Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONDUCTING A GAME OF CHANCE
Field of the Invention
The field of the invention relates generally to lotteries and gaming, and more
particularly, to systems for conducting lottery-based games or casino-based
gaming.
Background
There are many different types of games that are provided that involve the
issuance of a
lottery ticket to play a game of chance. Lottery tickets are sold through
retailers using
machines referred to as point of sale (POS) terminals. These tickets are
generally printed at the
POS terminal, and are usually issued for some lottery drawing to be performed
at a later time.
Examples of these types of lottery games of chance include traditional state
lottery drawings
and multi-state lottery drawings (e.g., PowerBall). Another type of lottery
ticket, referred to in
the art as instant lottery, includes a pre-printed scratch-type lottery ticket
which includes a
latex or similar coating that is scratched off by a purchaser (a player),
revealing one or more
game indicia and whether the player won the game or series of games as
indicated on the
ticket. The indication is generally "instant" in that the player knows, when
they scratch off the
ticket coating, whether or not they won the game.
There are many online games that can be played using a computer system coupled
to a
communication network (e.g., the Internet). These games may include
traditional games of
chance, games of skill, and casino-type games, among others.
Some systems combine lottery-type games and online games. In one such system,
a
lottery ticket is sold to a player, who then plays a further game using a
computer system. In
such a game system, the ticket sold to a player includes a code which is
correlated to a game
seed stored in a computer system upon which a computer game is played. The
computer game
determines the correlated game seed, and this game seed is mapped to a series
of
predetermined game states that lead to a predetermined outcome. That is, the
code stored on
the ticket includes the outcome. In another type of system, the code stored on
the ticket is an
encoded form of the lottery result, which is then revealed to the player at
the=end of play of an
online game.
For lotteries, sweepstakes, and contests, losing efforts may be rewarded by
becoming
eligible to participate in a second chance drawing, contest, or event. For
prize contests in
which prizes are awarded randomly, e.g. through finding the one candy packet
with all white
candy pieces, a standard method for entering a second chance drawing includes
sending into
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the game operator a post card listing the player's name, contact information,
and often a
"special phrase" particular to the prize contest. Prizes available to win in a
second chance
drawing for a contest may include, for example, the unclaimed prizes or awards
from the
contest. Winners of the second chance drawing are usually drawn randomly by
hand using a
wheel or other device.
SUMMARY
New and more interesting game formats are needed for lottery and casino type
games
that maintain or enhance players' interests and therefore result players
returning or continuing
to play more games. According to one aspect of the present invention, a game
format is
provided that allows a player to play in a second chance game where the result
of the second
chance game is immediately revealed to the player. For instance, in one
example game format,
the player may be provided a chance to play in a consolation or second chance
game conducted
by an online system so that the second chance result can be immediately
revealed to the player.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a portion of a game is
played
offline, and another portion is played online. For instance, a scratch-type
lottery ticket may be
provided that, unlike conventional online lottery games, includes a partial
outcome of a game
on the ticket. In one example in the case where a scratch-off ticket is used,
the player may
scratch off a covering of a portion of the ticket to reveal a partial game
result. Although,
according to one embodiment, scratch-type lottery- game pieces may be used,
other types of
game pieces (e.g., pull-tab, printed lottery, bingo tickets, keno tickets,
etc.) may be used, and
one or more methods may be used to reveal the partial result. These game
pieces may be
provided, for example, at a POS such as, for example, a lottery agent, casino,
or other gaming
establishment.
A remaining portion of the game result may be revealed to the player during a
game
played on a computer system. In one example, the computer system may be
capable of
downloading and playing one or more games over a communication network, such
as the
Internet. For instance, the remaining portion of the result may be revealed to
the player during
play of an online game.
In one embodiment, the offline portion of the game permits the player to
progress
through the game without revealing a final outcome. In another example, the
offline portion of
the game is configured to provide a partial outcome indicative of a possible
win. This outcome
indicative of a possible win may include an indication that the player is
close to winning within
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a particular game instance. For example, in the case of a bingo game, the
offline portion of the
game may provide an indication that the player is close to obtaining a winning
bingo pattern.
This indication entices the player to continue to play the online portion of
the game to obtain
the final outcome of the game. Thus, a player is motivated to play both
portions of the game,
thereby prolonging the gaming experience. Although such an online/offline game
format may
be used to play a bingo game, it should be appreciated that other game types
may implement
such an online%ffline game format.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a slot machine game is played
in an
online/offline format. In one example using a scratch-type ticket (or card)
having a slot
machine representation printed on the ticket, one or more scratchable areas
are provided to the
player for playing the offline portion of the game. These scratchable areas
may be located in
one or more slot locations presented on one or more reels of the slot machine
representation.
The player scratches one or more of the areas to reveal symbols printed on the
ticket. These
symbols may, when arranged in particular groups along pay lines of the slot
machine, may
provide a winning outcome. According to one embodiment of the present
invention, one or
more of the areas (e.g., slot locations) may not be revealed in the offline
portion of the game.
Rather, the player must play an online portion of the game to reveal the
missing outcomes.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a bingo game is played in an
online/offline format. In one example using a scratch-type ticket (or card)
having a bingo
game representation printed on the ticket, one or more scratchable areas are
provided to the
player for playing the offline portion of the game. Although these areas may
be "scratchable,"
it should be appreciated that the indication may be hidden by other methods
(e.g., by a pull-tab,
by coding a result that can be decoded offline) or may not be hidden at all
(e.g., by printing the
indication of a potential win at the POS). In one embodiment, the bingo game
played includes
the well-known American bingo game format. However, it should be appreciated
that any
bingo game having any type of card or format may be used.
These scratchable areas may be located in one or more locations on one or more
bingo
cards, although it should be appreciated that other types of areas, either
hidden or not, may be
used to show indications associated with the offline portion of the game. In
the example where
scratchable areas are used, the player scratches one or more of the areas to
reveal symbols
printed on the ticket. These symbols may, when arranged in particular patterns
on a bingo
card, may provide a winning outcome.
.
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According to one embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the areas
(e.g.,
bingo card numbers) may not be revealed in the offline portion of the game.
Rather, the player
must play an online portion of the game to reveal the missing outcomes. In
another example,
all of the card numbers of one or more bingo cards are revealed in the offline
portion of the
game, and the player plays the online portion of the game to receive the
called numbers,
yielding the outcome of one or more bingo cards.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a roulette game is played in
an
online/offline format. In one example using a scratch-type ticket (or card)
having a roulette
game representation printed on the ticket, one or more scratchable areas are
provided to the
player for playing the offline portion of the game. These scratchable areas
may be located in
one or more locations on the roulette wheel representation and/or bet table.
The player
scratches one or more of the areas to reveal bets in bet areas on the bet
table or the roulette
wheel outcome printed on the ticket.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the areas
(e.g.,
the roulette wheel outcome) may not be revealed in the offline portion of the
game. Rather, the
player must play an online portion of the game to reveal the missing outcomes.
In another
example, bets on the bet table are revealed in the offline portion of the
game, and the player
plays the online portion of the game to receive the result of the spin of the
roulette wheel,
yielding the outcome of the individual bets. In another example, the printed
card may have
more than one bet table, each of which corresponds to a spin of a roulette
wheel made in an
online portion of the game. To this end, an online game may have a control
that a player may
select to cause the roulette wheel to spin and display the outcome of the
spin.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a first game is played
offline, and
a second game is played online, both the first and second games being
associated with the
same ticket. For instance, this same ticket may permit a player to play a
complete game
offline, and play a separate game online. These first and second games, for
example, may have
independent outcomes. These games may,-however, be the same or similar types
of games
(e.g., a slot machine game), same themes, etc. among the first and second
games.
In another aspect of the present invention, standard offline games (e.g.,
scratch-based,
pull-tab, printed lottery, bingo, keno, etc.) may be combined with an online
game component.
