Systems and methods for lottery game play aggregation

• US 6,773,345 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2001
• Issued: 08/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Inventor Holdings LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Fincham, Magdalena M., Tulley, Stephen C., Packes, Jr., John M., Walker, Jay S., Jorasch, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica
• Application Number:
  US09/938,977
• Publication Number:
  US 20030190943A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,082 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463/17, 463/18, 463/19, 463/20, 463/25, 273/269, 273/292
• US Class Current: 463/17
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3234 about the performance of a gaming system, e.g. revenue, diagnosis of the gaming system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/329 Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for operating a lottery gaming system. In one embodiment, a player playing an electronic instant lottery game on a player device accumulates occurrences of a bonus symbol during a duration comprising at least two outcomes. The occurrences of the bonus symbol may be tracked by means of a running count. The running count may be increased with each occurrence of a tracked bonus symbol and the player provided with a bonus if the running count is at least equal to a predetermined number. The accumulated occurrences of the bonus symbol may also expire in some embodiments of the present invention. Expiration of an occurrence of a bonus symbol may occur, for example, after a predetermined time period or a predetermined number of outcomes from the time of the occurrence of the bonus symbol.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating play of a lottery game, comprising:

determining a number of occurrences of a first symbol during a duration comprising at least two lottery game outcomes; and

causing a bonus to be provided if the number of occurrences of the first symbol during the duration is at least a minimum number of occurrences,

in which each of the at least two lottery game outcomes is predetermined.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the number of occurrences of the first symbol during the duration is associated with an identifier.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the identifier identifies a player.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the identifier identifies a lottery game device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining a number of occurrences comprises:

determining a number of actual occurrences of the first symbol during the duration;

determining a number of occurrences of the first symbol that qualify forte bonus; and

wherein the step of causing a bonus to be provided comprises;

causing a bonus to be provided if the number of occurrences of the first symbol that qualify for the bonus is at least a minimum number of occurrences.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of determining a number of occurrences of the first symbol that qualify for the bonus comprises:

determining at least one rule to be satisfied in order for the occurrence of the first symbol to qualify for the bonus; and

determining the actual number of occurrences of the first symbol in accordance with the at least one rule.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least one rule comprises:

a period of time during which the occurrence of the first symbol qualifies for the bonus.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the period of time begins at a time of the occurrence of the first symbol.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of determining the actual number of occurrences comprises:

determining, for each occurrence of the first symbol, a time of the occurrence;

determining, for each occurrence of the first symbol, a current time; and

subtracting, from the actual number of occurrences of the first symbol, each occurrence for which the period of time between the time of occurrence and the current time exceeds the period of time during which the occurrence of the first symbol qualifies for the bonus.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the lottery game is played on an electronic lottery device, and wherein the period of time comprises:

a period of time during which the electronic lottery device is active.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least one rule comprises:

a predetermined number of outcomes revealed after an initial occurrence of the first symbol, in which the first symbol qualifies for the bonus during the predetermined number of outcomes.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of adjusting comprises:

determining an outcome during which each actual occurrence of the first symbol occurred;

determining how many outcomes have occurred since the outcome during which each actual occurrence of the first symbol occurred; and

including the occurrence of the first symbol in the number of occurrences of the first symbol that qualify for the bonus if the number of outcomes since the outcome during which the occurrence of the first symbol occurred is not greater than the number of outcomes during which the actual occurrence of the first symbol qualifies for the bonus.

13. The method of claim 6, wherein the rule comprises:

at least one second symbol, the occurrence of which causes at least one occurrence of the first symbol to no longer qualify for a bonus.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the occurrence of the first symbol occurs at a first device and the occurrence of the at least one second symbol occurs at a second device.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the occurrence of the first symbol occurs during play of the lottery game by a first player and the occurrence of the at least one second symbol occurs during play of the lottery game by a second player.

16. The method of claim 6, wherein the rule comprises:

a time between a first outcome being revealed and a second outcome being revealed which, if exceeded, causes at least one occurrence of the symbol to no longer qualify for a bonus.

17. The method of claim 6, wherein the rule comprises:

at least one award provided to a player as a result of an outcome, which award causes at least one occurrence of the first symbol to no longer qualify for a bonus.

18. The method of claim 6, wherein the rule comprises:

an event external to the lottery game which, if detected, causes at least one occurrence of the first symbol to no longer qualify for a bonus.

