U.S. patent application number 11/159789 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-26 for lottery games having non-numeric characters.
This patent application is currently assigned to Lottery Solutions, LP. Invention is credited to Stephen B. Richter, Frank Seidman, David H. Suh.
Application Number | 20060017224 11/159789 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35782359 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060017224 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Seidman; Frank ; et
al. |
January 26, 2006 |
Lottery games having non-numeric characters
Abstract
A system and method for a lottery game in which characters are
drawn is disclosed. The characters are drawn from character sets in
accordance with a template. The template has multiple character
positions associated with the character sets with at least one of
the sets including non-numeric characters. Winners of the lottery
game are determined by comparing characters selected by players to
the drawn lottery characters. In an exemplary embodiment the
template represents a license plate. Also disclosed are a lottery
ticket, a play slip, and a lottery game entry machine in accordance
with the lottery game.
Inventors: |
Seidman; Frank; (Flourtown,
PA) ; Richter; Stephen B.; (Ambler, PA) ; Suh;
David H.; (Cherry Hill, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RATNERPRESTIA
P O BOX 980
VALLEY FORGE
PA
19482-0980
US
|
Assignee: |
Lottery Solutions, LP
|
Family ID: |
35782359 |
Appl. No.: |
11/159789 |
Filed: |
June 23, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60582325 |
Jun 23, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/138.1 ;
273/139 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 3/0605 20130101;
G07F 17/329 20130101; A63F 3/065 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/138.1 ;
273/139 |
International
Class: |
A63F 1/00 20060101
A63F001/00; A63F 1/18 20060101 A63F001/18 |
Claims
1. A method for playing a lottery game in which a player selects
player characters, the method comprising the steps of: a) drawing
lottery characters from one or more character sets in accordance
with a template, the template having a plurality of character
positions, each character position associated with one of the one
or more character sets, at least one of the one or more character
sets including one or more non-numeric characters; and b) comparing
the selected player characters and the drawn lottery characters to
determine if the player is a winner of the lottery game.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the
step of: c) the player selecting the selected player characters
from the one or more character sets in accordance with the
template.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the template further has a
country identifier position and wherein the method further
comprises the steps of: d) the player selecting a player country
identifier from a country set in accordance with the template; and
e) drawing a lottery country identifier from the country set in
accordance with the template; wherein the step of comparing the
selected player characters and the drawn lottery characters further
includes comparing the selected player country and the drawn
lottery country in determining if the player is the winner of the
lottery game.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the template further has a state
identifier position and wherein the method further comprises the
steps of: d) the player selecting a player state identifier from a
state set in accordance with the template; and e) drawing a lottery
state identifier from the state set in accordance with the
template; wherein the step of comparing the selected player
characters and the drawn lottery characters further includes
comparing the selected player state and the drawn lottery state in
determining if the player is the winner of the lottery game.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the template further has a region
identifier position and wherein the method further comprises the
steps of: f) the player selecting a player region identifier from a
region set in accordance with the template; and g) drawing a
lottery region identifier from the region set in accordance with
the template; wherein the steps of comparing the selected player
characters and player state and the drawn lottery characters and
lottery state further includes comparing the selected player region
and the drawn lottery region in determining if the player is the
winner of the lottery game.
6. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of the player selecting
player characters from the one or more character sets in accordance
with the template comprises the step of: the player selecting two
or more player characters from a character set as alternative
selections for at least one of the plurality of character positions
in a single lottery character selection.
7. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of the at least one
player selecting player characters comprises the step of: the
player selecting all player characters from a character set as
alternative selections for at least one of the plurality of
character positions in a single lottery character selection.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the template is a representation
of a license plate.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the license plate is a simulated
license plate.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the license plate is an actual
license plate.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of: c)
comparing the drawn lottery characters to a registered license
plate registered to an owner; and d) distributing a bonus to the
owner if the drawn lottery characters match the registered license
plate.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of drawing lottery
characters from the one or more character sets in accordance with
the template comprises the steps of: a1) receiving a first set of
one or more characters from an other lottery game for one or more
of the plurality of positions in the template; a2) drawing a second
set of one or more characters for one or more other of the
plurality of positions in the template; and a3) generating at least
a portion of the lottery characters by combining the first and
second sets.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of drawing lottery
characters from the one or more character sets in accordance with
the template comprises the steps of: a1) receiving a first set of
one or more characters from a first other lottery game for one or
more of the plurality of positions in the template; a2) receiving a
second set of one or more characters from a second other lottery
game for one or more other of the plurality of positions in the
template; and a3) generating at least a portion of the lottery
characters by combining the first and second sets.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the player is one of a plurality
of players, the lottery game is hosted in two or more regions with
each of the plurality of players being associated with a respective
one of the two or more regions, the step of drawing lottery
characters is performed in each of the two or more regions, and the
method further comprises the steps of: c) collecting a fee from
each of the plurality of players in their respective region; d)
accumulating collected fees in the respective regions; e) drawing
multi-region lottery characters from the one or more character sets
in accordance with the template; and f) comparing the selected
player characters for each of the plurality of players and the
drawn multi-region lottery characters to determine one or more
winners within the plurality of players.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises:
g) distributing at least a portion of the collected fees in each of
the two or more regions to the one or more winners.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of comparing the
selected player characters for each of the plurality of players and
the drawn multi-region lottery characters to determine one or more
winners within the plurality of players comprises: comparing the
selected player characters for each of the plurality of players and
the drawn multi-region lottery characters regardless of the regions
associated with each of the plurality of players to determine the
one or more winners within the plurality of players.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein the player is one of a plurality
of players of the lottery game and wherein the method further
comprises the steps of: c) collecting a fee from each of the
plurality of players; d) accumulating collected fees up to a
predetermined number of subsequent drawings of lottery characters
if there are no winners of the lottery game based on drawn lottery
characters; and e) distributing all collected fees to one or more
of the plurality of players after the predetermined number of
subsequent drawings according to a predetermined allocation
schedule.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the collected fee is based at
least in part on the number of chances each of the plurality of
players has of winning for one drawing of lottery characters.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the predetermined allocation
schedule is a percentage basis based at least in part on a number
of matches between players characters of each player and the
lottery characters drawn on a last of the predetermined number of
subsequent drawings.
20. The method of claim 1, wherein the template includes a subset
of characters and wherein the method further comprises the steps
of: c) receiving an add-on game selection from the player
corresponding to the subset of characters; and d) the player
selecting player subset characters from the one or more character
sets in accordance with the template for the subset of characters;
and e) comparing the selected player subset characters and the
drawn lottery characters to determine if the player is a winner of
the add-on game.
21. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-numeric characters are
alphabetic characters.
22. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the one or
more character sets further includes numeric characters.
23. A play slip for playing a lottery game in which characters are
drawn in accordance with a template, the template having a
plurality of character positions, each character position
associated with a respective character set, at least one of the
respective character sets including one or more non-numeric
characters for selection, the play slip comprising: a plurality of
character selection areas for one selection of characters for the
lottery game, each character selection area associated with one
character position of the template, at least one character
selection area including one or more non-numeric characters for
selecting one or more non-numeric characters for at least one
character position in accordance with the template.
24. The play slip of claim 23, the play slip further comprising: a
multi-character selection indicator associated with one of the
plurality of character selection areas enabling selection of two of
more characters for a single character position in accordance with
the template.
25. The play slip of claim 24, wherein the multi-character
selection indicator enables selection of all characters for the
single character position.
26. The play slip of claim 23, wherein the template further has at
least one of a country, a state, or a region geographic identifier
position and wherein the play slip further comprises: a geographic
identifier selection area for at least one of countries, states, or
regions for one selection of one or more geographic identifiers for
the lottery game.
27. The play slip of claim 23, further comprising: a plurality of
other character selection areas for an other selection of
characters for the lottery game.
28. A lottery ticket for use with a lottery game in which character
are drawn, the lottery ticket comprising: a background depicting a
representation of a simulated license plate; and a player character
display area on the background, the player character display area
displaying one selection of characters selected by a player for a
drawing of characters for the lottery game, at least one selected
character displayed in the player character display area being
non-numeric.
29. The lottery ticket of claim 28, further comprising: at least
one other player character display area on the background, the at
least one other player character display area displaying at least
one other selection of characters selected by the player for the
drawing of characters for the lottery game.
30. The lottery ticket of claim 28, wherein the selection of
characters displayed in the player character display area indicates
an alternate character selection for at least one character
position within the displayed selection of characters.
31. A lottery game entry machine for playing a lottery game in
which characters are drawn in accordance with a template, the
template having a plurality of character positions, each character
position associated with a respective character set, at least one
of the respective character sets including one or more non-numeric
characters for selection, the lottery game entry machine
comprising: a keypad; and at least one button on the keypad, the at
least one button enabling selection of one or more non-numeric
characters for at least one of the plurality of character positions
for a drawing of the lottery game in accordance with the template
for the lottery game.
32. The lottery game entry machine of claim 31, wherein the keypad
is a keypad graphical user interface (GUI) and wherein the lottery
game entry machine further comprises: a display that displays the
keypad GUI.
33. The lottery game entry machine of claim 32, wherein the
template includes a first character position associated with a
first set of characters and a second character position associated
with a second set of characters, the second character position
adjacent the first character position, and wherein the display
displays the first set of characters for selection of one or more
characters from the first set of characters for the first character
position and automatically displays the second set of characters
for selection of one or more characters from the second set of
characters for the second character position upon selection of the
one or more characters for the first character position.
34. The lottery game entry machine of claim 33, wherein the first
set of characters include alphabetic characters and the second set
of characters include numeric characters.
35. The lottery game entry machine of claim 31, wherein the lottery
game entry machine further comprises: a housing coupled to the
keypad, the housing configured as a self-service terminal.
36. The lottery game entry machine of claim 31, wherein the at
least one button enables selection of multiple characters as
alternative selections for at least one of the plurality of
character positions in a single lottery character selection for the
lottery game.
37. The lottery game entry machine of claim 31, wherein the
template further has a geographic identifier position and wherein
the lottery game entry machine further comprises: one or more
geographic identifier buttons on the keypad, the geographic
identifier buttons enabling the selection of one or more geographic
identifiers for the geographic identifier position in accordance
with the template for the lottery game.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/582,325 entitled "METHOD AND
APPARATUS FOR PLAYING NEW LOTTERY GAMING SYSTEMS" filed Jun. 23,
2004, the contents of which are incorporated fully herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to lottery games and more
particularly to lottery games involving random drawings of
characters.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Lottery games are played by individuals on a daily basis.
Some lottery games can produce an almost immediate determination of
whether a player wins, such as the scratch-off type games where a
lottery player purchases a lottery ticket and scratches off one or
more fields on the lottery ticket to determine if it is a winning
ticket. In this type of lottery game, the scratch-off field itself
might alert the lottery player that they have won a prize and the
extent of the win or particular prize that was won. In other
versions, while the lottery player may scratch off the fields, the
determination of whether the player has won is made by a comparison
to an already determined list of winning fields or combinations of
fields or by a later determined list of winning fields/combinations
of fields.
