U.S. patent application number 13/046729 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-07 for method and apparatus for checking a ticket status from a random draw game.
This patent application is currently assigned to ALCHEMY3, LLC. Invention is credited to Paul Francis Guziel, David Jason Schorr.
Application Number | 20110165933 13/046729 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44224997 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110165933 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Guziel; Paul Francis ; et
al. |
July 7, 2011 |
Method and Apparatus For Checking A Ticket Status From A Random
Draw Game
Abstract
Mobile computer device configured with instructions that upon
execution uses the camera in a web-enabled PDA, cellular phone or
smart phone to capture a two-dimensional encapsulated code printed
on a random draw game ticket, convert the code image to a unique
digital representation, pass the digital representation through a
database query using cellular data service to a remote computerized
database to generate a result set of win/loss data as to the game
ticket, and returning the result set to the PDA device for
display.
Inventors: |
Guziel; Paul Francis;
(Roswell, GA) ; Schorr; David Jason; (Cumming,
GA) |
Assignee: |
ALCHEMY3, LLC
Alpharetta
GA
|
Family ID: |
44224997 |
Appl. No.: |
13/046729 |
Filed: |
March 12, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12756880 |
Apr 8, 2010 |
|
|
|
13046729 |
|
|
|
|
12535935 |
Aug 5, 2009 |
|
|
|
12756880 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/329 20130101; A63F 3/0645 20130101; G07F 17/3218
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/17 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method for checking a results status of a ticket held by a
player from a random draw game having a plurality of tickets each
ticket associated with selected game numbers and bearing a unique
identifier, which selected game numbers when matching to numbers
selected at random as winning numbers during play of the random
draw game define the ticket as a winning ticket by which the player
in possession thereof wins a prize, comprising the steps of: (a)
imaging a code printed on a ticket from a random draw game, which
ticket is associated with selected one or more game numbers and
bearing a unique ticket identifier and the code encapsulating a
game identifier, the game numbers, and the ticket identifier, with
an imager of a mobile computer device; (b) creating a digital
representation of the code; (c) communicating the digital
representation with a communications device connected to the mobile
computer device to a remote computer that maintains a database of
random draw games and the numbers selected at random during a play
of the random draw game as winning numbers; (d) interrogating the
database as to the status of the ticket by comparing the game
numbers of the ticket with the wining numbers for the random draw
game; (e) receiving from the remote computer a response indicating
the status of the ticket based on the interrogation; and (f)
displaying the response on a display screen of the mobile computer
device.
2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the game identifier
includes a game number associated with one of a plurality of random
draw games and a play date for the random draw game on which date
the selected game numbers associated with the ticket are to be
compared with winning numbers selected during play of the random
draw game.
3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the mobile computer
device comprises a cellular telephone and step (a) images the code
using a built-in camera of the cellular phone.
4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step (a) comprises
enabling an imaging operating mode of the mobile computer device,
aligning the code of the ticket within a designated viewer
displayed on the display screen, and operating a switch to record
an image of the code.
5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the code is a two
dimensional barcode.
6. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps
of: populating a player database by the remote computer with the
game identifier, the game numbers, and the ticket identifier
encapsulated within the digital representation and an identifier of
the portable computer device that communicated the digital
representation; periodically comparing the game numbers of the
digital representation with winning numbers stored in the database
of plays of the random draw game; and communicating a signal to the
portable computer device associated with the digital representation
upon identifying the numbers in the digital representation as
matching winning numbers in one of the plays of the random draw
game.
7. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of
storing the digital representation in a storage media of the mobile
computer device; and periodically repeating steps (c)-(f).
8. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of
emitting a sound from a speaker of the mobile computer device upon
receiving the response indicating that the ticket matches a winning
ticket from the random draw game.
9. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps
of associating an unique user identification with the digital
representation, communicating the user identification with the
digital representation to the remote computer; and recording the
user identification in association with the digital
representation.
10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the digital
representation is encrypted prior to step (c).
11. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step
of storing in a memory device the image created in step (a).
12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the result is
undetermined due to a selection event to draw the winning ticket
not yet occurring, further comprising periodically repeating steps
(c) and (d) until the winning numbers in the play of the random
draw game are selected and the status of the ticket is determined,
then steps (e) and (f).
13. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the random draw game
comprises a lottery game.
14. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the random draw game
comprises a game offered by a commercial establishment.
16. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step
of registering an owner of the ticket in association with a key
that identifies the mobile computer device communicating the
digital representation to the remote computer.
