WO2002030531A1

WO2002030531A1 - Lottery game

Info

Publication number: WO2002030531A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/030101
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rob Nelson
Original assignee: Rob Nelson
Priority date: 2000-10-06
Filing date: 2001-09-25
Publication date: 2002-04-18
Also published as: AU2001296324A1

Abstract

A lottery game that includes the selection of letters is disclosed.

Description

LOTTERY GAME

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to games of chance. More

specifically the present invention relates to lottery games.

Lottery games, both private and state operated, are popular with many

people. The convenience with which players are able to purchase one or more lottery

tickets for a state game encourages many persons to play who might otherwise not

gamble. In addition, a worthy cause such as charitable events, also encourages many

people to play lotteries.

Most lotteries provide a single level of play in the form of one ticket price

or denomination based upon the selection of several numbers. If the player wishes to play

for a greater denomination then the player must purchase more tickets. If the player

desires to change the odds, then the player selects a different number of numbers. The

payoff for the game is based on the number of numbers selected, together with the

number of numbers that are correct. The ticket prices are generally kept low in orderfo

encourage play.

In order to encourage more players to play the lottery games other

variations have been developed. One such variation is to provide relatively high priced

tickets. Relatively high priced tickets are often provided for charitable causes, in which

onlv a relativelv small predetermined number of^" tickets -u'c sold for a relatively x en i e

prize. The relatively high ticket price increases the odds ofa single ticket winning the jackpot or prize, but discourages bettors who may not wish to gamble such a large amount on a single ticket.

Markowicz, U.S. Patent No. 4,482,278, discloses the interconnection of

two or more state lottery games into a national game.

Fienberg, U.S. Patent No. 5,046,737, discloses a lottery game in which

multiple levels are achieved by certain players, by chance.

Mullins, U.S. Patent No. 5,158,293, discloses a multiple level game, in the

sense that players may be sequentially eligible for different prizes or payoffs during the

course of play.

Keesee, U.S. Patent No. 5,282,620, discloses a parimutuel game

incorporating a plurality of game terminals and ticket printers which communicate with a

central processor, in the manner of many known lottery type games.

Zalabak, U.S. Patent No. 5,407,200, discloses a pyramid type game in

which successive wagering levels are provided, with each level providing an increased

chance of winning due to the removal of at least one game symbol from each successively

higher level.

Casa et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,613,679, disclose a game in which two

drawings are held for each game. The first drawing determines the winning bettor, while

(he second drawings determines the winning recipient of a group of worthy recipients.

Fulls el aL U.S. Patent No. 5.788,237, disclose a bingo type game in

which diffident levels of mr/es or awards are nrovided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a high-level architectural drawing illustrating the components of

a system that operates in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Overview of System Components and Operation

FIG. 1 illustrates the general architecture of a system that operates in"

accordance with the present invention. The system includes a player computer, and a web

site, both of which are linked together by the Internet. The Internet may be replaced by

any type of computer network. The player computer may be any type of computing

device that allows a user ("player") to interactively browse web sites via a web browser.

For example, the player computer may be a personal computer (PC) that runs the

windows NT operating system. The components and functions required to communicate

over the Internet and operate a web site are described more fully in U.S. Patent No.

6,022-141. the complete disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference. ^"Tire

method and system of the present invention may be used with any conventional hardware

or software used to communicate over a network.

In general, the system provides a computer system that has a database of historical lottery games previously played. Λ remote player, using a web browser,

communicalcs with the provider's web si'e hv mean'**. o\^~ the web server. The player can

view and search the database of previous games to determine if the player was a winner. can display information about the previous games, can play one or more future games,

select the type of lottery game to be played, make the selections for any future lottery

game, wager on lottery games, watch the selections drawn for the current lottery game,

etc.

Lottery Database

The lottery database contains information regarding the previous lottery

games and the current game being played. In addition, the lottery database may include

the selections for the past, current, and future for each player.

Web Site

The system has a computer that hosts a web site to allow the provider to

communicate with players. In a preferred method, when a consumer initially accesses the

provider's web site, the web server provides a web page to the consumer that allows the

consumer to play a lottery game.

State Based Games

Another potential implementation of a lottery game is a traditional state

sanctioned game. Typically the state has a lottery commission that overseas the lottery

game. Participation in the lottery game may be done in electronic form or by purchasing

tickets from vendors, such as the state or local stores. After the lottery game for which

the ticket was purchased the player may check to see i he is a winner.

Lottery Game

After consideration of all of the aforementioned attempts to increase the

participation and interest in players playing number based lottery games, the present inventor came to the realization that attempting to modify the selection criteria of the

numbers to entice players is a fundamentally flawed approach. Moreover, the appearance

to the player of an "easy" win likewise increases the likelihood that players will play the

lottery game. However, to reduce the payout paid to players, it is desirable that the actual

likelihood of payoffs is low which increases the "profits" to the state or provider of the

game. In addition, it is desirable that the lottery game is appealable to the player on a

personal level, as opposed to merely selecting a set of numbers which has little, if any,

emotional attachment to the player.

After further consideration the present inventor determined that an

improved lottery game replaces the selection of numbers with letters, as illustrated by

FIG. 2. The letters include, for example, a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h. i, j, k, 1, m, n, o, p, q, r, s. t,

u, v, w, x, y, and z. The paradigm change from numbers to letters provides many

previously unrealized benefits.

First, in a simple three number lottery where each of the numbers may be

selected the odds of selecting the single winning number is 1/1000 (10³). In contrast, in a

simple three letter lottery using the letters a..z the odds of selecting -the single winnfrrg

combination is 1/17,576 (26³). The odds of selecting the particular winning set of letters

in the letter based lottery are significantly reduced which may result in the state or

provider of the game accumulating greater profits.

