U.S. patent application number 11/868975 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-10 for systems, apparatus and methods for ticket sales for on-line lotteries and on-line games.
Invention is credited to Bhupinder Randhawa.
Application Number | 20080085763 11/868975 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39275371 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080085763 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Randhawa; Bhupinder |
April 10, 2008 |
Systems, Apparatus and Methods for Ticket Sales for On-Line
Lotteries and On-Line Games
Abstract
Various systems, apparatus and methods for purchasing tickets
for on-line lottery and on-line game without the use of a selection
slip are disclosed. A player uses a player terminal to make
selections for the on-line lottery or on-line game. The player's
selections are recorded in a lottery computer system in a ticket
purchase voucher record for a ticket purchase voucher. A ticket
purchase voucher code is assigned to the ticket purchase voucher
and the player is provided with a mechanism for identifying the
ticket purchase voucher code to a ticket vending terminal. The
player may be provided with a printable version of the ticket
purchase voucher that includes a machine readable form of the
ticket purchase voucher code. The player may be provided with a
version of the ticket purchase voucher code that may be transmitted
to a ticket vending terminal in a radio frequency, optical or
electronic signal.
Inventors: |
Randhawa; Bhupinder;
(Richmond Hill, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Bhupinder Randhawa;LottoCheck Corporation
49 Caymus Street
Richmond Hill
ON
L4B 4G3
US
|
Family ID: |
39275371 |
Appl. No.: |
11/868975 |
Filed: |
October 9, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60850264 |
Oct 10, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/329 20130101;
G06Q 30/06 20130101; G06Q 50/34 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101; G07F
17/42 20130101; G06Q 20/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/25 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method of issuing tickets comprising: receiving a Ticket
Purchase Voucher Request containing proposed ticket information
from a player terminal; creating a ticket purchase voucher record;
recording at least one selection based on the proposed ticket
information; generating a ticket purchase voucher code and
recording the ticket purchase voucher code in the ticket purchase
voucher record; transmitting the ticket purchase voucher code to
the player terminal; receiving the ticket purchase voucher code
from a ticket vending terminal; creating at least one ticket record
based on the selection recorded in the ticket purchase voucher
record; generating Ticket Receipt Data corresponding to the ticket
record; and transmitting Ticket Receipt Data to the ticket vending
terminal.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the Ticket Purchase Voucher
Request includes proposed ticket information for two or more
tickets and including: recording at least one selection
corresponding to the proposed ticket information for each of the
tickets; and after receiving the ticket purchase voucher code:
creating a ticket record for each of the tickets; and transmitting
Ticket Receipt Data corresponding to each of the tickets to the
ticket vending terminal.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the proposed ticket information
identifies an on-line lottery and a played number set for the
on-line lottery and wherein recording at least one selection
includes recording the played number set in the ticket purchase
voucher record.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the Ticket Purchase Voucher
Request identifies an on-line lottery and a request for an
automatically selected number set for the on-line lottery and
wherein recording at least one selection includes generating an
automatically selected played number set and recording the
automatically selected played number set in the ticket purchase
voucher record.
5. The method of claim 1 further including: before receiving the
Ticket Purchase Voucher Request: receiving an account
identification code from the player terminal; and identifying a
player account associated with the account identification code;
identifying the player account in the ticket purchase voucher
record; and associating the ticket record with the player's
account.
6. The method of claim 5 further including: associating a payment
service with the player account; and after receiving the ticket
purchase voucher code from the ticket vending terminal and before
transmitting the Ticket Receipt Data, obtaining payment from the
payment service.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein the Ticket Purchase Voucher
Request includes proposed ticket information for two or more
tickets and including: recording at least one selection
corresponding to the proposed ticket information for each of the
tickets; and after receiving the ticket purchase voucher code:
creating a ticket record for each of the tickets; and transmitting
Ticket Receipt Data corresponding to each of the tickets to the
ticket vending terminal.
8. The method of claim 5 wherein the proposed ticket information
identifies an on-line lottery and a played number set for the
on-line lottery and wherein recording at least one selection
includes recording the played number set in the ticket purchase
voucher record.
9. The method of claim 5 wherein the Ticket Purchase Voucher
Request identifies an on-line lottery and a request for an
automatically selected number set for the on-line lottery and
wherein recording at least one selection includes generating an
automatically selected played number set and recording the
automatically selected played number set in the ticket purchase
voucher record.
10. A method of issuing tickets for an on-line lottery comprising:
providing a lottery computer system including a player interface, a
lottery database and a ticket server; receiving a Ticket Purchase
Voucher Request, wherein the Ticket Purchase Voucher Request
originates from a player terminal communicating with the player
interface, wherein the Ticket Purchase Voucher Request identifies
at least one selection for the on-line lottery; creating a ticket
purchase voucher record in the lottery database based on the Ticket
Purchase Voucher Request; recording at least one played number set
corresponding to the selection in the ticket purchase voucher
record; generating a ticket purchase voucher code; recording the
ticket purchase voucher code in the ticket purchase voucher record;
generating a ticket purchase voucher, wherein the ticket purchase
voucher includes a machine readable version of the ticket purchase
voucher code; transmitting the ticket purchase voucher to the
player terminal; receiving the ticket purchase voucher code from a
ticket vending terminal communicating with the ticket server;
creating a ticket record corresponding to the selection; generating
Ticket Receipt Data based on the ticket record; and transmitting
the Ticket Receipt Data to the ticket vending terminal.
11. The method of claim 10 further including: before receiving the
Ticket Purchase Voucher Request: receiving an account
identification code from the player terminal; and identifying a
player account associated with the account identification code;
identifying the player account in the ticket purchase voucher
record; and associating the ticket record with the player's
account.
12. The method of claim 11 further including: associating a payment
service with the player account; and after receiving the ticket
purchase voucher code from the ticket vending terminal and before
transmitting the Ticket Receipt Data, obtaining payment from the
payment service.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein the Ticket Purchase Voucher
Request includes proposed ticket information for two or more
tickets and including: recording at least one selection
corresponding to the proposed ticket information for each of the
tickets; and after receiving the ticket purchase voucher code:
creating a ticket record for each of the tickets; and transmitting
Ticket Receipt Data corresponding to each of the tickets to the
ticket vending terminal.
14. The method of claim 11 wherein the proposed ticket information
identifies an on-line lottery and a played number set for the
on-line lottery and wherein recording at least one selection
includes recording the played number set in the ticket purchase
voucher record.
15. The method of claim 11 wherein the Ticket Purchase Voucher
Request identifies an on-line lottery and a request for an
automatically selected number set for the on-line lottery and
wherein recording at least one selection includes generating an
automatically selected played number set and recording the
automatically selected played number set in the ticket purchase
voucher record.
16. The method of claim 10 wherein the ticket purchase voucher is
adapted to be reproduced at the player terminal in a machine
readable form.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the ticket purchase voucher is
adapted to be printed in paper form at the player terminal and
wherein a printed version of the ticket purchase voucher includes
the machine readable version of the ticket purchase voucher
code.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the ticket purchase voucher code
is printed as a barcode on the printed version of ticket purchase
voucher.
19. The method of claim 16 wherein the ticket purchase voucher is
adapted to be displayed on a display of a player terminal such that
the ticket purchase voucher code may be scanned from the display
and wherein the ticket vending terminal is adapted to scan the
ticket purchase voucher code from the display.
20. The method of claim 16 wherein the ticket purchase voucher code
may be reproduced at the player terminal in a radio frequency
signal and wherein the ticket vending terminal is adapted to
receive the radio frequency signal.
21. The method of claim 16 wherein the ticket purchase voucher code
may be reproduced at the player terminal in an optical signal and
wherein the ticket vending terminal is adapted to receive the
optical signal.
22. The method of claim 16 wherein the ticket purchase voucher code
may be reproduced at the player terminal in an electronic signal
and wherein the ticket vending terminal is adapted to receive the
electronic signal.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to on-line lotteries and
on-line games. More particularly it relates to systems, apparatus
and methods that allow a player to purchase lottery tickets without
the use of a selection slip.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Many governmentally operated or licensed authorities operate
a lottery in which a player is permitted to select a set of played
numbers from a larger set of numbers. The lottery operators use a
lottery computer system to operate the lottery.
[0003] To participate in the lottery, a player selects a set of
played numbers from a larger set of numbers. The player typically
selects the set of played numbers by marking the played numbers on
a selection slip. The selection slip is processed using a ticket
vending terminal and the lottery computer system. If the selection
slip is properly marked, the player is able to purchase a ticket
for one or more draws of the lottery. Information about the ticket,
including the played numbers is recorded in the lottery computer
system. The player is issued a ticket receipt setting out the
selected played numbers and other information about the player's
ticket. These lotteries, some examples of which are described in
greater detail below, are referred to herein as on-line lotteries.
The process of marking a selection slip to select a set of played
numbers can be tedious and is prone to error.
[0004] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a system for the
sale of lottery tickets that permits a player to purchase a ticket
from a ticket vendor with a set of played numbers chosen by the
player, but without using a manually marked paper selection
slip.
[0005] In addition to on-line lotteries, some lottery operators
operate on-line games, in which a lottery player may purchase a
ticket for an on-line game by placing a bet based on the outcome of
one or more events, such as sporting events. Typically, the player
predicts the outcome of one or more events and is awarded a prize
if his predictions meet criteria set by the lottery operator. In
many cases, the player marks the prediction on a selection slip, as
in the case of an on-line lottery. The player presents the
selection slip to a ticket vendor, who uses a ticket vending
terminal to process the selection slip and gives the player an
on-line game ticket receipt that sets out the details of the
player's predictions and other details of the player's ticket, such
as the amount of the player's bet. As with on-line lotteries, the
process of marking a selection slip for an on-line game can be
tedious and prone to error. It is desirable to provide a system
that would allow a player to purchase a ticket for an on-line game
without the use of a selection slip, if a lottery operator offers
on-line games.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention provides a system for operating an
on-line lottery in which players may purchase tickets for one or
more on-line lotteries or on-line games without using a selection
slip.
[0007] A first aspect of the invention allows a player to obtain a
ticket purchase voucher which the player may subsequently use to
purchase a ticket.
[0008] In one embodiment, a player uses a player terminal to select
a set of played numbers for an on-line lottery. The player terminal
is coupled to a lottery computer system operated by the lottery
operator. Proposed ticket information relating to the player's
selections is recorded in the lottery computer system. The player
uses the player terminal to print a ticket purchase voucher. The
proposed ticket information recorded in the lottery computer system
includes a ticket purchase voucher code that can be used to
identify the proposed ticket information. The ticket purchase
voucher code is set out on the ticket purchase voucher in a machine
readable form. For example, the voucher code may be set out on the
ticket purchase voucher in the form of a barcode, multi-dimensional
barcode, machine readable ink or magnetic ink characters or any
other machine readable symbols or characters. The voucher code may
also optionally be set out on the ticket purchase voucher in a
human readable form. Optionally, other information, including some
or all of the proposed ticket information, may be set out on the
ticket purchase voucher.
[0009] In some embodiments, the player accesses the lottery
computer system using a player terminal. The player is presented
with a form, page or screen that allows the player to make
selections relating to an on-line lottery or an on-line game. The
player makes the selections and requests a ticket purchase voucher
corresponding to the selections. The ticket terminal transmits a
Ticket Purchase Voucher Request to the lottery computer system. The
Ticket Purchase Voucher Request includes proposed ticket
information. The proposed ticket information includes the player's
selections. The lottery computer system records the proposed ticket
information in a ticket purchase voucher record. The lottery
computer system also generates a ticket purchase voucher code and
records the ticket purchase voucher code in the ticket purchase
voucher record. The lottery computer system generates a ticket
purchase voucher in a format suitable for printing at the player's
terminal and transmits the ticket purchase voucher to the player's
terminal. The player may print the ticket purchase voucher.
[0010] In some embodiments, the player accesses the lottery
computer system using a web browser operating on the player's
terminal. The lottery computer system includes a player interface
configured to communicate with the player's terminal. The player
interface may include a website that includes webpages that can be
displayed in the player's web browser. Some or all of the webpages
may be dynamically generated webpages. The webpages include ticket
purchase voucher generation pages, which allow a player to make
selections relating to on-line lotteries or on-line games.
[0011] In some embodiments, a ticket purchase voucher generation
program running or operating at the player terminal communicates
with the lottery computer system. The lottery computer system
communicates with the ticket purchase voucher generation program to
receive the player selections for the on-line lottery or on-line
game and to transmit a ticket purchase voucher code to the player
terminal, where a ticket purchase voucher including the ticket
purchase voucher code may be printed.
[0012] In some embodiments, the ticket purchase voucher may be
generated at the player's terminal. The player makes selections for
an on-line lottery or on-line game at the player terminal using a
ticket purchase voucher generation program operating on the
terminal or a computer coupled to the player terminal. The player
terminal is also coupled to the lottery computer system. The
lottery computer system receives and records proposed ticket
information based on the player's selections and transmits a ticket
purchase voucher code to the player terminal. The ticket purchase
voucher generation program operating on the player terminal is
configured to generate a ticket purchase voucher and to allow the
player to print the ticket purchase voucher including the ticket
purchase voucher code. A program (including any type of executable
program such as a macro, script or other executable in any
programming language) operating on the player terminal, including
any program operating within a web browser is within the meaning of
a ticket purchase voucher generation program.
