U.S. patent application number 11/531754 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-11 for systems and methods wherein a lottery number combination is associated with a limited number of occurrences.
Invention is credited to Keith Bemer, Patrick J. Buckley, Magdalena M. Fincham, Norman C. Gilman, Andrew P. Golden, James A. Jorasch, John M. JR. Packes, Russell Pratt Sammon, Michael F. Steib, Stephen C. Tulley, William P. Van Vooren, Peter J. Vogel, Jay S. Walker.
Application Number | 20070010314 11/531754 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30772538 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070010314 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tulley; Stephen C. ; et
al. |
January 11, 2007 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS WHEREIN A LOTTERY NUMBER COMBINATION IS
ASSOCIATED WITH A LIMITED NUMBER OF OCCURRENCES
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided to facilitate lottery ticket
transactions. A request to purchase a lottery ticket is received,
the lottery ticket being associated with a lottery number
combination, such as a limited number of lottery tickets or a
limited number of players. An indication that the lottery number
combination is to be associated with a limited number of
occurrences is also received. For example, an indication that the
lottery number combination is to be associated with only a single
lottery ticket may be received. A price associated with the lottery
ticket is determined based on the received indication. According to
one embodiment the price is increased by a predetermined amount
based on the received indication.
Inventors: |
Tulley; Stephen C.;
(Stamford, CT) ; Packes; John M. JR.; (Hawthorne,
NY) ; Jorasch; James A.; (Stamford, CT) ;
Walker; Jay S.; (Ridgefield, CT) ; Buckley; Patrick
J.; (Ridgefield, CT) ; Vogel; Peter J.; (New
Canaan, CT) ; Fincham; Magdalena M.; (Greenwich,
CT) ; Gilman; Norman C.; (Stamford, CT) ;
Bemer; Keith; (New York, NY) ; Sammon; Russell
Pratt; (Stamford, CT) ; Van Vooren; William P.;
(Norwalk, CT) ; Golden; Andrew P.; (Stamford,
CT) ; Steib; Michael F.; (New York, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WALKER DIGITAL
2 HIGH RIDGE PARK
STAMFORD
CT
06905
US
|
Family ID: |
30772538 |
Appl. No.: |
11/531754 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10730244 |
Dec 8, 2003 |
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11531754 |
Sep 14, 2006 |
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09608245 |
Jun 30, 2000 |
6688976 |
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10730244 |
Dec 8, 2003 |
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60200838 |
May 1, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0601 20130101;
G07F 17/3262 20130101; G06Q 30/0283 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3239 20130101; G06Q 20/201 20130101; G07F 17/3237 20130101;
G07F 17/3234 20130101; G07F 17/329 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/017 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1-55. (canceled)
56. A method of facilitating a lottery ticket transaction, the
lottery ticket being associated with a lottery number combination,
comprising: receiving an indication of a request to purchase the
lottery ticket for a lottery drawing; receiving an indication
associated with a player, wherein the indication comprises a
request that the lottery number combination be associated with only
a limited number of occurrences for the lottery drawing; and
determining a price associated with the lottery ticket based at
least in part on the received indication that the lottery number
combination is to be associated with only a limited number of
occurrences.
57. The method of claim 56, wherein the limited number of
occurrences comprises a limited number of tickets.
58. The method of claim 56, wherein the limited number of
occurrences comprises a limited number of players.
59. The method of claim 56, wherein the lottery ticket comprises a
ticket for a pari-mutuel lottery game.
60. The method of claim 56, wherein the receiving of the request is
via at least one of: (i) a Web site, (ii) the Internet, (iii) a
player device, (iv) a personal digital assistant, (v) a kiosk, (vi)
an electronic mail message, (vii) postal mail, (viii) a telephone,
(ix) an interactive voice response unit, (x) an operator terminal,
and (xi) a point of sale terminal.
61. The method of claim 56, wherein the receiving of the indication
is via at least one of: (i) a Web site, (ii) the Internet, (iii) a
player device, (iv) a personal digital assistant, (v) a kiosk, (vi)
an electronic mail message, (vii) postal mail, (viii) a telephone,
(ix) an interactive voice response unit, (x) an operator, (xi) a
point of sale terminal, and (xii) a database.
62. The method of claim 56, wherein the determining comprises:
determining whether the price will be based on a first amount or a
second amount.
63. The method of claim 56, wherein the determining comprises:
determining the price based on the limited number of
occurrences.
64. The method of claim 56, wherein the determining comprises:
determining the price based on a number of occurrences of lottery
tickets that are currently associated with the lottery number
combination.
65. The method of claim 56, wherein the determining comprises:
determining the price based on an expected value associated with
the lottery ticket.
66. The method of claim 56, wherein the determining is performed
using at least one of: (i) a predetermined formula, (ii) a
predetermined rule, (iii) a predetermined table, and (iv) a random
outcome.
67. The method of claim 56, further comprising: displaying an
indication of a number of occurrences currently associated with the
lottery number combination.
68. The method of claim 56, further comprising: determining the
lottery number combination.
69. The method of claim 68, wherein the determining of the lottery
number combination comprises: receiving, from a player device, an
indication of the lottery number combination.
70. The method of claim 68, wherein the determining of the lottery
number combination comprises: selecting the lottery number
combination from a set of appropriate lottery number combinations
based on at least one random outcome.
71. The method of claim 68, wherein the determining of the lottery
number combination comprises: generating at least one potential
lottery number combination based on at least one random
outcome.
72. The method of claim 71, wherein the determining of the lottery
number combination comprises: comparing (i) a number of occurrences
currently associated with the potential lottery number combination
and (ii) the limited number of occurrences to be associated with
the lottery number combination.
73. The method of claim 68, wherein the lottery number combination
comprises a first lottery number and a second lottery number, and
the determining of the lottery number combination comprises:
receiving, from a player device, an indication of the first lottery
number; and generating the second lottery number based on a random
outcome.
74. The method of claim 56, further comprising: arranging for a
player to purchase the lottery ticket.
75. The method of claim 56, further comprising: receiving, from a
player device, payment of an amount based on the determined
price.
76. The method of claim 56, further comprising: arranging for the
lottery ticket to be provided to a player.
77. The method of claim 56, further comprising: arranging for a
player to receive payment of a winning amount based on the lottery
number combination and a result of a lottery drawing.
78. The method of claim 56, further comprising: receiving a second
request to purchase a second lottery ticket, the second lottery
ticket also being associated with the lottery number combination;
and providing an indication that the second lottery ticket will not
be sold.
79. The method of claim 56, further comprising: receiving a request
to generate a random lottery number combination; generating the
random lottery number combination based on the lottery number
combination.
80. The method of claim 79, further comprising: providing an
indication of a suggested alternate lottery number combination.
81. The method of claim 56, further comprising: receiving a request
to purchase a second lottery ticket, the second lottery ticket
being associated with the lottery number combination; and
determining a price associated with the second lottery ticket based
on the received indication.
82. The method of claim 56, wherein the limited number of
occurrences is one.
83. The method of claim 56, where in the limited number of
occurrences is more than one.
84. The method of claim 56, wherein the limited number of
occurrences is based on a number of occurrences currently
associated with the lottery number combination.
85. A method of playing a lottery, comprising: providing a request
to purchase a lottery ticket, the lottery ticket to be associated
with a lottery number combination and a lottery drawing, wherein
the lottery drawing allows a plurality of lottery tickets to be
associated with any available lottery number combination; providing
an indication that the lottery number combination is to be
associated with a limited number of occurrences; and paying a price
associated with the lottery ticket, the price being based on the
indication.
86. A lottery system apparatus, comprising: a processor; and a
storage device in communication with said processor and storing
instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to: provide a
request to purchase a lottery ticket, the lottery ticket to be
associated with a lottery number combination and a lottery drawing,
wherein the lottery drawing allows a plurality of lottery tickets
to be associated with any available lottery number combination;
provide an indication that the lottery number combination is to be
associated with a limited number of occurrences; and provide
payment of a price associated with the lottery ticket, the price
being based on the indication.