17. A system for a player of a random draw game to determine a
results status of a ticket held by the player, which ticket has
associated selected game numbers for play in the random draw game
encapsulated in a two-dimensional code, which selected game numbers
when matching to numbers selected at random as winning numbers
during play of the random draw game, define the ticket as a winning
ticket and the player in possession thereof wins a prize,
comprising: a remote computer server that maintains a database of a
plurality of random draw games and numbers selected as winning
numbers during a play of one of the random draw games; at least one
mobile computer device having an imaging device for imaging, a
communicator device for communicating with at least the remote
computer server, and a display screen for displaying a response
from the remote computer server; and a computer application having
a sequence of instructions for being executed by the mobile
computer device to image the encapsulated code of a ticket in the
possession of a player of a random draw game, convert the imaged
encapsulated code to a digital representation, communicate the
digital representation to the remote computer server for
interrogating the database as to the status of the ticket, and
displaying on the display screen a response from the remote
computer server indicating the status of the ticket.
18. The system as recited in claim 17, wherein the database
maintained by the remote computer server is populated in response
to accessing a report of winning numbers from a play of the random
draw game.
19. The system as recited in claim 18, wherein the report is
provided by an operator of the random draw game.
Description
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/756,880, filed Apr.
8, 2010, a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/535,935 filed Aug. 4, 2009.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to random draw games having a
plurality of tickets for play. More particularly, the present
invention relates to apparatus and methods for players of random
draw games to check a status of game tickets in the random draw
game to assist the game players in recognizing a winning game
ticket.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Random draw games involve selecting randomly a ticket from a
plurality of tickets in the game, so that a person having
possession of a matching ticket to the selected ticket wins a
prize. Tickets are typically sold for a nominal value, and each
ticket potentially has a greater future value (or prize) based on
at least one ticket being selected randomly as a winner.
[0004] There are a number of types of random draw games. Terminal
generated lottery games are popular point-of-purchase activities
for many people. These involve drawing/numbers games marketed as
Powerball, Mega Millions, Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, Pick 6, and Lotto
games. In such games, a lottery consumer picks a sequence of
numbers, or alternatively, the lottery consumer directs the
generating terminal to randomly select a sequence of numbers. The
terminal generates a lottery ticket that displays the sequence of
numbers. In addition, the lottery ticket includes a printed barcode
or identifier. These barcodes identify the date the ticket was
purchased, the location of the purchase, the numbers selected and a
validation number for lottery validation purposes.
[0005] After a drawing for the particular game, if all or some of
the numbers match, the lottery player holding the lottery ticket
wins a prize. The lottery player can compare the published results
of the game drawing to determine if the lottery ticket is a winning
ticket. Alternatively, the lottery consumer can present the lottery
ticket to a lottery ticket vendor for evaluation. Typically, the
evaluation is made using a barcode or identifier printed on the
lottery ticket. The vendor uses an electronic scanner to scan the
barcode. The scanned barcode information is communicated to a
central database of lottery number winners, and the response
enables the vendor to determine whether the scanned ticket is a
winning ticket.
[0006] Millions of dollars in unclaimed prizes are accumulated by
lotteries across the country. Some prizes are unclaimed because of
lost or damaged tickets, but the majority of unclaimed prizes come
from lack of player awareness. The game players sometimes fail to
recognize the ticket was selected as a winning ticket and some game
players do not realize that in jackpot draw games, a player can win
prizes for matching a few of the selected numbers; for example,
picking 5 of 6 selected numbers, picking 4 of 6 selected numbers,
or even 3 of 6 selected numbers in a drawing event of the game, can
result in winning a prize albeit of a lesser value than picking all
of the numbers selected. Some players are unaware that the ticket
being held is a winning ticket and discard.
[0007] Oftentimes, a lottery player fails to realize that the
lottery ticket is a winning ticket, because the player missed the
drawing, did not check the numbers on the lottery ticket, mis-read
(and thus mis-compared) the winning numbers and the numbers on the
ticket, or did not realize a winning ticket may be based on
matching fewer than all of the numbers in the drawing. From
time-to-time, winning lottery tickets are merely discarded. As
noted above, a player could return any lottery ticket to the vendor
for scanning to determine its status. However, there is an
inconvenience in having to return to the retail location of the
vendor just to check a lottery ticket for winning combinations.
Also, in some instances, a clerk improperly tells the lottery
player that the scanned lottery ticket is not a winning ticket,
only to palm the winning ticket and then redeem the ticket after
the lottery player leaves.
[0008] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved
method and apparatus by which a player of a random draw game checks
the winning status of a ticket held by the player. It is to such
that the present invention is directed.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention meets the need in the art by providing
a method for checking a results status of a ticket held by a player
from a random draw game having a plurality of tickets each ticket
associated with selected game numbers and bearing a unique
identifier, which selected game numbers when matching to numbers
selected at random as winning numbers during play of the random
draw game define the ticket as a winning ticket by which the player
in possession thereof wins a prize, comprising the steps of:
[0010] (a) imaging a code printed on a ticket from a random draw
game, which ticket is associated with selected one or more game
numbers and the code encapsulating at least a game identifier and
the game numbers, with an imager of a mobile computer device;
[0011] (b) creating a digital representation of the code;
[0012] (c) communicating the digital representation with a
communications device connected to the mobile computer device to a
remote computer that maintains a database of random draw games and
the numbers selected at random during a play of the random draw
game as winning numbers;
[0013] (d) interrogating the database as to the status of the
ticket by comparing the game numbers of the ticket with the wining
numbers for the random draw game;
[0014] (e) receiving from the remote computer a response indicating
the status of the ticket based on the interrogation; and
[0015] (f) displaying the response on a display screen of the
mobile computer device.