This is beneficial, as the interest in standard offline games may be increased
by providing an
additional online game component. For example, standard offline games may
become "online"
enabled by the payment of an additional fee. In one specific example, offline
games are made
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online compatible at the point of ticket issuance (e.g., at a POS). For
instance, a retailer may,
upon payment of an additional fee, enable a ticket associated with an offline
game to become
online enabled. This may be accomplished, for example, at the POS by scanning
or otherwise
inputting a ticket identifier of an issued ticket and enabling an online game
associated with the
issued ticket.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, the online (or offline)
portion may be in
the form of a multiplier that, when combined with the offline (or online)
result, causes an
awarded prize to be increased. For instance, the prize value may be increased
by a ratio
reflected by the multiplier (e.g., a 2x multiplier may yield a doubling of a
prize value). It
should be appreciated that other aspects of the game can be included in the
online or offline
portions, and the invention is not limited to features used in the online or
offline portions
unless specifically recited in the claims.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for conducting a
game of
chance is provided. The method comprises acts of providing a primary game
having a primary
win opportunity, and providing a second chance win opportunity, wherein the
second chance
win opportunity is revealed to the player upon an action initiated by the
player. According to
one embodiment of the invention, the second chance win opportunity is
available only to a
player losing in the primary game. According to another embodiment, a result
of the second
chance win opportunity is revealed by selection of the player. According to
another
embodiment, the method further comprises an act of revealing the result of the
second chance
win opportunity in an online game.
According to one embodiment of the invention, a result of the primary win
opportunity
is revealed to the player during play of an offline game. According to another
embodiment, the
second chance win opportunity is presented to the player during play of a game
of skill or
chance. According to another embodiment, the game of skill or chance includes
at least one of
a game of poker, blackjack, roulette, dominoes, craps, and slots. According to
another
embodiment, the game of skill or chance includes a sports betting tournament.
According to
another embodiment, at least one of points and credits are awarded to the
player of the game of
skill or chance according to an outcome of the game of skill or chance.
According to another
embodiment, the method further comprises an act of permitting the player of
the game of skill
or chance to compete against other players of the game of skill or chance.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises an
act of
displaying points awarded to the player of the game of skill or chance to at
least one other
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player of the game of skill or chance. According to another embodiment, the
method further
comprises an act of permitting the player to enter a second chance opportunity
only a specified
number of times within a specified time period. According to another
embodiment, the action
initiated by the player further comprises an act of permitting the player to
enter a code that
causes a computer system to reveal a result of the second chance win
opportunity. According
to another embodiment, the action initiated by the player further comprises an
act of
completing play of an online game that causes a computer system to reveal a
result of the
second chance win opportunity.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the act of permitting the player
to enter
a code includes an act of displaying an interface to the player in which the
player is permitted
to enter the code into a memory of the computer system. According to another
embodiment,
the revealing of the second chance win opportunity is revealed to the player
by a game-playing
computer system. According to another embodiment, the revealing of the second
chance win
opportunity is revealed to the player immediately upon initiation of the
action. According to
another embodiment, the revealing of the second chance win opportunity is
revealed to the
player a short period of time after initiation of the action. According to
another embodiment,
the revealing of the second chance win opportunity is performed at a time
determined by the
player. According to another embodiment, the primary game includes an offline
game, and
wherein the second chance win opportunity is revealed to the player online.
According to one embodiment of the invention, a result associated with the
second
chance win opportunity is predetermined. According to another embodiment, a
result
associated with the second chance win opportunity is determined during play of
an online
second chance game. According to another embodiment, the result associated
with the second
chance win opportunity is associated with an identifier of an entry in the
primary game.
According to another embodiment, the identifier includes a ticket identifier
of a ticket
associated with the primary game. According to another embodiment, the method
further
comprises an act of permitting the player to redeem a ticket associated with
the primary game.
According to another embodiment, the method further comprises an act of
presenting, to the
player a result associated with the second chance win opportunity in response
to redeeming the
ticket associated with the primary game. According to another embodiment, a
result associated
with the second chance win opportunity is independent of a process for
redeeming the ticket
associated with the primary game. According to another embodiment, the method
further
comprises an act of determining the result associated with the second chance
win opportunity
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in a random manner.
Further features and advantages of the present invention as well as the
structure and
operation of various embodiments of the present invention are described in
detail below with
reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference
numerals indicate
like or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-most one or two
digits of a
reference numeral identifies the drawing in which the reference numeral first
appears.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the
drawings,
each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various
figures is represented
by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled
in every
drawing. In the drawings,
Figure 1 is block diagram of a system for conducting a game according to one
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is an example ticket that may be issued in association with a game
according
to one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a flow chart of a process for conducting a game according to one
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 is a flow chart of a process for conducting a game according to
another
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a system for conducting a game according to according to one
embodiment
of the present invention;
Figure 6 is an example game interface according to one embodiment of the
present
invention;
Figure 7 is another example game interface according to one embodiment of the
present
invention;
Figure 8 is another example game interface according to one embodiment of the
present
invention; and
Figure 9 is another example game interface according to one embodiment of the
present
invention.
Detailed Describtion
Second chance drawings for contests, promotions, sweepstakes, lotteries, and
other
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games of chance provide a method for maintaining player interest in the
particular contest,
promotion, sweepstake, lottery, or other game of chance. Because most
individuals in a
particular contest, promotion, sweepstake, lottery, or other game of chance do
not win initially,
the second chance drawing provides a player with additional hope of actually
obtaining some
reward or satisfaction.
Generally, a losing ticket affords the player an opportunity to win a prize,
but it is
appreciated that there is no instant gratification, as the player needs to
mail in the second
chance entry and a later drawing occurs. Further, the player usually forgets
about the entry and
is never notified of the actual winner, thus defeating the intent of
continuing the game
satisfaction and motivating the player to play additional games.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a game format is provided
that allows
a player to play in a second chance game where the result of the second chance
game is
immediately revealed to the player. For instance, in one example game format,
the player may
be provided a chance to play in a consolation (or second chance) game
conducted by an online
system so that the second chance result can be immediately revealed to the
player.
To accomplish the revealing of an instant second chance result, the player may
be
provided an access code for accessing an online version of the second chance
game. For
instance, a first game may have a ticket associated with it, and on the
ticket, an access code
may be printed on the surface of the ticket. In one example, a second chance
access code may
be printed on the back of a ticket (e.g., in the case of a scratch-type or
pull-tab ticket). The
access code may include any information associated with the ticket, including
a ticket serial
number, batch number, or any other type of identifying information.
The first game may be, for example, an offline game (e.g., a scratch ticket
game, pull-
tab game) or offline/online game as discussed above. According to one
embodiment, a second
chance game associated with the first game may be conducted online using a
computer system.
Using the computer system and access code, the player may be permitted to view
an outcome
of the second chance game. In another example game format, winnings from an
offline or
offline/online game may be redeemed online, and an outcome of the second
chance game may
be presented to the player as part of the redemption process. It should be
appreciated,
however, that a second chance game outcoine may be presented in any manner,
including
being presented in association with an online portion of a game, and may be
part of or separate
from any redemption process associated with the first game.
To play the second chance game, the player may be directed to an online game
program
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(e.g., by being provided a Uniform Resource Locator (URL)) that conducts the
second chance
game. In one example, the game program may present an interface in which the
player is
permitted to enter the provided access code. The interface may also accept
other information,
such as, for example, the player's name, address, or other information. In
response to
providing the access code, the game program may present to the player the
outcome of the
second chance game associated with the ticket. Alternatively, the game
associated with the
second chance game may itself be an online game, and the online game program
may be
programmed to reveal an instant second chance result in addition to the
primary result
associated with the online game. In another example, the second chance game
may be
to incorporated into an online redemption process as discussed above.
According to one embodiment, the outcome of the second chance game may be
predetermined. For instance, the outcome may be determined any time prior to
the play of the
second chance game, such as being determined at the time of ticket issuance or
during play of
the first game (e.g., during play of an online game). In this case, the
outcome of the second
ts chance game may be associated with a ticket identifier of a ticket used in
the first game.
Alternatively, the outcome of the second chance game may be determined at the
time of play
of the second chance game. For instance, the outcome of the second chance game
may be
determined randomly or in any other manner at the point at which the player
accesses an online
portion of the second chance game. In one particular game format, the player
may be
20 presented a second chance prize as part of a promotion or sweepstake, and
the determination of
whether the player is awarded a prize is determined when the player accesses
the online
portion of the second chance game. For instance, the player may be awarded an
e-coupon or
other prize that is determined randomly when the person plays the second
chance game.
