U.S. patent application number 11/403722 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-16 for system and method for providing a multiple-stage contest.
Invention is credited to Howard W. Lutnick, Gregory P. Manning, Joseph C. Noviello.
Application Number | 20060258429 11/403722 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37087693 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060258429 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Manning; Gregory P. ; et
al. |
November 16, 2006 |
System and method for providing a multiple-stage contest
Abstract
A method of providing a multiple-stage contest is provided. A
plurality of contest entries eligible to win a multiple-stage
contest are sold to a plurality of contestants, each contest entry
being defined at least by a set of one or more distinct
identifiers. At each stage in the multiple-stage contest, one or
more determinations regarding the distinct identifiers are made,
which determinations cause a portion of the contest entries
remaining eligible at that stage to become ineligible to win the
contest. A market may be provided for contest entries remaining
eligible after at least one of the plurality of stages. At least
one winning contest entry is determined from one or more contest
entries remaining eligible after the multiple stages of the
contest. A competition may be held among contestants holding
eligible contest entries to determine one or more winners. An award
for each winning contest entry may be determined based on the
revenues received from selling the plurality of contest
entries.
Inventors: |
Manning; Gregory P.; (New
York, NY) ; Noviello; Joseph C.; (New York, NY)
; Lutnick; Howard W.; (New York, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAKER BOTTS L.L.P.
2001 ROSS AVENUE
SUITE 600
DALLAS
TX
75201-2980
US
|
Family ID: |
37087693 |
Appl. No.: |
11/403722 |
Filed: |
April 12, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60670373 |
Apr 12, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3248 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101; G07F 17/3288 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101;
G07F 17/3262 20130101; G07F 17/3227 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/016 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method of providing a multiple-stage contest, comprising: at
each of a plurality of stages in a contest, causing a portion of a
plurality of contest entries eligible to win the contest to become
ineligible to win the contest; and determining at least one winning
contest entry from one or more contest entries remaining eligible
after the plurality of stages.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a market for
buying and selling contest entries that remain eligible after at
least one of the plurality of stages.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the market comprises an
electronic market.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein providing a market for eligible
contest entries comprises providing an electronic auction for
eligible contest entries.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the
plurality of contest entries to a plurality of contestants.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein providing the plurality of
contest entries to a plurality of contestants comprises selling
each of a plurality of contest entries to a contestant for a
particular price.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein providing the plurality of
contest entries to a plurality of contestants comprises offering
contest entries for sale to contestants via the Internet.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein each contest entry is defined at
least by one or more distinct identifiers.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more distinct
identifiers defining each contest entry comprises one or more
alphanumeric characters.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein each contest entry comprises a
ticket having the one or more distinct identifiers defining that
contest entry printed thereon.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein causing a portion of the
eligible contest entries to become ineligible to win the contest at
each of the plurality of stages comprises: at each stage, making
one or more determinations regarding at least one of the distinct
identifiers defining at least a portion of the contest entries, the
one or more determinations causing a portion of the eligible
contest entries to become ineligible to win the contest.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein: the one or more distinct
identifiers defining each contest entry comprises one or more
numbers; and causing a portion of the eligible contest entries to
become ineligible to win the contest at each of the plurality of
stages comprises at each stage, making one or more numerical
determinations causing a portion of the eligible contest entries to
become ineligible to win the contest based on the numbers defining
at least a portion of the contest entries.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein: the one or more distinct
identifiers defining each contest entry comprises, for each of the
plurality of stages, one of a plurality of possible identifiers
corresponding to that stage; and causing a portion of the eligible
contest entries to become ineligible to win the contest at each of
the plurality of stages comprises, at each stage, making a
determination regarding the plurality of possible identifiers
corresponding to that stage that causes a portion of the eligible
contest entries to become ineligible to win the contest based on
the identifier corresponding to that stage not being included in
the set of distinct identifiers defining each of the eligible
contest entries.
14. The method of claim 1, further comprising: selling each of a
plurality of contest entries to a contestant for a price;
determining an award for at least one winning contest entry based
on revenues received from selling the plurality of contest
entries.
15. The method of claim 1, further comprising: selling each of a
plurality of contest entries to a contestant for a price; creating
an award pool based on revenues from the sale of the contest
entries; and determining an award for at least one winning contest
entry based on at least a portion of the award pool.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein: causing a portion of the
eligible contest entries to become ineligible to win the contest at
each of the plurality of stages comprises performing a first type
of selection process; and determining at least one winning contest
entry from one or more contest entries remaining eligible after the
plurality of stages comprises a second type of selection process
different from the first type of selection process.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein: each contest entry is defined
at least by one or more distinct identifiers; the first type of
selection process comprises making determinations regarding at
least one of the distinct identifiers defining at least a portion
of the contest entries, each determination causing a portion of the
eligible contest entries to become ineligible to win the contest;
and the second type of selection process comprises a competition
between contestants associated with the one or more contest entries
remaining eligible after the plurality of stages.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the competition between the
contestants comprises one or more physical or mental
competitions.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the competition between the
contestants comprises voting to determine at least one winning
contestant.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the competition between the
contestants is broadcast to the public and comprises voting by the
public to determine at least one winning contestant.
21. The method of claim 1, wherein determining at least one winning
contest entry from one or more contest entries remaining eligible
after the plurality of stages comprises determining each of the one
or more contest entries remaining eligible after the plurality of
stages to be a winning contest entry.
22. The method of claim 18, further comprising determining an award
for at least one winning contest entry based on an award pool that
comprises revenues generated by broadcasting the competition
between the contestants.
23. The method of claim 18, wherein at least one contestant in the
competition is a designee associated with an owner of a contest
entry remaining eligible after the plurality of stages.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the designee paid the owner for
the right to participate in the competition in exchange for a share
of an award won by the owner.
25. The method of claim 16, further comprising performing the
second type of selection process after the number of eligible
contest entries is reduced below a predetermined threshold by the
first type of selection process.