[0016] In another aspect, the present invention provides a system
for checking the results status of a ticket held by a player from a
random draw game having a plurality of tickets. Each ticket has a
plurality of associated selected numbers for play in the random
draw game. If the selected numbers match numbers selected at random
during a drawing event of the random draw game as winning numbers,
the player in possession thereof wins a prize. The system comprises
a remote computer server and at least one mobile computer device.
The remote computer server maintains a database of a winning
numbers associated with a random draw game having a plurality of
tickets each having selected numbers for play during the random
draw game. If the selected numbers of the ticket match numbers
selected randomly as winning numbers during play of the random draw
game, the player in possession of the ticket wins a prize. The
mobile computer device includes an imaging device for imaging, a
communicator for communicating with at least the remote computer
server, and a display screen for displaying a response from the
remote computer server. The mobile computer device is configured
with a computer application having a sequence of instructions for
being executed by the mobile computer device to image the
identifier of a ticket in the possession of a player of a random
draw game, convert the imaged identifier to a representative
number, communicate the representative number to the remote
computer server for interrogating the database as to the status of
the ticket, and displaying on the display screen a response from
the remote computer server indicating the status of the ticket.
[0017] Objects, advantages, and features of the present invention
will become readily apparent upon reading the following detailed
description in conjunction with the drawings and the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a mobile computer device with an internal
imaging device configured as an embodiment of the present invention
and a lottery ticket with a barcode of a first type for being
checked for a winning status.
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates the mobile computer device shown in FIG.
1 capturing the lottery ticket image.
[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates the mobile computer device shown in FIG.
1 displaying the captured ticket image and displaying the converted
bar code information as a numeric code or digital representation
for submission to a winning ticket database for determining the
status of the lottery ticket.
[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates the mobile computer device shown in FIG.
1 in the process of capturing an information barcode of a second
type on a lottery ticket.
[0022] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of an embodiment
according to the present invention of an apparatus for a lottery
player to determine the status of a lottery ticket.
[0023] FIG. 6 illustrates the mobile computer device shown in FIG.
1 displaying the results of the interrogation of the winning ticket
database.
[0024] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic diagram of an alternate
embodiment of a system having an apparatus for a lottery player to
determine the status of a lottery ticket.
[0025] FIG. 8 illustrates a data record configured for use in the
system illustrated in FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] With reference to the drawings, in which like parts have
like reference numerals, FIG. 1 illustrates a mobile computer
device 10 configured with a built-in imaging device (depicted
schematically in operation by dashed lines 11), a data connection
(depicted schematically as 12) for communication with a
computerized database of winning ticket numbers from random draw
games, and a display screen 13. The illustrated embodiment relates
to lottery tickets and lottery games sponsored by a lottery game
service, but this embodiment is exemplary and not of limitation
[0027] The illustrated mobile computer device 10 is a mobile or
cellular telephone configured for executing an application having a
set of computer instructions (shown schematically as 15) for
determining the status of a lottery ticket 14 having an identifier
or barcode 16. The status of the lottery ticket 14 can be "win",
for a ticket that was selected randomly as a winning ticket from a
pool or plurality of tickets (or from a pool of prizes) in the
random draw game; "no-win", for a ticket not selected as a winning
ticket; or "undetermined", for a game that has not yet selected a
winning ticket. In an alternate embodiment, the mobile computer
device 10 comprises a computer-based intelligent telephone, a
computerized personal data assistant (PDA) device, a personal
computer, or other similar portable computer device, configured
with an imager and a data communications device, as discussed
below.
[0028] The application is provided to the mobile computer device 10
in a conventional manner. For cellular telephones, for example, the
application is provided by downloading the application 15 from a
web site via a mobile network data service, which application is
configured for the particular operating system of the mobile
computer device.
[0029] The application 15 of the present invention can be
programmed for multiple device formats and/or operating systems.
For example, the iPhone.RTM., Blackberry.RTM. and Motorola.RTM.
telephones each have their own development platforms for mobile
applications. It is noted that some such mobile computer devices
support J2ME (Java Mobile edition) or other application
drivers.
