U.S. patent application number 10/241357 was filed with the patent office on 2003-03-20 for lottery game.
Invention is credited to Stewart, Sande.
Application Number | 20030052447 10/241357 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23258619 |
Filed Date | 2003-03-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030052447 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stewart, Sande |
March 20, 2003 |
Lottery game
Abstract
A lottery jackpot game in which the player obtains first play
indicia at least in part from a lottery sponsor, the first play
indicia may be matched by second play indicia obtained solely from
the lottery sponsor to form key indicia and the determination of a
prize is in part determined by the arrangement of the thus obtained
key indicia.
Inventors: |
Stewart, Sande; (Woodland
Hills, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Allen R. Kipnes, Esq.
WATOV & KIPNES, P.C.
P.O. Box 247
Princeton Junction
NJ
08550
US
|
Family ID: |
23258619 |
Appl. No.: |
10/241357 |
Filed: |
September 11, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60323306 |
Sep 19, 2001 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/138.1 ;
273/292 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 3/00094 20130101;
A63F 3/065 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/138.1 ;
273/292 |
International
Class: |
A63F 001/00; A63B
071/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A jackpot lottery game with improved odds of winning a prize
comprising: a) a game card comprising a play area having a
predetermined number of play spaces arranged in at least one prize
determining pattern with each play space having an individual first
play indicia associated therewith obtained from a first play
indicia selection system; b) a first play indicia selection system
comprising a predetermined first universe of play indicia, for
assigning first play indicia from the first universe for each play
space, the selection of first play indicia from the first universe
by the player, the lottery game sponsor or combination thereof to
thereby provide each play space with a first play indicia; c) a
second play indicia selection system for randomly selecting second
play indicia from a second universe of play indicia wherein the
second play indicia are selected solely by the lottery game
sponsor, wherein the matching of a second indicia to a first play
indicia forms a key indicia; and d) said play area having the play
spaces arranged in a manner in which the formation of key indicia
in at least one prize determining pattern may result in the winning
of a prize.
2. The lottery game of claim 1 wherein the play area is in the form
of a tic-tac-toe board.
3. The lottery game of claim 1 wherein the play area is in the form
of a circle.
4. The lottery game of claim 1 wherein the play area is in the form
of a pyramid.
5. The lottery game of claim 1 wherein the play area is in the form
of a face.
6. The lottery game of claim 1 wherein the first play indicia is
selected at least in part by the lottery game sponsor.
7. The lottery game of claim 1 wherein a prize is won if there is a
minimum number of key indicia present.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is generally directed to a lottery
game in which the player obtains a plurality of play indicia at
least in part from a lottery sponsor from a first universe of play
indicia, and the play indicia is then matched from play indicia
from a second universe of play indicia entirely selected by the
lottery sponsor, such matches forming key indicia. It is the
arrangement of the thus obtained key indicia which at least
partially determines whether a prize is won.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Lottery games in which a player selects three, four, five or
six numbers from a universe of numbers and then sees if any one or
more of those numbers are matched by a drawing conducted by the
lottery sponsor is well known in the lottery industry. The player
may select all of the numbers or may have a lottery sponsor do so
by a random selection through a computer. These so-called lottery
jackpot games have been very successful especially those games
requiring the picking of five or six numbers from a universe as
large as or exceeding fifty numbers. Such lotto jackpot games
typically involve the use of numerous remote computer stations,
often located in retail stores throughout a state, that communicate
with a central computer. The manner in which such games are
conducted by the lottery sponsor (e.g. a state lottery commission)
is well known in the lottery industry.
[0003] While such games have been successful for a number of years,
especially when the prize fund is at a relatively high level, they
suffer from a significant drawback in that the overall odds of
winning a prize are very poor because of the traditional large pay
outs for the top prizes (e.g. 6 of 6 or 5 of 6 numbers correct).
Because the odds of winning any prize are very poor, player
participation has declined in recent years. This is because present
lottery game designs do not allow lotteries to offer a game
containing a significant jackpot award and good overall odds of
winning a prize. This is due in part because, as designed, present
jackpot games offer very few possible award outcomes. Further, the
award outcomes that are produced are either of award outcomes
employing very poor odds (with exclusively relatively large prize
awards) or of very good odds with exclusively relatively small
prize awards, leaving the lottery with only two options; a) offer a
significant jackpot prize and forego using the good odds outcomes
creating a game with poor overall odds of winning a prize; or b)
offer a small jackpot prize utilizing the good odds outcomes,
creating a game with good overall odds of winning a prize.
