U.S. patent application number 12/900985 was filed with the patent office on 2011-04-14 for terminal generated mobile random draw games.
This patent application is currently assigned to ALCHEMY 3, LLC. Invention is credited to Paul Francis Guziel, David Jason Schorr.
Application Number | 20110086693 12/900985 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43855272 |
Filed Date | 2011-04-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110086693 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Guziel; Paul Francis ; et
al. |
April 14, 2011 |
TERMINAL GENERATED MOBILE RANDOM DRAW GAMES
Abstract
Mobile communications device that uses a camera in a web-enabled
PDA, cellular phone or smart phone to capture a barcode image off a
lottery ticket, convert it to its unique serial number, pass it via
cellular data service through a database query to append or change
a game database and initiate a unique computer game sessions on the
mobile device that the consumer can play with fixed or variable
outcomes to determine the future value of the printed ticket. A
method is disclosed of generating a mobile lottery game for play on
a mobile device by which a consumer can reach fixed or variable
outcomes to determine the future value of a game ticket.
Inventors: |
Guziel; Paul Francis;
(Roswell, GA) ; Schorr; David Jason; (Cumming,
GA) |
Assignee: |
ALCHEMY 3, LLC
Alpharetta
GA
|
Family ID: |
43855272 |
Appl. No.: |
12/900985 |
Filed: |
October 8, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12576126 |
Oct 8, 2009 |
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12900985 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/329 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101; G07F 17/3223 20130101; G07F 17/3218
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/17 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. An interactive random draw game, comprising: a random draw game
database having a plurality of prizes and a plurality of ticket
codes each associated with one random draw game ticket; a game
provider configured to receive from a game player an identifier
corresponding to one of the ticket codes, to select randomly a
ticket status indicative of whether the random draw game ticket
associated with the identifier is to receive one of the prizes or
be designated as a non-winning random draw game ticket, and to
return the ticket status to the game player; an interactive game
operated on a mobile communications device requiring at least one
play selection by the player before the game displays the ticket
status.
2. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 1, wherein
the player obtains the random draw game ticket from a terminal
operated by the game provider.
3. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 2, wherein
a future value of the random draw game ticket is determined by the
player initiating communication with the game provider using the
mobile communications device.
4. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 3, wherein
the ticket status is based on the random draw game ticket selected
to receive one of the prizes and the prize is selected from at
least two different prizes as an outcome result; and the future
value of the random draw game ticket is determined by the player
making at least one variable action before the game displays a
final ticket status associated with one of the outcome results; and
further comprising the game provider configured to receive a
communication as to the final ticket status and to update the
random draw game database as to which prize was selected by the
variable action of the player.
5. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 4, wherein
the game provider maintains an outcome record value of the random
draw game ticket based on the final ticket status communicated by
the mobile communications device to the game provider.
6. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 3, wherein
the ticket status is selectively one of the prizes and a non-wining
result, and the future value of the random draw game ticket is
determined by the player making at least one variable action before
the game displays a final ticket status associated with one of the
ticket status; and further comprising the game provider configured
to receive a communication as to the final ticket status and to
update the random draw game database as to whether a prize was
selected for the random draw game ticket by the variable action of
the player.
7. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 6, wherein
the mobile communications device further comprises: an imaging
device to image a unique code printed on random draw game ticket;
and an analyzer configured to interpret the unique code and to
generate a numerical representation thereof, the numerical
representation communicated as the identifier of the random draw
game ticket.
8. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 7, wherein
the identifier and the ticket status communicate between the mobile
communications device and the game provider using a
telecommunications network.
9. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 8, wherein
the game provider maintains at least an outcome record value of the
random draw game ticket based on the final ticket status
communicated by the mobile communications device to the game
provider.
10. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 9, wherein
the game provider maintains an initial record value of the random
draw game ticket.
11. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 1, wherein
the mobile communications device is configured to commence an
interactive game playable by a player using the mobile
communications device.
12. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 11,
wherein upon imaging of the random draw game ticket the interactive
game commences.
13. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 11,
wherein the game includes variable choices that a player may make
to direct the game to one of the outcome results.
14. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 1, wherein
the game provider is configured for managing the prize pool to
generate possible game outcomes that do not exceed a predetermined
payout threshold set by the game provider.
15. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 1, further
comprising means for accessing a prize that is downloaded from a
web site to the mobile device upon determining the ticket status is
a winning ticket.