87. A system comprising: a user interface; and a controller
operatively coupled to the user interface and adapted to: provide a
request to purchase a lottery ticket, the lottery ticket to be
associated with a lottery number combination and a lottery drawing,
wherein the lottery drawing allows a plurality of lottery tickets
to be associated with any available lottery number combination;
provide an indication that the lottery number combination is to be
associated with a limited number of occurrences; and provide
payment of a price associated with the lottery ticket, the price
being based on the indication.
88. The system of claim 87, wherein the system is embodied in a
mobile terminal.
89. The system of claim 87, wherein the user interface is embodied
in a mobile terminal.
90. The system of claim 89, wherein the mobile terminal comprises
one or more of a PDA, a pager, a telephone, and a smart card.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS COPY
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/200,838 entitled "Methods and
Apparatus for Determining a Lottery Ticket Price Based on a Lottery
Ticket Parameter" and filed May 1, 2000. The entire content of this
application is incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] The present application is related to: U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/525,875 entitled "System and Method For
Applying Lottery Multipliers" and filed Mar. 14, 2000; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/052,295 entitled "Methods and Apparatus
Wherein a Lottery Entry is Entered Into Lottery Drawings Until the
Lottery Entry is Identified as a Winner" and filed Mar. 31, 1998;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/107,971 entitled "Method and
Apparatus for Facilitating the Play of Fractional Lottery Tickets
Utilizing Point-Of-Sale Terminals" and filed Jun. 30, 1998; and
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/205,276 filed May
18, 2000. The entire contents of these applications are
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0003] The present invention relates to lotteries. In particular,
the present invention relates to systems and methods wherein a
lottery number combination is associated with a limited number of
occurrences, such as a limited number of lottery tickets or a
limited number of players.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Players enjoy playing lottery games in part because of the
large prizes that can be won. In particular, players are attracted
to the possibility of winning, and spending, such large prizes.
This can be seen, for example, by the increased number of players
who purchase lottery tickets as the size of a lottery prize
increases. In some cases, a lottery prize reaches hundreds of
millions of dollars and players spend a considerable amount of
money and time purchasing lottery tickets. Moreover, even people
who do not typically purchase lottery tickets are tempted to do so
when a lottery prize grows large enough. This behavior is often
reinforced by stories, such as news reports, about players who have
won such large lottery prize.
[0005] A problem with typical lottery games, however, is that if
two or more players are both associated with a particular winning
lottery number combination, the players are required share the
lottery prize. For example in a "6/49" lottery game, there are
approximate fourteen million potential lottery number combinations.
If twenty million people purchase lottery tickets for such a game,
it is more likely than not that two people will be required to
share the lottery prize.
[0006] This risk increases as the size of the lottery prize, and
thus the number of lottery tickets that are purchased, increases
That is, as the number of lottery tickets that are purchased
increases it becomes more likely that one or more other players
will be associated with the same lottery number combination. Thus,
the largest lottery prizes are often divided among two or more
winning players, reducing the incentive people have to play the
lottery game in the first place. Therefore, a lottery game provider
may be able to increase lottery ticket sales, and profits, if
players who win could reduce the risk of, or completely avoid,
having to share a lottery prize.
[0007] Note that, with respect to the cost of a lottery prize, a
lottery game provider may not be concerned with whether the prize
is won by a single player or is shared by a number of players. That
is, the amount of the lottery prize the lottery provider pays out
is the same in both cases. In some cases, a lottery game provider
may prefer that a single player win a lottery prize because of the
amount and type of publicity generated by such a result.
[0008] Another way to view the above problem is to consider the
expected value of a lottery ticket. A first lottery ticket
associated with a lottery number combination that is not associated
with any other lottery ticket has a higher expected value to a
player than a second lottery ticket associated with a lottery
number combination that is also associated with one or more other
lottery tickets. As a result, players may be willing to pay a
higher price for the first lottery ticket. Moreover, the cost of
the first and second lottery tickets to the lottery game provider
may be the same (e.g., the lottery game provider may payout the
same top prize whether or not the two lottery tickets are
associated with the same lottery number combination). Thus, a
lottery game provider may be able to increase profits if it can
receive a higher price for the first lottery ticket. In addition,
awarding large prizes to a single player may result in increased
interest in the lottery game, and thus more lottery tickets may be
sold fixer increasing profits and prizes.
[0009] As can be seen, a need exists for improved systems and
methods to facilitate lottery ticket transactions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] To alleviate problems inherent in the prior art, the present
invention introduces systems and methods for facilitating the sale
of a lottery ticket (e.g., the sale of the lottery ticket to a
player), where the lottery ticket is associated with a number
combination.
[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, a request to
purchase a lottery ticket is received. An indication that the
lottery number combination is to be associated with a limited
number of occurrences is also received. A price associated with the
lottery ticket is determined based on the received indication.
[0012] In another embodiment, a request to purchase a lottery
ticket is received from a player. An indication that the lottery
number combination is to be associated with a limited number of
lottery tickets is also received from the player. A price
associated with the lottery ticket is determined based on the
received indication. The lottery number combination is also
determined, and it is arranged for the player to purchase the
lottery ticket. Payment of an amount based on the determined price
is received from the player, and the lottery ticket is provided to
the player. At least one other lottery ticket is prevented from
being associated with the lottery number combination. Based on the
lottery number combination and a result of a lottery drawing, it is
arranged for the player to receive payment of a winning amount.
[0013] In still another embodiment, a request to purchase a
pari-mutuel lottery ticket is received. A price associated with the
pari-mutuel lottery ticket is determined based on an expected value
of the lottery ticket to a player.
[0014] Another embodiment of the present invention comprises: means
for receiving a request to purchase a lottery ticket; means for
receiving an indication that the lottery number combination is to
be associated with a limited number of occurrences; and means for
determining a price associated with the lottery ticket based on the
received indication.
[0015] Another embodiment comprises: means for receiving from a
player a request to purchase a lottery ticket; means for receiving
from the player an indication that the lottery number combination
is to be associated with a limited number of lottery tickets; means
for determining a price associated with the lottery ticket based on
the received indication; means for determining the lottery number
combination; means for arranging for the player to purchase the
lottery ticket; means for receiving, from the player, payment of an
amount based on the determined price; means for providing the
lottery ticket to the player; means for preventing at least one
other lottery ticket from being associated with the lottery number
combination; and means for arranging for the player to receive
payment of a winning amount based on the lottery number combination
and a result of a, lottery drawing.
[0016] Still another embodiment comprises: means for receiving a
request to purchase a pari-mutuel lottery ticket; and means for
determining a price associated with the pari-mutuel lottery ticket
based on an expected value of the lottery ticket to a player.
[0017] With these and other advantages and features of the
invention that will become hereinafter apparent, the nature of the
invention may be more clearly understood by reference to the
following detailed description of the invention, the appended
claims, and the several drawings attached herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method of facilitating lottery
ticket transactions according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a block diagram overview of a lottery system
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a block schematic diagram of a controller
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a tabular representation of a portion of a
purchased number combinations database according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0022] FIG.5 is a tabular representation of a portion of a
potential number combinations database according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method for selling a lottery
ticket according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 7A is a flow chart of a method for selecting a number
combination according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 7B is a flow chart of another method for selecting a
number combination according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method for processing a request
to purchase a subsequent lottery ticket according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a lottery ticket slip according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The present invention is directed to systems and methods to
facilitate lottery ticket transactions. Turning now in detail to
the drawings, FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] At 10, a request to purchase a lottery ticket is received.
As used herein, the term "lottery ticket" shall refer to any type
of ticket, including an electronic representation of a ticket, used
in any type of lottery game offered by a lottery game provider,
such as a "pari-mutuel" drawing-type lottery game. As used herein,
a pari-mutuel type game includes any game in which winning players
may be required to share at least one of the prizes. Note that a
pari-mutuel type game may also include one or more other prizes
that players would not be required to share. Examples of
pari-mutuel type games include racetrack betting and lottery
games.
[0030] Lottery games include any number of variations and
combinations A lottery ticket may be formed as one or more cards
which are made of paper, cardboard, plastic, or any other suitable
material and may include identification and game playing
information printed thereon. Alternatively, lottery tickets may be
represented magnetically, optically, or electronically. For
example, lottery tickets may be represented as electronic
characters or images in a memory or on a video monitor that are
generated and stored on a computer or other information device.