19. The method of claim 6, wherein the rule comprises:

randomly causing at least one occurrence of the at least one symbol to no longer qualify for a bonus.

20. The method of claim 6, wherein the rule is associated with at least one of (i) the first symbol, (ii) an occurrence of the first symbol, (iii) an outcome, (iv) a player, and (iv) the lottery game.

21. The method of claim 6, wherein the rule may cause an occurrence of the first symbol to be multiplied such that the occurrence comprises more than one occurrence of the first symbol that qualifies for the bonus.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

receiving, from a player, an indication of the first symbol.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the first symbol is one of a plurality of symbols that may be combined to form an outcome of a lottery game.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the first symbol is a symbol revealed in association with an outcome of a lottery game.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining a number of occurrences of the first symbol further comprises:

determining a number of occurrences of the first symbol obtained by at least two players; and

wherein the step of causing a bonus to be provided comprises;

causing a bonus to be provided if a sum of the number of occurrences of the first symbol earned by the at least two players within the duration is at least a minimum number of occurrences.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein each of the two players is playing the lottery game at a single lottery device.

27. An apparatus, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor connected to the storage device,

the storage device storing

a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to;

determine a number of occurrences of a first symbol during a duration comprising at least two lottery game outcomes; and

cause a bonus to be provided if the number of occurrences of the first symbol during the duration is at least a minimum number of occurrences,

in which each of the at least two lottery game outcomes is predetermined.

28. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method, said method comprising:

determining a number of occurrences of a first symbol during a duration comprising at least two lottery game outcomes; and

causing a bonus to be provided if the number of occurrences of the first symbol during the duration is at least a minimum number of occurrences,

in which each of the at least two lottery game outcomes is predetermined.

29. A method of facilitating the play of a lottery game, comprising:

determining a number of occurrences of a symbol which qualify for a bonus, wherein the number of occurrences of the symbol are associated with a player and are associated with a plurality of predetermined lottery game outcomes; and

causing a bonus to be provided tote player based on the number of occurrences of the symbol which qualify for the bonus, wherein an actual number of occurrences of the symbol which are associated with the player may be adjusted based on a predetermined rule in order to determine the number of occurrences which qualify for a bonus.

30. An apparatus, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor connected to the storage device,

the storage device storing

a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to;

determine a number of occurrences of a symbol which qualify for a bonus, wherein the number of occurrences of the symbol are associated with a player and are associated with a plurality of predetermined lottery game outcomes; and

cause a bonus to be provided to the player based on the number of occurrences of the symbol which qualify for the bonus, wherein an actual number of occurrences of the symbol which are associated with the player may be adjusted based on a predetermined rule in order to determine the number of occurrences which qualify for a bonus.

31. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method, said method comprising:

determining a number of occurrences of a symbol which qualify for a bonus, wherein the number of occurrences of the symbol are associated with a player and are associated with a plurality of predetermined lottery game outcomes; and

causing a bonus to be provided to the player based on the number of occurrences of the symbol which qualify for the bonus, wherein an actual number of occurrences of the symbol which are associated with the player may be adjusted based on a predetermined rule in order to determine the number of occurrences which qualify for a bonus.

32. A method of facilitating play of a lottery game, comprising:

identifying at least one first tracked symbol;

initializing a running count of occurrences of the at least one first tracked symbol;

receiving information about an outcome that is a predetermined lottery outcome, the outcome being represented by a plurality of symbols;

determining an occurrence of the at least one first tracked symbol;

adjusting the running count, including increasing the running count to reflect occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and decreasing the running count to reflect expiration of occurrences of the at least one first tracked symbol; and

determining a bonus payout based on the running count.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein:

the step of adjusting includes adding a first predetermined integer value to the running count; and

the step of adjusting further includes subtracting a second predetermined integer value from the running count.

34. The method of claim 32, further including the step of:

identifying an expiration criterion representing a number of plays after which an occurrence of the at least one first tracked symbol expires and is therefore no longer included in the running count; and

determining an expiration occurrence of the at least one first tracked symbol based on the expiration criterion.

35. The method of claim 33, further including the steps of:

identifying an expiration condition representing a time after which the occurrence of the at least one first tracked symbol expires; and

determining an expiration of an occurrence of the at least one first tracked symbol based on the expiration condition.

36. The method of claim 32, further including the steps of:

determining whether the outcome is associated with an award; and

wherein the step of determining an occurrence is performed only if the outcome is not associated with an award.

