U.S. patent application number 10/642978 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-26 for method and apparatus for facilitating the play of fractional lottery tickets utilizing point-of-sale terminals.
Invention is credited to Luchene, Andrew S. Van, Walker, Jay S..
Application Number | 20040039645 10/642978 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41170390 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040039645 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Walker, Jay S. ; et
al. |
February 26, 2004 |
Method and apparatus for facilitating the play of fractional
lottery tickets utilizing point-of-sale terminals
Abstract
A store controller determines a monetary value, such as an
amount of spare change due to a customer, and allocates a portion
of a lottery ticket for the customer. The portion is based on the
monetary value, and may be, for example, equal to the monetary
value, or may be the monetary value rounded to the nearest nickel.
The store controller outputs a ticket identifier that identifies
the lottery ticket (e.g. a serial number) and a portion identifier
that identifies the allocated portion of the lottery ticket (e.g.
$0.34 of a $2.00 lottery ticket). Typically, the store controller
outputs the identifiers to a POS terminal, which prints a
fractional lottery ticket redeemable for a portion of the lottery
ticket's prize. The store controller also stores the ticket
identifier and the portion identifier, to assure that fraudulent
tickets will be detected. After a drawing date of the lottery
ticket, the customer redeems the fractional lottery ticket,
typically at a POS terminal. The POS terminal communicates with the
store controller, which receives the ticket identifier and the
portion identifier therefrom. From the received identifiers, the
store controller may determine a prize value of the lottery ticket.
The customer is in turn provided with a portion of the prize value
based on the allocated portion of the ticket.
Inventors: |
Walker, Jay S.; (Ridgefield,
CT) ; Luchene, Andrew S. Van; (Norwalk, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WALKER DIGITAL
FIVE HIGH RIDGE PARK
STAMFORD
CT
06905
US
|
Family ID: |
41170390 |
Appl. No.: |
10/642978 |
Filed: |
August 18, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10642978 |
Aug 18, 2003 |
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09045036 |
Mar 20, 1998 |
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09045036 |
Mar 20, 1998 |
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08920116 |
Aug 26, 1997 |
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6119099 |
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08920116 |
Aug 26, 1997 |
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08822709 |
Mar 21, 1997 |
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6267670 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07C 15/005 20130101;
G07F 9/02 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101; G06Q 20/387 20130101; G07F
17/42 20130101; G07G 5/00 20130101; G07F 17/329 20130101; G07G
1/0036 20130101; G06Q 30/0225 20130101; G07F 17/3255 20130101; G07F
5/24 20130101; G06Q 30/06 20130101; G07G 1/12 20130101; G06Q 30/02
20130101; G06Q 20/00 20130101; G06Q 20/20 20130101; G06Q 10/087
20130101; G06Q 20/12 20130101; G07F 17/3248 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/16 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for facilitating the purchase of fractional lottery
tickets using a point-of-sale terminal, comprising: determining a
monetary value; allocating a portion of a ticket, the portion being
based on the monetary value; outputting a ticket identifier that
identifies the ticket and a portion identifier that identifies the
allocated portion of the ticket; and storing the ticket identifier
and the portion identifier.
2. The method of claim 1, in which the step of determining a
monetary value comprises: determining a monetary value based on an
amount of change due for a purchase.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: selecting the ticket
from a plurality of tickets.
4. The method of claim 3, in which the step of selecting the ticket
from a plurality of tickets comprises: selecting a ticket having an
unallocated portion at least as great as the monetary value.
5. The method of claim 3, in which the step of selecting the ticket
from a plurality of tickets comprises: determining a set of tickets
that each have an unallocated portion at least as great as the
monetary value; and selecting a ticket from the set of tickets
which has a minimal unallocated portion.
6. An apparatus for facilitating the purchase of fractional lottery
tickets using a point-of-sale terminal, comprising: a storage
device; and a processor connected to the storage device, the
storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and
the processor operative with the program to: determine a monetary
value; allocate a portion of a ticket, the portion being based on
the monetary value; output a ticket identifier that identifies the
ticket and a portion identifier that identifies the allocated
portion of the ticket; and store the ticket identifier and the
portion identifier in the storage device.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, in which the processor is further
operative with the program to: determine a monetary value based on
an amount of change due for a purchase.
8. The apparatus of claim 6, in which the processor is further
operative with the program to: select the ticket from a plurality
of tickets.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, in which the processor is further
operative with the program to: select a ticket having an
unallocated portion at least as great as the monetary value.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, in which the processor is further
operative with the program to: determine a set of tickets that each
have an unallocated portion at least as great as the monetary
value; and select a ticket from the set of tickets which has a
minimal unallocated portion.
11. A method for facilitating the purchase of fractional lottery
tickets using a point-of-sale terminal, comprising: determining a
monetary value; allocating a portion of each ticket of a plurality
of tickets, the portion of each ticket being associated with a
portion of the monetary value; outputting a plurality of ticket
identifiers that identify the plurality of tickets and a plurality
of portion identifiers that identify the allocated portions of each
ticket; and storing the ticket identifiers and the portion
identifiers.
12. An apparatus for facilitating the purchase of fractional
lottery tickets using a point-of-sale terminal, comprising: a
storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device,
the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor;
and the processor operative with the program to: determine a
monetary value; allocate a portion of each ticket of a plurality of
tickets, the portion of each ticket being associated with a portion
of the monetary value; output a plurality of ticket identifiers
that identify the plurality of tickets and a plurality of portion
identifiers that identify the allocated portions of each ticket;
and store the ticket identifiers and the portion identifiers in the
storage device.