Furthermore, electronic lottery tickets may be used in a lottery
game conducted over a computer network such as the Internet.
Further, lottery tickets may be embodied as magnetic stripes on
cards, patterns on magneto-optical media, and/or bit patterns in a
smart card.
[0031] In accordance with a pari-mutuel drawing-type lottery game,
players purchase lottery tickets which each include one or more
sets of symbols, referred to herein as a "lottery number
combination." Note that a lottery number combination may comprise a
single number. In addition, the order of the numbers within a
combination may or may not be significant.
[0032] A lottery ticket for such a lottery game may include, for
example, a set of six lottery numbers (or a "lottery number
combination"), each number being selected from the numbers "1"
through "49," inclusive. Note that a single paper lottery ticket
may include several lottery number combinations In a typical
drawing held by a lottery game provider, six winning lottery
numbers from within the range of "1" through "49" are randomly
determined. A lottery player compares the six lottery numbers on
his or her lottery ticket, acquired before the drawing, with the
six winning lottery numbers. A lottery player with a ticket having
a sufficient number of matching lottery numbers, as defined by the
particular lottery's rules, will win a prize (typically a monetary
prize) also as defined by the lottery's rules. In a pari-mutuel
lottery game, a top prize (or "jackpot") may be awarded when a
player matches all six winning lottery numbers. The top prize is
often based at least in part on a total number of lottery tickets
that have been purchased, and is typically shared when two or more
players have matched all six winning lottery numbers.
[0033] For a more detailed description of how conventional
lotteries operate, see "Dr. Z's 6/49 Lotto Guidebook" by Dr.
William T. Ziemba et al., 1986, printed by Ronalds Printing,
published by Dr. Z Investments Inc., which is incorporated herein
by reference.
[0034] According to one embodiment, a player provides a request to
purchase a lottery ticket to an operator of a lottery terminal at a
retail store. Examples of retail stores where lottery tickets are
typically purchased include convenience stores, delicatessens,
gasoline stations, supermarkets, and online lottery Web sites. As
described above, the lottery ticket may be associated with a
lottery number combination (e.g., "4, 9, 12, 24, 32, 38").
[0035] According to one embodiment, the lottery number combination
is "manually" selected by the player (e.g., based on one or more
birthdays). For example, a player may use a pencil to mark six
numbers on a machine-readable lottery ticket slip. According to
another embodiment, the lottery number combination is selected by a
lottery system (e.g., a player device, a retail store device, or a
central lottery device). For example, the lottery system may use a
"quick pick" random process to select a lottery number combination
for a player.
[0036] Although embodiments of the present invention are described
with respect to a lottery number combination, any other lottery
symbols may be used instead (e.g., alphanumeric characters, colors,
shapes, and/or pictures).
[0037] Referring again to FIG. 1, at 12 an indication is received
that the player's lottery number combination will only be
associated with a limited number of "occurrences." For example, the
player may indicate that his or her lottery number combination will
only be associated with a single ticket (e.g., the ticket he or she
is purchasing). As another example, the player may indicate that
the lottery number combination wig only be associated with a single
player. In this way, the player can make sure that he or she will
not be required to share a top lottery prize with another
player--because no other player will have the same lottery number
combination. The player may instead indicate that the lottery
number combination will be associated with, for example, a maximum
of two occurrences. In this case, the player knows that if all six
winning lottery numbers are matched, he or she will receive at
least 50% of the top lottery prize. Instead of being associated
with a limited number of tickets, a player may indicate that the
lottery number combination will only be associated with a limited
number of players (e.g., two players).
[0038] According to one embodiment, the player is assured that his
or her lottery number combination will not be associated with
another ticket (or player) prior to a lottery drawing. For example,
a player may be informed that a lottery number combination will not
be associated with any other lottery tickets. According to another
embodiment, however, the player is merely assured that his or her
lottery number combination is currently associated with only a
limited number of occurrences, without any assurances concerning
future lottery ticket transactions. For example, a player may be
informed that a lottery number combination generated by a quick
pick process is guaranteed to be unique at the time he or she
purchases the ticket but that the same lottery number combination
may later be associated with another ticket or player. Note that
the lottery system may determine a number of occurrences that are
"currently" associated with a lottery ticket number combination on
a periodic (e.g., nightly) or a non-periodic basis.
[0039] According to another embodiment, a player may be assured
that a lottery number combination will be associated with no more
than a current number of occurrences that are already associated
with that lottery number combination. For example, a player may be
informed that although one or more other players may have
previously selected that lottery number combination, no more
players will be allowed to do so in the future. According to other
embodiments, a player may be assured that a lottery number
combination will not be assigned to another player via a quick pick
process, but that another player would be allowed to manually
select that lottery number combination (or vice versa). Note that
combinations of these various approaches may be used.
[0040] The indication that the lottery number combination is to be
associated with a limited number of occurrences may be provided
with respect to a single lottery drawing, a predetermined number of
lottery drawings (e.g., a lottery ticket subscription), or any
other number of lottery drawings (e.g., a lifetime of lottery
drawings or all fixture lottery drawings).
[0041] Note that the received indication may, according to one
embodiment, include the actual number of occurrences that may be
associated with a number combination. The indication also may
comprise a predetermined "type" of lottery ticket and/or lottery
ticket slip associated with the lottery ticket.
[0042] At 14, a price associated with the lottery ticket is
determined based on (i.e., based at least in part on) the received
indication. For example, a typical lottery ticket may have a price
of $1.00. If, however, an indication is received that the player's
lottery number combination will only be associated with a single
ticket the price may be increased to $1.50.
[0043] Instead of simply determining whether a first price or
second price should be associated with the lottery ticket, the
lottery system may calculate an appropriate lottery ticket price.
For example, the lottery system may calculate the lottery ticket
price based on the limited number of occurrences and a
predetermined formula (e.g., the lottery ticket price=a base
price+[$1.00 divided by the limited number of occurrences]). The
lottery system may also calculate the lottery ticket price using,
for example, a predetermined rule or a predetermined table. Table I
is an example of a table that may be used to determine the lottery
ticket price. TABLE-US-00001 TABLE I Lottery Ticket Prices Maximum
Number of Occurrences Lottery Ticket Price 1 $2.50 2 $1.75 3 $1.50
4 $1.25 5 $1.10 more than 5 $1.00
[0044] According to one embodiment, the lottery ticket price may be
based on a number of occurrences currently associated with the
lottery number combination. For example, a lottery number
combination that is currently associated with no more than one
other lottery ticket may cost more than a lottery number
combination that is currently associated with more than one other
lottery ticket.
[0045] Note that information other than the maximum number of
occurrences may be used to determine a price. For example, the
price may be based on an expected value associated with the lottery
ticket (e.g., the expected value of the lottery ticket to the
player at the time he or she purchases the lottery ticket) or an
expected cost or value associated with the lottery ticket to a
lottery provider. Similarly, demographic information or player
history information may be used to determine the price of the
lottery ticket.
[0046] Note that the price may be independent of a cost of the
lottery ticket to a lottery game provider. For example, consider a
pari-mutuel lottery game for which lottery tickets typically cost
$1.00. In this case, a lottery authority may divert $0.50 of each
and every ticket to be used for a top jackpot pari-mutuel prize and
smaller, non-pari-mutuel prizes (keeping the remaining $0.50 as
profit). As more lottery tickets are sold, the size of the top
jackpot increases--increasing the expected value of the lottery
tickets to players without changing the cost of the lottery tickets
to the lottery authority. Moreover, if no player wins a lottery
drawing, at least some of the prize money may be carried over and
applied to a second lottery drawing. In this case, lottery tickets
sold for the second lottery drawing may be associated with a higher
expected value to players without changing the cost of the lottery
tickets to the lottery authority. According to one embodiment, the
Price of such lottery tickets may be increased (e.g., players who
purchase lottery tickets when the top jackpot prize is less than
ten million dollars are required to pay $1.00 and players who
purchase lottery tickets when the top jackpot prize is at least ten
million dollars are required to pay $1.50).