[0004] Other types of lottery games provide for the determination
of a winner based upon randomly drawn numbers corresponding to the
number fields of a lottery ticket. These randomly determined
numbers are referred to as "drawings" that take place at a
predetermined time. Some drawings take place on a daily basis while
others take place on a weekly basis or other periodic/regular
basis. In this type of lottery game, a lottery player either
selects a number for each field of a lottery ticket or has a
randomly determined number selected for each field by a lottery
ticket computer/ticket machine. The lottery player then takes the
lottery ticket containing the selected/generated numbers and waits
for the appropriate drawing for which the lottery player has
purchased a ticket. Following the drawing, a lottery player then
compares the numbers on the lottery ticket against the published
winning numbers drawn for the particular lottery game being played
at the particular time designated on the lottery ticket. If the
numbers or combinations of numbers on the lottery ticket correspond
to the numbers drawn, the lottery player is a winner and is
entitled to collect the prize that is designated for the particular
numbers or combinations of numbers that were drawn.
[0005] In some lottery games, in addition to selecting the numbers,
the lottery player is permitted to pick a wager type, such as a
straight wager or a boxed wager. A straight wager requires that the
order of each of the numbers in each number field of the lottery
ticket must correspond exactly to the order of each of the numbers
drawn for those specific number fields in the lottery drawing. A
boxed wager allows the lottery player to win if the numbers in each
number field of the lottery ticket correspond to the numbers drawn,
regardless of the specific order of the drawing. The payouts or
prizes associated with the drawing will vary depending upon the
wager type. A straight wager could have a higher payout or larger
prize than a boxed wager, because the odds against successfully
picking a straight wager (with the exact numbers in the exact order
of the drawing) are greater than the odds of correctly selecting a
boxed wager (exact numbers of the drawing, but appearing in any
order).
[0006] An example of a lottery game involving randomly drawn
numbers is the Pennsylvania DAILY NUMBER.sup.SM offered by the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The DAILY NUMBER.sup.SM involves the
selection of a three-digit number by the lottery player which is
then printed on a lottery ticket. Each digit of the three-digit
number can range from 0-9 for a total of 1,000 possible winning
combinations from 000-999. A predetermined betting range is set
from $0.50 to $5.00. A lottery player picks the time and date that
the lottery player wishes to play the DAILY NUMBER.sup.SM with bets
being allowed up to one week in advance of a drawing. Drawings are
regularly scheduled, with a first or afternoon drawing taking place
every day at 1:35 p.m. and a second or evening drawing taking place
every day at 7:00 p.m. The drawings involve the random selection of
a ball from three different hoppers, each hopper containing 10
balls numbered from 0-9. A separate ball is selected (one from each
hopper) for each of the three spots. When selecting the number, the
lottery player is allowed to select the three-digit number or have
the computer randomly select a three-digit number for them.
Pennsylvania refers to a computer generated number as a QUICK
PICK.TM.. The lottery player is also allowed to select the wager
type from a predetermined list of wagers that includes straight,
boxed, boxed two digits plus one, play front pair, play back pair,
play super straight, play super straight plus one. The payout odds
for these wager types range from 50 to 1 for the play front pair
and play back pair options to 500 to 1 for the straight, play super
straight, and play super straight plus one wager types. The
information--number, date and wager type are all printed on a
lottery ticket. The lottery ticket serves as the lottery player's
receipt in the event of a winning combination. If a player has a
winning ticket, the player turns the winning ticket in to the place
of purchase or some other designated location by a lottery
commission to confirm the prize that corresponds to the lottery
ticket information. For this example, the payout equals the odds
for a particular bet, multiplied by the actual bet. Payouts for the
DAILY NUMBER.sup.SM thus range from $25.00 for a $0.50 bet at 50 to
1 odds, up to $2,500 for a $5.00 bet at 500 to 1 odds. Note that
the payout odds for this example are one half of the actual odds.
The balance (approx. the other one half of the actual odds) goes to
the lottery host, in this case the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
[0007] Similar to the DAILY NUMBER.sup.SM is The BIG 4.sup.SM
lottery game. The BIG 4.sup.SM lottery game involves the selection
of a four-digit number, with each of the four digits ranging from
0-9. This provides a total of 10,000 possible numbers ranging from
0000-9999. The winning or payout odds for this game range from 200
to 1 up to 5,000 to 1 for the various wagers permitted. For this
game, the wagers include--straight, boxed, box two pairs, box one
pair plus two digits, and box four different digits. Similar to the
DAILY NUMBER.sup.SM, the bets range from $0.50 up to $5.00. The BIG
4.sup.SM has a first/afternoon drawing each day in the afternoon at
1:35 p.m. and each a second/evening drawing each evening at 7:00
p.m. The lottery player's ticket for The BIG 4.sup.SM would have
four number fields (for the four digit number) instead of the three
number fields of the DAILY NUMBER.sup.SM.
[0008] Some lottery games have the prizes determined based upon the
pool of monies wagered in a particular lottery game. This structure
of payout is also referred to as a "pari-mutuel" system. Moreover,
some payout structures are referred to as a "fixed" payout. An
example of a lottery game using both the pari-mutuel and fixed
payout systems is the Pennsylvania CASH 5.sup.SM lottery game. In
the CASH 5.sup.SM lottery game, a player selects (or has the
computer select) five separate numbers with each number ranging
from 1-39. In the CASH 5.sup.SM lottery game, fifty percent of the
gross sales are allocated to the total winnings pool. A winning
ticket occurs if a player matches anywhere from two of five numbers
of the drawn five numbers. If a match occurs, the lottery player is
awarded a predetermined percentage of the respective winning subset
pool (a pari-mutuel payout), with the exception that a match of
only two of the five drawn numbers wins a predetermined
distribution of $1.00 (a fixed payout)--which is also the cost of
the lottery ticket for this game. If there are multiple winners for
any of the other match levels (3 of five numbers, 4 of five numbers
or 5 of five numbers), the winners for each level divide the
allocated prize award for that particular level by the numbers of
winners at that level.
[0009] Another type of lottery game is the Pennsylvania
POWERBALL.RTM., a multi-state game. The POWERBALL.RTM. lottery
drawing takes place twice weekly. This is a progressive lottery
game starting at a $10 million dollar jackpot that grows each
drawing until there is a winner. POWERBALL.RTM. involves six
numbers--five numbers plus the POWERBALL.RTM. number. Each of the
five numbers range from 1-53 and the POWERBALL.RTM. number ranges
from 1-42. POWERBALL.RTM. allows the lottery player to play up to
26 drawings in advance. If designated an advance drawing(s), the
player marks the number of advance draws desired in the "advance
draws" column of the ticket. A bet is required for each drawing
selected. Predetermined combinations of drawing numbers correspond
to predetermined prizes. The grand prize or jackpot is awarded if
all five balls plus the power ball correctly match all numbers
drawn for the designated drawing. If five balls (but not the
6.sup.th, POWERBALL.RTM.) match, a predetermined prize of $100,000
is awarded. If four balls and the POWERBALL.RTM.) match a
predetermined prize of $5,000 is won. In the POWERBALL.RTM.,
multiple winners at each prize level are each awarded the
predetermined, fixed prize at that level, except for the grand
prize/jackpot, which is a pari-mutuel event (based on amount
wagered and number of jackpot winners).
[0010] The POWERBALL.RTM. lottery has an additional variation
called the POWER PLAY.RTM.. For an additional $1.00, the cost of
the ticket, the POWER PLAY.RTM. entitles the lottery player to
enroll in the POWER PLAY.RTM. number selection. The POWER PLAY.RTM.
number is a multiplier that ranges from 2-5. Before the
POWERBALL.RTM. numbers are drawn, the POWER PLAY.RTM. multiplier is
drawn. This allows the lottery player the chance to multiply their
winnings between two and five times the regular prize levels,
depending upon the POWER PLAY.RTM. number selected. The
instructions and payouts for these Pennsylvania lottery games are
listed on the Pennsylvania lottery website at "palottery.com." This
website and each web page of the website is incorporated by
reference, as if fully set forth herein.
[0011] The states that host lottery games will typically use the
lottery revenue to help the state with its various programs or
budget. For example, Pennsylvania revenue uses portions of the
revenues for benefit programs for the Commonwealth's older
residents. For this reason, it is beneficial for a state or lottery
organization to continue to attract lottery players to its lottery
games. Providing additional games or new games may serve to attract
new users or attract additional bets from existing players. With
the ability in many states to play lottery games from other states
(and countries), it is desirable to have new lottery games
available.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention is embodied in a method for a lottery
game in which characters are drawn. The characters are drawn from
character sets in accordance with a template. The template has
multiple character positions associated with the character sets
with at least one of the sets including non-numeric characters.
Winners of the lottery game are determined by comparing characters
selected by players to the drawn lottery characters. In an
exemplary embodiment the template represents a license plate. Also
disclosed are a lottery ticket, a play slip, and a lottery game
entry machine in accordance with the lottery game.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The invention is best understood from the following detailed
description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings,
with like elements having the same reference numerals. When a
plurality of similar elements are present, a single reference
numeral may be assigned to the plurality of similar elements with a
small letter designation referring to specific elements. When
referring to the elements collectively or to a non-specific one or
more of the elements, the small letter designation may be dropped.
The letter "n" may represent a non-specific number of elements.
This emphasizes that according to common practice, the various
features of the drawings are not drawn to scale. On the contrary,
the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or
reduced for clarity. Included in the drawings are the following
figures:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a picture of an actual license plate for use with
the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting license plate formats for
multiple states grouped into multiple regions in accordance with
aspects of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a simulated license plate for
use with the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary lottery ticket and
an exemplary designated template for the lottery ticket in
accordance with aspects of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of exemplary steps for playing a
lottery game in accordance with aspects of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 6 is an illustration of another exemplary lottery
ticket and designated template in accordance with aspects of the
present invention;
[0020] FIG. 7 is an illustration of another exemplary lottery
ticket and designated template in accordance with aspects of the
present invention;
[0021] FIG. 8 is an illustration of an exemplary lottery machine in
accordance with aspects of the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 9 is an illustration of an exemplary play slip in
accordance with aspects of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The present invention is a lottery game in which characters
are drawn from one or more character sets in accordance with a
designated template by an authority that is hosting the lottery
game (herein "the lottery host"). As described in further detail
below, the designated template has multiple character positions
with each character position associated with one of the one or more
character sets, and at least one of the character sets includes one
or more non-numeric characters such as alphabetic characters. The
non-numeric characters may be English characters, Japanese
characters, French characters, or characters of other countries. A
lottery player (herein "the player") wins the lottery game based
upon whether characters selected by the player, which are typically
displayed on a lottery ticket issued to the player, match the drawn
characters. The player can select one or more of the characters
manually or select to have them manually generated by a
computer.
[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the designated template
represents a license plate. The license plate may be a
representation of an actual license plate or of a simulated license
plate. Although the template is described below with reference to
either an actual license plate or a simulated license plate, it is
contemplated that the template may be essentially any defined
number of character positions with a non-numeric character valid in
at least one of the character positions.
[0025] FIG. 1 depicts an actual license plate format 100 that may
be represented by a designated template. Illustrated license plate
100 includes multiple character positions (represented by seven
character positions 102a-g) and a state identifier 104. Illustrated
license plate 100 is a representation of a license plate used in
the state of Pennsylvania, with the illustration for the license
plate 100 obtained on Jun. 20, 2005 from a website maintained by
the department of motor vehicles for the state of Pennsylvania at
www.dmv.state.pa.us/license_plates/index.shtml. In accordance with
regulations for the state of Pennsylvania regarding the license
plate character format for non-commercial vehicles, alphabetic
characters (i.e., A-Z) are valid for each of the first three
character positions (i.e., character positions 102a-c) and numeric
characters (i.e., 0-9) are valid for each of the last four
character positions (i.e., character positions 102d-g). Although a
Pennsylvania license plate is depicted it will be understood by one
of skill in the art from the description herein that essentially
any state, region, or country license plate may be represented by a
designated template.