13. A method for facilitating the purchase of fractional lottery
tickets using a point-of-sale terminal, comprising: determining an
amount of change due for a purchase; determining a monetary value
based on the amount of change due; selecting a ticket from a
plurality of tickets, the selected ticket having an unallocated
portion at least as great as the monetary value; allocating at
least a portion of the selected ticket, the portion being based on
the monetary value; outputting a ticket identifier that identifies
the ticket and a portion identifier that identifies the allocated
portion of the selected ticket; and storing the ticket identifier
and the portion identifier.
14. The method of claim 13, in which the step of determining a
monetary value comprises: rounding the amount of change due to a
predetermined multiple, thereby generating a rounded change amount;
and setting the monetary value equal to the rounded change
amount.
15. The method of claim 14, in which the step of rounding the
amount of change due comprises: rounding down the amount of change
due to a predetermined multiple, thereby generating a rounded-down
change amount.
16. The method of claim 13, further comprising: outputting an offer
to exchange a fractional lottery ticket for change due.
17. An apparatus for facilitating the purchase of fractional
lottery tickets using a point-of-sale terminal, comprising: a
storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device,
the storage device storing a programs for controlling the
processor; and the processor operative with the program to:
determine an amount of change due for a purchase; determine a
monetary value based on the amount of change due; select a ticket
from a plurality of tickets, the selected ticket having an
unallocated portion at least as great as the monetary value;
allocate at least a portion of the selected ticket, the portion
being based on the monetary value; output a ticket identifier that
identifies the ticket and a portion identifier that identifies the
allocated portion of the selected ticket; and store the ticket
identifier and the portion identifier in the storage device.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, in which the processor is further
operative with the program to: round the amount of change due to a
predetermined multiple, thereby generating a rounded change amount;
and set the monetary value equal to the rounded change amount.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, in which the processor is further
operative with the program to: round down the amount of change due
to a predetermined multiple, thereby generating a rounded-down
change amount.
20. The apparatus of claim 17, in which the processor is further
operative with the program to: output an offer to exchange a
fractional lottery ticket for change due.
21. A method for facilitating the purchase of fractional lottery
tickets using a point-of-sale terminal, comprising: receiving a
ticket identifier that identifies a ticket and a portion identifier
that identifies an allocated portion of the ticket; determining a
prize value of the ticket; and determining a portion of the prize
value based on the allocated portion of the ticket.
22. An apparatus for facilitating the purchase of fractional
lottery tickets using a point-of-sale terminal, comprising: a
storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device,
the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor;
and the processor operative with the program to: receive a ticket
identifier that identifies a ticket and a portion identifier that
identifies an allocated portion of the ticket; determine a prize
value of the ticket; and determine a portion of the prize value
based on the allocated portion of the ticket.
23. A method for facilitating the purchase of fractional lottery
tickets using a point-of-sale terminal, comprising: determining a
monetary value; allocating at least a portion of a ticket, the
portion being based on the monetary value; determining a prize
value of the ticket; and providing a portion of the prize value
based on the allocated portion of the ticket.
24. An apparatus for facilitating the purchase of fractional
lottery tickets using a point-of-sale terminal, comprising: a
storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device,
the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor;
and the processor operative with the program to: determine a
monetary value; allocate at least a portion of a ticket, the
portion being based on the monetary value; determine a prize value
of the ticket; and provide a portion of the prize value based on
the allocated portion of the ticket.
25. A method for facilitating the purchase of fractional lottery
tickets using a point-of-sale terminal, comprising: maintaining a
supply of tickets, each ticket having an unallocated portion
thereof; acquiring an additional ticket.
26. The method of claim 25, in which the step of acquiring an
additional ticket comprises: counting a number of tickets having an
unallocated portion that is above a first predetermined threshold;
and acquiring an additional ticket if the number of tickets having
an unallocated portion that is above the first predetermined
threshold is below a second predetermined threshold.
27. The method of claim 25, in which the step of acquiring an
additional ticket comprises: receiving an indication of a requested
portion; counting a number of tickets having an unallocated portion
that is above the requested portion; and acquiring an additional
ticket if the number of tickets having unallocated portion that is
above the requested portion is below a predetermined threshold.
28. The method of claim 25, in which the step of acquiring an
additional ticket comprises: acquiring a predetermined number of
additional tickets.
29. The method of claim 25, further comprising: calculating a sum
of the unallocated portions of the tickets.
30. The method of claim 29, in which the step of acquiring an
additional ticket comprises: acquiring an additional ticket if the
calculated sum is below a predetermined threshold.
31. An apparatus for facilitating the purchase of fractional
lottery tickets using a point-of-sale terminal, comprising: a
storage device; and a processor connected to the storage device,
the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor;
and the processor operative with the program to: maintain a supply
of tickets, each ticket having an unallocated portion thereof; and
acquire an additional ticket.
32. The apparatus of claim 31, in which the processor is further
operative with the program to: count a number of tickets having an
unallocated portion that is above a first predetermined threshold;
and acquire an additional ticket if the number of tickets having an
unallocated portion that is above the first predetermined threshold
is below a second predetermined threshold.
33. The apparatus of claim 31, in which the processor is further
operative with the program to: receive an indication of a requested
portion; count a number of tickets having an unallocated portion
that is above the requested portion; and acquire an additional
ticket if the number of tickets having unallocated portion that is
above the requested portion is below a predetermined threshold.
34. The apparatus of claim 31, in which the processor is further
operative with the program to: acquire a predetermined number of
additional tickets.
35. The apparatus of claim 31, in which the processor is further
operative with the program to: calculate a sum of the unallocated
portions of the tickets.