26. A method of providing a multiple-stage contest, comprising:
selling a plurality of contest entries eligible to win a contest to
a plurality of contestants, each contest entry being defined at
least by one or more distinct identifiers; at each of a plurality
of stages in the contest, making one or more determinations
regarding at least one of the distinct identifiers defining at
least a portion of the contest entries, the one or more
determinations causing a portion of the eligible contest entries to
become ineligible to win the contest; providing a market for buying
and selling contest entries remaining eligible after at least one
of the plurality of stages; determining at least one winning
contest entry from one or more contest entries remaining eligible
after the plurality of stages; determining an award for each of the
at least one winning contest entry based at least on the revenues
received from selling the plurality of contest entries.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein determining at least one
winning contest entry from one or more contest entries remaining
eligible after the plurality of stages comprises providing a
competition between contestants associated with the one or more
contest entries that remain eligible after the plurality of stages
to determine at least one winning contest entry.
28. The method of claim 26, wherein: the distinct identifier of
each contest entry comprises one or more alphanumeric characters;
and making one or more determinations to cause a portion of the
eligible contest entries to become ineligible to win the contest
comprises at each stage, making one or more determinations causing
a portion of the eligible contest entries to become ineligible to
win the contest based at least on the associated alphanumeric
characters.
29. The method of claim 27, wherein the competition between the
contestants comprises one or more physical or mental
competitions.
30. The method of claim 27, wherein the competition between the
contestants comprises voting to determine at least one winning
contestant.
31. The method of claim 27, wherein the competition between the
contestants is broadcast to the public and comprises voting by the
public to determine at least one winning contestant.
32. A system for providing a multiple-stage contest, comprising: a
memory operable to store information associated with a plurality of
contest entries; and a processor coupled to the memory and
operable, at each of a plurality of stages in a contest, to cause a
portion of the plurality of contest entries eligible to win the
contest to become ineligible to win the contest.
33. The system of claim 32, wherein the processor is further
operable to support a market for buying and selling contest entries
that remain eligible after at least one of the plurality of
stages.
34. The system of claim 32, wherein each contest entry is defined
at least by one or more distinct identifiers.
35. The system of claim 34, wherein the one or more distinct
identifiers defining each contest entry comprises one or more
alphanumeric characters.
36. The system of claim 32, wherein causing a portion of the
eligible contest entries to become ineligible to win the contest at
each of the plurality of stages comprises: at each stage, making
one or more determinations regarding at least one of the distinct
identifiers defining at least a portion of the contest entries, the
one or more determinations causing a portion of the eligible
contest entries to become ineligible to win the contest.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119
of provisional application Ser. No. 60/670,373 filed Apr. 12,
2005.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates in general to contests and, more
particularly, to a system and method for providing a multiple-stage
contest.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many states have lottery systems, by which participants
purchase entries in the lottery. The money paid for the entries is
pooled and a portion of the pooled money is paid to one or more
winners. The one or more winners may be determined by matching
randomly drawn numbers to a series of numbers on lottery tickets
issued to the participants in exchange for the entry purchase
price. For example, in a Lotto-style lottery, a number of balls
having numbers printed thereon are mixed and one or more of the
balls are then randomly selected. The number printed in the
selected balls are referred to as the "winning numbers," and
lottery tickets having a minimum number of numbers that match the
winning numbers are determined to be winning tickets. Awards are
then given to the winning tickets, with the largest awards going to
the winning ticket or tickets having the highest number of numbers
that match the winning numbers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In accordance with the present invention, system and methods
are provided for providing a multiple-stage contest.
[0005] According to one embodiment, a method of providing a
multiple-stage contest is provided. At each of a plurality of
stages in a contest, a portion of a plurality of contest entries
eligible to win the contest are caused to become ineligible to win
the contest. At least one winning contest entry is determined from
one or more contest entries remaining eligible after the plurality
of stages.
[0006] According to another embodiment, a method of providing a
multiple-stage contest is provided. A plurality of contest entries
eligible to win a multiple-stage contest are sold to a plurality of
contestants, each contest entry being defined at least by a set of
one or more distinct identifiers. At each stage in the
multiple-stage contest, one or more determinations regarding the
distinct identifiers are made, which determinations cause a portion
of the contest entries remaining eligible at that stage to become
ineligible to win the contest. A market may be provided for contest
entries remaining eligible after at least one of the plurality of
stages. At least one winning contest entry is determined from one
or more contest entries remaining eligible after the multiple
stages of the contest. An award for each winning contest entry may
be determined based on the revenues received from selling the
plurality of contest entries.
[0007] Various embodiments of the present invention may benefit
from numerous advantages. It should be noted that one or more
embodiments may benefit from some, none, or all of the advantages
discussed below.
[0008] One advantage of the invention is that systems and methods
are provided for providing a multiple-stage contest. Any number of
contest entries eligible to win the multiple-stage contest may be
sold to any number of contestants, and the contest may be regional,
national, or in some cases, international. A portion of the contest
entries are eliminated from competition at each of a number of
stages, which may occur over any desired period of time. In some
embodiments, markets may be provided for buying, selling or
otherwise exchanging eligible contest entries between each of the
stages, which may create additional interest or excitement
regarding the contest. After the number of eligible contest entries
has been reduced to a particular number, the owners or the
remaining eligible contest entries (or delegates assigned by the
owners) may then compete in various competitions and/or voting in
order to determine one or more winning contest entries or
contestants. In this regard, the selection process for a first
stage of the multiple-stage contest may be different from the
selection processes for subsequent stages of the multiple-stage
contest. Such competitions and/or voting may be broadcast to the
public (such as via television, radio, or the Internet), thus
creating further interest or excitement regarding the contest. In
addition, the public may affect the outcome of the contest, such as
by telephone or online voting.
