Apparatus and method for game play in an electronic environment

• US 8,393,946 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2002
• Issued: 03/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Milestone Entertainment LLC
• Original Assignee: Milestone Entertainment LLC
• Inventors: Katz, Randall Mark, Dawson, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): D'Agostino, Paul A
• Application Number:
  US10/123,861
• Publication Number:
  US 20030060261A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,984 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463/17, 463/1, 463 9- 13, 463 18- 22, 463 25- 29, 463 40- 43, 700 90- 93, 273/138.1, 273/134, 273/269, 273303-307, 273292-296
• US Class Current: 463/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00157 Casino or betting games horse races A63F3/00082
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/06 Lottos or bingo games; Systems, apparatus or devices for checking such games small boxes with balls used for generating random numbers A63F7/048; lottery apparatus G07C15/00; lottery gaming stations, online lottery or bingo G07F17/329; printing processes for lottery tickets B41M3/005
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/081 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/329 Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards

Abstract

The inventions herein relate to novel games of chance and apparatus and methods for their play. In certain embodiments, the existing lottery infrastructure is used in conjunction with electronic remote game play. A player receives a ticket identification number (TIN), optionally via lottery game play, and then plays an electronic game based upon the TIN. The remote system contains information associated with the TIN, for example, identification of which game will be played, and in a predetermined context, whether the player is to win or lose, and if they win, the form of the prize.

Claims

1. A method for lottery game play for use with a lottery scratch-off game and an electronic system comprising the steps of:

providing a scratch-off lottery game ticket having;

(i) a first ticket portion including at least an obscuring scratch-off portion having a first direct monetary prize potential associated with the lottery scratch-off game and

(ii) a second ticket portion relating to second game play including the potential for a win or a loss using the electronic system,

the direct monetary prize potential associated with the lottery scratch-off game being separate from the potential for a win or a loss in the second game play portion,

the ticket providing a ticket identification number (TIN), the ticket identification number correlating to game play,

the second ticket portion further providing a scratch-off portion for revealing a variable game play parameter relating to the second game play portion using the electronic system, the variable game play parameter being selected from the group consisting of;

the degree of difficulty of game play, the form of the prize, the level of game play at which the player can begin game play, an indication of a bonus set of points, an indication of a form of advantage in game play, and a multiplier of a prize amount for the game to be played using the electronic system,

inputting the ticket identification number into the electronic system,

checking within the electronic system the TIN for entitlement to play, recalling from memory of the electronic system whether the TIN is for a win or a loss, and if for a win, the amount of the win, and at least one other variable game play parameters, and

displaying on a display of the electronic system the win or loss status through the electronic game play according to the at least one other variable game play parameter.

2. The method for lottery game play of claim 1 wherein the scratch-off portion in the second ticket portion further includes the variable game play parameter of the identity of the game to be played.

3. The method for lottery game play of claim 1 wherein the variable game play parameter is indicated by matching at least two images.

4. The method for lottery game play of claim 1 wherein multiple game play parameters are revealed.

5. The method for lottery game play of claim 4 wherein the multiple game play parameters are revealed at least in part via game play using the electronic system.

6. The method for lottery game play of claim 1 wherein one of the variable game play parameters includes the identity of the game.

7. The method for lottery game play of claim 1 wherein one variable game play parameter further includes the prize amount for the game.

8. The method for lottery game play of claim 1 wherein the game play parameter of the form of the prize indicates a cash prize.

9. The method for lottery game play of claim 1 wherein the game play parameter of the form of the prize indicates a prize of points.

10. The method for lottery game play of claim 1 wherein the game play parameter of the form of the prize indicates a prize of goods.

11. The method for lottery game play of claim 1 wherein the game play parameter of the form of the prize indicates a prize of services.