36. The apparatus of claim 35, in which the processor is further
operative with the program to: acquire an additional ticket if the
calculated sum is below a predetermined threshold.
Description
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part
application of co-pending patent application No. 08/920,116,
entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING SUPPLEMENTARY PRODUCT
SALES AT A POINT-OF-SALE TERMINAL, filed on Aug. 26, 1997, which is
a continuation-in-part of co-pending patent application No.
08/822,709, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING LOTTERY
TICKET TRANSACTIONS UTILIZING POINT-OF-SALE TERMINALS, filed on
Mar. 21, 1997, each of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
CROSS REFERENCE TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS
[0002] The present invention is related to the following U.S.
patent applications filed contemporaneously herewith:
[0003] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled METHOD AND
APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING OFFERS THAT ARE PROVIDED AT A
POINT-OF-SALE TERMINAL (Attorney Docket No. WD2-97-564), U.S.
patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS
FOR PROCESSING A SUPPLEMENTARY PRODUCT AT A POINT-OF-SALE TERMINAL
(Attorney Docket No. WD2-97-561), U.S. patent application Ser. No.
______, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE
PERFORMANCE OF A SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESS AT A POINT-OF-SALE TERMINAL
(Attorney Docket No. WD2-97-557), and U.S. patent application Ser.
No. ______, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING A
SUPPLEMENTARY PRODUCT SALE AT A POINT-OF-SALE TERMINAL (Attorney
Docket No. WD297-559), each assigned to the assignee of the present
invention and incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates to point-of-sale terminals,
and more specifically to point-of-sale terminals that facilitate
the purchase of lottery tickets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Lotteries are extremely popular games that generate
significant revenues for sponsoring states that offer such games.
In a typical lottery, a player (ticket holder) purchases a lottery
ticket having ticket numbers and a serial number inscribed thereon.
The ticket numbers allow both the ticket holder and a lottery agent
to identify whether the ticket holder has won a prize. The serial
number uniquely identifies the lottery ticket, and is typically
recorded by a lottery agency so that the lottery ticket may be
validated. For example, the serial number may be used to verify
whether the ticket numbers inscribed on a ticket match those ticket
numbers that the lottery agency has recorded as associated with
that lottery ticket.
[0006] A typical lottery ticket has six ticket numbers, each
selected from a range, such as the range of from one to forty-nine.
The six ticket numbers may have been selected by the ticket holder
or, at the request of the ticket holder, randomly selected by the
lottery terminal printing the ticket. On a drawing date, the
lottery agency randomly selects six ticket numbers, which are
deemed "winning" ticket numbers. A lottery ticket having ticket
numbers that match some or all of the winning ticket numbers is a
winning ticket, and the corresponding holder of the lottery ticket
wins a prize.
[0007] The grandparent application of the present application,
patent application Ser. No. 08/822,709, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD
FOR PERFORMING LOTTERY TICKET TRANSACTIONS UTILIZING POINT-OF-SALE
TERMINALS, filed on Mar. 21, 1997, discloses a system and method by
which fractional lottery tickets may be sold to a customer at a
point-of-sale ("POS") terminal in exchange for change due. For
example, a customer may bring a purchase to a POS terminal, and the
POS terminal may calculate the purchase price to be $4.74. If the
purchase price is rounded to the nearest $1, the change due is
$5.00-$4.74=$0.26. Accordingly, the customer may be sold a 26%
share of a $1 lottery ticket in lieu of the change due. If the
lottery ticket wins, 26% of the corresponding prize is awarded to
the customer.
[0008] There are numerous advantages to providing a fractional
lottery ticket in exchange for change due. As described in the
parent application of the present application, patent application
Ser. No. 08/920,116, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING
SUPPLEMENTARY PRODUCT SALES AT A POINT-OF-SALE TERMINAL, filed on
Aug. 26, 1997, dispensing and collecting coins is costly and
burdensome. Furthermore, many customers consider coins to be dirty,
and would prefer not to handle them. Thus, many customers will find
the exchange of change due for a fractional lottery ticket to be
very desirable.
[0009] Unfortunately, some state lottery agencies may be reluctant
to change their practices by issuing lottery tickets for fractional
amounts. Such state lottery agencies may instead prefer to offer
tickets in only a few predetermined, rounded amounts, such as
tickets for $1, $2 and $5 only. In some circumstances, the ability
to offer fractional lottery tickets may require substantial
modifications to the hardware and software of lottery terminals
used throughout one or more states. Although such changes may
ultimately be profitable, the initial cost may be perceived to be
unduly burdensome, and the eventual profit to be made may appear
too speculative. In summary, the issuance of fractional lottery
tickets by state lottery agencies may not be practical in all
circumstances.
[0010] Accordingly, it would be advantageous to facilitate the
purchase of fractional lottery tickets without requiring
significant changes in existing lottery systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to facilitate the
purchase of fractional lottery tickets without requiring
significant changes to existing lottery systems.
[0012] In accordance with the present invention, a store controller
determines a monetary value, such as an amount of spare change due
to a customer, and allocates a portion of a lottery ticket for the
customer based on the monetary value. The portion may be, for
example, equal to the monetary value, or may be the monetary value
rounded to the nearest nickel. The store controller outputs a
ticket identifier that identifies the lottery ticket (e.g. a serial
number) and a portion identifier that identifies the allocated
portion of the lottery ticket (e.g. $0.34 of a $2.00 lottery
ticket). Typically, the store controller outputs the identifiers to
a POS terminal, which prints a fractional lottery ticket redeemable
for a portion of the lottery ticket's prize. The store controller
also stores the ticket identifier and the portion identifier, to
assure that fraudulent tickets will be detected.
