Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING AN INSTANT LOTTERY GAME HAVING A
VARYING PRIZE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to lottery ticket games, and more particularly
to a method and
system for providing an instant lottery game having a varying prize.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Instant lottery games have become an important source of income to governments
and numerous
non-for-profit organizations. Typically, a set of instant lottery tickets is
imaged with play and
prize value indicia under a scratch-off coating or break-open tab according to
a predetermined
prize structure. The prize structure comprises a small number of large value
prize tickets, a
number of lesser value prize tickets, and a large number of void tickets. The
prizes are distributed
randomly to the tickets such that each player has an equal chance to win one
of the prizes.
The tickets are then distributed to ticket retailers - such as, for example,
liquor stores,
convenience stores, supermarkets, gas stations, gift shops, etc. ¨ for
dispensing the tickets to
consumers and for validating the tickets when they are presented for
redemption. Typically,
lottery retailers need to have employees present all the time at a lottery
kiosk for dispensing the
instant lottery tickets and preventing theft of the instant lottery tickets
offered for sale, for
example, on a counter.
With numerous lottery games on the market it has become a challenge to sustain
public interest.
Non-instant lotteries such as, for example, 6/49 and Super 7 have
substantially increased public
interest by offering large and varying jackpots.
It is desirable to provide a method and system for providing an instant
lottery game having a
varying prize.
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It is also desirable to provide an instant lottery ticket dispensing device
for dispensing instant
lottery tickets in a substantially secure and tamper resistant fashion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a method and
system for providing
an instant lottery game having a varying prize.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an instant lottery
ticket dispensing device
for dispensing instant lottery tickets in a substantially secure and tamper
resistant fashion.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method
for providing an
instant lottery game. A plurality of lottery tickets associated with the
instant lottery game is
provided. Each ticket of at least a subset of the plurality of lottery tickets
has a prize identifier
related to prize data stored in a trusted database. A lottery ticket of the
plurality of lottery tickets
is dispensed. Data indicative of the prize identifier of the lottery ticket
are provided to a trusted
processor in communication with the trusted database. Using the trusted
processor data indicative
of the prize associated with the lottery ticket are determined in dependence
upon the data
indicative of the prize identifier and the prize data and provided. Further,
new prize data are
determined in dependence upon the prize identifier and the prize data.
According to the aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method
for providing an
instant lottery game. A plurality of lottery tickets associated with the
instant lottery game is
provided. Each ticket of at least a subset of the plurality of lottery tickets
has a prize identifier
related to prize data stored in a trusted database. A lottery ticket of the
plurality of lottery tickets
is dispensed. Data indicative of the prize identifier of the lottery ticket
are provided to a trusted
processor in communication with the trusted database. Using the trusted
processor data indicative
of the prize associated with the lottery ticket arc determined in dependence
upon the data
indicative of the prize identifier and the prize data and provided. If the
prize identifier is
indicative of a second chance opportunity, data indicative of a second chance
opportunity prize
associated with the lottery ticket are determined or a second chance
opportunity game is activated
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and performed. The prize is then determined in dependence upon the outcome of
the second
chance opportunity game. Further, new prize data are determined in dependence
upon the prize
identifier and the prize data.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an
instant lottery ticket
dispensing device. At least a compartment is disposed inside a housing for
accommodating
therein a plurality of instant lottery tickets associated with at least an
instant lottery game. A user
interface is disposed in the housing for receiving user commands and for
displaying display data
to the user. A processor is connected to the user interface. A payment device
is connected to the
processor for receiving payment from the user. A release mechanism is
connected to the
processor for releasing a ticket after receipt of the payment. A dispensing
opening is disposed in
the housing and connected to the release mechanism for dispensing the released
ticket. A reader
is disposed inside the housing and connected to the processor for reading a
ticket activation
identifier disposed on the ticket prior dispensing the released ticket. A
second reader is connected
to the processor for reading a prize identifier disposed on the ticket.
The advantage of the present invention is that it provides a method and system
for providing an
instant lottery game having a varying prize.