[0013] Another aspect of the invention allows a player to purchase
a ticket for an on-line lottery or on-line game using a ticket
purchase voucher.
[0014] In one embodiment, the player presents the ticket purchase
voucher to a lottery ticket vendor. The vendor operates a ticket
vending terminal that includes a scanner configured to read the
ticket purchase voucher code printed on the ticket purchase
voucher. The vendor scans the ticket purchase voucher code, which
is transmitted from the ticket vending terminal to the lottery
computer system. The lottery computer system obtains a ticket
purchase voucher record corresponding to the ticket purchase
voucher code and issues a ticket based on the proposed ticket
information recorded in the ticket purchase voucher record. In
conjunction with issuing a ticket, the lottery computer system
transmits ticket receipt data to the ticket vending terminal. A
ticket receipt is printed at the ticket vending terminal using the
ticket receipt data. The player receives the ticket receipt as
proof of the ticket.
[0015] In another aspect of the invention, a single ticket vending
terminal may be used to purchase more than one ticket for on-line
lotteries and/or on-line games.
[0016] In some embodiments, a player makes selections for more than
one ticket at a player terminal under the control of a lottery
computer system. The player is provided with one or more ticket
vending terminal generation pages for making the selections. For
example, some ticket purchase voucher generation forms may permit
the player to make selections for more than ticket. Other ticket
purchase voucher generation forms may allow the player to make
selections for only one ticket. As the player makes selections on
each ticket purchase voucher form, the player may save the
selections using a save feature or control in the ticket purchase
voucher generation forms. When the player requests to save his
selections for one or more tickets, the ticket vending terminal
transmits proposed ticket information about the tickets to the
lottery computer system, which records the proposed ticket
information.
[0017] When the player has finished making selections for tickets,
the player requests a voucher for all of the tickets. The lottery
computer system stores and records a ticket purchase voucher record
and associates the proposed ticket information for each of the
tickets with the ticket purchase record. The lottery computer
system records a ticket purchase voucher code in the ticket
purchase voucher record. The lottery computer system transmits a
ticket purchase voucher including the ticket purchase voucher to
the player terminal. As described above, the ticket purchase
voucher code is included in the ticket purchase voucher is included
in the ticket purchase voucher in a format that is suitable for
scanning or reading by ticket vending terminal coupled to the
lottery computer system.
[0018] The player can use the ticket purchase voucher to purchase
all of the tickets in one transaction.
[0019] In some embodiments, the player presents the ticket purchase
voucher to a ticket vendor, the ticket vendor uses a ticket vending
terminal to scan the machine readable ticket purchase voucher code
on the ticket purchase voucher. The ticket vending terminal
transmits the ticket purchase voucher code to the lottery computer
system. The lottery computer system uses the ticket purchase
voucher code to recall the proposed ticket information for each of
the tickets selected by the player. The lottery computer system
that issues each of the tickets and transmits ticket receipt data
for each of the tickets to the ticket vending terminal. A ticket
receipt is printed at the ticket vending terminal corresponding to
the ticket receipt data for each ticket and provided to the
player.
[0020] In another embodiment in which a single ticket purchase
voucher can be used to purchase multiple tickets, proposed ticket
information is initially recorded at the player's terminal for each
of the tickets. A ticket purchase voucher generation program may be
operated at the player's terminal to provide ticket purchase
voucher generation pages to the player, allowing the player to make
selections for tickets. When the player has finished selecting
tickets, the ticket purchase voucher generation program allows the
player to request a ticket purchase voucher for the tickets. In
response to the request, the proposed ticket information for each
of the tickets is transmitted to the lottery computer system, which
then records the proposed ticket information and associates it with
a ticket purchase voucher record.
[0021] Ticket purchase voucher may be configured for a single use
or for multiple uses. For example, a ticket purchase voucher for an
on-line lottery may be configured to allow the player to purchase a
ticket for the player's favorite numbers for two draws. The lottery
computer system may retain a ticket purchase voucher record for the
ticket purchase voucher indefinitely, allowing the player to
purchase a ticket for the two following draws of the lottery at any
time. Alternatively, the ticket purchase voucher may expire at a
particular time or on the occurrence of some event. Expiry
conditions may be recorded in the ticket purchase voucher record
and the lottery computer system may refuse to issue a ticket using
a ticket purchase voucher if any expiry condition is met. For
example, a ticket purchase voucher may expire on a fixed date,
after a particular number of uses, if it has not been used for a
specified time period or on the occurrence of some other event.
[0022] In another aspect of the invention, the player may be able
to create an account using the lottery computer system and may be
able to associate a multiple ticket purchase vouchers with the
account. When the player creates a ticket purchase voucher,
information about the ticket purchase voucher is associated with
the player's account. Subsequently, when the player accesses the
player's account, the player may be able to re-print a ticket
purchase voucher, delete ticket purchase voucher records that the
player does not wish to use again, or modify a ticket purchase
voucher record to change the selections for tickets that can be
bought with the ticket purchase voucher. To modify a ticket
purchase voucher record, the player may access a ticket purchase
voucher generation page that sets out the players previous
selections for the ticket purchase voucher. The player can change
the selections and then request that the ticket purchase voucher
record be updated to reflect the changes. Optionally, the lottery
computer system may be configured to assign a new ticket purchase
voucher code to a modified ticket purchase voucher and to permit
only the new ticket purchase voucher to be used in order to prevent
a player from accidentally using a ticket purchase voucher printed
before the modifications. This may be desirable if a ticket
purchase voucher has the selections for the ticket purchase voucher
set out on it. The ticket purchase voucher will be inaccurate if
the selections have changed.
[0023] Another aspect of the invention provides a method of issuing
tickets comprising: receiving a Ticket Purchase Voucher Request
containing proposed ticket information from a player terminal;
creating a ticket purchase voucher record; recording at least one
selection based on the proposed ticket information; generating a
ticket purchase voucher code and recording the ticket purchase
voucher code in the ticket purchase voucher record; transmitting
the ticket purchase voucher code to the player terminal; receiving
the ticket purchase voucher code from a ticket vending terminal;
creating at least one ticket record based on the selection recorded
in the ticket purchase voucher record; generating Ticket Receipt
Data corresponding to the ticket record; and transmitting Ticket
Receipt Data to the ticket vending terminal.
[0024] In the some embodiments, the Ticket Purchase Voucher Request
includes proposed ticket information for two or more tickets and
including: recording at least one selection corresponding to the
proposed ticket information for each of the tickets; and after
receiving the ticket purchase voucher code: creating a ticket
record for each of the tickets; and transmitting Ticket Receipt
Data corresponding to each of the tickets to the ticket vending
terminal.
[0025] In the some embodiments, the proposed ticket information
identifies an on-line lottery and a played number set for the
on-line lottery and wherein recording at least one selection
includes recording the played number set in the ticket purchase
voucher record.
[0026] In the some embodiments, Ticket Purchase Voucher Request
identifies an on-line lottery and a request for an automatically
selected number set for the on-line lottery. In such embodiments,
recording at least one selection includes generating an
automatically selected played number set and recording the
automatically selected played number set in the ticket purchase
voucher record.
[0027] In the some embodiments, the method includes: before
receiving the Ticket Purchase Voucher Request: receiving an account
identification code from the player terminal; identifying a player
account associated with the account identification code;
identifying the player account in the ticket purchase voucher
record; and associating the ticket record with the player's
account.
[0028] In the some embodiments, the method includes: associating a
payment service with the player account; and after receiving the
ticket purchase voucher code from the ticket vending terminal and
before transmitting the Ticket Receipt Data, obtaining payment from
the payment service.
[0029] In the some embodiments, Ticket Purchase Voucher Request
includes proposed ticket information for two or more tickets and
the method includes: recording at least one selection corresponding
to the proposed ticket information for each of the tickets; and
after receiving the ticket purchase voucher code: creating a ticket
record for each of the tickets; and transmitting Ticket Receipt
Data corresponding to each of the tickets to the ticket vending
terminal.
[0030] In the some embodiments, the proposed ticket information
identifies an on-line lottery and a played number set for the
on-line lottery and the method includes recording at least one
selection includes recording the played number set in the ticket
purchase voucher record.
[0031] In the some embodiments, Ticket Purchase Voucher Request
identifies an on-line lottery and a request for an automatically
selected number set for the on-line lottery and wherein recording
at least one selection includes generating an automatically
selected played number set and recording the automatically selected
played number set in the ticket purchase voucher record.
[0032] Another aspect of the invention provides a method of issuing
tickets for an on-line lottery comprising: providing a lottery
computer system including a player interface, a lottery database
and a ticket server; receiving a Ticket Purchase Voucher Request,
wherein the Ticket Purchase Voucher Request originates from a
player terminal communicating with the player interface, wherein
the Ticket Purchase Voucher Request identifies at least one
selection for the on-line lottery; creating a ticket purchase
voucher record in the lottery database based on the Ticket Purchase
Voucher Request; recording at least one played number set
corresponding to the selection in the ticket purchase voucher
record; generating a ticket purchase voucher code; recording the
ticket purchase voucher code in the ticket purchase voucher record;
generating a ticket purchase voucher, wherein the ticket purchase
voucher includes a machine readable version of the ticket purchase
voucher code; transmitting the ticket purchase voucher to the
player terminal; receiving the ticket purchase voucher code from a
ticket vending terminal communicating with the ticket server;
creating a ticket record corresponding to the selection; generating
Ticket Receipt Data based on the ticket record; and transmitting
the Ticket Receipt Data to the ticket vending terminal.
[0033] In some embodiments, the method includes: before receiving
the Ticket Purchase Voucher Request: receiving an account
identification code from the player terminal; and identifying a
player account associated with the account identification code;
identifying the player account in the ticket purchase voucher
record; and associating the ticket record with the player's
account.
[0034] In some embodiments, the method includes: associating a
payment service with the player account; and after receiving the
ticket purchase voucher code from the ticket vending terminal and
before transmitting the Ticket Receipt Data, obtaining payment from
the payment service.
[0035] In some embodiments, the Ticket Purchase Voucher Request
includes proposed ticket information for two or more tickets and
including: recording at least one selection corresponding to the
proposed ticket information for each of the tickets; and after
receiving the ticket purchase voucher code: creating a ticket
record for each of the tickets; and transmitting Ticket Receipt
Data corresponding to each of the tickets to the ticket vending
terminal.
[0036] In some embodiments, the proposed ticket information
identifies an on-line lottery and a played number set for the
on-line lottery and wherein recording at least one selection
includes recording the played number set in the ticket purchase
voucher record.
[0037] In some embodiments, the Ticket Purchase Voucher Request
identifies an on-line lottery and a request for an automatically
selected number set for the on-line lottery and wherein recording
at least one selection includes generating an automatically
selected played number set and recording the automatically selected
played number set in the ticket purchase voucher record.
[0038] In some embodiments, the ticket purchase voucher is adapted
to be reproduced at the player terminal in a machine readable
form.
[0039] In some embodiments, the ticket purchase voucher is adapted
to be printed in paper form at the player terminal and wherein a
printed version of the ticket purchase voucher includes the machine
readable version of the ticket purchase voucher code.
[0040] In some embodiments, the ticket purchase voucher code is
printed as a barcode on the printed version of ticket purchase
voucher.
[0041] In some embodiments, the ticket purchase voucher is adapted
to be displayed on a display of a player terminal such that the
ticket purchase voucher code may be scanned from the display and
wherein the ticket vending terminal is adapted to scan the ticket
purchase voucher code from the display.
[0042] In some embodiments, the ticket purchase voucher code may be
reproduced at the player terminal in a radio frequency signal and
wherein the ticket vending terminal is adapted to receive the radio
frequency signal.
[0043] In some embodiments, the ticket purchase voucher code may be
reproduced at the player terminal in an optical signal and wherein
the ticket vending terminal is adapted to receive the optical
signal.
[0044] Additional aspects of the present invention are identified
below in the description of several example embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] Several exemplary embodiments of the present invention will
now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in
which:
[0046] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0047] FIGS. 2 to 5 illustrate example ticket purchase voucher
creation screens and a ticket purchase vouchers according to the
embodiment of FIG. 1;
[0048] FIG. 6 illustrates part of a lottery database according to
the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1;
[0049] FIG. 7 illustrates a method for creating and printing a
ticket purchase voucher;
[0050] FIG. 8 illustrates a welcome web page of a player website of
the embodiment of FIG. 1;
[0051] FIG. 9 illustrates a ticket purchase voucher selection page
of the player website;
[0052] FIG. 10 illustrates a method for a player to purchase a
ticket and or a lottery operator to correspondingly sell the ticket
to the player; and
[0053] FIG. 11 illustrates a ticket purchase voucher for purchasing
multiple tickets.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0054] As used herein, the word "exemplary" refers to examples of
various items and does not denote a preferred or necessary feature
of any embodiment or of the invention.
[0055] A first example embodiment of the invention will be
described with reference to several exemplary on-line lotteries and
on-line games.