[0013] After a drawing date for the lottery ticket, the customer
redeems the fractional lottery ticket, typically at a POS terminal,
if a prize is due. The POS terminal communicates with the store
controller, which receives the ticket identifier and the portion
identifier therefrom. From the received identifiers, the store
controller may determine a prize value of the corresponding lottery
ticket. The customer is, in turn, provided with a portion of the
prize value based on the allocated portion of the ticket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a network of POS
terminals provided in accordance with the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a store controller of
the network of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a POS terminal of the
network of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an alternate
embodiment of a POS terminal of the network of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a ticket supply
database of the store controller of FIG. 2.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration including exemplary data
for the ticket supply database of FIG. 5.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a transaction database
of the store controller of FIG. 2.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of records of a
fractional ticket database of the store controller of FIG. 2.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration including further
exemplary data for the ticket supply database of FIG. 5.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a method for allocating
portions of lottery tickets.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of a winning lottery
ticket database of the store controller of FIG. 2.
[0025] FIG. 12 is a schematic illustration of a frequent shopper
database of the store controller of FIG. 2.
[0026] FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating a method for redeeming
a fractional lottery ticket.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] In accordance with the present invention, a business may
acquire a lottery ticket, and allocate a portion of the lottery
ticket to a customer. A share of any prize that is won with the
lottery ticket is provided to the customer, the share of the prize
corresponding to the allocated portion of the lottery ticket. For
example, if a customer receives a $0.34 portion of a $2.00 lottery
ticket, then the customer receives 17% ($0.34/$2.00=17%) of the
prize derived from the lottery ticket. A portion of a lottery
ticket may be expressed as a monetary value, such $0.34, and may be
expressed as a percentage, such as 17%.
[0028] Typically, the business will acquire a group of lottery
tickets and allocate portions of those lottery tickets to customers
as needed. The prizes derived from the group of lottery tickets are
received by the business, which in turn pays shares of the prizes
to customers based on the allocated portions. Since the business
need only purchase conventional lottery tickets, the business may
facilitate the play of fractional lottery tickets without requiring
significant changes in existing lottery agency practices.
[0029] The portion of the lottery ticket allocated to the customer
may be based on a change amount that is due in connection with a
transaction at a POS terminal. Such an embodiment is advantageous
since many customers will welcome an alternative to receiving
change. Moreover, receiving something having a high perceived
value, such as a fractional lottery ticket, instead of change can
be even more attractive to customers.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, a network 8 comprises a store
controller 10, which is in communication with a lottery server 12
and with POS terminals 14, 16, 18 and 20. The POS terminals 14, 16,
18 and 20, which are typically cash registers or other terminals,
may initiate and/or complete fractional lottery ticket
transactions. Although four POS terminals are shown in FIG. 1, any
number of POS terminals may be in communication with the store
controller 10. The POS terminals 14, 16, 18 and 20 may be located
in the same store, in different stores of a chain of stores, or in
other locations.
[0031] The store controller 10 directs the operation of, stores
data from and transmits data to the POS terminals 14, 16, 18 and
20. The store controller 10 may itself be a POS terminal or may be
another computing device that can communicate with one or more POS
terminals. The lottery server 12 is typically controlled by a state
lottery agency, and responds to requests from the store controller
10. For example, the lottery server 12 may issue lottery tickets as
requested by the store controller 10, and may provide the winning
numbers for a drawing date.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, the store controller 10 of FIG. 1
comprises a processor 22, such as one or more conventional
microprocessors. The processor 22 is in communication with a data
storage device 24, such as an appropriate combination of magnetic,
optical and/or semiconductor memory. The processor 22 and the
storage device 24 may each be (i) located entirely within a single
computer or other computing device; (ii) connected to each other by
a remote communication link, such as a serial port cable, telephone
line or radio frequency transceiver; or (iii) a combination
thereof. For example, the store controller 10 may comprise one or
more computers that are connected to a remote server computer for
maintaining databases.
[0033] The storage device 24 stores a program 26 for controlling
the processor 22. The processor 22 performs instructions of the
program 26, and thereby operates in accordance with the present
invention, and particularly in accordance with the methods
described in detail herein. The program 26 furthermore includes
program elements that may be necessary, such as an operating system
and "device drivers" for allowing the processor 22 to interface
with computer peripheral devices. Appropriate device drivers and
other necessary program elements are known to those skilled in the
art, and need not be described in detail herein.
[0034] The storage device 24 also stores (i) a ticket supply
database 30; (ii) a transaction database 32; (iii) a fractional
ticket database 34; (iv) a winning lottery ticket database 36; and
(v) a frequent shopper database 38. The databases 30, 32, 34, 36
and 38 are described in detail below and depicted with exemplary
entries in the accompanying figures. As will be understood by those
skilled in the art, the schematic illustrations of and accompanying
descriptions of the databases presented herein are exemplary
arrangements for stored representations of information. A number of
other arrangements may be employed besides the tables shown.
Similarly, the illustrated entries represent exemplary information,
but those skilled in the art will understand that the number and
content of the entries can be different from those illustrated
herein.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 3, a schematic illustration of a POS
terminal 40 is descriptive of the POS terminals 14, 16, 18 and 20
of FIG. 1. The POS terminal 40 comprises a processor 42, such as
one or more conventional microprocessors. The processor 42 is in
communication with a data storage device 44, such as an appropriate
combination of magnetic, optical and/or semiconductor memory. The
processor 42 and the storage device 44 may each be (i) located
entirely within a single computer or other computing device; (ii)
connected to each other by a remote communication link, such as a
serial port cable, telephone line or radio frequency transceiver;
or (iii) a combination thereof. For example, the POS terminal 40
may comprise one or more computers which are connected to a remote
server computer for maintaining databases.