[0009] Other advantages will be readily apparent to one having
ordinary skill in the art from the following figures, descriptions,
and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] For a more complete understanding of the present invention
and for further features and advantages, reference is now made to
the following description, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates an example system for providing a
multiple-stage contest;
[0012] FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate example contest entries for use in a
multiple-stage contest provided by the system shown in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a multiple-stage process of reducing the
number of eligible contest entries according to one embodiment of
the invention; and
[0014] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example method of
managing a multiple-stage contest in accordance with one embodiment
of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Example embodiments of the present invention and their
advantages are best understood by referring now to FIGS. 1 through
4 of the drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts. In
general, according to at least some embodiments, systems and
methods for providing a multiple-stage contest are provided. A
number of contest entries eligible to win the multiple-stage
contest may be sold to a number of contestants. Each contest entry
may comprise a ticket (either physical or electronic) and may be
defined by a set of one or more distinct identifiers (such as one
or more numbers or alphanumeric characters, for example) located on
the ticket. At each stage of the multiple-stage contest, one or
more determinations regarding the distinct identifiers are made,
which determinations cause a portion of the contest entries having
remained eligible until that stage to become ineligible to win the
contest. For example, in embodiments in which each ticket has one
or more numbers printed thereon, a numerical determination may be
made at each stage that causes a portion of the contest entries
remaining eligible at that stage to become ineligible to win the
contest. In some embodiments, such determinations may be broadcast,
such as via the Internet, television, or radio, and in some cases
may be broadcast live or substantially in real-time.
[0016] In another example, the distinct identifiers associated with
the tickets may form an association between a contestant possessing
a ticket and a particular participant in an underlying event (e.g.,
a golfer in a tournament, a football team in a game, a politician
in an election, a contestant in a television show, etc.). Any of a
series of outcomes associated with the underlying event causes a
portion of the contest entries to become ineligible to win the
contest. For example, if a particular golfer failed to make the cut
at a golf tournament, then all of the contestants possessing
tickets associated with that golfer may become ineligible to win
the contest. Other examples from other sporting events, political
events, entertainment events, or any other daily events may be used
to make entries ineligible to advance through one or more of a
series of stages in the multi-stage contest.
[0017] After the multiple stages of the contest, a set of one or
more contest entries remain eligible to win the contest. At least
one winning contest entry is determined from this set of one or
more remaining contest entries. In some embodiments, each of the
one or more contest entries that have remained eligible to win the
contest throughout the multiple stages of the contest is determined
to be a winning contest entry. In other embodiments, a secondary
contest among the set of contest entries remaining eligible to win
is performed in order to determine at least one winning contest
entry from the set of remaining contest entries. Such secondary
contest may include one or more competitions between contestants
owning or otherwise associated with the set of remaining contest
entries. Such competitions may include mental, physical or other
competitions between the remaining contestants. In some
embodiments, the competitions between contestants may include
voting among the contestants and/or non-contestants, such as the
general public, in order to further eliminate remaining contest
entries (or associated contestants) or to determine one or more
winning contest entries (or associated contestant(s)).
[0018] In particular embodiments, the secondary contest may be
broadcast, such as via the Internet, television, or radio, and in
some cases may be broadcast live or substantially in real-time. For
example, the secondary contest may be a "reality-based" television
show in which the remaining contestants participate in various
contests and/or voting against each other to determine one or more
winning contestants.
[0019] A monetary or other type of award may be provided to each
winning contestant. In the case of monetary awards, the amount of
the awards may be determined from an award pool including at least
a portion of the revenues collected from the original selling of
contest entries. In some cases, the award pool may also include a
portion of the revenues generated by broadcasting the secondary
contest. A commission for providing and managing the contest may be
determined and removed from the award pool. The commission may be a
particular monetary amount or a particular percentage of the award
pool. Awards may be provided to winning contestants in any suitable
manner, such as lump-sum cash awards or a number of installment
payments over a period of time, for example.
[0020] Based on the operation of the multiple-stage contest, the
value of contest entries remaining eligible to win the contest
naturally increases as the contest progresses (i.e., as the number
of contest entries remaining eligible to win the contest
decreases). In some embodiments, markets may be provided for buying
and selling contest entries remaining eligible after at least one
of the multiple stages of the contest and/or during the secondary
contest. Such markets may include all forms and variations of
electronic markets and/or physical markets for the exchange of
remaining eligible contest entries, which may include all forms and
variations of auction markets. In addition, markets may be provided
for wagering on particular results of the contest, such as wagering
on particular remaining contestants to win the contest or a stage
of the contest, for example.
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 10 for providing a
multiple-stage contest according to an embodiment of the present
invention. As shown, system 10 may include a contest management
module 12 operable to provide one or more contest entries 14 to one
or more contestants 16 and/or to manage a multiple-stage contest
for such contest entries 14. Contest management module 12 may
provide contest entries 14 to contestants 16 in any suitable
manner. Further, contest management module 12 may provide
contestants 16 either or both electronic contest entries 14a and/or
physical contest entries 14b (e.g., paper ticket). For example, in
the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, contest management module 12 may
provide contestants 16 (a) electronic contest entries 14a via the
Internet and (b) physical contest entries 14b via one or more
ticket outlets 18. Thus, contest management module 12 may be
associated with or comprise one or more web servers 30 operable to
provide a web interface for providing electronic contest entries
14a to contestants 16 via the Internet and/or one or more outlet
servers 32 operable to communicate with ticket outlets 18 such that
ticket outlets 18 may provide physical contest entries 14b (e.g.,
paper tickets) to contestants 16.
[0022] Contest management module 12 may communicate with
contestants 16, such as to provide an interface for contestants to
buy and/or sell electronic contest entries 14a, via user terminals
34 coupled to one or more web servers 30 via a first communications
network 40. Similarly, contest management module 12 may communicate
with ticket outlets 18, such as to provide an interface for ticket
outlets 18 to sell physical contest entries 14b to contestants 16,
via ticket terminals 42 (located at or otherwise associated with
ticket outlets 18) coupled to one or more outlet servers 32 via a
second communications network 44.
[0023] Content management module 12 may also provide a platform for
a secondary market in which eligible contest entries 14 may be
bought, sold, or otherwise transacted at one or more stages of the
multi-stage contest. Such a secondary market may be based upon a
bid/offer transaction, an auction transaction, an option
transaction, or any of a variety of other suitable market-based
transactions whether now known or hereinafter developed. The
particular type of transaction that can be conducted may be the
same or different at any given stage 12 of the multi-stage contest.
Any number and combination of the various elements of system 10,
such as, for example, processor 20 and memory 22 of module 12,
servers 30 and 32, communications networks 40 and 44, and user
terminals 34 may be used to support the secondary market
transactions of system 10. Moreover, any of these components may
couple to and/or operate in conjunction with components of any
other systems that support market based transactions, in order to
provide the secondary market transactions of system 10.
