Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METHOD AND APPARATUS
FOR CHECKING A TICKET STATUS FROM A RANDOM DRAW GAME
TECHNICAL FIELD
,[00001] The present invention relates to random draw games having a plurality
of
tickets for play. More particularly, the present invention relates to
apparatus and
methods for checking a status of a ticket from a random draw game to reduce
failures
of game players to recognize a winning ticket.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[00002] Random draw games involve selecting randomly a ticket from a plurality
of tickets in the game, so that a person having possession of a matching
ticket to the
selected ticket wins a prize. Tickets are typically sold for a nominal value,
and each
ticket potentially has a greater future value (or prize) based on at least one
ticket being
selected randomly as a winner.
[00003] There are a number of types of random draw games. Terminal generated
lottery games are popular point-of-purchase activities for many people. These
involve
drawing/numbers games marketed as Powerball, Mega Millions, Pick 3, Pick 4,
Pick
5, Pick 6, and Lotto games. In such games, a lottery consumer picks a sequence
of
numbers, or alternatively, the lottery consumer directs the generating
terminal to
randomly select a sequence of numbers. The terminal generates a lottery ticket
that
displays the sequence of numbers. In addition, the lottery ticket includes a
printed
barcode or identifier. These barcodes identify the date the ticket was
purchased, the
location of the purchase, the numbers selected and a validation number for
lottery
validation purposes.
[00004] After a drawing for the particular game, if all or some of the numbers
match, the lottery player holding the lottery ticket wins a prize. The lottery
player can
compare the published results of the game drawing to determine if the lottery
ticket is
a winning ticket. Alternatively, the lottery consumer can present the lottery
ticket to a
lottery ticket vendor for evaluation. Typically, the evaluation is made using
a barcode
or identifier printed on the lottery ticket. The vendor uses an electronic
scanner to
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scan the barcode. The scanned barcode information is communicated to a central
database of lottery number winners, and the response enables the vendor to
determine
whether the scanned ticket is a winning ticket.
[00005] Millions of dollars in unclaimed prizes are accumulated by lotteries
across
the country. Some prizes are unclaimed because of lost or damaged tickets, but
the
majority of unclaimed prizes come from lack of player awareness. The game
players
sometimes fail to recognize the ticket was selected as a winning ticket and
some game
players do not realize that in jackpot draw games, a player can win prizes for
matching a few of the selected numbers; for example, picking 5 of 6 selected
numbers, picking 4 of 6 selected numbers, or even 3 of 6 selected numbers in a
drawing event of the game, can result in winning a prize albeit of a lesser
value than
picking all of the numbers selected. Some players are unaware that the ticket
being
held is a winning ticket and discard.
[00006] Oftentimes, a lottery player fails to realize that the lottery ticket
is a
winning ticket, because the player missed the drawing, did not check the
numbers on
the lottery ticket, mis-read (and thus mis-compared) the winning numbers and
the
numbers on the ticket, or did not realize a winning ticket may be based on
matching
fewer than all of the numbers in the drawing. From time-to-time, winning
lottery
tickets are merely discarded. As noted above, a player could return any
lottery ticket
to the vendor for scanning to determine its status. However, there is an
inconvenience
in having to return to the retail location of the vendor just to check a
lottery ticket for
winning combinations. Also, in some instances, a clerk improperly tells the
lottery
player that the scanned lottery ticket is not a winning ticket, only to palm
the winning
ticket and then redeem the ticket after the lottery player leaves.
[00007] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved method and
apparatus by which a player of a random draw game checks the winning status of
a
ticket held by the player. It is to such that the present invention is
directed.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[00008] The present invention meets the need in the art by providing a method
for
checking the results status of a ticket from a random draw game having a
plurality of
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tickets each ticket bearing a unique identifier with at least one of the
plurality of
tickets selected at random as a winning ticket to win a prize, comprising the
steps of.
