Computerized lottery wagering system

• US 5,415,416 A
• Filed: 01/13/1994
• Issued: 05/16/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lottotron Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Lottotron Incorporated
• Inventors: Scagnelli, John B., Fiscella, Joseph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): HARRISON, JESSICA
• Application Number:
  US08/181,361
• Time in Patent Office: 488 Days
• Field of Search: 273/439, 273/138 R, 273/138 A, 273/269, 273/237, 273/85 G, 379/90, 379/91, 379/93, 379/95
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/086 played via telephone, e.g. using a modem
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/081 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/16 Payments settled via telecommunication systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/24 Credit schemes, i.e. "pay after"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/305 using wired telephone networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/34 Betting or bookmaking, e.g. Internet betting
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 15/006 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3288 Betting, e.g. on live events, bookmaking

Abstract

A wagering system for accepting wagers over the telephone comprising: (a) automatic call director means (ACD) for receiving incoming calls from subscribers who wish to wager on the system; b) voice responsive means (wagering VRU) connected thereto for receiving the incoming calls routed from the ACD, and for playing a series of recorded audio messages requesting subscriber wager information to be input via telecommunication means; and (c) host processor means having storage means and being connected to the wagering VRU for receiving the subscriber wager information, storing it in a master subscriber wager file in the storage means, and assigning an associated ticket number to the wager.

Claims

1. A wagering system for accepting wagers over the telephone comprising:

a) automatic call director means (ACD) for receiving incoming calls from subscribers who wish to wager on the system;

b) voice responsive means (wagering VRU) connected thereto for receiving the incoming calls routed from the ACD, and for playing a series of recorded audio messages requesting subscriber wager information to be input via telecommunication means; and

c) host processor means having storage means and being connected to the wagering VRU for receiving the subscriber wager information, storing it in a master subscriber wager file in the storage means, and assigning an associated ticket number to the wager.

2. A wagering system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wagering VRU plays an audio confirmation message with an associated ticket number assigned to the wager.

3. A wagering system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wager VRU plays an associated series of audio messages requesting confirmation of the subscriber wager information.

4. A wagering system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the host validates the subscriber wagering information by comparing it to a master subscriber enrollment file.

5. A wagering system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the subscriber wager information includes a personal account number, a personal identification number, a particular wagering format chosen from a plurality of wagering formats available, at least one wager and a wagering amount corresponding to the particular wagering format chosen.

6. A wagering system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the particular wagering formats include 6-digit lotto, 3-digit lotto, 4-digit lotto and keno.

7. A wagering system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the particular wagering formats include intrastate wagering and interstate wagering.

8. A wagering system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the particular wagering formats include Quick Pick option.

9. A wagering system for accepting wagers over the telephone comprising:

a) automatic call director means (ACD) for receiving incoming calls from subscribers who wish to wager on the system;

b) voice responsive means (wagering VRU) connected thereto for receiving the incoming calls routed from the ACD, for playing a series of recorded audio messages requesting subscriber wager information to be input via telecommunication means, for playing an associated series of audio messages requesting confirmation of the subscriber wager information, and for playing an audio confirmation message with an associated ticket number assigned to the wager; and

c) host processor means having storage means and being connected to the wagering VRU for receiving the subscriber wager information, comparing it to a master subscriber enrollment file to validate it, storing it in a master subscriber wager file in the storage means, and assigning the associated ticket number to the wager.

10. A wagering system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the subscriber wager information includes a personal account number, a personal identification number, a particular wagering format chosen from a plurality of wagering formats available, at least one wager and a wagering amount corresponding to the particular wagering format chosen.

11. A wagering system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the particular wagering formats include 6-digit lotto, 3-digit lotto, 4-digit lotto and keno.

12. A wagering system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the particular wagering formats include intrastate wagering and interstate wagering.

13. A wagering system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the particular wagering formats include Quick Pick option.

14. Lottery wagering system comprising:

a) automatic call director means (ACD) for receiving incoming enrollment calls from subscribers who wish to enroll with the system, and for receiving incoming wagering calls from subscribers who wish to wager on the system;

b) first voice responsive means (enrollment VRU) connected thereto receives the enrollment calls routed from the ACD, for playing a series of recorded messages requesting subscriber enrollment information to be input via telecommunications means;

c) second voice responsive means (wagering VRU) connected thereto for receiving the wagering calls from the ACD, and for playing a series of recorded audio messages requesting subscriber wager information to be input via telephone means; and

d) host processor means having storage means and being connected to the enrollment VRU and wagering VRU, for receiving the subscriber enrollment information from the enrollment VRU and storing it in a master subscriber enrollment file in the storage means, and for receiving the subscriber wager information, storing it in a master subscriber lottery wager file in the storage means, and assigning an associated lottery ticket number to the wager.