[0026] A summary of various state license plate character formats
for non-commercial vehicles is summarized in FIG. 2 (with the
various states identified by their two digit postal code). FIG. 2
groups the license plate character formats into four regions (an
east region 202, a west region 204, a north region 206, and a south
region 208) with each region including ten states. In FIG. 2, a
capital letter "L" is used in a character position to indicate an
alphabetic character is valid in that positions and a capital
letter "N" is used in a character position to indicate a numeric
character is valid in that position. For example, the format for a
non-commercial license plate in Ohio (OH) is LLNNLLL (e.g.,
AB12CDE). Additionally, some states may have character positions
with constant character values. For example, the first character of
a non-commercial license plate in California (CA) is always a
numeric character "4." Although the illustrated formats indicate
that a numeric character is invalid in a character position in
which an alphabetic character is valid and that an alphabetic
character is invalid in a character position in which a numeric
character is valid, it is contemplated that an alphabetic character
and a numeric character may both be valid in a single character
position. Further, although the above example, and the following
description, describe formats for non-commercial automobile license
plates, it is contemplated that other types of vehicle license
plate formats may be used, e.g., those for commercial vehicles,
motorcycle, etc.
[0027] FIG. 3 depicts a simulated license plate format 300 that may
be represented by a designated template. Simulated license plate
300 includes multiple character positions (represented by six
character positions 302a-f), e.g., designated by the lottery host.
In an exemplary embodiment, alphabetic characters (e.g., A-Z) are
designated as valid for each of the first three character positions
(i.e., character positions 302a-c) and numeric characters (e.g.,
0-9) are valid for each of the last three character positions
(i.e., character positions 302d-f). It is contemplated that both a
numeric character and an alphabetic character may be valid in one
or more of character positions 302. In addition, it is contemplated
that a subset of alphabetic characters and/or numeric characters
may be valid in one or more character positions 202 (e.g., A-M
and/or 1-5). Further, it is contemplated that the designated
template may include more or less character positions 202 than the
six illustrated in simulated license plate 300.
[0028] Simulated license plate 300 may be used as the designated
template when multiple states are involved, for example. Since each
state may have a different format for its license plate, simulated
license plate 300 provides a generic template that enables the same
game to be played in multiple states with a single character
drawing. For example, with reference to FIG. 2, each state may be
associated with a template 210 having a common format (e.g.,
LLL-NNN-ST, where ST stands for a state geographic identifier
position that is described below).
[0029] There is shown in FIG. 4 an exemplary lottery ticket 400 for
use with an exemplary lottery game in accordance with the present
invention (referred to herein as "game variant one"). Lottery
ticket 400 serves as a receipt for a lottery player playing the
lottery game after the player has selected characters in accordance
with a designated template 401 and paid a required fee (described
below). Designated template 401 includes seven character positions
402a-g with the first three character positions 402a-c being
letters and the last four character positions 402d-g being numbers
(i.e., LLL-NNNN). As will be discussed in further detail below,
assuming 26 valid letters and 10 valid numbers, there are
175,760,000 combinations of these characters (i.e.,
26*26*26*10*10*10*10=175,760,000).
[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, lottery ticket 400 includes an
illustration on a background 403 of lottery ticket 400 that is
associated with a theme of the lottery game. For example, if the
theme of the lottery game is license plates, then background 403 of
lottery ticket 400 may be an illustrative representation of an
actual license plate (such as is illustrated in FIG. 1) or of a
generic license plate (e.g., an artists rendition of a license
plate).
[0031] Lottery ticket 400 includes a first game display area 404a
for a first game (game "A"), a second game display area 404b for a
second game (game "B"), and a third game display area 404c for a
third game (game "C"). More or fewer game display areas 404 may be
employed on a single lottery ticket 400. Each illustrated game
display area 404 includes a game identifier field (e.g., game
identifier field 406a for game A, game identifier field 406b for
game B, and game identifier field 406c for game C), a player
character field (e.g., player character fields 408a-c) that
displays characters selected by a player in accordance with
designated template 401, and a fee field (e.g., fee fields 410a-c)
that displays associated fees for the selected characters.
[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, a player may select only one
character for each character position 402 per game giving the
player one way to match all character positions of designated
template 401. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, a player may
select one or more characters (e.g., up to all characters) in one
or more character positions 402 in a single lottery character
selection for the lottery game. Multiple selections represent
alternative character selections that provide the player with
multiple ways to match all character positions of designated
template 401.
[0033] Illustrated lottery ticket 400 in second game display area
406b indicates that a player has selected all characters for third
character position 412 (represented by the word "ALL" in brackets),
four characters for seventh character position 414 (represented by
the characters "4," "5," "6," and "9" in brackets), and one
character for each of the remaining character positions (e.g., the
first, second, fourth, fifth, and sixth character positions) for
the second game (game B). Whereas the player only has one way to
match all drawn character positions of template 401 for the first
game (game A, i.e., 1*1*1*1*1*1*1=1), the player has 104 ways to
match all drawn character positions of template 401 for the second
game (game B, i.e., 1*1*26*1*1*1*4=104).
[0034] Fee fields 410 present the fees associated with the selected
player characters illustrated in respective player character
displays 408. In an exemplary embodiment, the fees are related to
the number of ways to match all character positions of designated
template 401. In FIG. 4, the base fee is assumed to be $1.00 for
each way to match all character positions. For example, in game A
there is one way to match all drawn character positions and,
therefore, the fee is $1.00. In game B there are 104 ways to match
all drawn character positions and, therefore, the fee is $104.00.
In game C there are 3,120 ways to match all drawn character
positions (i.e., 3*1*26*10*1*4*1=3,120) and, therefore, the fee is
$3,120. The illustrated fee amounts are for illustrative purposes
only and the actual fees charged may vary substantially from those
presented herein. For example, the base fee may be $0.10 to enable
players to afford more combinations with payouts adjusted
accordingly.
[0035] Illustrated lottery ticket 400 further includes a game name
field 420, a state identifier field 422, a game time field 424, and
one or more security code fields (represented by two security code
fields 426a and 426b). Game name field 420 displays the name of the
lottery game, e.g., "LICENSES-2-WIN>" in the illustrated
embodiment. State identifier field 422 identifies the state where
the player purchases the lottery ticket and/or the state of the
lottery host, for example. The state may be identified using a two
digit postal code, e.g., PA for Pennsylvania. Game time field 424
displays the day/date and, optionally, the time of the drawing,
e.g., if multiple drawings take place on a given day. This
corresponds to a defined day/date/time for the particular lottery
game that is referenced.
[0036] Security code fields 426 facilitate authentication of
lottery ticket 400. In the illustrated embodiment, two security
code fields 426a and 426b are depicted. More or fewer security code
fields 426 may be employed at the discretion of the lottery host.
Suitable methods for developing security codes and authenticating a
lottery ticket 400 will be understood by one of skill in the art
from the description herein.
[0037] The actual layout of the lottery ticket for the present
invention may vary from exemplary ticket 400 shown in FIG. 4.
Factors that can result in differences include, but are not limited
to, the template designated for the lottery game. The actual layout
will ultimately depend upon the requirements dictated by the
lottery host in accordance with this invention.
[0038] FIG. 5 depicts a flow chart 500 of exemplary steps for
playing a lottery game in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention. This embodiment is described with reference to
FIG. 4. At block 502, a player selects characters (herein "player
characters") in accordance with a template 401 designated for the
lottery game. In an exemplary embodiment, the player selects one
character for each character position, such as shown in FIG. 4 for
game A. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the player may
select more than one character for one or more of the character
positions such as shown in FIG. 4 for games B and C, e.g., by
specifying one or more alternate characters for one or more
positions and/or by selecting all the characters for one or more
character positions. In exemplary embodiments, the player may
select characters through the use of a play slip (described below)
that is inserted into a reader coupled to a lottery machine
(described below) or by entering the selections directly into the
lottery machine either personally or by directing an operator of
the lottery machine. A player selection may include the player
selecting to have one or more character positions randomly
selected.
[0039] A fee is calculated at block 504 for the player to play the
selected characters. In an exemplary embodiment, the fee is based
on the characters selected by the player. For example, as described
above, the fee may be based on the number of ways the selected
characters may match all drawn characters of the designated
template.
[0040] At block 506, payment is received from the player and, at
block 508, a lottery ticket, such as lottery ticket 400 of FIG. 4,
is dispensed to the player. It is contemplated that the lottery
ticket may be a physical lottery ticket or an electronic lottery
ticket that is transferred over a global network (e.g., the
Internet) to a computer, a telephone network to a cellular
telephone, or other such networks to devices from which the player
is playing the lottery game.
[0041] A lottery host then draws characters (herein "lottery
characters") at block 510 in accordance with designated template
401. In an exemplary embodiment, the characters are
randomly/pseudo-randomly drawn in a manner that will be understood
by one of skill in the art from the description herein. One or more
of the lottery characters may be drawn by obtaining those
characters from another lottery game. For example, a first set of
character may be drawn using the evening drawing of the
Pennsylvania Daily Number.TM. or the evening drawing of The BIG
4.sup.SM. A second set of numbers may then be independently drawn
or received from another lottery game and combined with the first
set to generate the lottery characters. Various other methods for
drawing the lottery characters will be understood by one of skill
in the art from the description herein and are considered within
the scope of the present invention.
[0042] Then, at block 512, the drawn lottery characters and the
selected player characters are compared to determine winners of the
lottery game. In an exemplary embodiment, a player wins the lottery
game if all selected player characters and all drawn lottery
characters match, which is referred to herein as a grand prize
winner or a jackpot winner. In an alternative exemplary embodiment,
there may be different levels of winners. For example, the grand
prize winner may be considered a first level winner, a player whose
selected character positions match six out of seven character
positions may be considered a second level winner, etc. Additional
winners may be determined based on other criteria, e.g., matching
all numeric character positions or matching all alphabetic
character positions, etc.
[0043] Optionally, at block 512A, the drawn lottery characters are
compared to character positions on actual license plates that are
registered to owners. The registered owner may be designated as a
bonus winner (e.g., a winner of $10,000) if all character positions
of their license plate matches all drawn lottery character
positions. In an exemplary embodiment, the owner must be a player
of the particular lottery game in which the lottery characters
match the actual license plate. In an alternative exemplary
embodiment, the bonus winner is determined regardless of whether
they are a player, e.g., to generate attention for the lottery
game.
[0044] Finally, at block 514, a payout for the lottery game is
dispersed to the winners of the lottery game. The present lottery
game can be played with a variety of payout possibilities. A
jackpot or grand prize may be dispersed to the first level winner.
In an exemplary embodiment, lesser amounts may be distributed to
lower level winners. If there are multiple winners at a particular
level, the payout for that level may be split equally among those
players. The payout amount for each level can be a set amount (i.e.
$500,000) or pari-mutuel, i.e., the payout is determined by the
actual betting. The latter puts the lottery host in a position of
less risk, because the payout cannot exceed a set percentage of the
amount wagered (and collected by the lottery host). Additionally,
if a bonus winner is determined at block 512a, a bonus prize is
dispersed. The bonus prize may be a fixed amount or
pari-mutuel.
