Systems and methods for allocating an outcome amount among a total number of events

• US 7,867,076 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2006
• Issued: 01/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Tulley, Stephen C.
• Primary Examiner(s): LIDDLE, JAY TRENT
• Application Number:
  US11/456,359
• Publication Number:
  US 20060252491A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,646 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 463/17
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3218 wherein at least part of the system is portable
• 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

Systems and methods are provided for operating a gaming system. In one embodiment, an outcome amount associated with a total number of events is determined. For example, a total payout amount associated with a number of instant lottery tickets may be determined. Based on a parameter associated with a player, the outcome amount is allocated among the total number of events. The outcome amount may be allocated, for example, based on a total number of events selected by the player.

Claims

1. A game apparatus comprising:

a processor in communication with a controller device; and

a storage device in communication with the processor, the storage device storing instructions configured to direct the processor to;

arrange for a player to provide, via a payment identifier, payment of a total wager amount;

transmit an indication associated with the total wager amount to a controller device;

receive an indication associated with a total payout amount from the controller device;

receive from the player an indication associated with a total number of lottery reveal events;

based on a parameter specified by the player, allocate the total payout amount among the total number of lottery reveal events;

after receiving the indication associated with the total payout amount reveal at least a portion of the total payout amount; and

arrange for the player to receive, via the payment identifier, payment of the total payout amount.

2. The game apparatus of claim 1, in which the total payout amount is based on a total number of events that is different than the total number of lottery reveal events.

3. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method of operating a gaming device, the method comprising:

arranging for a player to provide, via a payment identifier, payment of a total wager amount;

transmitting an indication associated with the total wager amount to a controller device;

receiving via a gaming device an indication associated with a total payout amount determined for the player,

receiving from the player an indication associated with a plurality of lottery reveal events;

based on a parameter specified by the player, allocating, via the gaming device, the total payout amount among the plurality of lottery reveal events, after receiving the indication associated with the total payout amount determined for the player;

after receiving the indication associated with the total payout amount revealing at least a portion of the total amount; and

arranging for the player to receive, via the payment identifier, payment of the total payout amount.

4. The computer-readable medium of claim 3, in which the total payout amount determined for the player is based on a total number of events that is different than the number of the plurality of lottery reveal events.

5. A game apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device in communication with the processor, the storage device storing instructions configured to direct the processor to;

determine an outcome amount due a player based on a first total number of events;

after determining the outcome amount due the player based on the first total number of events, based on a parameter specified by the player, allocate the outcome amount among a second total number of reveal events and after determining the outcome amount due the player, reveal to the player at least one of the second total number of reveal events.

6. The game apparatus of claim 5, in which each of the second total number of events comprises an instant lottery ticket.

7. The game apparatus of claim 5, in which the first total number of events is different than the second total number of reveal events.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method of operating a gaming device, the method comprising:

determining via a gaming device an outcome amount due a player based on a first total number of events;

after determining the outcome amount due the player based on the first total number of events, based on a parameter specified by the player, allocating, via the gaming device, the outcome amount among second total number of reveal events and after determining the outcome amount due the player, revealing to the player at least one of the second total number of reveal events.

9. The computer-readable medium of claim 8, in which each of the second total number of reveal events comprises an instant lottery ticket.

10. The computer readable medium of claim 8, in which the first total number of events is different than the second total number of reveal events.