A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides an instant
lottery ticket dispensing
device for dispensing instant lottery tickets in a substantially secure and
tamper resistant fashion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described below with
reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
Figures la is a simplified block diagram illustrating a system for providing
an instant
lottery game having a varying prize according to a preferred embodiment of the
invention;
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Figure lb is a simplified block diagram illustrating an instant lottery ticket
dispensing
device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
Figures 2a and 2b are simplified block diagrams illustrating a preferred
lottery ticket for
use with the instant lottery ticket dispensing device according to a preferred
embodiment
of the invention;
Figures 3a and 3b are simplified flow diagrams illustrating a method for
providing an
instant lottery game having a varying prize according to a preferred
embodiment of the
invention; and,
Figures 4a and 41) are simplified block diagrams illustrating data association
during
activation according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have
the same meaning as
commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention
belongs.
Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described
herein can be used
in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and
materials are now
described.
Referring to Figures la and lb, a system 100 for providing an instant lottery
game having a
varying prize according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is
provided. The system 100
comprises a central data processing unit which is connected to instant lottery
ticket dispensing
devices 120 via a computer network 110 such as, for example, the Internet,
forming a "linked
kiosk network". Preferably, the central data processing unit is placed in a
trusted entity such as,
for example, an administrative center or headquarters of the lottery operator
and comprises, for
example, a trusted server computer 102 and a trusted database 108, while
communication with
the instant lottery ticket dispensing devices 120 is performed in a secure
manner using state of
the art encryption technology. The instant lottery ticket dispensing devices
120 are located at
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ticket retailers for dispensing the tickets and for validating the tickets
when presented for
redemption. Operation of the system 100 and execution of the method for
providing an instant
lottery game described herein below are performed, for example, using the
processor 104 for
executing executable commands preferably stored in non-volatile memory 106
such as, for
example, a hard-drive or flash memory. The processor 104 then communicates
with the
processors 122 of the dispensing devices 120 via the computer network 110
according to a
standard communication protocol such as, for example, the Hypertext Transfer
Protocol (1-1TTP).
Referring to Figure lb, an instant lottery ticket dispensing device 120
according to a preferred
embodiment of the invention is provided. The various components of the
dispenser 120 are,
preferably, housed in a substantially secure and tamper resistant housing 121
that enables access
only to authorized personnel - for example, for maintenance and refilling -
using, for example, a
secure locking mechanism known in the art. Optionally, opening of the housing
121 is controlled
by the server computer 102, for example, a message is sent to the server
computer 102 when the
housing 121 is opened. The dispenser 120 comprises at least a compartment 136
disposed inside
the housing 121 for accommodating therein a plurality of instant lottery
tickets 200 associated
with at least an instant lottery game. The tickets 200 are, preferably, single
tickets stacked inside
the compartment 136. Alternatively, the tickets are provided as a band,
comprising a plurality of
tickets, disposed inside the compartment 136 in a folded or rolled fashion.
Each ticket is then
separated from the remaining band prior dispensing using, for example, a
cutting mechanism.
Operation of the dispenser 120 is enabled using an off-the-shelf computer
processor 122 for
executing executable commands preferably stored in non-volatile memory 124
such as, for
example, a hard-drive or flash memory. The processor 122 is connected to the
computer network
110 via port 130 for communicating with the processor 104 of the trusted
server computer 102.
A user interface 126 is disposed in the housing and connected to the processor
122 for displaying
display data to the player 126A in a human comprehensible fashion and for
receiving user
commands 126B. For example, the user interface 126 is provided using an off-
the-shelf touch
screen or a combination of a display and push buttons. Preferably, the display
is adapted to
display to the public in an appealing fashion information regarding the
tickets available and the
current winning opportunities, as well as to display data to the player during
user interactions
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such as, for example, selection of a game and number of tickets, payment,
scanning of a prize
identifier, and playing of a second chance opportunity game.
A payment device 132 is disposed in the housing 121 and connected to the
processor 122 for
receiving payment from the user. Optionally, the payment device 132 is
provided in a separate
housing and connected to the processor 122 via a cable. Preferably, the
payment device 132 is a
standard card reader such as, for example, a chip card reader, capable of
interfacing with standard
credit/debit cards or a designated "player card" issued, for example, by the
organizer of the
lottery. Payment is then executed using standard software for secure payment
using processor
122 in communication with the trusted server computer 102 or, alternatively, a
trusted computer
of a secure payment service such as, for example, Pay-Pal. Alternatively, the
payment device 132
comprises a device for receiving cash ¨ coins and/or bank notes ¨ or a
combination of both.
Payment devices are well known in the art and employed, for example, in ticket
vending
machines in public parking or public transportation. Optionally, the use of
player cards in
communication with the trusted server computer 102 via the processor 122
enables
implementation of additional features such as player reward card programs and
player tracking
capabilities.
Release mechanism 138 is connected to the processor 122 and the compartment
136 for releasing
a ticket after receipt of the payment. Release mechanisms 138 are well known
in the art and
employed, for example, in ticket vending machines in public parking or public
transportation.
Preferably, a reader 140 is disposed inside the housing 121 connected to the
processor 122 and
the release mechanism 138 for reading a ticket activation identifier disposed
on the ticket prior
dispensing of the released ticket through dispensing opening 142. The reader
140 is provided, for
example, in the form of a bar code scanner for scanning a linear or matrix
barcode but is not
limited thereto.
The dispenser 120 further comprises reader 128 disposed in the housing 121
such that a player is
enabled to present a ticket thereto for reading a prize identifier disposed on
the ticket. The reader
128 is provided, for example, as a bar code scanner for scanning a linear or
matrix barcode but is
not limited thereto. Optionally, the reader 128 is provided in a separate
housing and connected to
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the processor 122 via a cable. A printer 134 is disposed in the housing for
printing a validation
slip indicative of the prize for redemption. Alternatively, a cash dispenser
is provided for paying
the prize in cash or a combination of both.
Figures 2a and 2b illustrate a preferred lottery ticket 200 for use with the
dispenser 120. The
lottery ticket 200 comprises a sheet type body such as, for example, a semi-
rigid sheet of paper,
cardboard, or boxboard. The ticket activation identifier 230 is printed on the
front 204 of the
ticket 200 in the form of, for example, a linear barcode, or a matrix barcode.
Preferably, the ticket
activation identifier is uniquely related to the lottery ticket such that each
lottery ticket of the
plurality of lottery tickets has a unique identifier with data indicative
thereof being stored in the
trusted database 108. The lottery ticket 200 further comprises play area 218
disposed on the back
212 of the ticket 200 in a concealed fashion together with the prize
identifier 217 which is
provided in the form of, for example, a linear barcode, or a matrix barcode_
Optionally, at least a
portion of the identifiers 217 and 230 is encoded using, for example, an error
correcting code
such as a Reed Salomon code to provide an indication that the identifier has
been corrupted
and/or to retrieve the identifier in case the barcode has been damaged. The
play area 218 and the
prize identifier 217 are revealed by the player opening break-open tabs 220A
to 220E.
Referring to Figures 3a and 31), a method for providing an instant lottery
game having a varying
prize according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is provided. At 10,
a plurality of
lottery tickets associated with an instant lottery game is provided. Each
lottery ticket has a unique
ticket identifier related to ticket data stored in the trusted database 108
and a prize identifier
related to prize data stored in the trusted database. The display 126A
provides potential players
with information regarding the available tickets, i.e. instant lottery games.
Furthermore, the
display 126A provides ¨ 12 - information regarding varying winning
opportunities such as, for
example, real time information regarding rolling jackpots based on the
accumulated jackpot
potential of the network of ticket dispensers, which is provided by the
trusted server 102 via the
computer network 110. The player then selects the instant lottery game and the
number of tickets
to be purchased - 14 - using the user interface 126. After being prompted the
player makes the
payment ¨ 16 - using the payment device 132 and the user interface 126. After
confirmation of
the payment, the release mechanism 138 releases ¨ 18 - an un-activated ticket
200 from the
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tickets stored in the compartment 136. Reader 140 scans ¨ 20 - the ticket
activation identifier 230
and sends ¨ 22- data indicative of the ticket activation identifier 230 to the
processor 104 of the
trusted server computer 102 in a secure fashion for activation. Using the
processor 104, the data
indicative of the ticket identifier are compared ¨ 24 - with respective ticket
data stored in the
trusted database 108 and if the comparison is indicative of a match activation
data indicative of
activation of the lottery ticket are determined. Preferably, the activation
data relate the ticket to
prize data stored in the trusted database 108. After determination of the
activation data, an
identifier indicative of successful activation is sent to the release
mechanism 138 via processor
122 for initiating dispensing of the activated ticket and, preferably, the
respective ticket data in
to the trusted database 108 are marked as activated or erased.
Preferably, prior performing an activation process - using the processor 104
based on the data
indicative of the ticket activation identifier 230 received from the processor
122 of the dispenser
120 - the ticket has no prize value associated therewith. For example, prior
the activation process
the prize identifier 217 is associated with a zero value, as illustrated in
Figure 4a, and the
association of the "yet to be revealed" prize identifier 217 with the prize
value is then determined
during the activation process resulting, for example, in a prize value, a
factor indicative of a
percentage of the jackpot or a combination of both, as illustrated in Figure
4b. For example, the
two identifiers when combined result in a number referring to a memory address
with a
predetermined prize value or factor stored therein. Optionally, data
indicative of a second chance
opportunity are determined. Non-winning tickets remain associated with a zero
value.
Alternatively, non-winning tickets are supplied without the prize identifier.
Optionally, the processor 104 determines audit trail data in dependence upon
the received ticket
activation data to determine, for example, royalties payable to the retailer
based on the number of
sold tickets.
After successful activation, the ticket is dispensed to the player - 26.
Optionally, if the activation
is unsuccessful, for example, because a damaged ticket identifier could not be
read, the release
mechanism 138 transfers the un-activated ticket to a holding compartment,
releases another ticket
from the storage compartment for activation, and provides an error message to
the processor 122
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for provision to the processor 104 of the trusted server computer 102.
After the player has opened the ticket and the game area 218 revealed that the
ticket is a winning
ticket or has a second chance opportunity, the player scans the prize
identifier 217 using the
reader 128. The processor 122 then provides ¨28 - data indicative of the prize
identifier 217 of
the lottery ticket to the trusted processor 104. At 30, the processor 104
determines data indicative
of the prize associated with the lottery ticket in dependence upon the data
indicative of the prize
identifier and the prize data; provides the data indicative of the prize
associated with the lottery
ticket to the processor 122 for display and, optionally, printing a validation
slip; and determines
new prize data in dependence upon the prize identifier and the prize data. For
example, the
accumulated jackpot is increased or decreased, depending on whether the ticket
was a winner or
not. The new prize data are then provided to the dispenser 120 and displayed
¨32 - using the
display 126A.
Preferably, some tickets ¨ in particular, some non-winning tickets - have a
second chance
opportunity associated therewith in order to further increase players'
interest in the instant lottery
game. Such tickets have, for example, instructions printed in the concealed
game area 218
instructing the player that the ticket is not an instant winner but a second
chance opportunity is
available at the ticket dispenser 120. Preferably, the second chance
opportunity is implemented in
the step 30 of the method described herein above and as illustrated in Figure
3b. At 30.1, the
player scans the prize identifier indicative of a second chance opportunity
which activates the
second chance opportunity. There are various options for implementing the
second chance
opportunity. In a first option ¨ 30.2 ¨ data indicative of a second chance
opportunity prize
associated with the ticket are determined. For example, using the processor
104 a mathematical
algorithm determines if the ticket is a winner at that instant in a random or
pseudo-random
fashion. Alternatively, the processor 104 activates ¨ 30.3 - a second chance
opportunity game
which is performed ¨ 30.4 ¨ in communication with processor 122 and user
interface 126. The
second chance opportunity game is, for example, a skill based game, a
probability game, or a
combination thereof. In dependence upon the outcome of the second chance
opportunity game
data indicative of a second chance opportunity prize are then determined ¨
30.5 ¨ and provided to
the ticket dispenser for display and/or print of a validation slip. Finally,
new prize data are
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determined in dependence upon the data indicative of a second chance
opportunity prize and the
prize data ¨ 30.6 ¨ and provided for display.
As is evident, while method for providing an instant lottery game having a
varying prize is
preferably implemented using the system 100 with the instant lottery ticket
dispenser 120 it is not
limited thereto. The method is implementable, for example, using conventional
lottery kiosks
with each kiosk communicating with a trusted central unit.
The present invention has been described herein with regard to preferred
embodiments, However,
it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations
and modifications can
be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein.
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