[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, at block 516 through block 524,
if there are no winners of the jackpot, the jackpot "rolls over" to
increase the jackpot payout in a subsequent game. At block 516, the
lottery host determines if the jackpot is dispersed at block 514.
If the jackpot was dispersed, processing proceeds at block 518 with
a rollover counter being reset. If the jackpot was not dispersed,
processing proceeds at block 520.
[0046] At block 520, which is reached if the jackpot was not
dispersed, the lottery host determines if the rollover counter has
exceeded a predetermined number to determine if the jackpot has
rolled over more that a predefined number of times. This ensures
that the jackpot does not rollover indefinitely, which may result
in players losing interest in playing subsequent games. If the
rollover counter has exceeded the predetermined number, processing
proceeds at block 522. If the rollover counter has exceeded the
predetermined number, processing proceeds at block 524 with the
jackpot rolling over for a subsequent game and the rollover counter
being incremented, e.g., by one.
[0047] Then, at block 522, which is reached if the jackpot has
rolled over a predetermined number of times with no first level
winners, the jackpot is dispersed to lower level winners. In an
exemplary embodiment, if the jackpot rolls over for the
predetermined number of drawings, the jackpot is dispersed on a
sliding scale basis to players of the lottery game. For example, if
there are no players that select character positions that match all
drawn lottery character positions for 15 games in a row, all
accumulated funds are dispersed after the 15.sup.th game with 40
percent distributed to players correctly matching six out of seven
character positions, 30 percent distributed to players correctly
matching five out of seven character positions, 20 percent
distributed to players correctly matching four out of seven
character positions, and 10 percent distributed to players
correctly matching three out of seven character positions. If there
are no winners at a particular level, e.g., no players correctly
matching four out of seven character positions, the percentage
distribution is reallocated at lower levels, e.g., with 20 percent
distributed to players correctly matching three out of seven
character positions an 10 percent distributed to players correctly
matching two out of seven positions. Various alternative methods
for dispersing the jackpot will be understood by one of skill in
the art and are considered within the scope of the present
invention.
[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, one or more other rollover
categories in addition to the jackpot may optionally be defined for
one or more other the winning levels (including the bonus prize).
These other rollover categories may be processed as described above
for the jackpot in block 516 to block 524.
[0049] Another exemplary lottery ticket 600 and an associated
designated template 601 are shown in FIG. 6 for use is describing
various alternative exemplary embodiments of a lottery game in
accordance with the present invention that build upon the exemplary
embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
Exemplary lottery ticket 600 includes many features that are found
in lottery ticket 400 (FIG. 4). The common features are numbered
identically and are not described again in detail.
[0050] Designated template 601 for lottery ticket 600 includes six
character positions 602a-f, rather than seven for lottery ticket
400 (FIG. 4), with the first three character positions 602a-c being
letters and the last three character positions 602d-g being numbers
(i.e., LLL-NNN). As described in further detail below, there are
17,576,000 combinations of these characters (i.e.,
26*26*26*10*10*10=17,576,000).
[0051] In accordance with one alternative exemplary embodiment of a
lottery game (referred to herein as "game variant two"), designated
template 601 further includes a state or country geographic
identifier 603 (represented by the capital letters "ST"). State or
country geographic identifier 603 may be used to specify a
particular state or country in addition to the character positions
602. For example, a player may be allowed to select one or more
states from a subset of states within the United States (e.g., one
or more of ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA, and DE), and the
lottery game may include drawing one of the states from the subset.
Likewise, countries may be used, e.g., all countries in Europe.
State geographic identifier 603 adds an additional level of
interest to the lottery game and increases the number of potential
combinations over the use of character positions 602 alone. For
example, if there are 10 states from which a player may select, the
number of combinations increases to 175,760,000 (i.e.,
17,576,000*10=175,760,000) from a lottery game with six character
positions and no geographic identifiers. Game variant two can be
implemented using the steps in flow chart 500 of FIG. 5 modified to
accommodate state/country identifier 603, which can be treated as
an additional character position, in a manner that will be
understood by one of skill in the art from the description
herein.
[0052] In accordance with another alternative exemplary embodiment
of a lottery game (referred to herein as "game variant three"),
designated template 601 further includes a region geographic
identifier 605 (represented by capital letters "RE") in addition
to, or instead of, state or country geographic identifier 603.
Region geographic identifier 605 may be used to specify a
particular region in addition to the character positions 602. For
example, a player may be allowed to select one or more regions from
a set of regions (e.g., North, South, East, West), and the lottery
game may include drawing one of the regions from the set. Region
geographic identifier 603 adds an additional level of interest to
lottery games and increases the number of potential combinations
over the use of character positions 602 alone. For example, if
there are 4 regions from which a player may select, the number of
combinations increases to 70,304,000 (i.e.,
17,576,000*4=70,304,000) over the selection of six character
positions 602a-f and increases to 703,040,000 (i.e.,
175,760,000*4=703,040,000) over the selection of six character
positions 602a-f and the selection of state/country geographic
identifier 603. Game variant three can be implemented using the
steps in flow chart 500 of FIG. 5 modified to accommodate region
identifier 605 and/or state/country identifier 603, which can be
treaded as one or more additional character positions, in a manner
that will be understood by one of skill in the art from the
description herein.
[0053] Similar to lottery ticket 400 (FIG. 4), lottery ticket 600
includes a first game display area 604a for a first game (game
"A"), a second game display area 604b for a second game (game "B"),
and a third game display area 604c for a third game (game "C").
Each illustrated game display area 604 includes a game identifier
field (e.g., game identifier field 606a for game A, game identifier
field 606b for game B, and game identifier field 606c for game C),
a player character and geographic identifier field (e.g., player
character and geographic identifier fields 608a-c) that displays
characters and geographic identifiers selected by a player in
accordance with template 601, and a fee field (e.g., fee fields
610a-c) that displays associated fees for the selected characters
and geographic identifiers.
[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, a player may select only one
character for each character position 412 and one
state/country/region for respective state/country/region geographic
identifier positions 603/605 per game. This gives the player one
way to match all character positions and geographic identifier
positions of designated template 601. In an alternative exemplary
embodiment, a player may select one or more characters (e.g., up to
all characters) and/or geographic identifiers in one or more
character positions 602 and one or more geographic identifier
positions 603/605. Multiple selections represent alternative
character and geographic identifier selections that provide the
player with multiple ways to match all character and geographic
identifier positions of designated template 601.
[0055] Illustrated lottery ticket 600 in second game display area
604b indicates that a player has selected all characters for third
character position 612 (represented by the word "ALL" in brackets),
four characters for sixth character position 614 (represented by
characters "4," "5," "6," and "9" in brackets), one character for
each of the remaining character positions (e.g., first, second,
fourth, and fifth character positions), one state for state/country
geographic identifier position 616 and all four regions for region
geographic identifier position 618 for the second game (game B). In
this embodiment, the player has 312 ways to match all drawn
character and geographic identifier positions of template 601 for
the second game (game B, i.e., 1*1*26*1*1*4*1*4=312).
[0056] Fee fields 610 present the fees associated with the selected
player characters illustrated in respective player character
displays 608. In an exemplary embodiment, the fees are related to
the number of ways to match all character and geographic identifier
positions of designated template 601. In FIG. 6, the fee is assumed
to be $1.00 for each way to match all character geographic
identifier positions. In game A, there are 6 ways to match all
drawn character and geographic identifier positions and, therefore,
the fee is $6.00. In game B, there are 312 ways to match all drawn
character and geographic identifier positions and, therefore, the
fee is $312.00. In game C, there are 187,200 ways to match all
drawn character and geographic identifier positions and, therefore,
the fee is $187,200. The illustrated fee amounts are for
illustrative purposes only and the actual fees charged may vary
substantially from those presented herein within the scope of the
present invention.
[0057] In accordance with another alternative exemplary embodiment
of a lottery game (referred to herein as "game variant four"),
lottery ticket 600 includes a region indicator 630 that indicates
regions where selected player characters are valid. In accordance
with this embodiment, a drawing of lottery characters occurs in
multiple regions concurrently with each region independently
accumulating ad distributing payouts. For example, if there are
four regions (e.g., North, South, East, and West), each of the four
regions may draw lottery characters and distribute payouts to
winners. In addition, when a player selects player characters, the
player may select to have the player characters entered in one or
more of the regions. Assuming there are four regions, the
illustrated lottery ticket 600 indicates that the player has
selected to have the player characters entered for each drawing in
all four regions (e.g., North, South, East, and West). In an
exemplary embodiment, a player may be charged additional fees for
is entering their selected characters and geographic identifiers in
more than one region. The number of regions may be used as a
multiplier, e.g., if four regions are selected, the fee would be
four times as much as if only one region is selected. For example,
in game display area 606a, fee field 610a indicates a fee of $6.00.
For four selected regions, however, the fee would be $24.00 (i.e.,
$6.00*4=$24.00).
[0058] As described above, FIG. 2 depicts four regions
202/204/206/208 with ten states in each region. In accordance with
game variant four, each region may hold its own drawing of
characters in accordance with a designated template. In addition, a
player may select characters and elect to have the selected
characters entered into one or more of the four regions. The player
may only win if the selected characters match a winning number of
drawn characters in a region that the player has elected. For
example, if the player elects East and West regions 202/204 and the
selected characters match a winning number of drawn characters in
East region 202, the player is a winner. If the selected characters
match a winning number of drawn characters in North region 206,
however, the player is not a winner because the player did not
enter that region.
[0059] Referring back to FIG. 6, in accordance with another
alternative exemplary embodiment of a lottery game (referred to
herein as "game variant five"), lottery ticket 600 includes an
multiple-pool indicator 640 indicating that the player has selected
to participate in a multiple region lottery game (identified by the
name POWER-POOL.TM. in the illustrated embodiment). In this
embodiment, another drawing of lottery characters (referred to
herein as "the multi-region drawing") is performed in addition to
the drawing in each region as described above with reference to
game variant four. Thus, if there are four regions, each having
their own drawing of lottery characters, there will be a total of
five drawings. A player may elect to have their player character
entered for one or more of these drawings. As described above, the
number of drawings in which the player enters may serve as a
multiplier of the fee for the player's selected characters.
[0060] In game variant five, the payout for the multi-region
drawing may be based on a separately maintained pool of collected
fees for players entering the multi-region drawing and/or on a pool
of collected fees from each of the regions within the pool. If the
pool includes collected fees from the individual regions, the
payout to winners of the multi-region drawing may be reduced if
there are winners in the individual regions. For example, referring
to FIG. 2, if there is a jackpot winner in one of the regions
(e.g., East region 202) and a jackpot winner for the multi-region
drawing, the multi-region drawing winner may split the jackpot
prize from East region 202 with the winner in that region and take
the entire jackpot prize from the remaining regions (e.g., West,
North, and South regions 204/206/208).
[0061] There is shown in FIG. 7 an exemplary lottery ticket 700 and
an associated designated template 401 for use is describing an
add-on lottery game in accordance with the present invention
(referred to herein as "game variant six") that builds upon the
exemplary embodiments described above with reference to FIGS. 4, 5,
and 6. Exemplary lottery ticket 700 includes many features that are
found in lottery ticket 400 (FIG. 4). The common features are
numbered identically and are not described again in detail. Lottery
ticket 700 includes an add-on game identifier 702 (which is labeled
with the name POWER-UP-1-2-3-4.TM. in the illustrated
embodiment).
