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Detailed Description
Some example embodiments according to this invention may include systems and programs. The program according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include: a program for purchasing instant lottery tickets, a program for facilitating instant lottery ticket purchases, a program for implementing, deploying or retrofitting new instant win lottery games, and a program for auditing instant win lottery games. An exemplary system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include attended and unattended terminals for instant lottery ticket sales, lottery terminals functionally combined with other types of terminals, a client-server system for sales of instant lottery terminals, and a central host or management system for controlling programs used in instant lottery game operations.
Some example embodiments of the invention may allow instant win lottery tickets to be sold from non-traditional locations, such as from traditional non-instant lottery terminals, from video kiosks, or video lottery terminals. These sales may be accomplished without the use of special pre-printed lottery tickets such as those used in conventional scratch-off, tear-open, or pull-tab type instant lottery games. This avoids the large inventory, issuance, and tracking overhead associated with games that use such conventional instant tickets.
Some exemplary embodiments of the present invention may also allow for rapid deployment and adjustment of new instant-on games. Because new games and new prize structures can be electronically entered, modified and audited and then distributed to different terminals over a network, the time required to launch a new game can be greatly reduced.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention may include a method of facilitating the play of an instant lottery game. The method may include receiving a set of expressions for an instant lottery game. The method may also include associating the set of expressions with a progressive. The method may further include associating each entry in the progressive with a respective single outcome. The method may further include associating each expression in the set of expressions with a respective outcome by associating the expression with a respective entry in the progressive associated with the respective outcome. The method may also include receiving a second set of expressions for a second instant lottery game. The method may also include associating the second set of expressions with a second prize pool. The method may further comprise associating each entry in the second progressive with a respective single outcome. The method may further include associating each expression of the second set of expressions with a respective outcome by associating the expression with a corresponding entry in the second progressive associated with the respective outcome. The method may also include receiving a request at a terminal to participate in the instant lottery game, the instant lottery game selected from a plurality of available instant lottery games. The method may also include determining an outcome for the instant lottery game by randomly selecting a first entry in the prize pool that is associated with a first expression in the set of expressions. The method may further include transmitting information of the first expression in the expression set to the terminal. The method may also include using the information of the first expression to issue a game ticket for the instant lottery game. The method may also include awarding a prize based on the outcome associated with the first entry in the prize pool. The method may also include receiving a request at the terminal to participate in the second instant lottery game randomly selected from the plurality of available instant lottery games. The method may also include determining a second outcome for the second instant lottery game by randomly selecting a second entry in the second prize pool, the second entry being associated with a second representation in the second set of representations. The method may further include transmitting information of the second expression in the second expression set to the terminal. The method may also include issuing a second game ticket for the second instant lottery game using the information of the second representation. The method may also include awarding a second prize based on the second outcome associated with the second entry in the second prize pool. It will be appreciated that the exemplary method may also be applied to a third, fourth or additional plurality of instant lottery games.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention may also include a method of facilitating the play of an instant lottery game. The method may include receiving a set of expressions for an instant lottery game. The method may also include associating the set of expressions with a progressive. The method may also include associating each expression in the set of expressions with a respective outcome. The method may also include transmitting a first expression of the set of expressions to the terminal.
An exemplary method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further comprise associating each entry in the prize pool with a respective single outcome, wherein each expression of the set of expressions for the instant lottery game is associated with the respective outcome by associating the expression with the respective entry in the prize pool associated with the respective outcome.
An exemplary method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention utilizes information of the first expression to issue a game ticket for an instant lottery game. The method may also include awarding a prize based on the outcome associated with the progressive entry, the progressive entry associated with the first expression.
An exemplary method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further comprise receiving a request to participate in the instant lottery game at a terminal, the instant lottery game selected from a plurality of available instant lottery games. The method may also include randomly determining an outcome for the instant lottery game, selecting an expression associated with the outcome from a set of expressions for the instant lottery game, transmitting information of the expression to the terminal, and displaying the information of the expression on the terminal.
In some exemplary methods according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the outcome of the instant lottery game may be determined by randomly selecting an entry from the prize pool. In some exemplary embodiments, the entries may be selected without replacement. In some of these exemplary embodiments, the progressive may be constructed to provide a predetermined minimum guaranteed payout over a predetermined interval. In other exemplary embodiments, the entries may be selected in a permutation.
In some exemplary methods according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the information of the expression may be transmitted to the terminal in response to a request for participation in the lottery game. In some exemplary methods according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the information of the expression may be transmitted to the terminal before requesting participation in the lottery game. In some exemplary methods according to exemplary embodiments of the invention, the representation may include a portion of a lottery ticket image. In some exemplary methods according to exemplary embodiments of the invention, the representation may include a lottery ticket image.