[0004] There is therefore a need in the lottery industry to provide
a jackpot type of lottery game in which the odds of winning are
improved, significant jackpot prizes may still be won, and the
determination of whether a prize has been won depends not only on
the number of matching play indicia, but how they are arranged.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a jackpot type of game which
offers a significant jackpot prize while the overall odds of
winning a prize is dramatically improved over conventional jackpot
type of games.
[0006] The present invention is generally directed to a lottery
game of the jackpot type where a player obtains a plurality of play
indicia from a universe of play indicia at least in part selected
by the lottery sponsor and then looks to match the selected play
indicia from a second group of play indicia which is entirely
selected by the lottery sponsor to form key indicia. In accordance
with the present invention a prize may be won if the arrangement of
the key indicia meets certain criteria as established by the
lottery game rules.
[0007] In a particular aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a jackpot lottery game with improved overall odds of
winning a prize comprising:
[0008] (a) a game card comprising a play area having a
predetermined number of play spaces with at least some of the play
spaces arranged in at least one prize determining pattern with each
play space having an individual first play indicia associated
therewith obtained from a first play indicia selection system;
[0009] (b) a first play indicia selection system comprising a
predetermined first universe of play indicia for assigning first
play indicia from the universe for each play space, the selection
of first play indicia from the first universe by the player, the
lottery game sponsor or combination thereof to thereby provide each
play space with a first play indicia;
[0010] (c) a second play indicia selection system for randomly
selecting second play indicia from a second universe of play
indicia wherein the second play indicia are selected solely by the
lottery game sponsor, wherein the matching of a second play indicia
to a first play indicia forms a key indicia; and
[0011] (d) said play area having the play spaces arranged in a
manner in which the formation of key indicia in said at least one
prize determining pattern of play spaces may result in the winning
of a prize.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The following drawings in which like reference characters
indicate like parts are illustrative of embodiments of the
invention and are not intended to limit the invention as
encompassed by the claims forming part of the application.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a first embodiment of a
lottery game in accordance with the present invention featuring a
tic-tac-toe style play area;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of a second embodiment of a
lottery game in accordance with the present invention in which the
play area is in the form of a circle;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of a third embodiment of a
lottery game in accordance with the present invention in which the
play area is arranged in the form of a pyramid; and
[0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of a fourth embodiment of a
lottery game in accordance with the present invention in which the
play area is arranged in the form of a face.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The present invention is generally directed to a lottery
ticket and particularly to a lottery game played thereon in which a
plurality of first play indicia are assigned to the player which
must be first matched with second play indicia randomly selected by
the lottery sponsor to form key indicia in which a prize may be won
based on the arrangement of the key indicia.
[0018] Traditional lottery games of the jackpot type are
constructed so that the overall odds of winning a prize are
generally very poor, typically on the order of from about 1 in 20
to 1 in 50. The reason for the poor odds is the combination of the
percent of payout given to the lottery sponsor and the type of
prizes awarded.
[0019] Typically, prizes are awarded if the play matches at least
four numbers of a total of six numbers. Thus, prizes are awarded
for matching 4 of 6, 5 of 6 and 6 of 6 numbers. While each prize
awarded has a relatively high dollar value (e.g. $50-$60 up to a
jackpot winning ticket which can be worth up to several millions of
dollars), there are relatively few prizes awarded because the
overall odds of winning a prize are very poor (e.g. 20-50 to 1).
Thus, in this format, the jackpot game has an outcome that is based
on very poor odds of winning a prize to the exclusion of prizes
based on relatively good odds of winning a prize.
[0020] Each jackpot lottery game is played with the understanding
that a certain percentage of the money collected will be available
for prizes while the remainder typically at least 50%, is reserved
for the lottery sponsor (e.g. a state lottery commission).