[0030] An illustrated embodiment of the application 15 uses an open
source application ZXING (provided by Zebra Crossing) and licensed
under the Apache License v2.0 for the executable code that
implements the illustrated embodiment, and particularly, to capture
an image of a barcode 16 on the lottery ticket 14 using the
built-in camera of the mobile computer device 10 and convert the
barcode image to a numerical representation for interrogation of
the lottery ticket database, as discussed below. The lottery ticket
14 displays the lottery numbers generally 18, the name of the
lottery game 20, the date of the game and the drawing of winning
numbers 22, the purchase cash value 24 of the lottery ticket, the
date of purchase 26, and the barcode 16. In FIG. 1, the barcode 16
is printed as a first type of barcode. Promotional information 30,
such as other lottery games that can be played, can be displayed on
the lottery ticket 14.
[0031] FIG. 2 illustrates the mobile computer device 10 capturing
an image 32 of the identifier or barcode 16 from the lottery ticket
14 by using the imaging device of the mobile computer device. FIG.
2 depicts the barcode 16 as a first type of barcode shown in FIG.
1.
[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates the mobile computer device 10 displaying
the captured ticket image 32 and displaying the barcode 16
converted into a numeric code or digital representation 34. The
mobile computer device thereafter submits the digital
representation 34 to a winning ticket database for determining the
status of the lottery ticket.
[0033] FIG. 4 illustrates the mobile computer device 10 capturing
an image 32 of a second type of identifier or barcode 16 printed on
a lottery ticket 14a by using the imaging device of the mobile
computer device. The display screen 13 displays the viewed image of
the ticket 14a including the imaged barcode 16. The mobile computer
device 10 displays a cross-hairs field 17 to facilitate the player
centering the barcode 16 for image capture.
[0034] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of the illustrative
embodiment using the mobile computer device 10 to communicate 36
with a remote computer 38 that operates a database 40 of winning
tickets of lottery games. The database 40 includes a ticket record
52a, 52b, . . . 52n including ticket code, purchase location,
retailer identification number, purchase date and time, selected
numbers, purchase amount, game identification, drawing date
(collectively, generally 53). The mobile computer device 10
communicates 36 the digital representation 34 to the remote
computer 38 to determine the status of a particular lottery ticket.
The result of the interrogation of the database 40 communicates 48
to the mobile computer device 10. The results are selected from the
set of (win/no-win/drawing not yet occurred). The remote computer
38 typically is operated by the lottery game service and provides
conventional secure access to the database. In an alternate
embodiment, the remote computer 38 and database 40 are minors of
computers and databases of the lottery game service protected from
access such as by firewalls and other conventional data security
systems, in order to protect the integrity of the computer systems
of the lottery game service.
[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates the mobile computer device 10 displaying
the results of the interrogation of the winning ticket database
40.
[0036] With reference to FIG. 1, the lottery player operates the
mobile computer device 10 to execute the application 15 according
to the present invention for checking the status of the lottery
ticket 14. The built-in camera on the mobile computer device 10 is
operated 11 to image the barcode 16 from the lottery ticket 14. As
shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the display 13 presents the cross-hair
field 17 for centering the image of the barcode 16 for imaging. The
imaging button of the mobile computer device 10 is operated to
capture the image of the barcode 16. As shown in FIG. 3, the
captured image 32 is displayed on the display screen 13 of the
mobile computer device 10. Once the image is captured, the
application interprets the captured image to obtain the information
from the barcode 16. The application converts the information to
the unique code of the lottery ticket. As shown in FIG. 3, the
digital representation 34 of the unique code can be displayed with
the captured image.
[0037] With reference to FIG. 5, the unique ticket code thus
identified can be used as a parameter in an SQL script. The mobile
computer device 10 communicates 36 the script using the data
connection 15 to access the remote computer 38 in order to query
the database 40 of purchased lottery tickets. The database 40
includes at least a game identifier 42 and winning numbers 44 from
the drawing made on the drawing date of the particular game. The
query extracts the unique ticket code of the lottery ticket 14, and
cross references the selected numbers in the ticket code with the
winning numbers data from the drawing of the lottery game 42. The
remote computer 38 after interrogating the database 40 creates a
result set of response data 46 that communicates 48 or returns back
to the mobile computer device 10. The application executing on the
mobile computer device 10 receives the result set 46 and assembles
the result set with the appropriate message on the display of the
mobile computer device 10. FIG. 6 illustrates the mobile computer
device 10 displaying that the lottery ticket is a winning
ticket.
[0038] As discussed below, the mobile computer device 10 also
communicates a unique mobile identification number 50 associated
the particular device 10 to the remote computer 38. The mobile
identification number 50 is used to communicate the return message
to the player using the mobile computer device 10. As illustrated
in FIG. 5, the database 40 may also include the ticket records 52a,
52b, . . . 52n including ticket code, purchase location, retailer
identification number, purchase date and time, selected numbers,
purchase amount, game identification, drawing date. In an alternate
embodiment, the application executing instructions to operate the
database 40 can associate a ticket code with a particular player.
In that embodiment, the ticket code is associated with the mobile
identification number 50, as discussed below.