According to another aspect of the present invention, it is appreciated that
conventional
25 second chance drawings usually provide only a limited opportunity to enter
a second chance
drawing. For example, a player may be limited to one entry per family per
contest. Thus, once
a particular family member enters a second chance opportunity one time for a
particular
contest, promotion, sweepstake, lottery, or other game of chance, the family
and its members
are no longer provided any additional benefit from maintaining interest in the
particular
30 contest, unless an individual believes they can win through the standard
method for winning
such a chance is generally reduced, as the player is not permitted to enter
the second chance
drawing.
According to one aspect of the invention, a second chance opportunity for a
contest,
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promotion, sweepstake, lottery, or other game of chance may include a contest
between second
chance players. According to an embodiment of the invention, a second chance
player may
enter a single second chance game more than once. According to another
embodiment of the
invention, the reward for winning the second chance opportunity includes a
reward of publicity
or fame, with no money, no prizes, or unclaimed prizes being rewarded to the
winner.
A contest, promotion, or sweepstake may be any type. For example, the contest,
promotion, or sweepstake may or may not reward a prize and may involve a
contestant or
participant to randomly draw a chance or item. Alternatively, the contestant
or participant may
randomly obtain an entry through an alternative method of entry (AMOE) or
through purchase
of an item or product.
A lottery may be of any type known such as that operated by or for a
government or
government agency (e.g., the Maryland Lottery and Powerball), by a company
(e.g., the
London Daily Star newspaper), or by a gaming company (e.g., Harrah's). The
lottery may be
held entirely through direct or remote interaction between player and an agent
or over the
Internet. The lottery may also be of a scratch ticket type or of a number
drawing type, such as
PowerBall or The Big Game_
Games of chance that may be operated with the second chance opportunity are
any
known, including lotto, keno, scratch-off tickets, roulette, and slots. The
games of chance may
be held using physical methods including tickets, slot machines, etc. or may
be operated
virtually over the Internet.
Various other aspects of the present invention relate to an online/offline
game format
that may be implemented with a game of chance. Such games may be offered, for
instance,
through the lottery, casino, or other type of gaming establishment.
According.to one
embodiment, a partial result of the game of chance is revealed to a player in
an offline portion
of the game. The remaining portion of the result is revealed to the player in
an online portion
of the game. The online/offline game may include various game formats,
including, a slot
machine game, a bingo game, a game of roulette, or any other type of game.
Also, as discussed, standard offline games (e.g., scratch-based, pull-tab,
printed lottery,
bingo, keno, etc.) may be combined with an online game component. This is
beneficial, as the
interest in standard offline games may be increased by providing an additional
online game
component. For example, standard offline games may become "online" enabled by
the
payment of an additional fee. Further, certain aspects of game play (e.g., the
play of an
additional game, the revealing of a prize multiplier, etc.) may be revealed in
the online or
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offline portion of the game, as appropriate. Aspects of the present invention
may be
performed, for example, with an online gaming system as described in more
detail below.
An example of a ticket (Item 201) that may be issued to a player for a game of
chance
is shown in Fig. 2. The player may scratch a surface of the ticket (in the
case of a scratch
ticket) to reveal one or more indications. These indications may include, for
example, a serial
number of the ticket, an access code, or other indication (or combination
thereof) that may be
used to access the online game. Alternatively, the ticket may be a pull-tab
ticket or other ticket
type suitable for presenting indications to a player.
As discussed above, the ticket may also include a partial outcome of a game,
as
discussed above. To this end, the ticket (or card) may have a number of
scratchable or
preprinted indications (e.g., as printed on a ticket at the POS) for play of
the= offline portion of
the game. Remaining unrevealed areas printed on the card or other features of
the game (e.g.,
a prize multiplier vlue) may be revealed'during the online portion of the
game. The ticket may include other indications (e.g., a decryption key or
portion thereof as
described above that may be used to decrypt game results). Also, the ticket
may indicate to a
player the number of plays of a second game (e.g.; as played by the player on
a computer
system). For instance, in the case of a slot machine game, the ticket may
indicate the number
of spins that a player may be awarded by the ticket. In the case of a COLLAPSE-
type game,
the ticket may indicate the number of game instances (or plays) of the
COLLAPSE-type game
that can be played by the player. Further, as discussed above, the player may
be permitted to
play any one of a number of offered games, and the player may select different
games to play
to reveal results associated with game instances. In the case of a slot
machine, bingo, roulette,
or other type game, the ticket may indicate the number of game instances (or
plays) of the slot
machine, bingo, roulette, or other type game that can be played by the player.
In the bingo
example described above, a card may have. three bingo cards printed thereon,
each card
corresponding to a separate bingo draw.
In one embodiment, ticket 201 includes a code 202 printed on a surface of the
ticket
that provides access to outcomes (e.g., prizes) stored on the server. As
discussed, code 202
may also include, as an optional feature to increase security, a key that may
be used to decrypt
the outcome. This outcome may be stored in a database stored on a server
system. Ticket 201
may also include a ticket identifier 203 used to identify the ticket, and
which may be used to
identify the outcome associated with the ticket. Further, ticket 201 may
include a game
indication 204 that relates information relevant to a game played on a
computer system. For
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example, there may also be stored, on the ticket, an identifier that
indicates, to the player, the
number of plays associated with an online game. In one example, a player
purchases a ticket at
a retailer or other POS location.
The player then proceeds to play a game on a computer system. Figure 1,shows
an
example system 100 according to one embodiment of the invention upon which a
game may be
played. The user (a player) 110 plays a game through an interface of a host
computer system
(e.g. host 101). Host 101 may be any type of computer system that is capable
of playing a
game. The host may be, for example, a general-purpose computer system (e.g., a
personal
computer (PC)) that connects to a network (e.g., the internet). Other general
purpose computer
system types (e.g., a PDA, a cell phone, set-top box, or other system type)
may be used to play
the game.
The computer system may be coupled to a server system 103 through one or more
communication networks 102. The server may provide a game program 109 that is
executed
by host 101 for playing the game. More particularly, game program 109, when
executed, may
provide an online game that can be played by a user through an interface
associated with host
101. This online game may be, for example, a video slot machine, blackjack, or
other online or
casino-type game.
The game program may be stored, for example, in a computer-readable medium
(e.g., a
memory, storage, or other media) associated with server 103 that provides game
programs.
For instance, the game program may be stored on a web server and downloaded to
a client
computer over the Internet. Game program 109 may be one of a number of game
programs
associated with an online game experience. Different game programs may be
selectively
downloaded to the client, based on the type of game ticket issued, the game
selected for play
by the user, the type of client used, or other criteria.
Server 103 may also be a general-purpose computer system, or any other type of
computer system capable of authenticating tickets, providing game programs,
and performing
other game-related functions. Further, it should be appreciated that various
game functions
may be performed by one or more server systems. Server 103 generally includes
a processor
104 for executing server-based game functions. Server 103 may also include a
memory 105
for storing data associated with game programs. Server 103 may also include
one or more
network interfaces 106 that couple server 103 to network 102, which permit
server 103 to
communicate with one or more hosts. Further, server 103 may include one or
more storage
entities 107, including disks or other media for storing data. In one
embodiment, storage 107
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is adapted to store one or more game programs 109 as discussed above. Server
103 may have
any number or type of processor that executes an operating system and one or
more application
programs. In one embodiment, server 103 provides web server content to one or
more clients
for the purpose of accessing and playing the game.
Server 103 may also include a database 108 that is adapted to store one or
more
outcomes associated with a ticket or other gaming piece. As discussed, the
outcome may be
indexed using an identifier of the ticket.
Figure 3 shows one example process for conducting a game according to one
embodiment of the present invention. At block 301, process 300 begins. At
block 302, a
player is issued a ticket. As discussed, a player may purchase a ticket at a
retailer or other POS
location. At some later time and/or location, the player may play an online
game on one or
more computer systems (e.g., a PC or other computer system capable 6f playing
games). For
instance, at block 303, a host computer system (e.g., host 101) executes a
game program. The
game program may be, for example, an online game that includes one or more
components
downloaded over a communication network (e.g., the lnternet).
