Telephonic-interface lottery system

• US 6,424,703 B1
• Filed: 02/11/1998
• Issued: 07/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ronald A Katz Technology Licensing LP
• Original Assignee: Ronald A Katz Technology Licensing LP
• Inventors: Katz, Ronald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): WOO, STELLA L
• Application Number:
  US09/021,956
• Time in Patent Office: 1,623 Days
• Field of Search: 379/93.13, 379/93.02, 379/93.03, 379/91.01, 379/91.02, 283/903, 283/102, 273/138.1, 273/139
• US Class Current: 379/93.13
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/086 played via telephone, e.g. using a modem
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/242 Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/0665 having a message becoming legible after rubbing-off a coating or removing an adhesive layer for educational purposes G09B
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/081 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 11/00 Arrangements, systems or apparatus for checking, e.g. the occurrence of a condition, not provided for elsewhere
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 15/005 with dispensing of lottery tickets
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 15/006 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2011/04 related to queuing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/00 Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/40 using speech recognition speech recognition per se G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1066 Game playing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2016 Call initiation by network rather than by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/36 Statistical metering, e.g. recording occasions when traffic exceeds capacity of trunks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/46 : Arrangements for calling a number of substations in a predetermined sequence until an answer is obtained
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 : Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/51 : Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention , e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 : A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13072 : Sequence circuits for call signaling, ACD systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1309 : Apparatus individually associated with a subscriber line, line circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13091 : CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 : Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 : PIN / Access code, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13096 : Digital apparatus individually associated with a subscriber line, digital line circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 : Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 : Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 : Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13107 : Control equipment for a part of the connection, distributed control, co-processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1313 : Metering, billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 : Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1316 : Service observation, testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13173 : Busy signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13174 : Data transmission, file transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13175 : Graphical user interface [GUI], WWW interface, visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13178 : Control signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13213 : Counting, timing circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13214 : Clock signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13216 : Code signals, frame structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 : PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13256 : Call screening
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1328 : Call transfer, e.g. in PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1332 : Logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1333 : Random systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13349 : Network management
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1337 : Operator, emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13375 : Electronic mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13376 : Information service, downloading of information, 0800/0900 services
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13377 : Recorded announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13405 : Dual frequency signaling, DTMF
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0016 : Arrangements providing connection between exchanges
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/002 : Details
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/54533 : Configuration data, translation, passwords, databases
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/5455 : Multi-processor, parallelism, distributed systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/54591 : Supervision, e.g. fault localisation, traffic measurements, avoiding errors, failure recovery, monitoring, statistical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/665 : Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 : Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/74 : Identification of subscriber calling from a party-line
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 379/903 : Password

Abstract

A telephonic-interface lottery system D interfaces with a multiplicity of individual terminals T1-Tn of a telephone network facility C to enable lottery players to call and play for at least one additional chance to possibly win by dialing a pay-to-dial telephone number indicated on a “scratch-off” or online game lottery ticket for use in the system. At the terminals, callers are prompted by voice-generated instructions to provide digital data, such as their telephone number, age, social security number, and/or drivers license number. In addition, the sequence number of the caller as well as the date and time of the call is recorded for positive association with a caller and is stored for processing. The caller'"'"'s identification data is confirmed using various techniques and callers may be ranked and accounted for on the basis of entitlement-and sequence. In accordance with one format, an instant winner is selected online by utilizing techniques such as determining a random winning sequence number or a winning lottery number generated by a number generator. As an adjunct or alternative, the identification data is processed at a later time to determine a grand prize drawing winner by using various processing techniques for determining winners.

Claims

1. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation for use with a communication facility including remote terminal apparatus for individual callers, including voice communication means, and digital input means in the form of an array of alphabetic numeric buttons for providing identification data, comprising the steps of:

assigning a predetermined limit on access to an interactive call processing format;

receiving dialed number identification signals automatically provided from the communication facility (DNIS) to indicate a called number, wherein said called number is indicative of said interactive call processing format selected from a plurality of different interactive call processing formats under control of said dialed number identification signals (DNIS) and also receiving calling number identification signals automatically provided from the communication facility;

storing the calling number identification signals and using the calling number identification signals to control certain operations of the interactive call processing format;

providing an identification number on a ticket, said identification number entered by each individual caller via said digital input means to access said interactive call processing format until said predetermined limit is reached;

storing data indicative of an extent of access accomplished for said identification number entered by each individual caller;

testing said data indicative of said extent of access accomplished against said predetermined limit on access to determine if said predetermined limit on access is reached and further testing to limit access during a predetermined interval of time, wherein if the predetermined limit on access is reached by a particular caller, communication with that caller is terminated or that caller is transferred to an interface terminal for communication with an operator; and

providing a distinct indicia associated with said ticket and co-relating said distinct indicia to at least a portion of said identification number.

2. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 1, wherein said testing step further comprises the step of:

testing said identification number with a check digit test.

3. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 1, wherein said testing step further comprises the step of:

testing said identification number based on entitlement.

4. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

concealing at least a portion of said identification number.

5. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 4, wherein said concealing step further comprises the step of:

applying an obscuring material to said identification number.

6. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 5, wherein said applying step further comprises the step of:

using a latex coating as said obscuring material.

7. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

recording the date and time at which each call occurs.

8. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 1, wherein said distinct indicia associated with said ticket is a bar code indicia on said ticket.

9. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 8, further comprising the step of:

utilizing said bar code indicia for automatic entry of data for accessing related stored information including said identification number.

10. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 9, further comprising the step of:

rendering said ticket ineffective by utilizing said bar code indicia to cancel said related stored information including said identification number.

11. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

providing said identification data as indicia on said ticket along with said distinct indicia and an additional numerical indicia.

12. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

recording additional identification data provided by the caller.

13. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

recording said caller'"'"'s credit card number.

14. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

recording at least two separate types of caller provided identification data.

15. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

processing said identification number online.

16. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

providing visual indicia on a ticket illustrative of a name of a specific interactive call processing format from a plurality of names of interactive call processing formats.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein said visual indicia further includes a specific visual theme associated with said interactive call processing format taken from a plurality of visual themes associated with a plurality of different interactive call processing formats.

18. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

receiving digital signals representing calling number identification data associated with said remote terminal apparatus automatically provided by said communication facility.

19. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control on operation as defined in claim 18, further comprising the step of:

storing said digital signals representing calling number identification data associated with said remote terminal apparatus automatically provided by said communication facility.

20. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 18, wherein said testing step further includes a preliminary test for testing digital signals representing calling number identification data associated with said remote terminal apparatus automatically provided by said communication facility to limit or prevent access to said interactive call processing format.

21. A method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of:

processing said data indicative of said extent of access in accordance with said interactive call processing format, and utilizing said digital signals representing calling number identification data associated with said remote terminal apparatus for said processing.

22. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 18, wherein said testing step further includes the use of said digital signals representing calling number identification data to at least in part control the extent of access.

23. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 18, wherein said digital signals representing calling number identification data control at least certain aspects of said ticket control operation.

24. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

interfacing a plurality of calls from said individual callers via an automatic call distributor for access to said interactive call processing format.

25. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 1, wherein at least certain digits of said identification number entered by certain of said individual callers indicate a select subformat.

26. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

processing data entered by each of said individual callers and utilizing at least part of said data to select at least one subset of at least one caller from said individual callers.

27. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

providing visual indicia on said ticket including a specific visual theme associated with said interactive call processing format selected from a plurality of visual themes associated with a plurality of interactive call processing formats.

28. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

prompting said individual callers via a voice generator to enter data; and

storing at least certain of said data responsive to said prompting step.

29. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 1, wherein access is limited based upon a limited number of uses.

30. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 29, wherein the access is limited based upon a limited number of uses in a predetermined interval of time.

31. A method of conducting a telephone-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 29, wherein the access is limited based upon a limited number of uses for defined intervals of time.

32. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 29, wherein access is limited based upon a limited number of uses for a predetermined interval of time.

33. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 29, further comprising the step of:

receiving digital signals representing calling number identification data associated with said remote terminal apparatus automatically provided by said communication facility.

34. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 29, wherein said testing step further includes the use of said digital signals representing calling number identification data to at least in part control the extent of access.

35. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 29, further comprising the step of:

providing visual indicia on a ticket illustrative of a name of a specific interactive call processing format from a plurality of names of interactive call processing formats.

36. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 29, further comprising the step of:

concealing at least a portion of said identification number.

37. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 36, wherein said concealing step further comprises the step of:

applying obscuring material to said identification number.

38. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 1, wherein access is limited based upon a limited dollar value.

39. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 38, wherein the access is limited based upon a limited number of uses in a predetermined interval of time.

40. A method of conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 38, wherein the access is limited based upon a limited number of uses for defined intervals of time.

41. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 38, wherein access is limited based upon a limited number of uses for a predetermined interval of time.

42. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 38, further comprising the step of:

receiving digital signals representing calling number identification data associated with said remote terminal apparatus automatically provided by said communication facility.

43. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 38, wherein said testing step further includes the use of said digital signals representing calling number identification data to at least in part control the extent of access.

44. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 38, further comprising the step of:

providing visual indicia on a ticket illustrative of a name of a specific interactive call processing format from a plurality of names of interactive call processing formats.

45. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 38, further comprising the step of:

concealing at least a portion of said identification number.

46. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 45, wherein said concealing step further comprises the step of:

applying obscuring material to said identification number.

47. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 1, wherein said called number is a toll free number selected from a plurality of toll free numbers under control of said dialed number identification signals (DNIS).

48. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

utilizing a clock to limit access during said predetermined interval of time.

49. A method according to claim 1, wherein certain digits of said identification number contain information specific to each of said plurality of interactive call processing formats and said digits are tested for entitlement to access said interactive call processing format selected from said plurality of interactive call processing formats.

50. A telephonic-interface ticket control system for use with a communication facility including remote terminal apparatus for individual callers to call, including voice communication means, and digital input means in the form of an array of alphabetic numeric buttons for providing identification data, said telephonic-interface ticket control system comprising:

interface means couple to said communication facility to interface said remote terminal apparatus for voice and digital communication with said individual callers wherein dialed number identification signals are automatically provided from said communication facility (DNIS) to identify a called number from a plurality of called numbers and calling number identification signals are automatically provided from the communication facility to identify a calling number;

voice generator means coupled through said interface means for providing vocal instructions to an individual caller to enter identification data from a ticket, said ticket having associated therewith a distinct indicia co-related to said identification data;

memory means coupled to said interface means for storing said identification data and data indicative of an extent of access accomplished by said individual callers as well as the calling number identification signals that are used to control certain operations of the telephonic-interface ticket control system; and

qualification means coupled to said interface means for limiting access to said ticket control system based on said extent of access accomplished by said individual callers and wherein if the extent of access is reached by a particular caller, communication with that caller is terminated or that caller is transferred to an interface for communication with an operator.

51. A telephonic-interface ticket control system according to claim 50, wherein said plurality of called numbers are indicative of a plurality of different operating formats.

52. A telephonic-interface ticket control system according to claim 51, wherein access to said plurality of different operating formats are provided via different toll free numbers.

53. A telephonic-interface ticket control system according to claim 51, wherein at least certain digits of said identification data entered by each individual caller indicate a select telephone subformat.

54. A telephonic-interface ticket control system according to claim 50, wherein said qualification means utilizes a look-up table to determine if a limit on access is reached.

55. A telephonic-interface ticket control system according to claim 50, wherein said qualification means limits access to a one time use only.

56. A telephonic-interface ticket control system according to claim 50, further comprising:

means for generating sequence data for each individual call.

57. A telephonic-interface ticket control system according to claim 50, further comprising:

means for controlling recording of data in said memory means with respect to the date or time at which each call occurs or both.

58. A telephonic-interface ticket control system according to claim 50, further comprising:

receiving means for receiving digital signals representing calling number identification data associated with said remote terminal apparatus automatically provided by said communication facility.

59. A telephonic-interface ticket control system according to claim 58, wherein said digital signals are utilized for automated processing of said ticket.

60. A telephonic-interface ticket control system according to claim 58, wherein said memory means stores said digital signals representing calling number identification data associated with said remote terminal apparatus automatically provided by said communication facility.

61. A telephonic-interface ticket control system according to claim 60, wherein said qualification means tests digital signals representing calling number identification data associated with said remote terminal apparatus automatically provided by said communication facility to limit or prevent access to said ticket control system.

62. A telephonic-interface control system according to claim 50, wherein said distinct indicia is a bar code indicia on said ticket.

63. A telephonic-interface control system according to claim 50, wherein said bar code distinct indicia is machine readable and is utilized for automatic entry of data for accessing related stored information including said identification number.