[0024] In a particular aspect of operation, user terminals 34 may
include a display that provides information to support transacting
contest entries 14. Examples of this information may include,
without limitation, the contest entries 14 that are available for
transaction, the value and/or price of these contest entries 14,
the contestants 16 associated with these contest entries 14, and
any other suitable information.
[0025] In a further embodiment, commission fees and/or transaction
fees may be charged for transactions conducted in the secondary
market for contest entries 14. The amounts of such fees may depend,
for example, on the size of the transaction, the stage of the
contest at which the transaction is being conducted, or upon any
other suitable criteria. In this regard, revenue may be generated
from transaction fees associated with the secondary market for
contest entries 14.
[0026] Contest management module 12 may comprise an at least
partially computerized system for providing and/or managing a
multiple-stage contest as described herein. Contest management
module 12 may include a computer, a server, a management center, a
single workstation, or a headquartering office for any person,
business, or entity that provides and/or manages a multiple-stage
contest. Accordingly, contest management module 12 may include any
suitable hardware, software, personnel, devices, components,
elements, or objects that may be utilized or implemented to achieve
the operations and functions described herein.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, contest management module 12 may include
a processing unit 20 and a memory unit 22. Processing unit 20 may
process data associated with contest entries 14, contestants 16,
designees 17, various determinations made at each stage regarding
the elimination of contest entries 14, secondary market
transactions, or any other relevant data, which may include
executing software 24 or other coded instructions that may in
particular embodiments be associated with contest management module
12. Memory unit 22 may store software 24, data associated with
contest entries 14, contestants 16, designees 17, determinations
made at each stage regarding the elimination of contest entries 14,
secondary market transactions, and any other relevant data. Memory
unit 22 may be coupled to data processing unit 20 and may include
one or more databases and other suitable memory devices, such as
one or more random access memories (RAMs), read-only memories
(ROMs), dynamic random access memories (DRAMs), fast cycle RAMs
(FCRAMs), static RAM (SRAMs), field-programmable gate arrays
(FPGAs), erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs),
electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), or
any other suitable volatile or non-volatile memory devices.
[0028] It should be understood that the functionality provided by
contest management module 12 may be partially or completely manual
such that one or more humans may provide various functionalities
associated with contest management module 12. For example, a human
agent and/or processor 20 of contest management module 12 may
facilitate the determinations made at each stage that eliminate a
portion of the remaining eligible contest entries 14.
[0029] It should also be understood that although FIG. 1
illustrates a particular embodiment of the invention, some or all
of the various automated functionalities provided by system 10
discussed herein may be provided by any suitable hardware,
software, or other computer devices located at, hosted by, or
otherwise associated with any one or more components of system 10,
including user workstations 34, ticket terminals 42, first
communications network 40, second communications network 44, web
servers 30 and/or outlet servers 32. Moreover, the various
functionalities described above with regard to module 12 may be
distributed in whole or in part among any suitable number,
combination, and arrangement of modules 12.
[0030] Contest entries 14 comprise entries to win a multiple-stage
contest provided by system 10 as described herein. Each contest
entry 14 may be owned by, or otherwise associated with, one or more
contestants 16. For example, an individual, a group of individuals,
or firm may purchase a particular contest entry 14. As discussed
above, contest entries may include electronic contest entries 14a
and/or physical contest entries 14b. Electronic contest entries 14a
may include contest entries 14 embodied in electronic media, and
thus may be provided, purchased, sold, or otherwise managed via
electronic means, such as a computer network including contest
management module 12, web server 30 and user terminals 34 coupled
via first communications network 40. In some embodiments, a
contestant 16 may print a paper version of an electronic contest
entry 14a, such as using a printer associated with a user terminal
34, for example. Physical contest entries 14b may include contest
entries 14 embodied in a physical medium, such as a paper ticket,
for example. In some embodiments, physical contest entries 14b may
be provided and sold to contestants 16 at ticket outlets 18. For
example, a ticket outlet 18 may print out ticket entries 14b
purchased by contestants 16 using a ticket terminal 42, as
discussed below in greater detail.
[0031] Contest entries 14 may be defined by a set of one or more
distinct identifiers 50, such as one or more numbers, alphanumeric
characters, words, shapes, designs, colors, or any other distinct
features. As discussed in greater detail below with reference to
FIGS. 2-4, the set of distinct identifiers 50 defining each contest
entry 14 may be used to determine whether that contest entry 14
remains eligible to win the contest after each stage of the
contest. As discussed below, determinations made at each stage of
the contest may eliminate, based on the set of distinct identifiers
50 defining each contest entry 14, a portion of the contest entries
14 remaining eligible to win the contest.
[0032] The set of distinct identifiers 50 defining a contest entry
14 may be located on the contest entry 14 itself. For example, the
set of distinct identifiers 50 defining a ticket entry 14b may be
printed on the face of the ticket. As another example, the set of
distinct identifiers 50 defining an electronic contest entry 14a
may be displayed in association with an image of a ticket via a
monitor or other display.
[0033] A contestant 16 may include any entity that may purchase or
own a contest entry 14, such as an individual, a group of
individuals, a firm, a legal entity, or any other suitable entity.
In some embodiments, a designee 17 includes an individual or group
of individuals designated to act on behalf of a contestant 16 or
any other entity that owns a contest entry 14. For example, a
particular individual may own a contest entry 14, but designate
another individual to participate in one or more aspects of a
multiple-stage contest. Thus, supposing a multiple-stage contest
includes one or more mental or physical competitions between
contestants 16, an owner of an eligible contest entry 14 may
designate another individual or entity to participate in such
competitions in connection with the owner's eligible contest entry
14. Such a designation may be memorialized by a written contract or
by some other official process that is recognized and acknowledged
by system 10.
[0034] In particular embodiments, the right to be a designee 17 for
a particular competition between contestants 16 may be auctioned
using one or more components of system 10. In these embodiments,
one or more individuals, groups or other entities may bid in an
auction on the right to participate in a competition on behalf of a
particular contestant 16. The winning bidder would then pay the
contestant 16 a fee in exchange for the right to participate in the
competition and/or the right to a portion of any award distributed
to the contestant 16 based upon the outcome of one or more aspects
of the multi-stage contest. The processor 20 may facilitate and
coordinate the operation of this auction process. Memory 22 may
store data associated with designees 17 and/or information
memorializing the designation.
