U.S. patent application number 11/531559 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-31 for premiums for early redemption of lottery entries.
Invention is credited to Jeffrey Y. Hayashida, Russell P. Sammon, Daniel E. Tedesco, Stephen C. Tulley, Jay S. Walker.
Application Number | 20080026810 11/531559 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38986977 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080026810 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Walker; Jay S. ; et
al. |
January 31, 2008 |
PREMIUMS FOR EARLY REDEMPTION OF LOTTERY ENTRIES
Abstract
Described are methods, systems and apparatus for providing an
enhanced lottery payout to players who redeem winning lottery
entries in accordance with predefined conditions. In an embodiment,
the method includes receiving a request to redeem a lottery entry,
determining that the lottery entry is a winning entry, determining
a time associated with the request to redeem, and determining which
one of a first payout or a second payout to authorize. The
determination is made based on whether the time associated with the
request to redeem is greater than a predetermined value. In some
embodiments, the second payout is authorized if the time associated
with the request to redeem is not greater than the predetermined
value.
Inventors: |
Walker; Jay S.; (Ridgefield,
CT) ; Tulley; Stephen C.; (Monroe, CT) ;
Tedesco; Daniel E.; (Huntington, CT) ; Sammon;
Russell P.; (San Francisco, CA) ; Hayashida; Jeffrey
Y.; (San Francisco, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WALKER DIGITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
2 HIGH RIDGE PARK
STAMFORD
CT
06905
US
|
Family ID: |
38986977 |
Appl. No.: |
11/531559 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3244 20130101;
G07F 17/3269 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101; G07F 17/329
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/17 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 31, 2006 |
US |
PCT/US06/29676 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: receiving a request to redeem a lottery
entry; determining that the lottery entry is a winning entry;
determining a time associated with the request to redeem; and
determining which one of a first payout or a second payout to
authorize for the winning lottery entry, based on whether the time
associated with the request to redeem is greater than a
predetermined value.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising authorizing the second
payout if the time associated with the request to redeem is not
greater than the predetermined value.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising authorizing the first
payout if the time associated with the request to redeem is greater
than the predetermined value.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second payout is greater than
the first payout.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first payout comprises a base
amount and the second payout comprises a value equal to the base
amount plus a premium.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the premium comprises at least
one of a cash value, a non-cash prize, a percentage of the base
amount, a credit, a store credit, a discount coupon, frequent flyer
miles, a lottery game entry, and a rebate.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, subsequent to
receiving the request to redeem a lottery entry, voiding the
lottery entry if the time corresponds to a date greater than a
lottery game expiration date.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing payment to
at least one of a player and a player account.
9. The method of claim 1, which further comprises receiving the
request to redeem a lottery entry via at least one of a retailer
terminal, a personal computer, a kiosk, a telephone, a cell phone,
a personal digital assistant device, and an electronic device.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising authorizing the
second payout based on at least one factor.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one factor
comprises at least one of a predetermined number of redemptions
made by a player, a purchase made by the player, purchases made by
other players, a total number of lottery entries purchased by the
player, a total number of losing lottery entries purchased by the
player, and a random value.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one factor
comprises at least one of a predetermined maximum number of
matching lottery selections on a lottery entry and a predefined low
value for a lottery entry.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the at least one factor
comprises at least one of a number of redemptions processed by at
least one retailer, and a predefined amount of winning entries
redeemed by at least one retailer.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the time associated
with the request to redeem comprises calculating a period of time
between a time the lottery entry was purchased and a time the
request to redeem the lottery entry is received.
15. The method of claim 14, which further comprises increasing the
value of the second payout if the time associated with the request
to redeem is less than a second predetermined time limit.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the time associated
with the request to redeem comprises calculating a period of time
between a time of a lottery drawing associated with the lottery
entry and a time the request to redeem the lottery entry is
received.
17. The method of claim 1, which further comprises authorizing the
second payout according to at least one rule.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one rule comprises
a requirement to present the winning lottery entry prior to at
least one of: an award of a predetermined threshold number of
prizes; an award of a predetermined threshold amount of prize
money; the expiration of a deadline calculated from a start date of
the lottery game; the expiration of a deadline calculated from the
purchase date of the lottery entry; the expiration of a deadline
calculated from a drawing date of the lottery; and the expiration
of a deadline calculated from a date of an award of a lottery
jackpot prize.
19. The method of claim 1, further comprising notifying a player of
at least one redemption condition associated with receiving the
second payout.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one redemption
condition comprises presenting winning lottery entries for
redemption before at least one of a deadline, and an occurrence of
a predefined event.
21. The method of claim 19, which further comprises notifying the
player of the redemption condition by providing at least one
message via at least one of printed matter on the lottery entry,
email, telephone, a kiosk, cell phone, set-top device, PDA, and
mail.
22. The method of claim 1, further comprising reminding a player to
redeem the lottery entry.
23. The method of claim 22, which further comprises notifying the
player by utilizing at least one of email, telephone, cell phone,
set-top device, PDA, and mail.
24. The method of claim 22, which further comprises an indication
of at least one of a benefit, a deadline for collecting the first
payout, a value of the first payout, a deadline for collecting a
second payout, and a value of the second payout.
25. The method of claim 1, wherein the lottery entry comprises at
least one of a drawing-style lottery ticket, an instant lottery
ticket, a scratch-off lottery ticket, and an on-line lottery
ticket.
26. The method of claim 1, further comprising authorizing the first
payout if at least one termination event occurs.
27. The method of claim 28, wherein the termination event comprises
at least one of expiration of a second payout deadline, redemption
of a lottery grand prize, payouts of a predetermined number of
winning lottery entries, and a predetermined total payout value of
winning lottery entries.
28. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing lottery data
in a memory.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the lottery data comprises at
least one of a final redemption status and a final payout value,
wherein the final payout value corresponds to at least one of the
first payout and the second payout.
30. The method of claim 28, wherein the lottery data comprises at
least one of first payout value data, second payout value data,
lottery game data, a lottery entry purchase time and date, a
lottery entry redemption time and date, a lottery entry identifier,
a first payout deadline, retailer data, and player data.
31. The method of claim 1, further comprising: retrieving second
payout data from a lottery database; and transmitting the second
payout data to at least one of a retailer terminal and a player
device.
32. A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to
direct a processor to perform the method of claim 1.
33. The computer readable medium of claim 32, which further
comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to
authorize the second payout if the time associated with the request
to redeem is not greater than the predetermined value.
34. The computer readable medium of claim 32, which further
comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to
authorize the first payout if the time associated with the request
to redeem is greater than the predetermined value.
35. The computer readable medium of claim 32, which further
comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to,
subsequent to receiving the request to redeem a lottery entry, void
the lottery entry if the time associated with the request to redeem
corresponds to a date greater than a lottery game expiration
date.
36. The computer readable medium of claim 32, which further
comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to provide
payment to at least one of a player and a player account.
37. The computer readable medium of claim 32, which further
comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to receive
the request to redeem a lottery entry via at least one of a
retailer terminal, a personal computer, a kiosk, a telephone, a
cell phone, a personal digital assistant device, and an electronic
device.
38. The computer readable medium of claim 32, which further
comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to
determine the time associated with the request to redeem by
calculating a period of time using a time the lottery entry was
purchased and a time the request to redeem the lottery entry is
received.
39. The computer readable medium of claim 38, which further
comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to
calculate an increased value for the second payout if the time
associated with the request to redeem is equal to or less than a
second predetermined value.
40. The computer readable medium of claim 32, which further
comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to
determine the time associated with the request to redeem by
calculating a period of time using a time of a lottery drawing
associated with the lottery entry and a time the request to redeem
the lottery entry is received.
41. The computer readable medium of claim 32, which further
comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to notify a
player of at least one redemption condition associated with
receiving the first payout.
42. The computer readable medium of claim 32, which further
comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to remind a
player to redeem a lottery entry.
43. The computer readable medium of claim 32, which further
comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to
authorize the first payout if at least one termination event
occurs.
44. The computer readable medium of claim 32, which further
comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to store
lottery data in a memory.
45. The computer readable medium of claim 32, which further
comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to:
retrieve second payout data from a lottery database; and transmit
the second payout data to at least one of a retailer terminal and a
player device.
46. A method, comprising: receiving a request to redeem an eligible
lottery entry; determining that the lottery entry is a winning
entry; and determining whether to authorize a first payout or a
second payout, wherein the second payout is authorized if a
predefined event has not yet occurred.
47. The method of claim 46, wherein the second payout is greater
than the first payout.
48. The method of claim 47, wherein the second payout comprises a
value equal to the first payout plus a premium.
49. The method of claim 48, wherein the premium comprises at least
one of a cash value, a non-cash prize, a percentage of the first
payout, a credit, a store credit, a discount coupon, frequent flyer
miles, a lottery game entry, and a rebate.
50. The method of claim 46, further comprising providing payment to
at least one of a player and a player account.
51. The method of claim 46, wherein the predefined event comprises
at least one of: an award of a predetermined threshold number of
prizes; an award of a predetermined threshold amount of prize
money; the expiration of a deadline calculated from a start date of
the lottery game; the expiration of a deadline calculated from the
purchase date of the lottery entry; the expiration of a deadline
calculated from a drawing date of the lottery; and the expiration
of a deadline calculated from the date of an award of a lottery
jackpot prize.
52. The method of claim 46, which further comprises receiving the
request to redeem the eligible lottery entry via at least one of a
retailer terminal, a personal computer, a kiosk, a telephone, a
cell phone, a personal digital assistant device, and an electronic
device.
53. The method of claim 46, which further comprises determining the
second payout value based on at least one factor.
54. The method of claim 53, wherein the at least one factor
comprises at least one of a predetermined number of redemptions
made by a player, a purchase made by the player, purchases made by
other players, a total number of lottery entries purchased by the
player, a total number of losing lottery entries purchased by the
player, and a random value.
55. The method of claim 53, wherein the at least one factor
comprises at least one of a predetermined maximum number of
matching lottery selections on a lottery entry and a predefined low
value for a lottery entry.
56. The method of claim 53, wherein the at least one factor
comprises at least one of a number of redemptions processed by at
least one retailer, and a predefined amount of winning entries
redeemed by at least one retailer.
57. The method of claim 46, wherein the predefined event comprises
at least one of: an award of a predetermined threshold number of
prizes; an award of a predetermined threshold amount of prize
money; the expiration of a deadline calculated from a start date of
the lottery game; the expiration of a deadline calculated from the
purchase date of the lottery entry; the expiration of a deadline
calculated from a drawing date of the lottery; and the expiration
of a deadline calculated from a date of an award of a lottery
jackpot prize.
58. The method of claim 46, further comprising notifying a player
of the predefined event associated with receiving the first
payout.
59. The method of claim 58, which further comprises notifying the
player of predefined event by providing at least one message via at
least one of printed matter on the lottery entry, email, telephone,
a kiosk, cell phone, set-top device, PDA, and mail.
60. The method of claim 58, which further comprises notifying the
player of at least one of a benefit, a deadline for collecting the
first payout, a value of the first payout, a deadline for
collecting a second payout, and a value of the second payout.
61. The method of claim 46, wherein the lottery entry comprises at
least one of a drawing-style lottery ticket, an instant lottery
ticket, a scratch-off lottery ticket, and an on-line lottery
ticket.
62. The method of claim 46, further comprising storing lottery data
in a memory.
63. The method of claim 62, wherein the lottery data comprises at
least one of a final redemption status and a final payout value,
wherein the final payout value corresponds to at least one of the
first payout and the second payout.
64. The method of claim 62, wherein the lottery data comprises at
least one of first payout value data, second payout value data,
lottery game data, a lottery entry purchase time and date, a
lottery entry redemption time and date, a lottery entry identifier,
at least one first payout deadline, retailer data, and player
data.