[0056] The first exemplary on-line lottery will be referred to as
Lotto 7/47. In this on-line lottery, a lottery player selects a set
of seven different played numbers between 1 and 47 (inclusive of
numbers 1 and 47). The set of seven played numbers is referred to
as a Lotto 7/47 played number set. Subsequently, a lottery operator
conducts a draw to select a set of winning numbers consisting of
seven different regular numbers and a bonus number, also between 1
and 47. The bonus number is different from all of the winning
numbers. The player may win different prizes if his played numbers
match the winning numbers and/or the bonus number in various
winning combinations, as follows:
TABLE-US-00001 Winning Combination Prize Won 7/7 regular numbers
Grand Prize 6/7 regular numbers and Second Prize bonus number 6/7
regular numbers Third Prize 5/7 regular numbers Fourth Prize 4/7
regular numbers Fifth Prize 3/7 regular numbers and Sixth Prize
bonus number 3/7 regular numbers Free ticket
[0057] Some of the prizes a player may win in this exemplary
on-line lottery are shared prizes. Shared prizes are calculated by
first determining a total prize amount for a particular winning
combination and then dividing the total prize value by the number
of tickets that have the winning combination to determine what
share of the total prize amount each ticket will win. The Grand
Prize is a shared prize and the total prize value for the Grand
Prize is determined by the lottery operator prior to each draw of
the on-line lottery. For example, if the total prize value for the
Grand Prize is $10 million and 4 tickets have the 7/7 regular
numbers winning combination, then each ticket wins $2.5 million.
Some shared prizes may be pari-mutuel prizes, for which the total
prize amount may be determined as a portion of the ticket sales
revenue for the on-line lottery. The second, third, fourth, fifth
and sixth prizes are pari-mutuel prizes. One of the prizes is a
fixed prize with the same prize being awarded for each ticket
having the specified winning combination. The free ticket prize for
the 3/7 regular numbers winning combination is a fixed prize. The
present invention may be used with on-line lotteries and games
having any type or any combination of types of prizes.
[0058] For the purpose of this exemplary embodiment of the
invention, the lottery operator conducts a draw of the Lotto 7/47
on-line lottery each week on Friday at 9 p.m. Eastern Standard
Time.
[0059] The second exemplary on-line lottery will be referred to as
Tag. In this on-line lottery, a six digit played number is
automatically selected for the lottery player. The played number
may be referred to as a Tag played number. The single six digit
played number is a played number set for the Tag on-line lottery
and may also be referred to as a Tag played number set.
Subsequently, the lottery operator selects a six digit winning
number for the Tag on-line lottery. The winning number may be
referred to as a Tag winning number or a Tag winning number set.
The player may win different prizes if various winning combinations
of digits in his played number match corresponding digits in the
winning number, as follows:
TABLE-US-00002 Winning combination Prize Won All six digits
$250,000 Last five digits $1,000 Last four digits $100 Last three
digits $25 First digit and last digit $5 First digit Free play of
host on- line lottery with Tag Last digit Free play of host on-
line lottery with Tag
[0060] This exemplary Tag on-line lottery may only be played in
conjunction with another on-line lottery, such as the Lotto 7/47
on-line lottery described above. The Lotto 7/47 on-line lottery is
referred to as a host on-line lottery and the Tag on-line lottery
is referred to as an associated on-line lottery. A player may
request that one or more Tag played number sets be added to a
ticket for the Lotto 7/47 on-line lottery. On draw dates for the
Lotto 7/47 on-line lottery, the lottery operator draws a winning
number set for the host Lotto 7/47 and also draws a winning number
for the associated Tag on-line lottery.
[0061] The prize for matching the first or the last digit of the
Tag winning number is a free play of the host on-line lottery in
the next draw after the ticket is redeemed, including a free played
number for the Tag on-line lottery draw on the same date. Players
who elect to play the Tag on-line lottery on a ticket may win a
prize in the Lotto 7/47 on-line lottery, the Tag on-line lottery or
in both on-line lotteries.
[0062] The third exemplary on-line lottery will be referred to as
Keno. In this on-line lottery, a lottery player is asked to select
a play category between two and ten. If the player chooses play
category two, he then chooses a set of two different played numbers
between 1 and 70 (inclusive of numbers 1 and 70). Similarly, if the
player chooses play category ten, the player chooses a set of ten
different played numbers between 1 and 70. Similarly, if the player
chooses any of play categories three to nine, the player chooses a
corresponding amount of different played numbers between 1 and 70.
The player's set of played numbers is referred to as a Keno played
number set. Subsequently, the lottery operator conducts a draw to
select a winning number set consisting of 20 different winning
numbers between 1 and 70. The player may win a prize depending on
the play category chosen and how many of the played numbers match
the winning numbers. Various winning combinations are defined as
follows:
TABLE-US-00003 Play Category (played numbers Winning in set)
combination Wager multiplier 2 2 of 20 7 3 3 of 20 25 4 4 of 20 100
5 5 of 20 250 4 of 20 5 6 6 of 20 1,000 5 of 20 25 7 7 of 20 5,000
6 of 20 50 5 of 20 5 8 8 of 20 25,000 7 of 20 200 6 of 20 10 9 9 of
20 50,000 8 of 20 1,000 7 of 20 100 6 of 20 5 10 10 of 20 250,000 9
of 20 5,000 8 of 20 200 7 of 20 25 0 of 20 2
[0063] If the player's played number set includes a winning
combination, the player is awarded a prize equal to the amount
wagered by the player for the set of played numbers multiplied by
the wager multiplier. For example, a player who chooses play
category seven will choose a set of seven different played numbers
between 1 and 70. In this exemplary Keno on-line lottery, the
player may wager from $1, $2, $5 or $10 for each set of played
numbers. If the seven played numbers match seven of the twenty
winning numbers, the player wins 5,000 times the amount
wagered.
[0064] For the purpose of this example, the lottery operator
conducts a draw of the Keno on-line lottery every day at 9 p.m.
Eastern Standard Time.
[0065] The Keno on-line lottery is not a host lottery for the Tag
on-line lottery. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the
Keno on-line lottery could also be a host lottery for the Tag
on-line lottery.
[0066] A played number set or played number for an on-line lottery
that includes a winning combination may be referred to as a winning
played number set or as a winning played number. A ticket that
includes at least one winning played number set or winning played
number may be referred to as a winning on-line lottery ticket, a
winning lottery ticket or more generally as a winning ticket.
[0067] Two exemplary on-line games used in this description of
exemplary embodiments of the invention will be referred to as
Sports Line and Over/Under. In these exemplary on-line games, each
week the lottery operator identifies a number of sporting events
and sets various odds corresponding to various possible outcomes of
the events. For example, part of a list of odds may include the
following events and corresponding odds for the Sports Line and the
Over/Under on-line games:
TABLE-US-00004 LIST 8845 (November 11-Nov. 17, 2005) Sports Teams
Line Over/Under Event Time Visitor Home V T H O # U Saturday
November 12, 2005 College Football 17 12:00 p Texas A&M
Oklahoma 5.2 4.0 1.2 1.7 36.5 1.7 18 12:00 p Maryland North 2.6 3.0
2.0 1.7 37.5 1.7 Carolina 23 2:00 p Kentucky Vanderbilt 5.0 3.9 1.3
1.7 33.5 1.7 30 6:00 p Washington Arizona 5.2 4.0 1.2 1.7 36.5 1.7
NHL Hockey 44 1:00 p Washington New 2.2 6.5 1.5 1.7 6.5 1.7 Jersey
45 7:00 p Toronto Montreal 2.0 6.0 1.6 1.7 5.5 1.7 Sunday November
13, 2005 NFL Football 56 1:00 p Kansas City Buffalo 2.4 2.8 2.3 1.7
43.5 1.7 57 1:00 p San Chicago 5.2 4.0 1.2 1.7 44.5 1.7 Francisco
60 9:00 p Dallas Phila- 2.5 2.9 2.1 1.7 43.5 1.7 delphia NHL Hockey
87 8:00 p Dallas Anaheim 1.7 6.0 1.9 1.7 5.5 1.7 88 10:00 p Detroit
Vancouver 1.9 6.0 2.0 1.8 5.5 1.6
[0068] The list of events may be referred to herein as an event
list. The odds for the Sports Line on-line game are set out under
the three columns labeled "V", "T" and "H" under the heading
"Sports Line". For each event, three possible outcomes may occur:
"V" means that the visiting team wins the event; "T" means that the
two teams will tie and "H" means that the home team will win the
event. The definition of a win or tie is set by the lottery
operator and may not match the rules used in the actual event. For
example, in this exemplary Sports Line on-line game, for NFL
football games the lottery operator has defined a tie as the teams
having three or fewer points separating them in the final score.
For some events, a tie may not be defined--such as for baseball
games, where the rules do not provide for tie games. The odds
indicate the lottery operator's estimate of how likely each outcome
is. A higher value indicates that the lottery operator believes the
outcome is less likely to occur.
[0069] In this exemplary Sports Line on-line game, the lottery
operator has specified that a player may make a bet by selecting
between three and six events and specifying a wager amount. If the
player correctly predicts the outcome of all of the selected
events, the player wins the bet and wins a prize. The predictions
made by the player are collectively referred to as a Sports Line
prediction set.
[0070] A payout value for the Sports Line prediction set is
calculated by multiplying the player's wager by the odds for all of
the predicted outcomes. For example, if a player wagers $5 and
predicts that Syracuse will beat Pittsburgh in event 12, Nashville
will beat Colorado in event 33 and that Dallas will tie Tampa Bay
in event 43, then the payout value is
$5.times.4.0.times.3.0.times.1.2=$72. If the player successfully
predicts the outcome of all three games, the player receives the
payout value as his or her prize.
[0071] The odds for the Over/Under on-line game are set out under
the three columns marked "O", "#" and "U". The value in the "#"
column indicates the threshold number of points. A player may
predict that the combined scores of the teams in each event will be
over this threshold number of points or under it. The outcome of
the event is "Over" if the total points scored by the teams is over
the threshold. The outcome of the event is "Under" if the total
points scored by the teams is under the threshold. For example, in
event 32, a player who wishes to make a bet using the over/under
odds for this event may bet that Washington and Toronto will score
over or under 5.5 goals in their hockey game. In this exemplary
Over/Under on-line game, the player makes a bet by selecting
between two and six events and predicting whether the outcome will
be Over or Under the threshold in each event. The player also
selects a wager amount for the bet. The predictions made by the
player are collectively referred to as an Over/Under prediction
set. A payout value for the Over/Under prediction set is determined
by multiplying the player's wager by the odds of the all of the
predicted outcomes. The player wins the bet and is entitled to
receive the payout value if all of the player's predictions are
correct.
[0072] In event list 8845, each event is shown with odds for the
Sports Line on-line game and for the Over/Under on-line game. In
this example, the two on-line games are separate and a lottery
operator may optionally use different selection slips to allow
players to make bets in the different on-line games. Alternatively,
a single selection slip allowing bets to be made on either or both
of the on-line games may be used. In another on-line game, players
could be permitted to make bets that have both Sports Line and
Over/Under outcomes selected.
[0073] In this example system 100, the lottery operator provides
event lists on a weekly basis. In other embodiments, the lottery
operator may provide event lists which have time periods that
overlap with other event lists, or may provide events lists that
have some events in common. In other embodiments, the lottery
operator may not divide events into lists and may simply having
single event list. In embodiments in which players will be
permitted to purchase on-line game tickets using selection slips in
addition to using the systems, apparatus and methods disclosed
herein, the lottery operator will typically identify events as part
of an event list to permit the event list to be identified on a
selection slip.
[0074] An on-line game ticket on which a player has won his or her
bet may be referred to as a winning on-line game ticket, a winning
game ticket or more generally as a winning ticket. In both the
Sports Line and Over/Under on-line games described above, all of
the predictions made by a player in the prediction set must be
correct for the player to win the bet. In other embodiments, an
on-line game ticket will be a winning on-line game ticket as long
as the prediction set on the ticket (or at least one of the
prediction sets, if multiple predictions sets are permitted on a
single ticket) matches the appropriate corresponding criteria set
by the lottery operator.
[0075] The present invention allows a player to purchase a ticket
for an on-line lottery or on-line game without using a selection
slip. In the first example embodiment described herein, the player
first establishes a player account with the lottery operator. The
player then obtains a ticket purchase voucher using a player
computer system. The ticket purchase voucher encodes information
for a proposed ticket. The player then presents the ticket purchase
voucher to a lottery retailer, who uses the ticket purchase voucher
to sell a ticket to the player. The player receives a ticket
receipt setting out information about the ticket.
[0076] The lottery operator operates a lottery computer system. In
the present embodiment, the lottery computer system includes a
player account server. A lottery player uses a player terminal to
access the player account server and to create a player account.
Each player account has an account identification code or user
name. The account identification code for each account is unique
(with respect to the account identification code for all other
player accounts created in the particular embodiment) and may
consist of any combination or permutation of letters or numerals.
In this description of the first example embodiment, several
exemplary player accounts will be described. The account
identification codes for these exemplary player accounts include
KARINA1022, BRIAN237 and SAMANTHA.
[0077] In any particular embodiment of the invention, a lottery
operator may impose requirements on the account identification
codes that players may use. For example, a lottery operator may set
a minimum or maximum number of characters for an account
identification code. In the present embodiment, an account
identification code may include the same character (i.e. the same
letter or numeral) more than once.
[0078] In other embodiments, the lottery operator may require that
each character in an account identification code be different from
the other characters in an account identification code. This
requirement may be imposed in the lottery operator also permits
players to purchase tickets using a selection slip with account
identification region, as is described in PCT patent application
No. PCT/CA2006/000270, International Publication Number WO
2006/092039A1.