[0035] For example, if one of the competitions in the multi-stage
contest comprises a bowling contest, then a contestant 16 may
auction the right to participate in that bowling contest to some
portion of the public. The winning bidder in that auction may pay
the contestant 16 a sum of money, such as $2,000, in exchange for
the right to participate in the bowling contest and further in
exchange for some percentage, such as 10%, of the award distributed
to the contestant 16, if any, at the end of the multiple-stage
contest. In this regard, the contestant 16 is able to auction off
some portion of the value of an award that may be distributed to
that contestant 16 in exchange for obtaining a fee and the services
of a designee 17 to participate in a particular competition on
behalf of the contestant 16. This may be advantageous for the
contestant 16, for example, in those cases where the contestant 16
is not as skilled in the competition at hand as the winning bidder
of the auction.
[0036] The winning bidder of the auction need not be the bidder
that bid the highest amount in the auction. The winning bidder may
be chosen by the contestant 16 based on any suitable combination of
the fee the bidder is willing to pay, the percentage of the award
that the bidder is willing to take, and the skill level of the
bidder in the particular competition at hand.
[0037] As discussed above, in some embodiments, electronic contest
entries 14a may be provided, purchased, sold, or otherwise managed
via a computer network including contest management module 12, one
or more web servers 30 and one or more user terminals 34 coupled
via first communications network 40. Web servers 30 associated with
contest management module 12 may store websites and/or website
information in order to host one or more web pages. Web servers 30
may be coupled to first communication network 40 and may be
partially or completely integrated with, or distinct from, contest
management module 12 and/or outlet servers 32.
[0038] A user terminal 34 may include a computer system and
appropriate software to allow an individual or group of individuals
to perform various functions related to a multiple-stage contest,
such as purchasing and/or selling contest entries 14 and viewing
the progress of the multiple-stage contest, for example. As used in
this document, the term "computer" refers to any suitable device
operable to accept input, process the input according to predefined
rules, and produce output, for example, a personal computer,
workstation, network computer, wireless data port, wireless
telephone, personal digital assistant, one or more processors
within these or other devices, or any other suitable processing
device. A user terminal 34 may include one or more human
interfaces, such as a mouse, keyboard, or pointer, for example.
[0039] A user terminal 34 may include a browser application
operable to provide an interface to the web pages hosted by web
servers 30 such that contestants 16 may communicate information to,
and receive information from, contest management module 12 via
first communication network 40. In particular, the browser
application may allow a contestant 16 to navigate through, or
"browse," various Internet web sites or web pages hosted by a web
server 30 to provide an interface for communications between the
contestant 16 and contest management module 12. For example, one or
more web pages may provide a contestant 16 an interface to access,
purchase and/or exchange contest entries 14, determine the status
(i.e., eligible or ineligible to win the relevant contest) of
particular contest entries 14, or to otherwise participate in a
multiple-stage contest.
[0040] First communications network 40 is a communicative exchange
operable to exchange data or information (including, for example,
data regarding contest entries 14 and various other messages)
between user terminals 34 and contest management module 12. In a
particular embodiment, first communications network 40 represents
an Internet architecture. However, first communications network 40
may include any local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network
(MAN), wide area network (WAN), wireless local area network (WLAN),
virtual private network (VPN), intranet, plain old telephone system
(POTS), or any other appropriate architecture or system that
facilitates communications in a network or telephonic
environment.
[0041] Ticket outlets 18 may include any location or entity, that
may sell contest entries 14, such as ticket entries 14b, to
contestants 16. Ticket outlets 18 may include merchants of goods or
services, such as grocery or convenience stores, for example. In
some embodiments, ticket outlets 18 may include ticket terminals 42
operable to generate and/or print out contest entries 14 (e.g.,
ticket entries 14b) for sale to contestants 16. As discussed above,
ticket terminals 42 may be communicatively coupled to one or more
outlet servers 32 via a second communications network 44 such that
contest management module 12 may manage the contest entries 14
being sold to contestants 16.
[0042] Ticket terminals 42 may include any apparatus, such as one
or more computers, that generate and/or print out contest entries
14 for sale to contestants 16. Contest management module 12 may
determine one or more details of contest entries 14 generated by
ticket terminals 42, such as the type of contest entry 14 and/or at
least a portion of the set of distinct identifiers 50 defining the
particular contest entry 14. In some embodiments, prospective
contestants 16 may select one or more details of contest entries 14
generated by ticket terminals 42, such as the type of contest entry
14 and/or at least a portion of the set of distinct identifiers 50
defining the particular contest entry 14. For example, a
prospective contestant 16 may select a personally desired set of
distinct identifiers 50 for a contest entry 14. A sales associate
(or the prospective contestant 16 himself or herself) may then
enter the selected set of distinct identifiers 50 into a ticket
terminal 42, which may then generate and print out a ticket entry
14b for the contestant 16.
[0043] In some embodiments, ticket terminals 42 may include
stand-alone ticket terminals 42, which may or may not be associated
with ticket outlets 18. Stand-alone ticket terminals 42 may provide
a direct interface for a prospective contestant 16 to purchase
contest entries 14. Stand-alone ticket terminals 42 may be similar
in form to automated teller machines, stand-alone Internet
terminals, or terminals or kiosks used for direct purchase of
various merchandise, such as calling cards, for example.
Stand-alone ticket terminals 42 may allow a prospective contestant
16 to select one or more details of contest entries 14 generated by
ticket terminals 42, such as the type of contest entry 14 and/or at
least a portion of the set of distinct identifiers 50 defining the
particular contest entry 14, as discussed above.
[0044] As discussed above, contest management module 12 may
communicate with ticket outlets 18 and/or ticket terminals 42
coupled to one or more outlet servers 32 via a second
communications network 44 in order to provide contest entries 14
(e.g., ticket entries 14b) to contestants 16. In some embodiments,
outlet servers 32 associated with contest management module 12
would store websites and/or website information 50 in order to host
one or more web pages 52, which may be accessed via ticket
terminals 42. Outlet servers 32 may be partially or completely
integrated with, or distinct from, contest management module 12
and/or web servers 30.
