Automated golf sweepstakes game

• US 5,332,218 A
• Filed: 08/23/1991
• Issued: 07/26/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Trevor C. Lucey
• Original Assignee: Trevor C. Lucey
• Inventors: Lucey, Trevor C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica J.
• Application Number:
  US07/749,259
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 273/138 R, 273/138 A, 273/139, 273/439, 273/460, 273/259, 273/269, 364/412
• US Class Current: 463/18
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/0605 Lottery games
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/0615 based on sporting events, e.g. football pools
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3288 Betting, e.g. on live events, bookmaking

Abstract

An apparatus and method for playing a golf sweepstakes game. Players seek to win the sweepstakes game by correctly predicting a portion of the outcome of a golf tournament. The players are provided with an access number. A code system allows the players to convert their selection of golfers into numbers which are inputted into a computer system along with the access numbers. The results of the golf tournament are also inputted into the computer system and the computer system determines the winner of the sweepstakes in accordance with a predetermined set of rules. Preferred rules call for the sweepstakes winner also to correctly predict a number (such as eight) of the tournament'"'"'s runners up.

Claims

1. Apparatus for participation by a plurality of participants in a sweepstakes-type game where said participants seek to win said sweepstakes by accurately predicting a portion of the results of a golf tournament said apparatus comprising:

(a) a coding means whereby said participants'"'"' predictions of said portion of the results of the tournament are coded to produce a coded prediction comprising a set of numbers,

(b) a processor entry means adapted to accept said coded predictions and communicate said coded predictions to a processor means,

(c) a means for determining at least one set of winning numbers where said at least one set of winning numbers is based at least in part on an identification of a plurality of golfers who have the lowest scores in the tournament,

(d) a processor means communicating with said processor input means and adapted to compare said coded predictions with said at least one set of winning numbers and to determine identification of the winning participant or participants.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising an access identification means for providing each of said participants with an access identification indicating the participants'"'"' right to participate in said sweepstakes game.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said coding means is a list of all or essentially all of the golfers participating in said tournament with each such golfer having assigned to him or her his or her own individual number.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said processor input means is an optical reader.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said processor input means is an optical mark reader.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said processor input means comprises a touchtone telephone.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said processor input means further comprises a computer operated telephone answering and recording system.

8. Method of conducting a sweepstakes game utilizing a digital computer and a computer input device controlled by said digital computer wherein the winner of the sweepstakes is a participant who wins by correctly predicting a portion of the results of a golf tournament such method comprising the steps of:

(a) assigning golfers participating in the tournament individual numbers

(b) requiring said players to predict the winner of the tournament and a plurality of golfers other than the winner who will have the lowest scores and to form those predictions into a numerical form using said golfers'"'"' individual numbers,

(c) requiring said participants to input said predictions in numerical form into said computer input device,

(d) programing said digital computer to store said predictions,

(e) inputing the results of said tournament into said digital computer and

(f) programing said digital computer to determine the winner or winners of said sweepstakes based on the results of said tournament.

9. The method set forth in claim 8 wherein said computer input device in an optical mark reader.

10. The method set forth in claim 9 wherein said computer input device comprises a touchtone telephone.

11. The method set forth in claim 10 wherein said computer input device further comprises a computer operated telephone answering and recording system.