System and method for conducting and playing a supplemental lottery game

• US 7,052,394 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2002
• Issued: 05/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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: Walker, Jay S., Tedesco, Daniel E., Jorasch, James A., Packes, Jr., John M., Mik, Magdalena, Tulley, Stephen C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thai, Xuan M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RADA, ALEX P
• Application Number:
  US10/272,125
• Publication Number:
  US 20030047869A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,323 Days
• Field of Search: 463 16- 20, 463 40- 42, 273/138.1, 273/139, 273/138.2, 273269-270, 273/292
• US Class Current: 463/17
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3267 Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/329 Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards

Abstract

System and methods are provided for conducting and for playing a supplemental lottery game. In accordance with some embodiments, a system and method are provided for performing a meta-game award analysis, upon completion of a primary lottery drawing, by comparing each of the primary lottery drawing entry numbers of a group of primary lottery entries with a list of winning numbers from the primary lottery drawing, and determining if the meta-game award analysis indicates that the group of entries qualifies for a meta-game award.

Claims

1. A method, the method comprising:

registering a plurality of lottery entries to define a group,

wherein the group comprises the plurality of lottery entries, each lottery entry comprising a distinct and complete entry into a lottery game, and wherein registering comprises;

receiving a registration request;

determining respective identifying information associated with each of the plurality of lottery entries;

determining a group registration price; and

issuing a registration confirmation;

generating a group identifier associated with the group; and

providing a secondary award if the plurality of lottery entries of the group fail to win an award above a predetermined threshold in the lottery game.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of registering is performed at a lottery terminal at the time the plurality of lottery entries are acquired.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of determining a secondary award availability for the group based on the number of lottery entries in the group.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said secondary award comprises at least one of:

(i) a cash award;

(ii) an award certificate;

(iii) credit points;

(iv) merchandise; and

(iv) one or more future lottery entries.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined threshold is zero and each of the plurality of lottery entries must fail to win an award in the lottery drawing in order for the secondary award to be provided.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing a secondary award further comprises the step of crediting a player account with the secondary award.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a set of winning numbers for the lottery game; and

for each lottery entry of the plurality of lottery entries,

determining whether the lottery entry qualifies for a respective award by comparing the lottery entry to the set of winning numbers.

8. The method of claim 1, in which the registration confirmation comprises a ticket for the lottery game.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to purchase the plurality of lottery entries in a single transaction.

10. The method of claim 1, in which the registration confirmation comprises a receipt, the receipt indicating the plurality of lottery entries.

11. A meta-game system, comprising:

means for registering a plurality of lottery entries to define a group,

wherein the group comprises the plurality of lottery entries, each lottery entry comprising a distinct and complete entry into a lottery game, and wherein the means for registering is operative to;

receive a registration request;

determine respective identifying information associated with each of the plurality of lottery entries;

determine a group registration price; and

issue a registration confirmation;

means for generating a group identifier associated with the group; and

means for providing a meta-game award if the plurality of lottery entries of the group fail to win an award above a predetermined threshold in a lottery game.

12. A computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions that direct a microprocessor to:

register a plurality of lottery entries to define a group,

wherein the group comprises the plurality of lottery entries, each lottery entry comprising a distinct and complete entry into a lottery game, and wherein the instructions that direct the microprocessor to register the plurality of lottery entries comprises instructions that direct the microprocessor to;

receive a registration request;

determine respective identifying information associated with each of the plurality of lottery entries;

determine a group registration price; and

issue a registration confirmation;

generate a group identifier associated with the group; and

cause a secondary award to be provided if the plurality of lottery drawing entries of the group fail to qualify for an award in the lottery game exceeding a certain amount.

13. A method comprising:

receiving an indication of

a first set of numbers of a player,

a second set of numbers of the player, and

a third set of numbers of the player,

in which each of the first, second, and third sets of numbers is for one lottery drawing;

determining a set of winning numbers for the lottery drawing;

comparing, via a computing device, the set of winning numbers to each number of the first, second, and third sets of numbers to determine;

whether one or more of the first, second, and third sets of numbers qualifies individually for a respective primary award, and

whether the first, second, and third sets of numbers qualify collectively for a secondary award; and

providing the secondary award if the first, second, and third sets of numbers qualify collectively for the secondary award.

14. A method comprising:

determining a plurality of lottery entries of a player,

in which each lottery entry of the plurality is a complete and individual entry in a lottery game;

determining a set of winning numbers for the lottery game;

for each lottery entry of the plurality of lottery entries of the player,

comparing the lottery entry to the set of winning numbers, and

determining whether the lottery entry qualifies for a respective primary award based on

(i) the respective comparison and

(ii) one or more first award rules applicable to the lottery entry as an individual entry;

determining, via a processing device, whether the plurality of lottery entries of the player qualifies for a secondary award as a group, based on

(i) all of the respective comparisons of each lottery entry to the set of winning numbers and

(ii) one or more second award rules applicable to the plurality of lottery entries as a group; and

providing the secondary award if the plurality of lottery entries of the player qualifies for the secondary award.

15. The method of claim 14, in which determining the plurality of lottery entries comprises:

receiving, via a scanner, an identifier that identifies the plurality of lottery entries.