In some exemplary methods according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the expression may include a set of code symbols and position information for each code symbol. The symbols may be in the format of a unicode standard.
According to some example methods of example embodiments of the invention, printing the instant win lottery ticket as part of the presentation information may also be included. Some example methods according to example embodiments of the present invention may further include displaying the information electronically, for example, on a screen as part of a presentation of the information.
Some example embodiments of the invention may include auditable features. Some example methods according to example embodiments of the present invention may further include outputting each expression in the expression information set and the result associated with each expression. According to some exemplary methods of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it may further comprise verifying, by an entity other than the lottery operator, that each expression is associated with the correct outcome.
Some example methods according to example embodiments of the present invention may further include associating a plurality of price points with the instant lottery game; for each price point, a different prize pool is associated with the instant lottery game.
Some example embodiments of the present invention may also include a multi-game instant lottery game system. The exemplary gaming system may include: a plurality of prize pools, each prize pool having a plurality of prize scales, each prize scale associated with a respective outcome; a plurality of lottery games, each lottery game associated with a respective one of the prize pools; a plurality of expression sets, each expression set associated with a respective one of the plurality of lottery games, each expression in a set of expressions associated with a lottery game associated with a respective one of the prize scales in the prize pool associated with the lottery game.
The exemplary multi-game instant lottery game system according to some exemplary embodiments of the present invention may further include: a terminal configured to receive a request to participate in a selected one of a first one of a plurality of instant lottery games, the first lottery instant game associated with the first prize pool and the first set of expressions; and a server in communication with the terminal, the server configured to randomly select an entry associated with a first prize scale of the first prize pool from the first prize pool and transmit to the terminal expression information of a first expression of the first set of expressions to be displayed, the expression information being associated with the first prize scale of the first prize pool. In some of these systems, the terminal may also be configured to sell non-instant lottery tickets. In some of these systems, the terminal may also be configured as a cash register for selling non-gaming transactions or merchandise. In some of these systems, the terminal may be a video lottery game terminal. In some of these systems, the displaying includes printing a lottery game ticket. The display may include electronically displaying the lottery game ticket. In some of these systems, the terminal is further configured to receive a request to participate in a selected one of a second one of the plurality of instant lottery games, the second lottery game associated with the second prize pool and the second set of expressions; the server may be further configured to randomly select an entry from a second prize pool associated with a second prize scale of the second prize pool and transmit to the lottery game terminal expressive information of a second expression of the second set of expressions to be displayed, the expressive information being associated with the second prize scale of the second prize pool. In some of these systems, at least one of the plurality of lottery games has a plurality of prize points, the at least one lottery game being associated with a different one of the plurality of prize pools for each prize point. In some of these systems, the first set of expressed information is transmitted to the terminal in response to a request to purchase the first lottery ticket. In some of these systems, the information of the first set of representations is transmitted to the terminal prior to a request to purchase the first lottery ticket. In some of these systems, the server may be configured to receive a new set of expressions associated with a new lottery game, associate the new expressions and the new lottery game with a prize pool of the plurality of prize pools, and transmit the expression information in the new set of expressions to the lottery game terminal.
In some of these exemplary systems, the presentation information may include a ticket image.
In some of these exemplary systems, the enunciated information may include a set of symbols.
In some of these exemplary systems, the expression information may include positioning information for the set of symbols. In some of these systems, the expression information includes ordering information for the set of symbols. In some of these systems, the enunciated information may include a uniform character encoding for the symbols.
Some example systems according to example embodiments of the present invention may further include an audit report generator configured to display all of the expressions in a set of expressions and their associated prize ratings.
Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary client-server system architecture for providing an instant lottery game according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Although the exemplary system is illustrated as a client-server system, it should be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments of this invention can be implemented in other forms, such as in a purely stand-alone gaming environment mode, in an asynchronous batch mode (e.g., via an email-type system), via the Internet with a user's personal computer as a client (having network-enabled gaming privileges), or in other forms.
The exemplary system may also include a host 110 that may be used to operate and control the lottery game. The host 110 may be dedicated to the sale of instant lottery games as described herein or may also provide other services such as managing traditional non-instant or scratch-off instant win games or providing other types of transaction processing services. Although the exemplary host 110 is a mainframe computer, the host may also be functionally distributed across minicomputers in a distributed system or provided locally.
Communicating with the host 110 may be a management client 112. The administration client 112 may be co-located with the host 110 or may be provided at some remote location. The administration client 112 may be used to control the instant lottery game operated by the host 110, for example, to provide commands to implement, start, stop, and change the game, and to provide reporting, supervision, and auditing functions.