As discussed, the ticket may include a code which is used to access the
outcome of a
game. This code may be printed on a face bfthe ticket as discussed above with
reference to
Figure 2. In one example system, the player accesses a website that includes
an interface in
which the player may enter the code at block 304.
This interface may be, for example, used to access the game, or may be any
other
interface (e.g., an interface used to access a download website used for
downloading game
software (e.g., game program 109)). The interface may be programmed in one or
more
computer languages (e.g., an HTML, Java, Macromedia Flash, or other type
interface) and may
include a text entry box in which the player can input the code. The interface
may include
other ways of entering a code or other parameter (e.g., a glyph printed on a
ticket) that allows
the user to gain access to the game. It should be appreciated that the
invention is not limited to
any particular method for entering the code, or any format of the code, and
that any type of
code or method of entry may be used.
The player enters the code, and an outcome is determined at block 305 based on
the
code. More particularly, there may be a mapping between the code printed on
the ticket and an
outcome stored on the server. This code may be stored, for example, in a
database structure
stored in database 108 of the server. Database 108 may be, for example, a
relational database,
object database, flat file database, or other organizational entities used to
store and maintain
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data. Further a listing of winning codes may be furnished to an organization
that provides the
game (such as, for example, a state-run lottery commission). The code may, as
discussed
above, include an optional decryption key that decrypts an entry stored on the
server. This
entry may indicate one or more outcomes df game instances.
The outcome of the game is then used by the online game to determine play of
the
game by the player at block 306. For instance, if the stored outcome is "Win
$50," the online
game may present an outcome to the player that indicates that the player won a
$50 prize. This
presentation may be in the form of one or more reveals presented to the player
while playing
the online game at block 307. The presentation may be progressive, in that the
ultimate
outcome (e.g., "Win $50") is achieved through a set of reveals or progressions
through the
online game. For example, in the case where a COLLAPSE-type game is played
wherein
items are collected for playing in a second level game, such reveal outcomes
of each instance
of the COLLAPSE-type game may be stored on the server. For example, in the
case where a
slot machine game is played wherein a series of spins are used to reveal slot
machine entries,
such reveal outcomes of each spin may be stored on the server.
As discussed, prizes may be distributed over game instances and/or items (or
more
generally, win opportunities) to maximize game interest and to entice the
player to play each
game instance associated with a particular ticket. For example, one approach
may include
providing to the player an early (relative in the series of game instances)
indication of winning
to keep the player interested. As the player plays more game instances, the
magnitude of the
prizes may be adjusted such that a level of game "drama" is increased. That
is, prize values are
adjusted among later game instances to provide relatively higher prize values
in later games.
Other approaches/distributions may be provided for increasing or maintaining
game interest.
Once played, the player may redeem the ticket at the point of sale or other
redemption
location at block 308. Alternatively, the player may be permitted to redeem
the ticket without
playing the game. Redemption may be permitted, for example, after a
predetermined time.
For instance, the player may be permitted to redeem a ticket after a set time
(e.g., 10 PM), a
particular time period after ticket purchase (e.g., 24 hours) or other
absolute or relative time.
This may be the case for a Keno or lottery-based system, where a Keno or
lottery result is
made available at a set time after ticket purchase. Alternatively, tickets may
be redeemed
immediately after purchase. At block 309, process 300 ends.
Payouts may be determined by a pay table associated with the game. The number
of
tickets may be determined a priori, and a pay table that determines payouts
may be allocated to
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the tickets. This allocation may be determined, for example, by shuffling the
pay table and
allocating results to tickets. The following is an example of a pay table that
may be used with
a game according to one embodiment of the invention: number of tickets issued,
2000; ticket
price, $5.
Table I - Example Payout Table
Number of Tickets Paxout
1 $100
700 $10
500 $5
l00 $1
600 $0
Game Operator Return: $300 (3%) - expenses
As shown in the example above, a certain number of tickets may be allocated as
winning
tickets having a particular payout (e.g., an outcome). Some tickets may have
no payout
associated with them, and some may only have a nominal payout (e.g., a small
award amount,
free ticket, etc.). A small number of tickets may include a large payout as
compared to the
magnitude of other payouts. It should be appreciated, however, that payouts
are not limited to
money, but other types of prizes may be awarded including merchandise, credit,
loyalty points
or any other representation of value.
The odds of winning may be the type of odds experienced in actual (rather than
computer-based) games. Alternatively, the odds of winning may not necessarily
be "natural"
odds of winning any particular type of game, but rather, the odds may be
adjusted to obtain the
outcome desired (e.g., by the gaming operator). The odds of winning, number of
winning
tickets, amount of payout per ticket, or other payout parameter may be any
amount or number,
and the invention is not limited to any particular odds of winning, number of
winning tickets,
payout amount or type of payout. However, according to one embodiment, the
overall odds of
winning, amount and type of payout, etc. may be similar to a game previously
approved by
regulators (e.g., scratch ticket games, Keno, bingo, etc.) so that the use of
an additional game
to display an outcome associated with the previously-approved game is
scrutinized much less
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by regulators, and as a result, the approval of the additional game is less
burdensome. To this
end, a system associated with the previously-approved game may provide ticket
and outcome
information to a system conducting an online game (e.g. server 103).
The code stored on the server (e.g., server 103) may be used to determine game
play as
played on the computer system. For instance, the game outcome may be "Win
$50." In the
case of a slot machine-type game, the ticket may indicate that the player
receives 10 spins of
the slot machine. The outcome of each spin may be predetermined, and the game
may retrieve
information from the server indicating a predetermined sequence of game play
as discussed
above. In the case of a slot machine-type game, the predetermined sequence may
indicate the
winnings associated with each of the spins. In the case of a COLLAPSE-type
game, the
outcome of each instance of the second level game may be stored on the server
and retrieved
prior to game play.
In another example, only the overall outcome is predetermined (e.g., the total
winning
associated with the ticket), and the sequence of game play may be determined
when the game
is played. In the example above where the player is indicated as winning $50
over 10 spins,
the $50 winnings (and any intermediate losses) may be allocated to the player
at any point over
the 10 spins. In the case of the COLLAPSE-type game, winnings may be allocated
across
game instances. In a further example, winnings may be allocated across items
collected while
playing the COLLAPSE-type game. Because the number of items collected may vary
depending on the skill of the player, the distribution of prizes among
collected items may be
determined during game play by the game playing system. Thus, according to one
embodiment, the player's skill (or lack thereof) does not affect the overall
outcome of the
game.
This allocation may be determined by the server, the game software executing
on the
client, or a combination thereof. Further, the game play may be randomized in
that a further
play using the same ticket may yield a different sequence of game states
leading to the same
outcome. For example, in the case of a slot machine game as described above, a
player may be
indicated as winning $50, but the sequence by which the player attains the $50
winning
outcome may be different depending on various factors. Such factors may
include a
randomization function that determines results of individual game plays (e.g.,
in the case of a
series of "spins," the result of each spin), or some other function. The
series of intermediate
outcomes may be stored in a database associated with the server as discussed
above with
respect to game outcomes. Also, the outcomes may be adjusted using a formula
or rule-based
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approach during execution of the game to increase the game drama and heighten
the game
playing experience.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a player may purchase a
ticket at
a point of purchase (e.g., a convenience store) and the indication of a win/no
win condition of
the ticket is revealed on a different medium. For instance, a player purchases
a scratch ticket
in a convenience or other type of store. The prize that the player wins is not
revealed on the
scratch card itself, but rather the prize is revealed through another medium
(e.g., on a home
computer system, PDA, cell phone, etc.).
For instance, as discussed above, the player may be presented another game
(e.g., a slot
lo machine, bingo game, roulette game, or COLLAPSE-type game 'as described
above) that
reveals at least a portion of the outcome (e.g., a prize, game result, or
other outcome). The
underlying prizes available via the reveals may be predetermined, in that the
ultimate outcome
and any intermediate outcomes of the game may be stored in one or more systems
and revealed
to the player during play of an online game. The scratch ticket may reveal
different numbers
of plays (e.g., pulls in the case of a slot-machine type game, game instances
of a COLLAPSE-
type game, game instances of a bingo game, etc.) the player receives.