[0062] In accordance with this embodiment, a player may select
characters for a subset of the character positions of designated
template 401. For example, the player may select character for the
first character positions of designated template 401 (e.g.,
designated POWER-UP1), the first two character positions of
designated template 401 (e.g., designated POWER-UP2), the first
three character positions of designated template 401 (e.g.,
designated POWER-UP3), the first four character positions of
designated template 401 (e.g., designated POWER-UP4), etc.
[0063] In lottery ticket 700, the player characters selected for
this add-on game are displayed in a second line of each player
character field 408 and the corresponding fee for the selected
characters is listed after the fee for characters selected for each
character position of designated template 401. For example, in
first game display area 404a, the first two character positions of
designated template 401 are selected by the player. In this
example, the player selects the letter "N" for first character
position 710 and all letters for second character position 712.
Assuming twenty-six valid letters, the player has 26 alternative
combinations for matching both character positions. If the player
is charged $1.00 for each potentially matching combination, the fee
would be an additional $26.00.
[0064] FIG. 8 depicts a portion of a lottery machine 800 in
accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Lottery
machine 800 includes a keypad 802 and a display 803. In addition to
conventional lottery machine keys, keypad 802 may include one or
more of a "LICENSES-2-WIN.TM." key 804, an "ALL" key 806, a "WITH"
key 808, a "RND" key 810, a "LETTERS" key 812, a "STATES" key 814,
and a "REGIONS" key 816. Keypad 802 further includes separate keys
for individual letters, state, and regions (not shown).
Alternatively, existing keys may be programmed to perform
additional functions. For example, one or more of the number keys
may be associated with one or more letter, e.g., number "4" key 820
may be associated with the letters "G,". "H," and "I." In this
example, pressing key 820 once may yield the number "4," pressing
key 820 a second time within a predefined period of time may yield
the letter "G," pressing key 820 a third time within a predefined
period of time may yield the letter "H," and pressing key 820 a
fourth time within a predefined period of time may yield the letter
"I." Various other key implementation methods will be understood by
one of skill in the art from the description herein.
[0065] In an exemplary embodiment, "WITH" key 808 is used to
designate a change in selection from one character or geographic
identifier position to the next. Alternative character selections
may be made by keying the characters successively without pressing
a non-character/geographic identifier key in between. "RND" key 810
is used to designate a random selection of one or more characters.
To generate more than one random number for a particular position,
a number may be entered prior to depressing "RND" key 810. For
example, to select three random numbers for a particular position,
the numeral "3" may be entered prior to depressing "RND" key 810.
In this example, if the particular positions is an alphabetic
character position, three random alphabetic character are chosen
for that position, e.g., the letters D, K and P [D-K-P].
[0066] In an exemplary embodiment, display 803 may display a
graphical user interface (GUI) of a keypad including keys that
perform the function of one or more of the keys described above.
For example, in one embodiment the GUI may present all valid
alphabetic characters, numeric characters, states, and regions that
are valid for selection. In another embodiment, the GUI may display
valid characters, state, and regions for a particular character
position when that character position is to be selected. For
example, referring to FIG. 6, initially the GUI may display a first
character set (e.g., all alphabetic character) as the first three
character positions 602a-c are selected. The GUI may then
automatically transition to displaying a second set of character
(e.g., all numeric characters) after the first three character
positions 602a-c are selected to enable the selection of the next
three character positions 602d-f. Likewise, the GUI may
automatically transition to displaying states for selection of
state geographic identifier position 603 and to displaying regions
for selection of region geographic identifier position 603.
Additionally, display 803 may display selected characters as they
are entered into lottery machine 800 for visual verification.
[0067] Exemplary method for purchasing a lottery ticket using
exemplary lottery machine 800 are now described. A player verbally
conveys character and optionally geographic identifiers to an
operator of lottery machine 800. Alternatively, the player may be
the operator of lottery machine 800 and may key selections directly
into lottery machine 800.
[0068] In a first example, a player wants to select N-X-V-2-9-6-9
in accordance with a designated template such as described above
with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. Prior to entering the characters,
the player selects the base fee amount, e.g., $1.00, and the
desired game, e.g., "LICENSES-2-WIN.TM.." To enter this selection,
the operator of lottery machine 800 would depress the keys as
follows $1 KEY 818, "LICENSES-2-WIN.TM." KEY 804, N (e.g., via
keypad 802 and/or display 803), "WITH" KEY 808, X, "WITH" KEY 808,
V, "WITH" KEY 808, 2, "WITH" KEY 808, 9 "WITH" KEY 808, 6, "WITH"
KEY 808, 9, "SEND" KEY 822. This entry would ultimately result in
the issuance of a lottery ticket such as lottery ticket 400 having
the format: N-X-V---2-9-6-9 for the LICENSES-2-WIN.TM. game.
[0069] In a second example, a player wants to select
N-V-[ALL]-4-5-6-[4-5-6-9] in accordance with a designated template
such as described above with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, with
alternative selections bracketed. To enter this selection, the
operator of lottery machine 800 would depress the keys as follows:
$1 KEY 818, "LICENSES-2-WIN.TM." KEY 804, N, "WITH" KEY 808, V,
"WITH" KEY 808, "ALL" KEY 806, "WITH" KEY 808, 4, "WITH" KEY 808,
5, "WITH" KEY 808, 6 "WITH" KEY 808, [4-5-6-9], "SEND" KEY 822.
This entry would ultimately result in the issuance of a lottery
ticket such as lottery ticket 400 having the format:
N-V-[ALL]---4-5-6-[4-5-6-9] for the LICENSES-2-WIN.TM. game.
[0070] In a third example, a player wants to select
[A-B-C]-V-[ALL]-[ALL]-4-[3-6-7-9]-5 in accordance with a designated
template such as described above with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5,
with alternative selections bracketed. To enter this selection, the
operator of lottery machine 800 would depress the keys as follows:
$1 KEY 818, "LICENSES-2-WIN.TM." KEY 804, [A-B-C], "WITH" KEY 808,
V, "WITH" KEY 808, "ALL" KEY 806, "WITH" KEY 808, "ALL" KEY 806,
"WITH" KEY 808, 4, "WITH" KEY 808, [3-6-7-9], "WITH" KEY 808, 5,
"SEND" KEY 822. This entry would ultimately result in the issuance
of a lottery ticket such as lottery ticket 400 having the format:
[A-B-C]-V-[ALL]---[ALL]-4-[3-6-7-9]-5 for the LICENSES-2-WIN.TM.
game.
[0071] In a fourth example, a player wants to select:
A-B-[ALL]-4-[7-8-9]-[2-3]-[ME,NY,PA] in accordance with a
designated template 601 such as described above with reference to
FIG. 6 that includes a state geographic identifier 603 without a
region geographic identifier 605, with alternative selections
bracketed. To enter this selection, the operator of lottery machine
800 would depress the keys as follows: $1 "KEY" 818,
"LICENSES-2-WIN.TM. KEY 804, A, "WITH" KEY 808, B, "WITH" KEY 808,
"ALL" KEY 806, "WITH" KEY 808, 4, "WITH" KEY 808, [7-8-9], "WITH"
KEY 808, [2-3], "STATES" KEY 814, "WITH" KEY 808, [ME,NY,PA],
"SEND" KEY 822. This entry would ultimately result in the issuance
of a lottery ticket such as lottery ticket 600 having the format:
A-B-[ALL]---4-[7-8-9]-[2-3]---[ME,NY,NJ] for the LICENSES-2-WIN.TM.
game.
[0072] In a fifth example, a player wants to select: 3
RND-[M-B-A]-10 RND-6-5-[ALL]--[PA,VT] in accordance with a
designated template 601 such as described above with reference to
FIG. 6 that includes a state geographic identifier position 603
without a region geographic identifier position 605, with
alternative selections bracketed. To enter this selection, the
operator of lottery machine 800 would depress the keys of the
keypad 802 as follows: $1 "KEY" 818, "LICENSES-2-WIN.TM." KEY 804,
3, "RND" KEY 810, "LETTERS" KEY 812, "WITH" KEY 808, [M-B-A],
"WITH" KEY 808, 1, 0, "RND" KEY 810, "LETTERS" KEY 812, "WITH" KEY
808, 6, "WITH" KEY 808, 5, "WITH" KEY 808, "ALL" KEY 806, "WITH"
KEY 808, [PA,VT], "SEND" KEY 822. This entry would ultimately
result in the issuance of a lottery ticket having the format:
[A-Z-X]-[M-B-A]-[C-Y-G-H-U-L-E-X-Y-A]---6-5-[ALL]---[PA,VT] for the
LICENSES-2-WIN.TM. game.
[0073] In a sixth example, a player wants to select: 3
RND-[M-B-A]-ALL-6-5-[ALL]--[ALL]-[WEST] in accordance with a
designated template 601 such as described above with reference to
FIG. 6 that includes a state geographic identifier position 603 and
a region geographic identifier position 605, with alternative
selections bracketed. To enter this selection, the operator of
lottery machine 800 would depress the keys of the keypad 802 as
follows: $1 "KEY" 818, "LICENSES-2-WIN.TM." KEY 804, 3, "RND" KEY
810, "LETTERS" KEY 812, "WITH" KEY 808, [M-B-A], "WITH" KEY 808,
"ALL" KEY 806, "WITH" KEY 808, 6, "WITH" KEY 808, 5, "WITH" KEY
808, "ALL" KEY 806, "WITH" KEY 808, "STATES" KEY 814, "ALL" KEY
806, "WITH" KEY 808, "REGION" KEY 816, WEST, "SEND" KEY 822. This
entry would ultimately result in the issuance of a lottery ticket
having the format:
[A-Z-X]-[M-B-A]-[ALL]---6-5-[ALL]---[ALL]---[EAST] for the
LICENSES-2-WIN.TM. game.
[0074] Lottery machine 800 includes a housing 850 that supports
keypad 802 and display 803. In an exemplary embodiment, housing 850
may be configured as a self service terminal. In an alternative
exemplary embodiment, housing 850 may be configured as a
conventional lottery machine. Various other configuration will be
understood by one of skill in the art from the description
herein.
[0075] FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary play slip 900 that may be filled
out by a player to select player character and geographic
identifiers. Play slip 900 may be read by a reader (not shown)
coupled to a lottery machine 800 in a manner that will be
understood by one of skill in the art to enter the player's
selections.
[0076] Illustrated play slip 900 includes a game identifier 901 and
multiple game selection areas (represented by a first game
selection area 902a, a second game selection area 902b, and a third
game selection area 902c). In an exemplary embodiment, each game
selection area 902 is substantially identical and, thus, only first
game selection area 902a is described below.
[0077] First game selection area 902a includes multiple character
position selector areas (represented by six character position
selector areas 904a-f), a state geographic identifier selector area
906, and a region geographic identifier selector area 908.
[0078] The first three character position selector areas 904a-c are
alphabetic character selector areas and, thus, each include a
letters selection area 910. One or more letters may be selected
from letters selection area 910 by circling/marking-out the actual
letter. Alternative, one or more letter may be randomly selected
for a character position for the first game by selecting a
corresponding quick pick (QP) indicator 912 or for all three games
by selecting a random (RND) indicator 914. All letters may be
selected by selecting an all indicator 916.