[0047] According to one embodiment, an indication of a number of
occurrences currently associated with the lottery number
combination may be displayed to the player. For example, the player
may be informed that the lottery number combination he or she
selected is currently associated with one other player, and that he
or she can select a different lottery number combination if
desired. The player may also be informed that he or she can pay a
premium to make sure that no additional players are associated with
that lottery number combination (e.g., "blocking" other players
from selecting that lottery number combination in the future).
[0048] In addition to determining a price, the lottery system may
arrange for a player to purchase the lottery ticket. For example,
the lottery system may receive from the player payment of an amount
based on the determined price and provide the lottery ticket to the
player (e.g., by printing a lottery ticket for the player). The
lottery system may also arrange for the player to receive payment
of a winning amount based upon a result of a lottery drawing.
[0049] As described above, a player may indicate that his or her
numbers are to be associated with no more than a limited number of
occurrences. Consider, for example, a first player who purchases a
first lottery ticket and selects a first lottery number
combination. The first player indicates that the first lottery
number combination should only be associated with his or her
ticket. The player may pay an increased lottery ticket price to
make sure that he or she will not have to share a prize if the
first lottery number combination is selected as the winning lottery
number combination.
[0050] A second player then attempts to purchase a second lottery
ticket having the same lottery number combination. In this case,
the lottery system provides an indication that the second lottery
ticket will not be sold to the second player. For example, the
second player may receive a message saying "Sorry, the lottery
numbers you selected have already been reserved by another player."
In this case, the lottery system may ask the second player to
select a new lottery number combination or may suggest that the
second player change one of his or her numbers (e.g., "If you
replace the third number you selected with `35` then the lottery
number combination would be available").
[0051] Note that if the second player uses a quick pick process to
generate his or her lottery number combination, the lottery system
may avoid this problem by selecting the second lottery number
combination from a set of appropriate lottery number combinations
(e.g., from all of the lottery number combinations that have not
been restricted by other players). According to one embodiment, the
lottery system may randomly generate individual numbers one at a
time. If the entire number combination that is generated is not
appropriate, one or more of the individual numbers may be
re-generated.
[0052] According to another embodiment, the second player may
select some, but not all, of his or her lottery numbers. For
example, the second player may select the month and day of two
birthdays (for a total of four selected numbers) and ask that the
lottery system select the remaining two numbers. The lottery system
may then select the remaining two numbers based on the available
number combinations.
[0053] According to one embodiment, the price of the second lottery
ticket may be adjusted based on the indication received from the
first player. Assume, for example, that the first player had
indicated that no more than two tickets are to be associated with
the first lottery number combination. If the second player also
attempts to select that lottery number combination, he or she may
be informed that "the lottery number combination you selected will
cost 15% more than the normal ticket price, but we guarantee that
only one other player will have the same lottery number
combination."
[0054] Instead of adjusting the price of a lottery ticket in
exchange for limiting the number of occurrences, the lottery system
may instead adjust a prize associated with the lottery ticket. For
example, a player may agree to accept only 90% of any potential
wimnings in exchange for a promise that no other players will share
his or her lottery number combination. According to another
embodiment, a player may agree to forego one or more lesser prizes
in exchange for such a promise (e.g., a $5.00 prize won when his or
her lottery number combination includes three of the six winning
numbers). Similarly, a player may agree to accept payment of any
potential winnings in installments in exchange for such a
promise.
[0055] Instead of preventing other lottery tickets from being
associated with a lottery number combination, the lottery system
may instead assure the player that be or she will win a fill or
total winning amount even if the lottery ticket and another lottery
ticket both win a lottery drawing. For example, a first player may
purchase a lottery ticket for a lottery game having a top prize of
one million dollars and select a first lottery number combination.
The first player may also pay a premium to the lottery system in
exchange for a promise that he or she will receive an amount equal
to the top prize regardless of whether another player has also
purchased a lottery ticket associated with the same lottery number
combination.
[0056] The lottery system, however, does sell another lottery
ticket associated with the same lottery number combination to a
second player, who does not elect to pay the premium. In this case,
if the lottery number combination is determined to be the winning
lottery number combination, the first player will receive the full
one million dollar prize. The second player, however, will receive
only half of that amount (e.g., the amount that he or she would
have received if the one million dollar prize had been divided
among the two winning players). In effect, the lottery system has
"insured" the first player against the risk of sharing the top
prize. Note that lottery system may similarly guarantee that the
first player will win (e.g., will win at least) any other
predetermined percentage or predetermined amount (e.g., at least
75% of the top prize).
[0057] Instead of determining a price (or a prize) based on a
limited number of occurrences, the lottery system may determine a
price (or a prize) based on an expected value or cost associated
with the lottery ticket. Consider, for example, a player who
selects a lottery number combination that has been popular in the
past. In this case, the expected value of the lottery ticket may be
less than a ticket associated with unpopular lottery numbers
(because the player is more likely to share his or her winnings
based on a likelihood of the lottery number combination being
selected). The lottery system may determine that either an
increased or decreased lottery ticket price is appropriate.
[0058] Other factors that may influence the expected value of a
lottery ticket include, for example, a total number of lottery
tickets that are sold (or a rate at which lottery tickets are being
sold), a current number of occurrences associated with a lottery
number combination, and a current Sing amount (e.g., a current top
prize). For example, a player may pay a reduced price in exchange
for agreeing to accept a current winning amount as the top prize,
even if the top prize is eventually increased (e.g., because a
large number of lottery tickets are purchased by other
players).
[0059] According to another embodiment, lottery tickets are
typically associated with a limited number of occurrences. In this
case, a player may indicate that his or her lottery number
combination can be associated with an unlimited number of
occurrences, and a reduced price may be determined for the player's
lottery ticket. Instead of a reduced price, another benefit may
instead be provided to the player. For example, the player may
receive an additional lottery ticket for free.
[0060] According to one embodiment, a reduced price (or an
increased prize) may be applicable when it is known that a certain
number of lottery tickets associated with a particular number
combination have been or will be sold. Consider, for example, a
lottery game for which lottery tickets typically cost $1.00. In
this case, the lottery system 200 may determine that a
predetermined subset of lottery number combinations will always be
associated with two occurrences (e.g., the lottery system 200 may
use a quick-pick process to make sure that each of these lottery
number combinations are associated with two, and only two, lottery
ticket occurrences). In this case, the lottery system 200 may
determine that such tickets are associated with a price of $0.50.
Such an approach may, for example, encourage play by people who are
not willing to spend the hill $1.00 for a lottery ticket. According
to one embodiment, such an approach may be used to provide lottery
tickets to players in exchange for an amount of change they would
have otherwise received in a transaction (e.g., a transaction in
which a player purchases a gallon of milk at a grocery store). Some
systems for providing lottery tickets in this situation are
described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/107,971 entitled
"Method and Apparatus for Facilitating the Play of Fractional
Lottery Tickets Utilizing Point-Of-Sale Terminals."
[0061] According to one embodiment, a player indicates a minimum
number of occurrences that are to be associated with his or her
lottery number combination. For example, a player may provide a
$10.00 payment in exchange for lottery tickets, each lottery ticket
having a lottery number combination that will be associated with no
less than ten other lottery tickets. In this case, the lottery
system 200 may determine that the player should receive one hundred
such lottery tickets in exchange for his or her $10.00 payment.
Note that such an approach, in effect, "pools" players into groups
so that they may receive an increased number of lottery tickets
(although any winnings associated with these lottery tickets will
have to be shared with other players). Such an approach may, for
example, encourage play by people who feel that a single lottery
number combination will not provide them with a sufficient
likelihood of winning a top jackpot prize.
EXAMPLES
[0062] Alice visits a retail store and obtains a lottery ticket
slip 900 as shown in FIG. 9. She selects the month and day of her
birthday and her favorite lucky number, for a total of three
lottery numbers. She then selects three additional numbers having
no special significance, for a total of six lottery numbers. She
uses a pencil to mark the lottery ticket slip 900 with her six
lottery numbers and further indicates on the lottery ticket slip
900 (e.g., by placing a mark inside a "MAX TKTS" selection box 910
labeled "1") that no other lottery ticket should be associated with
her six selected lottery numbers.
[0063] An employee at the retail store enters information from the
lottery ticket slip 900 into a lottery terminal that reads the
marks and transmits the information to a central lottery authority.