In one aspect of the present invention, the ticket includes authentication
information
that is used to obtain the reveals. In one example, the scratch ticket
contains a secret key
which is used to decrypt the results that are revealed to the player. That is,
according to one
aspect, it is impossible to determine if and what a particular ticket wins
without having
possession of the ticket (and therefore the secret key). In another example,
the scratch ticket
could contain only a portion of the secret key. The other portion of the key
may be stored, for
example, on a server and retrieved from a database (e.g., file, relational
database, etc.) based
on, for example, the serial number of the card. Mappings of serial numbers of
tickets to
encrypted results can be provided to the lottery provider for additional audit
control.
A process for performing secure access to outcomes is shown in Figure 4. At
block
401, process 400 begins. A server (e.g., server 103) may store a number of
outcomes in
encrypted form, each of which outcomes can be accessed by a respective code.
These
outcomes may be encrypted, for example, using any encryption method (e.g.,
symmetric,
asymmetric encryption) as is known in the art. At block 402, a code is
provided to the server
(e.g., server 103).
This code may be, for example, a secret code (e.g., a symmetric key, a private
key)
printed on a ticket and provided to the server by a user through an interface
of a computer
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system as discussed above. The received code may be transmitted between
systems using a
secure transmission method (e.g., SSL) as is known in the art. The received
code is used at
block 403 to decrypt the outcome stored on the server. This code may be any
decryption key
type that may be used to decode data, and may be of any format or length. The
decrypted
outcome may then be presented to a player at block 405. The outcome may be
displayed using
any method. For example, as discussed above, the outcome may be presented
through one or
more reveals presented to the player during play of an online game. At block
405, process 400
ends.
Another aspect of the present invention relates to a lottery-based software
game that
can be played over a network, such as the Internet. According to one
embodiment, the system
includes a purchase of a scratch-based or printed ticket by a player at a
point of service (POS).
A POS may be, for example, a place at which lottery tickets may be sold,
including
convenience stores or other locations where lottery products are provided. In
an alternative
system provided at a casino or other gaming establishment, a ticket may be
sold to a player at
the casino for play at a later time.
The player receives the ticket at the POS or other location, and proceeds to
play a
computer-based game at another location to reveal a result (or outcome) of the
game. The
computer-based game may be, for example, a casino-type game (e.g. slot
machine, video
poker) or other type of game, including amusement games or games of chance. In
the case of
the scratch or printed ticket, the result is not apparent to the player until
the player plays the
computer-based game. This game may be, for example, a software program that is
downloaded and played over the Internet. Alternatively, other ways of
accessing the online
portion of the game may be used (e.g., PDA, cell phone or other method).
The ticket includes a code by which a player gains access to a result stored
on a server
that stores ticket information and results associated with each ticket. Such
information may be
predetermined at the time of ticket sale, or the results may not be known
until a later time, after
the ticket is issued to the player (e.g., in the case of a Keno, bingo, or
other drawing-based
system). According to one embodiment, the code is an access key (or a portion
thereof) that is
used to access the result stored on the server. Further, the result (stored in
the server) may be
encrypted. For example, the code may be a private key or a symmetric key. The
key may be
transmitted by a client computer system to the server for the purpose of
decrypting the result
using SSL or any other secure method.
Because, according to one embodiment, the decryption key is stored on the
ticket, the
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gaming system is safer, as a breach of security of either the tickets or the
server does not
provide access to result information. More particularly, access to the lottery
ticket database
may not be accomplished without the ticket (used to decrypt the result).
Further, the tickets
may not be correlated to results without the lottery ticket database (because
the results are
stored in the database, not on the tickets).
In another example of the system, a portion of the key used to decrypt results
of the
game is stored on the ticket, and another portion is stored in the database of
the server. In this
manner, it is assured that possession of either portion of the key may not
compromise the
results.
t0 However, it should be appreciated that the system does not require SSL or
any other
encryption/decryption method, a decryption key on the ticket, or the stored
result on the server
to be encrypted. Rather, the game can be implemented with or without these
features. That is,
access to the outcome stored at the server may be performed using only the
serial number or
other ticket identifier printed on the ticket.
The scratch-based or printed ticket also includes a second serial number or
other
identifier (e.g., an access code) in addition to the serial number or other
identifier which is
correlated to results on the server. A ticket may include both a serial number
and a ticket
identifier used by the system. According to one embodiment, it is appreciated
that there may
be security issues with using the serial number of a printed ticket (as
printed on the ticket) to
correlate to win outcomes. That is, the lottery provider may not allow any
entity outside of the
lottery system to have the ability to correlate outcomes to serial numbers. To
this end, another
identifier (e.g., a separate ticket identifier or access code) may be provided
on a ticket to allow
the system to index into an outcome database.
In one example system that works in association with a lottery system,
outcomes for a
game may be predetermined to comply with lottery rules. In this case, outcomes
are
predetermined and stored in a database. In an alternative environment where
results are not
permitted to be predetermined (e.g., in a casino), but rather are determined
at a later time (e.g.,
by a drawing or other method), a ticket issued by a systein in such an
environment may have
an associated drawing time when a game may be played. In the case where the
online game
system is driven by a Keno game result, each ticket may be associated with a
set of numbers in
the Keno game, and the result of the Keno game is provided as the result for
the online game.
In one example, a computer system automatically picks numbers associated with
the ticket at
the point when the ticket is issued. Thereafter, when the Keno game occurs,
the result of the
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Keno draw is provided to an online game system, which translates the Keno
result to a game
experience within another game (e.g., COLLAPSE, slot machine, etc.). It should
be
appreciated, however, that although the game of Keno may be used to drive an
online game
experience, other games (e.g., bingo) may be used.
The server (e.g., server 103) may be capable of accepting, from the user, an
input of the
serial number and decryption key, and in response, providing the results
associated with the
.particular ticket. The result or outcome of the game may be displayed to the
player in an
interface of the computer system (e.g., a client computer system such as a
personal computer
(PC)) used to play the computer-based game. For example, the outcome of a
series of plays
associated with the ticket may be stored in the server, and provided to the
client, and the series
of outcomes may be presented to the player during play of the computer-based
game.
In another embodiment of the system, a payout of the ticket may be encoded on
the
ticket. For instance, if the ticket is a $5 winner, the amount of the win may
be encoded on the
ticket. In the case of the casino-based version of the system, the payout may
not be stored on
the ticket (as the payout is not predetermined), but rather the purchase price
of the ticket may
be stored on the ticket, or some other identifier of the ticket.
As shown in Figure 5, a system 500 may be provided having more than one
server. For
instance, a server 502 provided at the point of sale 501 is primarily
responsible with issuing
tickets to a user/player 506. To this end, server 502 may issue preprinted
tickets or may issue
tickets printed from an associated printer 505. Such tickets may include one
or more
identifiers as discussed above with reference to Figure 2. As discussed,
another system such as
a Keno or lottery-based system may be used to provide results to an online
game system.
In one version of system 500, the win/loss determination of a ticket may be
driven by a
later-occurring drawing. For example, a Keno-based, bingo-based, or other type
lottery draw
system may be used wherein the outcome of a particular game is not known until
a future time
(e.g., when a drawing occurs). In this case, the ticket identifier stored on
the ticket may be an
access code generated from ticket identifiers in the Keno-based system (e.g.,
by an
intermediate system or the Keno server itself that can translate a Keno ticket
identifier into
another type of identifier).
Generation of an identifier separate from the Keno ticket identifier may be
necessary
for security reasons relating to the Keno system. More particularly, access to
the Keno ticket
identifiers may not be permitted by the system (e.g., the Keno server). In one
example, a Keno
system translates Keno ticket identifiers into access codes and results that
are stored on the
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game server (e.g., server 503). Thereafter, clients (e.g., hosts 504A, 504B)
access results
stored on the server based on their respective access codes.
