System and method for automated play of lottery games

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment of the present invention provides for: receiving data indicating a request by a player for an automated session, in which the automated session comprises a plurality of lottery outcomes; determining at least one parameter associated with the automated session; determining at least one lottery outcome; and providing the at least one lottery outcome based on the at least one parameter. (end of abstract)

Agent: Walker Digital - Stamford, CT, US
Inventors: John M. Packes, Michael F. Steib, Andrew P. Golden, James A. Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Thomas M. Sparico
USPTO Applicaton #: #20060287052 - Class: 463017000 (USPTO)
Related 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.)

System and method for automated play of lottery games description/claims

The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060287052, System and method for automated play of lottery games.

Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 60/225,319, "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATED LOTTERY GAME PLAY" filed Aug. 15, 2000, incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/437,204, "AUTOMATED PLAY GAMING DEVICE" filed Nov. 9, 1999, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,983, "AUTOMATED PLAY GAMING DEVICE" filed Dec. 30, 1996 and granted Jan. 11, 2000. Each of the above is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for automated play of lottery games.

[0005] 2. Description of Related Art

[0006] A purchase of a lottery ticket typically requires a visit to an authorized lottery agent, where the process varies depending on the type of game to be played. Commonly-known games include "instant" tickets, or "scratch" tickets, where the winning status is apparent on the face of the ticket, and "Lotto" games, where the player picks or otherwise receives a set of entry numbers, and the status of the numbers is determined by comparison with numbers selected in a subsequent lottery drawing.

[0007] With respect to "scratch-off"-style instant lottery games, a player typically purchases a paper or cardboard game ticket from a participating lottery agent. In the case of most instant lottery games, the player then reveals combinations of symbols or values by physically uncovering a portion of the game ticket that is concealed by a covering material, such as latex. Certain revealed combinations of symbols or values may correspond to prizes, which may be provided to a player at a participating lottery agent.

[0008] Thus, once a player purchases a ticket, an outcome corresponding to the ticket may immediately be determined, and any resultant prize may then be claimed. The ability of the instant lottery player to determine immediately upon purchase, or at his convenience, contributes to the appeal of instant lottery games.

[0009] The typical requirements of travel to a lottery agent and/or physical play of the ticket, however, may be a hardship on a player. Further, a potential player may decide not to purchase a lottery ticket because of these requirements, or may decide to purchase a lesser number of lottery tickets than desired. In addition, the overall cost associated with the production and distribution of physical game tickets makes it prohibitive to offer instant tickets for sale below a certain price point, such as one dollar ($1.00).

[0010] Limited options have been made available whereby lottery tickets may be purchased without visits to a lottery agent. Some lotteries now offer subscription sales of "Lotto"-type lottery tickets. With a subscription ticket, lottery entries are automatically re-entered into drawings for a predefined number of weeks. Such subscription tickets are often made available at a discounted price. The Vermont State Lottery, for example, offers multiple drawing "contracts," or a subscription, whereby a player can enter selected numbers in multiple drawings.

[0011] Commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,398, "OFF-LINE REMOTE SYSTEM FOR LOTTERIES AND GAMES OF SKILL", issued to Schneier, et al. (hereinafter "the '398 patent"), describes systems and methods for the electronic representation of instant lottery games via an electronic hand-held ticket viewer (HTV). As described in the '398 patent, the HTV may comprise a personal digital assistant (PDA) or other electronic device (e.g., a personal computer) having hardware and/or software means operable to facilitate the methods described therein.

[0012] The game of Keno resembles automated game play. A game of Keno consists of matching a series of player-selected numbers against a series of numbers drawn by the Keno system. Once the player has selected the series of numbers, the player selects a certain number of games for which those numbers are valid. Thus, by selecting several games, the player may bet on future games without further interaction with the system.

[0013] Despite proceeding without interaction between the player and the Keno system, there is no automated play for a particular customer in Keno. For example, the numbers are drawn by the system and broadcast or transmitted to a number of screens throughout an establishment, such as a casino. Thus, the establishment determines how and when the outcomes of Keno games are provided to players. Furthermore, the Keno games continue indefinitely, without regard to either (i) a particular player's status, (ii) a particular player's participation, or (iii) the outcome of a prior game. Thus, while the drawing of numbers in Keno may occur in a continuous manner, there is no automated play for a particular customer

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] A method according to one embodiment of the present invention provides for: receiving data indicating a request by a player for an automated session, in which the automated session comprises a plurality of lottery outcomes; determining at least one parameter associated with the automated session; determining at least one lottery outcome; and providing the at least one lottery outcome based on the at least one parameter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a player communication device;

[0016] FIG. 1B is a schematic view of a graphical display of the player communication device of FIG. 1A;

[0017] FIG. 2 is an overall schematic view of a system according to one embodiment of the present invention, including a lottery server and a player communication device;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the lottery server of FIG. 2, including a player database, an automated session database and a communication device database;

[0019] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the player communication device of FIG. 2;

[0020] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the player database of FIG. 3;

Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
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Roulette board and method for controlling the same
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Industry Class:
Amusement devices: games

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