The central lottery authority determines, however, that Alice's six
lottery number have already been associated with two other lottery
tickets. A message is displayed to Alice stating that the lottery
number combination she requested is not available, but if she
agrees to change her sixth lottery number from "36" to "37," that
lottery number combination would be available. Because the sixth
lottery number had no Special significance to Alice, she agrees to
change the last number of the combination.
[0064] Although normal lottery tickets cost $1.00, the lottery
system had previously determined that the price for lottery tickets
associated with a single occurrence would always be $2.50. Alice
pays $2.50 and receives a lottery ticket indicating her set of six
numbers.
[0065] Later that day, Bob accesses the central lottery authority
via an online Web site and attempts to purchase a lottery ticket
corresponding to Alice's previously selected set of six numbers.
The central lottery authority determines that no more lottery
tickets can be associated with that lottery number combination and
refuses to sell the lottery ticket to Bob.
[0066] Bob decides to let the central lottery authority pick his
lottery number combination. Because he does not want to pay $2.50
for a single lottery ticket, Bob requests that his six lottery
numbers be unique at the time they are selected. Bob also requests
that his lottery number combination not be provided as a quick pick
to any other player. Bob is told, however, that it is possible he
will have to share the top prize if another player manually
requests the same set of numbers at a later time. Bob provides
payment of $1.25 for this type of lottery ticket.
[0067] In another example, Carol purchases a lottery ticket
associated with a lottery number combination. She pays an extra
$1.00 to a lottery authority in exchange for an assurance that she
will not be required to share the top jackpot prize with anyone
else if her lottery number combination is selected as a winning
number combination. Later that day, the lottery authority sells
another lottery ticket having the same lottery number combination
to Dan, who decides to not pay the extra $1.00 for such an
assurance. That night, the lottery authority determines that the
top jackpot prize is ten million dollars and selects Carol's
lottery number combination (which is also Dan's lottery number
combination) as the winning number combination. Carol receives the
full ten million dollar prize (e.g., the same amount she would have
received if Dan did not buy a lottery ticket with the same lottery
number combination), and Dan receives a five million dollar prize
(e.g., the amount he would have received if the original ten
million dollar prize was shared with Carol).
[0068] In another example, Emily purchases a first lottery ticket.
The top jackpot prize at the time she purchases the first lottery
ticket is one million dollars, and a lottery authority charges
Emily $1.00 for the first lottery ticket. A large number of other
players also purchase lottery tickets, and the top jackpot prize
increases to five million dollars. Emily is excited about the large
prize and decides to purchase a second lottery ticket. Because the
top jackpot prize is now five million dollars, the lottery
authority charges her $1.50 for the second lottery ticket.
[0069] In another example, Fred purchases a lottery ticket for a
first lottery drawing. The top jackpot prize at the time he
purchases the lottery ticket is one million dollars, and a lottery
authority charges him $1.00 for the lottery ticket. That night, the
lottery authority selects a winning number combination and
determines that no player has won the top jackpot prize. The one
million dollars is applied to the next lottery drawing, resulting
in a top jackpot prize of two million dollars. Fred decides to
purchase another lottery ticket for is lottery drawing, and the
lottery authority charges him $1.25 based on the increase in the
top jackpot prize
[0070] Lottery System
[0071] FIG. 2 is a block diagram overview of a lottery system 200
according to one embodiment of the present invention. As will be
described, the lottery system 200 may be used to facilitate lottery
ticket transactions. The lottery system 200 includes: a controller
300 in communication with a player device 20, a lottery device 30,
and a merchant device 40. As used herein, devices (such as the
controller 300, the player device 20, the lottery device 30, and/or
the merchant device 40) may communicate, for example, via a
communication network, such as a Local Area Network (LAN), a
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a
Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a proprietary network, or
an Internet Protocol (IP) network such as the Internet, an intranet
or an extranet. Moreover, as used herein, communications include
those enabled by wired or wireless technology. Note that although a
single controller 300 is shown in FIG. 2, any number of controllers
300 may be included in the lottery system 200. Similarly, any
number of the other devices described herein may be included
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0072] In one embodiment of the present invention, a player device
20 communicates with a remote, Web-based controller 300 (e.g., a
server) via the Internet. Although some embodiments of the present
invention arc described with respect to information exchanged using
a Web site, according to other embodiments information may instead
be exchanged, for example, via a telephone, an Interactive Voice
Response Unit (IVRU), electronic mail, a WEBTV.RTM. interface, a
cable network interface, and/or a wireless communication
system.
[0073] A player device 20 may be any device capable of performing
the functions described herein. For example, a player device 20 may
comprise a Personal Computer (PC), a Personal Digital Assistant
(PDA), a one-way or two-way pager, a wired or wireless telephone, a
Point Of Sale (POS) terminal, a kiosk (e.g., a kiosk located at a
retail store), an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) device, a smart
card, or any other appropriate storage and/or communication device.
Similarly, the merchant device 40 and/or the lottery device 30 may
be any device capable of performing the functions described herein,
including any of the devices described with respect to the player
device 20. For example, the lottery device 30 may be a central
processing system associated with a lottery authority and a
merchant device 40 may be a POS terminal capable of (i) reading a
lottery ticket slip 900 completed by a player and/or (ii)
communicating with the lottery device 30.
[0074] Note that devices shown in FIG. 2 need not be in constant
communication with other devices. For example, a player's PDA may
only communicate with the controller 300 via the Internet when
attached to a "docking" station or "cradle" coupled to the player's
PC. A player device 20 may also communicate with the controller 300
via an Infra-Red (IR) port when near a POS terminal or kiosk
located in a merchant's store.
[0075] Any of the controller 300, the player device 20, the lottery
device 30, and/or the merchant device 40 may be incorporated in a
single device (e.g., a kiosk located in a merchant's store may act
as both a merchant device 40 and the player device 20).
[0076] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
controller 300 may also communicate with a payment service device
(not shown in PIG. 2), such as a credit card service device. For
example, the controller 300 may communicate with the payment
service device to arrange for a player to provide payment in
exchange for a lottery ticket. Similarly, the controller 300 may
communicate with the payment service device to arrange to provide
payment of a winning amount (e.g., a top lottery prize) to a
player.
[0077] According to another embodiment, the payment service device
may also communicate directly with a player device 20 and/or a
merchant device 40. For example, a merchant device 40 may
communicate with the payment service device to arrange to provide
payment to a player. The payment service device may then
communicate with the player device 20 to provide an indication of
the payment. According to another embodiment, a merchant device 40
may instead communicate directly with a player device 20.
[0078] Controller
[0079] FIG. 3 illustrates a controller 300 that is descriptive of
the device shown in FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the
present invention. The controller 300 comprises a processor 310,
such as one or more INTEL.RTM. Pentium.RTM. processors, coupled to
a communication device 320 configured to communicate via a
communication network (not shown in FIG. 3). The communication
device 320 may be used to communicate, for example, with one or
more player devices 20, the lottery device 30, and/or the merchant
device 40. Note that any of the player device 20, the lottery
device 30, and/or the merchant device 40 may contain similar
elements and perform similar functions as those described herein
with respect to the controller 300.
[0080] The processor 310 is also in communication with a storage
device 330. The storage device 330 may comprise any appropriate
information storage device, including combinations of magnetic
storage devices (e.g., magnetic tape and hard disk drives), optical
storage devices, and/or semiconductor memory devices such as Random
Access Memory (RAM) devices and Read Only Memory (ROM) devices.
[0081] The storage device 330 stores a program 315 for controlling
the processor 310. The processor 310 performs instructions of the
program 315, and thereby operates in accordance with the present
invention. For example, the processor 310 may receive a request to
purchase a lottery ticket, the lottery ticket being associated with
a lottery number combination (e.g., a set of lottery numbers). The
processor 310 may also receive an indication that the lottery
number combination is to be associated with a limited number of
occurrences, and determine a price associated with the lottery
ticket based on the received indication.
[0082] According to another embodiment, the processor 310 may
receive from a player a request to purchase a lottery ticket, the
lottery ticket to be associated with a lottery number combination.