[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, the string number
representing the information about the lottery ticket 14 is
encrypted and embedded as a parameter in a SQL string. The string
queries specific information about that purchased lottery ticket.
Each terminal generated lottery ticket is assigned specific
information designed to determine the outcome of a lottery drawing.
As noted above, this information includes: location of purchase,
retailer id number, date/time of purchase, numbers selected for
ticket, dollar amount paid for ticket, drawing date for the ticket,
and game type. This data about the lottery ticket sold by a vendor
to a lottery consumer is recorded and maintained in a central
computerized database either with the lottery provider or with the
contracted lottery ticket vendor.
[0040] It is to be appreciated that illustrated embodiment of the
present invention is not designed to validate tickets for
redemption. Validation must still occur through the closed network
lottery terminals operated by the lottery provider and the lottery
retail locations selling lottery tickets. It is to be appreciated
that results of the interrogation may not be accurate, but the
present apparatus and methods provides an alternative method of
determining win/loss outcome of a lottery ticket. The present
invention thus supplements current methods by which players
determine win/loss by a) watching the drawing live, b) checking
publications following the drawing, c) visiting the lottery website
to pull up a historical list of winning numbers or d) visiting one
of the retail lottery vendors to check the lottery ticket against
the system.
[0041] Even though lottery computerized databases can be configured
for READ ONLY access, for security reasons, a lottery provider may
not allow the SQL script query to be sent directly to the lottery
server that stores and maintains the ticket information. In those
instances, the lottery provider can supply a regular export/dump of
limited ticket information into a third party secure database
server for interrogation in accordance with the present invention.
Use of such third party database would reduce possible compromise
of the lottery ticket database and potential counterfeiting of
winning combinations.
[0042] It is contemplated that the apparatus and method of the
illustrated implementation would limit access to certain
information fields of the lottery ticket and protect the
transmission of the winning codes. The lottery ticket holder and
the lottery database are the only locations of a specific lottery
ticket serial (barcode) number. That serial number is the key for
securing and validating a winning ticket. By encrypting that number
before embedding into the SQL string query, any intercepted
communications will be secure. The exported data from the lottery
winning ticket server can be a matching encrypted number, rather
than the actual serial number. This method would still allow for
the query to pull the proper data, without compromising the
security of winning ticket data. However, in the event that someone
improperly gains access to the database, counterfeit lottery ticket
can not be generated without the unique serial number. There are
various methods of encryption that can be employed to assure
security of the process.
[0043] In an alternate embodiment, the lottery ticket terminal
prints a separate unique barcode on the terminal lottery ticket for
imaging and interrogation in accordance with the present invention.
The separate barcode would have its own unique serial number. The
lottery ticket would retain the lottery provider barcode 16
assigned by the lottery provider by which the winning ticket is
validated for redemption through the secure lottery ticket terminal
network.
[0044] There are several methods of distribution for the
interrogation application of the present invention. For example, an
application configured for use with iPhone.RTM. telephones would be
available for download from the Apple App Store. Each service
provider for mobile data networking has a similar application
store/site that connects directly through the respective mobile
computer device. Further, the lottery provider may elect to
distribute application directly or through a remote dedicated
download web site. The lottery player would use the camera enabled
mobile computer device to download the application from the
specific location.
[0045] Upon installation on the mobile computer device, the lottery
player can run the application. The application initially
determines if the mobile computer device has the proper hardware
installed. The application detects for the built-in camera and for
the open data connection. If either of these elements is missing or
inoperative, an error code alerts the user that the application is
unable to function.
[0046] Once all hardware features are detected and functioning, the
lottery player is prompted to capture a ticket. In reference to
FIG. 1, the built-in camera is enabled and the viewer window
appears in the screen 13. The user is instructed to align the
lottery ticket barcode within the viewer depicted by the
cross-hairs (line 17 as shown in FIG. 2). This ensures an aligned
clear image. The player is then prompted by the software to keep as
steady a hand as possible and push the button to take the
picture.
[0047] If the captured image is illegible or unreadable, a response
message will appear asking the lottery player to reimage the
barcode. The viewer window with cross-hairs returns and the lottery
player realigns the lottery ticket to image the barcode 16 again.
If the captured picture is readable, the application then converts
the image to the numeric representation, as shown in FIG. 3.
[0048] Once the numeric representation of the ticket serial number
is generated, the application converts that representation to an
encrypted string. The encrypted string is embedded as a parameter
in an SQL script. With reference to FIG. 5, the application
attempts a connection using the data connection 12 to the remote
computer server 38 where the lottery winning ticket information is
stored. If the mobile computer device 10 cannot make a connection,
the mobile computer device displays an error message telling the
lottery player that a connection is not available. In an alternate
embodiment, the lottery player does not have to start over. Rather,
the SQL script is stored in the mobile computer device until a data
connection can be made. The application can be configured to
attempt automatically checking on the status of the lottery
ticket.