[0079] The last three character position selector areas 904d-f are
numeric character selector areas and, thus, each include a number
selection area 918. One or more numbers may be selected from a
numbers selection area 918 by circling/marking-out the actual
number. Alternative, one or more numbers may be randomly selected
for a character position for the first game by selecting a
corresponding quick pick (QP) indicator 920 or for all three games
by selecting a random (RND) indicator 922. All letters may be
selected by selecting an all indicator 924.
[0080] State geographic selector area 906 includes a state
selection area 926. One or more states may be selected from states
selection area 926 by circling/marking-out the actual state.
Alternative, one or more states may be randomly selected for a
character position for the first game by selecting a corresponding
quick pick (QP) indicator 928 or for all three games by selecting a
random (RND) indicator 930. All states may be selected by selecting
an all indicator 932.
[0081] Region geographic selector area 908 includes a region
selection area 934. One or more regions may be selected from region
selection area 934 by circling/marking-out the actual region.
Alternative, one or more states may be randomly selected by
selecting a random (RND) indicator 936. All states may be selected
by selecting an all indicator 938.
[0082] Exemplary payouts and payout calculations are shown below
for exemplary lottery games in accordance with the present
invention. Note that the payouts are determined based upon paying
out half of the odds multiplied by a $1.00 bet. Different payouts
will be understood by those skilled in the art depending upon
different bets and different payout strategies. For example,
instead of a fixed payout amount, it is possible to include a
payout tied to the amount bet (a pari-mutuel system) and the
various prize levels used so that the payout can never exceed the
amount bet (or percentage reserved for payouts of the amount bet).
In addition, while a number of wager types are illustrated, the
sponsor may not choose to use all listed wager types and may choose
to only accept a single wager type or a predetermined set of wager
types. In addition, there may be other wager types other than those
listed such as the inclusion of a multiplier field or another wild
card field, similar to the POWERBALL.RTM. of the Pennsylvania
lottery.
[0083] Game variant one odds are shown in table 1 below. The number
of ways to win were calculated using the formula
C(n,r)*(x-1)**(n-r)*C(s,t)*(y-1)**(s-t), where C(n,r) is the
combinations formula for n objects r at a time (n=3 and r=0,1,2,3)
for the three alphabetic characters in the designated template 401
and C(s,t) is the combinations formula for s objects t at a time
(s=4 and t=0,1,2,3,4) for the four numeric characters in the
designated template 401. The number of possible characters for the
alphabetic characters is represented by x and the number of
possible characters for the numeric characters is represented by y.
Assuming there are 26 possible alphabetic characters and 10
possible numeric characters (0-9), x=26 and y=10, respectively. The
number of ways to lose is calculated by subtracting the number of
ways to win from the total number of alphabetic and numeric
character combinations (e.g., 26*26*26*10*10*10*10=175,760,000) The
probability of winning is calculated by dividing the number of ways
to win by the total number of alphabetic and numeric character
combinations. The odds to win to one are calculated by calculating
the inverse of the probability of winning and subtracting one.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 # OF WAYS # OF WAYS # OF WAYS TO PROBABILITY
OF TO MATCH TO WIN LOSE WINNING ODDS TO WIN: 1 MATCH-7: 3 L + 4-N 1
175,759,999 0.00000000569 175759999 MATCH-6: 2 L + 4-N 75
175,759,925 0.00000042672 2343465.667 MATCH-6: 3 L + 3-N 36
175,759,964 0.00000020482 4882221.222 MATCH-5: 1 L + 4-N 1875
175,758,125 0.00001066796 93737.66667 MATCH-5: 2 L + 3-N 2700
175,757,300 0.00001536186 65095.2963 MATCH-5: 3 L + 2-N 486
175,759,514 0.00000276513 361645.0905 MATCH-4: 3 L + 1-N 2916
175,757,084 0.00001659081 60273.34842 MATCH-4: 2 L + 2-N 36450
175,723,550 0.00020738507 4820.947874 MATCH-4: 1 L + 3-N 67500
175,692,500 0.00038404643 2602.851852 MATCH-4: 0 L + 4-N 15625
175,744,375 0.00008889964 11247.64 MATCH-3: 3 L + 0-N 6561
175,753,439 0.00003732931 26787.5993 MATCH-3: 2 L + 1-N 218700
175,541,300 0.00124431042 802.657979 MATCH-3: 1 L + 2-N 911250
174,848,750 0.00518462676 191.877915 MATCH-3: 0 L + 3-N 562500
175,197,500 0.00320038689 311.4622222 MATCH-2: 2 L + 0-N 492075
175,267,925 0.00279969845 356.181324 MATCH-2: 1 L + 1-N 5467500
170,292,500 0.03110776058 31.14631916 MATCH-2: 0 L + 2-N 7593750
168,166,250 0.04320522303 22.14534979 TOTALS 15,380,000 160,380,000
0.08750568958 10.42782835
[0084] Exemplary payout distributions for game variant one are
shown in table 2 below. The exemplary payouts were determined
assuming a $1.00 base fee amount. TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Number of
Ways MAJOR MATCH # MATCH # to win Approximate PRIZE OF OF per game
PROBABILITY OF ODDS of winning Distributions of Prize Payout NUMBER
LETTERS NUMBERS played winning per play per play TO 1: winnings
pool (Pari-Mutuel) 1 7/7 3 4 1 0.00000001 175,759,999.0000
23.03725% JACKPOT 2 6/7 3 3 36 0.00000020 4,882,221.2222 2.04825%
$100,000.00 3 6/7 2 4 75 0.00000043 2,343,465.6667 2.04825%
$48,000.00 4 5/7 3 2 486 0.00000277 361,645.0905 1.10630% $4,000.00
5 5/7 2 3 2700 0.00001536 65,095.2963 1.30653% $850.00 6 5/7 1 4
1875 0.00001067 93,737.6667 1.30653% $1,225.00 7 4/7 3 1 2916
0.00001659 60,273.3484 1.30653% $787.00 8 4/7 2 2 36450 0.00020739
4,820.9479 1.30653% $63.00 9 4/7 1 3 67500 0.00038405 2,602.8519
1.34500% $35.00 10 4/7 0 4 15625 0.00008890 11,247.6400 1.33400%
$150.00 11 3/7 3 0 6561 0.00003733 26,787.5993 1.30653% $350.00 12
3/7 2 1 218700 0.00124431 802.6580 1.24430% $10.00 13 3/7 1 2
911250 0.00518463 191.8779 2.07400% $4.00 14 3/7 0 3 562500
0.00320039 311.4622 0.96000% $3.00 15 2/7 2 0 492075 0.00279970
356.1813 0.84000% $3.00 16 2/7 1 1 5467500 0.03110776 31.1463
3.11000% $1.00 17 2/7 0 2 7593750 0.04320522 22.1453 4.32000% $1.00
TOTALS 1826675 0.08750569 10.4278 50.00000%
[0085] In an exemplary embodiment, for each drawing, 50% of gross
sales is allocated to a total winnings pool, with all prized
awarded on a pari-mutuel basis. (Example: if there is only one
winner, that person wins the entire prize category amount; if there
are 10 winners, the prize category amount is divided into ten equal
shares.)
[0086] Exemplary payout distributions for game variant one if a
predefined number of drawings occur without a jackpot winner are
shown in table 3 below. TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Number of MAJOR
PRIZE MATCH MATCH # Ways to win NUMBER 15th # OF OF per game
PROBABILITY OF ODDS of winning Distributions of DRAWING ONLY
LETTERS NUMBERS played winning per play per play TO 1: winnings
pool 1 3 3 36 0.00000020 4,882,221.2222 40.00% 2 2 4 75 0.00000043
2,343,465.6667 30.00% 3 3 2 486 0.00000277 361,645.0905 20.00% 4 1
4 1875 0.00001067 93,737.6667 10.00% 5 2 3 2700 0.00001536
65,095.2963 6 3 1 2916 0.00001659 60,273.3484 7 3 0 6561 0.00003733
26,787.5993
[0087] In an exemplary embodiment, if there is no winner in a
specific major prize number pool, the winnings pool percentages
will roll-down until there is a least one winning ticket in that
prize number pool.
