The present disclosure relates to lottery gaming systems and methods, and more particularly to lottery gaming systems and methods that enable the play of lottery games. Certain lottery gaming systems may enable a player to select a number for a lottery ticket, randomly select an award to associate with that player-selected number, randomly select a winning draw number, and if the winning draw number matches the player-selected number, provide the player the award associated with the player-selected number.
In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a lottery gaming system including a processor and a memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: receive, via an input device, a player selection of one or more of a plurality of different symbols for a lottery ticket to be purchased by the player; receive, via the input device, for each player-selected symbol for the lottery ticket, a player selection of one of a plurality of different wager levels for that selected symbol for the lottery ticket; receive a payment for the lottery ticket from the player based on a quantity of the player-selected symbols and on the player-selected wager level; for each player-selected symbol for the lottery ticket, randomly select an award from a plurality of different awards to associate with that player-selected symbol, said random selection being in accordance with predetermined odds of randomly selecting each of the plurality of different awards associated with the player-selected wager level, wherein the plurality of different wager levels have different predetermined odds; create the lottery ticket for the player based on each of the player-selected symbols, the player-selected wager level, and the randomly selected award associated with each of the player-selected symbols; store data associated with the lottery ticket; cause the lottery ticket to be provided to the player; at a designated draw time for the lottery ticket, randomly select a winning draw symbol for the lottery ticket; and determine whether any of the player-selected symbols of the lottery ticket matches the winning draw symbol for the lottery ticket, and if so, determine the award associated with matched player-selected symbol to enable a payout of such determined award to the player for the lottery ticket.
In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a lottery gaming system including a processor and a memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: receive, via a playslip, a player selection of each of one or more of a plurality of different numbers for a lottery ticket; receive, via the playslip, a player selection of one of a plurality of different wager levels for the lottery ticket; for each player-selected number for the lottery ticket, randomly select an award from a plurality of different awards to associate with said player-selected number, each said random selection being in accordance with one of a plurality of different predetermined paytables that corresponds to the player-selected wager lever, wherein each predetermined paytable corresponds to a different one of the different wager levels, wherein each predetermined paytable includes a predetermined range of different awards, predetermined odds associated with each award of the range, and a predetermined expected payout associated with each award of the range, and wherein the different predetermined paytables have different predetermined expected payouts; responsive to receiving a payment for the lottery ticket, create the lottery ticket for the player based on each of the player-selected numbers, the player-selected wager level, and the randomly selected award associated with each of the player-selected numbers; store data associated with the lottery ticket; cause the lottery ticket to be provided to the player; and at a designated draw time for the lottery ticket, randomly select a winning draw number for the lottery ticket.
In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of operating a lottery gaming system including receiving, via an input device, a player selection of one or more of a plurality of different symbols for a lottery ticket to be purchased by the player; receiving, via the input device, for each player-selected symbol for the lottery ticket, a player selection of one of a plurality of different wager levels for that selected symbol for the lottery ticket; for each player-selected symbol for the lottery ticket, randomly selecting, via a processor, an award from a plurality of different awards to associate with that player-selected symbol, said random selection being in accordance with predetermined odds of randomly selecting each of the plurality of different awards associated with the player-selected wager level, wherein the plurality of different wager levels have different predetermined odds; creating the lottery ticket for the player based on each of the player-selected symbol, the player-selected wager level, and the randomly selected award associated with each of the player-selected symbols; storing data associated with the lottery ticket; causing the lottery ticket to be provided to the player; at a designated draw time for the lottery ticket, randomly selecting, via the processor, a winning draw symbol for the lottery ticket; determining, via the processor, whether any of the player-selected symbols matches the winning draw symbol for the lottery ticket, and if so, determining, via the processor, the award associated with matched the player-selected symbol.
Additional features are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the figures.
In various embodiments, the present disclosure relates generally to a lottery gaming system and a method of operating a lottery gaming system that provides multiple different player selectable wagering options for a lottery ticket and multiple different average expected payouts respectively associated with the multiple different wagering options. In various embodiments, the lottery gaming system and method of operating the lottery gaming system enable a player to select any one of the plurality of different player selectable wagering options for each lottery ticket that the player desires to purchase.