The processor 310 may also receive from the player an indication
that the lottery number combination is to be associated with a
limited number of lottery tickets, and determine a price associated
with the lottery ticket based on the received indication. In
addition, the processor may determine the lottery number
combination and arrange for the player to purchase the lottery
ticket. For example, the processor 310 may receive, from the
player, payment of an amount based on the determined price and
provide the lottery ticket to the player. The processor 310 may
also prevent at least one other lottery ticket from being
associated with the lottery number combination. Note that the
processor 310 may directly or indirectly prevent other tickets from
being associated with the lottery number combination. For example,
the processor 310 may simply store or transmit an indication that
prevents other tickets from being associated with the lottery
number combination. Finally, the processor 310 may arrange for the
player to receive payment of a winning amount based on the lottery
number combination and a result of a lottery drawing.
[0083] According to another embodiment, the processor 310 may
receive a request to purchase a pari-mutuel lottery ticket. The
processor 310 may also determine a price associated with the
pari-mutuel lottery ticket based on an expected value of the
lottery ticket to the player.
[0084] The program 315 may be stored in a compressed, uncompiled
and/or encrypted format. The program 315 may furthermore include
other program elements, such as an operating system, a database
management system, and/or "device drivers" used by the processor
310 to interface with peripheral devices.
[0085] As used herein information may be "received" by or
"transmitted" to, for example: (i) the controller 300 from the
player device 20, the lottery device 30, or the merchant device 40;
and/or (ii) a software application or module within the controller
300 from another software application, module, or any other
source.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 3, the storage device 330 also stores: a
purchased number combinations database 400 (described in detail
with respect to FIG. 4); and a potential number combinations
database 500 (described in detail with respect to FIG. 5).
[0087] Examples of databases that may be used in connection with
the lottery system 200 will now be described in detail with respect
to FIGS. 4 and 5. Each figure depicts a database in which the data
is organized according to a data structure in accordance with
embodiments of the present invention. The data may be stored, for
example, on a computer readable medium and be accessible by a
program executed on a data processing system. The schematic
illustration and accompanying description of these databases are
exemplary, and any number of other database arrangements could be
employed besides those suggested by the figures.
[0088] Purchased Number Combinations Database
[0089] Referring to FIG. 4, a table represents the purchased number
combinations database 400 that may be stored at the controller 300,
according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to
other embodiments, the purchased number combinations database 400
may be stored at one or more of the player device 20, the lottery
device 30, and/or the merchant device 40. The table includes
entries identifying lottery number combinations that have been
purchased by one or more players. The table also defines fields
402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414 for each of the entries. The
fields specify: a number combination 402; a ticket identifier 404;
a retailer location 406; a date and time of purchase 408; a maximum
number of tickets 410; a price 412; and a winning amount at time of
purchase 414. The information in the purchased number combinations
database 400 may be created and updated, for example, when a player
purchases a number via the lottery system 200.
[0090] The number combination 402 represents a lottery number
combination associated with a lottery ticket purchased by a player.
For example, the number combination 402 may comprise six numbers,
such as six numbers from the range of "1" through "49," inclusive.
Each number combination 402 is associated with at least one ticket
identifier 404. The ticket identifier 404 may be, for example, an
alphanumeric identifier generated by the controller 300. Note that
a single number combination 402 may be associated with more than
one ticket identifier 404. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the
number combination 402 of "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7" is associated with
both "T13235" and "T64312."
[0091] The retailer location 406 may indicate the physical location
of a retail store where the player purchased a ticket associated
with the number combination 402. The retailer location 406 may be
used, for example, to let the controller 300 track lottery tickets
purchased in different geographic areas or lottery jurisdictions
(e.g. so that a player can arrange to have his or her multi-state
lottery number combination be unique in New Jersey). The date and
time of purchase 409 indicates when the ticket associated with the
number combination 402 was purchased.
[0092] The maximum number of tickets 410 represents how many
lottery tickets may be associated with a particular number
combination 402. For example, a particular number combination may
be associated with a maximum of one lottery ticket (e.g., the
maximum number of tickets 410 is "1"), two lottery tickets, or any
number of lottery tickets (e.g., the maximum number of tickets 410
is "no maximum"). As shown in FIG. 4, the number combination 402 of
"1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7" is associated with a maximum number of tickets
408 of both "2" and "no maximum." In this case, the controller 300
may prevent any further lottery tickets from being associated with
that number combination 402 (e.g. because the maximum number of two
have already been purchased). According to one embodiment, the
maximum number of tickets 410 may be "0." In this case, a player
has blocked other players from purchasing a ticket associated with
a particular number combination 402 without actually purchasing a
lottery ticket associated with the number combination 402.
[0093] The price 412 indicates a price determined by the controller
300 for the number combination 402 based on the maximum number of
tickets 410. For example, the controller 300 may determine that
$1.00 is the price when the maximum number of tickets 410 is "no
maximum" and use a predetermined formula to determine the price
when the maximum number of tickets 410 is equal to a value other
than "no maximum."
[0094] The winning amount at time of purchase 414 indicates a
winning amount or current prize associated with the lottery game at
the date and time of purchase 408. The winning amount at time of
purchase 414 may be used, for example, to determine an expected
value associated with the ticket identifier 404 and/or an
appropriate price 412.
[0095] According to one embodiment, the purchased number
combinations database 400 also stores a player identifier (not
shown in FIG. 4) that may indicate the player who purchased the
lottery ticket. Such a player identifier may be used, for example,
to make sure that number combination 402 is only associated with a
maximum number of players.
[0096] Potential Number Combinations Database
[0097] Referring to FIG. 5, a table represents the potential number
combinations database 500 that may be stored at the controller 300,
according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to
other embodiments, the potential number combinations database 500
may be stored at one or more of the player device 20, the lottery
device 30, and/or the merchant device 40.
[0098] The table includes entries identifying all possible lottery
number combinations that may be purchased by one or more players.
The table also defines fields 502, 504, 506, 508 for each of the
entries. The fields specify: a number combination identifier 502; a
number combination 504; a number of tickets purchased 506; and a
maximum number of tickets 508. The information in the potential
number combinations database 500 may be created by an operator of
the controller 300 (e.g., based on the rules of the lottery game)
and updated, for example, when a player purchases a lottery ticket
via the lottery system 200.
[0099] The number combination identifier 502 may be, for example,
an alphanumeric identifier associated with a lottery number
combination and may be generated by the controller 300. The number
combination 504 indicates a lottery number combination that may be
associated with a lottery ticket. The number combination 504 may be
based on, or associated with, the number combination 402 stored in
the purchased number combinations database 400.
[0100] For each number combination identifier 502, the potential
number combination database 500 also stores the number of tickets
purchased 506 with respect to the number combination 504. The
maximum number of tickets 508 indicates how many lottery tickets
may be associated with a particular number combination 504 and may
be based on, or associated with the maximum number of tickets 410
stored in the purchased number combinations database 400. That is,
the maximum number of tickets 508 may be set to the smallest
maximum number of tickets 410 stored with respect to that
particular number combination 504.
[0101] Methods that may be used in connection with the lottery
system 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention will
now be described in detail with respect to FIGS. 6 through 8.
[0102] Lottery System Methods
[0103] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method for operating the lottery
system 200, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The method may be performed, for example, by one or more of the
controller 300, the player device 20, the lottery device 30, and/or
the merchant device 40. The flow chart in FIG. 6, as well as the
other flow charts discussed herein, does not imply a fixed order to
the steps, and embodiments of the present invention can be
practiced in any order that is practicable.
[0104] At 602, a request to purchase a pari-mutuel lottery ticket
is received, the lottery ticket to be associated with a lottery
number combination. At 604, an indication that the lottery number
combination is to be associated with a limited number of lottery
tickets is received from the player.
[0105] Based on the indication that the lottery number combination
is to be associated with the limited number of lottery tickets, a
ticket price is determined at 606. For example, a first ticket
price may be determined if such an indication is received while a
second ticket price is determined if no such indication is
received.
[0106] At 608, the lottery number combination is determined. For
example, a player may select the lottery number combination.
According to another embodiment, the player instead allows the
lottery system 200 to select his or her lottery number combination.