[0088] Game variant two odds are shown in table 4 below. The number
of ways to win were calculated using the formula
C(n,r)*(x-1)**(n-r)*C(s,t)*(y-1)**(s-t)*C(a,b)*(z-1)**(a-b), where
C(n,r) is the combinations formula for n objects r at a time (n=3
and r=1,2,3) for the three alphabetic characters in the designated
template 601, C(s,t) is the combinations formula for s objects t at
a time (s=3 and t=0,1,2,3) for the three numeric characters in the
designated template 601, and C(a,b) is the combinations formula or
a objects b at a time (a=1 and b=0,1) for the state geographic
identifier in the designated template 601. The number of possible
characters for the alphabetic characters is represented by x, the
number of possible characters for the numeric characters is
represented by y, and the number of possible state geographic
identifiers is represented by z. Assuming there are 26 possible
alphabetic characters, 10 possible numeric characters (0-9), and 10
possible state identifiers (e.g., ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ,
PA, DE), x=26, y=10, and z=10, respectively. The number of ways to
lose is calculated by subtracting the number of ways to win from
the total number of alphabetic, numeric, and state combinations
(e.g., 26*26*26*10*10*10*10=175,760,000) The probability of winning
is calculated by dividing the number of ways to win by the total
number of alphabetic, numeric, and state combinations. The odds to
win to one are calculated by calculating the inverse of the
probability of winning and subtracting one. TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4
# OF WAYS # OF WAYS TO PROBABILITY OF # OF WAYS TO MATCH TO WIN
LOSE WIN ODDS TO WIN: 1 MATCH-7: 3 L + 3-N + State 1 175759999
0.000000006 175,759,999.00 MATCH-6: 3 L + 3-N + No-State 9
175759991 0.000000051 19,528,887.89 MATCH-6: 3 L + 2-N + State 27
175759973 0.000000154 6,509,628.63 MATCH-6: 2 L + 3-N + State 75
175759925 0.000000427 2,343,465.67 MATCH-5: 3 L + 2-N + NO-State
243 175759757 0.000001383 723,291.18 MATCH-5: 2 L + 3-N + NO-State
675 175759325 0.000003840 260,384.19 MATCH-5: 2 L + 2-N + State
2,025 175757975 0.000011521 86,794.06 MATCH-4: 3 L + 0-N + State
729 175759271 0.000004148 241,096.39 MATCH-4: 0 L + 3-N + State
15,625 175744375 0.000088900 11,247.64 MATCH-4: 2 L + 2-N +
NO-State 18,225 175741775 0.000103693 9,642.90 MATCH-4: 2 L + 1-N +
State 18,225 175741775 0.000103693 9,642.90 MATCH-4: 1 L + 2-N +
State 50,625 175709375 0.000288035 3,470.80 MATCH-3: 3 L + 0-N +
NO-State 6,561 175753439 0.000037329 26,787.60 MATCH-3: 0 L + 3-N +
NO-State 140,625 175619375 0.000800097 1,248.85 MATCH-3: 2 L + 1-N
+ NO-State 164,025 175595975 0.000933233 1,070.54 MATCH-3: 1 L +
2-N + NO-State 455,625 175304375 0.002592313 384.76 MATCH-3: 1 L +
1-N + State 455,625 175304375 0.002592313 384.76 MATCH-2: 1 L + 0-N
+ State 1,366,875 174393125 0.007776940 127.59 MATCH-2: 0 L + 1-N +
State 3,796,875 171963125 0.021602612 45.29 MATCH-2: 1 L + 1-N + NO
State 4,100,625 171659375 0.023330820 41.86 MATCH-1: 0 L + 0-N +
State 11,390,625 164369375 0.064807835 14.43 TOTALS 21,983,945
153,776,055 0.125079341 6.99493
[0089] Exemplary payout distributions for game variant two are
shown in table 5 below. TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Number of Ways to
win PROBABILITY Approximate Prize MATCH # MATCH # State per game OF
winning ODDS of winning Distributions of Prize Payout Level LETTERS
NUMBERS Match? played per play TO 1: winnings pool (Pari-Mutuel) 1
7/7 3 3 YES 1 0.00000001 175,759,999.0000 18.87699% JACKPOT 2 6/7 3
3 NO 9 0.00000005 19,528,887.8889 1.03693% $202,500.00 3 6/7 3 2
YES 27 0.00000015 6,509,628.6296 1.03693% $67,500.00 4 6/7 2 3 YES
75 0.00000043 2,343,465.6667 1.03693% $24,300.00 5 5/7 3 2 NO 243
0.00000138 723,291.1811 1.03693% $7,500.00 6 5/7 2 3 NO 675
0.00000384 260,384.1852 1.03693% $2,700.00 7 5/7 2 2 YES 2025
0.00001152 86,794.0617 1.03693% $900.00 8 4/7 3 0 YES 729
0.00000415 241,096.3937 1.03693% $2,500.00 9 4/7 0 3 YES 15625
0.00008890 11,247.6400 0.45000% $50.00 10 4/7 2 2 NO 18225
0.00010369 9,642.8957 0.52000% $50.00 11 4/7 2 1 YES 18225
0.00010369 9,642.8957 0.52000% $50.00 12 4/7 1 2 YES 50625
0.00028803 3,470.8025 1.00800% $35.00 13 3/7 3 0 NO 6561 0.00003733
26,787.5993 0.37350% $100.00 14 3/7 0 3 NO 140625 0.00080010
1,248.8489 0.56000% $7.00 15 3/7 2 1 NO 164025 0.00093323
1,070.5440 0.56000% $6.00 16 3/7 1 2 NO 455625 0.00259231 384.7558
1.03700% $4.00 17 3/7 1 1 YES 455625 0.00259231 384.7558 1.03700%
$4.00 18 2/7 1 0 YES 1366875 0.00777694 127.5853 2.33300% $3.00 19
2/7 0 1 YES 3796875 0.02160261 45.2907 4.32000% $2.00 20 2/7 1 1 NO
4100625 0.02333082 41.8618 4.66600% $2.00 21 1/7 0 0 YES 11390625
0.06480783 14.4302 6.48000% $1.00 TOTALS 21,983,945 0.12507934
6.9949 50.00000%
[0090] In an exemplary embodiment, for each drawing, 50% of gross
sales is allocated to a total winnings pool, with all prized
awarded on a pari-mutuel basis. (Example: if there is only one
winner, that person wins the entire prize category amount; if there
are 10 winners, the prize category amount is divided into ten equal
shares.)
[0091] Exemplary payout distributions for game variant two if a
predefined number of drawing occur without a jackpot winner are
shown in table 6 below. TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 PRIZE Number of
LEVEL MATCH # MATCH # MATCH Ways to win Distributions 15th OF OF
STATE? per game PROBABILITY OF ODDS of winning of winnings DRAWING
LETTERS NUMBERS Yes or NO played winning per play per play TO 1:
pool 1 3 3 NO 9 0.00000005 19,528,887.8889 40.00% 2 3 2 YES 27
0.00000015 6,509,628.6296 30.00% 3 2 3 YES 75 0.00000043
2,343,465.6667 20.00% 4 3 2 NO 243 0.00000138 723,291.1811 10.00% 5
2 3 NO 675 0.00000384 260,384.1852 6 3 0 YES 729 0.00000415
241,096.3937 7 2 2 YES 2025 0.00001152 86,794.0617 8 3 0 NO 6561
0.00003733 26,787.5993 9 0 3 YES 15625 0.00008890 11,247.6400
[0092] In an exemplary embodiment, if there is no winner in a
specific major prize number pool, the winnings pool percentages
will roll-down until there is a least one winning ticket in that
prize number pool.
[0093] Game variant three odds are shown in table 7 below. The
number of ways to win were calculated using the formula
C(n,r)*(x-1)**(n-r)*C(s,t)*(y-1)**(s-t)*C(a,b)*(z-1)*C(m,p)*(zz-1)**(a-p)-
*C(m,p)*(zz-1)**(m-p), where C(n,r) is the combinations formula for
n objects r at a time (n=3 and r=0,1,2,3) for the three alphabetic
characters in the designated template 601, C(s,t) is the
combinations formula for s objects t at a time (s=3 and t=0,1,2,3)
for the three numeric characters in the designated template 601,
C(a,b) is the combinations formula for a objects b at a time (a=1
and b=0,1) for the state geographic identifier in the designated
template 601 and C(m,p) is the combinations formula for m objects p
at a time (m=1 and p=0,1) for the region geographic identifier in
the designated template 601. The number of possible characters for
the alphabetic characters is represented by x, the number of
possible characters for the numeric characters is represented by y,
the number of possible state geographic identifiers is represented
by z, and the number of possible region geographic identifiers is
represented by zz. Assuming there are 26 possible alphabetic
characters, 10 possible numeric characters (0-9), 10 possible state
identifiers (e.g., ME, NH, VT, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA, DE), and
four possible region identifiers (e.g., North, South, East, and
West), x=26, y=10, z=10, and zz=4, respectively. The number of ways
to lose is calculated by subtracting the number of ways to win from
the total number of alphabetic, numeric, state, and region
combinations (e.g., 26*26*26*10*10*10*10*4=703,040,000) The
probability of winning is calculated by dividing the number of ways
to win by the total number of alphabetic, numeric, state, and
region combinations. The odds to win to one are calculated by
calculating the inverse of the probability of winning and
subtracting one. TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 # OF WAYS # OF WAYS
PROBABILITY OF ODDS TO # OF WAYS TO MATCH TO WIN TO LOSE WIN WIN: 1
MATCH-8: 3 L + 3-N + State + Reg 1 703039999 0.000000001
703,039,999.00 MATCH-7: 3 L + 3-N + State + NO-Reg 3 703039997
0.000000004 234,346,665.67 MATCH-7: 3 L + 3-N + NO-State + Reg 9
703039991 0.000000013 78,115,554.56 MATCH-7: 3 L + 2-N + State +
Reg 27 703039973 0.000000038 26,038,517.52 MATCH-7: 2 L + 3-N +
State + Reg 75 703039925 0.000000107 9,373,865.67 MATCH-6: 3 L +
3-N + NO-State + NO-Reg 270 703039730 0.000000384 2,603,850.85
MATCH-6: 3 L + 2-N + State + NO-Reg 81 703039919 0.000000115
8,679,505.17 MATCH-6: 3 L + 2-N + NO-State + Reg 243 703039757
0.000000346 2,893,167.72 MATCH-6: 2 L + 2-N + State + Reg 2,025
703037975 0.000002880 347,179.25 MATCH-6: 3 L + 1-N + State + Reg
243 703039757 0.000000346 2,893,167.72 MATCH-6: 1 L + 3-N + State +
Reg 1,875 703038125 0.000002667 374,953.67 MATCH-6: 2 L + 3-N +
State + NO-Reg 225 703039775 0.000000320 3,124,621.22 MATCH-6: 2 L
+ 3-N + NO-State + Reg 675 703039325 0.000000960 1,041,539.74
MATCH-5: 3 L + 2-N + NO-State + NO-Reg 7,290 703032710 0.000010369
96,437.96 MATCH-5: 2 L + 3-N + NO-State + NO-Reg 20,250 703019750
0.000028803 34,717.02 MATCH-5: 2 L + 2-N + State + NO-Reg 6,075
703033925 0.000008641 115,725.75 MATCH-5: 2 L + 2-N + NO-State +
Reg 18,225 703021775 0.000025923 38,574.58 MATCH-5: 2 L + 1-N +
State + Reg 18,225 703021775 0.000025923 38,574.58 MATCH-5: 1 L +
2-N + State + Reg 50,625 702989375 0.000072009 13,886.21 MATCH-5: 3
L + 0-N + State + Reg 729 703039271 0.000001037 964,388.57 MATCH-5:
0 L + 3-N + State + Reg 15,625 703024375 0.000022225 44,993.56
MATCH-4: 3 L + 0-N + State + NO-Reg 2,187 703037813 0.000003111
321,462.19 MATCH-4: 3 L + 0-N + NO-State + Reg 6,561 703033439