[0036] An input device 46, a printer 48 and a display device 50 are
each in communication with the processor 42. The input device 46
preferably comprises a keypad for transmitting input signals, such
as signals indicative of a purchase, to the processor 42. The input
device 46 may also comprise an optical bar code scanner for reading
bar codes and transmitting signals indicative of those bar codes to
the processor 42. The printer 48 is for registering indicia on
paper or other material, thereby printing fractional lottery
tickets as commanded by the processor 42. The display device 50 is
preferably a video monitor for displaying at least alphanumeric
characters to the customer and/or a cashier operating the POS
terminal 40. Many types of input devices, printers and display
devices are known to those skilled in the art, and need not be
described in detail herein.
[0037] The storage device 44 stores a POS terminal program 52 for
controlling the processor 42. The processor 42 performs
instructions of the POS terminal program 52, and thereby operates
in accordance with the present invention, and particularly in
accordance with the methods described in detail herein. The POS
terminal program 52 furthermore includes program elements that may
be necessary, such as an operating system and "device drivers" for
allowing the processor 42 to interface with computer peripheral
devices, such as the input device 46, the printer 48 and the
display device 50. Appropriate device drivers and other necessary
program elements are known to those skilled in the art, and need
not be described in detail herein.
[0038] FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a POS terminal
58, which is descriptive of the POS terminals 14, 16, 18 and 20 of
FIG. 1. A control device 60 is in communication via a communication
medium 62 with a system 64 for printing fractional lottery tickets,
receipts and/or coupons. The control device 60 comprises a
processor 66 that is in communication with the input device 46
(FIG. 3) and the display device 50 (FIG. 3). The system 64 for
printing comprises a processor 68 in communication with the storage
device 44 (FIG. 3) and the printer 48 (FIG. 3). In this embodiment,
the control device 60 may be a cash register, and the system 64 may
be an electronic device for printing tickets in accordance with
data received from the cash register. Other configurations of the
POS terminal 40 will be understood by those skilled in the art.
[0039] The description that follows is arranged into the following
sections: Allocating Portions of Lottery Tickets, Acquiring
Additional Lottery Tickets, and Redeeming Portions of Lottery
Tickets.
Allocating Portions of Lottery Tickets
[0040] Referring to FIG. 5, the ticket supply database 30 of FIG. 2
includes rows 80, 82, 84, 86 and 88, each of which represents an
entry of the ticket supply database 30. Each entry defines a
lottery ticket that is to be allocated, in which the allocated
portions of the lottery ticket are included in fractional lottery
tickets. In particular, each entry includes (i) a ticket identifier
90 that uniquely identifies the entry, such as a serial number of
the lottery ticket or a portion of the serial number; (ii) a
drawing date 92 that indicates when winning ticket numbers will be
announced; (iii) ticket numbers 94; (iv) an unallocated portion 96
of the lottery ticket; and (v) a ticket price 98, which indicates
the total of the unallocated portion 96 and any allocated portions.
For any entry, the unallocated portion 96 and the ticket price 98
may be used to determine how much of the corresponding lottery
ticket has been allocated. For example, referring to the entry 84,
of the $1.00 ticket price, $0.23 remains unallocated. Accordingly,
$0.77 ($1.00-$0.23) has been allocated. A total remaining
unallocated amount 100 indicates the sum of the unallocated
portions of all lottery tickets. Given the exemplary data shown in
FIG. 4, the total remaining unallocated amount 100 is $1.54
($0.12+$0.31+$0.23+$0.78+$0.10=$1.54).
[0041] Referring to FIG. 6, exemplary data for the ticket supply
database 30 (FIGS. 2 and 5) are shown before and after a portion of
a lottery ticket has been allocated. The table 110 represents the
ticket supply database 30 before a transaction represented by a
round-up amount 130. The table 120 represents the ticket supply
database 30 after the transaction represented by the round-up
amount 130. The round-up amount 130 has a value of $0.35, and
corresponds to a transaction where a customer exchanges his change
due ($0.35) for a fractional lottery ticket. The customer thus
obtains a portion of a lottery ticket, and the portion is based on
the monetary amount $0.35.
[0042] As described above, each of the entries shown in the table
110 corresponds to a ticket. Except for the entry 135, the monetary
amount $0.35 is greater than the unallocated portions of every
entry. By contrast, the entry 135 has an unallocated portion of
$0.78, and thus a $0.35 portion of the corresponding lottery ticket
may be allocated therefrom. Accordingly, the lottery ticket
corresponding to the entry 135 is selected, and a portion
corresponding to $0.35 is allocated to make a new fractional
lottery ticket.