[0021] By way of example, a state lottery commission offered a
jackpot type pick-6 game obtained from a universe of 44 numbers in
which the overall odds of winning a prize were 1 in 20 while the
state lottery commission retained 50% of the revenue. The prize
structure was as follows:
[0022] a) approximately $1.7 million dollars for matching 6 of 6
numbers;
[0023] b) $750 for matching 5 of 6 numbers;
[0024] c) $30 for matching 4 of 6 numbers; and
[0025] d) free play for matching 3 of 6 numbers.
[0026] Heretofore there have been no lottery type jackpot games
that significantly improve the overall odds of winning a prize
while allowing a larger number and greater variety of prizes to be
awarded.
[0027] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a jackpot type lottery game in which the overall odds of winning a
prize are improved over conventional jackpot type games while the
lottery maintains its customary payout of revenue. The lottery
games also provide a larger number and greater variety of prizes
due to the employment of predetermined arranged pattern of play
spaces which provide additional opportunities to win a prize.
[0028] Referring to the drawings and first to FIG. 1, there is
shown a lottery ticket 2 having a non-play area 4 and a play area
generally shown by the numeral 6. The lottery ticket 2 is
constructed in a way well known to those of ordinary skill in the
art in the lottery industry. A substrate, typically made out of a
paper product such as paper board is coated with a series of
materials including layers of ink which enable graphics to be
printed thereon. The lottery ticket typically includes means for
authenticating the ticket such as a bar code (not shown) to enable
the lottery ticket sponsor (e.g. state lottery commission) to
determine if the ticket is a valid ticket.
[0029] The present invention is principally concerned with the play
area 6 and the interaction of play area 6 with the selection of
play indicia provided by the lottery sponsor as is customary in a
jackpot type of lottery game. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,
the play area 6 comprises pairs of spaced apart lines which are
perpendicular to each other thereby forming a grid 7 containing a
total of nine individual spaces 8. Each space 8 has a first play
indicia 10 (e.g. a number) associated therewith so that all of the
spaces 8 are associated with a first play indicia which is
different than the first play indicia of any other space.
[0030] It will be understood that in FIG. 1 and other figures shown
herein the numbers have been exemplified as representative first
play indicia. It will be understood that the term "play indicia"
whether first or second play indicia as used herein is broad enough
to include any symbol, icon, picture, letter, word, number and the
like which could be differentiated one space from another.
[0031] When all of the first play indicia 8 (e.g. numbers) are
filled within the grid 7 comprising the spaces 8, the player has a
full compliment of numbers which may be matched by second play
indicia selected from the lottery sponsor as described in detail
hereinafter.
[0032] In accordance with the present invention, the filling of
each space 8 with a first play indicia 10 is at least partially
provided by the lottery sponsor. In this regard, the player has an
opportunity to select some, but not all, of the first play indicia
which is to be assigned to the individual play spaces 8. For
example, the rules of the game may provide that the player may
select five numbers 10 for insertion into individual spaces 8 of
the grid 7. The remaining four numbers will be chosen randomly by
the lottery sponsor and the player will be presented a ticket in
which the four numbers that he or she has personally selected and
the five random numbers are placed on the grid 7 so that one number
is placed in each space 8.
[0033] In an alternative embodiment, the player need not select any
of the first play indicia 10 but may have the lottery sponsor
(through random selection typically by a lottery sponsor computer)
select each of the first play indicia 10.
[0034] Once the selection process is completed, the player is
issued a ticket with the nine selected numbers individually set
forth in play spaces 8 within the play area 6. At an appropriate
time, the lottery sponsor has a drawing in which second play
indicia are selected from a second universe of play indicia
corresponding to the first universe. Each occurrence of a match
between the second play indicia and the first play indicia results
in a key indicia which is represented in FIG. 1 by a circle
surrounding each key indicia (e.g. 31 in the top right hand corner
of the grid). One element of having the opportunity to win a prize
is how many key indicia are formed by the matching of the second
play indicia selected by the lottery sponsor with the first play
indica which appears in the play area of the lottery ticket.
[0035] However, unlike conventional jackpot type lottery games, the
matching of first play indicia and second play indicia is not
solely determinative of whether a prize is won. Instead of or in
addition to the matching of first and second play indicia, a
further event is available, namely the arrangement of key indicia
to meet the requirements of a preselected pattern. It is this
further event which provides the opportunity to improve the overall
odds of winning a prize while increasing the number and variety of
prizes which may be won.