As discussed above, one or more hosts 504A, 504B (e.g., general purpose
computer
systems)=may communicate with a server 503 over a network for the purpose of
conducting a
game. In one example, a host 504A renders a browser window by executing a
browser
program (e.g., the Internet Explorer browser program available from the
Microsoft
Corporation). A user/player 506 enters a URL address specified by an issued
ticket in a
window of the browser interface, and is directed to a website associated with
server 503. This
website may be rendered by, for example, a WWW server process (e.g., server
507) associated
with server 503.
Player 506 may be instructed to enter an access code (and/or any other
required
information) to access one or more games in an interface presented through the
browser. As
discussed, server 503 may validate the received access code, and provide any
results stored in a
database associated with server 510. Once validated by server 503, the user
may be permitted
to play one or more games. These game may be, for example, be programmed using
one or
more programming languages (e.g., Macromedia Flash) and may be downloaded to
host 504A
and executed.
Also, outcomes associated with any games may be downloaded prior to game play.
As
discussed, examples of games include those that may be of the lottery-type
(e.g., having a
predetermined outcome) and those that are casino-based (e.g., having an
outcome that is not
determined at the time of sale of the ticket). In the case where a later
drawing affects an
outcome, a player may not be permitted to play the game until the drawing
occurs (and until
results are available at server 503). In the case of a drawing that affects
outcomes, drawing
results can be communicated from server 502 to server 503. In addition, server
502 may
maintain a mapping from a ticket identifier (e.g., a serial number) to an
access code provided
on the ticket, and provide a mapping of outcome to access code when the
drawing occurs. As
discussed, such outcome information may be maintained in a database 510
associated with
server 503 and may be accessed through a database server process 509.
As discussed, the payout of the lottery ticket may be displayed to a player in
a number
of ways. For instance, the payout of the ticket may be presented to the player
through one or
more reveals presented to a player during one or more plays of an online game.
For instance, in the case of a slot machine game, a player may be permitted,
with the
issue of a single scratch or printed ticket, a series of spins of the slot
machine. The slot
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machine may, as the result of each of the spins, produce results that
contribute to the overall
payout to the player. For instance, after a single spin, a player may be
presented an indication
that he/she has won $5. The payout to the player as provided from the server
database may be,
for the series of spins, $50 overall, with particular outcomes for each spin.
Additional spin
results may provide the additional $45 that the player will receive.
Additional spins may add,
subtract, or have no affect on the contribution to the outcome of the game.
These results of
each spin of the slot machine game may be stored in the database of the server
indexed by the
ticket identifier, or may be randomly determined by the game program that
renders the game.
Further, as discussed above, the results of each spin may be "scripted" such
that the game
experience is more exciting to the player.
For example, in the case where the results of each spin are stored on the
server, the
series of results may be downloaded to the client at the beginning of the game
as a series of
entries, and the client may reveal each result as the player progresses
through the series of
spins. In the random method, results for each individual spin are not
predetermined, but rather
are determined by the client in a random manner. For instance, the actual
outcomes of each
spin may be randomly chosen among the possible combination of outcomes that
may produce
the required payout. In either case, the outcomes for each spin of the slot
machine game is not
stored on the ticket, but rather is stored at the server and downloaded just
prior or during game
play, or is determined randomly by the client. Alternatively, the client may
determine the
game experience based on a predetermined set of rules or fonnulas that, when
an overall
outcome is provided, allows the client to determine intermediate outcomes in a
dynamic way.
Because the game play and outcome are scripted, a player may also not play the
game
(and possible secondary games) to actually win. A player may purchase a
ticket, wait until the
ticket may be redeemed, and go to a POS.to find out (and if necessary,
receive) his/her
winnings. A ticket may be allowed to be redeemed after a predetermined period
of time after
the drawing independent of whether the player has played the game. A ticket
may be able to
be redeemed after a predetermined period of time, from almost immediately to
seconds to days
or any predetermined time. For tickets with results dependent upon results of
a particular Keno
game or other event, the ticket may not be redeemed until after the event has
passed.
Finally, after play of the online game, the player is permitted to validate
the ticket at
any POS location (e.g., 501 (for example, a lottery agent, casino, or other
gaming
establishment) to redeem his/her winnings as indicated during the online
portion of the game.
According to one embodiment, players are permitted to redeem their winnings
only after
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playing the online portion of the game. The player, by playing the online
portion of the game,
sets status information at the server (e.g., server 503). When the player
attempts to redeem the
ticket at the POS (e.g., 501), the status information may be checked, and the
player is permitted
to redeem his/her winnings. To this end, server 503 may communicate
information back to
server 502 relating to game play.
For instance, server 503 may collect information that indicates the sequence
of game
play performed at the client, and other player tracking information. In one
example, tickets
may be associated with a particular player, and the player may be awarded
loyalty points or
other credit for playing the game.
Taking a COLLAPSE-type slot machine or other type of game, a player is issued
a
ticket at a POS to play one or more instances of the game. The ticket
indicates an access code,
and the player uses this access code to gain access to the system (e.g., from
a host coupled to
server 503 through the Internet). The player enters the access code in a user
interface, and,
once validated, is permitted to play the game. ln one embodiment, the COLLAPSE-
type game
is a version of the well-known game of COLLAPSE, which is a game of skill-
based puzzle
game.
In one example, using a slot machine game, the slot machine game includes one
or
more reels (e.g. reels 702) having symbols (e.g., symbol 705) arranged in one
or more rows
(e.g., rows 703). The results of the offline portion of the game may be
presented within the
online portion of the game to the player. As the player spins the slot
machine, one or more
online results are presented to the player.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a slot machine game is played
in an
online/offline format. In one example using a scratch-type ticket (or card)
having a slot
machine representation printed on the ticket, one or more scratchable or other
type of printed
areas are provided to the player for playing the offline portion of the game.
These scratchable
areas may be located in one or more slot locations presented on one or more
reels of the slot
machine representation. The player scratches one or more of the areas to
reveal symbols
printed on the ticket. These symbols may, when arranged in particular groups
along pay lines
of the slot machine, may provide a winning outcome. According to one
embodiment of the
present invention, one or more of the areas (e.g., slot locations) may not be
revealed in the
offline portion of the game. Rather, the player must play an online portion of
the game to
reveal the missing outcomes.
Optionally, the player is permitted to play, based on a single access code
(and ticket),
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any one of a number of games available from server 503. Such an option may
allow a player
to play different games for each game instance associated with the ticket.
Figure 6 shows an example game interface 600 according to one embodiment of
the
present invention. The COLLAPSE-type game involves an interface 600 that has a
grid 601 of
elements (e.g., element 602). Similar elements within grid 601 may be
identified by color,
shape, or any other indication. One or more new lines of elements (e.g., line
603) are fed into
the bottom of the grid periodically.
A player removes groups of similar elements by selecting them within the grid,
and the
player is awarded points based on the number of elements removed. For example,
similar
elements may be indicated by color, and groups of similarly-colored elements
may be removed
from the grid. In one example, groups of three elements can be removed.
Removal of larger
groups of similarly-indicated elements may provide more points than smaller
groups. It should
be appreciated, however, that elements may have one or more indications that
represent that
they are similar, and the invention is not limited to any particular
indication(s). Further, it
should be appreciated that any number of elements may be removed as part of a
group, and the
invention is not restricted to any minimum number of element that may be
removed.
Lines are moved into a preview area 605 associated with interface 600 that
permits the
player to anticipate what element types are being placed into grid 601. Lines
of elements may
be moved into the grid at a predetermined rate, and the rate may be adjusted
from time to time
during game play. In one example, elements may be fed into the preview area
from left to
right, and when a line of elements is complete, the line of elements is pushed
into grid 601.
The COLLAPSE-type game ends when the grid overflows with elements or a final
line (e.g., of
a predetermined number of lines) is fed into grid 601. As an additional
option, a player may
bypass play of the COLLAPSE-type game by selecting a "Reveal All" element 604
within
interface 600. Selection of element 604 may cause the COLLAPSE-type game to
end and may
allow the player to progress to a second level game.
