second
player selection is identical to the 7/7 winning selection
associated with the first additional draw, the player wins
the jackpot associated with the first additional draw, i.e.
one million dollars. It should be understood that if at least
two players have the 7/7 winning selection, the 1 million
dollar jackpot is shared between the winners of the first
additional draw. Finally, the player wins no prize with
respect to the third selection since the third player
selection comprises no number from the 7/7 winning selections
associated with the main draw and the first and second
additional draws.
Figure 4 illustrates one embodiment of a jackpot determining
machine 400 for determining jackpots in a lottery game. The
machine 400 comprises a processor 402 in communication with a
memory 404. The system 400 receives a maximum jackpot amount
and a total jackpot amount, and stores them into memory 404.
The processor is adapted to access the memory and perform the
steps of the method 102 illustrated in figure 2 in order to
determine draw characteristics, i.e. the number of draws and
the jackpot amount associated with each draw.
In one embodiment, the system 400 is adapted to determine the
number of draws using a fixed and predetermined additional
jackpot amount. The system 400 receives the additional
jackpot amount as input and stores it into memory 404. In
this case, the processor 402 is configured for performing the
steps of the method illustrated in figure 3.
- 19 -
CA 02671877 2009-07-13
15792700
In another embodiment, the processor is configured for
determining additional jackpot amounts in accordance with a
fixed number of additional jackpots in accordance with the
method described above. In this embodiment, the system 400
receives the number of additional jackpots and stores it into
memory 404. The processor 402 accesses the stored number of
additional jackpots and determines the additional jackpot
amount associated with each additional jackpot.
Alternatively, the processor may be configured for
determining jackpots in accordance with a random method
described above.
In one embodiment, a user inputs the total jackpot amount
into the jackpot determining device 400. Alternatively, the
jackpot determining device 400 can be provided with
communication means and the total jackpot amount is received
via the communication means.
In one embodiment, the jackpot determining device 400
receives sales estimations and the processor is configured
for determining the total jackpot amount using the sales
estimations. In this embodiment, the processor can also be
configured for adjusting the total jackpot in accordance with
real sales values once the sales are completed. The jackpot
determining device 400 can be in communication with retailers
which periodically send sales information to the device 400.
In an alternative embodiment, the jackpot determining device
400 receives the total jackpot amount after a first draw has
been performed and secondary prizes have been allocated. The
remaining amount is then considered in determining if
additional draws are to occur.
- 20 -
CA 02671877 2009-07-13
15792700
In one embodiment, the method for determining jackpots is
performed by a server connected to a network such as the
Internet and the lottery game is an Internet lottery. In this
case, the processor of the server is configured for
performing the steps of the method. In this embodiment, the
processor of the server may also be configured for performing
the draws.
It should be understood that a selection can be any series of
figures, numbers, symbols, letters, playing cards, and the
like. A series comprises at least one element. A selection
can also be a combination of numbers, symbols, letters,
playing cards, and the like.
In one embodiment, the method for determining the number of
additional draws and their corresponding additional jackpot
is embodied in a computer readable memory. The computer
readable memory has recorded thereon statements and
instructions for execution by a computer to carry out the
method for determining draws described above.
While the blocks of the methods in the figures are
shown as occurring in a particular order, it will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that many of the
blocks are interchangeable and may occur in different orders
than that shown without materially affecting the end results
of the methods. While the present disclosure is primarily
described as a method, a person of ordinary skill in the art
will understand that the present disclosure is also directed
to an apparatus for carrying out the disclosed method and
including apparatus parts for performing each described
method block, be it by way of hardware components, a computer
- 21 -
CA 02671877 2009-07-13
15792700
programmed by appropriate software to enable the practice of
the disclosed method, by any combination of the two, or in
any other manner. Moreover, an article of manufacture for use
with the apparatus, such as a pre-recorded storage device or
other similar computer readable medium including program
instructions recorded thereon, or a computer data signal
carrying computer readable program instructions may direct an
apparatus to facilitate the practice of the disclosed method.
It is understood that such apparatus, articles of
manufacture, and computer data signals also come within the
scope of the present disclosure.
The embodiments of the present disclosure described
above are intended to be examples only. Those of skill in the
art may effect alterations, modifications and variations to
the particular example embodiments without departing from the
intended scope of the present disclosure. In particular,
selected features from one or more of the above-described
example embodiments may be combined to create alternative
example embodiments not explicitly described, features
suitable for such combinations being readily apparent to
persons skilled in the art. The subject matter described
herein in the recited claims intends to cover and embrace all
suitable changes in technology.
- 22 -