[0043] The entry 135 represents the ticket "1234563" before the
$0.35 portion is allocated therefrom. An entry 140 of the table 120
represents the ticket "1234563" after the $0.35 portion is
allocated therefrom. The unallocated portion of the entry 140 is
$0.43, which is the original $0.78 unallocated portion reduced by
$0.35. Similarly, before the transaction represented by the
round-up amount 130, the total remaining unallocated amount (of all
lottery tickets) is $1.54. After the transaction, the total
remaining unallocated amount is $1.19, which is $1.54 reduced by
$0.35.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 7, the transaction database 32 of FIG. 2
includes rows 150, 152, 154, 156 and 158, each of which represents
an entry of the transaction database 32. Each entry defines a
transaction initiated by a POS terminal. In particular, each entry
includes (i) a transaction number 160 that uniquely identifies the
transaction; (ii) a POS terminal identifier 162 that uniquely
identifies the POS terminal initiating the transaction; (iii) a
purchase price 164; (iv) a rounding multiple 165 that is used to
indicate an amount to which the purchase price is to be rounded;
(v) a round-up amount 166 that is the monetary amount used to
purchase the fractional lottery ticket; (vi) an indication of
whether the offer for a fractional lottery ticket was accepted 168;
(vii) a frequent shopper number 170 identifying a customer who has
used a frequent shopper card for the transaction; (viii) a date 172
of the transaction; and (ix) a fractional ticket identifier 174
that identifies a fractional lottery ticket provided in exchange
for the round-up amount.
[0045] The round-up amount 166 is the monetary amount used to
purchase the fractional lottery ticket. In some embodiments,
round-up amount 166 is equal to the allocated portion of a lottery
ticket. For example, a customer may have $0.62 in change (the
round-up amount) from a purchase, and use that change to acquire a
$0.62 portion of a lottery ticket. However, the monetary amount
used to purchase the fractional lottery ticket need not be equal to
the allocated portion of the corresponding lottery ticket. In
certain embodiments, the allocated portion of a lottery ticket is
based on a rounded-down (or rounded-up) monetary amount. For
example, a customer may have $0.62 in change from a purchase, and
use that change to acquire a fractional lottery ticket. The
fractional lottery ticket may be based on an allocated $0.60 ($0.62
rounded down to the nearest nickel) portion of a lottery ticket. Of
course, the monetary amount may be rounded down to other multiples,
such as to the nearest dime, quarter or dollar, and that rounded
amount would define the allocated portion of a lottery ticket. The
difference between the change due and the rounded-down amount upon
which the fractional lottery ticket is based may, for example, be
kept as a service fee by the seller of the fractional lottery
ticket.
[0046] The allocated portion of a lottery ticket may be based on
the monetary amount in still further ways. For example, the
allocated portion may be double the monetary amount. It may be
advantageous to provide such a double-value allocated portion if a
customer buys a predetermined good or type of good, or if the
customer uses a frequent shopper card. For example, if a customer
has $0.62 in change and purchases a product of a particular
manufacturer, the customer receives a fractional lottery ticket
that is based on an allocated $1.24 (double $0.62) portion of one
or more lottery tickets in exchange for his change.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 8, tables 180 and 190 represent records of
the fractional ticket database 34 (FIG. 2). Typically, the
fractional ticket database 34 includes a plurality of records such
as those represented by the table 180 and 190. Each record of the
fractional ticket database 34 defines a fractional lottery ticket,
and each fractional lottery ticket includes allocated portions of
one or more lottery tickets.
[0048] The record represented by the table 180 defines a fractional
lottery ticket that is identified by an identifier 185 (the
identifier "1001"). The table 180 includes an entry 187, which
defines a portion of a lottery ticket that is included in the
fractional lottery ticket "1001". The entry 187 includes (i) a
ticket identifier 182 that uniquely identifies the lottery ticket;
and (ii) a portion 184 indicating a portion of the lottery ticket
that is included in the fractional lottery ticket "1001".
[0049] Similarly, the record represented by the table 190 defines a
fractional lottery ticket that is identified by an identifier 195
(the identifier "1003"). The table 190 includes entries 197 and
198, which each include (i) a ticket identifier 192; and (ii) a
portion 194. Since the fractional lottery ticket "1003" includes
portions from more than one lottery ticket, the fractional lottery
ticket "1003" may include allocated amounts which collectively
exceed the maximum price of one lottery ticket.
[0050] As described above, a fractional lottery ticket includes
portions of one or more lottery tickets. In certain embodiments,
the lottery tickets are not chosen by the customer, but are instead
chosen automatically by the POS terminal or store controller 10
(FIG. 1). In such embodiments, a lottery ticket is selected from
the plurality of lottery tickets in the ticket supply database 30
(FIG. 2). The lottery ticket may be selected in several ways. For
example, a lottery ticket having an unallocated portion at least as
great as the monetary value may be selected. Similarly, a set of
lottery tickets that each have an unallocated portion at least as
great as the monetary value may be determined. From this set, the
lottery ticket which has a minimal unallocated portion is selected.
The description below further clarifies this method of selecting a
lottery ticket.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 9, a table 200 illustrates exemplary data
for the ticket supply database 30 (FIGS. 2 and 5). The table 200
includes entries 202, 204, 206 and 208. A round-up amount 220 has a
value of $0.60, and corresponds to a transaction where a customer
exchanges his change due ($0.60) for a fractional lottery ticket.
The customer thus obtains a portion of a lottery ticket, and the
portion is based on the monetary amount $0.60. To select the
lottery ticket from which to allocate a portion, the store
controller 10 determines a set of tickets that each have an
unallocated portion of at least $0.60. This set includes the
entries 204, 206 and 208. From this set, the lottery ticket which
has a minimal unallocated portion is selected. Of the entries 204,
206 and 208, the entry 208 has the minimal unallocated portion
($0.61). Accordingly, the lottery ticket corresponding to the entry
208 is selected, and a $0.60 portion is allocated therefrom.