(a) imaging an identifier of a ticket from a random draw game having a
plurality of tickets each ticket bearing a unique identifier, with an imager
of a mobile
computer device to create a digital representation of the identifier;
(b) communicating the digital representation with a communications
connector of the mobile computer device to a remote computer that maintains a
database of a winning ticket and its identifier selected from the plurality of
tickets in
the random selection game, for interrogating the database as to the status of
the ticket;
(c) receiving from the remote computer a response indicating the status of
the ticket based on the interrogation; and
(d) displaying the response on a display screen of the mobile computer
device.
[000091 In another aspect, the present invention provides a system for
checking the
results status of a ticket held by a player from a random draw game having a
plurality
of tickets each ticket bearing a unique identifier with at least one of the
plurality of
tickets selected at random at a drawing event as a winning ticket by which the
player
in possession of the ticket matching with the selected winning ticket wins a
prize,
comprising. The system comprises a remote computer server that maintains a
database of a winning ticket number associated with a random draw game having
a
plurality of tickets each bearing a unique identifier of which at least one of
the
plurality of tickets is selected randomly as a winning ticket for a prize and
at least one
mobile computer device configured for imaging, for communicating with at least
the
remote computer server, and for displaying a response from the remote computer
server on a display screen. The mobile computer device configured with a
computer
application having a sequence of instructions for being executed by the mobile
computer device to image the identifier of a ticket in the possession of a
player of a
random draw game, convert the imaged identifier to a representative number,
communicate the representative number to the remote computer server for
interrogating the database as to the status of the ticket; and displaying on
the display
screen a response from the remote computer server indicating the status of the
ticket.
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[00010] In another aspect, the present invention provides a mobile computer
device
configured with a set of computer instructions, which when executed, captures
an
image of an identifier printed on a ticket of a random draw game having a
plurality of
tickets each bearing a unique identifier using a built-in camera on the mobile
computer device, converts the image into a digital representative indicator,
and using
a data connection of the mobile computer device submits the digital
representative
indicator to a winning ticket database maintained by a remote computer to
record
winning tickets of random draw games which winning tickets are selected
randomly
at a drawing event of the random draw game, for the remote computer to
interrogate
the wining ticket database as to the status of the ticket associated with the
digital
representative indicator and for returning a status response to the mobile
computer
device, and displays the status response on a display of the mobile computer
device.
[00011] Objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become
readily apparent upon reading the following detailed description in
conjunction with
the drawings and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00012] Fig. I illustrates a mobile computer device with an internal imaging
device
configured as an embodiment of the present invention and a lottery ticket with
a
barcode of a first type for being checked for a winning status.
[00013] Fig. 2 illustrates the mobile computer device shown in Fig. 1
capturing the
lottery ticket image.
[00014] Fig. 3 illustrates the mobile computer device shown in Fig. I
displaying
the captured ticket image and displaying the converted bar code information as
a
numeric code or digital representation for submission to a winning ticket
database for
determining the status of the lottery ticket.
[00015] Fig. 4 illustrates the mobile computer device shown in Fig. I in the
process
of capturing an information barcode of a second type on a lottery ticket.
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[00016] Fig. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of an embodiment according to
the
present invention of an apparatus for a lottery player to determine the status
of a
lottery ticket.
[00017] Fig. 6 illustrates the mobile computer device shown in Fig. 1
displaying
the results of the interrogation of the winning ticket database.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00018] With reference to the drawings, in which like parts have like
reference
numerals, Fig, I illustrates a mobile computer device 10 configured with a
built-in
imaging device (depicted schematically in operation by dashed lines 11), a
data
connection (depicted schematically as 12) for communication with a
computerized
database of winning ticket numbers from random draw games, and a display
screen
13. The illustrated embodiment relates to lottery tickets and lottery games
sponsored
by a lottery game service, but this embodiment is exemplary and not of
limitation
[00019] The illustrated mobile computer device 10 is a mobile or cellular
telephone
configured for executing an application having a set of computer instructions
(shown
schematically as 15) for determining the status of a lottery ticket 14 having
an
identifier or barcode 16. The status of the lottery ticket 14 can be "win",
for a ticket
that was selected randomly as a winning ticket from a pool or plurality of
tickets (or
from a pool of prizes) in the random draw game; "no-win", for a ticket not
selected as
a winning ticket; or "undetermined", for a game that has not yet selected a
winning
ticket. In an alternate embodiment, the mobile computer device 10 comprises a
computer-based intelligent telephone, a computerized personal data assistant
(PDA)
device, a personal computer, or other similar portable computer device,
configured
with an imager and a data communications device, as discussed below.