0.000009332 107,153.40 MATCH-4: 0 L + 3-N + State + NO-Reg 46,875
702993125 0.000066675 14,997.19 MATCH-4: 0 L + 3-N + NO-State + Reg
140,625 702899375 0.000200024 4,998.40 MATCH-4: 3 L + 1-N +
NO-State + NO-Reg 65,610 702974390 0.000093323 10,714.44 MATCH-4: 1
L + 3-N + NO-State + NO-Reg 506,250 702533750 0.000720087 1,387.72
MATCH-4 :2 L + 2-N + NO-State + NO-Reg 546,750 702493250
0.000777694 1,284.85 MATCH-4: 2 L + 0-N + State + Reg 54,675
702985325 0.000077769 12,857.53 MATCH-4: 0 L + 2-N + State + Reg
421,875 702618125 0.000600073 1,665.47 MATCH-4: 1 L + 1-N + State +
Reg 455,625 702584375 0.000648078 1,542.02 MATCH-3: 3 L + 0-N +
NO-State + NO-Reg 196,830 702843170 0.000279970 3,570.81 MATCH-3: 2
L + 1-N + NO-State + NO-Reg 4,920,750 698119250 0.006999246 141.87
MATCH-3: 2 L + 0-N + State + NO-Reg 164,025 702875975 0.000233308
4,285.18 MATCH-3: 2 L + 0-N + NO-State + Reg 492,075 702547925
0.000699925 1,427.73 MATCH-3: 1 L + 2-N + NO-State + NO-Reg
13,668,750 689371250 0.019442350 50.43 MATCH-3: 0 L + 2-N + State +
NO-Reg 1,265,625 701774375 0.001800218 554.49 MATCH-3: 0 L + 2-N +
NO-State + Reg 3,796,875 699243125 0.005400653 184.16 MATCH-3: 1 L
+ 1-N + State + NO-Reg 1,366,875 701673125 0.001944235 513.34
MATCH-3: 1 L + 1-N + NO-State + Reg 4,100,625 698939375 0.005832705
170.45 MATCH-3: 1 L + 0-N + State + Reg 1,366,875 701673125
0.001944235 513.34 MATCH-3: 0 L + 1-N + State + Reg 3,796,875
699243125 0.005400653 184.16 MATCH-3: 0 L + 3-N + NO-State + NO-Reg
140,625 702899375 0.000200024 4,998.40 MATCH-2: 2 L + 0-N +
NO-State + NO-Reg 492,075 70254792S 0.000699925 1,427.73 MATCH-2: 0
L + 2-N + NO-State + NO-Reg 3,796,875 699243125 0.005400653 184.16
MATCH-2: 1 L + 1-N + NO-State + NO-Reg 4,100,625 698939375
0.005832705 170.45 MATCH-2: 1 L + 0-N + NO-State + Reg 12,301,875
690738125 0.017498115 56.15 MATCH-2: 1 L + 0-N + State + NO-Reg
4,100,625 698939375 0.005832705 170.45 MATCH-2: 0 L + 1-N + State +
NO-Reg 11,390,625 691649375 0.016201959 60.72 MATCH-2: 0 L + 1-N +
NO-State + Reg 34,171,875 668868125 0.048605876 19.57 MATCH-2: 0 L
+ 0-N + State + Reg 11,390,625 691649375 0.016201959 60.72 TOTALS
119,411,834 583628166 0.169850697 4.88752
[0094] Exemplary payout distributions for game variant three are
shown in table 8 below. TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Number of
Approximate MAJOR MATCH # MATCH # Ways to PROBABILITY ODDS of
Distributions Prize PRIZE OF OF STATE REGION win per game of
winning per winning per of winnings Payout NUMBER LETTERS NUMBERS
MATCH? MATCH? played play play TO 1: pool (Pari-Mutuel) 1 8/8 3 3
YES YES 1 0.000000001 703,039,999 17.76868% JACKPOT 27/8 3 3 YES NO
3 0.000000004 234,346,666 0.42672% $1,000,000.00 37/8 3 3 NO YES 9
0.000000013 78,115,555 0.42672% $330,000.00 47/8 3 2 YES YES 27
0.000000038 26,038,518 0.42672% $110,000.00 57/8 2 3 YES YES 75
0.000000107 9,373,866 0.42672% $40,000.00 6 6/8 3 3 NO NO 270
0.000000384 2,603,851 0.42672% $11,000.00 7 6/8 3 2 YES NO 81
0.000000115 8,679,505 0.42672% $37,500.00 8 6/8 3 2 NO YES 243
0.000000346 2,893,168 0.42672% $12,500.00 9 6/8 2 2 YES YES 2,025
0.000002880 347,179 0.42672% $1,500.00 10 6/8 3 1 YES YES 243
0.000000346 2,893,168 0.42672% $12,500.00 11 6/8 1 3 YES YES 1,875
0.000002667 374,954 0.42672% $1,600.00 12 6/8 2 3 YES NO 225
0.000000320 3,124,621 0.42672% $13,000.00 13 6/8 2 3 NO YES 675
0.000000960 1,041,540 0.42672% $4,500.00 145/8 3 2 NO NO 7,290
0.000010369 96,438 0.42672% $400.00 155/8 2 3 NO NO 20,250
0.000028803 34,717 0.42672% $150.00 165/8 2 2 YES NO 6,075
0.000008641 115,726 0.42672% $500.00 175/8 2 2 NO YES 18,225
0.000025923 38,575 0.42672% $150.00 185/8 2 1 YES YES 18,225
0.000025923 38,575 0.42672% $150.00 195/8 1 2 YES YES 50,625
0.000072009 13,886 0.42672% $60.00 205/8 3 0 YES YES 729
0.000001037 964,389 0.42672% $4,000.00 215/8 0 3 YES YES 15,625
0.000022225 44,994 0.42672% $200.00 22 4/8 3 0 YES NO 2,187
0.000003111 321,462 0.42672% $1,000.00 23 4/8 3 0 NO YES 6,561
0.000009332 107,153 0.42672% $450.00 24 4/8 0 3 YES NO 46,875
0.000066675 14,997 0.42672% $60.00 25 4/8 0 3 NO YES 140,625
0.000200024 4,998 0.42672% $20.00 26 4/8 3 1 NO NO 65,610
0.000093323 10,714 0.42672% $40.00 27 4/8 1 3 NO NO 506,250
0.000720087 1,388 0.42672% $5.00 28 4/8 2 2 NO NO 546,750
0.000777694 1,285 0.42672% $5.00 29 4/8 2 0 YES YES 54,675
0.000077769 12,858 0.42672% $50.00 30 4/8 0 2 YES YES 421,875
0.000600073 1,665 0.42672% $7.00 31 4/8 1 1 YES YES 455,625
0.000648078 1,542 0.42672% $6.00 323/8 3 0 NO NO 196,830
0.000279970 3,571 0.42672% $15.00 333/8 2 1 NO NO 4,920,750
0.006999246 142 0.42672% $1.00 343/8 2 0 YES NO 164,025 0.000233308
4,285 0.42672% $18.00 353/8 2 0 NO YES 492,075 0.000699925 1,428
0.42672% $6.00 363/8 1 2 NO NO 13,668,750 0.019442350 50 1.94400%
$1.00 373/8 0 2 YES NO 1,265,625 0.001800218 554 0.54000% $3.00
383/8 0 2 NO YES 3,796,875 0.005400653 184 0.54000% $1.00 393/8 1 1
YES NO 1,366,875 0.001944235 513 0.58320% $3.00 403/8 1 1 NO YES
4,100,625 0.005832705 170 0.58300% $1.00 413/8 1 0 YES YES
1,366,875 0.001944235 513 0.58320% $3.00 423/8 0 1 YES YES
3,796,875 0.005400653 184 0.54000% $1.00 433/8 0 3 NO NO 140,625
0.000200024 4,998 0.42672% $20.00 44 2/8 2 0 NO NO 492,075
0.000699925 1,428 0.42672% $6.00 45 2/8 0 2 NO NO 3,796,875
0.005400653 184 0.54000% $1.00 46 2/8 1 1 NO NO 4,100,625
0.005832705 170 0.58300% $1.00 47 2/8 1 0 NO YES 12,301,875
0.017498115 56 1.75000% $1.00 48 2/8 1 0 YES NO 4,100,625
0.005832705 170 0.58300% $1.00 49 2/8 0 1 YES NO 11,390,625
0.016201959 61 1.62000% $1.00 50 2/8 0 1 NO YES 34,171,875
0.048605876 20 4.86000% $1.00 51 2/8 0 0 YES YES 11,390,625
0.016201959 61 1.62000% $1.00 TOTALS 119,411,834 0.169850697 4.8875
50.00000%
[0095] In an exemplary embodiment, for each drawing, 50% of gross
sales is allocated to a total winnings pool, with all prizes
awarded on a pari-mutuel basis. (Example: if there is only one
winner, that person wins the entire prize category amount; if there
are 10 winners, the prize category amount is divided into ten equal
shares.)
[0096] Exemplary payout distributions for the game variant three if
a predefined number of drawing occur without a jackpot winner are
shown in table 9 below. TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 MAJOR PRIZE Number
of NUMBER 15th MATCH # MATCH # Ways to ODDS of Distributions
DRAWING OF OF STATE REGION win per PROBABILITY OF winning per play
of winnings ONLY LETTERS NUMBERS MATCH? MATCH? game played winning
per play TO 1: pool 1 3 3 YES NO 3 0.000000004 234,346,665.67
40.00% 2 3 3 NO YES 9 0.000000013 78,115,554.56 30.00% 3 3 2 YES
YES 27 0.000000038 26,038,517.52 20.00% 4 2 3 YES YES 75
0.000000107 9,373,865.67 10.00% 5 3 2 YES NO 81 0.000000115
8,679,505.17 6 2 3 YES NO 225 0.000000320 3,124,621.22 7 3 2 NO YES
243 0.000000346 2,893,167.72 3 1 YES YES 243 0.000000346
2,893,167.72 8 3 3 NO NO 270 0.000000384 2,603,850.85 9 2 3 NO YES
675 0.000000960 1,041,539.74 10 3 0 YES YES 729 0.000001037
964,388.57 11 1 3 YES YES 1,875 0.000002667 374,953.67 12 2 2 YES
YES 2,025 0.000002880 347,179.25
[0097] In an exemplary embodiment, for each drawing, 50% of gross
sales is allocated to a total winnings pool, with all prizes
awarded on a pari-mutuel basis. (Example: if there is only one
winner, that person wins the entire prize category amount; if there
are 10 winners, the prize category amount is divided into ten equal
shares.)
[0098] Exemplary odds and payout distributions for the game variant
six are shown in table 10 below. TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10
Approximate MATCH # MATCH # ODDS of Prize Per $ 1.00 OF OF
PROBABILITY OF winning per play TO Payout WAYS TO WIN LETTERS
NUMBERS winning per play 1: (Pari-mutuel) 1ST POSITION: L 1 0
0.038461538 25.0000 $13 1ST POSITION: N 0 1 0.100000000 9.0000 $5
2.sup.ND POSITION: L-L 2 0 0.001479290 675.0000 $338 2.sup.ND
POSITION: L-N 1 1 0.003846154 259.0000 $130 2.sup.ND POSITION: N-L
1 1 0.003846154 259.0000 $130 2ND POSITION: N-N 0 2 0.010000000
99.0000 $50 3rd POSITION: L-L-L 3 0 0.000056896 17,575.0000 $8,788
3rd POSITION: L-L-N 2 1 0.000147929 6,759.0000 $3,380 3RD POSITION:
L-N-L 2 1 0.000147929 6,759.0000 $3,380 3RD POSITION: N-L-L 2 1
0.000147929 6,759.0000 $3,380 3RD POSITION: N-N-L 1 2 0.000384615
2,599.0000 $1,300 3RD POSITION: N-L-N 1 2 0.000384615 2,599.0000
$1,300 3RD POSITION: L-N-N 1 2 0.000384615 2,599.0000 $1,300 3RD
POSITION: N-N-N 0 3 0.001000000 999.0000 $500 4th POSITION: L-L-L-L
4 0 0.000002188 456,975.0000 $228,488 4th POSITION: L-L-L-N 3 1
0.000005690 175,759.0000 $87,880 4th POSITION: L-L-N-L 3 1
0.000005690 175,759.0000 $87,880 4th POSITION: L-N-L-L 3 1
0.000005690 175,759.0000 $87,880 4th POSITION: N-L-L-L 3 1
0.000005690 175,759.0000 $87,880 4th POSITION: L-L-N-N 2 2
0.000014793 67,599.0000 $33,800 4th POSITION: L-N-L-N 2 2
0.000014793 67,599.0000 $33,800 4th POSITION: N-L-L-N 2 2
0.000014793 67,599.0000 $33,800 4th POSITION: L-N-N-L 2 2
0.000014793 67,599.0000 $33,800 4th POSITION: N-L-N-L 2 2
0.000014793 67,599.0000 $33,800 4th POSITION: N-N-L-L 2 2
0.000014793 67,599.0000 $33,800 4th POSITION: N-N-N-L 1 3
0.000038462 25,999.0000 $13,000 4th POSITION: N-N-L-N 1 3
0.000038462 25,999.0000 $13,000 4th POSITION: N-L-N-N 1 3
0.000038462 25,999.0000 $13,000 4th POSITION: L-N-N-N 1 3
0.000038462 25,999.0000 $13,000 4th POSITION: N-N-N-N 0 4
0.000100000 9,999.0000 $5,000 TOTALS 0.16065522 5.2245
[0099] Odds and payout distributions for other game variants will
be understood by one of skill in the art from the description
herein.
[0100] While the particular embodiments to the present invention
have been disclosed herein, it is not intended to limit the
invention to such disclosure. Changes, modifications, or different
embodiments may be incorporated within the scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *
References