[0052] In other embodiments, the customer may select the ticket
numbers himself at the time of the transaction, either manually or
through numbers stored on a frequent shopper card. One or more
lottery tickets that include those ticket numbers would be acquired
(e.g., by electronic request to the lottery server 12), added to
the ticket supply database 30 (FIG. 2), and one or more portions
thereof would be included in the fractional lottery ticket
purchased by the customer. Such an embodiment allows a customer to
obtain a fractional lottery ticket having his favorite or "lucky"
numbers.
[0053] Once a fractional lottery ticket has been determined, the
POS terminal prints for the customer a ticket indicative of the
fractional lottery ticket, for example, on a receipt. The printed
ticket serves as proof that the customer is entitled to the
indicated portions of any prizes won by the indicated lottery
tickets. Such a printed ticket may include the corresponding (i)
fractional lottery ticket identifier, (ii) ticket numbers, (iii)
allocated portion(s) of the lottery ticket(s), (iv) transaction
identifier, and (v) an encrypted code based on a combination
thereof. Such an encrypted code may be used to verify that the
printed ticket is unaltered. Encryption techniques are described in
"Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms and Source Code in C,
Second Edition", by Bruce Schneier, published 1996. Those skilled
in the art will understand that the encrypted code will be
determined by a cryptographic algorithm such that it would be
almost impossible for a forger to generate a valid code, much less
a code that indicates a winning lottery ticket.
[0054] The printed ticket may also include contractual language,
such as provisions assigning to the customer the right and title in
and to the indicated portions of any prizes won by the indicated
lottery tickets. Still further matter such as the drawing date and
an expiration date of the fractional lottery ticket may be included
on the printed ticket, as will be understood by those skilled in
the art. It may be further desirable to print a bar code that
indicates any or all of the above information, thereby facilitating
entry of the information using a bar code scanner.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 10, a method 240 for allocating portions
of lottery tickets initiates by determining a monetary value (step
242). For example, a POS terminal may calculate an amount of change
due and round this amount down to the nearest dime. The POS
terminal transmits the rounded amount to the store controller, and
the store controller thereby determines the monetary value to be
this rounded amount. The store controller in turn allocates a
portion of a lottery ticket, the portion being based on the
monetary value (step 244). The store controller then outputs (i) a
ticket identifier that identifies the lottery ticket, and (ii) a
portion identifier that identifies the allocated portion of the
lottery ticket (step 246). For example, the store controller
typically transmits the ticket identifier and the portion
identifier to the POS terminal, and the POS terminal in turn prints
a fractional lottery ticket based on the transmitted identifiers,
as described above. The store controller also stores the ticket
identifier and the portion identifier (step 248), for example, in
the fractional ticket database 34 (FIG. 2), for authentication
purposes.
Acquiring Additional Lottery Tickets
[0056] As described above, portions of lottery tickets from the
supply of lottery tickets are allocated. After an allocation, it is
possible that a lottery ticket will have an unallocated portion of
$0.00. In other words, the entire lottery ticket will have been
allocated, and no further portions of the lottery ticket remain to
be allocated.
[0057] In addition, after an allocation, it is possible that no
single lottery ticket has an unallocated portion which is
sufficient to satisfy a particular request (or an anticipated
request) for a fractional lottery ticket. For example, there may be
an attempt to allocate a $0.35 portion of a lottery ticket, yet no
lottery ticket represented in the ticket supply database 30 (FIG.
2) has an unallocated portion of $0.35 or more. In such a
situation, it may be possible to allocate portions from a plurality
of lottery tickets, such that the portions collectively equal
$0.35. However, it may be desirable to allocate a portion from a
single lottery ticket, rather than from many. For example, it is
simpler for a customer to track one set of ticket numbers, rather
than a plurality of sets of ticket numbers.
[0058] Accordingly, it is advantageous to acquire additional
lottery tickets for the supply of lottery tickets. It is
particularly advantageous to acquire additional lottery tickets at
a time before the lottery tickets are needed, so as not to
introduce undue delays into a transaction. Additional tickets may
be acquired in predetermined amounts to reduce time spent acquiring
lottery tickets. For example, thirty tickets may be acquired at
once. In addition, the predetermined amount may depend on criteria
such as the number of POS terminals in use. Additional lottery
tickets may be acquired by purchasing "quick pick" tickets (Tickets
with randomly selected ticket numbers) from the state lottery in a
known manner.
[0059] In one embodiment, the store controller 10 (FIG. 1) counts
the number of tickets that have an unallocated portion that is
above a first predetermined threshold. For example, the store
controller 10 may count the number of tickets that have an
unallocated portion that is above $0.50. This number is compared
with a second predetermined threshold, and one or more additional
lottery tickets are acquired if this number is below the second
predetermined threshold. For example, if there are less than ten
lottery tickets having unallocated portions above $0.50, additional
lottery tickets are acquired.
[0060] In another embodiment, the store controller 10 (FIG. 1)
counts the number of tickets that have an unallocated portion that
is above a requested portion. For example, a POS terminal may
request a $0.40 fractional lottery ticket from the store
controller. The store controller 10 then counts the number of
tickets that have an unallocated portion that is above $0.40. This
number is compared with a predetermined threshold, and one or more
additional lottery tickets are acquired if this number is below the
predetermined threshold. For example, if there are less than eight
lottery tickets having unallocated portions above $0.40, additional
lottery tickets are acquired.
[0061] In another embodiment, the store controller 10 (FIG. 1)
calculates the sum of the unallocated portions of all tickets. If
the sum is below a predetermined threshold, additional tickets are
acquired. For example, if the total remaining unallocated amount is
below $10.00, a block of thirty additional tickets are
acquired.