16. A method for an interactive random draw game, comprising: (a)
providing a random draw game database having a plurality of prizes
and a plurality of ticket codes each associated with one random
draw game ticket; (b) communicating from a mobile communication
device an identifier corresponding to one of the ticket codes to a
game provider configured to select randomly a ticket status
indicative of whether the random draw game ticket associated with
the identifier is to receive one of the prizes or be designated as
a non-winning random draw game ticket, and communicating the ticket
status to the mobile communication device; and (c) performing an
interactive game operated on the mobile communications device
requiring at least one play selection by the player before the game
displays the ticket status on the mobile communications device.
17. The method for the interactive random draw game as recited in
claim 16, further comprising obtaining the random draw game ticket
from a terminal operated by the game provider.
18. The method for the interactive random draw game as recited in
claim 17, further comprising determining a future value of the
random draw game ticket by the player initiating communication with
the game provider using the mobile communications device.
19. The method for the interactive random draw game as recited in
claim 18, wherein determining the ticket status is based on the
random draw game ticket selected to receive one of the prizes and
the prize is selected from at least two different prizes as an
outcome result; and determining the future value of the random draw
game ticket by the player making at least one variable action
before the game displays a final ticket status associated with one
of the outcome results; and further comprising communicating the
final ticket status to the game provider to update the random draw
game database as to which prize was selected by the variable action
of the player.
20. The method for the interactive random draw game as recited in
claim 19, further comprising maintaining an outcome record value of
the random draw game ticket based on the final ticket status
communicated by the mobile communications device to the game
provider.
21. The method for the interactive random draw game as recited in
claim 18, wherein the ticket status is selectively determined from
one of the prizes and a non-wining result, and further comprising
determining the future value of the random draw game ticket from
the ticket status by the player making at least one variable action
before the game displays a final ticket status associated with one
of the ticket status; and further comprising communicating the
final ticket status to the game provider to update the random draw
game database as to whether a prize was selected for the random
draw game ticket by the variable action of the player.
22. The method for the interactive random draw game as recited in
claim 21, further comprising: imaging a unique code printed on
random draw game ticket; and interpreting the unique code and
generating a numerical representation thereof, which numerical
representation communicates as the identifier of the random draw
game ticket.
23. The method for the interactive random draw game as recited in
claim 22, wherein the mobile communications device and the game
provider communicate using a telecommunications network.
24. The method for the interactive random draw game as recited in
claim 23, further comprising maintaining at least an outcome record
value of the random draw game ticket based on the final ticket
status communicated by the mobile communications device to the game
provider.
25. The method for the interactive random draw game as recited in
claim 24, further comprising maintaining an initial record value of
the random draw game ticket.
26. The method for the interactive random draw game as recited in
claim 16, further comprising commencing an interactive game
playable on the mobile communications device by a player using the
mobile communications device.
27. The method for the interactive random draw game as recited in
claim 26, wherein the interactive game commences upon imaging of
the random draw game ticket.
28. The method for the interactive random draw game as recited in
claim 26, further comprising providing at least one variable choice
that a player may make to direct the interactive game to one of the
outcome results.
29. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 16,
further comprising managing the managing the prize pool to generate
possible game outcomes that do not exceed a predetermined payout
threshold set by the game provider.
30. The interactive random draw game as recited in claim 16,
further comprising the step of downloading a prize from a web site
to the mobile device upon determining the ticket status is a
winning ticket.
Description
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/576,126, filed Oct.
8, 2009, incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to terminal generated lottery
games presented through mobile computer devices in which the games
have a fixed probability of outcome. More particularly described,
the present invention relates to terminal generated lottery games
played by the game player through on a mobile computer device
through the game result based on a fixed outcome.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Terminal generated lottery tickets such as MEGA MILLIONS,
POWERBALL AND PICK 3 games are typically printed with limited
graphics capabilities from network terminals of the lottery system.
The lottery system records the ticket into a game database that
houses data information fields about the printed lottery ticket
including game, purchase date, drawing date and selected numbers.
The consumer then holds that ticket until a scheduled drawing is
held which will determine the win/loss result of that ticket. Our
prior development marketed as MOBILECAT mobile computer device
application allows lottery ticket results to be returned by a
camera-equipped mobile device/phone for ticket status
confirmation.
