Computerized lottery wagering system

• US 5,904,619 A
• Filed: 07/28/1998
• Issued: 05/18/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lottotron Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Lottotron Incorporated
• Inventors: Scagnelli, John B., Fiscella, Joseph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAGER, MARK ALAN
• Application Number:
  US09/123,990
• Time in Patent Office: 294 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463/16-18, 463/25-31, 463/36, 463/40-42, 364/410.1, 364/412.1, 273/138.1, 273/138.2, 273/139, 273/236-238, 273/269, 273/274, 379/91.01, 379/93.01, 379/93.02, 379/93.03, 379/93.13
• US Class Current: 463/17
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/086 played via telephone, e.g. using a modem
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/16 Payments settled via telecommunication systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/24 Credit schemes, i.e. "pay after"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/305 using wired telephone networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/34 Betting or bookmaking, e.g. Internet betting
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3288 Betting, e.g. on live events, bookmaking

Abstract

A wagering system for accepting wagers over communications systems comprising: (a) automatic call director means (ACD) for receiving incoming messages from subscribers who wish to wager on the system; b) message means (wagering VRU) connected thereto for receiving the incoming messages routed from the ACD, and for playing a series of recorded audio messages requesting subscriber wager information to be input via telecommunications means; and (c) host processor means having storage means and being connected to the wagering VRU for receiving the subscriber wager information, storing it in a master subscriber wager file in the storage means, and assigning an associated ticket number to the wager.

Claims

1. A wagering system for automatically accepting wagers comprising:

a) communications means for receiving communications from subscribers and routing each of said communications to one of a plurality of different wagering formats as requested by a subscriber;

b) message means connected to said communications means for receiving the incoming communications routed from said communications means and for providing a series of messages requesting subscriber wagering information particular to said one of the plurality of wagering formats; and

c) computer means having storage means connected to said message means for receiving and storing said subscriber wagering information in said storage means, and assigning a reference number to a wager.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said message means provides a confirmation message with said reference number.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said message means provides a series of messages requesting confirmation of the subscriber wager information.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said computer means validates said subscriber wagering information by comparing said subscriber wager information to a master subscriber enrollment file.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said subscriber wager information includes a personal account number, a personal identification number, a particular wagering format chosen from a plurality of wagering formats available, at least one wager and a wagering amount corresponding to the particular wagering format chosen.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the particular wagering formats include 6-digit lotto, 3-digit lotto, 4-digit lotto and keno.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the particular wagering formats include intrastate wagering and interstate wagering.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein the particular wagering, formats include a quick pick option.