65. The method of claim 46, further comprising; retrieving second
payout data from a lottery database; and transmitting the second
payout data to at least one of a retailer terminal and a player
device.
66. A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to
direct a processor to perform the method of claim 46.
67. The computer readable medium of claim 66, which further
comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to provide
payment to at least one of a player and a player account.
68. The computer readable medium of claim 66, which further
comprises instructions configured to direct the processor to
authorize the second payout if at least one of the following
predetermined events has not yet occurred: an award of a
predetermined threshold number of prizes; an award of a
predetermined threshold amount of prize money; the expiration of a
deadline calculated from a start date of the lottery game; the
expiration of a deadline calculated from the purchase date of the
lottery entry; the expiration of a deadline calculated from a
drawing date of the lottery; and the expiration of a deadline
calculated from the date of an award of a lottery jackpot
prize.
69. The computer readable medium of claim 66, which further
comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to
determine the second payout value based on at least one of a
predetermined number of redemptions made by a player, a purchase
made by the player, purchases made by other players, a total number
of lottery entries purchased by the player, a total number of
losing lottery entries purchased by the player, and a random
value.
70. The computer readable medium of claim 66, which further
comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to
determine the second payout value based on at least one of a
predetermined maximum number of matching lottery selections on a
lottery entry and a predefined low value for a lottery entry.
71. The computer readable medium of claim 66, which further
comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to
determine the second payout value based on at least one of a number
of redemptions processed by at least one retailer, and a predefined
amount of winning entries redeemed by at least one retailer.
72. The computer readable medium of claim 66, which further
comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to notify a
player of the predefined event associated with receiving the second
payout.
73. The computer readable medium of claim 66, which further
comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to notify
the player of at least one of a benefit, a deadline for collecting
the first payout, a value of the first payout, a deadline for
collecting a second payout, and a value of the second payout.
74. The computer readable medium of claim 66, which further
comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to store
lottery data in a memory.
75. The computer readable medium of claim 66, which further
comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to store at
least one of a final redemption status and a final payout value,
wherein the final payout value corresponds to at least one of the
first payout and the second payout.
76. The computer readable medium of claim 66, which further
comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to store at
least one of first payout value data, second payout value data,
lottery game data, a lottery entry purchase time and date, a
lottery entry redemption time and date, a lottery entry identifier,
a first payout deadline, retailer data, and player data.
77. The computer readable medium of claim 66, which further
comprises instructions configured to direct a processor to
authorize the second payout by retrieving second payout data from a
lottery database, and by transmitting the second payout data to at
least one of a retailer terminal and a player device.
78. A method, comprising: receiving a redemption request for a
winning lottery entry; and determining whether to authorize a base
payout or an enhanced payout, wherein the enhanced payout is
authorized if the redemption request occurred prior to an award of
a predetermined threshold amount of prize money.
79. The method of claim 78, which further comprises authorizing the
base payout if the lottery entry is presented for redemption
subsequent to at least one of: an award of a predetermined
threshold number of prizes; an award of the grand prize for the
lottery game; the expiration of a deadline calculated from the
start date of the lottery game; the expiration of a deadline
calculated from the purchase date of the lottery entry; the
expiration of a deadline calculated from a drawing date of the
lottery game; and the expiration of a deadline calculated from a
date of an award of a lottery jackpot prize.
80. A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to
direct a processor to perform the method of claim 78.
81. A method, comprising: receiving a redemption request for a
lottery entry; determining that the lottery entry is a winning
entry; and determining whether to authorize a base payout or an
enhanced payout, wherein the enhanced payout is greater than the
base payout and is authorized if the redemption request occurred
prior to the expiration of a deadline calculated from the purchase
date of the lottery entry.
82. The method of claim 81, which further comprises authorizing the
base payout if the lottery entry is presented for redemption
subsequent to at least one of: an award of a predetermined
threshold amount of prize money; an award of a predetermined
threshold number of prizes; an award of the grand prize for the
lottery game; the expiration of a deadline calculated from the
start date of the lottery game; the expiration of a deadline
calculated from a drawing date of the lottery game; and the
expiration of a deadline calculated from a date of an award of a
lottery jackpot prize.
83. A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to
direct a processor to perform the method of claim 81.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority from International
Application No. PCT/US2006/29676 filed Jul. 31, 2006 which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to methods for
enticing players to redeem their winning lottery entries.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 illustrates a lottery system according to an
embodiment of the invention that includes a plurality of lottery
retailer terminals, a communications network, and a controller;
[0004] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a lottery
retailer terminal;
[0005] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
lottery operator controller;
[0006] FIG. 4 is a tabular representation of an embodiment of a
lottery games database according to the invention;
[0007] FIGS. 5A to 5D are flowcharts illustrating embodiments of
lottery entry redemption processes according to the invention;
[0008] FIG. 6A is a tabular representation of an embodiment of a
lottery ticket database for an on-line lottery game according to
the invention;
[0009] FIG. 6B is a tabular representation of an embodiment of a
lottery ticket database for an instant lottery game according to
the invention;
[0010] FIG. 7 is a tabular representation of an embodiment of a
redemption status database according to the invention; and
[0011] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method
for determining a payout for an eligible, winning lottery entry
according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Advantages and features of the invention will become
apparent upon reading the contents of this document, and the nature
of the various aspects of the invention may be more clearly
understood by reference to the following detailed description of
exemplary embodiments of the invention, the appended claims and to
the drawings attached hereto.
[0013] In a typical drawing-style lottery game, a player can
purchase a lottery ticket bearing numbers (or other indicia) from a
lottery retailer. The player may then wait for a drawing of numbers
to occur to determine if they have won a prize. The player may be
entitled to a prize if some or all of the numbers on the player's
ticket correspond to or match the numbers drawn. Some illustrative
examples of drawing-style lottery games include the Multi-State
Lottery Association's "Powerball".TM. game, Connecticut Lottery
Corp.'s "Classic Lotto" game and the New Jersey Lottery's "Pick-3"
and "Pick-4" games.
[0014] In a typical instant lottery game, players purchase instant
lottery tickets that may include one or more concealed play areas
(e.g. "scratch-off" latex coated areas) that must be removed in
order to reveal potential prize values and/or other game symbols.
Certain combinations of symbols or values (such as alphanumeric
indications of money amounts) correspond to prizes, thereby
enabling players of instant lottery games to determine fairly
quickly whether or not they are entitled to a payout or other award
(e.g., goods or services).
[0015] Regardless of the type of lottery game, a winning ticket
typically entitles the player to receive a cash payout or other
award. Depending on the financial structure and/or rules of the
game, payouts may range anywhere from a nominal level (e.g., a
non-zero payout that may be within the range of one-dollar ($1.00)
to twenty-dollars ($20.00), inclusive) to mid-level (e.g., a payout
that may be greater than twenty-dollars ($20.00) but not greater
than five-hundred-dollars ($500.00)) to high-level (e.g., any
payout greater than five-hundred dollars ($500.00), a top payout
associated with the game, etc.). Although the terms "nominal,"
"mid-level," and "high-level" are convenient for describing, with
respect to some embodiments, the relative differences among payout
values or ranges for a particular game, it should be understood by
those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure that such
payout ranges or payout levels may vary from game to game, in terms
of the number of levels (e.g., one game might have only a first
prize tier and a second prize tier), the types of levels (e.g., one
type of game may be described as having a cash prize level, a
merchandise prize level, a merchandise and cash prize level, and a
jackpot level), and/or the range in values associated with any
particular payout level or range (as discussed further below).
[0016] Accordingly, in describing some embodiments the relative
meanings of the terms "nominal payout", "mid-level payout", and
"high-level payout," for example, should be understood within the
context of the prizes being awarded for a particular lottery game
(or the type of lottery game). For example, for a drawing-style
lottery game wherein each lottery entry costs one-dollar, a
high-level payout may be from one thousand to several thousand
dollars, a mid-level payout may be from twenty dollars up to one
thousand dollars, and nominal payouts may be associated with any
winning lottery entry worth a payout of ten-dollars ($10.00) or
less. However, for an instant-style lottery game wherein each
lottery entry costs ten-dollars, for example, a high-level payout
may be from five-thousand to twenty-five thousand dollars, a
mid-level payout may be in the range of from one-hundred up to two
thousand dollars, and a nominal payout level may be associated with
any winning lottery entry worth seventy-five dollars ($75.00) or
less. Thus, because in the above examples the top lottery prizes
and the amount charged for each lottery entry for the two lottery
games differ by several orders of magnitude, the dollar values
corresponding to nominal payouts, mid-range payouts, and large
payouts also differ.
[0017] The applicants have recognized that redeeming winning
lottery tickets for nominal level payouts (e.g., minimum or minimal
amounts) may be an inconvenience for lottery players. For example,
a player may perceive that redeeming such low value winning tickets
requires a disproportionate amount of time and effort relative to
the amount of the payout (e.g., a nominal payout redemption may
require the effort of a return car trip to the lottery retailer
from which the player originally purchased his entry, plus the time
waiting on line, etc.). This perception of inconvenience often
dissuades or delays players from claiming a payout and/or a prize
in a timely manner.
[0018] It has also been recognized that, as more time passes after
a lottery game drawing, the less likely it will be that a nominal
level prize winner will redeem his prize (e.g. because winners of
such nominal prizes either lose their tickets, forget about or even
discard the ticket associated with the nominal level prize). This
causes yet another problem, because the opportunity to provide
"positive reinforcement", which occurs when a player redeems a
winning lottery ticket and obtains cash, may be lost for many such
nominal level prize winners. Having "cash in hand" is more likely
to lead to customer retention (i.e., having the player purchase
further lottery entries in the future) than an unredeemed low-value
winning prize ticket. Thus, lottery operators (e.g., the New York
State Lottery, the Connecticut State Lottery, and the like) could
benefit greatly from an increase in the occurrence of nominal level
prize redemptions. Furthermore, lottery operators want to award
(and advertise) as many payouts as possible (e.g., as a paid prize
tally) to entice players to buy lottery entries, and since nominal
level prizes represent a significant portion of all prizes awarded,
it would be beneficial if an increased number of nominal level
prizes are actually redeemed by players. Improved participation in
lotteries would result in more revenue for the lottery operators
that could then be applied to the operator's benefiting cause(s),
such as education-related initiatives, infrastructure improvements,
and the like.
[0019] In addition, lottery retailers (e.g., such as convenience
stores or grocery stores) also benefit when players redeem nominal
level prizes. In particular, players who redeem nominal level
winning lottery tickets tend to make additional purchases, such as
buying more lottery tickets and/or other retail items (such as
candy, newspapers, toiletries, and the like) while they are
visiting the lottery retailer's establishment. Incremental sales
opportunities are therefore afforded by an increase in the
frequency of customer visits. Consequently, increased or repeat
"foot traffic" of lottery players would be beneficial to lottery
retailers.
[0020] Lottery operators are also constantly seeking new ways to
get "casual players" to play more frequently. Generally speaking, a
"casual player" is a lottery player who (i) is not averse to
playing lottery games or purchasing lottery tickets, but (ii)
cannot be predictably relied upon to participate in lottery games
and thus to purchase lottery entries. Since it can be assumed that
players who regularly participate in lottery games will have
regular opportunity to redeem their winnings simply by virtue of
their regular participation, it can be further assumed that a
significant portion of unredeemed nominal level payouts are going
unredeemed by infrequent or casual lottery players. Several reasons
that may support such an assumption range from psychological and
sociological reasons to the convenience reasons mentioned above.
For example, a player may be embarrassed to redeem a lottery ticket
associated with a nominal level payout because it will have no
meaningful impact on his life, and/or may not wish to redeem it
when the lottery retail store is crowded with customers due to the
social pressure associated with quickly moving through a check-out
line (which the player would impede or slow down by claiming the
nominal level payout).