[0004] Terminal generated lottery tickets are often printed on
thermal or dot matrix printers with limited graphic capabilities.
Nevertheless, such printers may print machine-readable barcode
formats that contain unique identifiers or codes for a specific
ticket. Those codes can be read by suitable imaging devices
including conventional imaging-capable or camera equipped mobile
communication devices. In accordance with the present invention,
the mobile computer device provides an interactive platform to
generate a game application that allows the player to make certain
choices that determine the outcome of the game.
[0005] Lottery players and garners want to have more interactivity
and control over their game. Players or gamblers that play card
games or other casino games typically dismiss lottery games as they
believe such games do not provide players with an opportunity to
control the outcome. In accordance with the present invention, the
player my make a series of choices in the play of the game, which
choices may change the outcome of the game and thus change the
result of the game ticket.
[0006] In 2002/2003, the Illinois Lottery launched an add on
`instant win` game to their terminal generated PICK 3 and PICK 4
games called EXTRA game. The concept allowed PICK 3 and PICK 4
players to pay an additional or extra dollar and the game then
provided a random series of numbers printed on the game ticket
below the selected PICK 3 and PICK 4 drawing numbers. If the random
numbers underneath their chosen numbers matched in a row, the
player may `instantly` win a prize. Also, the player still had a
chance to win when the PICK 3 and PICK 4 drawing was held.
[0007] There are drawbacks to the EXTRA game. Issues may occur when
retail clerks view the ticket to see if it is a winner before
handing the ticket to the customer. A dishonest clerk may easily
notice a winning ticket, slide it under the register and print out
another ticket for the customer.
[0008] In addition to this problem, the game only offered an
`instant` satisfaction, but did not create any additional play
value. The present invention may provide additional play value in
which the terminal may hide game data within a barcode on the
ticket and the player himself may independently scan that ticket,
the result would not be revealed before the purchasing and delivery
transaction with the game sales clerk was complete.
[0009] In addition, game applications in which a player or customer
may independently scan the ticket offer enhanced game play
experiences. In 2002/2003, independent scanning was difficult as
game terminal access is restricted and scanning technology involved
remote and separate devices such as using a home PC and a
peripheral scanning device. With MOBILECATS technology, scanning of
game tickets and ticket status evaluation may be accomplished with
conventional mobile devices having built-in imaging devices or
cameras.
[0010] While instant scratch lottery tickets have predetermined
outcomes, terminal generated lottery tickets have a time-delayed
outcome. When a scratch ticket is purchased, before the ticket is
scratched to reveal the outcome, the ticket is already a
predetermined win/loss with a specific value. The terminal
generated ticket has a purchase value, until the time of an
undetermined drawing that can change its value to $0 or a range of
winning prize amounts.
[0011] Another drawback of current terminal generated game tickets
is inflexibility in changing the dynamic of the `drawing element`
and consequently the inability to change the mechanics of the
particular game. A player-purchased terminal generated ticket has
limitations on player play out of the game without more control
over the outcome.
[0012] Random draw games to date have limited opportunity to
utilize technology beyond printed game tickets and trends that make
play and wins possible, without breaching the rules and laws that
govern lottery business in most jurisdictions.
[0013] Accordingly, there is a need in the art by which bar coded
terminal generated game tickets can interact or launch a variety of
interactive computer games that determine the outcome of the game.
The prize structure of the game can still be pari-mutuel, creating
rolling jackpot amounts and lower tier prizes based on aggregate
ticket purchases, and the database manages the distribution at the
point of activating the game. It is to such that the present
invention is directed.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention meets the need in the art by providing
an interactive random draw game, comprising a random draw game
database having a plurality of prizes and a plurality of ticket
codes each associated with one random draw game ticket. A game
provider configured to receive from a game player an identifier
corresponding to one of the ticket codes, to select randomly a
ticket status indicative of whether the random draw game ticket
associated with the identifier is to receive one of the prizes or
be designated as a non-winning random draw game ticket, and to
return the ticket status to the game player. An interactive game
operated on a mobile communications device requiring at least one
play selection by the player before the game displays the ticket
status.