16. A method comprising:

determining a plurality of sets of numbers of a player,

in which each set of numbers is valid for only a single lottery drawing;

determining a set of winning numbers for the single lottery drawing;

for each of the plurality of sets of numbers of the player;

determining, by a computer, a respective number of matches between the set of winning numbers and the set of numbers of the player, and

determining,

based on the determined respective number of matches,

that the set of numbers of the player does not qualify for a primary award;

determining,

based on the set of winning numbers for the lottery drawing,

that the plurality of individual entries collectively qualifies for a secondary award; and

outputting an indication of the secondary award for the player.

17. A method comprising:

determining a plurality of entries of a player for a single lottery drawing,

in which each entry comprises a respective set of selected numbers, and

in which the plurality of entries comprises a first entry and at least one other entry;

determining a set of winning numbers for the lottery drawing;

determining a number of matches between the set of winning numbers for the lottery drawing and the respective set of selected numbers of the first entry;

determining, based on the number of matches, that the first entry qualifies individually for a primary award;

determining, via a processing device, that none of the at least one other entry of the plurality of entries of the player qualifies individually for a primary award;

determining,

based on the set of winning numbers for the lottery drawing,

that the plurality of individual entries qualifies for a secondary award; and

outputting an indication of the primary award and the secondary award for the player.

18. A method comprising:

determining a plurality of sets of numbers of a player,

in which each set of numbers is valid for only one lottery drawing;

determining a set of winning numbers for the lottery drawing;

for each set of numbers of the plurality,

determining fewer than three matches between the set of winning numbers for the lottery drawing and the respective set of numbers;

determining, via a computing device,

based on the set of winning numbers for the lottery drawing,

that the plurality of sets of numbers qualifies as a group for a secondary award; and

outputting an indication of the secondary award via a lottery terminal.

19. The method of claim 18, in which for each set of numbers of the plurality there are no matches between the set of winning numbers for the lottery drawing and the respective set of numbers.

20. A method comprising:

receiving an indication of at least a first entry and a second entry of a player in a single lottery drawing,

in which the first entry is associated with a first set of numbers, and

in which the second entry is associated with a second set of numbers;

determining a set of winning numbers for the lottery drawing;

determining a first number of matching numbers based on;

the set of winning numbers for the lottery drawing, and

only the first set of numbers;

determining a payout for the first set of numbers based on the first number of matching numbers;

determining a second number of matching numbers based on;

the set of winning numbers for the lottery drawing, and

only the second set of numbers;

determining a payout for the second set of numbers based on the second number of matching numbers;

determining, via a processing device, a secondary payout based on;

the first number of matching numbers, and

the second number of matching numbers; and

providing the secondary payout.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

transmitting, via a lottery terminal, an indication of the payout for the first set of numbers, the payout for the second set of numbers, and the secondary payout.

22. The method of claim 20, in which the numbers of the first set of numbers are selected by the player.

23. The method of claim 22, in which the second set of numbers is a quick pick.

24. The method of claim 22, in which the second set of numbers is generated by a number generator.

25. The method of claim 22, in which the numbers of the second set of numbers are generated randomly.

26. The method of claim 22, in which the numbers of the second set of numbers are not selected by the player.

27. The method of claim 22, in which the numbers of the second set of numbers are selected by the player.

28. The method of claim 20, in which the numbers of the first set of numbers are not selected by the player and the numbers of the second set of numbers are not selected by the player.

29. The method of claim 20, in which the first set of numbers is a quick pick and the second set of numbers is a quick pick.

30. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

determining a primary payout based on the payout for the first set of numbers and the payout for the second set of numbers.

31. The method of claim 30, in which determining the primary payout comprises:

determining a sum of the payout for the first set of numbers and the payout for the second set of numbers.

32. The method of claim 20, in which determining the secondary payout comprises:

determining a primary payout based on the payout for the first set of numbers and the payout for the second set of numbers.

33. The method of claim 32, in which determining the primary payout comprises:

determining a sum of the payout for the first set of numbers and the payout for the second set of numbers.

34. The method of claim 32, in which determining the secondary payout comprises:

if the primary payout is zero, determining that the secondary payout is greater than zero.

35. The method of claim 32, in which determining the secondary payout comprises:

if the primary payout is greater than zero, determining that the secondary payout is zero.

36. The method of claim 32, in which determining the secondary payout comprises:

if the primary payout is greater than a predetermined amount, determining that the secondary payout is zero.

37. The method of claim 32, in which determining the secondary payout comprises:

if the primary payout is not greater than a predetermined amount, determining a secondary payout that is greater than zero.

38. The method of claim 32, in which determining the secondary payout comprises:

determining that the primary payout is greater than a predetermined amount; and

determining that the secondary payout is greater than zero.

39. The method of claim 32, in which determining the secondary payout comprises:

if the first number of matching numbers is not greater than a predetermined number, determining a secondary payout that is greater than zero.

40. The method of claim 32, in which determining the secondary payout comprises:

if

the first number of matching numbers is not greater than a first predetermined number, and

the second number of matching numbers is not greater than a second predetermined number,

determining a secondary payout that is greater than zero.

41. The method of claim 32, in which determining the secondary payout comprises:

determining that the first number of matching numbers is greater than a predetermined number; and

determining a secondary payout that is greater than zero.

42. The method of claim 32, in which determining the secondary payout comprises:

determining that the first number of matching numbers is greater than a first predetermined number;

determining that the second number of matching numbers is greater than a second predetermined number; and

determining a secondary payout that is greater than zero.