[0021] The present disclosure provides methods, systems, and
apparatus that may be useful for enticing players to redeem their
winning lottery entries early during a lottery game. In some
embodiments, a premium is provided to players who redeem
nominal-level prize winning lottery entries in a timely manner,
before a predetermined deadline and/or before a predefined event
occurs. According to one example embodiment, a player may win a
prize having a base payout of two-dollars, but if he redeems that
lottery entry within 48 hours of his purchase of that lottery entry
then he will also receive a premium, such as an additional
one-dollar so that in total the player receives a payout of
three-dollars. It should be understood, however, that the present
methods, systems and apparatus may useful to entice lottery players
to redeem their winning lottery entries early in the lottery game
regardless of whether such winning entries correspond to
nominal-level, mid-level, or high-level lottery prizes.
[0022] Described below are non-limiting configurations of
general-purpose components that may include hardware, software,
middleware, and/or software processes and/or steps that may be
employed to form a lottery system or portions thereof. The lottery
system may include one or more databases stored in memory of one or
more devices, and components configured to perform various lottery
functions including determining default or base payout values and
one or more enhanced payout values and/or premiums that are
associated with redemption of winning lottery entries of various
types of lottery games.
[0023] 1. Lottery Communications Network
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a network environment 100 that includes a
plurality of lottery retailer terminals 102-1 to 102-N, a
communications network 104 and a controller 106. Generally, any or
all of the retailer terminals 102-1 to 102-N may operate to: (i)
receive information associated with one or more lottery tickets
including such data as: (a) ticket and/or lottery entry
identifier(s), (b) entry indicia and (c) redemption values (base
payout values and/or modified or enhanced payout values); (ii)
transmit any or all of the received information to the controller
106 via the communications network 104; and (iii) output
information including such data as: (d) information defining
lottery entries and (e) information associated with one or more
redemption values or benefits.
[0025] In general, each retailer terminal 102-1 to 102-N shown in
FIG. 1 will correspond to (or be associated with) a particular
lottery retailer. For example, retailer terminal 1 (102-1) of FIG.
1 may be associated with a first lottery retailer such as a
convenience store, and retailer terminal 2 (102-2) of FIG. 1 may be
associated with a second lottery retailer such as a supermarket. It
should be understood that any number of lottery retailer terminals
might be employed in a system 100, along with any number of
corresponding controllers 106.
[0026] The controller 106 may operate to: (i) receive and store
information associated with one or more lottery tickets including
such data as: (a) ticket/entry identifier(s) and (b) entry indicia;
(ii) determine at least a first redemption value associated with a
lottery ticket; (iii) receive a redemption request associated with
the lottery ticket; (iv) determine a time associated with the
redemption request; (v) determine a modified redemption value
(i.e., an increased value) for use when a player redeems his
winning lottery entry early, according to at least one predefined
condition (for example, the player qualifies for the modified
redemption value if he makes a redemption request for a winning
lottery entry at a time that is not later than a predefined date);
and (vi) transmit an indication of the modified redemption value to
a lottery retailer terminal (e.g., for output or display to a
lottery player and/or lottery terminal operator), as will be
described below.
[0027] In some embodiments, a retailer terminal 102-1 of FIG. 1 may
be configured to perform some or all of the functions of the
controller 106. Thus, in some embodiments, the controller 106 and
the lottery retailer terminal 102-1 (or another given retailer
terminal and controller pairing) may be considered as the same
"device".
[0028] Generally, as explained above, the communications network of
FIG. 1 may comprise or include one or more local and/or wide-area
network(s), proprietary and/or public network(s) (e.g., the
Internet) for facilitating two-way data communications between the
retailer terminals 102-1 to 102-N and the controller 106. The
lottery controller may communicate with lottery retailer terminals
directly or indirectly, via a wired or wireless medium such as the
Internet, via a local area network (LAN), via a wide area network
(WAN), via an Ethernet, via a Token Ring, a telephone line, a cable
line, a radio channel, an optical communications line, a satellite
communications link, or via any appropriate communications means or
combination of communications means. Any number and type of devices
may be in communication with the lottery controller, and
communication between the lottery retailer terminals and the
lottery controller 106 may be direct or indirect, such as over the
Internet through a Web site maintained by computer on a remote
server, or over an online data network including commercial online
service providers, bulletin board systems and the like. In some
embodiments, the devices may communicate with one another and/or
the computer over RF, cable TV, satellite links and the like. A
variety of communications protocols may be part of any such
communications system, including but not limited to: Ethernet (or
IEEE 802.3), SAP, ATP, Bluetooth.TM., and TCP/IP.
[0029] Those skilled in the art will understand that devices in
communication with each other need not be continually transmitting
to each other. On the contrary, such devices need only transmit to
each other as necessary, and may actually refrain from exchanging
data most of the time. For example, a device in communication with
another device via the Internet may not transmit data to the other
device for days or weeks at a time. In some embodiments, a server
computer may not be necessary and/or preferred. For example, in one
or more embodiments, methods described herein may be practiced on a
stand-alone gaming device and/or a gaming device in communication
only with one or more other gaming devices. In such an embodiment,
any functions described as performed by the computer or data
described as stored on the computer may instead be performed by or
stored on one or more gaming devices.
[0030] 2. Lottery Retailer Terminal
[0031] FIG. 2 is a block diagram 200 of some exemplary components
of a lottery retailer terminal. The lottery retailer terminal 200
may include one or more processor(s) 202 such as the PENTIUM.RTM.
processor, manufactured by INTEL Corporation, or other processors
manufactured by other companies, such as the AMD Athlon.RTM.
processor manufactured by the Advance Micro Devices company.
Generally, the processor is operative to perform or process
instructions, and in particular, to operate in accordance with the
various methods described herein. For example, the processor 202
may be operable to allow the lottery retailer terminal 200 to
transmit data to (and receive data from) the controller 106 of FIG.
1. More specifically, the processor 202 may enable the transmission
of data defining or identifying a lottery ticket or entry.
[0032] Accordingly, the lottery retailer terminal 200 may further
include one or more input device(s) 204. The input devices may
include components such as an optical scanner and/or a barcode
scanner, for reading and/or for deriving information associated
with a lottery entry. For example, a lottery ticket may include
registration marks, authenticity data, various codes, micro-printed
indicia, one or more sense marks, and/or other lottery indicia that
must be read, for example, to distinguish between one or more
lottery entries (which may all be contained on one lottery ticket,
for example). Examples of additional input devices include, but are
not limited to, a keypad, a mouse, an image capturing device (e.g.,
an optical character recognition (OCR) device), a biometric reader,
a portable storage device (e.g., a memory stick), and the like.
[0033] According to some embodiments, the lottery retailer terminal
input device(s) 204 may comprise or include a clock. The clock may
be employed to detect, derive and/or append time and/or date
information for use by the controller 106 to: (i) create a data
record corresponding to lottery tickets or lottery entries
purchased at the lottery retailer terminal 200, and/or (ii) to
determine redemption time and/or date information associated with
lottery tickets and/or lottery entries, and/or (iii) determine
whether a lottery player has redeemed his ticket in a manner that
qualifies him to receive a premium in addition to a base value (for
example, if the player makes a lottery ticket redemption request
within a predetermined time frame (or relative to the occurrence of
a given event)).
[0034] The lottery retailer terminal 200 of FIG. 2 may further
include one or more output device(s) 206. Such output device(s) 206
may include such components as a display for outputting information
to a lottery player or to a terminal operator (e.g., win/loss
information and/or payout amounts), one or more benefit output
devices (e.g., a cash drawer, a currency dispenser), a printer for
producing a physical record (e.g., paper slip, receipt, ticket,
voucher, coupon, etc.) that defines a lottery ticket or lottery
entry, audio/video output device(s), and the like.
[0035] The lottery retailer terminal 200 may also include one or
more communications port(s) 208, such as a serial port, modem or
the like. Generally, the communications port 208 may be operable to
facilitate two-way data communications between (i) the lottery
retailer terminal 200 and (ii) the controller 106 shown in FIG. 1.
In accordance with some embodiments, the communications port 208
may operate to facilitate the transmission of information between
the lottery retailer terminal 200 and a player device such as a
personal digital assistant (PDA), cell phone and/or a dedicated
(e.g., a proprietary) device.
[0036] The lottery retailer terminal 200 may further include a data
storage device 210 such as a hard disk, optical or magnetic media,
random access memory (RAM) and/or read-only memory (ROM), or the
like memory device. Generally, the lottery retailer terminal data
storage device 210 stores a software program, the software program
enabling the processor 202 of the retailer terminal 200 to perform
various functions including some or all of the various steps
described herein. For example, as noted above with respect to FIG.
1, in accordance with some embodiments, the retailer terminal 200
may be configured to perform some or all of the functions of the
controller (and vice versa) such that the controller 106 and the
lottery retailer terminal 200 (or, referring to FIG. 1, a given
lottery terminal and controller pairing) may be considered as the
same "device". An example retailer terminal available in the
marketplace is the EXTREMA.RTM. clerk-operated lottery terminal,
distributed by Scientific Games Corporation of Alpharetta, Ga.
[0037] In some embodiments, a lottery sales device may be utilized
in place of a lottery retailer terminal 200. Such a lottery sales
device may be implemented as a system controller, a dedicated
hardware circuit, an appropriately programmed general-purpose
computer, or any other equivalent electronic, mechanical or
electromechanical device. Thus, in various embodiments, a lottery
sales device may comprise, for example, a Video Lottery Terminal
that may include a touch sensitive screen for use by a player, a
personal computer (e.g., which communicates with a remote lottery
server), a telephone, or a portable handheld device (e.g., a device
similar to a personal digital assistant (PDA) or other analog or
digital communications device). The lottery sales device may
comprise any or all of the devices of the aforementioned systems.
In some embodiments, a user device such as a PDA, cell phone,
and/or portable gaming unit (e.g. the Playstation.TM. Portable
(PSP), distributed by Sony Corporation) may be used in place of, or
in addition to, some or all of the device components.
[0038] 3. Lottery Operator Controller
[0039] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the
components of a lottery operator controller 300. Similar to the
lottery retailer terminal 200 of FIG. 2, the lottery operator
controller 300 may include one or more processor(s) 302 such as the
PENTIUM.RTM. processor manufactured by INTEL Corporation, or the
AMD Athlon.RTM. processor manufactured by the Advance Micro Devices
company. Such a processor 302 functions to process instructions,
and in particular, to operate in accordance with various methods
described herein. For example, the processor 302 may operate to
allow the lottery operator controller 300 to transmit data to (and
receive data from) the lottery retailer terminal 200 shown in FIG.
2. More specifically, the controller processor 302 may enable the
transmission of data defining or identifying a lottery ticket or
entry, as well as information defining one or more payout(s)
associated with that lottery ticket to a specific one of the
lottery retailer terminals 102-1 to 102-N shown in the lottery
network 100 of FIG. 1. Thus, the lottery operator controller may be
implemented as a system controller, a dedicated hardware circuit,
an appropriately programmed general-purpose computer, or any other
equivalent electronic, mechanical or electromechanical device. In
various embodiments, a lottery operator controller may comprise,
for example, a personal computer (e.g., which communicates with a
remote lottery sales terminal) or mainframe computer.
[0040] The lottery operator controller 300 may further include one
or more input device(s) 304. Examples of such input devices include
a keypad, a mouse, a touch-screen, a random number generator, a
microphone, and other digital or analog input devices. According to
some embodiments, the lottery operator controller input device(s)
304 may comprise or include a clock. As described above, the clock
may be employed to derive time and/or date information for use by
the lottery controller 300 to (i) generate a data record
corresponding to lottery tickets or lottery entries purchased at
the lottery retailer terminal 200, and/or (ii) determine redemption
time and/or date information associated with lottery tickets and/or
lottery entries, and/or (iii) determine whether a lottery player
has redeemed his ticket in a manner that qualifies him to receive a
premium in addition to a base value (for example, if the player
makes a lottery ticket redemption request within a predetermined
time frame (or relative to the occurrence of a given event)).