[0079] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 that includes a lottery
computer system 102, ticket vending terminals 104 and player
terminals 106. A system according to the present embodiment will
include at least one ticket vending terminal 104 and at least one
player terminal 106.
[0080] The lottery computer system 102 is operated by a lottery
operator (not shown), who may operate various types of on-line
lotteries and on-line games, including the exemplary on-line
lotteries and on-line games described above and other on-line
lotteries or on-line games.
[0081] The ticket vending terminals 104 are operated by ticket
vendors (not shown). Each ticket vending terminal 104 is coupled,
or is capable of being coupled, to the lottery computer system 102
to permit data communication between the ticket vending terminal
104 and the lottery computer system 102. Some of the ticket vending
terminals 104 may be coupled to the lottery computer system 102
through a private communication network 108. The private
communication network 108 may be a wide area network (WAN), a
private data communication network comprising proprietary (owned,
rented or leased) data lines or any other type of data network. The
private communications network 108 may be a combination of two or
more of these and other types of data communication networks.
Ticket vending terminals 104b and 104c are coupled to the lottery
computer system 102 through private communication network 108.
[0082] Some or all of the ticket vending terminals 104 may be
coupled to the lottery computer system 102 through dial-up
telephone connections or another type of point-to-point connection
that permits data communication between the lottery computer system
102 and the ticket vending terminal 104. For example, ticket
vending terminal 104a is coupled to the lottery computer system 102
through a dial-up telephone connection 109, which may be maintained
at all times or may be established when required to allow data
communication between ticket vending terminal 104c and lottery
computer system 102.
[0083] Some or all of the ticket vending terminals 104 may be
coupled to the lottery computer system 102 through a publicly
accessible communications network (a "public network"), such as the
Internet. For example, ticket vending terminal 104d is coupled to
the lottery computer system 102 through public network 110. Ticket
vending terminals 104 coupled to the lottery computer system 102
through the public network 110 may be coupled using a virtual
private network or another secure communications protocol or
methodology.
[0084] The connections between the lottery computer system 102 and
the various ticket vending terminals 104 need not be the same.
Different connections may be made using different types of data
communications networks and lines. A ticket vending terminal 104
may be coupled, or may be capable of being coupled, to the lottery
computer system 102 in more than one way, to provide an alternative
method of communication if a primary method has failed or is
unavailable.
[0085] The connection between lottery computer system 102 and any
particular ticket vending terminal 104 may be persistent or it may
be made intermittently as required for data communication between
the lottery computer system 102 and the ticket vending terminal
104. If the coupling includes a publicly accessible network, such
as the Internet, communications between the lottery computer system
102 and any of the ticket vending terminals 104 may be secured
using an encryption system or other security technique. A security
technique or mechanism may optionally be used to secure all
communications between the lottery computer system 102 and any
ticket vending terminal 104, regardless of the type of connection
between the lottery computer system 102 and the ticket vending
terminal 104.
[0086] The ticket vending terminals 104 are used by ticket vendors
to sell tickets and provide ticket receipts to players. Each ticket
vending terminal 104 (or at least some of the ticket vending
terminals 104) includes a scanner or scanning device capable of
reading or scanning machine readable information from a ticket
purchase voucher. The sale of tickets to players is further
described below.
[0087] Lottery computer system 102 may be coupled to some or all of
the player terminals 106 through public network 110. Some player
terminals 106 may also be coupled to the lottery computer system
102 directly (for example, using a dial-up connection) or through
another network. Each of the player terminals 106 is capable of
communicating with lottery computer system 102 and typically
includes several output devices such as a display screen and a
printer. Each player terminal 106 includes a printer that can be
used to print a ticket purchase voucher. In addition, each player
terminal includes one or more input devices (such as a keypad,
keyboard, computer mouse or remote control device). A player
terminal 106 may be any type of device that is capable of being
coupled to and communicating with the lottery computer system 102.
For example, different player terminals 106 may be personal
computers, Internet-enabled television sets, Internet-enabled
set-top-boxes used with cable, satellite or other digital
communication systems, portable wireless communications devices
such as personal data assistant (PDA) devices, cellular phones and
wireless portable computers.
[0088] When system 100 is in operation, a player uses a player
terminal 106 to access a ticket purchase voucher creation page 112
(FIG. 2) accessible on the lottery operator's website. The player
uses the ticket purchase voucher creation page 112 to obtain a
ticket purchase voucher 113. The ticket purchase voucher 113
includes a ticket purchase voucher code 136 (FIG. 2) on it in a
machine-readable format, such as a bar code. The player then
presents the ticket purchase voucher to a ticket vendor who
operates a ticket vending terminal 104. The ticket vendor uses the
ticket vending terminal 104 to process the ticket purchase voucher
113 and to issue a ticket receipt 114 to the player.
[0089] Reference is next made to FIG. 2, which illustrates a ticket
purchase voucher creation page 116 for the Lotto 7/47 on-line
lottery, a ticket purchase voucher 117 for the Lotto 7/47 on-line
lottery and a corresponding ticket receipt 118.
[0090] Ticket purchase voucher creation pages 112 are web pages
that are accessible on the lottery operator's website. A lottery
operator will provide a ticket purchase creation page 112 for each
on-line lottery (or on-line game) with which it uses the present
invention. A lottery operator accesses the ticket purchase voucher
creation pages 112 using a web browser operating on the player's
terminal 106. The player completes the ticket purchase voucher
creation page 112 and then uses it to create a ticket purchase
voucher 113.
[0091] Lotto 7/47 ticket purchase voucher creation page 116 is
displayed on a display screen (not shown) of player terminal 106b,
in the example of FIG. 2. Lotto 7/47 ticket purchase voucher
creation page 116 includes four played number selection boards 121,
122, 123 and 124 in which a player may manually select up to four
played number sets for a Lotto 7/47 ticket. Ticket purchase voucher
creation page 116 also has an auto-pick selection field 126 in
which a player can select from zero to ten additional automatically
selected played number sets for the Lotto 7/47 on-line lottery on
the ticket. Ticket purchase voucher creation page 116 also includes
a tag selection field 128 in which a player may select from zero to
ten automatically selected Tag played number sets for the Tag
on-line lottery associated with the Lotto 7/47 on-line lottery.
Ticket purchase voucher creation page 116 also includes an advance
draw selection field 130 in which the player may choose from one to
ten draws for which the player wishes to purchase a ticket.
[0092] A player named Karina Jones, who's player account has the
account identification code KARINA1022, has completed the Lotto
7/47 ticket purchase voucher creation page 116 to manually select
two played number sets. The first played number set includes the
played numbers 8, 12, 23, 29, 32, 27 and 45. The second played
number set includes the played numbers 2, 18, 24, 28, 33, 39 and
42. The player has also chosen to add 1 additional automatically
selected Lotto 7/47 played number set, 2 Tag played number sets and
to purchase a ticket for four draws.
[0093] Once the player has completed the ticket purchase voucher
creation page, the player clicks the "Create Voucher" button 119 to
create the ticket purchase voucher 117. The process by which ticket
purchase voucher 117 is generated is described in greater detail
below in relation to method 3000. Ticket purchase voucher is
printed at player terminal 106b using a printer attached to the
player terminal 106b.
[0094] Ticket purchase voucher 117 includes a ticket information
section 132 and a ticket purchase voucher code section 134.
[0095] Various information about the ticket is set out in ticket
information section 132, including the player account with which a
ticket purchased with the ticket purchase voucher 117 will be
associated, the played number sets selected for the ticket and
other information. In the present example, ticket information
section 132 includes information that a lottery operator may use to
confirm the details of the players selections for the ticket. The
ticket information section need not contain any specific
information and is optional. Preferably, the ticket information
section is provided and contains information that a lottery player
may use to understand the played numbers and other options for the
ticket that the ticket purchase voucher can be used to
purchase.
[0096] The ticket purchase code section 134 includes a machine
readable ticket purchase voucher code 136 which encodes a ticket
purchase voucher code. In this example, the ticket purchase voucher
code is set out in a bar code. Alternatively, the ticket purchase
voucher code 136 may be set out in the ticket purchase voucher code
section 134 in any machine readable format, such as optically
scannable characters, single or multi-dimensional bar codes or any
other machine recognizable pattern or character set.
[0097] The ticket purchase voucher code 136 for any particular
ticket purchase voucher is different from the ticket purchase
voucher code for all other ticket purchase vouchers that are valid
at the time the particular ticket purchase voucher is issued. A
ticket purchase voucher is valid if it can be used to purchase a
ticket for an on-line lottery or on-line game. A ticket purchase
voucher may be valid indefinitely or it may expire at a particular
time, or when a specific event occurs or a specific condition
becomes true. Ticket purchase voucher 117 does not expire. Karina
Jones can use the ticket purchase voucher to purchase a ticket for
the next four draws of the Lotto 7/47 on-line lottery whenever she
chooses to purchase a ticket with the ticket purchase voucher.
[0098] In any embodiment, a lottery operator may choose to make a
voucher valid for a fixed time period, a fixed number of uses, or
may set some other expiry rule for a ticket purchase voucher. A
lottery operator may choose to use any combination of expiry rules
for the ticket purchase vouchers used with the lottery operator's
on-line lottery and/or on-line games. For example, in another
embodiment, the lottery operator may require that a ticket purchase
voucher must be used within 1 week of being printed. In such an
embodiment, the ticket purchase voucher may optionally set out the
time at which the ticket purchase voucher expires.
[0099] The ticket information section 132 of ticket purchase
voucher 117 includes the ticket purchase voucher code set out in
human readable form. It is optional to print the ticket purchase
voucher code in human readable form in the ticket information
section 132.
[0100] FIG. 2 also illustrates a ticket receipt 118 that
corresponds to the player's selections on the ticket purchase
voucher creation page 116 and the ticket purchase voucher 117. The
exemplary ticket receipt 118 includes the name 140 of the on-line
lottery indicating that it is a ticket for the Lotto 7/47 lottery,
a date range 142 indicating that it is valid for four draws between
Jun. 8, 2005 and Jun. 18, 2005. At reference number 144, the ticket
receipt 118 sets out the two Lotto 7/47 played number sets manually
chosen by the player and an automatically selected played number
set chosen for the player by the lottery computer system 102. The
automatically selected Lotto 7/47 played number set consists of the
played numbers 12, 17, 21, 29, 32, 37 and 43. At 148, ticket
receipt 118 sets out two Tag played numbers, 398587 and 957238, for
the Tag on-line lottery and the word "Played" to indicate that the
player has chosen to participate in the associated Tag on-line
lottery.
[0101] At 156, the ticket receipt sets out Karina Jones' account
identification code KARINA1022. Optionally, a ticket receipt may
set out part of a player's account identification code or another
datum related to the player such as the player's name.
[0102] Ticket receipt 118 also contains a human readable ticket
code 150, which in this example is a sixteen digit number set out
in four sets of four digits: 5933-3748-0958-3924. A ticket code is
assigned by the lottery computer system 102 to every ticket that is
issued. In this exemplary embodiment, the ticket code is printed on
the ticket receipt 114 in a human-readable form. The ticket code is
also set out in a machine readable bar code 158, allowing the
ticket code to be scanned by a machine, such as a ticket vending
terminal 104. In alternative embodiments, the ticket code may be
set out in only a human readable form or a machine readable form.
In alternative embodiment, a first ticket code for the ticket may
be set out in human readable form and a different second ticket
code for the ticket may be set out in machine readable form.
[0103] Typically, the ticket code allows the ticket to be uniquely
identified from all other tickets issued by the lottery operator,
at least during a selected time period prior to the issuance of the
ticket (for example, one year or five years). The lottery operator
may select various mechanisms for assigning ticket codes for
tickets, including mechanisms that encode information in the ticket
code. Such encoded information may include the particular on-line
lottery or on-line game that the ticket is issued for, the draws
the ticket is issued for and check digits that can be used to
ensure the validity of the ticket code, the ticket receipt 118 and
the ticket.
[0104] Ticket receipt 118 includes a vendor terminal code 152. The
vendor terminal code 152 identifies the ticket vending terminal 104
used to issue ticket receipt 114. Alternatively, the vendor
terminal code 152 may identify the ticket vendor who operates the
ticket vending terminal, so that tickets issued at different ticket
vending terminals operated by the same ticket vendor have the same
vendor terminal code. In the present exemplary embodiment, the
vendor terminal code 152 uniquely identifies the specific ticket
vending terminal 104 at which the ticket was issued, and
accordingly different ticket vending terminals operated by the same
ticket vendor are identified by different vendor terminal codes.
Other ticket receipts 114 according to the present invention may
not include a vendor terminal code.
[0105] Ticket receipt 118 includes a verification code 154. The
verification code 154 may be used to verify the integrity of ticket
receipt 114. Verification code 154 may be generated using a formula
based on other components of the ticket and other data (such as the
date and time on which the ticket is issued) or it may be created
for the ticket randomly, pseudo-randomly (i.e. based on a seed
value or other initial value), using a list of rotating values or
verification codes, or using any other formula or method. The
verification code 154 may be used in the place of, or in addition
to, the use of check digits in the ticket code 150. Other ticket
receipts 114 according to the present invention may not include a
verification code.