The exemplary system may also include various types of equipment for the distribution and redemption of instant lottery ticket certificates. These devices may communicate with host 110 over a network via various types of network connections, such as direct dial-up, secure internet, via other intermediate hosts, over a private network, and so forth. It will be appreciated that the host and remote devices may communicate in a secure, verifiable and auditable manner using conventional techniques such as public key encryption, digital signatures, recording to archival media, and the like.
An exemplary system may include a local management server or hub 114 supporting a campus or multiple campuses. These campuses may include various gaming devices 116, such as video lottery machines or video game machines 116 that may be modified in the manner described herein to distribute instant lottery tickets. Local management server 114 may provide a robust, integrated communication between gaming device 116 and the host computer through a single network connection, or may operate a local area network connecting gaming device 116 and local management server 114.
The exemplary system may also include an unmanned lottery ticket dispenser or kiosk 118. These kiosks 118 may be networked to the host 110, or alternatively, to an intermediate or local host that controls multiple kiosks 118. These kiosks may also provide other services such as conventional lottery ticket dispensing, event ticket dispensing, ATM functionality, and the like.
The exemplary system may also include a conventional lottery ticket terminal 120. These attended lottery ticket terminals 120 may be configured to dispense conventional non-instant lottery ticket tickets and may also be adapted to also dispense instant lottery tickets of the present invention. The conventional lottery ticket terminal may be in network communication with the host computer 110 for both conventional non-instant lottery ticket distribution and instant lottery ticket distribution according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The lottery ticket terminal 120 may also be used to dispense scratch-off or tear-open type instant lottery tickets that typically require a particular book or package of preprinted tickets.
The exemplary system may also include an associated host 122. The associated host 122 may provide separate and independent operations for unrelated lottery games. For example, the associated host is an operating computer for a single status lottery or jurisdiction, while the host 110 operates the current instant lottery game for multiple jurisdictions.
The exemplary system may also include other forms of terminals for dispensing instant lottery ticket tickets. For example, the system may include a conventional cash register 126 adapted to dispense instant lottery ticket tickets. Because cash registers in such a multi-channel cash register environment may be controlled by a single local management server 124, it may be more convenient for the cash registers 126 to communicate with the host 110 through the management server 124. For non-gaming applications, the management server or premise host 124 may also control cash registers 126, e.g., control conventional point-of-sale cash register operations.
Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary lottery terminal in an exemplary client-server system architecture for providing an instant lottery game according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Attended terminals, such as Altura terminals available from GTECH Corporation of Greenwich, RI, for selling non-instant lottery tickets, may be adapted to facilitate the sale of instant on-line lottery tickets. It will be appreciated that similar adjustments may be made to other conventional lottery ticket terminals. Alternatively, a particular terminal may be configured to only sell instant lottery tickets, or instant lottery tickets may be sold from other types of terminals, such as video kiosks, gaming machines, or conventional point-of-sale terminals.
The exemplary terminal may include a processor 211. The processor may control the operation of various components of the exemplary terminal. Although the exemplary terminal described herein is shown with the terminal and other components being co-located in a single housing, other configurations may be used, such as using slave components at remote locations.
An exemplary terminal may include a memory 213. The memory may be part of the processor 211 or may be a separate component. Various types of memory can be used including RAM memory, ROMs, flash memory, magnetic disk, optical memory, or any other type of storage media suitable for storing data and programs used in the operation of the exemplary terminal.
The memory 213 may be used to store a control program for controlling the operation of the terminal in selling instant game opportunities or tickets. The memory may also include user-controlled coded screens or codes or commands for establishing a user interface for operation by the exemplary terminal. For example, the memory 213 may store various game type selection screens 215. These screens may enable a user, such as a consumer or an agent acting at the consumer's instruction, to select a type of game to participate, for example, one of a non-instant lottery game, a conventional scratch-off instant lottery game, or the instant on-line games disclosed in this application. The memory 213 may also store one or more instant-on game selection screens 217, or instructions and data used to create such screens. The instant game selection screen 217 may be used to allow a participant or agent acting at the participant's instruction to select a particular type of instant lottery game to participate and optionally select price points for the selected instant lottery game to participate.
The memory 213 may also include presentation information 219. For example, the expressions may be a pre-loaded ticket image and a partial ticket image that are used to create an instant lottery ticket using an exemplary instant lottery ticket terminal. The presentation information may also include information such as background print patterns and structures used in all tickets for a particular game. Optionally, in some embodiments, the presentation memory 219 may include code symbols for printing instant lottery ticket certificates. These coded symbols may be used in conjunction with information or instructions received by the terminal from, for example, a central lottery server, to generate an instant lottery ticket. For example, in a BINGO game, these codes may be symbols used on BINGO cards and algorithms for determining their location on the card given the location code. For example, the symbols may be unicode symbols and the location information may be a physical location encoded on the instant lottery ticket. Alternatively, the location information may be a coded location associated with the instant game, such as an (x, y) location on the BINGO grid. The terminal then receives the symbol list and encoded location from the central lottery host, and the terminal may then retrieve the symbol information and decode the location information to produce an instant lottery ticket.