[0015] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method
for an interactive random draw game, comprising (a) providing a
random draw game database having a plurality of prizes and a
plurality of ticket codes each associated with one random draw game
ticket; (b) communicating from a mobile communication device an
identifier corresponding to one of the ticket codes to a game
provider configured to select randomly a ticket status indicative
of whether the random draw game ticket associated with the
identifier is to receive one of the prizes or be designated as a
non-winning random draw game ticket, and communicating the ticket
status to the mobile communication device; and (c) performing an
interactive game operated on the mobile communications device
requiring at least one play selection
[0016] Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent upon a reading of the following detailed
description in conjunction with the drawings and the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1A illustrates a mobile computer device capturing an
image of a bar code identifier printed on a random draw game
ticket.
[0018] FIG. 1B illustrates the mobile computer device displaying on
a display screen the captured image of the bar code identifier.
[0019] FIG. 1C illustrates the mobile computer device displaying a
numeric data representative of the bar code identifier.
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates activation of an interactive game on the
mobile computer device.
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of the random
generation of an outcome for the interactive game based on the
random draw ticket.
[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates a mobile computer device executing the
interactive game application at an initial stage preparing to scan
or capture an image of a bar code identifier printed on a random
draw game ticket.
[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates the mobile computer device imaging the
bar code identifier on the random draw game ticket.
[0024] FIG. 6 illustrates the mobile computer device displaying a
selected game for interactive play by the player to reach a result
based on the random draw ticket.
[0025] FIGS. 7A-7F illustrate play of an interactive game based on
the random draw game using the mobile computer device.
[0026] FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic diagram of a terminal
generated mobile random draw game apparatus and method.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] With reference to the drawings in which like parts have like
identifiers, FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic view of the present
invention that provides a terminal generated random draw game
provided by a lottery game provider 80 having a plurality of game
tickets 12 playable on a mobile device 10 configured with a mobile
device application 82. The lottery game provider 80 has a plurality
of retail vendors for distribution and sales of random draw game
tickets 12 printed on printers 84 of game terminals 86 operated by
the vendors. The mobile device 10 captures 16 a barcode image 18
printed on the lottery ticket 12 using the built-in camera 15 on
the mobile device (smart phone/cell phone/PDA) and converts that
barcode into a recognizable number. Using the mobile device data
connection, the mobile device 10 submits the number, for example in
a SQL string, to a ticket game system database 38. The ticket game
system generates an expected value for the game ticket and the
mobile communications device 10 presents an interactive computer
game 64 for play by the user. The game 64 gives the player a series
of choices to make or a specific result to reach, which choices or
result to reach an outcome of the game. The outcome is secured by
the ticket game system and returned back to the game database, or
stored at the point of request, locking in the value of that
purchased ticket. A winning ticket may be validated and redeemed
conventionally with the provider 80. In an alternate embodiment, a
winning ticket may be redeemed upon communication 88 from the
mobile device 10 with a third party prize provider 75, as discussed
below.
[0028] The present invention provides an interactive game for play
on a mobile computer device 10 such as a cellular telephone,
personal data assistant device, computer, and like devices. The
interactive game is based on a random draw game ticket 12. The
ticket 12 is purchased by the user or player from a game system
ticket vendor. As discussed below, the game ticket 12 is validated
and the game provided with an outcome or result for play by the
player.
[0029] FIG. 1A illustrates the mobile computer device 10 capturing
an image of a bar code identifier 18 that is printed on the random
draw game ticket 12 that also includes game play data (i.e., the
selected numbers for play by the player in the random draw game.).
The mobile computer device 10 includes a camera 15 that is used to
image generally 16 the barcode 18 that is printed the random draw
game ticket 12.
[0030] FIG. 1B illustrates the mobile computer device 10 displaying
on a display screen 20 the captured image 22 of the bar code
identifier 18. Once the image is captured, the software application
resident on the mobile computer device 10 interprets the barcode 18
from the captured image and converts the barcode to a unique
numeric code 24 of the random draw game ticket 12.
[0031] FIG. 1C illustrates the mobile computer device 10 displaying
the numeric code 24 representative of the bar code 18.
[0032] Once the unique numeric code 24 is determined or identified,
the numeric code can be used as a parameter communicated to the
game provider. For example, the mobile computer device communicates
the numeric code 24 in an SQL script that can be sent over the
phone data connection to the game provider. The ticket code 24
appends and updates a database of purchased lottery tickets. The
query or update pulls the game data from that ticket. Also, as
shown in FIG. 2, the update activates an interactive game 26 on the
mobile computer device 10. FIG. 2 illustrates as an exemplary
interactive game an image of baseball player to bat a baseball from
a pitcher. The interactive game provides optional action buttons
28, 29, and 30 for swing, bunt, or take pitch actions by the batter
controlled by the player of the random draw game. Based on the
selection, the batter may reach base, may miss the ball, or wait
for another pitch (i.e. another selection). The result of the
action may lead to a prize (the ticket was drawn as a winner) or to
an "out" or game over (the ticket was not drawn as a winner). Such
interactive game is merely illustrative and exemplary but not
limiting.