In either case, the lottery system 200 may evaluate a potential
lottery number combination to determine if the combination is
appropriate. For example, a player who indicates that a lottery
number combination should remain unique may not be allowed to
select a lottery number combination that is already associated with
another lottery ticket (or another player). Methods of performing
this process according to some embodiments of the present invention
are provided with respect to FIGS. 7A and 7B.
[0107] At 610, it is arranged for the player to purchase the
lottery ticket, and payment of an amount based on the determined
price is received from the player at 610 (e.g., via a payment
identifier associated with the player). At 612, the lottery ticket
is provided to the player. For example, a lottery terminal at a
retail store may print a lottery ticket for the player.
[0108] At 614, the lottery system 200 prevents at least one other
lottery ticket from being associated with the player's lottery
number combination. A method of performing this process according
to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with respect
to FIG. 8.
[0109] Finally, at 616 it is arranged for the player to receive
payment of a winning amount based on the player's lottery number
combination and a result of a lottery drawing. For example, if all
of the lottery numbers in the player's lottery number combination
match the result of the lottery drawing the player may receive
payment of a winning amount. Note that the player may not have to
share this winning amount with more than the limited number of
lottery tickets indicated at 604. Of course, if the player had
previously arranged to purchase this particular lottery ticket on
behalf of a group of friends or co-workers the winning amount may
need to be divided as appropriate.
[0110] FIG. 7A is a flow chart of a method for selecting a number
combination according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The method may be performed, for example, by the controller 300 to
determine a lottery number combination as described with respect to
608 in FIG. 6. In particular, the method may be performed as part
of a quick pick process for a player who has requested that his or
her lottery number combination be associated with a limited number
of occurrences.
[0111] At 702, a set of appropriate lottery number combinations is
selected. To select the set of appropriate lottery number
combinations, the controller 300 may select every lottery number
combination that (i) has not already been associated with the
player's maximum number of occurrences, and (ii) has not already
been associated with another player's maximum number of
occurrences.
[0112] Consider, for example, a player who has requested that his
or her lottery number combination be associated with only a single
lottery ticket (i.e., only with his or her lottery ticket). To
determine a quick pick lottery number combination for such a
player, the controller 300 may determine the set of appropriate
lottery number combinations comprising all combinations that are
not yet associated with a lottery ticket. This may be performed,
for example, by retrieving each number combination identifier 502
associated with a number of tickets purchased 506 of "0" from the
potential number combinations database 500.
[0113] If the player had instead requested that his or her lottery
number combination be associated with no more than three lottery
tickets, each number combination identifier 502 associated with a
number of tickets purchased 506 of "0," "1," or "2" maybe retrieved
from the potential number combinations database 500. However, in
this case, a number combination for which two tickets have been
purchased may not be considered appropriate if one of those two
tickets had itself been associated with a request that the number
combination be associated with no more than two lottery tickets. In
another embodiment, the lottery system 200 may instead retrieve
such information from the purchased number combinations database
400.
[0114] At 704, the player's lottery number combination is then
selected from the set of appropriate lottery number combinations
based on a random outcome. For example, one of the number
combinations 502 identified at 702 may be selected. Because all of
the appropriate lottery number combinations were associated with an
appropriate number of tickets purchased 506, the controller 300 can
be sure that the associated number combination 504 is available to
be associated with the player's lottery ticket in accordance with
his or her request. According to one embodiment, the purchased
number combinations database 400 and/or the potential number
combinations database 500 are updated at this point.
[0115] FIG. 7B is a flow chart of another method for selecting a
number combination according to an embodiment of the present
invention. The method may be performed, for example, by the
controller 300 to determine a lottery number combination as
described with respect to 608 in FIG. 6. In particular, the method
may be performed as part of a quick pick process for a player who
has requested that his or her lottery number combination be
associated with a limited number of occurrences.
[0116] At 712, a potential lottery number combination is generated
for the player based on a random outcome. According to this
embodiment, the potential lottery number combination is generated
without regard to the limited number of occurrences requested by
the player.
[0117] At 714, the number of tickets that have been purchased
associated with the potential lottery number combination is
determined. For example, the controller 300 may determine the
number of entries associated with the potential lottery number
combination in the purchased number combinations database 400 or
may retrieve the number of tickets purchased 506 from the potential
number combinations database 500.
[0118] At 716, it is determined if the potential lottery number
combination is appropriate. For example, if the player had
requested that his or her lottery number combination be associated
with a single lottery ticket, a potential lottery number
combination that has already been associated with another lottery
ticket would not be appropriate.
[0119] If the potential lottery number combination is not
appropriate at 716, another potential lottery number combination is
determined at 712. If the potential lottery number combination is
appropriate at 716, the potential lottery number combination is
associated with the player's lottery ticket at 718. According to
one embodiment, the purchased number combinations database 400
and/or the potential number combinations database 500 are updated
at this point.
[0120] Note that if a player manually selects a lottery number
combination that is to be associated with a limited number of
occurrences (as opposed to using a quick pick process as described
with respect to FIGS. 7A and 7B), the controller may simply
evaluate the manually selected lottery number combination to
determine if it is available to be associated with the player's
lottery ticket in accordance with his or her request. For example,
the controller 300 may determine the number of entries associated
with that lottery number combination in the purchased number
combinations database 400 or may retrieve the number of tickets
purchased 506 from the potential number combinations database
500.
[0121] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method for processing a request
to purchase a subsequent lottery ticket according to an embodiment
of the present invention. The method may be performed, for example,
by the controller 300 to prevent at least one other lottery ticket
from being associated with a lottery number combination as
described with respect to 614 of FIG. 6.
[0122] At 802, a request to purchase a lottery ticket is received,
including a manually selected lottery number combination. At 804,
the controller 300 accesses the purchased number combinations
database 400 to determine any maximum number of tickets 410
associated with the requested number combination 402. According to
another embodiment, the controller 300 may instead access the
potential number combinations database 500 to determine any maximum
number of tickets 508 associated with the requested number
combination 504.
[0123] At 806, it is determined if the requested lottery number
combinations is appropriate. That is, the controller may determine
if the maximum number of tickets 508 associated with the requested
lottery number combination have already been purchased (e.g., based
on the number of entries associated with the requested number
combination 402 in the purchased number combinations database 400
or the number of tickets purchased 506 in the potential number
combinations database 500).
[0124] If the requested number combination is appropriate at 806,
it is associated with the player's lottery ticket at 808. If the
requested number combination is not appropriate at 806, it is
rejected at 810 (e.g., the player may be asked to request another
number combination or a modified number combination may be
suggested to the player).
Additional Embodiments
[0125] The following are several examples which illustrate various
embodiments of the present invention. These examples do not
constitute a definition of all possible embodiments, and those
skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is
applicable to many other embodiments. Further, although the
following examples are briefly described for clarity, those skilled
in the art will understand how to make any changes, if necessary,
to the above-described system and methods to accommodate these and
other embodiments and applications.
[0126] According to one embodiment, a player provides something
other to an increased amount of payment in exchange for having his
or her lottery number combination be associated with a limited
number of occurrences. By way of example, a player may: register to
join a frequent lottery player program; purchase a predetermined
number of tickets in a particular drawing; purchase a lottery
ticket subscription (e.g., for a predetermined number of tickets or
a lifetime subscription); purchase a lottery ticket at a
predetermined retail store or Web site; purchase a supplemental
product (e.g., the player purchases at least five gallons of
gasoline along with his or her lottery ticket); purchase a
predetermined amount of supplemental products (e.g., the player
purchases ten dollars worth of items at a retail store); purchase a
lottery ticket when a winning amount is below a predetermined
amount; and/or purchase a lottery ticket before a predetermined
number of tickets have been sold for a particular lottery drawing,
accept an offer from a third pa (e.g., the player agrees to answer
ten survey questions). Similarly, a player's lottery number
combination may be associated with a limited number of occurrences
because of past actions (e go, the player has purchased at least
one lottery ticket in the last four weeks) or future actions (e.g.,
the player promises to perform an action in the future).