[0045] Second communications network 44 is a communicative exchange
operable to exchange data or information (including, for example,
data regarding contest entries 14 and various other messages)
between ticket terminals 42 and contest management module 12. In a
particular embodiment, second communications network 44 represents
an Internet architecture. However, like first communications
network 40, second communications network 44 may include any local
area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area
network (WAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), virtual private
network (VPN), intranet, plain old telephone system (POTS), or any
other appropriate architecture or system that facilitates
communications in a network or telephonic environment. Moreover,
networks 40 and 44 may or may not overlap in whole or in part.
[0046] FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate example contest entries 14 in a
multiple-stage contest provided by system 10. The contest entries
14 illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B may be either electronic contest
entries 14a or physical contest entries 14b. As discussed above,
each contest entry includes a set of one or more distinct
identifiers 50 that defines that particular contest entry 14. In
some embodiments, the set of one or more distinct identifiers 50
defining each particular contest entry 14 is unique from each other
contest entry 14. In other embodiments, more than one contest entry
14 may have a similar or identical set of distinct identifiers 50.
In addition, each contest entry 14 may include other information,
such as the name 56 of the contestant 16 owning or associated with
the contest entry 14, as well as the date and/or time 58 that the
contest entry 14 was purchased by the contestant 16.
[0047] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the set of one or more
distinct identifiers 50 defining the contest entry 14 includes a
single, multi-digit number, which may be unique from that of each
other contest entry 14. The single, multi-digit number may be
manually selected by the contestant 16 or electronically determined
by a component of system 10 (such as contest management module 12
or a ticket terminal 42, for example), depending on the particular
embodiment. In an embodiment in which such contest entries 14 are
used, the determinations made at each stage to eliminate a portion
of the remaining eligible contest entries 14 may include, for
example, determining particular ranges of numbers (i.e., distinct
identifiers 50) that remain eligible to win the contest or that are
eliminated from eligibility.
[0048] For example, the distinct identifier 50 defining the
particular contest entry 14 shown in FIG. 2A is "5,435,716." At
each stage in the multiple-stage contest, the range of numbers
(i.e., distinct identifiers 50) that remain eligible to win the
contest may be further reduced. For instance, it may be determined
at the first stage that the range of numbers from 4,000,000 to
8,000,000 remain eligible, resulting in the particular contest
entry 14 remaining eligible. It may then be determined at the
second stage that the range of numbers from 4,200,000 to 6,200,000
remain eligible, resulting in the particular contest entry 14
remaining eligible. It may then be determined at the third stage
that the range of numbers from 4,400,000 to 5,400,000 remain
eligible, resulting in the particular contest entry 14 being
eliminated from competition (i.e., becoming ineligible to win the
contest).
[0049] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2B, the set of one or more
distinct identifiers 50 defining the contest entry 14 includes a
series of twelve numerical digits, each digit located in a position
corresponding to one of a plurality of stages in the multiple-stage
contest. A date corresponding to each stage may be included on the
contest entry 14 to provide an easy reference to the contestant 16.
To illustrate, the example contest entry 14 shown in FIG. 2B
includes the series of digits [3, 4, 9, 7, 0, 5, 2, 1, 4, 0, 9, 3],
each digit corresponding to one of twelve stages in a
multiple-stage contest. Further, the date for each of such twelve
stages is listed below each corresponding digit. The multiple
digits (in this example, the twelve digits) may be manually
selected by the contestant 16 or electronically determined by a
component of system 10 (such as contest management module 12 or a
ticket terminal 42, for example), depending on the particular
embodiment.
[0050] In an embodiment in which such contest entries 14 are used,
at each stage, one or more determinations may be made regarding the
identifier 50 (in this example, the numerical digit) located in the
position corresponding to that stage in order to eliminate (i.e.,
make ineligible) a portion of the contest entries 14 remaining
eligible at that stage. For example, it may be determined at the
first stage that only contest entries 14 having one or more
particular digits in the first position remain eligible. The one or
more particular digits may be determined or selected in any
suitable manner, such as randomly or according to a particular
algorithm, for example. In this example, if the one or more
particular digits includes the digit "3," the example contest entry
14 shown in FIG. 2B would remain eligible (since the example
contest entry 14 has an identifier of "3" in the first position
corresponding to the first stage). It may then be determined at the
second stage that only contest entries 14 having one or more
particular digits in the second position remain eligible. Thus, in
this example, if the one or more particular digits includes the
digit "4," the example contest entry shown in FIG. 2B would remain
eligible (since the example contest entry 14 has an identifier of
"4" in the second position corresponding to the second stage). This
process may repeat for each stage of the contest. Although FIGS. 2A
and 2B illustrate particular examples of contest entries 14 and
identifiers 50, any suitable type of entries 14 and identifiers 50
may be used without departing form the scope of this disclosure.
Moreover, although FIGS. 2A and 2B are described with reference to
a particular technique for determining which contest entries 14
remain eligible from stage to stage of the multiple stage contest,
any other suitable techniques for making these determinations are
within the scope of this disclosure (e.g., determinations based on
odd or even numerical characters, determinations based on ranges of
alphanumeric characters, etc.).
[0051] FIG. 3 illustrates a multiple-stage process of eliminating
eligible contest entries 14 according to one embodiment of the
invention. A number of contest entries 14 eligible to win the
contest are purchased by various contestants 16 prior to the start
of the multiple-stage contest, indicated in FIG. 3 as group A of
contest entries 14. As discussed above, each contest entry 14
includes a set of one or more distinct identifiers 50 that define
that contest entry 14.
[0052] At the first stage of the contest (Stage 1), one or more
first determinations are made regarding the distinct identifiers 50
associated with the contest entries 14, such first determinations
eliminating at least a portion of the contest entries 14 in group A
from being eligible to win the contest, based at least on the
distinct identifiers 50 defining each of the contest entries 14 in
group A. The contest entries 14 remaining eligible after the
determinations at Stage 1 are indicated in FIG. 3 as group B of
contest entries 14.
[0053] At the second stage of the contest (Stage 2), which occurs
at some point after Stage 1, one or more second determinations are
made regarding the distinct identifiers 50 associated with the
contest entries 14, such second determinations eliminating at least
a portion of contest entries 14 in group B from being eligible to
win the contest, based at least on the distinct identifiers 50
defining each of the contest entries 14 in group B. The contest
entries 14 remaining eligible after the determinations at Stage 2
are indicated in FIG. 3 as group C of contest entries 14.