In the example embodiment illustrated in
In various embodiments, the lottery gaming system is configured to randomly select each award to associate with each respective player-selected symbol in accordance with the odds for each different wager level (as further described below). In various embodiments, as the player's wager level increases for the player-selected symbols (and, thus, the player's total wager amount increases), the average expected payout increases as further described below. In various embodiments, this average expected payout increase is achieved through an improvement of the predetermined odds for randomly selecting at least one of the awards that can be associated with each player-selected symbol. In various other embodiments, this average expected payout increase is achieved through an improvement of the predetermined odds for randomly selecting each of a plurality of the awards that can be associated with each player-selected symbol. In various other embodiments, this average expected payout increase is achieved through an improvement of the predetermined odds for randomly selecting each of the plurality of the awards that can be associated with each player-selected symbol. Thus, as further explained below, in various embodiments, higher value awards are more likely to be associated with each of the player-selected number(s) as the player's wager level increases from wager level to higher wager level.
In various example embodiments, the symbols are all different numbers and the lottery gaming system is configured to: (1) receive from the player a selection of one or more of a plurality of different numbers to wager on for a lottery ticket to be purchased by the player; (2) for each player-selected number for the lottery ticket, receive from the player a selection of one of a plurality of different wager amounts for the player-selected number(s) for the lottery ticket; (3) receive a purchase payment (that functions as the wager) for the lottery ticket from the player; (4) for each player-selected symbol (such as each player-selected number) for the lottery ticket, randomly select an award from a plurality of different awards to associate with that player-selected number; (5) create a lottery ticket for the player based on the player-selected number(s), the player-selected wager amount(s), and the randomly-selected awards; (6) store data associated with the lottery ticket; (7) provide the player a paper copy and/or a virtual copy of the lottery ticket; (8) at the designated draw time for the lottery ticket, randomly select a winning draw number for the lottery ticket; (9) determine whether any of the player-selected number(s) of the lottery ticket match the winning draw number; (10) based on this determination, determine any award(s) associated with the player-selected numbers for the lottery ticket; and (11) cause a payout of any such determined award(s) to the player for the lottery ticket. It should thus be appreciated that the symbols employed by the lottery gaming system and method of the present disclosure may be any suitable symbols.
In various embodiments, as further described below, the lottery gaming system and method are configured to be provided by a lottery agency (such as a state lottery agency). In various other embodiments, as further described below, the lottery gaming system and method are configured to be operated by a third party that runs the lottery for a lottery agency (such as a state lottery agency).
In a first example embodiment, the lottery gaming system is configured to: (1) enable the player to select and purchase any one or more of the numbers 1 through 15 (inclusive of 1 and 15) for a lottery ticket; (2) enable the player to wager $1, $2, $5, or $10 on each selected number for that lottery ticket; and (3) randomly select an award to be associated with each player selected number from a range of different awards associated with each wager level. In this first example embodiment, the lottery gaming system is configured such that the average expected payout increases for that lottery ticket from approximately 61% at the $1 purchase price point per number (i.e., the $1 wager level per player selected number) up to approximately 70% at the $10 purchase price point per number (i.e., the $10 wager level per player selected number). It should be appreciated that in other embodiments of the present disclosure, the quantity of numbers, the numbers themselves, the quantity of wager amounts, the wager amounts themselves, the quantity of awards, the awards themselves, and/or the average expected payout percentages and increases may vary in accordance with the present disclosure.
In the first example embodiment, the lottery gaming system is configured to enable the player to use a single paper or virtual playslip to select the player selectable numbers, select the wager level (per player-selected number), and to purchase the lottery ticket.