[0049] Once a data connection is made to the remote computer server
38, the query script communicates 36 and the application executing
on the mobile computer device 10 waits for a response. If the
encrypted serial number does not match a lottery ticket number in
the database 40, an error is returned. In such event, the mobile
computer device 10 presents a message to the user; for example,
"Sorry, your lottery ticket does not match a live lottery ticket in
the database. Please check your ticket at an authorized Lottery
retailer." If the interrogation correctly matches the encrypted
number, the remote computer returns the information within the
database regarding the imaged lottery ticket.
[0050] The information in the ticket database 40 uses the drawing
date field of the ticket record to reference a table of winning
numbers. If the remote computer determines that the drawing date
assigned to the lottery ticket has "not yet occurred", an
appropriate message will appear on the mobile computer device
inviting the lottery player to check again after that
date/time.
[0051] In an alternate embodiment, the application can be set to
alert the lottery player if any winning numbers are matched with
lottery tickets that are scanned and held for evaluation. This
embodiment automatically checks the remote database 40 on a
periodic schedule until the drawing occurs so the application can
return a result. The lottery player does not have to reimage the
ticket as the data will be stored until the drawing occurs and the
query returns a win/loss result.
[0052] The application 15 includes a search feature by which a user
can search by date or by game. The date for game events is
selected, for example, by entering the date in a date field, using
pull-down menus to select a date, or using a date scroll wheel
having three columns for month, day, and year. In another alternate
embodiment, the player can search by game type. The application
displays a selection window of the available games. The display
screen includes active links, so the player pushes the link in
order to connect through the data connection with the selected
game. The selected game displays the price of a ticket in the game,
what choices are made in the game, the drawing days and times, and
a list of prizes, chances of winning, and current prize amount.
[0053] Once a win/loss result set 46 is determined, the application
compiles the result information into a graphically appealing
display to alert the lottery player, as shown in FIG. 6. In one
embodiment (not illustrated), the results are displayed in a
replication of the physical lottery ticket. Winning numbers are
highlighted. If the result is any of the possible winning
combinations for that game (eg Powerball--6 of 6, 5 of 6, 4 of 6, 3
of 6) a banner appears that reads "WIN". This display also
highlights the numbers that match and the display indicates the
winning amount for that combination. In yet another alternate
embodiment, the mobile computer device 10 emits a sound through the
speaker. The application selectively has selectable different
choices of audio files for "winning" chime and "non-winning"
chimes. Further, if there are multiple plays on a lottery ticket,
the application highlights on the display the winning combinations
for the lottery ticket 14, and calculates the individual prize
amounts for display together with a sum total for the lottery
ticket.
[0054] It is to be appreciated the display may include a
disclaimer, for example, at the bottom of the display. The
disclaimer in one embodiment states that "This win information has
been determined based on the information provided and does NOT
validate your possession of an actual winning ticket. You must
still present the physical winning ticket to an authorized lottery
retailer for validation and claim of your prize."
[0055] Users of the application can pre-scan and store their ticket
information prior to a drawing date. With the automation feature
set, the application will send the query after the drawing date and
automatically alert the user of the results once verified. Using
the Win/Loss chime audio setting, the device will sound based on
outcome. The message notification will appear on the player's phone
and will indicate a message attached to the application icon.
[0056] With reference to FIG. 5, the database structure 40 for the
application indexes on a key that is populated by the unique
identification 50 built in to the user's mobile computer device.
This is how the application identifies the user to return the
request. The structure however provides an additional benefit by
helping to identify the owner of a paper lottery ticket. Currently
there are no systems known to register lottery tickets. If a
lottery ticket is lost or stolen, there are no safeguards to
identify the rightful owner of the lottery ticket. Accordingly the
present invention features as an added benefit `registering`
lottery tickets at the same time as checking a win status. As shown
in FIG. 5, the database 40 can maintain an association between the
ticket code and the player in reference to the mobile
identification number. In this embodiment, a registration form
incorporated into the initial set up of the application on the
mobile computer device 10 provides lottery ticket player
information such as name, address, and contact information, for the
database.
[0057] The barcode evaluation software uses an image or
photographic representation to interpret the one dimensional or two
dimensional barcode identifiers. An alternate embodiment uploads a
photographic image of the lottery ticket for storage in the
database. This provides additional security for a lottery to
resolve disputes and possibly rebuild a lost ticket.
[0058] In an alternate embodiment, game sweepstakes offered by
commercial establishments to promote business, for example, a
fast-food restaurant chain offering a scratch-off or peel-off prize
ticket, may gainfully use the present invention as a mechanism for
consumers to determine whether the ticket is a winner. Other random
draw games similarly may apply the present invention for players to
determine ticket status.