[0041] The embodiment of the lottery operator controller 300
further includes one or more output device(s) 306. Example of
output devices 306 include a monitor or other display for
outputting information to a user of the lottery operator controller
(e.g., for displaying information such as statistical or sales
data, win and loss information and/or payout amounts), a printer
for producing a physical record (e.g., a report, a paper slip, a
voucher, a coupon, a ticket) of such data, and the like. In
addition, the lottery operator controller 300 may include one or
more communications ports 308, such as a serial port, modem or the
like, operable to facilitate two-way data communications between
(i) the operator controller 300 and (ii) one or more lottery
retailer terminals 200, as described above with respect to FIGS. 1
and 2.
[0042] The lottery operator controller 300 may also include a data
storage device 310 (e.g., a hard disk or hard drive, a media-based
(removable) memory, or the like). In some embodiments, the lottery
operator controller data storage device 310 stores at least one
software program 312, which includes a program to enable the
processor 302 to perform some or all of the various steps and
functions of at least one implementation of the methods described
in detail herein (for example, the process 500 explained below with
respect to FIG. 5A). In addition, the lottery operator controller
data storage device 310 may operate to store (i) a lottery games
database 314 (described below with respect to the database 400
shown in FIG. 4), (ii) a lottery ticket database 316 (described
below with respect to the database 600 and/or the database 650
shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, respectively), and (iii) a redemption
status database 318 (described below with respect to the database
700 shown in FIG. 7).
[0043] In some embodiments, the lottery operator controller may
include a lottery ticket server device that is located at a lottery
ticket printing facility, and may also function to manage the
ticket printing process. The lottery operator controller may also
function to develop the lottery game matrix (e.g., determining base
payouts, enhanced payouts, win frequencies and the like) and to
match static lottery content with secure paytable (or payout
distribution) data. In some embodiments, a lottery ticket printer
device for use in such lottery systems may utilize the game matrix
information from the lottery server and may apply it to the secure
paytable data.
[0044] 4. Other Devices
[0045] In some embodiments, a kiosk (not shown) may be configured
to execute or assist in the execution of various lottery game
processes. In an implementation, a kiosk may comprise a processor
and a storage device or memory as described above. A kiosk may also
comprise various input devices (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, buttons,
an optical scanner for reading barcodes or other indicia, a CCD
camera, and the like), output devices (e.g., a display screen,
audio speakers), benefit output devices (e.g., a coin tray, a
currency dispenser), communications ports, and the like. A kiosk
may be configured to communicate with a lottery controller or
lottery server. In some embodiments, kiosks may execute or assist
in the execution of various lottery functions, as described
herein.
[0046] In some embodiments, players may use one or more computing
devices to obtain more information about the lottery games, and/or
the specific lottery game that the player is playing. For example,
a player may utilize a personal computer to access a website that
contains lottery game hints, lottery game instructions, winning
lottery entry payout information that includes base payout
information and enhanced payout information, and the like.
[0047] 5. Lottery Games Database
[0048] FIG. 4 is a tabular representation of an embodiment of the
lottery operator controller lottery games database 400. The lottery
games database 400 stores data associated with one or more lottery
games and/or lottery game formats. It should be understood that the
various database examples described herein include illustrative
accompanying data as shown in the drawings. Consequently, the data
appearing in the databases is exemplary in nature, and such data
entries are not limiting with regard to functionality or to the
types of data that may be stored therein.
[0049] In the embodiment of FIG. 4, each record in the lottery
games database generally defines a game available for play and/or
for purchase of lottery entries by a lottery player. In particular,
for each game defined by an entry in the lottery games database
400, a game identifier field 402 stores data that uniquely
identifies the lottery game of the corresponding record. The data
stored in the game identifier field 402 may comprise, for each
available game, a unique numeric, alphanumeric or other type of
code that uniquely identifies the lottery game defined by the
corresponding entry.
[0050] For each lottery game identified by an entry in the game
identifier field 402, one or more associated game rules field(s)
406 may store data or information, including a textual description
of the criteria required of a lottery entry to be successful (i.e.,
to win a prize) in the corresponding lottery game. For example,
referring to row R400-1, the game identified as "GM-DRAW-001" in
the game identifier field 402 corresponds to lottery game rules
based on a standard "Pick 6" on-line lottery game, wherein a player
selects six numbers and winning lottery entries match at least 3 of
6 drawn numbers. The lottery games database 400 also includes a
Payout Criteria 1 field 408, Payout 1 field 410, Payout Criteria N
field 412 and a Payout N field 414. For any particular "Pick-6"
lottery game, more or less payout criteria and payout fields would
be included, which will be explained in more detail below.
[0051] For example, the Connecticut Lottery Corporation provides a
"Pick-6" on-line lottery game called "Classic Lotto" wherein
players go to a lottery retailer and fill out a "Classic Lotto Play
Slip" by choosing six different numbers from the ordinal range of 1
to 44 (inclusive) in each individual play section or board
(alternately, a computer can randomly pick the numbers for the
player, if the player so chooses). Players of "Classic Lotto" can
play up to five boards on each selection slip, and pay one-dollar
per entry. For example, a lottery player can pay a clerk at a
lottery retailer five dollars to purchase five lottery entries,
wherein each lottery entry includes six numbers selected from the
44 available choices. Thus, the player may fill in a pay slip and
hand it to the clerk, who then enters the pay slip into the
retailer terminal. The lottery terminal then issues a printed
"Classic Lotto" ticket for the player to take home. The player
keeps the ticket until the drawing for that lottery game, and then
compares the number of his lottery entries to the drawn numbers to
determine if he has won any prize(s).
[0052] Turning again to FIG. 4, row R400-1 illustrates a Pick-6
lottery game identified as "GM-DRAW-001", and the payout criteria
field 408 indicates that if the player matches 3 out of 6 drawn
numbers, then a payout of three (3) dollars is made (see Payout
Field 410). Larger payouts would also be determined for matching 4
out of 6 and for matching 5 out of 6 numbers as well (which payout
criteria is not shown). The Payout Criteria N field 412 indicates
that a win of 6 out of 6 matches pays out the top prize, and the
top prize is yet to be determined as shown in Payout N field 414
(because the top prize is typically calculated by the lottery
authority as a percentage of the total amount of money spent by
players to purchase tickets, and the calculation may also include
other variables that would serve to either increase or decrease the
top prize value).
[0053] FIG. 4 also illustrates that, for each game corresponding to
an entry in the game identifier field 402, one or more payout
criteria fields (408 and 412) and a corresponding payout field (410
and 414) store data specifying the actual criteria and
corresponding payouts for lottery tickets that satisfy such
criteria. For example, using the "Pick-6" example above, typical
payout criteria and corresponding payouts may comprise:
TABLE-US-00001 Criteria Payout Match 0/6 0 Match 1/6 0 Match 2/6 0
Match 3/6 $3 Match 4/6 $50 Match 5/6 $2,000 Match 6/6 Win
Jackpot/Top Prize
[0054] FIG. 4 also includes data for other lottery games. In
particular, row R400-2 for lottery game GM-DRAW-002 is a "Pick-3"
type of game, and the data includes a game rule 406 wherein a
player must match the three drawn numbers in exact order. The
payout criteria one 408 for matching one number out of the three
drawn in the correct order corresponds to a nominal-level payout
value of three-dollars as shown in the Payout 1 field 410. In
addition, a payout criteria for matching two out of three numbers
(not shown) is stored, and payout criteria N (which is the third
criteria in this example) recites that if the player matches all
three numbers in order, then that lottery ticket corresponds to a
high-level base payout 414 of five hundred dollars.
[0055] Referring to row R400-3, the lottery game GM-DRAW-003
corresponds to a "Pick-4" type of game, and includes a game rule
406 wherein a player may match up to four drawn numbers in any
order. The Payout Criteria 1 in field 408 for matching two numbers
out of the four drawn corresponds to a nominal-level payout value
of five-dollars as shown in Payout 1 field 410. In addition, Payout
Criteria N (which is the fourth criteria for this example) recites
that if the player matches all four numbers (in exact order) then a
high-level payout 414 of five thousand dollars is made. As
explained earlier, the database 400 also includes entries for
matching three out of the four numbers (with associated payout
amounts) as well.
[0056] Row R400-(N-1) corresponds to lottery game GM-DRAW-N, which
is a "Pick-10" type of game that includes a game rule 406
specifying that a player may select up to 10 numbers from a field
or board of 80 numbers. If a player only picks one spot (i.e., only
picks one number) as specified in the Payout 1 field 408, and that
spot matches a drawn number then the player wins a nominal-level
two-dollar prize as shown in the Payout 1 field 410. However, if
the player picks ten spots and all ten match the drawn numbers as
specified in Payout Criteria N field 412, then as shown in Payout N
field 414 he is entitled to a high-level, one-hundred thousand
dollar prize. As explained above, database entries would also exist
to include all intermediate winning combinations, for example,
payout amounts for obtaining three out of three matches numbers,
four out of four matches, four out of five matches, five out of
five matches (and possibly prizes for matching most numbers of a
group, such as obtaining five out of six matches, six out of seven
matches, and the like), and any other matching sets or match
permutations as desired.
[0057] Lastly, row R400-N illustrates data for lottery game
GM-INSTANT-N, which corresponds to an instant lottery game. This
lottery game includes a game rule 406 specifying that a player
scratches off the play area to reveal symbols, and if any three of
such symbols match, then the prize payout corresponds to the
symbols that match. In this case, the game rules are equivalent to
the payout criteria. For example, if the player scratches off three
matching symbols that each indicate "Two Dollars", then a nominal
level prize payout of two-dollars is awarded as indicated in the
Payout 1 field 410. If the player matches three symbols that each
indicates "$1,000.00", then as shown in Payout N field 414 the
player is entitled to that high-level amount as a prize.
[0058] 6. Redemption Processes
[0059] FIGS. 5A to 5D are flowcharts illustrating lottery entry
redemption processes according to various embodiments. The lottery
operator controller 106 shown in FIG. 1 (and the lottery operator
controller 300 referred to in FIG. 3) in conjunction with the
various data structures described herein may perform the methods of
FIGS. 5A to 5D. It should be understood that, although the methods
illustrated by FIGS. 5A to 5D are described as a series of numeric
steps, the numeric designations are not intended to impart or imply
a specific order to the steps. Rather, the steps of the methods in
FIGS. 5A to 5D may be performed in any order that is practicable
and may include the addition and/or omission of one or more
particular steps.
[0060] FIG. 5A is a flowchart of a lottery entry redemption process
500 according to an embodiment. A redemption request to redeem a
lottery entry is received 502, and then a determination is made as
to whether the lottery entry is a winning entry 504. For example, a
player presents his lottery ticket to a clerk who scans a barcode
on the lottery ticket (corresponding to a lottery entry identifier)
into a retail lottery terminal, and then a lottery server provides
information about that lottery entry which is displayed to the
clerk. The lottery entry identifying information may be transmitted
from the lottery retailer terminal to the lottery operator
controller, which then compares the ticket identifier and/or other
indicia to data that may be stored in one or more databases. For
example, the controller 106 shown in FIG. 1 may receive a
redemption request by way of the communications network 104 from
any of the retailer terminal(s) 102-1 to 102-N and then verify that
the lottery ticket corresponds to a winning entry in a database of
a lottery game that has not expired.
