Methods and systems for a single jurisdiction raffle in a distributed computing network

• US 7,419,426 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2005
• Issued: 09/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: McD Enterprises, Inc.
• Original Assignee: McD Enterprises, Inc.
• Inventors: Daskalakis, Panos
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones; Scott E
• Application Number:
  US11/064,618
• Publication Number:
  US 20050187021A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,286 Days
• Field of Search: 463 16- 20, 463 40- 43, 463/29, 705/1, 705/14, 705/500
• US Class Current: 463/17
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0212 Chance discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/329 Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards

Abstract

A server facilitates a raffle within a single jurisdiction, wherein the server communicates with clients via a network. The server includes a memory storing an operating system, an instruction set, agent data, sponsor data and Web site data. A processor runs the instruction set and communicates with the memory and the network. The processor is operative to present rules associated with the raffle to entrants, receive acceptance of the rules by entrants, and accept an order for the raffle from entrants. The processor is also operative to associate an entrant agent with each entrant, issue tickets for the raffle to the entrant agent, determine a winner of the raffle and notify the winner to collect a prize associated with the raffle. Preferably, the prize is a high intangible value item.

Claims

1. A server for facilitating a raffle, wherein the server communicates with clients via a distributed computing network, and wherein the server comprises:

(a) a memory storing an operating system, an instruction set, agent data related to at least one entrant agent residing in a first jurisdiction, sponsor data related to at least one raffle within the first jurisdiction and site data related to electronic pages associated with the at least one raffle; and

(b) a processor for running the instruction set, the processor being in communication with the memory and the distributed computing network, wherein the processor is operative to;

(i) present rules associated with the at least one raffle to a plurality of entrants, the entrants residing in a second jurisdiction outside the first jurisdiction;

(ii) receive acceptance of the rules by the entrants;

(iii) accept an order for the at least one raffle from each of the entrants;

(iv) form a contract between the entrant agent and each of the entrants so the entrant agent is authorized to purchase tickets on behalf of the entrants;

(v) issue tickets for the raffle to the purchasing entrant agent, each ticket being associated with one of the entrants and held by the purchasing entrant agent on behalf of the respective entrant;

(vi) determine a winning ticket of the at least one raffle from the tickets; and

(vii) if the winning ticket was issued to the purchasing entrant agent, identify and notify the entrant associated with the winning ticket to collect a prize associated with the at least one raffle.

2. A server as recited in claim 1, wherein the entrant agent is the same entity as that providing the server.

3. A server as recited in claim 1, wherein the tickets are electronic.

4. A server as recited in claim 1, wherein the distributed computing network is the Internet and the entrants are located in a plurality of states.

5. A server as recited in claim 1, wherein the prize is a high intangible value prize.

6. A server as recited in claim 1, wherein the processor is further operative to receive payment for the order from the entrant and provide a portion of the payment to the entrant agent.

7. A server as recited in claim 1, wherein the prize is collected from the entrant agent by the entrant.

8. A method for conducting raffles within a single jurisdiction, wherein a server communicates with clients via a distributed computing network, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) presenting rules associated with the at least one raffle to a plurality of entrants;

(b) receiving acceptance of the rules by the entrants;

(c) accepting an order for the at least one raffle from each of the entrants;

(d) forming a contract between an entrant agent and each of the entrants such that the entrant agent represents the entrants;

(e) issuing tickets for the raffle to the entrant agent as the entrant agent purchases the tickets on behalf of the entrants;

(f) determining a winner of the at least one raffle; and

(g) notifying the winner to collect a prize associated with the at least one raffle.

9. A method as recited in claim 8, further comprising the step of the entrant collecting the prize from the entrant agent.

10. A system for conducting raffles comprising:

(a) first means for presenting rules associated with the at least one raffle to a plurality of entrants;

(b) second means for receiving acceptance of the rules by the entrants;

(c) third means for accepting an order for the at least one raffle from each of the entrants;

(d) fourth means for forming a contract between an entrant agent and each of the entrants such that the entrant agent represents the entrants;

(e) fifth means for issuing tickets for the raffle to the entrant agent on behalf of the entrants when the entrant agent purchases the tickets;

(f) sixth means for determining a winning ticket of the at least one raffle from the issued tickets; and

(g) seventh means for identifying and notifying the entrant associated with the winning ticket to collect a prize associated with the at least one raffle.

11. A system as recited in claim 10, wherein each means is a set of program instructions.

12. A system as recited in claim 10, wherein the prize is a high intangible value item.

13. A system as recited in claim 12, wherein the raffle garners media attention related to the high intangible value item.

14. A system as recited in claim 10, wherein the prize is collected from the entrant agent by the entrant.