Redeeming Portions of Lottery Tickets
[0062] The business or other entity acquiring and maintaining the
supply of lottery tickets may check each to determine whether any
are winning tickets. If so, the business preferably redeems the
winning tickets for prizes as soon as practical, so that the prizes
may be used to pay those customers that have corresponding
fractional lottery tickets. Winning ticket numbers may be entered
manually into the store controller 10 (FIG. 1) when available.
Ideally, the store controller 10 will receive from the lottery
server 12 (FIG. 1) the winning ticket numbers for each drawing
date. The store controller can store these winning ticket numbers
in the winning lottery ticket database 36 (FIG. 2).
[0063] Referring to FIG. 11, the winning lottery ticket database 36
includes entries 260, 262 and 264, each defining winning ticket
numbers for a drawing date. Each entry includes (i) a corresponding
drawing date 266, (ii) winning ticket numbers 268, and (iii) a
prize 270. The winning lottery ticket database 36 should include
entries for all drawing dates corresponding to valid and redeemable
fractional lottery tickets. For example, if fractional lottery
tickets may be redeemed up to one year after the corresponding
drawing date, then the entries for each drawing date of at least
the past year should be stored. The prize 270 may be, for example,
the prize won upon matching all winning ticket numbers. More prizes
may be specified for each entry. For example, a prize for matching
only five of six winning ticket numbers may be specified for each
entry as well.
[0064] When winning ticket numbers for a drawing date are received
by the store controller 10 (FIG. 1), the store controller 10 may
simply store them in the winning lottery ticket database 36, where
they are accessed when fractional lottery tickets are redeemed by
customers. However, the store controller 10 may also determine
which fractional lottery tickets include portions of a winning
lottery ticket. Then the corresponding records of the fractional
ticket database 34 (FIG. 2) may be modified to indicate that the
fractional lottery tickets include portions of winning lottery
tickets. In addition, if those fractional lottery tickets were
purchased using frequent shopper cards, then the corresponding
customer may be notified.
[0065] Referring to FIG. 12, the frequent shopper database 38
includes entries 280, 282, 284 and 286, each defining a frequent
shopper (a customer who has used a frequent shopper card for the
transaction). In particular, each entry includes (i) a frequent
shopper number 288 for uniquely identifying the frequent shopper;
(ii) an address 290 of the frequent shopper; (iii) a telephone
number 292 of the frequent shopper; (iv) a name 294 of the frequent
shopper; and (v) an email address 296 of the frequent shopper. With
such stored information, frequent shoppers may be notified by mail,
telephone call, email or other forms of notification as desired. In
addition, frequent shoppers may be notified by the POS terminal
when they next use their frequent shopper card. Providing frequent
shopper with the additional benefit of notification is advantageous
because it may prompt customers to become frequent shoppers.
Consequently, these customers are more likely to continue
frequenting the corresponding business.
[0066] To redeem a fractional lottery ticket, a customer preferably
provides the printed ticket to show that he is entitled to the
indicated share of the prize. The printed ticket is verified to
assure that it is valid and unaltered. For example, if the printed
ticket is valid, the fractional lottery ticket identifier inscribed
on the printed ticket indicates a record in the fractional ticket
database. That record should in turn indicate corresponding
information on the printed ticket. In addition, the encrypted code
can be verified.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 13, a method 300 for redeeming a
fractional lottery ticket initiates by receiving (i) a ticket
identifier that identifies a lottery ticket, and (ii) a portion
identifier that identifies an allocated portion of the lottery
ticket (step 302). Such identifiers may be received by manually
entering one or more identifiers into a POS terminal, from which
the identifiers are transmitted to the store controller 10 (FIG.
1). Alternatively, a bar code scanner of the POS terminal may read
a bar code on the printed ticket, and transmit the bar code to the
store controller 10. The entered identifier or bar code may be
indicative of the fractional lottery ticket identifier, which may
be used to retrieve a corresponding ticket identifier and portion
identifier from the fractional ticket database 34 (FIG. 2). The
store controller thus receives the ticket identifier and portion
identifier.
[0068] Once the identifiers are received, thereby identifying one
or more lottery tickets and allocated portions thereof, a prize
value of the lottery tickets is determined (step 304). As discussed
above, the prize value may be determined by comparing ticket
numbers of a lottery ticket with winning ticket numbers stored in
the winning lottery ticket database 36 (FIG. 2). As also described
above, the portion of the prize that is to be provided to the
customer is determined by the allocated portion of the lottery
ticket. This portion of the prize is provided to the customer (step
306), typically by providing cash from a cash register or by
writing or printing a check made out to the customer.
[0069] A winning lottery ticket may have an unallocated portion
greater than zero. Such a winning lottery ticket will have an
associated portion of the prize value that is not to be paid to
customers. This portion of the prize is instead retained by the
business, and may be used to finance various customer incentives.
For example, a portion of retained prize value may be provided back
to customers in the form of fractional lottery tickets (e.g., $0.05
of change buys a $0.50 fractional lottery ticket).
[0070] The business may retain further winnings by providing
winning tickets with portions of certain prize values. For example,
customers may only be provided with shares of "jackpot" prizes
(e.g. matching all six winning ticket numbers). Any other prizes
are retained by the business. Of course, such restrictions would
typically be explained to the customers through advertising and
printed information on the fractional lottery ticket.
[0071] Although the present invention has been described with
respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, those skilled in the art
will note that various substitutions may be made to those
embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention. For example, the present invention
is applicable to many types of games besides lotteries in which
prizes are awarded. In addition, in some embodiments the data
stored on the store controller may instead be stored among the POS
terminals. Similarly, some of the functions performed by the store
controller may be performed by the POS terminal, and vice
versa.
* * * * *