[0059] FIG. 7 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a system
having the mobile computer device 10 by which the lottery player
determines the status of the lottery ticket 14. An application
provider 82 maintains a database 84 having a plurality of data
records 85 of game information and game play date 86 and winning
numbers 88 selected by random during play of the game. The
application provider 82 updates the database 84 using 89 public
information 90 provided by the game operator. This public
information includes the game and its play date 42 and the winning
numbers 44 associated with the particular play of the game. The
application provider 82 determines the status of the game ticket 14
upon request of the player who transmits the code 16 to the
application provider.
[0060] In one embodiment of the system, the application provider 82
may maintain a separate database 92 of records 94 of player game
tickets 14. The records 94 as discussed below contain the digital
representation of code 16 from the ticket 14 communicated to the
application provider 82 by the player. Periodically the application
provider 82 compares the digital representation record 94 with the
game database 84 to determine the status of the player's ticket, as
discussed below. The application provider populates the database 92
only with those tickets 14 scanned by a player in accordance with
the present invention.
[0061] In an alternate embodiment discussed below, the game
provider may act as the application provider and the game operator
collects the ticket information for the database 92 at time of sale
of the game ticket 14. Thus, the database 92 in this embodiment
maintains information on each ticket sold for play in the random
draw game. Alternatively, the game provider may practice the former
embodiment in which the database 92 contains ticket information for
player-scanned tickets only.
[0062] The databases 84 and 92 maintain records containing digital
representations of the winning game information 42, 44 and the
player's ticket information held in the ticket code 16,
respectively. As discussed above, FIG. 4 illustrates the mobile
computer device 10 displaying the image of the barcode 16 that in
the illustrated embodiment is a two-dimensional code. Such codes
include, for example and not by limitation, QR Code, Datamatrix,
and PDF417. Such codes are more complex than conventional
one-dimensional barcodes and may contain significantly more
information. For example, QR Code may hold up to 7,000 numeric
characters and as shown in FIG. 4 is readily readable by
camera-enabled mobile phones or other mobile computer devices. The
two-dimensional code 16 provides in encapsulated form the ticket
information necessary to determine specific result information in
order to provide a response to a ticket status request by the
player.
[0063] The encapsulated code 16 on the ticket 14 represents the
unique data relevant to the particular game ticket 14 on which the
code is printed such as when the ticket is purchased from a ticket
retail vendor or otherwise selected by the player and obtained from
the game operator. This data includes, but is not limited to, game
type (MegaMillions, Powerball, Lotto, etc), drawing date, multidraw
(number of consecutive draws purchased), and numbers selected for
each play, as well as the unique identifier assigned to the ticket
by the game provider. Such game information may be represented
primarily in numeric or alphanumeric (for example, base 16) format.
Using a fixed position field string, such pertinent unique ticket
data may be represented in a sequence of fewer than 100 characters.
Generally, one-dimensional barcodes may not support this volume of
characters, while the illustrated two-dimensional codes have a
greater capacity.
[0064] FIG. 8 illustrates a data record 94 of a digital
representation of the code 16. The digital representation is used
for checking the ticket status against the winning play of the
random draw game maintained in the game database 84. The data
record 94 includes a unique game number 96 pre-assigned to the
particular random draw game and a play or drawing date 98 for the
random draw game. The data record 94 also includes a multidraw code
100 and at least one set of game numbers 102 associated the
player's ticket 14 for play of the game. In the illustrated
embodiment, five sets of game numbers 102 are depicted as set
102a-102e. These sets 102 correspond to the game drawing numbers
during play of the random draw game on the selected date printed on
the ticket 14.
[0065] In accordance with the present invention, the
two-dimensional code 16 contains the encapsulated ticket
information necessary to determine specific result information and
provide a response as to ticket status to the player. The digital
representation of the code 16 passes from the mobile computer
device 10 directly into the web-accessible database server of the
application provider 82. Thus, the player does not require the
transfer of that ticket data from the lottery system in order to
check the status of the ticket.
[0066] In one embodiment of the present system, the game operator
is the application provider 82. The game operator collects the game
ticket information at time of sale of the ticket to the player. The
collected information populates into the data record 94 included in
the ticket database 92.
[0067] The system employs a software module implemented into the
existing lottery terminal software for sales and validation of game
tickets. The module collects the required information about the
game ticket sold to the player, which information is necessary to
return winning results. This information includes the unique number
identifier assigned to the game. For example, MegaMillions could be
represented as "123456". The drawing date for play of the ticket
purchased by the player may be represented by in a MMDDYYYY (month
day year) format. The multidraw code 100 indicates the number of
consecutive drawing dates or plays of the random draw game during
which the ticket is to be played during the game. Typically
multiple plays are referred to as "MultiDraw". The number of
consecutive draws is represented by a two digit number as most
random draw games allow a player to play multiple consecutive draws
on a single game ticket. For example, a multidraw code of "03"
indicates the ticket is playable for three drawings: first on the
drawing date and second on the next two drawing dates for the
random draw game.