[0106] Reference is next made to FIG. 3, which illustrates a ticket
purchase voucher creation page 216 and a ticket purchase voucher
218 for the Keno on-line lottery and a corresponding ticket receipt
218.
[0107] Ticket purchase voucher creation page 216 has four boards
221, 222, 223 and 224. On each board, a player may enter up to ten
played numbers that form a played number set. In boards 221-224, a
player manually types in the played numbers that the player wishes
to choose. This differs from the selection of played number on
boards 121-124 (FIG. 2), in which a player was presented with a
cell for each number that the player could choose as a played
number. A lottery operator may choose to provide individual cells
for the different possible numbers in a player number set or may
allow a player to manually type in the numbers on any of its ticket
purchase voucher creation pages. The player Karina Jones has
manually selected two played number sets in boards 221 and 222.
[0108] Ticket purchase voucher creation page 216 includes an
auto-pick selection field in which a player may choose a play
category and wager for up to ten additional automatically selected
played number sets. Optionally, a player may choose to purchase a
ticket with only automatically selected played number sets and may
leave all of the boards 221-224 blank.
[0109] Ticket purchase voucher creation page 216 also includes an
advance draw selection field 130.
[0110] Ticket purchase voucher 217 includes information about the
player's selections in a ticket information section 232 and a
machine readable ticket purchase voucher code in a ticket purchase
voucher code section 234.
[0111] Ticket receipt 218 sets out the details of a ticket purchase
by the player using ticket purchase voucher 217. In this example,
the automatically selected played number set is identified as
having been automatically selected for the player.
[0112] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary ticket purchase voucher
creation page 316, a ticket purchase voucher 317 and a
corresponding ticket receipt 318 for the Sports Line on-line
game.
[0113] Ticket purchase voucher creation page 316 includes an event
list 321. In this embodiment, event list 321 corresponds to the
events listed above in the description of the Sports Line on-line
game. Event list 321 identifies the various outcomes and odds for
each event that a player may select as part of a bet. To make a
bet, a player selects from three to six events and selects one
outcome per event. The player selects the outcomes by clicking the
radio button beside the odds for the outcome.
[0114] Ticket purchase voucher creation page 316 also includes
wager amount field 322, in which a player can enter a wager for a
bet. In this embodiment a player may type in a wager amount of the
player's choice. In other embodiments, the lottery operator may
permit the player to choose from a number of predetermined wager
amounts. Optionally, the lottery operator may provide options for
the predetermined wager amounts in the form of radio button
selections, a drop down list or another mechanism for limiting the
player's choice of the wager amount. The lottery operator may have
a number of predetermined amounts and may also allow a player to
choose a different wager than any of the predetermined amounts.
[0115] Once a player has selected a bet by marking the player's
predicted outcomes and entering a wager, the player can obtain a
ticket purchase voucher 317 by clicking the "Create Voucher" button
119. Ticket purchase voucher 317 includes information about the
player's selections in a ticket information section 332 and a
machine readable ticket purchase voucher code in a ticket purchase
voucher code section 334. The player must purchase a ticket prior
to beginning of the earliest event on which the player's bet is
based. In this example, the voucher states that the voucher must be
used before 11:45 am on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2005. Ticket purchase
voucher 317 expires at that time.
[0116] Ticket receipt 318 sets out the player's Sports Line
prediction set at 344-347. At 349, ticket purchase voucher 317 set
out the payout value based on the wager and the odds for the
selected outcomes.
[0117] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary ticket purchase voucher
creation page 416, a ticket purchase voucher 417 and a
corresponding ticket receipt 418 for the Over/Under on-line
game.
[0118] Referring to FIG. 1, Lottery computer system 102 includes a
lottery database 160, a player account server 162 and a ticket
server 164.
[0119] Lottery computer system 102 may be a single computer or may
include various interconnected computers and other devices,
including communication and data storage devices. Lottery database
160, player account server 162 and ticket server 164 may reside and
operate on one or more of the computers or related systems that
comprise lottery computer system 102. For example, portions of the
player account server may operate on different computers which may
be distributed across a large or small geographic area. In some
embodiments, portions of the lottery computer system may operated
by the lottery operator indirectly through a third party.
[0120] Player account server 162 manages the creation of player
accounts and the creation of ticket purchase vouchers 113. Lottery
players use player terminals 106 to access player account server
162. Optionally, communications between the lottery computer system
102 and a player terminal 106 may be secured using an encryption
system or other security technique. A player terminal 106 used by a
player may be referred to as the player's terminal.
[0121] Player account server 162 includes one or more player
interfaces 166. Each player interface 166 facilitates
communications between the player account server 162 and one or
more of the player terminals 106. In the present embodiment, player
interface 166a includes a player website 167a, which players may
access by using a web browser operating on a player terminal 106,
such as a personal computer or any other web-enabled computing
device. Player interface 166a communicates with web browsers to
receive information from the player terminals 106 and to transmit
information to the player terminals 106. For example, player
interface 166a receives information about new player accounts and
creates a corresponding player account record 514 in the lottery
database 160. This is further described below in relation to method
2100.
[0122] Player interface 166a receives Ticket Purchase Voucher
Requests 560 from player terminals 106 and transmits Ticket
Purchase Voucher Data 562 to the player terminals allowing ticket
purchase vouchers 113 to be printed at the player terminals. Ticket
Purchase Voucher Requests 560 and Ticket Purchase Voucher Data 562
are further described below in relation to method 3000.
[0123] Other player interfaces 166 may be configured to allow
various types of player terminals 106 to access the player account
server to create player accounts or to obtain information relating
to tickets associated with a player account. For example, other
player interfaces 166 may be adapted to communicate with portable
communication devices with small display screens such as portable
digital assistant (PDA) devices or portable telephone devices.
Other player interfaces 166 may be adapted to communicate with
computer programs executing on a player terminal 106 and to control
the display of information by such computer programs.
[0124] Lottery database 160 is used to store information about
player accounts, draws of the on-line lotteries, events in the
on-line games, ticket purchase vouchers and about tickets issued by
the lottery operator. Many different data structures may be used to
store information about player accounts, on-line lottery draws,
on-line game events and tickets and the present invention is not
limited to any particular data structure or data structures for
doing so. Several exemplary data structures for storing such
information will be described here. Skilled persons will be able to
design different data structures to accommodate different types of
on-line lotteries and games and to accommodate different computers,
other devices, operating systems and software that may be used as
part of a lottery computer system.
[0125] FIGS. 6a-6c illustrate a portion of lottery database 160.
Lottery database 160 includes a player account table 502, on-line
lottery draw tables 504, on-line lottery ticket tables 506 and a
ticket purchase voucher table 570.
[0126] Referring to FIG. 6a, player account table 502 includes a
player account record 514 for each player account. Ticket purchase
voucher table 570 includes a ticket purchase voucher record 572 for
each ticket purchase voucher 117.
[0127] Each player account record 514 contains information about
one player account. Three player account records 514 are
illustrated in FIG. 6a. Player account table 502 also contains
other player account records 514. In this exemplary embodiment,
each player account record 514 includes the following fields:
TABLE-US-00005 Field Information recorded in field Account ID The
account identification code for the player Code account. Account A
password that the player must provide to access Password
information about tickets associated with the player account. The
password may optionally be stored in an encrypted form. Name The
player's name. Address The player's address. Phone The player's
phone number. Fax The player's fax number. E-mail The player's
e-mail address. Birth Date The player's birth date. Sex The
player's sex. Income The player's income range. Player Ticket This
field contains a link or reference to each of the List tickets
associated with the player account, allowing the tickets to be
identified. The reference to the tickets may be any mechanism for
identifying tickets. The reference may be direct (such as a list of
ticket codes or ticket record identifiers) or indirect (such as a
pointer to or the name of a list, index or table containing ticket
codes or ticket record identifiers). A ticket record identifier may
identify a ticket table 506 (FIG. 6b) or 510 (FIG. 6c) and a ticket
record 524 or 538 within the ticket table that relates to a
particular ticket associated with the player account. The structure
of on-line lottery ticket records 524 and on-line game ticket
records 538 is described below. In this embodiment, this field
contains a list of ticket codes for each ticket associated with the
player account. The on-line lottery or on-line game for each ticket
is also identified, to allow the ticket record for each ticket to
be located in the appropriate ticket table 506 or 510 (FIG. 6b).
For on-line games, the event list is also identified. In another
embodiment, the field may contain a list of ticket codes without
grouping the ticket codes by on- line lottery or on-line game. The
specific on-line lottery or on-line game and event list for which
the ticket was issued may be determined by examining the ticket
code (which may be coded to indicate the on-line lottery or on-line
game for which the ticket is valid) or by searching the various
ticket tables. In other embodiments, this field may be omitted and
the lottery ticket records for tickets associated with a player
account may be identified by searching through lottery ticket
records using the Associated Player Account field in the lottery
ticket records. Player Ticket This field contains a link or
reference to each of the Purchase ticket purchase vouchers
associated with the player Voucher List account, allowing the
ticket purchase vouchers to be identified.
[0128] A player creates a player account by accessing an account
creation service. Referring briefly to FIG. 8, The player website
167a (FIG. 1) includes a welcome web page. A player may access the
account creation service by clicking on a "Create Account" button
604. An example of an account creation service is set out in PCT
patent application No. PCT/CA2006/00270 in reference to FIG. 7 and
method 2100 of that application. As part of creating a player
account, a player selects an account identification code. In the
present embodiment, a player's account ID code may consist of any
combination or permutation of letter or numbers. Also, in the
present embodiment, the order of characters is sufficient to
distinguish two account identification codes. The account
identification code KARINA1022 is distinct from the account
identification code KARINA1202.
[0129] This is different from some of the concepts described for
account identification codes in PCT patent application No.
PCT/CA2006/000270. In PCT patent application No. PCT/CA2006/000270,
some embodiments require account identification codes that contain
different sets of characters, regardless of the order in which a
player might prefer to set out the characters, in order to be
distinct. Such embodiments may optionally have a field to record
the player's preferred order for the characters in the player's
account identification code. The present invention is compatible
with such embodiments and when it is combined with such an
embodiment, player accounts may have an account identification code
in which each of the characters is different from the others to
permit the account identification code to be marked on a selection
slip as is described in that PCT application.
[0130] Each player account has a password, which is stored in the
Password field in the player account record 514. The password may
optionally be stored in an encrypted form.
[0131] Personal information about a player is stored in the Name,
Address, Phone, Fax, E-mail, Birth Date, Sex and Income fields of
the player account record 514. A player may choose not to provide
some of this information, and the corresponding field may be left
empty or omitted from a particular player account record 514,
depending on the data structure used to store a player account
record. In any particular embodiment, the lottery operator may
choose not to include some of the fields set out above. For
example, a lottery operator that chooses to permit only anonymous
player accounts may provide for one an Account ID Code and an
Account Password field in the player account records of that
embodiment.
[0132] Returning to the present example system 100, an exemplary
player account record 514 for the account identification code
KARINA1022 may contain the following information:
TABLE-US-00006 Field Information recorded in field Account ID Code
KARINA1022 Account ******** Password Name Karina Jones Address 123
Somestreet Rd Sometown, Somestate 84442 Phone (343)254-9348 Fax
None E-mail karina@isp.com Birthdate Oct. 22, 1975 Sex Female
Income $50,001-$75,000 Player Ticket List Lotto 7/47 Tickets:
5933-2245-5896-5987 5933-3748-0985-3924 5933-7812-3256-6547 Keno
Tickets: 5254-6789-5656-4156 5254-9562-6578-3245 Sports Line
Tickets (List 8845): 1659-8761-6573-4657 1659-6204-2340-4826
Over/Under Tickets (List 8845): 3578-5698-1598-2584 Over/Under
Tickets (List 8846): 3576-1942-8572-9234 Player Ticket
V1653-564-5685-165 Purchase V1654-470-8329-332 Voucher List
V1655-237-8537-275 V1656-832-2434-742
[0133] The Player Ticket List field in the player account record
514 for Karina Jones' player account includes a reference to an
Over/Under ticket with the ticket code 3576-1942-8572-9234. This
ticket is valid for the Over/Under on-line game and is based on the
events on event list 8846 (not shown). Event list 8846 is similar
to event list 8845 in that it sets out events for the Over/Under
on-line game (and for the Sports Line on-line game), but relates to
a different time period (which may overlap with the time period
corresponding to event list 8845) and to events that occur within
that time period.
[0134] Referring to FIG. 6c, lottery database 160 includes an event
table and a ticket table for the Over/Under on-line game with data
about events and tickets relating to event list 4524. In this
embodiment, event tables and ticket tables relating to different
event lists are stored as separate tables. In another embodiment,
event records relating to different event lists may be combined in
one table and ticket records relating to different event lists may
be combined in one table. In other embodiments, events may not be
divided into different event lists.