[00020] The application is provided to the mobile computer device 10 in a
conventional manner. For cellular telephones, for example, the application is
provided by downloading the application 15 from a web site via a mobile
network
data service, which application is configured for the particular operating
system of the
mobile computer device.
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[000211 The application 15 of the present invention can be programmed for
multiple device formats and / or operating systems. For example, the iPhone ,
Blackberry and Motorola telephones each have their own development platforms
for mobile applications. It is noted that some such mobile computer devices
support
J2ME (Java Mobile edition) or other application drivers.
[000221 An illustrated embodiment of the application 15 uses an open source
application ZXING (provided by Zebra Crossing) and licensed under the Apache
License v2.0 for the executable code that implements the illustrated
embodiment, and
particularly, to capture an image of a barcode 16 on the lottery ticket 14
using the
built-in camera of the mobile computer device 10 and convert the barcode image
to a
numerical representation for interrogation of the lottery ticket database, as
discussed
below. The lottery ticket 14 displays the lottery numbers generally 18, the
name of
the lottery game 20, the date of the game and the drawing of winning numbers
22, the
purchase cash value 24 of the lottery ticket, the date of purchase 26, and the
barcode
16. In Fig. 1, the barcode 16 is printed as a first type of barcode.
Promotional
information 30, such as other lottery games that can be played, can be
displayed on
the lottery ticket 14.
[000231 Fig. 2 illustrates the mobile computer device 10 capturing an image 32
of
the identifier or barcode 16 from the lottery ticket 14 by using the imaging
device of
the mobile computer device. Fig. 2 depicts the barcode 16 as a first type of
barcode
shown in Fig. 1.
[000241 Fig. 3 illustrates the mobile computer device 10 displaying the
captured
ticket image 32 and displaying the barcode 16 converted into a numeric code or
digital representation 34. The mobile computer device thereafter submits the
digital
representation 34 to a winning ticket database for determining the status of
the lottery
ticket.
[000251 Fig. 4 illustrates the mobile computer device 10 capturing an image 32
of a
second type of identifier or barcode 16 printed on a lottery ticket 14a by
using the
imaging device of the mobile computer device. The display screen 13 displays
the
viewed image of the ticket 14a including the imaged barcode 16. The mobile
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computer device 10 displays a cross-hairs field 17 to facilitate the player
centering the
barcode 16 for image capture.
[000261 Fig. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of the illustrative embodiment
using
the mobile computer device 10 to communicate 36 with a remote computer 38 that
operates a database 40 of winning tickets of lottery games. The database 40
includes
a ticket record 52a, 52b, ... 52n including ticket code, purchase location,
retailer
identification number, purchase date and time, selected numbers, purchase
amount,
game identification, drawing date (collectively, generally 53). The mobile
computer
device 10 communicates 42 the digital representation 34 to the remote computer
to
determine the status of a particular lottery ticket. The result of the
interrogation of the
database 40 communicates 44 to the mobile computer device 10. The results are
selected from the set of (win/no-win/drawing not yet occurred). The remote
computer
38 typically is operated by the lottery game service and provides conventional
secure
access to the database. In an alternate embodiment, the remote computer 38 and
database 40 are mirrors of computers and databases of the lottery game service
protected from access such as by firewalls and other conventional data
security
systems, in order to protect the integrity of the computer systems of the
lottery game
service.
[000271 Fig. 6 illustrates the mobile computer device 10 displaying the
results of
the interrogation of the winning ticket database 40.
[000281 With reference to Fig. 1, the lottery player operates the mobile
computer
device 10 to execute the application 15 according to the present invention for
checking the status of the lottery ticket 14. The built-in camera on the
mobile
computer device 10 is operated 11 to image the barcode 16 from the lottery
ticket 14.