Second, a letter based lottery game provides the player with the ability to

select their favorite words which may include words that have personal meaning in th-Hr

lives. Such words, may include for example, happy, birthday, dog. Sally. Tom. Tina. Kevin, Rob, Nelson, winner, puppy, money, etc. In this manner, the player may select words that have personal meaning to their lives, which increases the likelihood that

players will play the game. In essence, there is an emotional attachment with the

selection of the words, as opposed to merely selecting a set of numbers which lacks the

emotional attachment for the player.

Third, the selection of a set of letters for a lottery game results in a

deceptively simple game. Many players will consider the selection of letters to have the

same general odds as selecting a set of numbers. However, such a surprisingly simple

game is considerably more difficult to win because of the increased number of potential

choices for each selection in the game, i.e., from 10 (0-9) to 26 (A-Z). The deceptively

simple nature of the game encourages players to play the game, while simultaneously

decreasing the odds that the player will actually win.

An option to the lottery based game may include the player selecting a

particular set of letters and predicting the order in which the provider will select those

letters. In this manner the player may select actual words, which if selected by the

provider of the lottery game, results in a winning selection.

Another option to the loiter}' game may include permitting the selection of

duplicate letters by the player and/or the provider. In this manner the player has a greater

range ofavailable letters front which to select words, such as, "Bob". Alternatively, the

lottery game may prohibit the selection of duplicate letters, if desiied.

Another option to the lottery game may include selecting one or more

numbers, such as 0-9, together with one or moie letters. This permits greatei flexibility for selecting emotional based words, such as F 150 for a Ford truck.

The game may permit the selection of different sets of letters, for example,

a set of one letter, two letters, three letters, and so on. In addition, the game may provide

winnings based on ranges of letters selected, such as for example, one letter, 1-3 letters,

2-5 letters, 3-6 letters and 4-33 letters.

The winnings for any particular lottery may be based on matching all the

letters, or less than all of the letters, such as 5 out of 6 letters selected. In addition, the

lottery game may use the entire alphabet or a subset thereof.

While the selection of letters provides significant flexibility and

enticement for players to play the game, some players may believe it is to difficult to win.

A further option is to provide one or more wildcard selections which may be substituted

for any letter and/or number. This option entices more players to play the game, and

hence increases the potential profit of the providers. The number of wildcard selections

should be limited to no more than the number of letters selected. In addition, to increase

revenues the selection of each (or a set of) wildcard letters may incur an additional fee for

the- lottery ticket.

Another option for the lottery game is to permit the player to select a

playing card, including a heart, a club, a spade, or a diamond. The provider of the lottery

game may likewise select a playing card, including a heart, a club, a spade, or a diamond.

Another option for the lottery game is to premit the selection of the color

of any nRh selections from a defined set of colors, such us red, blue, and gieen.

One of the potential concerns of those iinplemenlϊnu, a letter based lottery game is the selection, by the player, of words that are rude or otherwise inappropriate.

Such words, may include for example, bitch, shit, ass, etc. In addition, these words may

likewise be indicated as inappropriate even if included as a portion of another word, such

as "assign" for "ass". Accordingly, the lottery game may include a list of inappropriate

words that are not permitted. If the player attempts to select such a letter combination

then the lottery game may force the player to select another set of letters.

Another potential concern for those implementing a lottery is the selection,

by the proprietor, of an inappropriate selection of letters, as previously described.- To

overcome this limitation, the preferred lottery system monitors the order in which the

letters are selected. Based on the order in which the letters are selected, the lottery system

may reorder the selection presented to the player so that the selection of letters does not

match an inappropriate word or letter group.

The terms and expressions which have been employed in the foregoing

specification are used therein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no

intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding equivalents of the

features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scopeuof the

invention is defined and limited only by the claims which follow.

Claims

1 . A method of playing a lottery game comprising:

(a) a player selecting a set of letters from a predetermined set of

available letters where said selected letters is selected from a game

set comprising at least one of a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, 1, m, n, o, p,

q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, and z;

(b) a proprietor of said lottery game selecting a set of winning letters

where said winning letters are selected from said game set;

(c) comparing said set of winning letters and said set of selected

letters; and

(d) determining based upon said comparing whether said player is a

winner.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said game set includes all of said a,

b, c._d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, 1, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, and z.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said player selects an order of said

selected set, said proprietor select an order of said winning letters, and said winning is

based on matching said orders.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said player selects duplicate letters. 5 The method of claim 4 wherein said proprietor selects duplicate letters

6 I lie method of claim 6 wherein said winning is based upon

matching said duplicate letters

> 7 The method of claim 1 wherein said lottery game prohibits the

selection of duplicate letters

8 The method of claim 1 wheiem said game set further compiises at

least one of 0, 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 0

9 I ^"he method of claim 1 wherein said player is considered to be a

* winnei if a piedetermmed number of selected letters matches said winning letters

10 The method of claim 1 wherein the order of said selected letters is

not peimitted to match piedetermmed patterns

1 1 ^'I he method of claim 1 wheiem said game set iuither compi ises at

least one of a head a club a spade and a diamond

12 I he method ol claim 1 wheiem s_t*κi name - Ct f ui fhti comprises a wild card.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said player pays a premium for the selection of said wild card.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein said proprietor changes the order

of said winning letters so that it does not match predetermined patterns.

15. The method of claim 1 whenever said player selects a color for at least

one of said selected set.