[0135] Each ticket purchase voucher record 572 in the ticket
purchase voucher table 570 corresponds to one ticket purchase
voucher created by a player. In this embodiment, each voucher
record 572 includes the following fields and data:
TABLE-US-00007 Field Information recorded in field TP Voucher Code
The ticket purchase voucher code for the voucher. Player account ID
The account identification code of the player account code with
which the voucher is associated. Ticket Type The identity of the
on-line lottery or on-line game for which a ticket will be issued
with the voucher. Proposed Ticket This field contains information
required to issue a Information ticket for the on-line lottery or
on-line game identified in the Ticket Type field. In the case of a
ticket purchase voucher for an on-line lottery, this field includes
details about the ticket a player wishes to purchase with the
voucher. The details may include played number sets, the number of
automatically selected numbers requested, the number of draws that
for which a ticket should be printed or other ticket information,
depending on the rules of the on-line lottery. In the case of an
on-line game, this information may include a selection set, wager
amounts, depending on the rules of the on-line games. The ticket
information may be recorded in one or more fields, depending on the
information recorded.
[0136] In this embodiment, all voucher records are maintained in a
single ticket purchase voucher table 570. In other embodiment,
voucher records may be kept in a different data structure. For
example, voucher records for different on-line lotteries and
on-line games may be kept in different tables or in other types of
data files.
[0137] The voucher records for ticket purchase vouchers 117, 217
and 317 have the following contents:
TABLE-US-00008 Voucher 117: Field Information recorded in field TP
Voucher Code V1653-564-5685-165 Player Account ID KARINA1022 Code
Ticket Type Lotto 7/47 Proposed Ticket Board A: 8, 12, 23, 29, 32,
37, 45 Information Board B: 2, 18, 24, 28, 33, 39, 42 Auto-Pick
Numbers: 1 Tag: 2 Draws: 4
TABLE-US-00009 Voucher 217: Field Information recorded in field TP
Voucher Code V1655-237-8537-275 Player Account ID KARINA1022 Code
Ticket Type Keno Proposed Ticket Board 1: 1, 2, 7, 9, 10, 16, 22;
Wager: 2 Information Board 2: 12, 25, 27, 43, 46, 49, 64, 66;
Wager: 10 Auto-Pick 1: Play Category: 2, Wager5 Draws: 2
TABLE-US-00010 Voucher 317: Field Information recorded in field TP
Voucher Code V1654-470-8329-332 Player account ID KARINA1022 code
Ticket Type Sports Line Proposed Ticket Event List 8845 Information
Event 17: V win Event 18: H win Event 45: V win Event 60: H win
TABLE-US-00011 Voucher 417: Field Information recorded in field TP
Voucher Code V1656-832-2434-742 Player account ID KARINA1022 code
Ticket Type Sports Line Proposed Ticket Event List 8845 Information
Event 56: Under Event 57: Over Event 60: Over
[0138] FIG. 6a illustrates the associations between the player
account record 514 for Karina Jones' player account and the ticket
purchase voucher records 572 for her ticket purchase vouchers.
Maintaining a list of ticket purchase vouchers associated with a
player account within the corresponding player account record 514
allows a player's ticket purchase vouchers to be identified. A
lottery operator may permit a player to save ticket purchase
vouchers within the player's account and may allow a player to
modify a saved ticket purchase voucher, to re-print a ticket
purchase voucher or to delete a save ticket purchase voucher. In
other embodiments, the player account record may not have a Player
Ticket Purchase Voucher field and a player's ticket purchase
vouchers may not be recorded in the corresponding player account
record.
[0139] In the present embodiment, a player may optionally create an
anonymous account, for which personal information that could
identify the player is not recorded. The Account ID Code, the
Account Password, the Player Ticket List fields and the Player
Ticket Purchase Voucher List are required for the operation of a
player account in this embodiment and the information stored in
these fields is required even for an anonymous account. However, a
player may optionally not provide some or all of the information
for the personal information fields described above. A player may
choose not to provide his name and address, but could optionally
provide sex and income information to allow some demographic
analysis of lottery players. Alternatively, the player may not
provide any personal information.
[0140] In an alternative embodiment, a lottery operator may
designate some personal or other information as required
information. For example, the lottery operator may require a
lottery player to provide the player's birth date to allow the
lottery operator to ensure that only players of a certain age
access the player account. Any combination of information may be
designated as required information or optional information by a
lottery operator. The personal information fields described in
relation to the present embodiment are only an example.
[0141] In another alternative embodiment, a lottery operator may
choose not to collect any personal information and may make all
player accounts anonymous accounts. In such an embodiment, a player
account record 514 may comprise only an Account ID field, an
Account Password field, a Player Ticket List field and a Player
Ticket Purchase Voucher List field.
[0142] In another embodiment, a lottery operator may not require a
player to enter a password when accessing a player account. In such
an embodiment, a player account record would not include an Account
Password field.
[0143] Reference is next made to FIGS. 6b and 6c.
[0144] Each draw record 518 in the draw tables 504 contains
information about a draw of an on-line lottery, such as the date of
the draw, a draw number, winning numbers for the host on-line
lottery and for any associated on-line lottery and prize
information for the host on-line lottery and any associated on-line
lottery.
[0145] Each of the draw records 518 in Lotto 7/47 draw table 516
contains information about one draw of the Lotto 7/47 on-line
lottery and the corresponding draw of the associated Tag on-line
lottery on the same draw date. In this exemplary embodiment, a
single draw record is used to maintain information about both a
host on-line lottery and its associated on-line lottery, since the
two on-line lotteries share information such as their draw date and
since the tickets valid for the associated on-line lottery are a
subset of those valid for the host on-line lottery. Alternatively,
separate draw tables could be used for the two on-line
lotteries.
[0146] Six draw records 518 for draws between Nov. 11, 2005 and
Dec. 16, 2005 are illustrated in FIG. 6a. In this exemplary
embodiment, each draw record 518 in the Lotto 7/47 draw table
includes the following fields:
TABLE-US-00012 Field Information recorded in field Draw ID An
identifier for the draw. This may be a draw number, or any other
type of identifier for the draw. This field is optional, especially
if the date (or date and time) of the draw, or another field such
as a record number field, can be used to uniquely identify the
draw. In this exemplary embodiment, each draw is assigned a
numerical draw number, in sequential order. Draw Date The date on
which the draw is scheduled to be conducted. In another embodiment,
this field may also include the time of the draw, particularly if
more than one draw for the on-line lottery is conducted on a
particular day. Lotto 7/47 The winning number set for this draw of
the Lotto 7/47 Winning Number on-line lottery. Set Lotto 7/47 Prize
Information about prizes for each winning Information combination
for this draw of the Lotto 7/47 on-line lottery. Tag Winning The
winning number for the Tag associated on-line Number lottery. Tag
Prize Information about prizes for each combination of Information
winning numbers for this draw of the Tag on-line lottery. Draw
Ticket List This field contains a link or reference to each of the
tickets valid for the draw, allowing the tickets valid for the draw
to be identified. The reference to the tickets may be any mechanism
for identifying the tickets valid for the draw. The reference may
be direct or indirect, as is described above in relation to the
Player Ticket List field of the player account records 514. In the
present embodiment, this field is a pointer to an index that
contains a reference to the lottery ticket records for all tickets
that are valid for the draw. In FIG. 6a, the link between the draw
record 518 and lottery ticket records 524 for tickets valid for
each draw is illustrated by lines connecting them. Lottery database
160 includes an index for each draw. The index includes a reference
to each ticket that is valid for the draw. In another embodiment,
this link may be omitted and the lottery tickets valid for a draw
may be identified by searching the Valid Draw Dates field in
lottery ticket records in the appropriate ticket table.
[0147] The Lotto 7/47 Winning Number Set and Tag Winning Number
fields in a draw record 518 will not contain information about
winning numbers until after the draws of the on-line lottery or
lotteries have been conducted on the draw date and the winning
numbers have been determined. If any of the prizes for the on-line
lottery are determined based on the number of winners, as in the
case of a shared prize, then the prize values will only be known
after the draw. If the prizes are pre-determined, as in the case of
the Tag on-line lottery, the relevant prize information may be
filled in when the draw record is created by the lottery operator.
Where the prizes for an on-line lottery are the same for each draw
(or for a series of draws), the corresponding prize information may
be stored elsewhere in the lottery database 160 (for example in a
lottery table (not shown), which may contain rules and other
standard information about each on-line lottery, including any
fixed or standard prizes). The corresponding prize information
field may be omitted, or may contain a reference to the
corresponding information stored elsewhere. In the present
exemplary embodiment, the Tag Prize Information field is completed
after a draw to record the number of winners of each prize offered
in the Tag on-line lottery. The actual value of the prizes is
recorded separately from the draw record 518. This information may,
for example, be stored in a Tag on-line lottery information file or
record (not shown) as another part of the lottery database 160 and
is available to the lottery computer system 102.
[0148] Records in the draw table for each lottery are created by
the lottery operator to store relevant information about each draw.
An exemplary draw record 518 for the Nov. 18, 2005 draw of the
Lotto 7/47 lottery could have the following contents prior to the
draw:
TABLE-US-00013 Field Information recorded in field Draw ID 1795
Draw Date Nov. 18, 2005 Lotto 7/47 Unknown when the record is
created Winning Number Set Lotto 7/47 Prize Unknown when the record
is created, since most Information Lotto 7/47 prizes are shared
prizes. The fixed prize of a free ticket for the winning
combination of 3/7 regular numbers may be recorded here. Tag
Winning Unknown when the record is created Number Tag Prize Link or
reference to pre-determined Tag on-line Information lottery prize
information stored elsewhere in the lottery database 160. Draw
Ticket List Link or reference to an index of lottery ticket records
for tickets valid for this draw. The index includes references to
lottery ticket records for the following ticket codes:
5933-2245-5896-5987 5933-3748-0985-3924
[0149] Each on-line lottery ticket record 524 in the on-line
lottery ticket tables 506 contains information relating to a ticket
issued for one or more draws of the on-line lottery and any
associated lottery. Several ticket records 524 are shown in each of
the ticket tables 506. Each ticket table 506 also contains
additional ticket records (not shown) corresponding to additional
tickets for the on-line lottery. In this exemplary embodiment, each
lottery ticket record 524 includes the following fields:
TABLE-US-00014 Field Information recorded in field Ticket Code The
ticket code for the ticket. Issue Date/Time The date and time at
which the ticket was issued by the lottery operator. Host On-line
The played number sets selected by the player, or Lottery Played
automatically selected for the player, for the host Number Sets
lottery. Associated On- An indication of whether the Tag on-line
lottery has line Lottery been played on this ticket, and if so, a
list of the Tag Information played number sets. This field may
contain one or more Tag played number sets selected for the ticket,
even if the player elected not to play the Tag on-line lottery.
Valid Draw A reference to the draws for which the ticket is valid.
Dates In the present embodiment, the date or dates of the draws for
which the ticket is valid are set out in this field. In another
embodiment, this field may contain a list of draw identifiers
corresponding the Draw ID field in the draw records 518, the date
of a draw or a list or range of dates of draws for which the ticket
is valid. Vendor Terminal The vendor terminal code described above.
Code Verification Code The verification code described above.
Associated Account identification code for the player account with
Player Account which the ticket is associated. If the ticket is not
associated with a player account, this field will be blank or may
be omitted. Prize Data Data relating to prizes won by the ticket.
This field is described in greater detail below. Ticket Status The
current status of the on-line lottery ticket with respect to the
completion of the draws for which the ticket is valid and with
respect to the redemption of prizes won by the ticket, if any. The
status may be one of the following: i. Draws Not Complete,
indicating that at least one draw for which ticket is valid has not
been conducted; ii. Not A Winner, indicating that the draws for
which the ticket is valid for have been conducted and the ticket
has not won a prize; iii. Winner-Not Redeemed, indicating that the
draws for which the ticket is valid for have been conducted, the
ticket has won at least one prize and that the prize has not been
redeemed; or iv. Winner-Redeemed, indicating that the draws for
which the ticket is valid have been conducted, the ticket has won
at least one prize and the prizes have been redeemed.
[0150] Information that is displayed on the ticket receipt 114 may
be stored in the format that is used on the ticket or in another
corresponding format. For example, the played numbers in a played
number set for the Lotto 7/47 on-line lottery may be stored as six
different values, or may be stored as a code representing the
played numbers, or both. The lottery ticket record may contain
additional information, such as the method by which the player paid
for ticket, and other information.
[0151] Lottery ticket records 524 for seven tickets L1-L7 are
illustrated in Lotto 7/47 ticket table 522. The draw record 518 for
the Nov. 18, 2005 draw is linked to the lottery ticket records 524
for tickets L2 and L3 indicating that they are valid for that draw.
Ticket L3 corresponds to ticket receipt 118 (FIG. 2) and is also
valid for the November 25, December 2 and December 9 draws. The
ticket record 525 for ticket L3 may contain the following
information when it is first created:
TABLE-US-00015 Field Information recorded in field Ticket Code
5933-3748-0985-3924 Issue Date/Time Nov. 17, 2005-12:43 pm Host
On-line Set 1: 8, 12, 23, 29, 32, 37, 45 Lottery Played Set 2: 2,
18, 24, 28, 33, 39, 42 Number Sets Set 3: 12, 17, 21, 29, 32, 37,
43 (Auto-Pick) Associated On- Played line Lottery Played Number 1:
398587 Information Played Number 2: 957238 Valid Draw Nov. 18, 2005
Dates Nov. 25, 2005 Dec. 2, 2005 Dec. 9, 2005 Vendor Terminal 59573
Code Verification Code 3423 Associated KARINA1022 Player Account
Prize Data Unknown (draws not conducted yet) Ticket Status Draws
Not Complete
[0152] Keno draw table 526 and Keno ticket table 528 are similar to
Lotto 7/47 draw table and Lotto 7/47 ticket table and contain
information relating to draws and tickets for the Keno on-line
lottery. Keno draw table 526 contains draw records 518 for daily
draws of the Keno on-line lottery. Lottery ticket records 524 for
six tickets K1-K6 for the Keno on-line lottery are illustrated in
the Keno Ticket table 528 in FIG. 6a. In this example embodiment,
the Keno on-line lottery is not a host lottery for the Tag on-line
lottery. The ticket records 524 for Keno tickets do not have an
Associated On-line Lottery Information field. If the lottery
operator operates other on-line lotteries, the lottery database 160
will have a draw table and a ticket table for each other on-line
lottery.
