Interactive computer gaming system with audio response

• US 20040014514A1
• Filed: 05/19/2003
• Published: 01/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: eLottery, Inc. (eLOT, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: eLottery, Inc. (eLOT, Inc.)
• Inventors: Yacenda, Michael W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,272,959 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/17
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/081 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3251 involving media of variable value, e.g. programmable cards, programmable tokens

Abstract

A remotely accessed lottery system in accordance with the present invention, includes at least one gaming location including a plurality of terminals, each terminal including a display and an input device, the terminals being connected on a local area network. A dedicated transmission link is coupled to the local area network. A central station is remotely disposed relative to the at least one gaming location, the central station coupled to the local area network by the dedicated transmission link. The central station further includes at least one computer for generating tickets to be sent to the terminals pursuant to requests by players to participate, wherein the tickets are digitally rendered on a display of the terminals and have outcomes predetermined at the central station prior to the request for purchase and also includes a device for updating player accounts responsive to requests for participation and winning results as determined at the central station. A method for playing virtual scratch off games is also included.

Claims

1. A remotely accessed lottery system comprising:

at least one gaming location including a plurality of kiosks, wherein each kiosk comprises a display and an input device, the kiosk being connected on a local area network;

the input device includes a card reader for reading identification card having a memory storage for storing identification information, account balance information, and statistical information for a player;

a dedicated transmission link coupled to the local area network;

a central station remotely disposed relative to the at least one gaming location, the central station coupled to the local area network by the dedicated transmission link for facilitating on-line game play to the gaming location;

the control station further comprises;

a game server, wherein the game server is accessed by the player for Kiosk based games;

a ticket generator for generating and storing tickets according to a predetermined schedule of winning tickets and for sending the ticket to the Kiosk pursuant to a request by the player to participate, wherein the tickets generated include an instant lottery game; and

a means for updating player accounts responsive to requests for participating and winning results as determined at the central station, said updates determined at the central station being transmitted and stored on the card.

2. The remotely accessed lottery system as recited in claim 1, wherein the ticket requested by the player is displayed on the display.

3. The remotely accessed lottery system as recited in claim 2, wherein the kiosks further comprise a printer device for providing a printout of tickets displayed on the display.

4. The remotely accessed lottery system as recited in claim 1, wherein the dedicated link includes a wide area network.

5. The remotely accessed lottery system as recited in claim 1, wherein the tickets include obscured regions having a result invisible to the player wherein the player indicates obscured regions to be revealed thereby revealing a winning or a losing ticket.

6. The remotely accessed lottery system as recited in claim 5, wherein the kiosk includes a mouse input device for controlling a location of an on screen cursor, the mouse input device for indicating by the player which obscured regions to reveal.

7. (New) The remotely accessed lottery system as recited in claim 6, further including means for detecting and revealing only portions of the obscured region selected by the mouse.

8. (New) The remotely accessed lottery system as recited in claim 5, wherein the display is a touch screen display and the obscured regions to be revealed.

9. (New) The remotely accessed lottery system as recited in claim 1, wherein the central station further comprises means for accessing a state sponsored lottery computer for providing state sponsored lottery games to players.

10. The remotely accessed lottery system as recited in claim 1, wherein the Kiosk include an automated teller machine or a vending machine.

11. The remotely accessed lottery system as recited in claim 1, wherein the kiosk includes a plurality of display devices and a plurality of input devices to accommodate a plurality of players simultaneously.

12. The remotely accessed lottery system as recited in claim 1, wherein the central station includes a multi-player play of a single game, wherein the games are processed and monitored by a processor in the central station.

13. The remotely accessed lottery system as recited in claim 1, wherein the central station includes multi-player play of multiple games, wherein the games are processed and monitored by a processor in the central station.

14. The remotely accessed lottery system as recited in claim 1, wherein the central station facilitates lottery-type game play with which software including gaming programs and algorithms, and accounting and booking programs, reside at the central station.

15. The remotely accessed lottery system as recited in claim 1, wherein the tickets generated are either state sponsored or non-state sponsored lottery game.

16. The remotely accessed lottery system as recited in claim 15, wherein the non-state sponsored lottery ticket pertains to an instant drawing, and wherein results are transmitted directly to the displays in the kiosk.

17. A remotely accessible state sponsored lottery system comprising:

a central station coupled to a wide area network for facilitating on-line game play for personal computer players;

the central station further comprises;

a web server for controlling Internet games and interfaces for the player and for accessing a game server;

a ticket generator for generating and storing tickets according to a predetermined schedule for winning and for sending tickets to a personal computer pursuant to a request by the player to participate;

a business server for storing identification information, account balance information, and statistical information for a player and for processing requests for additional debits and credits to a customer account; and

a bank server for accessing a financial institution or credit card as per the player'"'"'s request process by the business server.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the ticket is sent as a digital image and is reproduced on a screen of the personal computer.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the tickets generated have a predetermined result thereon which is obscured from the player'"'"'s view.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the central station facilitates lottery-type game play with which software including gaming programs and algorithms, and accounting and booking programs, reside at the central station.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein the tickets generated include an instant lottery game.

23. The system of claim 18, wherein the tickets generated include virtual tickets.

20. The system of claim 20, wherein the player uses a cursor to unobscure the predetermined result.