[0054] At the third stage of the contest (Stage 3), which occurs at
some point after Stage 2, one or more third determinations are made
regarding the distinct identifiers 50 associated with the contest
entries 14, such third determinations eliminating at least a
portion of contest entries 14 in group C from being eligible to win
the contest, based at least on the distinct identifiers 50 defining
each of the contest entries 14 in group C. The contest entries 14
remaining eligible after the determinations at Stage 3 are
indicated in FIG. 3 as group D of contest entries 14.
[0055] This process may continue until Stage N, after which a group
of one or more contest entries 14 indicated in FIG. 3 as group N
remain eligible. In some embodiments, each contest entry 14 in
group N is determined a winning entry and provided an award. In
other embodiments, the contest entries 14 in group N advance to a
secondary portion of the multiple-stage contest, which may include
various competitions and/or voting between contestants 16 that own
or are otherwise associated with the contest entries 14 in group N.
Such secondary portion of the multiple-stage contest is described
in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 4.
[0056] The one or more determinations made at each stage (Stage 1
through Stage N) may eliminate a predetermined number, percentage,
or portion of the contest entries 14 remaining eligible at that
stage. The determinations made at each stage may be designed to
eliminate the same number, percentage, or portion of eligible
contest entries 14, or different numbers, percentages, or portions
of eligible contest entries 14. In particular embodiments, the
determinations made at each stage eliminate approximately one-half
(or 50%) of the contest entries 14 remaining eligible at that
stage.
[0057] In the foregoing example, a portion of eligible contest
entries 14 are eliminated at successive stages of a multiple-stage
contest. According to certain embodiments, a contest may be divided
into stages wherein each stage may be won separately. In
particular, each stage of a contest may be associated with an award
that is separate from the awards of other stages of the contest.
For a particular stage of a contest, one or more determinations may
be made regarding contest entries 14 to determine one or more
winning contestants 16 for that particular stage. Winning
contestants 16 for a given stage may receive all or a portion of
the award associated with that stage of the contest. This method
may be repeated for each stage of a contest. According to certain
embodiments, for a contest consisting of N stages, a particular
contestant 16 may have N chances to win an award.
[0058] An example illustrates certain embodiments of the present
invention. A lottery may be divided into three stages--a morning
stage, an afternoon stage, and an evening stage. The morning stage
may be associated with a first award, the afternoon stage may be
associated with a second award, and the evening stage may be
associated with a third award. For the morning stage, one or more
determinations may be made regarding contest entries 14 to
determine one or more winning contestants 16. The winning
contestants 16 of the morning stage may receive all or a portion of
the first award associated with the morning stage. The lottery may
then proceed to the afternoon stage, wherein one or more
determinations may be made regarding contest entries 14 to
determine one or more winning contestants 16 for that stage. The
winning contestants 16 of the afternoon stage may receive all or a
portion of the second award associated with the afternoon stage.
This method may be repeated again for the evening stage of the
lottery.
[0059] According to certain embodiments, the winning contestants 16
of one stage of a contest may be determined differently than the
winning contestants 16 of another stage of the contest. For
example, a winning contestant 16 of one stage of a contest may be
determined based on random selection of distinct identifiers 50
associated with contest entries 14 while a winning contestant 16 of
another stage of the contest may be determined based on the
performance of participants in an underlying competition, the
participants associated with contest entries 14. It will be
understood that any number or combination of determinations
regarding contest entries 14 may be used to determine a winning
contestant 16 of a stage of a contest. According to certain
embodiments, a plurality of multiple-stage contests may be
conducted simultaneously.
[0060] Although the foregoing example describes a lottery divided
into three stages, it will be understood that a lottery or other
contest may be divided into any number and combination of stages.
According to certain embodiments, the stages of a multiple-stage
contest may share a common award pool. In other embodiments, each
stage of a contest may be associated with a separately maintained
award pool. Thus, the award pool for each stage of a multiple-stage
contest may be maintained and won separately.
[0061] FIG. 4 illustrates an example method of managing a
multiple-stage contest in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention. At step 100, during a period prior to the beginning of
the multiple-stage contest, contest entries 14 are sold to
contestants 16 in any suitable manner. For example, electronic
contest entries 14a may be sold to contestants 16 via user
terminals 34 and physical contest entries 14b (e.g., tickets) may
be sold to contestants 16 via ticket outlets 18 and/or ticket
terminals 42, such as described above.
[0062] At step 102, at the first stage of the multiple-stage
contest, one or more first stage determinations are made regarding
the distinct identifiers 50 associated with the purchased contest
entries 14. The first stage determinations may eliminate, based at
least on the distinct identifiers 50 defining each of the contest
entries 14, at least a portion of the contest entries 14 from being
eligible to win the contest. For example, in an embodiment in which
the type of example contest entry shown in FIG. 2B is used, the
first stage determinations may be a determination that only contest
entries 14 having an odd-numbered digit in the position
corresponding to the first stage (e.g., the first position) remain
eligible. The first stage determinations may be made and/or managed
by contest management module 12, and may be made randomly or in any
other suitable manner. For example, balls having different digits
printed thereon may be mixed and selected randomly (such as using a
Lotto machine) in order to make the first stage determinations. The
first stage determinations, or at least the results of the first
stage determinations, may be broadcast, such as by television,
radio, or the Internet (or other computer network), for example. In
some embodiments, the first stage determinations may be broadcast
live or substantially in real time.
[0063] At step 104, system 10 may provide any suitable market for
buying, selling or otherwise trading contest entries 14 still
remaining eligible to win the contest. In some embodiments, contest
management module 12 may provide an electronic market (e.g., via
the Internet) allowing various parties, which may include current
contestants 16 as well as non-contestants, to buy, sell or
otherwise trade eligible contest entries 14. In particular
embodiments, contest management module 12 may provide an electronic
auction market, such that contestants 16 that own eligible contest
entries 14 may auction their contest entries 14 to any portion of
the public. In some embodiments, contest management module 12 may
use web servers 30 to provide market participants access to web
pages providing an interface to participate in the market for
eligible contest entries 14. Individuals or groups of individuals
may use user terminals 34 or any other device communicatively
coupled to first communications network 40 to participate in such
electronic market. Details regarding transactions of eligible
contest entries 14 may be recorded by contest management module 12,
such as the price, the time of the transaction, the type of the
transaction, the identity of the selling party (i.e., the former
contestant 16), and the identity of the purchasing party (i.e., the
new contestant 16), and the identity of any designees 17. Thus, a
record of the contestant 16 (or owner) associated with each
eligible contest entry 14 may be stored.
[0064] In some embodiments, eligible contest entries 14 may be
otherwise exchanged (e.g., sold and purchased) between various
parties. For example, one party may sell an eligible contest entry
14 to another party for cash or other consideration. In some
embodiments, such non-electronic transactions may be recorded in a
suitable manner such that contest management module 12 may keep
track of the current owner of each eligible contest entry 14. For
example, a party who purchases an eligible contest entry 14 from
another party may record the transaction, and thus their new
ownership of the eligible contest entry 14, with contest management
module 12 by submitting relevant information to contest management
module 12 electronically (via a user terminal 34) or at a ticket
outlet 18 or ticket terminal 42.
[0065] At step 106, contest management module 12 may determine the
number of contest entries 14 remaining eligible at that particular
stage. Since contest management module 12 may keep a record of the
distinct identifiers 50 associated with each purchased contest
entry 14, contest management module 12 may determine which contest
entries 14 remain eligible, and thus the number of contest entries
14 remaining eligible.
[0066] In some embodiments, once the number of remaining eligible
contest entries 14 is reduced below a particular threshold, the
remaining eligible contest entries 14 are advanced to a secondary
portion of the contest, which may involve various competitions
and/or voting among contestants 16 associated with the eligible
contest entries 14. Thus, at step 108, contest management module 12
may determine whether the number of remaining eligible contest
entries 14 determined at step 104 exceeds a predetermined threshold
number. If the number of remaining eligible contest entries 14 is
less than or equal to the predetermined threshold number, the
remaining eligible contest entries 14 are advanced to a secondary
portion of the contest at step 112, which step is described in
greater detail below.
[0067] However, if the number of remaining eligible contest entries
14 is greater than the predetermined threshold number, the method
continues to the next stage of the multiple-stage contest at step
110. At step 110, one or more determinations are made regarding the
distinct identifiers 50 associated with contest entries 14 in order
to further eliminate a portion of the remaining eligible contest
entries 14. Such determinations may be similar to those made at the
first stage, discussed above at step 102. For example, in an
embodiment in which the type of example contest entry shown in FIG.
2B is used, it may be determined at the second stage that only
contest entries 14 having an even-numbered digit in the position
corresponding to the second stage (e.g., the second position)
remain eligible. As discussed above, such determinations, or at
least the results of such determinations, may be broadcast, such as
by television, radio, or the Internet (or other computer network),
for example. In some embodiments, the determinations may be
broadcast live or substantially in real time.
[0068] The method may then return to repeat steps 104-110 for a
number of stages until it is determined at step 108 that the number
of remaining eligible contest entries 14 is less than or equal to
the predetermined threshold number, at which point the remaining
eligible contest entries 14 are advanced to a secondary portion of
the contest at step 112, as discussed above.
[0069] At step 112, the remaining contest entries 14 advance to a
secondary portion of the contest, which may involve various
competitions and/or voting among contestants 16 associated with the
eligible contest entries 14. Such competitions may include mental,
physical or other competitions between the remaining contestants 16
and/or their designees 17. In some embodiments, the competitions
between contestants 16 may include voting among the contestants 16
and/or non-contestants, such as the general public, in order to
further eliminate remaining contest entries 14 (or associated
contestants 16) or determine one or more winning contest entry 14
(or winning contestant 16). The right to be a designee 17 for a
particular competition between contestants 16, as described in
greater detail above, may be auctioned at step 112 as well.
[0070] In particular embodiments, the secondary contest may be
broadcast, such as via television, radio, or the Internet, and in
some cases may be broadcast live or substantially in real-time. For
example, the secondary contest may be a "reality-based" television
show in which the remaining contestants 16 and/or their designees
17 participate in various contests and/or voting against each other
to determine one or more winning contestant 16. In some
embodiments, system 10 may provide markets for buying, selling or
otherwise trading remaining eligible contest entries 14 during the
secondary portion of the contest. In addition, system 10 may
provide markets to the betting public so that they may wager on the
results of one or more particular contests, such as, for example,
so that they may wager on the winning contest entry 14, contestant
16, or designee 17 in a particular contest, or wager on whether a
particular contest entry 14, contestant 16, or designee 17 will win
the overall multi-stage contest.
[0071] In an alternative embodiment, each (one or more) contest
entry 14 remaining eligible after a particular number of stages, or
after the number of eligible contest entries 14 falls within the
particular threshold at step 108, is determined to be a winning
contest entry 14. Thus, in such embodiments, the multiple-stage
contest may not include a secondary portion including competitions
between remaining contestants 16.
[0072] At step 114, one or more winning contest entries 14 or
contestants 16 is determined, based on the results of the secondary
portion of the contest at step 112, or in an alternative
embodiment, each of the one or more contest entries 14 remaining
eligible after a particular number of stages is determined to be a
winning contest entry.
[0073] At step 116, an award pool 80 is determined from which
awards may be provided to the one or more winning contest entries
14. The award pool 80 may include at least a portion of the
revenues collected from the original selling of contest entries 14.
In some cases, the award pool 80 may also include a portion of
revenues generated by broadcasting the secondary portion of the
contest, such as revenues associated with television broadcast or
advertising, for example. A commission for providing and managing
the contest may be determined and removed from the award pool 80.
The commission may be a particular monetary amount or a particular
percentage of the award pool 80.
[0074] At step 118, awards are provided to each of the one or more
winning contestants 16 (or owners of winning contest entries 14)
from the award pool 80. Awards may be provided to winning
contestants 16 in any suitable manner, such as lump-sum cash awards
or a number of installment payments over a period of time, for
example.
[0075] Although an embodiment of the invention and its advantages
are described in detail, a person skilled in the art could make
various alterations, additions, and omissions without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by
the appended claims.
* * * * *