The exemplary lottery terminal may also include a user input device 221. The user input device 221 may be used to allow the user to select a type of game to participate, price points, and the like. For some games, the user input device 221 may also be used to input game information, such as user number selections for number matching type games. The user input device 221 may be a custom keyboard, a conventional computer keyboard, a touch screen, or other type of user input device.
The exemplary lottery terminal may also include a user display device 223. The user display device 223 may be incorporated, such as in a touch screen, or separate from the user input device 221, for example. Any conventional display device may be used, such as a CRT display, LED display, print display, LCD screen, and the like.
The exemplary lottery terminal may also include an agent display device 225. It will be appreciated that the agent display device 225 need not be separate from the user display device 223, but in many cases, separate displays facing in opposite directions for the customer and agent may be required, for example, when the agent or cashier is behind a counter.
The exemplary lottery terminal may include an agent input device 227. The agent input device 227 may be used to allow an agent or cashier to select a type of game to participate, price points, and the like. For some games, the agent input device 227 may also be used to input game information, such as user number selections for number matching type games. The proxy input device 227 may be a custom keyboard, a conventional computer keyboard, a touch screen, or other type of user input device. The proxy input device may also be used for other purposes of the terminal, for example as a conventional cash register input device when the terminal is also used as a conventional cash register.
The exemplary lottery terminal may include a ticket printer 229. The ticket printer 229 may be used to print instant lottery ticket tickets. If the terminal is used for other purposes, the ticket printer 229 may also be used for other purposes, such as printing a receipt for a non-instant lottery ticket, printing a pick up menu for a lottery ticket, printing a conventional cash register receipt. Alternatively, separate printers may be provided for different purposes. In some applications, it is desirable to use special security papers and inks for security purposes. In other applications, security may be provided entirely through the use of digital security codes.
The exemplary lottery terminal may also include a ticket reading device 231. The ticket reading device 231 may be used to read information from a ticket presented for redemption. If a bar code ticket is used, the scanner 231 may be a conventional bar code scanner. Alternatively, a flat bed scanner (flat bed scanner) may be used to scan the entire document. In some embodiments, the ticket reading device 231 may also be used for other purposes, such as reading a lottery pick menu.
The exemplary lottery terminal may also include a network interface 233. The network interface may be used to enable communication of the lottery ticket terminal with other systems and locations, e.g., to enable communication with a lottery host or central server, either directly or indirectly. The communication may be direct dial-up, via the internet, over a dedicated line, over a local area network and a local server, or any other conventional client-server communication technique.
Fig. 2a illustrates an exemplary game selection screen for an exemplary lottery terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The exemplary game selection screen may be displayed on an agent output device in the attended lottery terminal or on a user screen of the unattended lottery terminal. Various selections may be provided, for example, as buttons on a touch screen. Button 241 may indicate that an instant lottery game is to be purchased as described in the present application. Button 243 may indicate that the instant lottery game is to be redeemed, as sold by pressing 241. Button 245 may indicate that a conventional non-instant lottery ticket is to be purchased. Button 247 may indicate that a conventional non-instant lottery ticket is to be redeemed. Button 249 may indicate that a hybrid ticket of a combined instant game and non-instant game is to be dispensed. It will be appreciated that a wide variety of possible human-machine interfaces may be utilized to provide a wide variety of interfaces for selecting what actions to take or selecting games to purchase or redeem. For example, instead of touch screen input, a mark-up readout pick menu or other machine-readable pick menu may be used, or selection may be made using a keyboard or pointing device such as a mouse.
FIG. 2b illustrates a second exemplary game selection screen according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The selection screen shown allows the customer (or an agent under the customer's instruction) to select from a variety of instant-on games and instant-on game price points. For example, price points of $ 2, $5, $10 may be provided for BINGO, crossword, and number matching games. Exemplary buttons 251, 253, and 255 are for price points of $ 2, $5, $10, respectively, for the BINGO game. Exemplary buttons 257, 259, and 261 may be used to select a crossword puzzle game at the $ 2, $5, $10 price point, respectively.
It will be appreciated that there are many possible alternative interfaces for the selection and purchase of instant tickets using any conventional computer input techniques.
Fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary instant lottery ticket according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The exemplary lottery ticket shown in fig. 3 is for a "BINGO" type instant lottery game that simulates a real BINGO game. It will be appreciated that the tickets may be printed and distributed, such as on special ticket material or conventional paper, or in some alternative embodiments, the tickets may be electronically displayed, such as on a gaming terminal screen. Each ticket has two types of presentation data that may be used to play an alternative game that may be used to determine the value or outcome of an instant lottery game. For example, each ticket shown in FIG. 3 has a set of BINGO card numbers 301a, and each ticket also has a set of bonus numbers 301b, with the outcome of the optional game being determined by comparing the bonus numbers and card numbers in a manner similar to a conventional BINGO game.