As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the display 13 presents the cross-hair field 17 for
centering
the image of the barcode 16 for imaging. The imaging button of the mobile
computer
device 10 is operated to capture the image of the barcode 16. As shown in Fig.
3, the
captured image 32 is displayed on the display screen 13 of the mobile computer
device 10. Once the image is captured, the application interprets the captured
image
to obtain the information from the barcode 16. The application converts the
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information to the unique code of the lottery ticket. As shown in Fig. 3, the
digital
representation 34 of the unique code can be displayed with the captured image.
[000291 With reference to Fig. 5, the unique ticket code thus identified can
be used
as a parameter in an SQL script. The mobile computer device 10 communicates 36
the script using the data connection 15 to access the remote computer 38 in
order to
query the database 40 of purchased lottery tickets. The database 40 includes
at least a
game identifier 42 and winning numbers 44 from the drawing made on the drawing
date of the particular game. The query extracts the unique ticket code of the
lottery
ticket 14, and cross references the selected numbers in the ticket code with
the
winning numbers data from the drawing of the lottery game 42. The remote
computer
38 after interrogating the database 40 creates a result set of response data
46 that
communicates 48 or returns back to the mobile computer device 10. The
application
executing on the mobile computer device 10 receives the result set 46 and
assembles
the result set with the appropriate message on the display of the mobile
computer
device 10. Fig. 6 illustrates the mobile computer device 10 displaying that
the lottery
ticket is a winning ticket.
[00030] As discussed below, the mobile computer device 10 also communicates a
unique mobile identification number 50 associated the particular device 10 to
the
remote computer 38. The mobile identification number 50 is used to communicate
the return message to the player using the mobile computer device 10. As
illustrated
in Fig. 5, the database 40 may also include the ticket records 52a, 52b, ...
52n
including ticket code, purchase location, retailer identification number,
purchase date
and time, selected numbers, purchase amount, game identification, drawing
date. In
an alternate embodiment, the application executing instructions to operate the
database 40 can associate a ticket code with a particular player. In that
embodiment,
the ticket code is associated with the mobile identification number 50, as
discussed
below.
[00031) In the illustrated embodiment, the string number representing the
information about the lottery ticket 14 is encrypted and embedded as a
parameter in a
SQL string. The string queries specific information about that purchased
lottery
ticket. Each terminal generated lottery ticket is assigned specific
information
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designed to determine the outcome of a lottery drawing. As noted above, this
information includes: location of purchase, retailer id number, date/time of
purchase,
numbers selected for ticket, dollar amount paid for ticket, drawing date for
the ticket,
and game type. This data about the lottery ticket sold by a vendor to a
lottery
consumer is recorded and maintained in a central computerized database either
with
the lottery provider or with the contracted lottery ticket vendor.
[000321 It is to be appreciated that illustrated embodiment of the present
invention
is not designed to validate tickets for redemption. Validation must still
occur through
the closed network lottery terminals operated by the lottery provider and the
lottery
retail locations selling lottery tickets. It is to be appreciated that results
of the
interrogation may not be accurate, but the present apparatus and methods
provides an
alternative method of determining win/loss outcome of a lottery ticket. The
present
invention thus supplements current methods by which players determine win/loss
by
a) watching the drawing live, b) checking publications following the drawing,
c)
visiting the lottery website to pull up a historical list of winning numbers
or d) visiting
one of the retail lottery vendors to check the lottery ticket against the
system.
[000331 Even though lottery computerized databases can be configured for READ
ONLY access, for security reasons, a lottery provider may not allow the SQL
script
query to be sent directly to the lottery server that stores and maintains the
ticket
information. In those instances, the lottery provider can supply a regular
export/dump
of limited ticket information into a third party secure database server for
interrogation
in accordance with the present invention. Use of such third party database
would
reduce possible compromise of the lottery ticket database and potential
counterfeiting
of winning combinations.
[000341 It is contemplated that the apparatus and method of the illustrated
implementation would limit access to certain information fields of the lottery
ticket
and protect the transmission of the winning codes. The lottery ticket holder
and the
lottery database are the only locations of a specific lottery ticket serial
(barcode)
number. That serial number is the key for securing and validating a winning
ticket.