64. A telephonic-interface control system as defined in claim 63, further comprising:

means for rendering said ticket ineffective by utilizing said machine readable indicia to cancel related stored information including said identification number.

65. A telephonic-interface control system according to claim 50, wherein said qualification means also tests to limit access during a predetermined interval of time.

66. A telephonic-interface ticket control system as defined in claim 50, wherein said ticket bears numerical indicia in addition to machine readable indicia and identification data indicia.

67. A telephonic-interface ticket control system as defined in claim 50, wherein at least a portion of said identification data is concealed.

68. A telephonic-interface ticket control system as defined in claim 67, wherein at least a portion of said identification data is concealed with an obscuring material.

69. A telephonic-interface ticket control system as defined in claim 67, wherein at least a portion of said identification data is concealed with a latex coating.

70. A telephonic-interface ticket control system according to claim 50, wherein said qualification means limits access to a limited number of uses.

71. A telephonic-interface ticket control system according to claim 50, wherein said qualification means limits access to a specified dollar amount.

72. A telephonic-interface control system for use with a communication facility including remote terminal apparatus for individual callers to call, including voice communication means, and digital input means in the form of an array of alphabetic numeric buttons for providing identification data, said telephonic-interface control system comprising:

interface means coupled to said communication facility to interface said remote terminal apparatus for voice and digital communication with said individual callers based upon dialed number identification signals (DNIS) indicative of a called number provided automatically from said communication facility, said interface means also receiving calling number identification signals provided automatically by the communication facility to identify a calling number, said interface means using said calling number identification signals for controlling certain operations of the telephonic-interface control system;

voice generator means coupled through said interface means for providing vocal instructions to an individual caller to enter data and identification data;

processing means for processing said data supplied by said individual callers, said processing means coupled to said interface means and selecting at least one subset of at least one caller from said individual callers;

qualification means coupled to said interface means for limiting access during at least an interval of time to said processing means based upon comparing said identification data with previously stored identification data and wherein if a particular individual caller is not qualified, communication with that caller is either terminated or that caller is transferred to an interface terminal for communication with an operator; and

means for storing coupled to said interface means for storing said data in association with said previously stored identification data.

73. A telephonic-interface control system as defined in claim 72, wherein said qualification means utilizes a look-up table to determine if a limit on an extent of access is exceeded.

74. A telephonic-interface control system according to claim 73, wherein said limit on access relates to a limited number of uses.

75. A telephonic-interface control system according to claim 73, wherein said limit on access relates to a limit on a dollar amount.

76. A telephonic-interface control system according to claim 75, wherein said limit on a dollar amount is during a predetermined interval of time.

77. A telephonic-interface control system according to claim 75, wherein said limit on access relates to a limit on a dollar amount in a defined intervals of time in accordance with a use rate calculator.

78. A telephonic-interface control system as defined in claim 72, wherein said processing means selects said subset offline subsequent to accumulating data with regard to a multitude of said individual callers.

79. A telephonic-interface control system as defined in claim 72, wherein said called number is one of a plurality of called numbers associated with a plurality of distinct operating formats.

80. A telephonic-interface control system according to claim 79, wherein one of said plurality of formats is accessed by a toll free number and another format is accessed by a pay to dial number.

81. A telephonic-interface control system according to claim 79, wherein one of said formats is accessed by a pay to dial number and a toll free number and another of said formats is accessed by another toll free number.

82. A telephonic-interface control system as defined in claim 72, wherein said dialed number identification signals (DNIS) identify one called number from a plurality of distinct called numbers including toll free called numbers.

83. A telephonic-interface control system according to claim 72, wherein sequence data indicative of calling order sequence is generated and stored for certain of said individual callers.

84. A telephonic-interface control system as defined in claim 72, wherein said processing means selects said subset on-line.

85. A telephonic-interface control system according to claim 72, wherein said identification data is provided on a ticket.

86. A telephonic-interface control system according to claim 85, wherein said identification data and a machine readable indicia are provided on a ticket.

87. A telephonic-interface control system according to claim 86, wherein machine readable indicia on said ticket is co-related to at least a portion of said identification data and said machine readable indicia is utilized for automatic entry of data for accessing purposes.

88. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation for use with a communication facility including remote terminal apparatus for individual callers, including a voice communication device, and a digital input device in the form of an array of alphabetic numeric buttons for providing identification data, comprising the steps of:

providing dialed number identification signals automatically from the communication facility (DNIS) to provide digital identification data indicating a called number, wherein said called number is indicative of an interactive call processing format selected from a plurality of different interactive call processing formats under control of said dialed number identification signals (DNIS) and also providing calling number identification signals automatically from the communication facility to identify a calling number, the calling number identification signals used to control at least a part of the telephonic-interface ticket control operation;

assigning at least one predetermined limit on access to said interactive call processing format;

providing an identification number on a ticket, said identification number entered by each individual caller via said digital input device to access said interactive call processing format until said at least one predetermined limit is reached and providing visual indicia on said ticket illustrative of a specific theme from a plurality of different themes and providing a name or a numerical value on said ticket associated with said specific theme;

storing data indicative of an extent of access accomplished for said identification number entered by each individual caller;

testing said data indicative of said extent of access accomplished against said at least one predetermined limit on access to determine if said at least one predetermined limit on access is reached and if said at least one predetermined limit on access is reached by a particular caller, communication with the caller is either terminated or transferred to an interface terminal for communication with an operator;

providing a distinct indicia associated with said ticket;

prompting said individual callers via a voice generator to enter data;

storing at least certain of said data responsive to said prompting step; and

co-relating said distinct indicia to at least a portion of said identification number.

89. A method according to claim 88, further comprising the step of:

processing at least certain of said data responsive to said step of prompting.

90. A method according to claim 89, further comprising the steps of:

receiving calling number identification signals automatically provided by the communication facility; and

utilizing at least a part of the calling number identification signals to control at least a part of the processing.

91. A method according to claim 88, further comprising the step of:

concealing at least a portion of said identification number.

92. A method according to claim 88, further comprising the step of:

applying an obscuring material to said identification number.

93. A method according to claim 88, wherein said distinct indicia associated with said ticket, being machine readable indicia on said ticket.

94. A method according to claim 88, further comprising the step of:

utilizing said indicia which is machine readable for automatic entry of data for accessing related stored information including at least a portion of said identification number.

95. A method according to claim 94, wherein said machine readable indicia is a bar code.

96. A method according to claim 88, further comprising the step of:

recording additional data provided by callers in the form of callers'"'"' credit card numbers.

97. A method according to claim 88, wherein said testing step further includes testing digital signals representing calling number identification data associated with said remote terminal apparatus automatically provided by said communication facility, said testing of the calling number identification data to limit or prevent access to said interactive call processing format.

98. A method according to claim 88, wherein access is limited based upon a limited dollar value.

99. A method according to claim 88, wherein at least certain digits of said identification data entered by each individual caller indicate a select telephone subformat.

100. A method according to claim 88, wherein said at least one predetermined limit on access is indicative of a number of uses.

101. A method according to claim 88, wherein said ticket bears both said name and said numerical value associated with said specific theme.

102. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation for use with a communication facility including remote terminal apparatus for individual callers, including voice communication means, and digital input means in the form of an array of alphabetic numeric buttons for providing identification data, comprising the steps of:

providing dialed number identification signals automatically from the communication facility (DNIS) to provide digital identification data indicating a called number, wherein said called number is indicative of an interactive call processing format selected from a plurality of different interactive call processing formats under control of said dialed number identification signals (DNIS) and also providing calling number identification signals automatically from the communication facility to identify a calling number, the calling number identification signals used to control at least a part of the telephonic-interface ticket control operation;

assigning at least one predetermined limit on access to said interactive call processing format;

providing an identification number on a ticket, said identification number entered by each individual caller via said digital input device to access said interactive call processing format until said at least one predetermined limit is reached and providing visual indicia on said ticket illustrative of a visual theme from a plurality of different visual themes and providing a name or a numerical value on said ticket associated with said specific tickets;

storing data indicative of an extent of access accomplished for said identification number entered by each individual caller;

testing said indicative of said extent of access accomplished against said at least one predetermined limit on access to determine if said at least one predetermined limit on access is reached and if the one predetermined limit access is reach by a particular caller, communication with that caller is terminated or that caller is transferred to an interface terminal for communication with an operator;

providing a distinct indicia associated with said ticket;

prompting said individual callers via a voice generator to enter data;

storing at least certain of said data responsive to said prompting step; and

providing indicia indicating a toll free number for callers to dial from a plurality of toll free numbers, where said indicia indicative of said toll free number is related to a specific one of said visual themes.