Figure 3R shows the back side of one of the tickets of figure 3. In embodiments where presentation information is displayed on a video screen, the backside information may be electronically recorded or printed on a receipt or credit ticket for the winning ticket.
The back of the exemplary instant lottery ticket may include a game title or identifier 311. The identifier 311 may be textual or graphical. It will be appreciated that information that is explicit to the game type but not explicit to a single ticket may be reproduced by a common program or shared data for all possible tickets in a particular instant game. The information may include general graphics, instructions, sales information, and other types of information.
The back of an exemplary instant lottery ticket may include instructions 315. The instructions 315 may indicate how to participate in the game. For example, the instructions 315 herein may indicate how to utilize the alternative game to determine what the value of the ticket is, e.g., the prize won based on a pattern obtained when the call number of the BINGO matches the BINGO card number displayed on the face of the ticket.
The back of an exemplary instant lottery ticket may include a ticket purchase price 317. Different price points may be associated with different prizes and have different payment schemes.
The back of the exemplary instant lottery ticket may include a ticket identifier 319. The ticket identifier 319 may include security information that may be used to validate the ticket when the ticket is presented for redemption. The ticket identifier 319 may also be encoded on the ticket in a machine-readable form 321, such as a bar code.
It will be appreciated that other information such as a sales message, date and time of purchase, expiration date, etc. may also be included on the ticket. It will also be appreciated that the information may be displayed on the ticket in a number of different formats.
Fig. 4 illustrates an alternative exemplary instant lottery ticket according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The alternative exemplary instant lottery ticket 400 may be used with an instant lottery game CROSSWORD.
The exemplary instant lottery ticket 400 may include a game title or identifier 411. The identifier 411 may be textual and/or graphical. It will be appreciated that information that is explicit to the game type but not explicit to a single ticket may be reproduced by a common program or shared data for all possible tickets in a particular instant game. Such information may include general graphics, instructions, sales information, and other types of information.
The exemplary instant lottery ticket 400 may include presentation data 413a and 413 b. The enunciated data 413a may be used to participate in an optional game for enjoyment or entertainment. The outcome of the optional game may represent the outcome of the instant lottery game. For example, the presentation data 413a on the illustrated ticket includes a crossword puzzle framework having various words. Expression 413b includes a set of call letters (call letters). The outcome of the exemplary game may be determined by matching the call number with the words on the crossword puzzle to determine how many words were completed by the group of call numbers.
The exemplary instant lottery ticket 400 may include instructions 415. The instructions 415 may indicate how to participate in the game. For example, the instructions 415 herein may indicate how to utilize an alternative game to determine what the value of the ticket is, such as a prize won based on the number of words matched.
The exemplary instant lottery ticket 400 may include a ticket purchase price 417.
The example instant lottery ticket 400 may include a ticket identifier 419. The ticket identifier 419 may include security information that may be used to validate the ticket when the ticket is presented for redemption. The ticket identifier 419 may also be encoded on the ticket in a machine-readable form 421, such as a bar code.
It will be appreciated that other information such as a sales message, date and time of purchase, and expiration date may also be included on the ticket. It will also be appreciated that the information may be displayed on the ticket in many different formats.
Fig. 5 illustrates the architecture of an exemplary host or central system for providing an exemplary client-server system architecture for an instant lottery game in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
An exemplary host may include processor 510. Processor 510 may be a mainframe computer or a mini-mainframe computer for mini-games. It will be appreciated that the processor 510 shown herein is abstract and may in fact be, for example, a multiprocessor or computer which operates various games in a distributed manner. The processor 510 may also provide for the operation of other types of lottery games or other transaction processing services.
The processor 510 may be coupled to a network interface 512. The network interface 512 may be a network processor, network server, or other computer that provides an interface between the transaction processing services provided by the processor 510 and a network that connects the processor to different clients, such as the aforementioned gaming terminals. The network interface may provide various services such as traffic and congestion control, security, etc. that facilitate communication between host 510 and the gaming terminal.
The processor 510 is accessible to one or more management terminals 514. The terminals provide access to the processor 510 to manage the system. For example, the management terminal 514 may be used to control the processor, provide maintenance, provide new games, adjust existing games, audit game operations, and perform other management and maintenance operations.
The processor 510 may also be equipped with or have access to various types of memory 516. The memory 516 may be integrated with or separate from the processor 510.