15. A wagering system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the wager VRU plays an audio confirmation message with an associated ticket number assigned to the wager.

16. A wagering system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the wager VRU plays an associated series of audio messages requesting confirmation of the subscriber wager information.

17. A wagering system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the host validates the subscriber wagering information by comparing it to the master subscriber enrollment file.

18. A wagering system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the enrollment VRU plays an associated series of audio messages requesting confirmation of the subscriber enrollment information.

19. A wagering system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the subscriber enrollment information includes a credit card selection corresponding to one of a plurality of credit card companies, and a credit card number associated with the credit card selection.

20. A wagering system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the subscriber wager information includes a personal account number, a personal identification number, a particular wagering format chosen from a plurality of wagering formats available, at least one wager and a wagering amount corresponding to the particular wagering format chosen.

21. A wagering system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the particular wagering formats include 6-digit lotto, 3-digit lotto, 4-digit lotto and keno.

22. A wagering system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the particular wagering formats include intrastate and interstate wagering.

23. A wagering system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the particular wagering formats includes a Quick Pick option.

24. A wagering system for accepting wagers over the telephone comprising:

a) automatic call director means (ACD) for receiving incoming enrollment calls from subscribers who wish to enroll with the system, and for receiving incoming wagering calls from subscribers who wish to wager on the system;

b) first voice responsive means (enrollment VRU) connected thereto receives the enrollment calls routed from the ACD, for playing a series of recorded messages requesting subscriber enrollment information to be input via telecommunications means;

c) voice responsive means (wagering VRU) connected thereto for receiving the incoming calls routed from the ACD, for playing a series of recorded audio messages requesting subscriber wager information to be input via telecommunication means, for playing an associated series of audio messages requesting confirmation of the subscriber wager information, and for playing an audio confirmation message with an associated ticket number assigned to the wager; and

d) host processor means having storage means and being connected to the wagering VRU for receiving the subscriber wager information, comparing it to a master subscriber enrollment file to validate it, storing it in a master subscriber wager file in the storage means, and assigning the associated ticket number to the wager.

25. A wagering system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the enrollment VRU plays an associated series of audio messages requesting confirmation of the subscriber enrollment information.

26. A wagering system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the subscriber enrollment information includes a credit card selection corresponding to one of a plurality of credit card companies, and a credit card number associated with the credit card selection.

27. A wagering system as claimed in claim 24, wherein the subscriber wager information includes a personal account number, a personal identification number, a particular wagering format chosen from a plurality of wagering formats available, at least one wager and a wagering amount corresponding to the particular wagering format chosen.

28. A wagering system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the particular wagering formats include 6-digit lotto, 3-digit lotto, 4-digit lotto and keno.

29. A wagering system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the particular wagering formats include intrastate wagering and interstate wagering.

30. A wagering system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the particular wagering formats include Quick Pick option.

31. Lottery wagering system comprising:

a) automatic call director means (ACD) for receiving incoming enrollment calls from subscribers who wish to enroll with the system and incoming wagering calls from subscribers who wish to wager with the system;

b) first voice responsive means (enrollment VRU) connected thereto for receiving the enrollment calls routed from the ACD, for playing a series of recorded audio messages requesting subscriber enrollment information to be input via telephone means, the subscriber enrollment information including a credit card selection corresponding to one of a plurality of credit card companies, and a credit card number associated with the credit card selection, and for playing an associated series of audio messages requesting confirmation of the subscriber enrollment information;

c) second voice responsive means (wagering VRU) also connected thereto for receiving the wagering calls routed from the ACD, for playing a series of recorded audio messages requesting subscriber wager information to be input via telephone means, the subscriber wager information including a personal account number, a personal identification number, a particular lottery game format chosen from a plurality of lottery game formats available, lottery numbers and a wagering amount for the particular lottery game chosen, for playing an associate series of audio messages requesting confirmation of the subscriber wager information, then for playing an audio confirmation message with an associated lottery ticket number assigned to the lottery wager; and

d) host processor means having storage means and being connected to both the enrollment VRU and the wagering VRU, for receiving the subscriber enrollment information routed from the enrollment VRU and storing it in a master subscriber enrollment file in the storage means, and for receiving the subscriber wager information, comparing it to a master subscriber enrollment file to validate it, storing it in a master subscriber lottery wager file in the storage means, and assigning to it the associated lottery ticket number for the wager.

32. A wagering system as claimed in claim 31, wherein the particular wagering formats include 6-digit lotto, 3-digit lotto, 4-digit lotto and keno.

33. A wagering system as claimed in claim 32, wherein the particular wagering formats include intrastate wagering and interstate wagering.

34. A wagering system as claimed in claim 32, wherein the particular wagering formats include Quick Pick option.