In this example shown in
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In this example embodiment of
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In this example embodiment of
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After making all of the needed player selections on the playslip 200, the lottery gaming system enables the player to purchase a lottery ticket through the lottery gaming system. In various embodiments of the lottery gaming system, the playslip is paper and the player may purchase the lottery ticket via the paper playslip. In various other embodiments of the lottery gaming system, the playslip is virtual and the player may purchase the lottery ticket via the virtual playslip. In various other embodiments, the lottery gaming system is configured to accommodate both paper and virtual playslips.
In various embodiments of the lottery gaming system, the player may purchase the lottery ticket via any suitable manner such as, but not limited to, one of the following: (1) a dedicated lottery kiosk (e.g., a lottery kiosk) configured to communicate over a data network (such as the Internet) to a lottery server (such as a lottery server 806 described below in connection with
In one such example, the lottery gaming system enables a player to use a paper playslip to purchase a lottery ticket at a retail location having a lottery terminal configured to receive the playslip and print the lottery ticket at the time of purchase in a conventional manner. In such lottery gaming systems, the retail operator typically receives the purchase price for the lottery ticket from the player in a conventional manner.
In another such example, the lottery gaming system enables a player to use a virtual playslip to purchase a lottery ticket through a retail lottery kiosk configured to display the playslip (as further described below), receive the player selections using the displayed playslip (as further described below), receive the wager from the player, and print the lottery ticket at the time of purchase. This example lottery kiosk may include an integral printer device and/or be in communication with a printer device for providing a printed lottery ticket to the player.
In another such example, the lottery gaming system enables a player to use a virtual playslip to purchase a lottery ticket electronically using a personal mobile device such as the player's mobile telephone. In one such embodiment, the lottery gaming system receives from this device the player selections and the wager from the player, and sends the player a virtual lottery ticket (which in certain instances can be printed by the player using a suitable personal printing device). Thus, it should be appreciated that in various example embodiments, the player may purchase a lottery ticket with a personal mobile device and, thus, may not be provided with a physical (i.e., paper) lottery ticket. Instead, an electronic (or virtual) version of the lottery ticket is provided to the player via, for example, an electronic mail to an email account associated with the player.
In this example embodiment, the wagering summary portion 310 of the lottery ticket 300 includes and indicates the total quantity of player-selected numbers (such as “5 selected numbers”) and the player-selected wager level for the player-selected numbers (such as “$10.00 per selected number”).
In this example embodiment, the selected numbers portion 320 of the lottery ticket 300 separately and individually includes and indicates each of the player-selected numbers (such as the respective player-selected numbers indicated in the number selection portion 210 of the playslip 200). In this example embodiment, each player-selected number includes a selected number identifier (such as number identifiers 322A, 322B, 322C, 322D, and 322E) and an associated award identifier (such as award identifiers 324A, 324B, 324C, 324D, and 324E). The respective selected number identifiers correspond to the respective player-selected numbers. The respective award identifiers correspond to the randomly-selected awards selected by the lottery gaming system. In this example embodiment, each randomly-selected award is associated with a respective selected number and each corresponds to the award provided to the player if the respective selected number is the winning draw number (as described below in connection with the example predetermined paytables 400 shown in
In this example, (1) the player is provided a “$50” award if the number “8” 322A is selected as the winning draw number, (2) the player is provided a “$50” award if the number “2” 322D is selected as the winning draw number, (3) the player is provided a “$100” award 324E if the number “14” 322E is selected as the winning draw number, (4) the player is provided a “$150” award 324B if the number “15” 322B is selected as the winning draw number, and (5) the player is provided a “$200” award 324C if the number “5” 322C is selected as the winning draw number.
In this example embodiment, the total wager amount 330 of the lottery ticket 300 indicates the total wager amount associated with the lottery ticket. In this example, as mentioned above, the total wager amount (“$50.00”) is based on the total quantity of player-selected numbers (e.g., 5 numbers), the player-selected wager level (e.g., $10.00 per selected number), and the quantity of consecutive draws (e.g., 1 draw).
In this example embodiment, the draw number(s) identifier portion 340 of the lottery ticket 300 indicates one or more draw number(s) that the player-selected numbers indicated in the selected numbers portion 320 are enrolled in (or are valid for). The draw number(s) may correspond to different draw entry numbers and/or draw entry times.
In this example embodiment, each award identifier column includes a plurality of different predetermined awards (identified by the award identifiers such as the dollar amounts) that may each be associated with any respective player-selected number for that respective player-selected wager level. In this example embodiment, each wager level is associated with nine different predetermined possible awards (which may sometimes be referred to as “award tiers” or “award levels”). Thus, in this example embodiment, for each respective player-selected number and a player-selected wager level, the lottery gaming system randomly selects one of the different predetermined possible awards from the respective award level and associates that randomly-selected possible award with the respective player-selected number.
Thus, in this example embodiment, each of the award columns 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D includes a plurality of different predetermined awards. In this example embodiment, each of the award columns 420A, 420B, 420C, and 420D are different.
In this example embodiment, each of the odds identifier columns 420A, 420B, 420C, and 420D includes a plurality of different predetermined odds of the respective award being randomly selected. In this example embodiment, each of the odds identifier columns 420A, 420B, 420C, and 420D are different. As an example, as indicated on paytable 400A associated with the $1 wager level 405A, the lottery gaming system is configured to, on average, to randomly select the “$10” award to associate with a player-selected number in approximately one out of every seven random determinations.
In this example embodiment, each of the average expect payout columns 430A, 430B, 430C, and 430D includes a plurality of different predetermined average expected payouts. In this example embodiment, each expected payout is based on the award amount and the respective odds of selecting that award amount. In this example embodiment, each of the payout columns 430A, 430B, 430C, and 430D are different. In this example embodiment, the expected payout identifier column 430 includes a plurality of different expected payout identifiers that are associated with respective award tiers. For example, referring to the above example where the lottery gaming system randomly selected the “$10” award to associate with a player-selected number, the expected payout associated with the “$10” award is “9.5%.”
It should be appreciated, as shown in
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It should be appreciated that the quantity of different wager levels or wager tiers may vary in accordance with the present disclosure.
In this example embodiment, the lottery gaming system makes a separate random determination of each of the awards associated with the player selected numbers shown on the example lottery ticket 300 of
In this example embodiment, for each lottery ticket purchased, the lottery gaming system creates a data record corresponding to that lottery ticket. For example, when a lottery terminal is used to purchase a lottery ticket, the lottery gaming system creates a data record including suitable information such as but not limited to: (1) a timestamp (date and/or time) associated with when the lottery ticket was purchased; (2) the player-selected numbers; (3) the player-selected wager level; (3) the randomly-selected awards associated with each of the player-selected numbers; (4) the quantity of consecutive draws for which the player-selected numbers are enrolled; (5) the lottery ticket identification number; and (6) any other suitable information.
In various example embodiments, this data record is created by the lottery terminal and sent by the lottery terminal to the lottery server (such as described below in connection with the lottery server 806 of
In this example embodiment, at the designated times for each lottery game or draw, the lottery gaming system randomly selects a winning draw number based on equal odds for selecting each number. In this example, each of the 15 numbers has a 1/15 chance of being selected. In this example embodiment, the lottery gaming system randomly selects one of the possible player-selectable numbers (such as one of the numbers 1 through 15 (inclusive of 1 and 15). The selected winning draw number is applied for any purchased lottery ticket for that specific draw. In other words, this winning draw number can be used for zero, one, or a plurality of different lottery tickets purchased by zero, one, or a plurality of players.
In this example embodiment, after the lottery gaming system randomly selects the winning draw number, the lottery gaming system determines any award won by and to be subsequently provided to the player. More specifically, the lottery gaming system compares the winning draw number to each player-selected number included on a lottery ticket and determines whether any match is found. In response to determining that the winning draw number matches a player-selected number on that lottery ticket, the lottery gaming system is configured provide the player the randomly-selected award associated with that respective player-selected number (such as upon redemption of the lottery ticket by the player).
In this example, the lottery gaming system: (1) randomly selects the number “5”; (2) determines that the player selected the number “5” and thus has matched the winning draw number for that lottery ticket; (3) determines the award of $200 that has been won by the player; and (4) causes the award of $200 to be provided to the player in a suitable manner (such as any suitable conventional manner). For example, the player make take the winning lottery ticket to a lottery retailer to determine whether any of their player-selected number(s) match the winning draw number and will get paid any awards won by the lottery retailer in a conventional manner.
In a second example embodiment, the lottery gaming system is configured to enable the player to select and purchase multiple lottery tickets at one time. More specifically, in this second example embodiment, the lottery gaming system is configured to enable the player to use a single lottery ticket paper or virtual playslip to purchase multiple lottery tickets.
In this example embodiment, each of the playslip for ticket portions includes: (a) a number selection portion 610; (b) a wager selection portion 620; and (c) a draws selection portion 630. In this example embodiment, each of the number selection portions 610 correspond to the number selection portion 210 of
As seen in
In this example for lottery ticket B 600B, the player selects eight numbers (i.e., “1,” “2,” “4,” “6,” “8,” “10,” “12,”, and 14″), selects to wager “2.00 per selected number” of lottery ticket B, and selects to enroll the eight player-selected numbers of lottery ticket B in one upcoming draw.
In this example for lottery ticket C 600B, the player selects one number (i.e., “15”), selects to wager “$10.00 per selected number” of lottery ticket C, and selects to enroll the one player-selected number of lottery ticket C in one upcoming draw.
In this example for lottery ticket D 600D, the player selects eleven numbers (i.e., “2,” “4,” “6,” “7,” “8,” “9,” “10,” “11,” “12,” 13,” and “14), selects to wager “$1 per selected number” of lottery ticket D, and selects to enroll the eleven player-selected numbers of lottery ticket D in one upcoming draw.
As described above, after making the player number selections on the playslip 600 of
It should be appreciated that each of the lottery tickets has the same sections as the lottery ticket shown in
As described above, the lottery gaming system randomly selects an award to associate with each player-selected number included on each lottery ticket. For example, the lottery gaming system randomly selects each award to associate with each player-selected number in accordance with the example paytables 400 of
As described above, in this example embodiment, when a lottery ticket is purchased, the lottery gaming system creates a data record corresponding to the lottery ticket as described above.
As described above, in this example embodiment, at the designated draw or game times, the lottery gaming system selects a winning draw number for each of the lottery tickets.
As described above, in this example embodiment, after the lottery gaming system randomly selects the winning draw number for each lottery ticket, the lottery gaming system determines any awards to provide the player.
It should be appreciated that various ticket configurations associated with different quantifies of player-selected numbers are possible. For example and as described above,
In this example embodiment shown in
In various example embodiments described above, the lottery gaming system enables the player to select a same wager level for each player-selected symbol indicated for the lottery ticket. In other example embodiments, the lottery gaming system enables the player to select respective wager levels for each respective player selected symbol. For example, the lottery gaming system may enable the player to select a first wager level (such as $1) for a first player-selected symbol and select a different second wager level (such as $5) for a second player-selected symbol on the same playslip for a lottery ticket. In certain such embodiments, the lottery gaming system randomly selects the respective award associated with the corresponding player-selected number based on the player-selected wager level.
In various example embodiments described above, the player selects a quantity of consecutive draws for which the player-selected symbols are enrolled. In various other example embodiments, the player selects a quantity of time-based draws for which the player-selected symbols are enrolled. For example, the player may select to play in morning draws, mid-day draws, evening draws, etc. In various example embodiments, the player may select a quantity of consecutive time-based draws for which the player-selected symbols are enrolled. For example, the player may select to enroll their symbols for ten consecutive morning draws (thus enrolling their symbols for consecutive draws over a ten day period). In various other embodiments, the player may select to enroll their symbols for ten consecutive draws including morning draws and evening draws (thus enrolling their symbols for consecutive draws over a five day period). However, it should be appreciated that other embodiments may employ additional or alternative techniques for indicating a quantity of draws for which their symbols are enrolled.
As mentioned above, in various embodiments, the lottery gaming system and method of the present disclosure are configured to be operated by a lottery agency (such as a state lottery agency).
As mentioned above, in various other embodiments, the lottery gaming system and method of the present disclosure are configured to be operated by a third party that runs the lottery for a lottery agency (such as a state lottery agency).
In this example embodiment, each retailer terminal 802 corresponds to (or is associated with) a particular lottery retailer. For example, the first retailer terminal 802-1 of
In various example embodiments, the lottery retailer terminal 802 includes one or more processor(s). Generally, the processor is operative to perform or process instructions, and in particular, to operate in accordance with the various methods described herein. For example, the processor of the lottery retailer terminal 802 may be operable to enable the lottery retailer terminal 802 to transmit data to (and receive data from) the lottery server 806. More specifically, the processor may enable the transmission of data representing each lottery ticket.
In various example embodiments, the lottery retailer terminal 802 includes one or more input device(s). The input devices of the lottery retailer terminal 802 may include components such as an optical scanner and/or a barcode scanner, for reading and/or for deriving information associated with a playslip and/or a lottery ticket. For example, a lottery ticket may include registration marks, authenticity data, various codes, micro-printed indicia, one or more sense marks, and/or other lottery indicia that must be read. Examples of additional input devices include, but are not limited to, a keypad, a mouse, an image capturing device (e.g., an optical character recognition (OCR) device), a biometric reader, a portable storage device (e.g., a memory stick), and the like.
In various example embodiments, the input device(s) of the lottery retailer terminal 802 may include a clock. The clock may be employed to detect, derive and/or append time and/or date information for use by the lottery server 806 to: (i) create a data record corresponding to lottery tickets purchased at the lottery retailer terminal 802, (ii) to determine redemption time, round and/or date information associated with lottery tickets, and/or (iii) determine whether a lottery player has redeemed their lottery ticket in a manner that qualifies the player to receive a particular redemption or settlement value (for example, if the player makes a lottery ticket redemption request prior to the revealing of a full lottery outcome).
In various example embodiments, the lottery retailer terminal 802 includes one or more output device(s). Such output device(s) may include such components as a display for outputting information to a lottery player or to a terminal operator (e.g., win/loss information and/or payout amounts), one or more benefit output devices (e.g., a cash drawer, a currency dispenser), a printer for producing a physical record (e.g., paper slip, receipt, ticket, voucher, coupon, etc.) that defines a lottery ticket, audio/video output device(s), and the like.
In various example embodiments, the lottery retailer terminal 802 also includes one or more communications port(s), such as a serial port, a modem or the like. Generally, the communications port of the lottery retailer terminal 802 may be operable to facilitate two-way data communications between (i) the lottery retailer terminal 802, and (ii) the lottery server 806. In accordance with some embodiments, the communications port of the lottery retailer terminal 802 may operate to facilitate the transmission of information between the lottery retailer terminal and a player device such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), cell phone and/or a dedicated (e.g., a proprietary) device.
In various example embodiments, the lottery retailer terminal 802 includes a data storage device such as a hard disk, optical or magnetic media, random access memory (RAM) and/or read-only memory (ROM), or the like memory device. Generally, the data storage device of the lottery retailer terminal 802 stores a software program, the software program enabling a processor of the retailer terminal 802 to perform various functions including some or all of the various steps described herein. For example, as noted above with respect to
In various example embodiments, a lottery sales device may be utilized in place of a lottery retailer terminal 802. Such a lottery sales device may be implemented as a lottery server, a controller, a dedicated hardware circuit, an appropriately programmed general-purpose computer, or any other equivalent electronic, mechanical or electro-mechanical device. Thus, in various embodiments, a lottery sales device may include, for example, but is not limited to: (1) a video lottery terminal that may include a touch sensitive screen for use by a player; (2) a personal computer (e.g., which communicates with a remote lottery server); or (3) a personal mobile device such as a mobile telephone, a tablet, or a personal digital assistant. The lottery sales device may include any or all of the devices of the aforementioned systems.
In this example embodiment, the lottery server 806 operates to: (1) receive and/or store data associated with one or more lottery tickets including such data as: (a) ticket identifier(s), and (b) ticket indicia; (2) determine at least a first redemption value associated with a lottery ticket; (3) receive a redemption request associated with the lottery ticket; (4) determine a time or round of play associated with the redemption request; and (5) transmit an indication of the appropriate redemption value to a lottery retailer terminal (e.g., for output or display to a lottery player and/or lottery terminal operator).
In various example embodiments, the lottery server 806 includes one or more processor(s). Such a processor functions to process instructions, and in particular, to operate in accordance with various methods described herein. For example, the processor may operate to enable the lottery server 806 to transmit data to (and receive data from) the lottery retailer terminal 802. More specifically, the processor of the lottery server 806 may enable the transmission of data representing a lottery ticket, as well as information defining one or more payout(s) associated with that lottery ticket to or by a specific one of the lottery retailer terminals 802 shown in the lottery network 800 of
In various example embodiments, the lottery server 806 includes one or more input device(s). Examples of such input devices include a keypad, a mouse, a touch-screen, a random number generator, a microphone, and other digital or analog input devices.
In various example embodiments, the lottery server 806 also includes one or more output device(s). Example of output device(s) of the lottery server 806 include a monitor or other display for outputting information to an operator of the lottery server 806 (e.g., for displaying information such as statistical or sales data, win and loss information and/or payout amounts), a printer for producing a physical record (e.g., a report) of such data, and the like. In addition, the lottery server 806 may include one or more communications ports, such as a serial port, modem or the like, operable to facilitate two-way data communications between (i) the lottery server 806 and (ii) one or more lottery retailer terminals 802.
In various example embodiments, the lottery server 806 includes a data storage device (e.g., a hard disk or hard drive, a media-based (removable) memory, or the like). In certain embodiments, the data storage device of the lottery server 806 stores at least one software program, which includes a program to enable the processor of the lottery server 806 to perform some or all of the various steps and functions of at least one implementation of the methods described in detail herein. In addition, the data storage device of the lottery server 806 may operate to store one or more databases including a lottery ticket database and a lottery ticket redemption status database.
In various example embodiments, the lottery server 806 includes a lottery ticket server device that is located at a lottery ticket printing facility, and may also function to manage the ticket printing process. The lottery server 806 may also function to develop a lottery game matrix (e.g., determining base payouts, win frequencies, and the like) and to match static lottery content with secure paytable (or payout distribution) data. In certain embodiments, a lottery ticket printer device for use in such lottery gaming systems may utilize the game matrix information from the lottery server and may apply it to the secure paytable data.
In certain example embodiments, a retailer terminal (such as the first retailer terminal 802-1) of
Generally, the communications network 804 of
It should be understood that devices in communication with each other need not be continually transmitting to each other. On the contrary, such devices need only transmit to each other as necessary, and may actually refrain from exchanging data most of the time. For example, a device in communication with another device via the Internet may not transmit data to the other device for days or weeks at a time. In some embodiments, a server may not be necessary and/or preferred. For example, in one or more embodiments, methods described herein may be practiced on a stand-alone gaming device and/or a gaming device in communication only with one or more other gaming devices. In such an embodiment, any functions described as performed by the computer may instead be performed by one or more gaming devices.
As used herein, a lottery retailer may include a merchant who sells lottery tickets at a particular location, authenticates winning lottery tickets, redeems authenticated winning lottery tickets, and/or provides awards to players for winning lottery tickets. Examples of various lottery retailers include, but are not limited to, convenience stores, gas stations, supermarkets, and gaming establishments.
Various changes and modifications to the present embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended technical scope. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.
This patent application is a continuation of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application No. 16/194,967, filed on Nov. 19, 2018, now U.S. Patent No. 10,713,900, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16194967 | Nov 2018 | US |
Child | 16926862 | US |