The memory may also be distributed and shared with other processors. Memory 516 may include RAM memory, flash memory, magnetic disks, optical disks, and other types of storage media including read-only, read/write, and write-only. The memory may be used to provide various types of databases and transaction processing for instant-on games, other gaming applications, and other non-gaming transaction processing services of exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
The content stored in the memory 516 may be various types of information for providing an instant-on game of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. This information may be stored in a range of formats, such as a relational database, a hierarchical database, a C + + or Java object, or in any form that provides processor 510 with access to data. This information may be stored as a separate table or set of tables in a relational database. This information may include game index 518, position attribute index 520, game representation 522, game prize pool 524, ticket sales log 526, and some rules and procedures 528.
The exemplary game index 518 may be configured with a database table for each game entry. Each entry may include a game code or identifier, a game name, and other game-related information. Together, may include a list of price points for the game, an identifier, pointer, or other information that identifies which prize pool is associated with the game of different prize points. A list of information identifying the expression sets of the game may be included as, for example, pointers or identifiers to the expression sets of the game for a particular price point. Other information needed to operate a particular game may also be included, such as linking to rules or programs used in operating the game.
The exemplary location attribute index 520 may be configured as a database table with each location entry. For each location, a location attribute may be identified.
Allowing for example what kind of games to be sold and redeemed at the location of the terminal. Each location entry may also include other information such as security information, an encrypted password for the location, or a connection to a local sales log.
The example game expression 522 may be configured as a database table with each set of expression information entries. Each entry may include a complete set of presentation information for a particular game for a particular price point, or may include a link or identifier that allows the set of presentation information to be located. Other information associated with a particular game expression set, such as standard backgrounds, standard instructions, etc. for each expression in the set of expressions, may also be included.
The exemplary game progressive table 524 may be configured as a database table with each progressive entry. Each entry may be a complete progressive or, alternatively, a link, identifier, or other information that can be used to locate and/or access a particular progressive.
Other information may be associated with a particular progressive, such as attributes of the progressive when the progressive is reset, whether the progressive is to be permuted or sampled without permutation, and the like.
The example game ticket sales log 526 can track when, where, and how many different tickets in the example game have been sold or redeemed. This information can be used for auditing, marketing, control, and other administrative purposes.
Exemplary game rules and programs 528 may be used to store game operations, prize pools, and expressed rules and/or programs. For example, encoded rules may be encoded that represent rules for re-populating the prize table for a particular game. Likewise, rules may be stored for how various expressions are built using the expression information.
It will be appreciated that the information described above may be arranged in a number of different formats and manners using a variety of data structures, such as, for example, for use in the exemplary procedures described subsequently in this application, so long as the information is readily accessible for use in operating the exemplary instant lottery game. For data structures and databases and data management, some tables and/or fields may be omitted and other tables and/or fields may be added using conventional techniques.
Fig. 6 illustrates an exemplary prize pool for an exemplary instant lottery game according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the exemplary system described above, the prize pool may be stored in the central host system, or may be stored in a different manner and accessible in the central host system. However, it is to be appreciated that the exemplary prize pool may be stored in different locations and in different manners, so long as the prize pool is available in a program that facilitates participation in the lottery game. It will also be appreciated that a single progressive may be used for a single game, multiple games may share a single progressive, or a single game may have multiple progressive, for example for different price points.
For purposes of illustration, the prize pool 611 is depicted as a square grid. The exemplary progressive 611 includes a plurality of entries 613. It will be appreciated that the prize pool may be stored as a single or multiple related database tables in different manners and/or using many different data structures such as arrays, linked lists, objects in C + + or Java, or in any other manner in a program used to facilitate participation in a lottery game to facilitate use of the information contained in the prize pool. Although not illustrated as such, it is beneficial for each row in the progressive 611 to correspond to a particular progressive level. Each of these rows need not have the same length.
Progressive 611 may contain entry 613. In this example, the entries are represented by grid locations. In this example, the progressive contains 100 grid positions and, therefore, 100 entries. The entries may be randomly occupied or may be occupied based on other criteria as determined to achieve the desired expected payout. The entry may also be replaced or removed from the progressive. The entry may also be identified by a number. An item may be randomly selected from the prize pool. An entry may be randomly selected from the prize pool by randomly selecting the prize pool index number. The host may randomly generate a number and may identify an entry in the prize pool by selecting the number.
Fig. 6a illustrates an exemplary entry 613' in an exemplary prize pool according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The exemplary entry may include an exemplary entry identifier 615 a. The entry may be identified by a special symbol or number, or alternatively by a link or pointer.
Exemplary entries may also include exemplary prizes 617 a. The prize 617a may be given a value of a monetary prize associated with the entry. In this example, the prize is $ 10. Alternatively, the prize 617a may be an identifier or pointer that allows the entry to be associated with a particular prize level or with an entry in a separate prize table. The prize may also be a merchandise credit or a prize for an attached lottery ticket. Such "in-packed prices" rewards may be facilitated by the use of links or identifiers in the entries rather than just the value.