37. The method of claim 32, further including the step of:

storing the running count on a lottery server; and

wherein the running count includes status data representing an expiration criterion of each occurrence of the at least one first tracked symbol.

38. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of determining a bonus payout further includes determining the bonus payout based on a number of outcomes of the lottery game over which the at least one first tracked symbol was accumulated.

39. The method of claim 32, wherein the step of determining a bonus further includes determining the bonus based on the time over which the occurrences of the at least one first tracked symbol were accumulated.

40. The method of claim 32, wherein the running count represents occurrences of the at least one first tracked symbol at more than one lottery device.

41. The method of claim 32, wherein the running count represents occurrences of the at least one first tracked symbol obtained by more than one player.

42. The method of claim 33, further including:

determining an occurrence of at least one second tracked symbol; and

wherein the occurrence of the at least one second tracked symbol causes an expiration of an occurrence of the at least one first tracked symbol.

43. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

determining an occurrence of an expiration condition of the at least one first tracked symbol;

receiving a request and a corresponding payment to disregard the expiration condition; and

disregarding the expiration condition, thereby not adjusting the running count of the at least one first tacked symbol based on the expiration condition, in response to the request and the payment.

44. The method of claim 32, wherein the bonus comprises at least one of (i) a monetary amount, (ii) a free outcome of the lottery game, (iii) a discount associated with a third party, and (iv) a free item or service.

45. The method of claim 32, wherein the running count is incremented based on a task performed by a player associated with the running count.

46. An apparatus, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor connected to the storage device,

the storage device storing

a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to;

identify at least one tracked symbol;

initialize a running count of occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol;

receive information about an outcome that is a predetermined lottery outcome, the outcome being represented by a plurality of symbols;

determine an occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol;

adjust the running count, including increasing the running count to reflect occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and decreasing the running count to reflect expiration of occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; and

determining a bonus payout based on the running count.

47. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method, said method comprising:

identifying at least one tracked symbol;

initializing a running count of occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol;

receiving information about an outcome that is a predetermined lottery outcome, the outcome being represented by a plurality of symbols;

determining an occurrence of the at least one tracked symbol;

adjusting the running count, including increasing the running count to reflect occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol and decreasing the running count to reflect expiration of occurrences of the at least one tracked symbol; and

determining a bonus payout based on the running count.

48. A method for facilitating the play of an instant lottery game on an electronic lottery game terminal, comprising:

determining a first outcome of a lottery game associated with a player, wherein an outcome of the lottery game is predetermined and comprises a plurality of symbols;

identifying a first symbol to track, wherein the first symbol is one of the plurality of symbols comprising the outcome;

initiating a running count of the first symbol, wherein the running count comprises a number of occurrences of the first symbol that qualify for a bonus;

determining at least one expiration criterion associated with the first symbol, wherein the expiration criterion defines when an occurrence of the first symbol is no longer part of the running count;

determining a second outcome of the lottery game associated with the player;

adjusting the running count of the first symbol based on the second outcome and the expiration criterion;

repeating the step of adjusting for a plurality of subsequent outcomes; and

causing a bonus to be provided to the player if the running count comprises a minimum number of occurrences of the first symbol.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the electronic lottery terminal comprises at least one of a (i) personal digital assistant;

(ii) cellular telephone, (iii) paging device, (iv) personal computer, (v) laptop computer, and (vi) kiosk.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein the electronic lottery game terminal communicates wirelessly with a remote lottery game server.

51. An apparatus, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor connected to the storage device,

the storage device storing

a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to;

determine a first outcome of a lottery game associated with a player, wherein an outcome of the lottery game is predetermined and comprises a plurality of symbols;

identify a first symbol to track, wherein the first symbol is one of the plurality of symbols comprising the outcome;

initiate a running count of the first symbol, wherein the running count comprises a number of occurrences of the first symbol that qualify for a bonus;

determine at least one expiration criterion associated with the first symbol, wherein the expiration criterion defines when an occurrence of the first symbol is no longer part of the running count;

determine a second outcome of the lottery game associated with the player;

adjust the running count of the first symbol based on the second outcome and the expiration criterion;

repeat the step of adjusting for a plurality of subsequent outcomes; and

cause a bonus to be provided to the player if the running count comprises a minimum number of occurrences of the first symbol.

52. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method, said method comprising:

determining a first outcome of a lottery game associated with a player, wherein an outcome of the lottery game is predetermined and comprises a plurality of symbols;

identifying a first symbol to track, wherein the first symbol is one of the plurality of symbols comprising the outcome;

initiating a running count of the first symbol, wherein the running count comprises a number of occurrences of the first symbol that qualify for a bonus;

determining at least one expiration criterion associated with the first symbol, wherein the expiration criterion defines when an occurrence of the first symbol is no longer part of the running count;

determining a second outcome of the lottery game associated with the player;

adjusting the running count of the first symbol based on the second outcome and the expiration criterion;

repeating the step of adjusting for a plurality of subsequent outcomes; and

causing a bonus to be provided to the player if the running count comprises a minimum number of occurrences of the first symbol.

53. A method of facilitating play of a lottery game, comprising:

receiving data indicating a plurality of outcomes revealed on a remote electronic lottery terminal,

in which the outcomes are predetermined;

determining a number of occurrences of a first symbol that occurred over at least two of the plurality of outcomes; and

causing a bonus to be provided if the number of occurrences is at least a predetermined number.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the data indicating a plurality of outcomes includes at least one of (i) a time at which each of the plurality of outcomes was revealed, (ii) a sequence in which each of the plurality of outcomes was revealed, and (iii) an indication of which outcomes each of the occurrences of the first symbol is associated with.

55. The method of claim 54, further comprising the step of:

determining at least one rule to utilize in determining whether a bonus is to be provided; and

wherein the step of causing a bonus to be provided comprises;

causing a bonus to be provided if the number of occurrences is at least a predetermined number and it is determined, based on the data indicating the plurality of outcomes, that the at least one rule has been satisfied.

56. The method of claim 53, further comprising the steps of:

receiving a request for at least one outcome, including a payment amount and an identifier that identifies a source of the request;

determining the at least one outcome;

providing the outcome to the source of the request; and

storing an indication of the at least one outcome provided in association with the identifier that identifies the source of the request.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the data indicating the plurality of outcomes includes an identifier identifying a source of the data and further comprising the steps of:

determining whether the identifier identifying the source of the data matches a stored identifier that identifies a source of a previous request;

retrieving the stored indication of the at least one outcome requested associated with any identifier identifying the source of the request that matches the identifier identifying the source of the data;

verifying that the data indicating the plurality of outcomes revealed which is associated with the identifier identifying the source of the data corresponds to the indication of the at least one outcome provided that is associated with the identifier identifying the source of the request; and

causing the bonus to be provided if the verification is successful.

58. An apparatus, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor connected to the storage device,

the storage device storing

a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to;

receive data indicating a plurality of outcomes revealed on a remote electronic lottery terminal,

in which the outcomes are predetermined;

determine a number of occurrences of a first symbol that occurred over at least two of the plurality of outcomes; and

cause a bonus to be provided if the number of occurrences is at least a predetermined number.

59. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method, said method comprising:

receiving data indicating a plurality of outcomes revealed on a remote electronic lottery terminal,

in which the outcomes are predetermined;

determining a number of occurrences of a first symbol that occurred over at least two of the plurality of outcomes; and

causing a bonus to be provided if the number of occurrences is at least a predetermined number.

60. A method of facilitating play of a lottery game, comprising:

initializing a running count of occurrences of a first symbol over a plurality of outcomes of a lottery game;

determining at least one expiration condition for determining an expiration of an occurrence of the first symbol;

receiving data indicating an outcome that is a predetermined lottery outcome, wherein the outcome comprises a plurality of symbols; and

adjusting the running count based on the at least expiration condition and the outcome.

61. An apparatus, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor connected to the storage device,

the storage device storing

a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to;

initialize a running count of occurrences of a first symbol over a plurality of outcomes of a lottery game;

determine at least one expiration condition for determining an expiration of an occurrence of the first symbol;

receiving data indicating an outcome that is a predetermined lottery outcome, wherein the outcome comprises a plurality of symbols; and

adjust the running count based on the at least expiration condition and the outcome.

62. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method, said method comprising:

initializing a running count of occurrences of a first symbol over a plurality of outcomes of a lottery game;

determining at least one expiration condition for determining an expiration of an occurrence of the first symbol;

receiving data indicating an outcome that is a predetermined lottery outcome, wherein the outcome comprises a plurality of symbols; and

adjusting the running count based on the at least expiration condition and the outcome.