[0153] Referring to FIG. 6c, lottery database 160 also includes
on-line game event tables 508 and on-line game ticket tables 510.
Player account table 502 is also illustrated in FIG. 6c. Lottery
database 160 includes a Sports Line event table 532, a Sports Line
ticket table 536, an Over/Under event table 540 and an Over/Under
ticket table 542. In the present embodiment, the lottery database
includes a separate event table 508 and on-line game ticket table
510 for each event list for each on-line game. The event tables and
on-line game ticket tables in FIG. 6b are for the Sports Line and
Over/Under on-line games based on event list 8845.
[0154] Each event table 508 contains one or more event records 534.
Each event record 534 contains information about an event for an
on-line game, such as the date and time of the event, the teams
participating in the event, the various predicted outcomes that a
player may choose, the odds set by the lottery operator for those
outcomes and other information.
[0155] In this exemplary embodiment, each event record 534 in the
Sports Line event table 532 includes the following fields:
TABLE-US-00016 Field Information recorded in field Event number The
event number as indicated on the event list. Date/Time The date and
time of the event. This may be the time after which a player cannot
select the event for a ticket. Typically, the lottery operator will
not allow a player to select an event less than a selected time
(for example, 15 minutes or 30 minutes) before the beginning of an
event. Event Type The name of sport, league or other classification
of the event. Visitor Name The name of the visiting team Home Name
The name of the home team Visitor Odds The odds set by the lottery
operator for the visiting team winning the event according to the
rules of the Sports Line on-line game. Home Odds The odds set by
the lottery operator for the home team winning the event according
to the rules of the Sports Line on-line game. Tie Odds The odds set
by the lottery operator for a tie in the event according to the
rules of the Sports Line on-line game. Actual Outcome The actual
outcome of the event, according to the rules of the Sports Line
on-line game.
[0156] In this exemplary embodiment, each event record 534 in the
Over/Under event table 540 includes the following fields:
TABLE-US-00017 Field Information recorded in field Event number The
event number as indicated on the event list. Date/Time The date and
time of the event. As with the event records for the Sports Line
on-line game, this may be time after which a player cannot select
the event for a ticket. Event Type The name of sport, league or
other classification of the event. Event Name A description of the
event. This field identifies the teams participating in the event.
Threshold The threshold number of points. Over Odds The odds set by
the lottery operator for the teams scoring over the threshold
number of points according to the rules of the Over/Under on-line
game. Under Odds The odds set by the lottery operator for the teams
scoring under the threshold number of points according to the rules
of the Over/Under on-line game. Actual Outcome The actual outcome
of the event, according to the rules of the Over/Under on-line
game.
[0157] The Actual Outcome field in an event record 534 will be
blank until the event has been completed and the outcome is known.
In the Sports Line event table 532, the event record 534 for event
87 on list 8845 has the following contents when it is first
created:
TABLE-US-00018 Field Information recorded in field Event number 87
Date/Time Nov. 13, 2005 - 8:00 pm Event Type NHL Hockey Visitor
Name Anaheim Home Name Dallas Visitor Odds 1.7 Home Odds 5.5 Tie
Odds 1.7 Actual Outcome Unknown
[0158] In the Over/Under event table 532, the event record 534 for
event 56 on list 8845 has the following contents when it is first
created:
TABLE-US-00019 Field Information recorded in field Event number 56
Date/Time Nov. 13, 2005 - 1:00 pm Event Type NFL Football Event
Name Kansas City v. Buffalo Threshold 43.5 Over Odds 1.7 Under Odds
1.7 Actual Outcome Unknown
[0159] Each on-line game ticket table 510 contains on-line game
ticket records 538. Each on-line game ticket record 538 contains
information relating to a ticket sold for an on-line game. In this
exemplary embodiment, the ticket records 538 in the Sports Line
ticket table 536 include the following fields:
TABLE-US-00020 Field Information recorded in field Ticket Code The
ticket code for the ticket. Issue Date/Time The date and time at
which the ticket was issued by the lottery operator. Predicted A
list of the events for which the player has made a Outcomes
prediction and the player's prediction for each event. Vendor
Terminal The vendor terminal code described above. Code
Verification Code The verification code described above. Associated
Account ID code for the player account with which the Player
Account ticket is associated. If the ticket is not associated with
a player account, this field will be blank or may be omitted. Wager
The amount that the player wagered on this ticket. Maturation Event
The event following which the on-line game ticket "matures". An
on-line game ticket matures when the results for the wager made on
the ticket can be determined. In the present embodiment, this is
possible when all of the events on which the wager is based are
complete. The maturation event for each ticket is the
chronologically latest event that the wager is based on. In other
embodiments, this information may be set out as a fixed date or
fixed date and time, after the expected completion of the
maturation event for which the player has made a predicted. In
another embodiment, this field may be omitted. The lottery operator
may periodically (i.e. daily) or occasionally search the Predicted
Outcomes field of each on-line game ticket record and determine the
Ticket Status for tickets that are based on events that have been
completed. In another embodiment, the lottery operator may
configure the ticket server to wait until a player attempts to
check or redeem an on-line game ticket before determining whether
the ticket is a winning on- line game ticket. If the events on
which the on-line game ticket is based have been completed, the
ticket server can calculate and report the Prize Data. Otherwise,
the ticket server reports that the Prize Data cannot be calculated
yet. Payout Value The amount the player will be paid if his
predictions meet the requirement for the particular game. In some
games, several payout values might be recorded and one or more of
them might be paid to the player if different criteria are met.
This field is optional. The payout value may be calculated when it
is required using the odds for the outcomes predicted by the player
and the wager chosen by the player. Ticket Status The current
status of the on-line game ticket with respect to the completion of
the draws for which the ticket is valid and with respect to the
redemption of prizes won by the ticket, if any. The status may be
one of the following: i. Events Not Complete, indicating that the
ticket has not matured because the actual outcome of at least one
event on which the ticket is based is not known; ii. Not A Winner,
indicating that the ticket has matured and that the player has lost
the wager on the ticket; iii. Winner-Not Redeemed, indicating that
the player has won the wager on the ticket, but has not yet
redeemed the ticket to receive the payout value; or iv.
Winner-Redeemed, indicating that the player has won the wager on
the ticket and has redeemed the ticket to receive the payout
value.
[0160] Each on-line game ticket table 510 has a Maturation Event
Index (not shown) that provides an index of the ticket records 538
in the ticket table ordered by the event identified in the
Maturation Event field in each of the ticket records. The
Maturation Event Index may be used to identify ticket records 538
that correspond to tickets which mature after a particular event.
The Sports Line ticket table 536 has a Sports Line Maturation Event
Index (not shown). The Over/Under ticket table 542 has an
Over/Under Maturation Event Index (not shown). In another
embodiment, ticket records that have a specific maturation event
may be identified by searching through each ticket record in a
ticket table.
[0161] Sports Line ticket table 536 contains seven on-line game
ticket records 538 corresponding to seven Sports Line on-line game
tickets SL1-SL7. Ticket SL3 corresponds to ticket receipt 318 (FIG.
4). The ticket record 539 for ticket SL3, when it is first created
has the following contents:
TABLE-US-00021 Field Information recorded in field Ticket Code
1659-8761-6573-4657 Issue Date/Time Nov. 12, 2005 - 10:15 am
Predicted Event 17 - Visitor Win Outcomes Event 18 - Home Win Event
45 - Visitor Win Event 60 - Home Win Vendor Terminal 45678 Code
Verification Code 2344 Associated KARINA1022 Player Account Wager
$10.00 Maturation Event Event 60 Payout Value $124.80 Ticket Status
Events Not Complete
Over/Under ticket table 542 contains six on-line game ticket
records 538 corresponding to six Over/Under on-line game ticket
OU1-OU6. Ticket OU2 corresponds to ticket receipt 418 (FIG. 5).
[0162] FIG. 7 illustrates a method 3000 that allows a player to
create and print a ticket purchase voucher 113. Method 3000 will be
explained in part with reference to an example using the player
record for Karina Jones and the Lotto 7/47 ticket purchase voucher
creation page 116, the associated ticket purchase voucher 117 and
the associated ticket receipt 118.
[0163] Method 3000 begins in step 3002 in which the player uses a
player terminal 106 access the player account server 162. The
player terminal 106 communicates with a player interface 166 to
allow the player to interact with the lottery computer system.
[0164] Referring to FIG. 8, the player website 167a (FIG. 1)
includes a welcome web page 602. A player may access player account
server 162 by accessing the player website 167a and accessing the
welcome web page 602. Welcome web page 602 includes player account
identification code field 612, an account password field 614 and an
"Enter" button 616. To request access to the account checking
service, the player enters his account identification code in the
account identification code field 612, his account password in the
account password field 614 and then clicks on the Enter button 616.
The account identification code and account password entered by the
player are transmitted to the player account server 162.
Optionally, the account password may be encrypted before it is
transmitted to the player account server 162. The account
identification code may also optionally be encrypted before it is
transmitted to the player account server 162.
[0165] In the present example, a player may access player website
167a using a player terminal 106 that operates a web browser.
Player terminal 106c is a computer that is coupled to the Internet
and operates a web browser. The welcome web page 602 is displayed
on the player terminal 106c. Karina Jones uses this player terminal
106c to access the player website 167a. The player interface 166
can display parts of the player website 167a on the player
terminal.
[0166] In the present example, Karina Jones enters her account
identification code KARINA1022 in the account identification code
field 612. She also enters her account password in the account
password field 612 and clicks on the Enter button 616.
[0167] Method 3000 then proceeds to decision step 3004. In step
3004, the player account server 162 attempts to authenticate the
account identification code and account password entered by the
player in step 3002. If a player account record 514 matching the
entered account identification code and account password exists in
the player account table 512 (FIG. 6), then the account
identification code and password are authentic and method 3000
proceeds to step 3008. Otherwise, method 3000 proceeds to step
3006.
[0168] Since Karina Jones correctly entered her account ID code and
password, in the example, method 3000 proceeds to step 3008.
[0169] In step 3006, an error message is displayed on the player
terminal 106 indicating that the player has entered an invalid
account identification code or an invalid password (or both).
Method 3000 then ends.
[0170] In step 3008, the player is provided access to the ticket
purchase voucher creation service.
[0171] In another embodiment, the player may optionally be
presented with an opportunity to use various services, such as a
ticket checking service or the ticket purchase voucher creation
service. For example, a webpage is displayed on the player's
terminal identifying the various services and allowing the player
to click a button to select the ticket purchase voucher creation
service. In such embodiments, the player chooses to access the
ticket purchase voucher creation service.
[0172] Referring to FIG. 9, player website 167a then presents the
player with a ticket purchase voucher selection page 620 on which
the various on-line lotteries and on-line games for which a ticket
purchase voucher can be made are identified and can be selected.
For example, buttons 622a, 622b, 622c and 622d can be used to
select Lotto 7/47, Keno, SportsLine and Over/Under. The player
selects one of these on-line lotteries or on-line games by clicking
on the name of the on-line lottery or on-line games.
[0173] In the example, Karina Jones chooses Lotto 7/47.
[0174] Method 3000 then proceeds to step 3010, in which the player
is presented with a ticket purchase voucher creation page 112
(FIGS. 2-5) for the selected on-line lottery or on-line game. The
player then selects the played numbers, outcomes, and/or other
choices available, depending on the on-line lottery or on-line game
selected. When the player has completed the voucher, the player
clicks to the Create Voucher button 119.
[0175] For example, ticket purchase voucher creation page 116 for
Lotto 7/47 is displayed for Karina Jones on her player terminal
106. She completes the Lotto 7/47 ticket purchase voucher creation
page as shown in FIG. 2 to select two manually selected played
number sets, one automatically selected Lotto 7/47 played number
set, two Tag numbers and to purchase a ticket for four draws.
Karina Jones then clicks the Create Voucher button 119.
[0176] Method 3000 then proceeds to step 3012. In this step, the
player terminal transmits a Ticket Purchase Voucher Request 560 to
the player account server containing proposed ticket information
corresponding to the selections made by the player. The ticket
purchase voucher generation pages 112, which are part of the player
website 167a, are configured such that when a player clicks the
Create Voucher 119 button, a Ticket Purchase Voucher Request 560 is
sent to the player interface 166. The Ticket Purchase Voucher
Request is in the form of a message that includes proposed ticket
information.