Exemplary entries 611 may also include exemplary prize level identifiers 619 a. It will be appreciated that some or even multiple entries may be associated with a zero prize value, depending on the desired game configuration. In the exemplary entry described, the prize scale may be designated as Division4, and all entries in the prize scale may be designated as a $10 prize. There may also be a number of other prize pool entries designated as Division 4. Other prize scale entries designated as Division4 will also be designated as a $10 prize. Even where the prize value is also included in the entry, a prize level identifier may be used to facilitate management of the prize pool. For example, it may be desirable to track or manage the number of prizes that have been awarded according to a particular prize level, or to change all prize values for items in a particular level. It will be appreciated that the prize values and prize level information may be tracked in separate data structures for which the entries may include links. It may be beneficial to organize the prize pool by, for example, the level of each row in a multi-row data structure corresponding to different prize levels.
Other fields may also be included in the prize table entry 613. For example, an exemplary field may be included that tracks whether the entry has been awarded, a feature that is particularly useful in games awarded according to a fixed pool without a permutation. The fields may also track the time of the last award, the location of the awarded prize, or other information that facilitates tracking, auditing, or sales analysis. Entry 613 may also include a link to associated expression information. Alternatively, the prize table entry may include associated expression information as a field. For example, in a BINGO game, separate cards and a prize table may be included as separate presentation data structures. Each entry is then associated with a BINGO card and a drawing group by including a reference or identifier for a particular expression in that prize table entry. Alternatively, the encoded card and prize information may be incorporated directly into the prize table entry, for example, as a list of card entries and prize numbers.
Fig. 7 illustrates an exemplary data structure diagram for an exemplary instant-on game according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The exemplary data structures may include a game data structure 710, an expression group data structure 720, an expression group entry data structure 730, a prize table data structure 740, a prize scale data structure 750, and a prize entry data structure 760. Although the data is described herein as relational database tables, it will be appreciated that other data structures, such as arrays, linked lists, objects, etc., may be used, and additional data fields may be added and alternative arrangements may be used.
The game data structure 710 may include an entry for each game provided by the exemplary system. Here, separate entries are listed for each game type and prize point, with separate entries for separate prize points for the same game. Each entry in the game data structure may include an identifier, a game price point, a prize table identifier that associates the game with the prize table data structure 740, an expression group identifier, and a game status flag. The identifier may be a pointer, a name identifier, a link, or any other element that may be used to identify a related data structure associated with the game data structure. The game status flag may indicate whether the game is fully operational, unavailable, or in limited use.
The expression group data structure 720 can include an expression group identifier, standard information such as a description or background image shared by all expressions in the expression group, and an association such as a link, index, or pointer with each expression in the expression data group 720. These expressions may be stored in a variety of forms such as linked lists, object arrays, etc., as long as they are conveniently accessible when needed. Here, the expression is stored in a separate expression entry data structure 730.
Each expression entry data structure 730 may include an identifier for accessing, indexing, or identifying the expression entry data structure. In this exemplary depiction, the expression data structure 730 herein may include a list of encoding symbols and a list of positions for those symbols. The expression data structure 730 may also include an association, e.g., a pointer, link, or index, with an associated prize table entry 760 in a prize table 740, the prize table 740 being associated with the game 710 including the expression 720 including the expression entry 730.
Each prize table in the exemplary instant game may have an associated prize table data structure 740. The prize table data structure 740 may include a prize table identifier or other structure for accessing, indexing, or identifying the prize table. The code in the prize table data structure may be a flag indicating the manner in which the prize table is managed, for example, when or how often the prize table should be reset, whether or not the prize table should be sampled with or without replacement, and the like. A set of associations, such as links, indices, or pointers, with the prize scale data structure 750 may also be included in the prize table data structure 740. A set of associations, such as links, indices, or pointers, with the prize table entries may also be included in the prize table data structure 740.
Each level in the prize table may have a separate data structure 750. The prize table level data structure 750 may include a level identification, prize values associated with the level, and a means, such as a pointer, link, or index, that identifies the prize table entry associated with the prize level.
Each entry in the prize table may have a prize table entry data structure 760. Each prize table entry data structure 760 may include a prize table entry identifier, e.g., a numerical index indicating the position of an element in the prize pool. The prize table entry data structure 760 may also have an identifier, such as a pointer or index to the prize scale data structure 750, that associates the prize table entry with a prize scale, where the identifier is included in the prize scale. Each prize table entry 760 may also include a value if the prize is a cash prize or some other representation of a prize that should be awarded when an entry in the prize table is selected. Each prize table entry data structure 760 may also include information regarding the status of a prize table entry, such as a flag indicating whether the entry has been used or awarded since the last time the prize table was reset.
