System and method for automated play of lottery games

• US 8,388,430 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2006
• Issued: 03/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Inventor Holdings LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Packes, John M. Jr., Steib, Michael F., Golden, Andrew P., Jorasch, James A., Walker, Jay S., Sparico, Thomas M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Laneau, Ronald
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, ROSS A
• Application Number:
  US11/424,435
• Publication Number:
  US 20060281520A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,455 Days
• Field of Search: 463 40- 42, 463 16- 20, 340/526, 709/206
• US Class Current: 463/17
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/086 played via telephone, e.g. using a modem
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• 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

A method according to one embodiment of the present invention provides for: receiving data indicating a request by a player for an automated session, in which the automated session comprises a plurality of lottery outcomes; determining at least one parameter associated with the automated session; determining at least one lottery outcome; and providing the at least one lottery outcome based on the at least one parameter.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving data indicating a request by a player for an automated session, in which the automated session comprises a plurality of lottery outcomes;

determining at least one parameter associated with the automated session,

the at least one parameter including at least one preference of the player for delivery of lottery outcomes;

storing in a database an indication of the at least one preference of the player for delivery;

determining at least one lottery outcome;

retrieving from the database the at least one preference of the player for delivery; and

transmitting from a lottery server the at least one lottery outcome to a communication device associated with the player based on the at least one preference for delivery,

in which the at least one preference for delivery comprises a period of time during which to provide the lottery game outcomes to the communication device.

2. An apparatus comprising:

a processor;

a database accessible by the processor; and

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

receive data indicating a request by a player for an automated session, in

which the automated session comprises a plurality of lottery outcomes;

determine at least one parameter associated with the automated session,

the at least one parameter including at least one preference of the player for delivery of lottery outcomes;

store in the database an indication of the at least one preference of the player for delivery;

determine at least one lottery outcome;

retrieve from the database the at least one preference of the player for delivery; and

transmitting the at least one lottery outcome to a communication device associated with the player based on the at least one-preference for delivery,

in which the at least one preference for delivery comprises a period of time during which to provide the lottery game outcomes to the communication device.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, the instructions being further configured to direct the processor to:

receive from the player a preference for revealing lottery outcomes; and

reveal at least one of the plurality of lottery outcomes via the communication device in accordance with the preference for revealing lottery outcomes.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, the instructions being further configured to direct the processor to:

receive a signal from a lottery server in communication with the processor; and

reveal at least one of the plurality of lottery outcomes to the player via the communication device in response to the signal from the lottery server.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, in which transmitting the at least one lottery outcome to the communication device associated with the player in accordance with the at least one preference for delivery of lottery outcomes comprises:

transmitting a first game outcome to the communication device; and

transmitting a second game outcome to the communication device a predetermined period of time after transmitting the first game outcome.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, in which transmitting the at least one lottery outcome to the communication device associated with the player in accordance with the at least one preference for delivery of lottery outcomes comprises:

automatically transmitting at least one lottery outcome to the communication device in accordance with a schedule.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

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

receive a request to provide a plurality of lottery game outcomes to a communication device of a player that is in communication with the processor;

receive from the communication device at least one parameter for providing lottery game outcomes to the player,

the at least one parameter including a preference for delivery of the lottery game outcomes to the communication device;

determine a first lottery game outcome; and

transmit the first lottery game outcome to the communication device in accordance with the preference for delivery of the lottery game outcomes,

in which the at least one preference for delivery comprises a period of time during which to provide the lottery game outcomes to the communication device.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 in which the preference for delivery comprises at least one time of day at which to provide a lottery game outcome.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 in which the preference for delivery comprises a period of time between providing lottery game outcomes.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, the instructions being further configured to direct the processor to:

automatically transmit a second lottery game outcome to the communication device after the period of time has passed since transmitting the first lottery game outcome.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the preference for delivery comprises a format for outputting the lottery game outcomes at the communication device.

12. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the preference for delivery comprises a network address.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the network address comprises at least one of:

an e-mail address, and

a telephone number.

14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the lottery game outcomes comprise predetermined outcomes.

15. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the lottery game outcomes comprise random outcomes.