[0033] The consumer may play the interactive game to reach the
outcome/value of the purchased ticket.
[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of a lottery system
controller generally 38 configured for the random generation of an
outcome for the interactive game based on the random draw ticket: A
random number generator 40 provides a series of different prize
outcomes 46 reach based on the player's path/choice using the
optional action buttons associated with the interactive game played
on the mobile device 10. The series of prize outcomes are generated
41 from the available prize pool 42 tracked in the game ticket
database 44. The randomly selected prizes 46 for the interactive
game are sent 48 to the mobile device 10. The mobile device 10
displays the specific results based on the player's choice using
the optional action buttons (28, 29, and 30 shown in the
illustrative embodiment depicted in FIG. 2). After the player makes
his/her choice and the result displayed generally 50, the resulting
outcome is sent 52 to the game ticket database 44. The result for
the game ticket is recorded, and if a prize was awarded, the prize
is removed from the available prize pool 42.
[0035] Gaming enthusiasts and gamblers infrequently play the
lottery because they feel they don't have any control over the
outcome of the game. Rules and regulations make it difficult for
lottery organizations to change this aspect of their product
offering. Lottery games are bound by guidelines that mandate random
outcome and no-skill type game play.
[0036] In order to remedy this conflict, the present invention uses
existing technology in the form of mobile phone cameras, data
connectivity and operating systems that can handle the game
engines.
[0037] When a terminal generated ticket (such as MEGA MILLIONS,
LOTTO, PICK 3 games) is printed, the ticket value at that point in
time is that of the purchase price. The value of that ticket
changes at the dedicated time of a drawing. Once the outcome of the
random drawing is held, the ticket can be worth $0 or a value in a
range of prize amounts based on a table of matching play numbers to
the drawing numbers.
[0038] Just like the future drawing, a ticket value outcome can be
determined by another random action with a variable overlay. Since
the lottery cannot payout more than it takes in, the prize outcome
may be randomized by the game system database at the point of
player game generation. This may include a number of different
amounts in the game play. The variable outcome would then be based
on the player's actions. In an alternate embodiment, a fixed
outcome may also be set.
[0039] For example, the player would purchase a $1 terminal
generated ticket 12 at the lottery retailer for a baseball game as
depicted in FIG. 2 as an illustrative non-limiting embodiment. The
lottery terminal would print the lottery ticket 12 (which may be a
single color) with a barcode 18 printed on it. The barcode 18
contains a unique identifier of the ticket 12 and retain a value of
the $1 purchase price. The player could hold that ticket for any
amount of time and it will remain valued at $1.
[0040] When the player is ready to play out his/her ticket 12, the
player uses the camera enabled mobile device 10 to activate the
interactive game. The mobile device 10 operates computer
instructions of an installed software application. The application
first scans the barcode 18 on the printed ticket 12. Once the
barcode is scanned, the mobile device 10 interprets the bar code
and generates the unique identifier associated with the game ticket
12. The mobile device sends a call message to the lottery system
controller 38 to activate the interactive game for play on the
mobile device 10. In the illustrative embodiment, the interactive
game is a baseball game as depicted in FIG. 2. The game play is
then initiated. The controller 38 interrogates the game ticket
database 44 and with the random generator 40 selects a random
outcome from the fixed prize pool 42. This outcome could be a `win`
or a `non-win`. In a `win` situation, the outcome may be one of two
or more possible results as further determined by the player's
choice in the mobile game play, or the result may be a fixed
amount.
[0041] The computer game executes on the player's mobile device 10.
The game prompts the player to make at least one game decision.
With reference to the example in FIG. 2, the game causes the
depicted pitcher to throw a pitch. The player has the choice of
taking the pitch 30, bunting 29 or swinging away 28. The game
continues and the display screen of the mobile device 10 shows the
result of either hitting the ball, taking the pitch, which could be
a strike or a ball, or running out a bunt. All of the mechanics of
the game may be engineered to follow an outcome path based on the
player's decision. The path may lead to a non-win or may lead to
one or more possible different winning prizes. In an alternate
embodiment, the win situation could be a single fixed prize
amount.