As discussed above, the second level of the game may be played with items
collected
during the COLLAPSE-type game. Also, as discussed, these items may be hidden
within
elements of the grid (e.g., grid 601) and released as elements are removed. In
one version of
the game, items such as spins of a wheel or sticks of dynamite (a.k.a.
"hotsticks") are located
within elements in the grid. Items (spins, sticks, etc.) are accumulated and
used in the second
reveal-type game to reveal a payout or other type of prize. As shown in
interface 600, there
may be a prize window 606 in which prizes are awarded.
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Window 606 may indicate a number of available prizes, and rriay include an
interface
control (e.g., spin control 607) that allows the player to initiate the second
level of the game.
Window 606 may be a part of or separate from a window that includes grid 601.
After the
player selects control 607, window 606 indicates what, if any, prize is won.
Interface 600 may
also include an indication of the number of spins or other items remaining to
be played by the
player in the second level game.
In the example game discussed above having one or more elements containing
hidden
items (e.g., safes), sticks of dynamite or other items collected may be used
to uncover the
hidden prizes in the second level portion of the game. For instance, winnings
(e.g., cash
prizes) revealed within opened safe elements are awarded to the player. In one
example, the
reveal of the number of sticks awarded to a player may be randomized by the
client computer,
with at least one stick awarded to the player to allow the player to open at
least one safe.
Affter play of the second level game, game play is returned to another
instance of the
first level game (e.g., the COLLAPSE-type game). The player may, however,
choose to play a
different game (e.g., a card game or other game) at the conclusion of any
particular game
instance. The player may be permitted to play further instances of the
COLLAPSE-type game,
with each level of the Collapse-type game leading to a second level wherein
prizes are
revealed. These intermediate prize amounts that are revealed with each
instance of the
COLLAPSE-type game, as discussed above, may be stored in a database of the
server, and
provided to the client prior to or during game play. Alternatively,
intermediate prize amounts
may be determined at the client in a random manner (e.g., by randomly
selecting a possible
combination of intermediate prize amounts that total the overall prize awarded
to the player).
In another example, a game may be determined dynamically by the game system or
client
based on one or more rules. These rules may be tailored so that the overall
result is revealed
by the game system in an interesting way.
For instance, the ticket may have an overall prize value of $50, and the prize
awarded at
each instance of the COLLAPSE-type game may accumulate to form the $50 prize.
There may
be a finite number of combinations based on the number of game instances to
achieve a $50
prize, and the actual game experience presented to the player may be a random
selection of the
finite outcomes. In any case, the result of each game instance is either
stored at the server or is
determined randomly or dynamically by the client as discussed above.
According to one aspect of the present invention, it is realized that the time
at which
tickets are activated (and therefore, may be played) is important. In the case
of a casino-based
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game, where tickets are issued at the casino, it may be beneficial to include
a delay between
the purchase of a ticket and. a possible redemption of the ticket so that the
game play associated
with the ticket does not compete against other games offered by the casino
(e.g., floor games).
For example, in the case of a slot machine game, it may be preferable that
such a game be
activated after the player leaves the casino, or otherwise is not playable
while in the casino so
as not to compete with other types of slot machine games or other game types
offered by the
casino.
Further, another benefit of introducing a delay between ticket issuance and
activation
includes increasing the likelihood that the player plays the game at another
location (e.g., at
home), requiring the return of the player to the ticket redemption location to
redeem his/her
winnings. Because the player needs to return to the redemption location (which
may be a
casino), the possibility that the player will purchase additional tickets or
play other types of
games offered at the redemption location is increased.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a COLLAPSE-type game is
conducted that may include the following additional aspects, either alone or
in combination:
= The game begins with a fixed number of lines of colored elements already
positioned on
the game grid (e.g., grid 601) and available to be selected by the user (or
player).
= New elements fill the bottom and/or the top of the screen, from left to
right, one at a time,
but are not available to be selected. When a row is complete, the line of
elements is pushed
onto the game grid and added to those elements in active play. Alternatively,
new elements
may fill the game grid from any edge, including from the right and/or left
side.
= Selecting the preview area as lines are being formed causes the preview area
to fill with
elements and the elements to be added to the active play area.
= The user can clear elements from the active area by selecting any three or
more same-
colored elements that are touching.
= When a user positions a selection device (e.g., a mouse pointer) over a
group of elements
that are eligible to be cleared, the group of elements changes in appearance.
= When elements are cleared, the elements above fall downward and toward the
center to fill
any void created by removed elements.
= When the user clears an element that contains a dynamite stick (or other
item) in it, that
stick is placed to the right of the game board for use in the second level
game (e.g., a prize
round).
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=. When the stack of elements comes within a predetermined number (e.g.,
three) of rows of
the top of the game area, a warning area flashes.
= If the elements reach the top of the game area, the COLLAPSE-type game ends
and the
user is taken to the second level game.
= If the user collects a predetermined number (e.g., six) of dynamite sticks,
the COLLAPSE-
type game ends, and the user is taken to the second level game.
= The user begins the game with one dynamite stick collected for him/her.
= At the second level game, the user is presented with a grid, 6 by 6, of
safes.
= The user selects a button and the first dynamite stick is used.
= The stick begins at the top left most safe and moves over each safe in turn,
from left to
right, top to bottom, one at a time.
= The safe that the stick stops at is blown open to reveal either a cash
amount or other prize
type or an indication that no prize is awarded.
= If multiple sticks are available for use, each subsequent stick starts at
the safe immediately
after the safe that was blown open.
= The sticks skip over safes that have already been opened.
= At the conclusion of the game, the user is presented an indication that the
second level
game is over and an indication of any prize(s) awarded.
= The overall result (e.g., payout) for purchasing a ticket may be
predetermined (as in a
scratch or other type of instant lottery game) or may be determined by a later
event (such as
a lottery, Keno, or bingo draw) that occurs after ticket issuance.
After each, some, or all game instances are played, a player may then enter a
second
chance opportunity. Preferably, a player may enter a second chance opportunity
only if the
player did not win. The second chance opportunity may be presented to the
player in an
interface of a game-playing computer system in which one or more of the game
instances were
played. In another embodiment, the player is permitted to play an offline
game, and then
reveals the result of second chance game in an online mode.
According to one embodiment, the second chance opportunity may be to enter
another
drawing to win prizes that is available exclusively to losers in the initial
games. In one
example game format, no prize is awarded in the second chance opportunity. For
instance, in
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one game format, the only reward provided to the player is the satisfaction at
performing better
than other second chance opportunity entrants in the game (e.g., a game of
chance and/or skill).
A second chance opportunity participant may need to pay to participate. In one
embodiment,
the second chance opportunity is provided at no cost to the participant.
The second chance opportunity may be any game of skill or chance. The game of
chance or skill may include any game including, for example, poker, keno,
roulette, blackjack,
dominoes, a lottery, or a number drawing. For each second chance opportunity
provided to a
player, a player may be permitted to have one or more turns or plays in the
game of skill or
chance. In one particular game format, the player is provided only one turn or
play in the game
of skill or chance for each second chance opportunity.
However, according to another embodiment, a player may be provided multiple
second
chance opportunities associated with a single primary game instance. A player
may be able to
obtain a second chance opportunity whenever a non-winning instance is
obtained. Preferably,
a player may obtain a second chance opportunity only for a non-winning
instance a given
number of times during a set time period (e.g. one time per week).
According to one embodiment of the invention, the player may attain points or
credits
for the outcome of a second chance opportunity and the player may be able to
accrue the points
or credits for each second chance opportunity. A computer system may then
maintain a listing
of points awarded to each second chance opportunity player per instance played
and also the
accrued total number of credits or points amassed by each second chance
player. The
computer may then display to each second chance player his or her standing
among second
chance players for a single second chance opportunity and in total for all
second chance
opportunities played by each player.
As an example of a second chance opportunity, the second chance players may be
entered into a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Men's
Basketball
championship tournament bracket challenge. During the first week of the second
chance
opportunity, a second chance player may be asked to pick a winner for one game
in the first or
second round of the NCAA tournament for each second chance opportunity
attained; during
the second week of the second chance opportunity, a second chance player may
be asked to
pick a winner for one game in the third or fourth round of the NCAA
tournament; and during
the third week, a second chance player may be asked to pick the winner of a
semi-final game
or the final game for each second chance opportunity attained. A second chance
player may
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then be awarded a point(s) or credit(s) for each correctly chosen winner.