[0177] In the present example, when Karina Jones clicks the Create
Voucher button 119 on the Lotto 7/47 ticket purchase voucher
creation page, the web browser on her player computer 106c
transmits a message to the player interface 166 containing the
following proposed ticket information:
TABLE-US-00022 Ticket Type: Lotto 7/47 Manually selected number
sets: 08 12 23 29 32 37 45 02 18 24 28 33 39 42 Automatically
selected number sets: 1 Tag Numbers: 2 Draws: 4
[0178] In another embodiment, the ticket type may be implicit in
the message type or in the source of the message. For example, the
message by of a type that indicates the on-line lottery or on-line
game for which a ticket purchase voucher is being requested, or the
message may indicate that the ticket purchase voucher request
originated from a Lotto 7/47 ticket purchase voucher generation
page.
[0179] Method 3000 then proceeds to step 3014. In this step, the
new ticket purchase voucher is added to the lottery database 160.
The player account server 162 adds a new voucher record 572 to the
ticket purchase voucher table 570 in response to the Ticket
Purchase Voucher Request 560. The player account server associates
the ticket purchase voucher record with the player's account. The
player's account is identified in the Player Account ID Code field
in the voucher record 572. The player account server 162 also
identifies the new voucher in the Player Ticket Voucher List in the
player record for the player's account.
[0180] In the present example, the player account server 162 adds
the voucher record for voucher 217 (described above) to the voucher
table in response to the Ticket Purchase Voucher Request.
[0181] Method 3000 then proceeds to step 3016, in which the player
account server 162 generates a ticket purchase voucher 113
corresponding to the Ticket Purchase Voucher Request 560. The
ticket purchase voucher is generated in a format that is suitable
for printing at a player terminal and on which the machine readable
voucher code can be scanned using a ticket vending terminal 104. In
the present embodiment, ticket purchase vouchers 113 are generated
in a portable document format (PDF) that is used widely in
computing.
[0182] Method 3000 then proceeds to step 3018 in which the ticket
purchase voucher is transmitted to the player terminal 106 from
which the Ticket Purchase Voucher Request was received and in which
a paper copy of the ticket purchase voucher is printed at the
player's terminal (or another device) by the player. The ticket
purchase voucher includes the ticket purchase voucher code in a
form or version suitable for scanning at a ticket vending
terminal.
[0183] In addition to generating the ticket purchase voucher, the
player account server may also generate a version of the ticket
purchase voucher that is suitable for display at the player
terminal from which the Ticket Purchase Voucher Request 560 was
received. This version may be generated by the player interface 166
that is communicating with the player terminal 106. For example,
"dumb" player terminals (for example a device connected via a
telnet connection) may simply receive and display text from a
player interface and may just detect and transmit keystrokes and
other input from the player to the player interface. A player
interface for such a dumb terminal may transmit text corresponding
to the ticket purchase voucher to the player terminal. The text may
include instructions for the player to download the ticket purchase
voucher, which the player can then print at his player terminal or
at another device. When the player follows the instructions, the
ticket purchase voucher is transmitted to the player.
[0184] In the Karina Jones example, the player is communicating
with player interface 166a, which controls the display of webpages
from player website 167a on her player terminal 106c. Player
interface 166a generates a webpage that includes information
corresponding to the ticket purchase voucher (which will generally
include text setting out some or all of the contents of the ticket
purchase voucher). The webpage is transmitted to the player
interface where it is displayed. The webpage includes a "Print
Voucher" button. When the player clicks the Print Voucher button,
the voucher is transmitted to the player interface and player can
print the voucher at the player terminal or at another device.
[0185] In another embodiment, the ticket purchase voucher may be
transmitted to the player without any additional version of it. The
player terminal may be able to display the voucher in addition to
printing it. In some embodiments, the player may only be able to
print the voucher without seeing a display of it.
[0186] In the Karina Jones example, the player interface generates
a webpage that includes information on the ticket purchase voucher,
as well as additional information, which may include instructions
on how to use the voucher, other information about the lottery
operator or the lottery operator's on-line lotteries, on-line games
and other products, and other information. Karina Jones clicks on
the "Print Voucher" button and the voucher is printed on a printer
at her player terminal.
[0187] Method 3000 then ends.
[0188] After completing method 3000, the player has a printed
ticket purchase voucher 113 that corresponds to the player's
selections on the ticket purchase voucher creation page in step
3010. The player can use the ticket purchase voucher to purchase a
ticket for an on-line lottery or on-line game in accordance with a
ticket purchase method 3100.
[0189] FIG. 10 illustrates method 3100. Method 3100 allows the
lottery operator to sell a ticket to a player and correspondingly
allows a player to purchase a ticket using a ticket purchase
voucher 113. The steps in method 3100 are explained with reference
to Karina Jones' ticket purchase voucher 117 for the Lotto 7/47
on-line lottery.
[0190] Method 3100 starts in step 3102 in which the player presents
a ticket purchase voucher 113 to a ticket vendor.
[0191] Method 3100 then proceeds to step 3104, in which the ticket
vendor scans the machine readable voucher code 136 (FIGS. 2, 3, 4)
using the scanner or scanning device of the ticket vending terminal
104. In the present example, the machine readable ticket purchase
voucher code 136 is a barcode and the scanner is a barcode
scanner.
[0192] In other embodiments the scanner is selected such that it
can scan the machine readable ticket purchase voucher code used in
such embodiments. The ticket vending terminal 104 transmits the
ticket purchase voucher code of the ticket purchase voucher to the
ticket server 164.
[0193] Method 3100 then proceeds to step 3106, in which the lottery
computer system 102 issues a ticket to the player. The ticket
server 164 receives the ticket purchase voucher code from the
ticket vending terminal 104 and obtains the corresponding ticket
purchase voucher record 572 from the ticket purchase voucher table
570. The ticket purchase voucher record 572 contains proposed
ticket information corresponding to the player's selections for the
ticket purchase voucher. The ticket server 164 adds a ticket record
to the appropriate ticket table corresponding to the Ticket Type in
the proposed ticket information. The ticket server 164 associates
the ticket with the player's account by identifying the player's
account in the Associated Player Account field of the ticket record
and by identifying the new ticket purchase voucher in the Player
Ticket Purchase Voucher List field of the corresponding player
account record 514.
[0194] The ticket server 164 transmits Ticket Receipt Data 554 to
the ticket vending terminal 104 from which the voucher code was
received in step 3104.
[0195] The Ticket Receipt Data 554 includes ticket information
printed by the ticket vending terminal 104 on the ticket receipt
114 for the ticket.
[0196] In the Karina Jones example, the Ticket Receipt Data 554
includes the information printed on the ticket receipt 118 (FIG.
2). The Ticket Receipt Data 554 may also include additional
information, such as formatting information to indicate how the
information printed on the ticket receipt 114 should be laid out.
The ticket vending terminal 104 prints a ticket receipt 114 setting
out the ticket information.
[0197] The ticket vendor gives the ticket receipt 114 to the player
and method 3100 ends.
[0198] In system 100, tickets are issued to players who have
created a player account with the lottery operator at the lottery
computer system. Tickets issued to a player in method 3100 are
associated with the player's account. PCT patent application No.
PCT/CA2006/000270 describes various systems for providing a ticket
checking service that allow players to check the status of tickets
associated with their accounts. System 100 may optionally be used
with such systems.
[0199] The PCT application also describes methods by which a
lottery operator may update the Prize Data and Ticket Status fields
in an on-line lottery ticket record 524 and the Ticket Status in an
on-line game ticket record 538. These fields may not be used in
some embodiments. For example, in some embodiments winning tickets
are recorded in winning tickets list, which may be stored in the
lottery in any form such as a table, file or list. Additional data
such as the amount of a prize won by a winning ticket may also be
recorded in the winning tickets list. In such an embodiment, the
Prize Data and Ticket Status fields may not be included in the
ticket records.
[0200] In another embodiment, tickets may be issued to players in
step 3106 without associating the tickets with a player account. In
such an embodiment, an lottery operator may still require players
to have a player account and may still require players to log in to
the player account to create a ticket purchase voucher. The
player's account identification code may be printed on the player's
ticket purchase vouchers or on the player's ticket receipts, or
both. By doing so, the player's ticket purchase vouchers and/or the
player's ticket receipts are personalized for the player.
[0201] In another embodiment, a lottery operator may not require
players to establish player accounts with the lottery computer
system. Players may be able to access the ticket purchase voucher
creation service without logging into a player account and may be
able to make selections on a ticket purchase voucher creation page
and print a voucher without identifying themselves. Ticket purchase
vouchers created in these embodiments will not include an account
ID code or other identifying information about the player. In
addition, ticket records in such embodiments will not include an
Associated Player Account field. The player may use the anonymous
ticket purchase voucher to purchase a ticket.
[0202] Reference is next made to FIG. 11. In other embodiments, a
single ticket purchase voucher may be used to purchase more than
one ticket. The player is permitted to make selections for more
than one ticket and proposed ticket information for each ticket is
recorded in the player account server or elsewhere in the lottery
computer system. When the player is done making selections for
tickets, the player requests a ticket purchase voucher for all of
the tickets. The proposed ticket information for each of the
tickets is recorded in the lottery database and associated with a
single ticket purchase voucher record. For example, the proposed
ticket information may be stored in the ticket purchase voucher
record or the ticket purchase voucher record may include a
reference to the proposed ticket information, which may be stored
separately.
[0203] In such an embodiment, in step 3106 of method 3100, when the
ticket server receives a ticket issue request based on the
multi-ticket ticket purchase voucher, it issues tickets
corresponding to all of the proposed ticket information associated
with the ticket purchase voucher's code. Each of the tickets is
associated with the corresponding player account.
[0204] FIG. 11 illustrates a ticket purchase voucher 717 that may
be used in such an embodiment to purchase more than one ticket.
Ticket purchase voucher 717 has ticket information section 732 and
a machine readable ticket purchase code 736 in a ticket purchase
voucher code section 734. Ticket information section 732 sets out a
player's selections for three on-line lottery tickets. In the
lottery database, proposed ticket information for all three tickets
is recorded within or accessible from the ticket purchase voucher
record for the ticket purchase voucher 717. When ticket purchase
voucher 717 is scanned at a ticket vending terminal 104, the ticket
vending terminal transmits the ticket purchase voucher code to the
ticket server. The ticket server issues all three tickets and the
player receives three corresponding ticket receipts 114.
[0205] In the embodiments described above, a player presents a
ticket purchase voucher 113 to a ticket vendor in step 3102 of
method 3100 to purchase a ticket. A ticket purchase voucher may
also be used to purchase a ticket from a player operated ticket
vending terminal. The player may scan the barcode of the ticket
purchase voucher at the player operated ticket vending terminal,
which then communicates with the lottery computer system and prints
a ticket receipt or receipts corresponding to the ticket vending
terminal, as described above.
[0206] In the embodiments described above, a player will typically
pay a ticket vendor for tickets purchased by the player in step
3106 of method 3100. In other embodiments, the player may be able
to link a payment service to the player's account. For example, the
player may be able to record a credit card number, debit card
number, bank account or other payment service in association with
the player's account. In some embodiments, information required to
complete a payment using the payment service may be recorded in the
player account record for the player account. When the player uses
a ticket purchase voucher to purchase a ticket or tickets, the
ticket server may obtain payment from the payment service prior to
issuing a ticket or tickets in step 3106. Optionally, the player
may be able to may be required to enter a password or
authentication code at the ticket vending terminal before the
payment is authorized by the payment service.
[0207] In each of the embodiments described above, a player obtains
a printed ticket purchase voucher at a player terminal. The ticket
purchase voucher code is provided to a ticket vending terminal by
scanning the ticket purchase voucher code from the ticket purchase
voucher. In other embodiments, the player may be able to provide a
ticket purchase voucher code to a ticket vending terminal in
another form.
[0208] In some embodiments, in step 3018 of method 3000, the player
account server provides a version of the ticket purchase voucher in
which the ticket purchase voucher code may be displayed on the
screen of a portable player terminal such as a PDA or cell phone.
For example, a version of the ticket purchase voucher may be
provided which displays the ticket purchase voucher code as a bar
code on the screen. The player may be able to store the ticket
purchase voucher in the portable player terminal. The player may
then purchase tickets by displaying the ticket purchase voucher on
the screen of the portable player terminal and scanning the
displayed bar code at a ticket vending terminal or allowing a
ticket vendor to do so during step 3104 of method 3100.
[0209] In other embodiments, a ticket vending terminal may be
configured to receive a ticket purchase voucher code through a
radio frequency or optical signal. For example, in step 3018, the
player account server may provide a ticket purchase voucher code in
a numeric form or a coded form that can be transmitted by a
portable player terminal. The ticket purchase voucher code may be
stored on the portable player terminal. During step 3104, the
player may cause the portable player terminal to transmit a radio
frequency or optical signal (such as an infra-red signal) including
the ticket purchase voucher code to a ticket vending terminal with
a corresponding receiver. In other embodiments, the player may
physically couple the portable player terminal to the ticket
vending terminal with a cable and may transmit an electronic signal
including the ticket purchase voucher code.
[0210] Any other method may be used to input a ticket purchase
voucher code into a ticket vending terminal. For example, in some
embodiments, a player or ticket vendor may be able to manually
enter a ticket purchase voucher code into a ticket vending terminal
using a keypad.
[0211] Several embodiments of the invention have been described. In
addition, numerous alternatives embodiments and additional features
of the invention have been described. A particular lottery operator
may combine the various embodiments and features to develop other
embodiments that utilize the inventions and fall within the scope
of the following claims.
* * * * *