[0068] The sets of numbers 102 include a play code 104 and selected
number subfields 106. The play code in the illustrated embodiment
is alphabetical and corresponds to the nth game of a multiple game
play ticket, where n is the game drawing number ranging from 1 to
the number of games selected by the player for play on the single
ticket 14.
[0069] It is to be appreciated that while not illustrated, the data
record 94 may also include information about any exotic
combinations or add-on features of the random draw game. For
example, some lotteries have draw games called `Daily Games`. These
are typically "Pick 3" or "Pick 4" number games. Also, these games
may have upgrade purchase combinations like "Back Pair" or "Combo"
plays that pay off different winnings in the event of specific
outcome. These exotics may similarly be represented in 2 digit
number codes. Then the actual number selections for each individual
play. A lottery ticket may have up to five different plays on a
single ticket. Each play is separated by an alpha number.
[0070] The final sequence of numbers encapsulated in the two
dimensional code will vary based on the specifics of the ticket and
the random draw game. The more characters to be encapsulated
results in a more dense and complex code. With more complex codes,
the printed image needs to be larger in order to be recognized
during imaging by the camera in the mobile computer device. The
larger the image, however, the more paper consumed by each lottery
ticket or space occupied by the code 16 on the ticket. In view of
such constraints, the present invention preferably uses the fewest
characters possible to create the unique digital sequence.
[0071] In one aspect, elimination of unnecessary characters may be
accomplished by a defined `fixed position` string or sequence as
discussed above. Logic in the application instructions on the back
end make the necessary associations between the alphanumeric data
and populating the data record 94, rather than using conventional
database-friendly strings that rely on delimiters to separate field
data. For example, the method uses a fixed position format so the
instructions define positions 1-6 to represent the game number.
Using `if-then-else` statements the method employs the necessary
logic to determine the rest of the positions. For example, in an
embodiment of the system, the MegaMillions game is identified by
the game number equal to 123456, and the instructions are
configured for particular defined record fields for that particular
game. In this example, the selection for each draw will contain six
2-digit numbers and the sixth number in each selection set 102 will
be the "MegaBall".
[0072] In the embodiment in which the player submits the digital
representation of the code 16, the communication also includes a
device identifier that uniquely identifies the mobile computer
device. This enables the application provider 82 to communicate a
ticket status to the player.
[0073] In the embodiment in which the application provider 82
maintains the database 92 of player ticket information, the
application provider inserts the identifier into the data record 94
maintained on the database 92. Periodically, the application
provider 82 compares the player ticket information in the records
94 with the winning game information in the database 84. When
ticket information in the record 94 matches with one of the game
number and play date 86, the application provider 82 compares the
winning numbers 88 in the database 84 with the numbers in the
record 94 of the player's ticket. Using the identifier held in the
record 94, the application provider 82 returns the status of the
ticket 14 to the mobile computer device 10 of the player.
[0074] In addition to the code developed for the mobile phone
application and the remote server side database, additional code
must be created for the lottery system terminal to create the
number string and convert to the two-dimensional code. A QR Code
generation application can be licensed to convert the string into
the QR Code image. But this software add on eliminates the need to
transfer all the purchased ticket information to the remote server
in order to provide results back to the mobile device.
[0075] With reference to FIG. 7, the present invention provides a
method for the player to image the barcode 16 from a lottery ticket
14, interpret the encapsulated unique data of that ticket into the
digital representation, and communicate the digital representation
to the remote server of the application provider 82. The
application provider 82 interprets the digital representation and
compares the ticket information with winning game information in
the database 84. The application provider returns the status of the
ticket to the mobile computer device.
[0076] With reference to FIG. 4, the code 16 encapsulates the game
information printed on a lottery ticket 14a. Using the imaging
device of the mobile computer device 10, the player images the code
16. The display screen 13 displays the viewed image of the ticket
14a including the imaged barcode 16. The mobile computer device 10
may display cross-hairs field 17 to facilitate the player centering
the barcode 16 for image capture.
[0077] In an alternate embodiment, the mobile computer device
stores in a memory device a saved selected game play having
player-selected game tokens or numbers for one or more plays of the
random draw game, as a "fantasy play". Another patent application
of the applicant filed concurrently with the present application
discloses an apparatus and method by which a player uses a mobile
computer device to select numbers for play in a random draw game
and saving such selected play in the memory device. The fantasy
play information is not an authenticated ticket. Subsequently, the
player may recall the saved selected game play for checking whether
such player selected numbers would have matched numbers selected as
winning numbers during play of the random draw game. In an
alternate embodiment, the mobile computer device is configured for
periodic checking the status of such saved game play numbers.
[0078] The apparatus and methods disclosed herein can be made and
executed without undue experimentation in light of the present
disclosure. While the apparatus of this invention have been
described in terms of illustrated embodiments, it will be apparent
to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the
apparatus and in the process described herein without departing
from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. All such
similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in
the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of
the invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *