| Method and apparatus for gaming based upon a paper ticket -> Monitor Keywords |
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Method and apparatus for gaming based upon a paper ticketRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Including Means For Processing Electronic Data (e.g., Computer/video Game, Etc.), In A Chance Application, Lot Match Or Lot Combination (e.g., Roulette, Lottery, Etc.)Method and apparatus for gaming based upon a paper ticket description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060189373, Method and apparatus for gaming based upon a paper ticket. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/325,294, filed Sep. 26, 2001, which application is specifically incorporated herein, in its entirety, by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for playing a game of chance, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for simulating a slot-machine when playing a paper ticket game, such as a lottery. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] The term "slot machine" is generally used herein to refer to any automatic machine designed to accept cash from a user in exchange for playing a game of chance, and to pay a prize to the user depending on the result of the game. The results of the game of chance are determined by the slot machine. The user is not able to influence the probability of winning, although some machines may provide the user with limited influence over individual game results (i.e., provide a "nudge" function) to make playing the machine more appealing. Cash may be accepted in any suitable form, including as redeemable tokens, currency or electronic credit. Similarly, prizes may be paid in any suitable form. [0006] Las-Vegas style slot machines use spinning cylinders, flashing lights, bells or musical sounds, clinking tokens, and the like, to make playing a game of chance more engaging. Such machines are popular with gamblers the world over. Over the years, gamblers have come to expect a slot machine to typically include a pull arm for initiating a game, three or four spinning cylinders with colorful symbols, and a hopper into which winnings are deposited in the form of currency or tokens. In modern slot machines, the payout ratio of the machines can be electronically set. The outcome of each game is randomly determined, but the operator is able to determine the percentage of money deposited that will be paid out, so that over the long run, the house always wins. Most gamblers recognize that slot machine gaming is, over the long run, designed to be a losing proposition for the player. Nevertheless, many are willing to spend long hours playing slot machines in an endeavor to beat the odds. The engaging and popular design of Los-Vegas style machines deserves much of the credit for creating this willingness to play. [0007] Many institutions, such as state governments, sell paper gaming tickets as a fund-raising technique. In particular, scratch-off lottery tickets are popular with the public, and raise modest amounts of revenue for state coffers. The use of paper tickets permits the issuer to easily control the payout ratio while allowing a large number of people dispersed over a large geographic area to play the same game. Scratch-off tickets became popular as a way to allow purchasers of the tickets to "instantly" determine the outcome of the game. This innovation has enjoyed only limited success, perhaps partially because most people quickly become bored with scratching lottery tickets, and so much the more when they understand that their chances of winning are poor. Lower ticket sales, in turn, make it more difficult for the lottery operator to cover overhead costs, and payout ratios are accordingly diminished, making the game still less appealing. Yet many people who seldom, if ever, purchase scratch-off lottery tickets are willing to spend large amounts of money playing slot machines in casinos. Such people might be willing to play paper ticket games if the style of play were more engaging and entertaining. It is desirable, therefore, to provide a method and apparatus for this purpose. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The present invention provides a method and apparatus for making it more interesting and entertaining to play games of chance using an instant-win (e.g., scratch-off) paper ticket. A ticket-reading machine is provided, that outwardly appears to be a slot machine, and more preferably, a Las-Vegas style slot machine. In particular, the machine includes a plurality of spinning cylinders with gaming symbols, or an electronic display that emulates spinning cylinders. The machine includes a source of lottery tickets (such as a roll of tickets). A user initiates play as if operating a slot machine, such as by inserting a token or currency, and pulling a lever. When play is initiated, the cylinders of the machine spin. The machine reads the next ticket on the roll, determines whether the ticket is a winning ticket, and if so, the amount won. If the ticket is a losing ticket, the cylinders stop spinning at a losing combination, and no prize is paid. If the ticket is a winning ticket, the cylinders stop spinning at a combination that correlates to the amount of the prize. The prize is paid, preferably in the form of currency or tokens, into a hopper, just like a traditional slot machine. [0009] Variations on operation of the system may include playing multiple tickets at one time. For example, a user may elect to play any number of tickets that have been paid for in a single spin. In such case, the machine reads all of the indicated tickets and pays out an amount equal to the total ticket winnings. [0010] The invention thereby provides many benefits for the operators of paper ticket games. Since the player never needs to actually see the ticket, it does not need to be visually appealing, and the cost of printing tickets may be reduced. In the alternative, the machine may be designed to read conventional scratch-off lottery tickets. In such case, the lottery operator does not need to invest in the gaming machinery, and may leave that investment decision to individual operators at the point of sale. In either case, the cost of operating the game should decrease, or at least, not increase, while the volume of tickets sold should increase. The increased volume and lower costs may permit higher payout ratios, attracting still more interest. Gamblers who enjoy playing slot machines will have less incentive to travel to a casino to do so, and will be more likely to play lottery ticket games, from which profits may be returned to the public. [0011] A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus for gaming based on a paper ticket will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages and objects thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings which will first be described briefly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing elements of an exemplary apparatus according to the invention. [0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary ticket reader according to the invention. [0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary apparatus according to the invention, that is designed to simulate a Las-Vegas style slot machine. [0015] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing exemplary steps of a method according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0016] The present invention provides a method and apparatus for gaming based on a durable ticket, that overcomes the limitations of the prior art. In the detailed description that follows, like element numerals are used to indicate like elements appearing in one or more of the figures. [0017] A block diagram showing elements of an gaming machine 100 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 1. Gaming machine 100 is adapted to award prizes based on a prize amount indicated by a "instant-win" ticket 118. Machine 100 may be enclosed in a console, such as in one resembling a slot machine. In the alternative, machine 100 may be arranged in any desired manner that permits interaction with a gamer and real-time play based on information printed on ticket 118. Ticket 118 may be inserted into machine 100 by a user, handled by an acceptor device 108 and read by ticket reader 106. More preferably, machine 100 contains a supply of equivalent gaming tickets 116 accessible by ticket reader 106. [0018] It should be appreciated that instant-win ticket 118 (and tickets 116) may be any durable ticket, coupon or other token article on which a prize amount (which may be zero) is indicated by a predetermined hidden indicator, such as hidden characters 119. Thus, the ticket's prize amount is predetermined at the time the ticket is made, but no prize is awarded until the ticket is played by revealing the hidden indicator. Lottery "scratcher" tickets are an example of a type of instant-win ticket, in which the prize indicator is hidden by an opaque removable film. Other methods for hiding an indicator on a ticket or other article exist, and a machine according to the invention may be adapted for use with such articles. [0019] Machine 100 includes a ticket reader 106 connected to a controller 102. Controller 102 is connected to a display 104 and a payment acceptor 108. It should be appreciated that the ticket reader 106 may be any suitable device for revealing the hidden indicator on ticket 118 (or tickets 116), and thereby determining the ticket prize amount. It is not necessarily limited to a device for reading a scratch-off lottery ticket. For example, it may be a device for reading coded magnetic media, on which prize amounts may be encrypted. In general, the invention is not concerned with specific mechanical, electrical, or operating details of machine 100 such as may be appropriately selected by one of ordinary skill based on the disclosure herein. Continue reading about Method and apparatus for gaming based upon a paper ticket... Full patent description for Method and apparatus for gaming based upon a paper ticket Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method and apparatus for gaming based upon a paper ticket patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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