[0061] In some embodiments, a lottery controller may determine a
first redemption value (or a first payout value) associated with
each winning lottery ticket of a particular lottery game. For
example, the first payout value may be a default or base value that
is determined based on one or more payout criteria and/or game
rules, as described above with respect to the lottery games
database of FIG. 4. In an on-line game embodiment, for example, the
first payout may be determined in accordance with a pay table
and/or one or more game rule(s). In accordance with an instant-game
embodiment, because each lottery ticket outcome is predetermined,
the first payout value of a particular lottery ticket may be
retrieved from a database (e.g., see the lottery ticket database of
FIG. 6B, which will be explained in detail below). In some
embodiments, the first payout value of a particular lottery ticket
may be calculated and/or determined in direct response to the
request (e.g., on an "as needed" basis).
[0062] In some embodiments, a redemption request may be associated
with more than one lottery ticket or lottery entry. For example, a
single ticket purchased by a player may include two or more lottery
entries, and/or a player may present multiple entries via a
corresponding number of multiple tickets. Thus, according to some
embodiments, more than one entry may be presented via one ticket,
with each entry being associated with a different win status (e.g.,
a player may present a ticket including five entries wherein two
entries correspond to winning entries and the other three entries
are non-winners).
[0063] Referring again to FIG. 5A, if the lottery entry is not a
winning entry then the process ends 506. However, if the lottery
entry is a winning entry, then a time associated with the
redemption request is determined 508. In various embodiments, the
determination of a time associated with a redemption request may
include determining an actual time associated with the request
(e.g., by way of the controller clock element described above with
respect to FIG. 3), and/or may include determining an elapsed time
associated with the redemption request (e.g., the controller may
calculate that less than twenty-four hours elapsed since the
occurrence of a lottery drawing and the time the lottery ticket was
presented for redemption by associating the time of redemption with
a received ticket identifier).
[0064] After step 508, the time is checked to see if it is greater
than a predetermined value 510. If it is, then a first payout is
authorized 512, but if it is not, then a second payout is
authorized 514. In some advantageous embodiments the second payout
is greater than the first payout, which entices players to promptly
redeem their winning lottery entries. In some embodiments, the
lottery controller authorizes the issuance of a lottery payout by
transmitting information associated with the determined payout to
the appropriate lottery retailer terminal. Such information may
then be used to instruct a lottery terminal operator (such as a
retail store clerk or cashier) to confer the payout to the player
(e.g., a display associated with the terminal may output and/or
display an indication to the operator to pay the player an amount
of cash).
[0065] According to some embodiments, the predetermined time and/or
other indications, such as announcements or instructions, may be
printed on the lottery ticket or lottery entry at time of purchase
and/or issuance to the player (e.g., "If this is a winning lottery
ticket, redeem it by 6:00 PM on May 25, 2006 for an additional
redemption bonus"). Such information may be beneficial to the
player because he is made aware of what is required to qualify for
and receive an increased or extra prize (which may be a modified or
enhance redemption value). For example, the player is made aware of
a time period by way of the lottery entry itself that would qualify
him to obtain the premium. Further, such an approach serves to
minimize any player confusion as to when his or her lottery entry
is in fact redeemable for a modified redemption value and/or a
premium. For example, in addition to a base payout, the player may
receive store credit, coupons, frequent flyer miles, another
lottery game entry, one or more rebate(s), product(s) or
service(s), and the like. According to some embodiments, the
premium received by the player may include a benefit provided by a
third-party that may be unaffiliated with the lottery retailer
and/or the lottery operator (e.g., a free or discounted product
from a retailer other than the redeeming lottery retailer).
Alternatively, the redeeming lottery retailer may sponsor or
provide the premium (e.g., a gas station that is a lottery retailer
may offer a $0.05 discount per gallon of gasoline).
[0066] FIG. 5B is a flowchart depicting another lottery entry
redemption process 525 according to an embodiment. A redemption
request to redeem an eligible lottery entry is received 526, and
then a determination is made as to whether the lottery entry is a
winning entry 528. A winning, eligible lottery ticket may be
defined as a lottery ticket that includes at least one entry
associated with a winning outcome for that lottery game, and an
eligible lottery ticket is one that is associated with a lottery
game that has not yet expired (for example, an expiration deadline
for redeeming tickets associated with a particular lottery game may
be designated, such as one year from the date of the drawing of the
winning numbers for the lottery game). If the lottery entry is not
a winning entry then the process ends 530. However, if the lottery
entry is a winning entry, then a determination is made as to
whether a predefined event has occurred 532. If the event has
occurred, then a first payout is authorized 534, but if it has not
yet occurred then a second payout is authorized 536, wherein the
second payout is greater than the first payout.
[0067] Thus, in the embodiment of FIG. 5B, instead of determining a
time associated with the redemption request, the lottery controller
may associate a base value with each winning lottery entry, and
then operate to modify (increase) the base value until such time as
the occurrence of a terminating event. For example, players may
receive a modified redemption value (e.g., twice the base value)
for every nominal level winning lottery entry that is redeemed
until such time that a predetermined number (a predetermined
threshold) of winning lottery entries and/or lottery tickets having
been redeemed. For example, players may receive a modified or
enhanced redemption value (a second payout amount) for their
nominal level winning entries until a total of two hundred
redemptions are made. In another example, the predefined event that
terminates enhanced or premium payouts may be the award of the top
prize for this lottery game.
[0068] According to some embodiments, the predetermined event
and/or other indications, such as announcements or instructions,
may be printed on the lottery ticket or lottery entry at time of
purchase and/or issuance to the player (e.g., "If this is a winning
lottery ticket, redeem it before the top prize is claimed for this
lottery game"). Such information may be beneficial to the player
because he is made aware of what is required to qualify for and
receive the second payout. Providing such information minimizes any
player confusion regarding how and when to redeem a winning lottery
entry to receive an increased payout and/or a premium.
[0069] FIG. 5C is a flowchart depicting yet another lottery entry
redemption process 550 according to an embodiment. A redemption
request for a winning lottery entry is received 552, and then a
determination is made as to whether a predetermined threshold
amount of prize money has been awarded. If the threshold amount has
been reached, then a base payout is authorized 556. But if the
threshold amount has not yet been reached, then an enhanced payout
is authorized 558. For example, if a particular lottery game has a
top prize of $25,000 (and a total payout of $75,000), then the
threshold amount may be set at, for example, $7,500. Thus, all
winning lottery entries redeemed before payouts for winning lottery
entries totals winnings of $7,500 (the threshold amount) qualify,
for example, for a ten percent (10%) premium added to their base
payout (an enhanced payout). For example, a winner of a $25 payout
who redeems his lottery ticket before $7,500 of total prize money
has been awarded will collect $27.50 (the $25.00 prize plus the 10%
premium of $2.50). Such a process encourages players to redeem
their winning lottery entries early in the lottery game.
[0070] FIG. 5D is another flowchart depicting a lottery entry
redemption process 575 according to an embodiment. A redemption
request to redeem a lottery entry is received 576, and then a
determination is made 578 as to whether the lottery entry is a
winning entry. If the lottery entry is not a winning entry then the
process ends 580. However, if the lottery entry is a winning entry,
then a determination is made 582 as to whether the redemption
request occurred prior to a predetermined deadline. (For example,
the predetermined deadline may be 24 hours from the purchase time
and date of that lottery entry.) If the deadline has not passed,
then an enhanced payout is authorized 584, but if the redemption
request occurred after the deadline, then a base payout is
authorized 586. The benefit of receiving an enhanced payout before
a deadline passes entices players to redeem their winning lottery
entries promptly. As described above, instructions regarding how
and when to redeem a wining lottery entry in order to qualify to
receive a premium may be printed on each lottery ticket of a
lottery game, so that players are aware of the conditions and
requirements for qualifying to receive the premium awards.
[0071] Thus, in some embodiments, first and second redemption
values (i.e., first and second payouts) may be predetermined for
each winning lottery entry. In some embodiments, the second
redemption value may have a higher prize value than the first
redemption value, and thus the second redemption value can be
awarded if the time associated with the redemption request is not
greater than a predetermined time (e.g., an elapsed time and/or an
actual time). Such a process enables a lottery operator or lottery
administrator to modify or enhance a base or default redemption
value that is associated with a winning lottery ticket (e.g., a
lottery entry in a drawing-type lottery game), provided that the
winning lottery ticket is presented for redemption within a
predetermined time frame (or prior to a given predetermined event,
as described further herein below). For example, a lottery operator
or administrator may modify and/or increase the redemption value of
a winning lottery entry to reflect a premium above a base
redemption value (for example, by authorizing an award of an
additional ten percent above base value), provided that the lottery
entry is presented for redemption within 48 hours of a lottery
drawing associated with the lottery entry. In some embodiments, the
winning lottery entries that may be redeemed for an increased or
enhanced value may be required to belong to a specific class of
lottery entries, such as those lottery entries associated with
nominal-level prize values.
[0072] According to some embodiments, certain "instant" and/or
"scratch-off" game tickets may be temporarily associated with
modified or enhanced redemption values. For example, every winning
ticket from a given pool of tickets that is redeemed prior to
anyone winning the top jackpot may be eligible to receive a fifteen
percent (15%) redemption bonus in addition to the base or default
redemption value of the winning ticket. Alternatively, winning
instant tickets associated with certain payouts (e.g.,
nominal-level payouts, and/or the earliest issued payouts of a
given prize level (mid-level, high-level, and the like) that are
redeemed in a timely manner (e.g., before a predetermined deadline
and/or before a predefined event occurs) may be eligible to qualify
for a redemption value bonus.
[0073] According to some embodiments, the modification of the
redemption value of a lottery entry (such as a scratch-off ticket)
may include adding a cash value, non-cash value or a combination
premium in addition to a default redemption value (which may be a
base value). For example, according to the rules of a given lottery
game, it may be determined that a lottery entry is associated with
a base payout of three-dollars ($3.00). Thereafter, that lottery
entry may be associated with a second payout (a modified or
enhanced payout) of four-dollars and fifty cents ($4.50) for a
limited period of time following the initial determination of the
base payout (e.g., 24 hours from the purchase date, and/or 48 hours
from the drawing date, and/or a period of time (or actual time)
prior to the next lottery drawing, and the like). Thus, various
types of deadlines or expiration conditions can be used, alone or
in combination, after which the player is only eligible to receive
the first payout value (i.e., a default or base payout amount). For
example, the expiration condition may include a predetermined
period of time that has elapsed since the sale of the lottery
ticket, and/or a period of time that has elapsed since a drawing
occurred, and/or the awarding of a jackpot, and/or may include the
awarding of a threshold number of prizes (or prize value). The
threshold number of prizes may include prizes of a given type
(e.g., the first 1,000 instances of $3 prizes (or $3,000) in a
newly-offered instant game). If a player elects to redeem his
winning lottery entry within the predetermined timeframe, and/or
before the predetermined expiration condition occurs, then the
player receives the second payout (which is an increased or
enhanced redemption value of higher value than the base or default
redemption value). It is noted that one or more deadlines and/or
conditions may be associated with a winning lottery entry that must
be satisfied in order for the player to obtain a second payout that
has a greater value than a first payout.
[0074] In some embodiments, the second payout (an enhanced payout)
may include a base payout plus a non-cash premium. Thus, the second
payout may include cash plus a non-cash premium. Examples of
various non-cash premiums include, but are not limited to, free or
discounted entries in a different and/or a future lottery game,
free or discounted services or merchandise, frequent flyer miles,
award points, credits and/or alternate currency (e.g.
merchant-specific or limited-use currency), and coupons. Therefore,
the second payout value may be determined by using a formula such
as:
Second Payout=(First Payout)+$1.00+[One free entry in a subsequent
lottery game].