By encrypting that number before embedding into the SQL string query, any
intercepted communications will be secure. The exported data from the lottery
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winning ticket server can be a matching encrypted number, rather than the
actual
serial number. This method would still allow for the query to pull the proper
data,
without compromising the security of winning ticket data. However, in the
event that
someone improperly gains access to the database, counterfeit lottery ticket
can not be
generated without the unique serial number. There are various methods of
encryption
that can be employed to assure security of the process.
1000351 In an alternate embodiment, the lottery ticket terminal prints a
separate
unique barcode on the terminal lottery ticket for imaging and interrogation in
accordance with the present invention. The separate barcode would have its own
unique serial number. The lottery ticket would retain the lottery provider
barcode 16
assigned by the lottery provider by which the winning ticket is validated for
redemption through the secure lottery ticket terminal network.
[000361 There are several methods of distribution for the interrogation
application
of the present invention. For example, an application configured for use with
iPhone telephones would be available for download from the Apple App Store.
Each service provider for mobile data networking has a similar application
store/site
that connects directly through the respective mobile computer device. Further,
the
lottery provider may elect to distribute application directly or through a
remote
dedicated download web site. The lottery player would use the camera enabled
mobile computer device to download the application from the specific location.
[000371 Upon installation on the mobile computer device, the lottery player
can run
the application. The application initially determines if the mobile computer
device
has the proper hardware installed. The application detects for the built-in
camera and
for the open data connection. If either of these elements is missing or
inoperative, an
error code alerts the user that the application is unable to function.
[000381 Once all hardware features are detected and functioning, the lottery
player
is prompted to capture a ticket. In reference to Fig. 1, the built-in camera
is enabled
and the viewer window appears in the screen 13. The user is instructed to
align the
lottery ticket barcode within the viewer depicted by the cross-hairs (line 17
as shown
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in Fig. 2). This ensures an aligned clear image. The player is then prompted
by the
software to keep as steady a hand as possible and push the button to take the
picture.
[00039] If the captured image is illegible or unreadable, a response message
will
appear asking the lottery player to reimage the barcode. The viewer window
with
cross-hairs returns and the lottery player realigns the lottery ticket to
image the
barcode 16 again. If the captured picture is readable, the application then
converts the
image to the numeric representation, as shown in Fig. 3.
[000401 Once the numeric representation of the ticket serial number is
generated,
the application converts that representation to an encrypted string. The
encrypted
string is embedded as a parameter in an SQL script. With reference to Fig. 5,
the
application attempts a connection using the data connection 12 to the remote
computer server 38 where the lottery winning ticket information is stored. If
the
mobile computer device 10 cannot make a connection, the mobile computer device
displays an error message telling the lottery player that a connection is not
available.
In an alternate embodiment, the lottery player does not have to start over.
Rather, the
SQL script is stored in the mobile computer device until a data connection can
be
made. The application can be configured to attempt automatically checking on
the
status of the lottery ticket.
[00041] Once a data connection is made to the remote computer server 38, the
query script communicates 36 and the application executing on the mobile
computer
device 10 waits for a response. If the encrypted serial number does not match
a
lottery ticket number in the database 40, an error is returned. In such event,
the
mobile computer device 10 presents a message to the user; for example, "Sorry,
your
lottery ticket does not match a live lottery ticket in the database. Please
check your
ticket at an authorized Lottery retailer." If the interrogation correctly
matches the
encrypted number, the remote computer returns the information within the
database
regarding the imaged lottery ticket.
1000421 The information in the ticket database 40 uses the drawing date field
of the
ticket record to reference a table of winning numbers. If the remote computer
determines that the drawing date assigned to the lottery ticket has "not yet
occurred",
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an appropriate message will appear on the mobile computer device inviting the
lottery
player to check again after that date/time.
100043] In an alternate embodiment, the application can be set to alert the
lottery
player if any winning numbers are matched with lottery tickets that are
scanned and
held for evaluation. This embodiment automatically checks the remote database
40
on a periodic schedule until the drawing occurs so the application can return
a result.
The lottery player does not have to reimage the ticket as the data will be
stored until
the drawing occurs and the query returns a win/loss result.
[00044] The application 15 includes a search feature by which a user can
search by
date or by game. The date for game events is selected, for example, by
entering the
date in a date field, using pull-down menus to select a date, or using a date
scroll
wheel having three columns for month, day, and year. In another alternate
embodiment, the player can search by game type. The application displays a
selection
window of the available games. The display screen includes active links, so
the
player pushes the link in order to connect through the data connection with
the
selected game. The selected game displays the price of a ticket in the game,
what
choices are made in the game, the drawing days and times, and a list of
prizes,
chances of winning, and current prize amount.
[00045] Once a win/loss result set 46 is determined, the application compiles
the
result information into a graphically appealing display to alert the lottery
player, as
shown in Fig. 6. In one embodiment (not illustrated), the results are
displayed in a
replication of the physical lottery ticket. Winning numbers are highlighted.
If the
result is any of the possible winning combinations for that game (eg Powerball
-- 6 of
6, 5 of 6, 4 of 6, 3 of 6) a banner appears that reads "WIN". This display
also
highlights the numbers that match and the display indicates the winning amount
for
that combination. In yet another alternate embodiment, the mobile computer
device
emits a sound through the speaker. The application selectively has selectable
different choices of audio files for "winning" chime and "non-winning" chimes.
Further, if there are multiple plays on a lottery ticket, the application
highlights on the
display the winning combinations for the lottery ticket 14, and calculates the
individual prize amounts for display together with a sum total for the lottery
ticket.
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[00046] It is to be appreciated the display may include a disclaimer, for
example, at
the bottom of the display. The disclaimer in one embodiment states that "This
win
information has been determined based on the information provided and does NOT
validate your possession of an actual winning ticket. You must still present
the
physical winning ticket to an authorized lottery retailer for validation and
claim of
your prize."
[00047] Users of the application can pre-scan and store their ticket
information
prior to a drawing date. With the automation feature set, the application will
send the
query after the drawing date and automatically alert the user of the results
once
verified. Using the Win/Loss chime audio setting, the device will sound based
on
outcome. The message notification will appear on the player's phone and will
indicate a message attached to the application icon.
[00048] With reference to Fig. 5, the database structure 40 for the
application
indexes on a key that is populated by the unique identification 50 built in to
the user's
mobile computer device. This is how the application identifies the user to
return the
request. The structure however provides an additional benefit by helping to
identify
the owner of a paper lottery ticket. Currently there are no systems known to
register
lottery tickets. If a lottery ticket is lost or stolen, there are no
safeguards to identify
the rightful owner of the lottery ticket. Accordingly the present invention
features as
an added benefit `registering' lottery tickets at the same time as checking a
win status.
As shown in Fig. 5, the database 40 can maintain an association between the
ticket
code and the player in reference to the mobile identification number. In this
embodiment, a registration form incorporated into the initial set up of the
application
on the mobile computer device 10 provides lottery ticket player information
such as
name, address, and contact information, for the database.
[00049] The barcode evaluation software uses a photograph to interpret the one
dimensional or two dimensional barcode identifiers. An alternate embodiment
uploads a photographic image of the lottery ticket for storage in the
database. This
provides additional security for a lottery to resolve disputes and possibly
rebuild a lost
ticket.
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[000501 In an alternate embodiment, game sweepstakes offered by commercial
establishments to promote business, for example, a fast-food restaurant chain
offering
a scratch-off or peel-off prize ticket, may gainfully use the present
invention as a
mechanism for consumers to determine whether the ticket is a winner. Other
random
;draw games similarly may apply the present invention for players to determine
ticket
status.
[00051] The apparatus and methods disclosed herein can be made and executed
without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the
apparatus
of this invention have been described in terms of illustrated embodiments, it
will be
apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the
apparatus and
in the process described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and
scope of
the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to
those skilled
in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the
invention as
defined by the appended claims.