After each week, the
player can then see how he or she is doing against other second chance
players.
Alternatively, a second chance player may get to choose winners for all first
and second
round games in the first week with one second chance opportunity, etc.
Preferably, a player
may only enter the second chance drawing once per week in this instance.
Figure 7 shows one example interface 701 of a slot machine game according to
one
embodiment of the present invention. Interface 701 may include some elements
that are shown
on a game ticket, and other elements that are shown in an online portion of
the game. One
specific example of a slot machine game may include one or more of the
following features,
alone or in combination, as follows:
= A scratch-type card (e.g., card/interface 701) is provided as shown in
Figure 7 having a
printed 3 x 5 grid, representing a five-reel (e.g., reels 702), three-row
(e.g., rows 703)
slot machine.
= In the slot machine representation, there is a checkerboard of seven (7)
scratchable
areas (e.g., scratchable area 704 such as a tile).
= The scratchable areas can be scratched to reveal symbols (e.g., symbols 705)
printed on
the card.
= The remaining eight (8) tiles of the checkerboard are revealed in an online
portion of
the game. For instance, a player, playing an online game over the Internet,
may play
the online portion of the game. In one example, the player may reveal the
remaining
areas over one or more plays of the online game. For instance, the eight (8)
remaining
areas may be revealed over successive "spins" of an online slot machine.
= According to one embodiment, the online portion of the game includes a
graphic
representation of the card (e.g., card/interface 701) used far the offline
portion of the
game. In one specific example, the online version of the card displays the
results
received in the offline portion of the game. For example, in the case of the
slot
machine described above, the seven scratchable area results are displayed as
results in
the online game interface.
= In one example, matches can be made on one or more (e.g., nine (9)) pay
lines.
= There can also be one or more (e.g., five (5)) special scratch areas on the
card which
represent a "bonus" pattern. If a player matches that pattern in any of the
pay lines
(e.g., any of the nine pay lines), that player wins a bonus prize.
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In another embodiment of the present invention, a bingo game is played in an
online/offline format. In one example using a scratch-type ticket (or card)
having a bingo
game representation printed on the ticket, one or more scratchable areas are
provided to the
player for playing the offline portion of the game. In one embodiment, the
bingo game is the
well-known American bingo game format. However, it should be appreciated that
any bingo
game having any type of card or format may be used.
These scratchable areas may be located in one or more locations on one or more
bingo
cards. The player scratches one or more of the areas to reveal symbols printed
on the ticket.
These symbols may, when arranged in particular patterns on a bingo card, may
provide a
winning outcome.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the areas
(e.g.,
bingo card numbers) may not be revealed in the offline portion of the game.
Rather, the player
must play an online portion of the game to reveal the missing outcomes. In
another example,
all of the card numbers of one or more bingo cards are revealed in the offline
portion of the
game, and the player plays the online portion of the game to receive the
called numbers,
yielding the outcome of one or more bingo cards.
Figure 8 shows one example interface 801 of a bingo game according to one
embodiment of the present invention. Interface 801 may include some elements
that are shown
on a game ticket, and other elements that are shown in an online portion of
the game. One
specific example of a bingo game may include one or more of the following
features, alone or
in combination, as follows:
= A large card is printed with one or more standard American-type bingo cards
(e.g.,
card/interface 801) as shown in Figure 8. In one example, the card and its
corresponding spaces are large enough to daub with a marker.
= The player scratches off spaces (e.g., scratchable area 803) on the cards to
reveal
his/her card numbers.
= The player plays an online portion of the game where bingo numbers are
"called" by a
game program, and the player is provided a win/loss indication for each of the
respective cards. For instance, in a game where a player is not playing
against other
players, a finite number of balls may be called. If the player does not have a
winning
pattern after the last ball is called, the player does not win a prize.
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= Alternatively or in combination, the card provided to the player includes
scratchable
areas on the cards (e.g., area 803) as well as in a called numbers section
(e.g., area 804
in called numbers section 802).
= According to one embodiment, the online portion of the game includes a
graphic
representation of the card (e.g., card/interface 801) used for the offline
portion of the
game. In one specific example, the online version of the card displays the
results
received in the offline portion of the game. For example, in the case of the
bingo game
described above, the scratchable areas of the bingo card (the assigned numbers
of the
bingo card) are displayed as results in the online game interface.
= Prizes are distributed via win patterns. In one example, one particular win
pattern
corresponds to a single prize. A bingo win pattern may include, for example,
four
corners, five in a row, etc. There may be any number and type of win patterns.
Win
patterns may be identified in a pay table with their corresponding prizes.
More difficult
patterns (e.g., a pattern covering all=ofthe card entries) may be associated
with larger
prizes.
= In one example, a physical card has one or more (e.g., five (5)) bonus
numbers 705 that
can be revealed by scratching off a coating in the offline portion of the
game. If one or
more of the player's bonus numbers are included in the win pattern, the player
is
awarded a bonus prize. That is, the bonus number may act as a multiplier to
increase
an awarded prize.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a roulette game is played in
an
online/offline format. In one example using a scratch-type ticket (or card)
having a roulette
game representation printed on the ticket as shown in Figure 9, one or more
scratchable areas
(e.g., area 906) are provided to the player for playing the offline portion of
the game. In one
embodiment, the card (e.g., card/interface 901) includes a representation of a
casino-style
roulette wheel (e.g., wheel 902) printed on the card. Further, the card
includes a bet table (e.g.,
bet table 903) printed thereon.
These scratchable areas may be located in one or more locations on the
roulette wheel
representation and/or bet table. The player scratches one or more of the areas
to reveal bets in
bet areas (e.g., bet area 904) on the bet table or the roulette wheel outcome
(e.g., indicated by
indicator 905 selecting the number 29 outcome) printed on the ticket.
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According to one embodiment of the present invention, one or more of the areas
(e.g.,
the roulette wheel outcome) may not be revealed in the offline portion of the
game. Rather, the
player must play an online portion of the game to reveal the missing outcomes.
In another
example, bets on the bet table are revealed in the offline portion of the
game, and the player
plays the online portion of the game to receive the result of the spin of the
roulette wheel,
yielding the outcome of the individual bets. In another example, the printed
card may have
more than one bet table, each of which corresponds to a spin of a roulette
wheel made in an
online portion of the game. To this end, an online game may have a control
that a player may
select to cause the roulette wheel to spin and display the outcome of the
spin.
10' According to another aspect of the present invention, a first game is
played offline, and
a second game is played online, both the first and second games being
associated with the
same ticket. For instance, this same ticket may permit a player to play a
complete game
offline, and play a separate game online. These first and second games, for
example, may have
independent outcomes. These games may, however, be the same or similar types
of games
ts (e.g., a slot machine game), same themes, etc. among the first and second
games.
In another aspect of the present invention, standard offline games (e.g.,
scratch-based,
pull-tab, printed lottery, bingo, keno, etc.) may be combined with an online
game component.
This is beneficial, as the interest in standard offline games may be increased
by providing an
additional online game component. For example, standard offline games may
become "online"
20 enabled by the payment of an additional fee. In one specific example,
=offline games are made
online compatible at the point of ticket issuance (e.g., at a POS). For
instance, a retailer may,
upon payment of an additional fee, enable a ticket associated with an offline
game to become
online enabled. This may be accomplished, for example, at the POS by scanning
or otherwise
inputting a ticket identifier of an issued ticket and enabling an online game
associated with the
25 issued ticket. Other aspects of the game may be revealed online, such as,
for example, a prize
multiplier that is used to determine an ultimate prize awarded to the player.
It should be
appreciated that other features may be used with such an online/offline
format, and the
invention is not limited to any particular format unless specifically recited
in the claims.
Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of this
invention, it is to be
30 appreciated that various alterations, modifications and improvements will
readily occur to
those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements
are intended to be
part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of
the invention.
Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only.