[0075] 7. Lottery Entry Database
[0076] FIG. 6A depicts a tabular representation of an embodiment of
a lottery ticket database 600 corresponding to an on-line lottery
game, and FIG. 6B depicts a tabular representation of an embodiment
of a lottery ticket database 650 corresponding to an instant
lottery game. In general, lottery ticket databases such as that
shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B store data associated with eligible
lottery tickets and/or lottery entries for a given instance of a
lottery game and/or lottery drawing. Such lottery ticket databases
may be similar to the lottery game database 400 shown in FIG.
4.
[0077] Referring to FIG. 6A, the lottery ticket database 600
includes a game identifier field 602 for storing data identifying
the particular lottery game (or type of game) associated with
lottery tickets (as defined by other records in the table of FIG.
6A). The lottery ticket database 600 may also include a game
instance identifier field 604 for storing data identifying a
particular instance (e.g., a drawing) associated with the
particular lottery game. For example, the information stored in the
game instance identifier field 604 may include the time and/or the
date information identifying the particular instance (for example,
the drawing time and date of winning numbers) of the lottery
game.
[0078] Each lottery ticket that is eligible for the lottery game
identified in field 602 is associated with an expiration date field
606 that stores data indicative of the last available date by which
winning entries associated with that lottery game instance may be
redeemed for any redemption value (enhanced, modified or
otherwise). This is the expiration date of the lottery game. For
each lottery ticket that is eligible for the identified game and
game instance (e.g., an instance of a drawing for which the entry
may be eligible), a lottery ticket identifier field 608 stores data
identifying the eligible ticket(s). The information stored in the
lottery ticket identifier field 608 may be any unique numeric,
alphanumeric or other type of code that uniquely identifies an
eligible lottery ticket for the particular lottery game instance
identified by the information stored in the game instance
identifier field 604. In association with the identifier that
uniquely identifies a given eligible lottery entry, ticket
entry/indicia fields 610, 612 to 614 store data representing the
particular numbers (or other indicia) comprising the actual lottery
entry (e.g., in accordance with an on-line game embodiment) of the
corresponding record. As shown, there are N such fields (where N
may be equal to the total amount of numbers to be drawn for that
particular lottery). For example, the New York State lottery agency
operates a daily on-line lottery game called "Pick 10", wherein
players select 10 numbers from the ordinal range of 1 through 80
(inclusive) by filling in squares on a playcard. The player then
receives one or more lottery ticket(s) (or entries) for use in
comparing their chosen numbers to numbers determined via a random
drawing (i.e., "winning numbers"). If the database 600 corresponded
to such a "Pick 10" game, then row R600-1 for ticket T-11111 would
include ten fields (one for each number chosen by the player), such
that ticket/entry indicia 1 in field 610 is 14, ticket/entry
indicia 2 in field 612 is 23, out to the tenth chosen number (shown
in ticket/entry indicia N field 614) of 28. Similar data is shown
for rows R600-2, R600-3 and R600-N in FIG. 6A. The information
stored in these lottery ticket or lottery entry indicia fields will
be compared by the operator controller to a given set of winning
indicia (e.g., determined in conjunction with the lottery drawing)
in order to determine the win or loss status and associated payouts
(if any) for each of the eligible lottery entries within a given
game instance (e.g., an instance of a drawing), as described above
with respect to FIG. 4.
[0079] In addition (though not shown) the ticket database of FIG.
6A may include one or more field(s) operative to store other types
of data identifying the particular retailer from which the lottery
ticket was purchased, and/or data identifying the time and date of
the lottery ticket purchase.
[0080] FIG. 6B illustrates an embodiment of a lottery ticket
database adapted for use in conjunction with an "instant" lottery
game. The lottery ticket database of FIG. 6B may include a lottery
game identifier field 652, which in this example indicates
GM-INSTANT-N, for storing data identifying the particular game (or
type of lottery game) associated with the lottery tickets (as
defined by records in the table of FIG. 6B). For example, the
information stored in the game identifier field of 652 may comprise
or include a version number associated with a particular game title
(e.g., "Joker Poker 2.0") and/or a unique numeric identifier.
[0081] For each instant lottery ticket that is associated with the
game identifier 652 shown in FIG. 6B, a lottery ticket identifier
field 654 stores data identifying the eligible ticket(s). The
information stored in the lottery ticket identifier field 654 may
be any unique numeric, alpha-numeric or other type of code that
uniquely identifies a lottery ticket that is eligible for the
particular game instance identified by the information stored in
the game identifier field 652. For each instant lottery ticket that
is associated with the identified game and/or game instance, a Base
Payout/Base Prize field 656 stores data corresponding to the base
payout or default payout associated with the instant lottery ticket
of the corresponding record. Contrary to on-line games (such as
"pick-6", described above), base or default payouts (and thus
redemption values) associated with instant lottery games are
typically predetermined and assigned to respective individual
physical lottery tickets at the time of their manufacture (instead
of per the result of a comparison of player chosen indicia to
winning indicia).
[0082] In accordance with some embodiments, a modified or enhanced
redemption value associated with an instant or scratch-off game
ticket may be determined based on the elapsed time between the
initial purchase of the lottery ticket and the actual time of
redemption of any particular prize associated with that lottery
ticket. Accordingly, the ticket database 650 includes a Time of
Purchase data field 658, a Time of Redemption data field 660, and a
Premium data field 662.
[0083] For example, the data contained in row R650-1 indicates that
the lottery ticket 1-555441 is associated with a base payout or
base prize of zero and was purchased on May 1, 2006. Since this
ticket is a losing ticket, it will not be redeemed and is not
associated with a premium so the indicator N/A (not applicable)
appears in data fields 660 and 662. The data for ticket 1-555442
shown in row R650-2 indicates that this lottery ticket is also a
losing entry and has not yet been purchased. Referring to row
R650-3, the lottery ticket 1-555443 is associated with a base
payout of $50.00 as shown in Base Payout/Base Prize field 656. In
addition, as shown in data fields 658, 660 and 662, lottery ticket
1-555443 was purchased on May 10, 2006, redeemed on May 12, 2006,
and did not qualify for a Premium. However, as shown by the data in
row R650-N, ticket 1-950000 was associated with a base payout of
$3.00, was purchased on May 3, 2005, redeemed on May 4, 2006 and
was awarded a premium value of $1.00 which was added as a bonus to
the $3.00 payout. Thus, in the case of lottery ticket 1-950000, the
player collected a total of $4.00 as the lottery prize ($3.00 base
prize+$1.00 premium).
[0084] 8. Redemption Status Database
[0085] FIG. 7 is a tabular representation of an embodiment of a
redemption status database 700 that may be utilized by a lottery
operator controller. In general, the redemption status database 700
stores information that may be used by the lottery operator
controller to determine the redemption value of a lottery ticket.
The database 700 includes a game identifier field 702 and a game
instance identifier field 704 (both of which have been described
above with respect to FIGS. 4, 6A and 6B). A game results field 706
is also included for storing information identifying a set of
winning indicia, in this case the winning lottery numbers that were
drawn (according to an on-line game embodiment). In the illustrated
example, the game results field 706 indicates that the results of
the lottery game drawing were the numbers 03, 11, 16, 19, 33 and
40, and these numbers are associated with the game GM-DRAW-001.
Thus, these numbers are the set of winning numbers for this
particular game instance (for other lottery games, a set of symbols
rather than numbers may be drawn). Based on the information stored
in the game results field 706 and the information in the
corresponding entries of the ticket database 600 (see FIG. 6A), at
least a first redemption value or first payout (base or default
payout) is determined for the winning lottery tickets identified by
an entry in the ticket/entry identifier field 708 of the
corresponding record. For example, the initial redemption values
and/or payouts may be determined in a manner similar to that
discussed above with respect to various payout criteria (and/or
game rules) represented in the lottery games database of FIG. 4.
Upon determination of the initial redemption value/payout,
information representing this amount is then stored in the
"Available Redemption Value 1" field 710 of the redemption status
database 700.
[0086] In accordance with some embodiments, one or more modified
redemption values (enhanced values) that is/are different than the
initially determined base redemption value may be associated with a
particular lottery ticket or lottery entry. The modified redemption
value may include a premium in addition to the base redemption
value. In addition, the modified redemption value may be associated
with the lottery ticket or lottery entry for a limited amount of
time (or until the occurrence of a given event) in order to provide
an incentive for players to timely redeem (all or some) of their
winning lottery entries. Upon the determination of an enhanced
redemption value (as described below), information representing the
enhanced redemption value may be stored in the "Available
Redemption Value N" field 712.
[0087] For each lottery ticket or lottery entry defined by an entry
in the ticket status database 700, a redemption status field 714
may store information representing whether or not an available
payout associated with the given entry has been issued, claimed or
awarded. Upon the issuance (or authorization of issuance) of a
payout for a given entry and the determination of the actual payout
to be provided, information reflecting the final payout may be
stored in the final redemption value field 716.
[0088] For example, as shown in rows R700-1 and R700-2, for lottery
tickets T-111111 and T-111112 the available redemption value 1
field (which may be base redemption value data) is zero, which
indicates that these two tickets are losing lottery entries and
thus the remainder of the data fields for these entries are either
not applicable (n/a) or zero. However, for row R700-3, ticket
T-111113 is associated with a base value of $3.00, an enhanced
value of $4.00, and was redeemed on Jun. 2, 2006 at 10:18 AM. Thus,
the final redemption value shown in field 716 is $4.00 (because the
player satisfied the criteria for receiving the enhanced redemption
value as a prize). As shown in row R700-N, ticket T-222111 has an
associated base value of $100.00 and an enhanced value of $105.00,
but is still outstanding (e.g., the ticket has been sold to a
player, but the player has not yet redeemed this lottery ticket),
and thus the final redemption value is to be determined (TBD).
[0089] 9. Determining Payouts
[0090] FIG. 8 is a flowchart 800 depicting an embodiment of a
method for determining a payout associated with an eligible,
winning lottery ticket or lottery entry. The method may apply to an
instant type lottery game, or to an on-line type game, or to a
"hybrid-type" lottery game (wherein a hybrid-type lottery game may
be defined as a lottery game that has both an associated online
component (a drawing), and a scratch-off component). As explained
above, a winning, eligible lottery ticket may be defined as a
lottery ticket that includes at least one winning entry, and that
is associated with a lottery game that has not yet expired. The
lottery operator controller 106 shown in FIG. 1 (and the lottery
operator controller 300 referred to in FIG. 3) in conjunction with
the various data structures described herein may perform the method
of FIG. 8. It should be understood that, although the method of
FIG. 8 is described as a series of numeric steps, the numeric
designations are not intended to impart or imply a specific order
to the steps. Rather, the steps of the method of FIG. 8 may be
performed in any order that is practicable and may include the
addition and/or omission of one or more particular steps.
[0091] The process illustrated by FIG. 8 begins when a redemption
request 802 is received that is associated with an eligible,
winning lottery ticket. For example, as discussed earlier, the
controller 106 of FIG. 1 may receive a redemption request by way of
the communications network 104 from any of the retailer terminal(s)
102-1 to 102-N and then verify that the lottery ticket corresponds
to a winning entry in a database of a lottery game that has not
expired. Typically, a player presents a lottery ticket for
redemption to a lottery terminal operator or clerk at a lottery
retailer, who then scans or otherwise enters the ticket identifier
at the retailer terminal. The identifying information is then
transmitted from the lottery retailer terminal to the lottery
operator controller, which then compares the ticket identifier
and/or other indicia to data that may be stored in one or more
databases.