[0127] A player's lottery number combination may also be associated
with a limited number of occurrences when the player purchases a
particular type of lottery ticket, such as those described in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/525,875 entitled "System and Method
for Applying Lottery Multipliers" and/or U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/052,295 entitled "Methods and Apparatus Wherein a
Lottery Entry is Entered Into Lottery Drawings Until the Lottery
Entry is Identified as a Winner."
[0128] Although some embodiments described above provide that a
player's lottery number combination will be associated with a
limited number of occurrences (e.g. at the time the lottery ticket
is sold or at the time a lottery result is determined), according
to other embodiments it is merely more likely that the player's
lottery number combination will be associated with a limited number
of occurrences. Consider, for example, a lottery game in which a
player selects six lottery numbers from the range of "1" though
"49," inclusive. A lottery ticket has a price of $1.00 unless the
player selects "49" as one of his or her lottery numbers, in which
case the lottery ticket has a price of $2.00. Because some players
will not want to pay $2.00, someone who does select "49" as one of
his or her lottery numbers will have a reduced chance that a
winning amount will need to be shared with other players.
[0129] According to another embodiment a player indicates the price
he or she is willing to pay for a lottery ticket, and a limited
number of occurrences to be associated with the player's lottery
numbers is determined based on that price. Similarly, the lottery
system may determine a price associated with a lottery ticket
(e.g., when a lottery ticket is to be provided to a player in lieu
of an amount of change due to the player as a result of another
transaction), and a limited number of occurrences to be associated
with the player's lottery numbers is determined based on that
price.
[0130] According to another embodiment, the price of another item
may be determined based on a limited number of occurrences that are
to be associated with a lottery number combination. For example,
the player who indicates that a first lottery ticket is to be
associated with only a single occurrence may pay a higher price for
the next lottery ticket he or she purchases. Similarly, the price
of another item may be determined based on an actual number of
occurrences that were associated with a lottery number
combination.
[0131] According to another embodiment, a price associated with a
lottery ticket may be adjusted after the lottery ticket has been
sold to a player. For example, a first player may pay $10.00 for a
first lottery ticket having a unique lottery number combination. If
second player subsequently purchases a second lottery ticket having
the same lottery number combination, the price associated with the
first lottery ticket may be adjusted (e.g., a $5.00 rebate may be
mailed to the first player or credited to an account associated
with the first player).
[0132] According to another embodiment, a player may indicate that
his or her lottery number combination is to not be associated with
a set of players (or lottery tickets). For example, a player may
indicate that the lottery number combination is not to be
associated with lottery tickets sold in a particular city.
[0133] According to another embodiment, a player may prevent other
players from being associated with a particular lottery number
combination without actually purchasing a ticket. For example, a
friend of a player may pay $100.00 to a lottery authority to have
the player's favorite numbers "reserved" for ten years. In this
case, the player would not receive a prize unless he or she also
purchased a lottery ticket associated with that lottery number
combination for a particular lottery game drawing.
[0134] According to another embodiment, when a player is told that
his or her requested lottery number combination is not available
(e.g., because a second player has already purchased those
numbers), the player may perform an action in order to be
associated with those numbers (e.g., by agreeing to provide payment
of a predetermined or negotiated amount to the second player).
[0135] According to another embodiment, the price of a lottery
ticket is determined based on at least one parameter received from
a player. The parameter may indicate, for example, a desired
uniqueness of a lottery number combination.
[0136] According to another embodiment, a player is assured that he
or she will be assigned a unique lottery number combination at the
time of a lottery drawing, but is not assured which lottery number
combination he or she will be assigned. For example, the lottery
number combination may be determined by a lottery game provider
after tickets are no longer sold to players (e.g., at 9:00 PM on
the night of a lottery drawing). According to another embodiment, a
player's lottery number combination may automatically change (e.g.,
a modified lottery number combination may be assigned to the player
when a second player requests his or her original lottery number
combination). In either case, a player may receive an indication of
his or her final lottery number combination prior to a lottery
drawing, such as via an electronic mail message.
[0137] According to another embodiment, a price or a prize may be
determined based on a number of tickets that have already been
purchased. For example, a first player to purchase a lottery ticket
associated with a lottery number combination may be eligible to win
six million dollars, while a second player to purchase a lottery
ticket associated with that lottery number combination may only be
eligible to win three million dollars.
[0138] According to still another embodiment, a lottery number
combination may only be associated with a limited number of
occurrences when certain predetermined conditions are met. For
example, a player may indicate that his or her lottery number
combination should be associated with a single lottery ticket if
the top lottery prize is less than ten million dollars. If the top
lottery prize grows to be more than ten million dollars, however,
the lottery number combination may be associated with two lottery
tickets.
[0139] Yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed
to a lottery game for which a player does not need to purchase a
lottery ticket. For example, a merchant may sponsor a sweepstakes
and give away a lottery tickets to a customer each time he or she
purchases an item at the merchant's store. In this case, a customer
may provide a payment to the merchant to make, sure his or her
lottery number combination is associated with a limited number of
occurrences.
[0140] In another embodiment, a price associated with the lottery
ticket is determined based on a number of other players who
actually request to purchase a ticket having the same lottery
number combination and are prohibited from doing so.
[0141] Although some embodiments of the present invention are
described with respect to a player having to share a top prize,
according to other embodiments a lottery game may be associated
with a number of different prizes (e.g., for matching 4 out of six
numbers). According to an embodiment of the present invention, a
player may be assured that any subset, or all, of such prizes will
not need to be shared if he or she wins the prize.
[0142] In yet another embodiment, a player may be required to
perform a task in exchange for an assurance that his or her lottery
number combination will be associated with only a limited number of
occurrences. For example, a player may be assured that his or her
lottery number combination will be unique if he or she fills out a
survey included on the back of a lottery ticket slip.
[0143] In yet another embodiment, an auction may determine which
player will be associated with a lottery number combination (e.g.,
when two or more players request the same lottery number
combination).
[0144] In yet another embodiment, the lottery system 200 may
automatically determine a number of tickets based on a determined
price. For example, a player may request to purchase $100.00 worth
of lottery tickets, each being uniquely associated with a different
lottery number combination. In this case, the lottery system 200
may determine a price of $1.25 per lottery ticket, and
automatically provide the player with eighty lottery tickets In yet
another embodiment, the indication that a lottery number
combination is to be associated with a limited number of
occurrences is received from the lottery system 200. For example,
all tickets in a certain type of lottery game may be given unique
lottery number combinations. According to another embodiment, the
limited number of occurrences may be based on, for example, a
current total winning amount For example, the limited number of
occurrence may be "1" when the current total winning amount is less
than one million, "2" when the current total winning amount is more
than one million and less than two million, etc.
[0145] Although many embodiments described above are directed to
pari-mutuel lotteries, the present invention may also be used with
respect to, for example, pari-mutuel racetrack betting. For
example, some types of racetrack bets require that a player select,
in order, the top three horses that will win a race. According to
an embodiment of the present invention, a player may also request
that his or her selections be associated with a limited number of
occurrences (e.g., that his or her selections be unique). According
to other embodiments, a player may be assured that his or her
selections in a sporting wager (e.g., a college basketball playoff
tree) will be associated with a limited number of occurrences.
[0146] According to another embodiment, a player is assured that a
lottery number combination will be associated with a limited number
of occurrences only with respect to one or more particular
distribution channels or services. For example, a player who
purchases a lottery ticket via a communication network (e.g., a Web
site or wireless phone service) may be assured that his or her
lottery number combination will be associated with a limited number
of occurrences only with respect to other lottery tickets sold via
that communication network. In this case, another player may, for
example, visit a retailer to purchase another lottery ticket having
the same lottery number combination.
[0147] According to another embodiment, a player is assured that a
lottery number combination will be associated with a limited number
of occurrences only with respect to a particular class of players
(e.g., frequent players or subscribers to a lottery service). For
example, a frequent player may be assured that his or her lottery
number combination will be associated with a limited number of
occurrences only with respect to other lottery tickets sold to
non-frequent players. In this case, another frequent player may be
permitted to purchase another lottery ticket having the same
lottery number combination.
[0148] The present invention has been described in terms of several
embodiments solely for the purpose of illustration. Persons skilled
in the art will recognize from this description that the invention
is not limited to the embodiments described, but may be practiced
with modifications and alterations limited only by the spirit and
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *