Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02704075 2010-05-20
GAME TICKET WITH A RELATED WEB SITE
This invention relates to game ticket with a related site and a bar code
which is read by a personal communication device such as a cell phone of the
player
to communicate with web site to obtain from the site additional data relating
to the
lottery game.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one object of the invention to provide an improved game including
a game ticket which can be improved by communicating features to the
purchaser/player.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a
combination of components for playing a game comprising;
a series of tickets for a game to be purchased and played by individual
purchasers of the tickets;
a site related to the game;
each of the tickets having an associated bar code which contains data
identifying the game and the site related thereto;
means for receiving from a purchaser or potential purchaser of a ticket
an image of a bar code related to the game taken by a camera module of a
personal
communication device;
means for analyzing the image of the bar code to determine the site
associated with the game;
CA 02704075 2010-05-20
2
and means enabling communication between the personal
communication device and the site in order to communicate further data from
the
site to be transmitted to the personal communication device.
The game provided on each ticket may be for prizes both monetary
and product related or may be merely for entertainment where no gambling or
prize
is involved. The type and value of any prizes can vary widely. The games may
be
predetermined, otherwise known as "instant win" tickets or may include
elements of
skill or chance. The games may include a scratch-off-coating which is
convenient
and effective particularly for instant win type game tickets, but other types
of games
which do not include scratch-off may be used.
The games concerned are preferably instant win type games where
the result is entirely predetermined, since such games are generally preferred
in a
lottery situation in order to ensure that the total winnings is predetermined.
However
the present invention is not limited to the type of game to be played and can
include
probability or other games which include game indicia covered by a scratch-off
coating.
The construction may also be used in situations where the main
objective is for other purposes than gambling such as in promotional games or
games of fun for children or others where no gambling or prizes are involved.
Many such tickets are used directly in a lottery situation so that the
tickets have no other relevance other than the playing of the lottery or game
by
CA 02704075 2010-05-20
3
which the player may win monetary or other prizes as part of the lottery or
gaming
situation.
However more attention has been recently given to the use of such
tickets as promotional items used by manufacturers of other products to
enhance the
sale of the product.
The scan method could be used to win free merchandise prizes,
discount certificates for subsequent purchases, etc.
Preferably the personal communication device is a cell phone, but
other communication devices carried by and used by the individual involved can
be
used such as small computers and the like.
y ticket that is caused to take
In one aspect it is the purchaser of a lotter
an image of the bar code on the ticket using the personal communication
device.
In this case, the data communicated may relate to a winning or losing
status of the lottery ticket in the lottery game.
In this case, the data communicated may relate to a prize amount of
the lottery ticket in the lottery game.
In this case, the data communicated may relate to a second chance
game to be played by the purchaser.
In this case, the data communicated may relate to entry of a losing
ticket into a second chance game.
In this case, the data communicated may relate to a multiplier feature
by which a prize won on the lottery ticket can be increased.
CA 02704075 2010-05-20
4
In this case, the data communicated may relate to an option of the
purchaser to register for a second prize based on a sweepstake and can be used
to
facilitate communication regarding a progressive-style of game/jackpot.
In this case, the data communicated may provide extra play symbols
for use in the game on the ticket.
In another case, the data communicated may relate to a cross-
promotion, such as an option to purchase a next ticket, an option to purchase
a
partner product or a coupon.
In another arrangement, the purchaser or potential purchaser of a
lottery ticket may take an image of a bar code on point of sales material at a
point of
sale location of a retailer to provide an incentive to the retailer to provide
the point of
sale material.
In yet another arrangement, the purchaser or potential purchaser of a
lottery ticket is to take an image of a bar code on an empty supply bin at a
point,of
sale location of a retailer to provide an incentive to the retailer to
maintain bins filled.
In yet another arrangement, the data communicated may relate to
information to help players locate tickets that are close to sold out with top
prizes still
remaining in game and locations that still have those tickets.
In yet another arrangement, the data communicated may relate to a
retailer promotion such as data which acts to extend a payment date for the
retailer.
CA 02704075 2010-05-20
The site may be a web site and the data communicated through the
internet or the site may be a separate server with the data being communicated
through electronic communications using email or text messaging.
The bar code may be covered or uncovered. In the case of a covered
5 bar code the covering, either scratchoff or paper must be removed prior to
usage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of the components used in the
method according to the present invention.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding
parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The system described herein uses the internet 12 for communication
between a personal communication device 10 such as a cell phone of a purchaser
or potential purchaser of lottery tickets, a bar code analysis website 11 and
a
selected one of a series of game web sites 12, 12A etc.
The cell phone 10 includes a display 10A, an input 10B and a camera
module 10C, as is well known to persons skilled in this art and generally.
A lottery game includes a series of lottery tickets 14 for a lottery game
to be played by individual purchasers of the lottery tickets with the game
being
managed by a program at the web site 12. The program has access to data
related
CA 02704075 2010-05-20
6
to the game including data identifying winning and losing tickets from the bar
codes
printed on those tickets.
Thus each lottery ticket has an associated bar code 14A which
contains data identifying the lottery game concerned and the web site 12
related
thereto and which contains data identifying the specific lottery ticket.