103. A method according to claim 102, wherein said ticket bears both said name and said numerical value associated with said specific ticket.

104. A method according to claim 102, wherein at least certain digits of said identification data entered by each individual caller indicate a select telephone subformat.

105. A method according to claim 102, wherein said at least one predetermined limit specifies a dollar amount.

106. A method according to claim 102, wherein said at least one predetermined limit specifies a number of uses.

107. A method according to claim 102, comprising:

further testing to limit access during at least one predetermined interval of time.

108. A method according to claim 102, further comprising the step of:

processing at least certain of said data responsive to said step of prompting.

109. A method according to claim 108, further comprising the steps of:

receiving calling number identification signals automatically provided by the communication facility; and

utilizing at least a part of the calling number identification signals to control at least a part of the processing.

110. A method for conducting a telephonic-interface ticket control operation for use with a communication facility including remote terminal apparatus for individual callers, including a voice communication device, and a digital input device in the form of an array of alphabetic numeric buttons for providing identification data, comprising the steps of:

providing dialed number identification signals automatically from the communication facility (DNIS) to provide digital identification data indicating a called number from a plurality of called numbers and wherein said called number is indicative of said interactive call processing format selected from a plurality of different interactive call processing formats under control of said dialed number identification signals (DNIS) and wherein said called number is indicative of said interactive call processing format selected from a plurality of different interactive call processing formats under control of said dialed number identification signals (DNIS) and also providing calling number identification signals automatically from the communication facility to identify a calling number, the calling number identification signals used to control at least a part of the telephonic-interface ticket control operation;

assigning at least one predetermined limit on access to an interactive call processing format;

providing an identification number on a ticket, said identification number entered by each individual caller via said digital input device to access said interactive call processing format until said at least one predetermined limit is reached;

storing data indicative of an extent of access accomplished for said identification number entered by each individual caller;

testing said data indicative of said extent of access accomplished against said at least one predetermined limit on access to determine if said at least one predetermined limit on access is reached and further testing to limit access during at least one predetermined interval of time and if the at least one predetermined limit on access is reached by a particular caller, communication with that caller is terminated or that caller is transferred to an interface terminal for communication with an operator;

providing a distinct indicia associated with said ticket and co-relating said distinct indicia to at least a portion of said identification number;

providing visual indicia on said ticket illustrative of a specific theme from a plurality of themes and providing a specific name or a numerical value associated with said specific ticket;

prompting said individual callers via a voice generator to enter data; and

storing at least certain of said data responsive to said prompting step.

111. A method according to claim 110, further comprising the step of:

concealing at least a portion of said identification number.

112. A method according to claim 111, wherein said concealing step further comprises the step of:

applying an obscuring material to said identification number.

113. A method according to claim 112, further comprising:

using a latex coating as said obscuring material.

114. A method according to claim 110, wherein said distinct indicia associated with said ticket is a machine readable indicia on said ticket.

115. A method according to claim 110, further comprising the step of:

utilizing said distinct indicia which is machine readable for automatic entry of data for accessing related stored information including said identification number.

116. A method according to claim 110, further comprising the step of:

providing said identification data as indicia on said ticket along with said distinct indicia and an additional numerical indicia.

117. A method according to claim 110, further comprising the step of:

recording additional identification data provided by the caller.

118. A method according to claim 110, further comprising the step of:

recording said caller'"'"'s credit card number.

119. A method according to claim 110, wherein at least certain digits of said identification data entered by each individual caller indicate a select telephone subformat.

120. A method according to claim 110, further comprising the step of:

receiving digital signals representing calling number identification data associated with said remote terminal apparatus automatically provided by said communication facility.

121. A method according to claim 120, further comprising the step of:

storing said digital signals representing numbers associated with said remote terminal apparatus automatically provided by said communication facility.

122. A method according to claim 110, wherein said testing step further includes testing digital signals representing calling number identification data associated with said remote terminal apparatus automatically provided by said communication facility, said testing of the calling number identification data to limit or prevent access to said interactive call processing format.

123. A method according to 110, wherein said at least one predetermined limit specifies a dollar limit.

124. A method according to claim 110, wherein said at least one predetermined limit specifies a number of uses.

125. A method according to claim 110, wherein said ticket bears both said name and said numerical value associated with said specific ticket.