[0036] Referring specifically to FIG. 1, the key indicia shown by
the numeral 12 are circled. There are five such key indicia 12. In
accordance with the rules of the game, each arrangement of three
key indicia in a row constitutes an event which may result in the
winning of a prize. In the specific example of FIG. 1, the five key
indicia 12 form two diagonal lines of three key indicia per line.
If the rules of the game provide that two lines of three key
indicia per line is a game winning ticket, then the player will
have won a prize. As is apparent from FIG. 1, the lottery game
depicted therein has a format similar to tic-tac-toe.
[0037] It will be noted that if the play indicia located in the
center of the grid 7 (i.e. the number "9") was not a key indicia
(e.g. the number 9 was not selected by the lottery sponsor from a
second universe) then, despite the presence of four key indicia,
there would be no lines of three key indicia per line and if the
rules of the lottery game so dictate, no prize would be won.
[0038] The lottery game of the type shown in FIG. 1 provides the
opportunity to play a jackpot type game by matching a second play
indicia to a first play indicia to form key indicia, but also
provides improved odds and a greater variety of prizes by having
other prize winning elements in the game to determine if a prize
has been won (i.e. to satisfy the requirement that the key indicia
be arranged in a predetermined pattern).
[0039] It will be understood in accordance with the present
invention that prizes may be awarded not only for having key
indicia arranged in a preselected pattern but also for having a
minimum number of key indicia.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a second embodiment of
the present invention in which the play area 6 contains, for
example, twelve play indicia in the form of a circle. A prize may
be won in accordance with the rules of the game, for example, by at
having at least three key indicia 12 in a row along the circle. It
will be understood that prizes could be awarded for a greater
number of key indicia in a row and may also be awarded if a minimum
number of key indicia are present regardless of whether they are
arranged consecutively in a row.
[0041] In the specific embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the player may
have the opportunity to personally select, for example, six first
play indicia (e.g. numbers) from the first universe and then have
the remaining six numbers selected randomly by the lottery sponsor.
The arrangement of the first play indicia in the play area 6 will
in part determine whether a prize is won if there is the necessary
key indicia 12 formed by the matching of the first play indicia on
the ticket and the second play indicia selected from the second
universe of play indicia by the lottery sponsor. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 1, six key indicia 12 are formed as indicated by the
circles surrounding the same. As shown specifically in FIG. 2, the
key indicia are all arranged in a row which may be indicative of a
prize if the presence of six numbers in a row is a prize winning
event.
[0042] A further embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIG. 3 in which the play area 6 is in the form of a pyramid
containing nine play spaces 8. Each of the play spaces 8 is
provided with one first play indicia by having the player select,
for example, five play indicia directly and having the lottery
sponsor select four play indicia. A prize may be won, for example,
by forming key indicia as explained in connection with the
embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2. If the key indicia fill the spaces 8
in a preselected pattern (e.g. matching any five numbers along the
side of the pyramid, or by matching three numbers that form the
middle row of the pyramid or any other such combinations including
the formation of a minimum number of key indicia), then a prize may
be won. As with the other embodiments herein, an additional prize
winning event may occur by having a minimum number of key
indicia.
[0043] In a further embodiment of the present invention as shown in
FIG. 4 there is provided a "happy face" game format comprised of a
game area 6 having individual play spaces 8 each capable of having
a single first indicia 10 therein. Six of the play spaces 6 form a
"smile", two of the play spaces comprise the "ears", two of the
play spaces comprise the "eyes" and one of the play spaces is the
nose. In conducting the game, the player may pick up to all of the
first indicia from the universe of play indicia provided by the
lottery sponsor. By way of example, the player may select 6 of the
first play indicia while the lottery sponsor may pick 5 of the
first play indicia. Prizes may be awarded for completing the play
spaces comprising the smile, combinations of eyes, ears and nose,
or one or more of the eyes, ears and nose or a minimum number of
first play indicia (e.g. 4) in any location.
[0044] Thus, it will be apparent that the number and type of prizes
is significantly increased, there still remains the opportunity to
win a significant prize, and the overall odds of winning a prize
are significantly improved as compared with conventional jackpot
lottery games as previously described in which there may be only
three different monetary prizes awarded.
* * * * *