Telecommunications systems for lotteries

• US 5,403,999 A
• Filed: 01/31/1991
• Issued: 04/04/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Entenmann, John K., Posterick, Barry L., Hooke, John A., Kampmeier, Eric E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Popek, Joseph A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAN
• Application Number:
  US07/648,710
• Time in Patent Office: 1,524 Days
• Field of Search: 235/379, 235/380-381, 235/382, 235/375, 379/88, 379/89, 379/90, 379/91, 379/93, 379/104
• US Class Current: 235/379
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/086 played via telephone, e.g. using a modem
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/081 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 15/005 with dispensing of lottery tickets
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1066 Game playing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/487 Arrangements for providing information services, e.g. recorded voice services or time announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4878 Advertisement messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber

Abstract

A lottery system using a public switched network to enter a lottery and to receive an indication of winning while connected on a lottery call. A lottery customer dials a telephone number to enter the lottery. The customer has his eligibility verified by a credit card number or the telephone number of the calling station. The customer is then prompted to speak or key a lottery entry which may be a full number, partial number, or an indication that a lottery comparison number is to be generated by a lottery processor. From the customer'"'"'s lottery entry, a lottery comparison number is generated. This is compared with a random lottery target number generated by the lottery processor. If the comparison number and target number match, the customer is informed of his winning. Advantageously, lottery customers are quickly notified of their winnings.

Claims

1. A method of using a switched network to perform a transaction involving a plurality of participants, the participants being capable of being connected to the switched network but being distinct therefrom and the participants having between them information about the transaction which is distinct from the information used by the switched network in establishing connections through the switched network, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a transaction specifier specifying the transaction from a first one of the participants in the switched network; and

in the switched network, responding to the transaction specifier by establishing connections with the participants as required to perform steps including

obtaining a first portion of the information from a first group of at least one of the participants;

obtaining a second portion of the information from a second group of at least one of the participants; and

using at least some of the obtained information to provide third information about the transaction to a third group of at least one of the participants.

2. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein:

the third information includes less than all of the obtained information.

3. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein:

in the step of obtaining the second portion of the information, the second group is different from the first and third groups.

4. The method set forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of:

responding to the second portion in accordance with the second portion'"'"'s significance for the transaction.

5. The method set forth in claim 1 wherein:

the obtained information includes an identifier for a participant in the transaction; and

the method further includes the step of determining whether the participant identified by the identifier is qualified to participate in the transaction.

6. The method set forth in claim 5 wherein:

the identifier is a credit card number and the step of determining whether the participant identified by the identifier is qualified to participate includes the step of providing the credit card number to a participant in the second group for verification.

7. A method of using a switched network to perform a transaction involving a plurality of participants, said participants including a calling customer, a provider of a service, and an additional participant, said participants being capable of being connected to the switched network but being distinct therefrom and the participants having among them information about the transaction which is distinct from the information used by the switched network in establishing connections through the switched network, the method comprising the steps of

receiving, in the switched network, from the calling customer,

a. a code identifying said service and

b. first transaction information,

in response to receipt of said code and said first transaction information, establishing in said network such connections among said participants as are required to perform steps including

obtaining from said additional participant, in response to the obtained first transaction information, second transaction information needed by said service provider to complete said transaction,

providing the second transaction information to said service provider.