[0092] Referring again to FIG. 8, upon receiving the redemption
request in step 802, the controller determines a time 804
associated with the redemption request. In various embodiments, the
determination of a time associated with a redemption request may
include determining an actual time associated with the request
(e.g., by way of the controller clock element described above with
respect to FIG. 3), and/or may include determining an elapsed time
associated with the redemption request (e.g., the controller may
calculate that less than twenty-four hours elapsed since the
occurrence of a lottery drawing and the time the lottery ticket was
presented for redemption by associating the time of redemption with
a received ticket identifier).
[0093] In another embodiment, instead of determining a time
associated with the redemption request, a controller may operate on
the basis that a base value should be associated with a lottery
ticket (or with all winning lottery tickets) and the base value may
be modified until such time as the occurrence of a terminating
event. For example, players may receive a modified redemption value
(e.g., fifty percent more than the base value) until such time that
a predetermined number of winning lottery entries and/or lottery
tickets having been redeemed. For example, players receive the
modified or enhanced redemption value until a predetermined
threshold number of redemptions, such as one hundred redemptions,
are made.
[0094] Continuing with the example embodiment shown in FIG. 8,
after determining a time associated with the redemption value 804,
the lottery operator controller then determines 806 whether the
actual and/or elapsed time is less than or equal to a predetermined
time value. For example, the time of the redemption request may be
compared to the time associated with a given instance of an online
lottery game drawing in order to determine whether the request to
redeem the lottery ticket occurred within a predetermined elapsed
time from the drawing time. In another example, the controller may
determine the time of the redemption request and compare such data
to the time associated with the sale of a given instant ticket, in
order to determine whether the redemption request has occurred
within a predetermined elapsed time relative to the sale of the
instant ticket (this implementation was described above with
respect to FIG. 5B). According to some embodiments, the controller
may determine the actual time and/or the elapsed time associated
with the redemption request (e.g., via a clock element as described
above with respect to FIG. 3).
[0095] In FIG. 8, if it is determined that the time associated with
the redemption request in step 806 is not less than or equal to the
predetermined time (an actual and/or an elapsed time), then the
controller authorizes 808 the issuance of a first payout based on a
first redemption value. For example, the first redemption value may
comprise a base or default redemption value (e.g., non-modified
monetary value) that is associated with the lottery entry and/or
lottery ticket. In some embodiments, as mentioned earlier, the
controller authorizes the issuance of a lottery payout by
transmitting information associated with the determined payout to
the appropriate lottery terminal. Such information may then be used
to instruct a lottery terminal operator to confer the payout to the
player. The process then continues, and in this embodiment the
controller updates 810 a redemption status field and a final
redemption value field to provide an appropriate record of the
lottery transaction in a redemption status database (for example,
by updating the appropriate fields of the redemption status
database 700 shown in FIG. 7).
[0096] However, if it is determined in step 806 that the time
associated with the redemption request is less than or equal to the
predetermined time (an actual time and/or an elapsed time), then
the lottery controller determines a second redemption value (e.g.,
a modified monetary value) that is different from the first
redemption value. In some embodiments, the modified redemption
value is determined in accordance with one or more payout
determination rule(s). For example, a payout determination rule may
include a time (duration, elapsed time or actual time) during which
a redemption value associated with a lottery ticket and/or lottery
entry may be modified. Alternatively, the redemption value may be
modified until such time as the occurrence of a predetermined event
(e.g., the awarding or issuance of a top prize, a number of winning
ticket redemptions, an expiration date, and the like), at which
point the redemption value may be determined to be zero.
[0097] According to some embodiments, the modified redemption value
may be determined by accessing data stored in the available
redemption value field N of a redemption status database (which was
described above with respect to FIG. 7). In another embodiment, the
first redemption value may not be modified, but the player may
instead be entitled to receive some alternative (such as a non-cash
prize) benefit or premium.
[0098] Referring again to FIG. 8, the lottery controller then
authorizes 814 the issuance of a second payout (which may be an
enhanced payout) by transmitting information associated with the
determined payout (modified or otherwise) to the appropriate
lottery terminal. Such information may then be used to instruct a
lottery terminal operator to confer the second payout in cash to
the player. The second redemption value may comprise, for example,
a default redemption value (e.g., a non-modified monetary amount or
base value) that is modified to include a premium as described
above.
[0099] After authorizing the issuance of the second payout by
transmitting information to the appropriate lottery terminal, the
controller then updates 810 the appropriate field(s) in the
redemption status database 700 to reflect that the lottery entry
and/or lottery ticket has been redeemed. For example, referring to
row R700-3 of FIG. 7, the lottery entry "T-111113" has a redemption
status of "REDEEMED", a first available redemption value (or first
payout value) of "$3.00", an Nth available redemption value (or
second payout value) of "$4.00" and a final redemption value of
"$4.00". Similarly, the lottery entry shown in row R700-N with
ticket identifier "T-222111" has a first redemption value of
"$100.00", and an Nth redemption value of "$105.00" and a
redemption status of "OUTSTANDING" (e.g., this lottery entry has
not yet been redeemed).
II. Additional Embodiments
[0100] According to some embodiments, the method may include a
notification system that provides redemption reminders to players.
The notification system may include reminders transmitted via
email, by regular mail, by cell phone text message, by an outgoing
call center, by a Wifi system, or some other form of communication.
Such reminders may include an indication of a benefit such as a
premium that may be provided to a player, and/or an indication of
when a player is required to redeem the lottery ticket in order to
obtain a benefit.
[0101] According to some embodiments, the player may be permitted
to redeem a lottery entry by operating an electronic device. For
example, the player may be permitted to redeem the ticket by
utilizing a website, or by making a phone call. For example, the
player may use the electronic device to provide an identifier
associated with the winning lottery entry that enables the lottery
administrator to credit the winnings for the lottery entry to a
player account. In some embodiments, players may be permitted to
redeem winning lottery entries by recycling the winnings into
predetermined player accounts.
[0102] Some embodiments include the option of providing automated
play of lottery games. In various embodiments, a player provides
player identifying information and player parameter selections to a
lottery controller or lottery server. The lottery server stores the
player parameter selections and proceeds to initiate automated play
of a lottery game or of multiple lottery games that have been
authorized by the player. According to various embodiments, the
player identifying information and player parameter selections may
be entered at a player communication device, which may store the
information and selections and/or transmit the information and
selections to the lottery server. According to various embodiments,
the player communication device may initiate automated play.
[0103] The automated lottery play may occur while the player
communication device is unattended by the player. Remote
communications with the player permit the player who is engaged in
the automated play to both enjoy the ongoing play, and to alter any
pre-established, limiting criteria. For example, the player may
change criteria relating to funding, by making appropriate
adjustments during the course of the automated lottery play. In
various embodiments, such adjustments may be made via a
communication device, and some limitations may also be altered
remotely. For example, a telephone call to personnel operating the
lottery server, or an appropriate communication to the lottery
server itself may suffice. The automated play session ends upon
occurrence of a limiting criterion or upon the termination of the
automated play session by the player. In some embodiments, the
limiting criteria will be the use of the moneys initially
authorized for lottery play, that is when an account associated
with the automated lottery play mode runs out of money then the
play session ends. Some configurations also provide methods and
apparatus for notifying a player when available credit is running
low, permitting a player to increase the balance of an account, or
to remotely authorize further funds for continued play. In some
embodiments, the player can also "recycle" winning lottery prizes,
and can redeem winning lottery tickets remotely, for example, by
going online or by using a telephone. Further details regarding
such methods and apparatus can be found, for example, in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,964,611 entitled "System and Method for Automated Play of
Lottery Games", which is assigned to the assignee of the present
application and is incorporated in its entirety for all purposes
herein.
[0104] Some lottery games may be considered as "hybrid" lottery
games because there is both an associated online component (a
drawing), and a scratch-off component. As mentioned above, the
present methods may also be used for such hybrid lottery games. For
example, a method for enticing players of such hybrid-type lottery
games to redeem their winning lottery entries would be similar to
that of the drawing-style lottery game examples described above,
but instead of a one-dollar cash prize (which the customer used in
the example above to purchase gourmet coffee) a one-dollar ($1.00)
scratch-off instant ticket or the like would be issued as a premium
or bonus prize. As was noted previously, in some embodiments,
scratch-off type lottery tickets can be given as premiums for
playing on-line type lottery games (and/or vise versa).
[0105] According to some embodiments, a modified redemption value
(e.g., a second payout or an enhanced payout) may be determined
based on alternative or additional factors. For example, a factor
may include other redemptions by the player. For example, each
player may be limited to a single redemption per visit.
Alternatively or in addition, in order to qualify for a premium for
redeeming an eligible winning lottery ticket, a player may be
limited to a single redemption within a certain period of time, for
example, once every twenty-four hours, or once every two days, and
the like, thereby encouraging repeat visits by the player to the
lottery retailer. In some embodiments, the determination of whether
to authorize a second payout to a player may be based on the number
of lottery tickets and/or the number of losing lottery tickets that
a player has purchased in the past, which operation assumes that
there is a purchase history associated with that player that may be
available, for example, in a lottery database. In some embodiments,
a determination may be made to increase the value of an enhanced
payout if the time associated with the request to redeem is less
than a second predetermined time limit. For example, if the player
redeems an eligible, winning instant lottery ticket that is
associated with a base value of $7.00 within 48 hours of purchase,
then he receives an additional $1.00, but if he redeems the same
winning lottery ticket within 24 hours of purchase then he receives
an additional $2.00 instead.
[0106] In some embodiments, a premium amount based on one or more
modified redemption values may be awarded on a "first come, first
served" basis. In particular, in an implementation a player's bonus
may be determined based on when the player elects to redeem. In
some embodiments, the premium may be awarded to lottery players for
redemption of winning lottery entries that were purchased early in
the lottery game drawing cycle (for example, lottery entries that
were purchased on a Monday for a lottery game having a drawing on
Saturday may qualify for a premium if such entries turn out to be
winning entries). This method prompts players to buy early in the
lottery game cycle, which may result in protracting the
advertisement of increased jackpots (i.e., the sooner players buy
lottery tickets in a particular lottery game, the sooner the
lottery operator can increase the jackpot, and the longer the
lottery operator can advertise the increasing size of the lottery
jackpot).
[0107] In another embodiment, the determination to pay a premium
value in addition to a default value for a winning lottery entry
may be randomly decided. For example, a player may qualify to
receive a base value upon redemption of an eligible, winning
lottery ticket, plus a potential bonus amount (for example, double
the value of the redemption) based on a random determination.
According to some embodiments, the random determination may be
associated with or based on a redemption (or a purchase) time
and/or date, on a redeeming retailer (e.g., all redemptions with
respect to a game instance occurring at a particular retailer (or
type of retailer) may be eligible for a modified redemption value),
on a particular game ticket or lottery game instance, on a player
ID, or the like.
[0108] In some embodiments, the decision of whether to authorize an
enhanced payout may depend on one or more other purchases made by
the player. For example, a player may receive a premium amount
(e.g., a second monetary amount that is larger than a first payout,
or a default payout) if the player purchases (or agrees to
purchase) $100.00 in retailer merchandise during the redemption
visit. In yet other embodiments, the decision as to whether to
authorize a second payout amount may depend upon one or more
purchases made by other players. For example, the redemption value
of an eligible, wining lottery ticket may be determined based on
how many players have purchased lottery tickets for the next
lottery game drawing (or how many tickets have been sold,
regardless of the number of purchasing players). In some
embodiments, the determination of whether to authorize an enhanced
payout may depend on the number or value of redemptions made at a
specific lottery retailer establishment, for example. This method
may be beneficial to lottery retailers because lottery players
could be encouraged (e.g., by advertisements and/or messages via
email and the like) to seek out lesser-visited (or higher-volume)
lottery retailers in order to redeem their winning lottery tickets
and obtain enhanced payouts. These players may be more likely to
spend at least a portion of their winnings at the lottery
retailer's store, and thus such a program may be used by the
lottery agency to encourage lottery retailers to sell more tickets,
or could be used to reward high-volume sellers (e.g., the lottery
agency can broadcast the names and locations of lottery retailers
who are authorized to award payout premiums for winning lottery
entries by taking advertisements on the internet, or on the radio,
or on television, for example, either as a reward for high-volume
lottery retailers, or as an incentive for lower volume retailers to
increase their sales).
III. Example Application
[0109] In one hypothetical scenario in accordance with one or more
embodiments, a customer buys a one-dollar ($1.00) drawing-style
(online) lottery ticket from ABC Mart on his way home from work on
a Friday night. He watches the drawing on television on Saturday
night, and determines that his ticket was a ten-dollar ($10.00)
winner. He noticed that an area on the back of the lottery ticket
reads: "Did you win $10 or less? Redeem your winning entry no later
than 24 hours immediately after the drawing and receive a 10%
instant cash bonus prize! All prizes expire 1 year from date of
drawing." The player decides to return to the ABC Mart store on
Sunday morning to redeem his wining lottery ticket, and plans on
using the extra one-dollar ($1.00) cash bonus prize to treat
himself to a cup of gourmet coffee.
[0110] On Sunday morning, the player drives his car to the ABC
Mart, parks the vehicle in the lot next to the store, walks in and
presents his winning lottery ticket to the clerk who scans the
ticket using a scanning device coupled to a lottery terminal. The
lottery system (i.e., the terminal which is in communication with a
central lottery server) then confirms that (i) the ticket was a
ten-dollar ($10.00) winner, and (ii) because the customer redeemed
the winning lottery ticket within a 24 hour "bonus time frame", the
lottery system authorizes and records a payment of an additional
one-dollar ($1.00) cash bonus prize in addition to the ten-dollar
($10.00) default or base prize (for a second payout value of
eleven-dollars ($11.00)). The customer elects to keep the
ten-dollar prize payout, and uses the extra one-dollar ($1.00)
prize to purchase a cup of ABC Mart gourmet coffee. Consequently,
as illustrated in the example application described above, by
making the prize easily attainable and more meaningful to the
customer, the customer left the lottery retailer pleased, ABC Mart
enjoyed valuable repeat foot traffic by profiting on the sale of
the cup of coffee, and the state lottery operator (i) positively
reinforced the winning experience by quickly getting cash into the
player's hands and (ii) was able to get the nominal or small prize
off its books and into the overall "paid prize tally" which can be
used in advertisements of future lottery games.
[0111] The above illustrative process may also be used in
connection with an instant-type of lottery game. For example, a
customer buys a three-dollar ($3.00) scratch-off-style (instant)
lottery ticket from the XYZ Gas Station during a fill-up on his way
home from work. As part of the lottery ticket purchase, the XYZ gas
station clerk scans the ticket to allow the lottery system to
record the time and the date of the ticket's sale. Deciding that he
has a few minutes, the customer scratches the ticket while waiting
for the gas station attendant and realizes that he has just won a
seven-dollar ($7.00) prize. The customer then decides to redeem his
winnings, and notices an area on the back of the ticket that reads:
"Did you win a cash prize of $20 or less? Redeem your winning
ticket no later than 24 hours immediately following ticket purchase
and receive a FREE $1 scratch-off game ticket in addition to your
cash prize! Note: All tickets and prizes expire 1 year from date of
sale of last available top prize ticket." After reading the
notification, the customer presents his ticket to the XYZ Gas
Station clerk, who then scans the winning ticket into the lottery
system. The lottery system then (i) determines that the winning
ticket has an associated base (or first) payout of $7.00, (ii)
determines that the winning ticket is being redeemed within 24
hours immediately following the ticket's purchase, and (iii)
prompts the XYZ Gas Station clerk to provide the player with a
seven-dollar ($7.00) cash payout and one-dollar ($1.00) scratch
ticket from available stock (which may be either a specific type of
one-dollar lottery game or a comparable lottery game of the
customer's choosing). As in the previous example, the process makes
it easy for the player to attain the prize and makes it more
meaningful, so that the customer leaves the lottery retailer
pleased, the customer identifies the XYZ Gas Station with a
positive experience and will probably return in the future, and the
state lottery operator (i) positively reinforced the winning
experience by quickly getting cash and another lottery entry into
the player's hands and (ii) was able to get the nominal or small
prize off its books and into the overall "paid prize tally" which
can be used in advertisements of future lottery games.
[0112] It should be noted that the above examples are non-limiting,
illustrative descriptions only, and have been included herein for
the sake of clarity to demonstrate how processes according to some
embodiments could be utilized with regard to several example
lottery games.
[0113] The present methods and apparatus presented herein provide
numerous benefits to players, lottery retailers and to lottery
operators. In particular, customers (i.e., lottery players) are
provided with the ability to realize higher overall payouts and are
fairly rewarded for promptly redeeming winning lottery entries,
even for lottery tickets that are associated with nominal or low
payouts. With an improvement in overall lottery redemptions,
lottery operators are able to advertise higher total payouts and/or
prize tallies (e.g., "to date, the New York State Lottery has
awarded $X million in prizes to players"). Lottery retailers also
benefit from increased customer visits and resultant incremental
sales opportunities. The resulting increase in redemption frequency
may also translate or correspond to an increase in the frequency
with which players elect to play lottery games.
IV. Rules of Interpretation
[0114] Numerous embodiments have been described, and are presented
for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not
intended to be limiting in any sense. The invention is widely
applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the
disclosure herein. These embodiments are described in sufficient
detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the
invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be
utilized and that structural, logical, software, electrical and
other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the
present invention. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will
recognize that the present invention may be practiced with various
modifications and alterations. Although particular features of the
present invention may be described with reference to one or more
particular embodiments or figures that form a part of the present
disclosure, and in which are shown, by way of illustration,
specific embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that
such features are not limited to usage in the one or more
particular embodiments or figures with reference to which they are
described. The present disclosure is thus neither a literal
description of all embodiments of the invention nor a listing of
features of the invention that must be present in all
embodiments.
[0115] The terms "an embodiment", "embodiment", "embodiments", "the
embodiment", "the embodiments", "an embodiment", "some
embodiments", "an example embodiment", "at least one embodiment",
"one or more embodiments" and "one embodiment" mean "one or more
(but not necessarily all) embodiments of the present invention(s)"
unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "including",
"comprising" and variations thereof mean "including but not limited
to", unless expressly specified otherwise.
[0116] The term "consisting of" and variations thereof mean
"including and limited to", unless expressly specified
otherwise.
[0117] The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or
all of the items are mutually exclusive. The enumerated listing of
items does not imply that any or all of the items are collectively
exhaustive of anything, unless expressly specified otherwise. The
enumerated listing of items does not imply that the items are
ordered in any manner according to the order in which they are
enumerated.
[0118] The term "comprising at least one of" followed by a listing
of items does not imply that a component or subcomponent from each
item in the list is required. Rather, it means that one or more of
the items listed may comprise the item specified. For example, if
it is said "wherein A comprises at least one of: a, b and c" it is
meant that (i) A may comprise a, (ii) A may comprise b, (iii) A may
comprise c, (iv) A may comprise a and b, (v) A may comprise a and
c, (vi) A may comprise b and c, or (vii) A may comprise a, b and
c.
[0119] The terms "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more", unless
expressly specified otherwise.
[0120] The term "based on" means "based at least on", unless
expressly specified otherwise.
[0121] The methods described herein (regardless of whether they are
referred to as methods, processes, algorithms, calculations, and
the like) inherently include one or more steps. Therefore, all
references to a "step" or "steps" of such a method have antecedent
basis in the mere recitation of the term `method` or a like term.
Accordingly, any reference in a claim to a `step` or `steps` of a
method is deemed to have sufficient antecedent basis.
[0122] Headings of sections provided in this document and the title
are for convenience only, and are not to be taken as limiting the
disclosure in any way.
[0123] Devices that are in communication with each other need not
be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly
specified otherwise. In addition, devices that are in communication
with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one
or more intermediaries.
[0124] A description of an embodiment with several components in
communication with each other does not imply that all such
components are required, or that each of the disclosed components
must communicate with every other component. On the contrary a
variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide
variety of possible embodiments of the present invention.
[0125] Further, although process steps, method steps, algorithms or
the like may be described in a sequential order, such processes,
methods and algorithms may be configured to work in alternate
orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be
described in this document does not, in and of itself, indicate a
requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of
processes described herein may be performed in any order practical.
Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously despite being
described or implied as occurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because
one step is described after the other step). Moreover, the
illustration of a process by its depiction in a drawing does not
imply that the illustrated process is exclusive of other variations
and modifications thereto, does not imply that the illustrated
process or any of its steps are necessary to the invention, and
does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred.
[0126] It will be readily apparent that the various methods and
algorithms described herein may be implemented by, e.g.,
appropriately programmed general purpose computers and computing
devices. Typically a processor (e.g., a microprocessor or
controller device) will receive instructions from a memory or like
storage device, and execute those instructions, thereby performing
a process defined by those instructions. Further, programs that
implement such methods and algorithms may be stored and transmitted
using a variety of known media.
[0127] When a single device or article is described herein, it will
be readily apparent that more than one device/article (whether or
not they cooperate) may be used in place of a single
device/article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is
described herein (whether or not they cooperate), it will be
readily apparent that a single device/article may be used in place
of the more than one device or article.
[0128] The functionality and/or the features of a device may be
alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are not
explicitly described as having such functionality/features. Thus,
other embodiments of the present invention need not include the
device itself.
[0129] The term "computer-readable medium" as used herein refers to
any medium that participates in providing data (e.g., instructions)
that may be read by a computer, a processor or a like device. Such
a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to,
non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media.
Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks
and other persistent memory. Volatile media may include dynamic
random access memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes the main
memory. Transmission media may include coaxial cables, copper wire
and fiber optics, including the wires or other pathways that
comprise a system bus coupled to the processor. Transmission media
may include or convey acoustic waves, light waves and
electromagnetic emissions, such as those generated during radio
frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications. Common forms
of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a
flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium,
a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape,
any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an
EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a
carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from
which a computer can read.
[0130] Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in
carrying sequences of instructions to a processor. For example,
sequences of instruction (i) may be delivered from RAM to a
processor, (ii) may be carried over a wireless transmission medium,
and/or (iii) may be formatted according to numerous formats,
standards or protocols, such as Transmission Control Protocol,
Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, TDMA, CDMA, and
3G.
[0131] Where databases are described, it will be understood by one
of ordinary skill in the art that (i) alternative database
structures to those described may be readily employed, and (ii)
other memory structures besides databases may be readily employed.
Any schematic illustrations and accompanying descriptions of any
sample databases presented herein are illustrative arrangements for
stored representations of information. Any number of other
arrangements may be employed besides those suggested by the tables
shown. Similarly, any illustrated entries of the databases
represent exemplary information only; those skilled in the art will
understand that the number and content of the entries can be
different from those illustrated herein. Further, despite any
depiction of the databases as tables, other formats (including
relational databases, object-based models and/or distributed
databases) could be used to store and manipulate the data types
described herein. Likewise, object methods or behaviors of a
database can be used to implement the processes of the present
invention. In addition, the databases may, in a known manner, be
stored locally or remotely from a device that accesses data in such
a database.
[0132] It should also be understood that, to the extent that any
term recited in the claims is referred to elsewhere in this
document in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done
for the sake of clarity only, and it is not intended that any such
term be so restricted, by implication or otherwise, to that single
meaning. Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reciting the
word "means" and a function without reciting any structure, it is
not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted
based on the application of 35 U.S.C. .sctn.112, sixth
paragraph.
[0133] Although the present invention has been described with
respect to preferred embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art
will note that various substitutions and modifications may be made
to those embodiments described herein without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *