Apparatus and method for game play in an electronic environment

• US 20030060261A1
• Filed: 04/15/2002
• Published: 03/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Milestone Entertainment LLC
• Original Assignee: Milestone Entertainment LLC
• Inventors: Dawson, Gary, Katz, Randall Mark
• Granted Patent: US 8,393,946 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/17
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00157 Casino or betting games horse races A63F3/00082
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/06 Lottos or bingo games; Systems, apparatus or devices for checking such games small boxes with balls used for generating random numbers A63F7/048; lottery apparatus G07C15/00; lottery gaming stations, online lottery or bingo G07F17/329; printing processes for lottery tickets B41M3/005
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/081 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/329 Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards

Abstract

The inventions herein relate to novel games of chance and apparatus and methods for their play. In certain embodiments, the existing lottery infrastructure is used in conjunction with electronic remote game play. A player receives a ticket identification number (TIN), optionally via lottery game play, and then plays an electronic game based upon the TIN. The remote system contains information associated with the TIN, for example, identification of which game will be played, and in a predetermined context, whether the player is to win or lose, and if they win, the form of the prize. In one embodiment, a multi-level game of chance is played by presenting the player with multiple options, where there is at least one positive option and at least one negative option. By way of example, at each level the player selects one of four boxes, where two have a monetary amount, and one has a strike. Optionally, the fourth box may comprise a ‘mystery box’, which requires a decision within a decision. When presented with the mystery box, the player may elect to open it or not. If they do not open it, game play resumes at the existing game level. If they open it, one of multiple options is presented, including a positive option and a negative option. In the preferred embodiment, the positive option could include: a multiplier of the winnings of the player, e.g., a double of the money in the player'"'"'s account, or the updating of the safe level for the player. A negative result could be an additional strike. Preferably, the probability of a negative outcome from the opening of the mystery box should be the same as the probability of a negative event the general playing of the game. In studio participation, casino based play, or play over an electronic network, such as the Internet, is contemplated. In another embodiment, a series of numbers are randomly drawn for the player and the system, and a win determined based upon predefined rules, e.g., four of a kind beats three of a kind. In yet another embodiment, an ancillary game is performed using the substantially real time determination of the number of lottery players still remaining in the game.

Claims

1. A method for electronic game play comprising the steps of:

providing a product having an identification number enabling electronic game play,

initiating electronic contact by the game player to a remote server site,

receiving the identification number entered by a player at a remote server site,

verifying entitlement at the remote server site of the identification number to engage in game play,

storing at the remote server site a positive indication of game play, and

communicating between a redemption location and the remote server site to obtain a positive confirmation from the remote server site of electronic game play prior to providing a prize associated with the identification number.

2. The method for electronic game play of claim 1 wherein the remote server site comprises an internet site.

3. The method for electronic game play of claim 1 wherein the remote server site comprises a lottery server site.

4. The method for electronic game play of claim 1 wherein the remote server site comprises a combined web site and a lottery server site.

5. The method for electronic game play of claim 4 further including a communication path between the web site and the lottery server.

6. The method for electronic game play of claim 1 wherein the product comprises a lottery ticket.

7. The method for electronic game play of claim 1 wherein the product comprises a printed medium.

8. The method for electronic game play of claim 1 wherein the identification number correlates to variable game play.

9. The method for electronic game play of claim 8 wherein the variable game play includes identification of the prize.

10. The method for electronic game play of claim 9 wherein the identification of the prize includes an indication of the monetary amount of the prize.

11. The method for electronic game play of claim 9 wherein the variable game play relates to the game to be played.

12. The method for electronic game play of claim 9 wherein the variable game play relates to the degree of difficulty of the game.

13. The method for electronic game play of claim 9 wherein the variable game play relates to a bonus amount associated with the identification number.

14. The method for electronic game play of claim 1 wherein a promotional offer is made to the game player.

15. The method for electronic game play of claim 14 wherein the promotional offer relates to a retail store where the product was purchased.

16. The method for electronic game play of claim 14 wherein the promotional offer relates to a retail store where the product was redeemed.

17. The method for electronic game play of claim 14 wherein the promotional offer comprises a discount.

18. The method for electronic game play of claim 14 wherein the promotional offer comprises a free product.

19. The method for electronic game play of claim 14 wherein the promotional offer comprises a free service.

20. The method for electronic game play of claim 14 wherein the promotional offer is conveyed to the player electronically.

21. The method for electronic game play of claim 1 wherein the player communicates with the remote server site through a wireless link.

22. The method for electronic game play of claim 1 wherein the player communicates with the remote server site through a wired link.

23. A method for lottery game play comprising the steps of:

providing a scratch-off lottery game having a direct monetary prize potential,

providing a second scratch off game,

scratch off revealing a ticket identification number (TIN), the ticket identification number correlating to game play,

inputting the ticket identification number,

checking the TIN for entitlement to play, recalling from memory whether the TIN is for a win or a loss, and if for a win, the amount of the win, and at least one other variable game play parameters, and

displaying the win or loss status to the player through game play according to the variable game play parameters.

24. The method for lottery game play of claim 23 wherein one variable game play parameter is the identity of the game to be played.

25. The method for lottery game play of claim 23 wherein one variable game play parameter is the prize amount.

26. The method for lottery game play of claim 23 wherein one variable game play parameter is the degree of difficulty of the game.

27. The method for lottery game play of claim 23 wherein one variable game play parameter is the amount of bonus for the game play.

28. The method for lottery game play of claim 23 wherein the variable game play parameters are revealed through scratch-off.

29. The method for lottery game play of claim 23 wherein the variable game play parameters are revealed through electronic game play.

30. A method for entry by a player into a game played over an electronic communication system, comprising the steps of:

purchasing a ticket containing a participation number from a physical retail location,

entering the participation number into the electronic system via a processing device having a graphical display,

validating the legitimacy of the participation number,

if the participation number is legitimate, permitting game play, and

providing a graphical indication of the outcome of the game play to the player.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein the player receives an indication of a winning amount.

32. The method of claim 30 further including the step of presenting the ticket containing the participation number to a physical retail location after the game play.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the player is paid their winning amount at the physical retail location.

34. The method of claim 32 wherein the winning status of the participation number is checked based upon input at the physical retail location.

35. The method of claim 30 wherein the ticket includes an indication as to the monetary value of the ticket.

36. The method of claim 30 wherein the ticket includes obscured information.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein the ticket is obscured at least in part through a scratch-off layer.

38. The method of claim 30 wherein the ticket includes variable information.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein the variable information relates to the potential prize amount.

40. The method of claim 38 wherein the variable information relates to the particular game to be played.

41. The method of claim 38 wherein the variable information relates to the level of difficulty of game play.

42. The method of claim 30 wherein the validating the legitimacy of the participation number includes a use test.

43. The method of claim 30 wherein the validating the legitimacy of the participation number includes a time test.

44. The method of claim 30 further including the step of obtaining registration information from the player.