[0042] The game play may be as detailed as desired for the
particular interactive game, but the path preferably is simple for
the lottery game database to log the variable outcome.
[0043] Once the game play is complete, the outcome is stored in the
player's mobile device 10. The mobile device could also regenerate
the ticket barcode and store it in that game record. As shown in
FIG. 3, the player's result 50 communicates 52 to the ticket game
database 44 which is updated to reflect the result of the
interactive game and thus the result of the random draw game played
by the player on the mobile device 10.
[0044] If the outcome of the random draw ticket 10 (either directly
as a result determined when the random drawing is made or as a
result of player option actions discussed above) is a cash prize,
the player may return that printed ticket to the lottery retailer
to claim his/her prize. In an alternate embodiment, the player
presents the mobile device 10 to the retailer. Upon opening the
barcode on the screen of the mobile device, the retailer may scan
the displayed barcode with a barcode scanner. The scanned barcode
is then validated conventionally through the lottery terminal with
communication to the game controller 38 and checking the ticket
status as maintained in the ticket game database 44.
[0045] Just like a drawing game, the value of the ticket is
initially set at the purchase price until a future event (a random
draw game event) occurs to change the ticket value. Then the ticket
reserved in the database is valued at the win/loss value for
validation and claims.
[0046] FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7A-7F depict an illustrative embodiment
of the present invention. FIG. 4 illustrates the mobile computer
device 10 executing the interactive game application at an initial
stage preparing to scan or capture an image of a bar code
identifier printed on a random draw game ticket. The display 20
presents a scan instruction 60 together with information generally
62 explaining to the player to hold the mobile device 10 several
inches from the game ticket and center the bar code 18 within the
view window. FIG. 5 illustrates the mobile computer device 10
imaging the bar code identifier 18 on the random draw game ticket
12. FIG. 6 illustrates the mobile computer device 10 displaying a
selected game 64 for interactive play by the player to reach a
result based on the random draw ticket. In the illustrated
embodiment, the interactive game is a rock climb game. As
illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7F, the rock climb game provides three
columns and four rows of grids 66 as a rock climbing wall 68. The
player selects one of the grids to which a climber 70 attempts to
reach. If the reach is successful, the player continues play and
selects the next grid. If the reach is unsuccessful (because the
game ticket 12 is a non-winner), the climber is depicted as losing
his grip and falls off of the wall and the display. The interactive
game is over. If the game ticket 12 is drawn as a winning ticket,
play continues until a result is achieved and the amount of the
winning is displayed.
[0047] Operation of the embodiment of the present invention
illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7A-7F is discussed below. The
player purchases the random draw game ticket 12 from a retail
vendor of a lottery provider. The player upon receiving the game
ticket 12, or at a later selected time, executes an interactive
game application resident on the mobile device 10. With reference
to FIG. 4, the player first scans an image of the bar code
identifier 18 printed on the game ticket 12, using the imaging
component or camera of the mobile device, according to the
instructions 62 shown on the display 24. The scan button 60 is
pressed to initiate the imaging, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The
imaged identifier 18 is analyzed and a numeric representation of
the identifier 18 is generated. The mobile device 10 communicates
the numeric representation to the lottery system controller 38 for
updating the game ticket database 44. The controller 38 checks the
status of the ticket 12, and if the ticket has a win status, the
prize is associated with the ticket. This may be done at the
drawing date of the game, or alternatively, the random generator 40
evaluates the prize pool 42 and randomly generates at least one
result for the ticket. The win status or result communicates 48 to
the mobile device 10. The mobile device 10 then executes the
interactive game 64 for play by the player to find out the result
or win status of the game ticket 12. FIG. 6 illustrates an
interactive rock climb game. The display 24 is touched to start the
game 64. FIG. 7A shows the climber 70 on a lower portion of the
rock wall 68 with grids 66 above. The player selects one of the
grids 66 lateral or above the climber's position. FIG. 7B
illustrates the climber 70 moving laterally in response to the
player selecting grid 66a. If the move is successful, play
continues. If the move is unsuccessful (i.e., the game ticket 12 is
a non-winning ticket), the game ends. This is symbolized by the
climber 70 falling from the rock wall 68, as shown in FIG. 7C
followed by a ending image sating the game is over as depicted in
FIG. 7D. FIG. 7E illustrates continued play in which the player
continues to make lateral and upward grid selections to near the
upper edge of the wall indicated by flags 72a, 72b, and 72c.
[0048] In an embodiment having a single fixed outcome, the winning
prize is associated with one of the three flags 72. The player
makes a final selection of one of the three flags 72. If the chosen
flag is the winner, a winner message and amount won is displayed.
The mobile device communicates the win status to the controller 38
for updating the ticket game database 44 and the available game
prize pool 42. The data record for the particular game ticket 12
based on the numeric representation of the bar code identifier 18
is updated to reflect the winning status and amount for the ticket
12. The player may then present the game ticket 12 to a lottery
retailer for validation and redemption of the prize. In the event
the chosen flag 72 is a non-winner, a message indicating that the
ticket is a non-winner is displayed as shown in FIG. 7D reflecting
a "game over" message. The mobile device communicates the
non-winning status to the controller 38 for updating the ticket
game database 44 and the available game prize pool 42.
[0049] Some random draw games provide prizes other than a monetary
payout. For example, commercial businesses may offer a random draw
contest providing food, discounts, or electronic downloads of
music. These contests provide printed tickets often with
scratch-off results fields. A winning field displays a code that
must be entered and validated at a web-accessible site, before
proceeding to a music site to download a prize. As illustrated in
FIGS. 3 and 8, the present invention enables a player to access 88
a third party site 75 immediately after the winning result is
displayed during play of the interactive game. This is accomplished
in the event of a winning result by the application that executes
the game of the commercial provider further executing instructions
to access 88 the third party prize-providing music site 75 through
the network communications system of the mobile device 10.
[0050] The application executing on the mobile device 10 further
evaluates the communications between the mobile device 10 and the
lottery system controller 38 and with the commercial transaction
and payment service. If the application determines conflicts in
communicating with the hardware, communicating with the database or
an inability to produce a valid result; an appropriate error or
warning message is displayed on the display screen of the mobile
device 10 and an entry is made in the log for evaluation by the
lottery game provider.
[0051] The present invention accordingly relates to: [0052]
apparatus and method by which a lottery ticket can be generated by
an existing lottery terminal with a future value determined by a
random selection initiated by a mobile communications device and
additionally by variable actions of the user of the mobile device;
[0053] apparatus and method by which a mobile computer device with
a built in camera can recognize the ticket barcode, convert the bar
code to the unique identifier and communicate with the lottery
database to append/change the record value of the ticket; [0054]
apparatus and method as describe above which further stores the
present and future value of the purchased game ticket; [0055]
apparatus and method by which the scanned game ticket activates a
specific computer game in the mobile device; [0056] apparatus and
method by which the prize results are randomly generated to
populate the possible outcomes of an interactive game played on the
mobile communications device; [0057] apparatus and method by which
the activated computer game sets the variable choices that the
player can make to direct the path to the randomized prize
outcomes; [0058] apparatus and method of managing the communication
between the device and the lottery information database server to
log the actions of the player; [0059] apparatus and method by which
the appended variable outcome data is encrypted and sent to the
lottery database; [0060] apparatus and method by which the database
sets and stores the outcome of the game play to set the new value
of the ticket; [0061] apparatus and method of managing the prize
pool to generate possible game outcomes that do not exceed a payout
threshold set by the lottery game provider; [0062] apparatus and
method of throwing or reporting errors if the software application
determines conflicts in communicating with the hardware,
communicating with the database or an inability to produce a valid
result; [0063] apparatus and method of generating a duplicate
ticket barcode in the mobile device that can be used as an
alternate or backup vehicle to validate/claim the prize at the
lottery retailer; and [0064] apparatus and method of using the
mobile device to validate and claim winnings electronically.
[0065] The foregoing specification describes the present invention
that provides an interactive game configured for a player to make
selective optional actions during play of the game to reach a
predetermined result or a result selected from two or more possible
results in a random draw game thereby providing a player with
active participation opportunities in determining whether a ticket
in a random draw game is a winning ticket. It is to be understood,
however, that numerous changes and variations may be made in the
construction of the converter within the spirit and scope of the
present invention and that modifications and changes may be made
therein without departing from the scope thereof as set forth in
the appended claims.
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