The lottery game also includes promotional material 14B which is
transmitted to retailers for local promotions which includes a bar code 14C
and
selling containers or bins 14D which include a bottom bar code 14E which
becomes
exposed when the supply of the tickets contained in the bin is depleted and
requires
replenishment. The bins may be free standing or may be those used in vending
machines and may include any supply bin visible to the customer which requires
replenishment by the retailer.
In use of the system, the purchaser of a ticket or a potential purchaser
of a ticket operates the camera to take an image of one or more of the bar
codes
related to the lottery game using the camera module 10C of a personal
communication device 10. A program at the cell phone acts to transmit the
image to
the web site 11 where it is analyzed to determine the data. This data includes
data
defining the game and the web site associated with the game together with the
specific code number of a ticket where the bar code scanned is on a specific
ticket.
A program operates to control communication between the cell phone
10 and the web site 12 to communicate further data from the web site to the
personal communication device.
CA 02704075 2010-05-20
7
The analysis of the bar code can be carried out at a separate
dedicated web site or can be carried out at the site 12 or 12A. The personal
communication device in either system has a program by which the scanned image
of the bar code is communicated to the required web site for analysis which is
either
site 11 or site 12, 12A.
This data can be used in a number of arrangements as follows:
Cate t1 Use of mobile device bar code link for prize verification.
The Player captures image of ticket's bar code on the ticket with the
camera on their mobile device (phone, blackberry, etc.). The Player sends this
image using the communication systems to the lottery website for verification
of the
ticket. The Player receives an email, web page or text message in response
with
the winning status and optionally the specific prize amount. The system can be
used with printed instant tickets and also with displayed on-line tickets. In
this way
the system acts as a ticket checker to determine the win/lose status of the
ticket.
This acts as a safeguard and convenience for consumers, and a tool for
enhancing
retailer satisfaction and expanding the retailer base. The retailer benefits
in that one
of the biggest obstacles to signing new retailers is the retailers' belief
that their staff
will be tied up checking tickets for lottery players rather than focusing on
other, more
profitable tasks. Thus the amount of checking at the retailer location can be
reduced
by this ability of the purchaser to check on line using the bar code imaging
system.
The web site 12 or 12A must link up to the lottery's validation data
base as shown at 15, 15A. It is necessary to provide secure communication to
the
CA 02704075 2010-05-20
8
data base 15 to overcome security issues/sensitivities. The complexity of the
bar
code is selected so that it can be decoded by the site 11 on receipt of the
image.
This may require less complex bar codes to be used in the lottery ticket to
meet the
standards available.
Category 2: Use of mobile device bar code link to provide additional play or
value/game features for players.
Select games are arranged to offer players the opportunity to send in
the bar code image from non-winning tickets for entry into second chance
drawings.
Lotteries can target specific games for promotions. Examples include:
Cross promotions where the player sends the bar code to the lottery
website and gets a communication back worth $.50 off next ticket or partner
product
(for example free coffee, admission to movie, etc.)
Core games (for example. Bingo, Crossword) where the bar code is
used to provide data defining extra play symbols, numbers, a multiplier or
doubler
feature etc.
Progressive jackpots where the lottery game includes a progressive
prize component that grows as more tickets are sold. The prize is awarded in a
sweepstakes-style of draw. This can be arranged to "roll over" to a future
draw if
that ticket was not sold/claimed.
The entry into a second chance game, either for losers only or for all
tickets purchased represents an excellent value-added feature for licensed
games
CA 02704075 2010-05-20
9
and other high margin products. This feature can be tied into a player's club
feature
for collecting points.
The concept of a prize multiplier which increases the prize won on the
physical ticket provides a value-added game feature. The prize validation can
be
carried out in various ways, for players only win the multiplied prize if they
go
through the process of scanning the bar code and visiting the website. Another
reason to go through the process if imaging the bar code and entering the site
can
be for added entertainment value.
The ability to enter a second prize sweepstake which is a progressive
style game provides a good, value-added game feature for a progressive jackpot
which will grow as more tickets are entered, etc.
The use of the image to obtain extra play symbols to be used on the
physical ticket provides an added game feature for mature core games like
Bingo
and Crossword. It also differentiates the games using the invention from
competitors' games.
Cross promotion allows ticket holder to obtain a ticket from a different
game, partner product or coupon is an opportunity for lotteries to develop
partnerships with retailers and/or other consumer goods producers for cross
promotional opportunities and traffic builders.
Category 3: Use of mobile device bar code link to provide incentive for
retailers to
support lottery initiatives.
Potential retailer programs/promotions could include:
CA 02704075 2010-05-20
Providing the bar code on point of sale materials found in the store
where each customer that shoots it gets a different message or code. This can
be
used as a traffic builder for retailers.
The intent of this is to assist lotteries with the challenge of getting POS
5 placed at retail.
Providing the bar code on empty ticket bins acts to motivate retailers to
keep bins full. Thus, if a player shoots a bar code exposed on an empty bin,
they
get a discount or other incentive. This acts as an incentive for the retailer
to
maintain bins filled as the lottery can track such retailer incidents.
10 The data can also be used to help players locate games containing
tickets that are close to sold out with top prizes still remaining in game.
That is the
player can scan the bar code on another ticket, point-of-sale item or lottery
website
and the transmitted data supplied to the cell phone to be displayed on the
display
screen can include locations that still have those tickets. This serves as a
valuable
source of information for consumers, and may help lotteries move inventory of
older
games.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein
above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made
within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit
and
scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying
specification shall
be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