Fig. 8 illustrates an exemplary process for facilitating the participation of an instant lottery game. The instant lottery game may be one in which the user may select a type of lottery game to participate and an amount to be wagered on the selected lottery game while generating an instant lottery ticket in the central lottery system corresponding to the lottery game and the wager selected by the participant. For example, to determine whether a lottery ticket has a winning prize, a participant may not need to wait for a future drawing.
Fig. 8 depicts an exemplary program as three parallel program flows. The first process may be performed by the customer or game participant directly or through an agent at a manned lottery terminal. The second parallel flow may be accomplished by a lottery terminal, kiosk, game terminal, or other transaction device such as the exemplary lottery terminal described above. The third parallel flow may be accomplished by a host or management system, such as the host in the system architecture described above. It will be appreciated that the host or management system may be local, incorporated into the kiosk, or remote from the terminal. It will be appreciated that while the exemplary system is adapted to execute the exemplary programs, the exemplary system may execute other programs as well, and that other exemplary programs may execute on entirely different architectures. In fig. 8, small arrows indicate control flow of the exemplary program, while large arrows indicate information transfer between different programs and/or different actors executing the programs.
When a user or consumer desires to purchase an opportunity in an instant lottery game, an exemplary procedure is initiated by purchasing a printed instant lottery ticket or by displaying an electronic lottery ticket. The purchase may occur at a conventional manned lottery terminal, an unmanned or automated lottery terminal, some other kind of terminal or video kiosk, or even on the user's or consumer's own computer with access to a secure transaction system that allows purchase.
A first flow in the exemplary program describes exemplary purchase, participation and redemption of an instant lottery ticket implemented by a lottery consumer.
In 811, a request to purchase a ticket may be made. The request may be made, for example, by having the user enter information at a video kiosk. Alternatively, the request may be made by the user telling an agent, which then enters information into the attended lottery terminal. It is to be appreciated that the exemplary program need not be isolated or isolated. For example, the program may be part of a transaction such as other lottery ticket purchases, gaming or traditional non-gaming store (store) purchases.
At 813, an indication of available lottery games and price points may be received. The indication may include a graphical display representing the instant lottery games that may be played and the number of plays that may be made on each lottery game. It will be appreciated that the indication may be expressed in the form of: a textual explanation, a menu, or a graphical representation of a different instant lottery ticket. It will also be appreciated that not all information need be received at the same time, for example, price points may be displayed after a particular type of game is selected.
Selection of the instant lottery game type and price point may be accomplished by the user at 815. The selection may include selecting which instant lottery game to play and the amount to be wagered on the selected lottery game by the player. The user may select a lottery game based on his or her game preferences. The selection may be made in different ways, for example, by the user instructing a lottery agent or cashier to enter information into a manned lottery terminal, or by the user using a video kiosk to purchase lottery tickets with a certain payout.
In 817, the purchase price may be submitted by the user. Such submission may be accomplished by the user by paying a certain amount of money for the ticket or by a program that may be part of other transactions such as a non-instant lottery ticket purchase, a gaming or traditional store purchase. Within the authority to allow such payment, credit or debit card transactions may be used, or money may be credited to the participant's prepaid lottery account.
At 819, the user may receive an instant lottery ticket. The provision of an instant lottery ticket may include the printing of a paper lottery ticket of the substance, or may simply be a graphical representation of the ticket on the terminal display. The lottery ticket may also be printed as part of some other item, such as a cash register receipt or a non-instant lottery ticket. Instant lottery tickets may include various information such as the ticket number and/or security code, a visual representation of whether the ticket is a winner, information for use in an optional presentation game, and various sales information from a lottery provider or ticket seller.
In 821, an optional game can be played on the ticket. For example, an exemplary ticket may include a BINGO card and a simulated BINGO prize number. Participating in the game may include matching the simulated BINGO bonus number with the simulated BINGO card. If the outcome generated for the ticket includes a $5 prize, then the selected BINGO numbers and their placement on the BINGO card would generate a $5 prize based on the rules associated with the BINGO lottery game. A virtually unlimited range of selectable games may be included. The optional games played may also include bonus games, additional games that are the same as the originally selected lottery game, other lottery games containing different rules or objectives, or lottery games with different price points.
In 823, it may be determined whether the ticket is a winner. The determination may be made by the user according to instructions or rules for playing the lottery game, or by the user by reading a winning state described in text or symbols. For example, in a BINGO lottery game, the winning status may be determined by following BINGO rules and having the selection numbers built into the rows, columns or diagonals on the BINGO cards displayed on the lottery ticket. Another example includes matching player-selected numbers with those generated by the lottery central system. Alternatively, a special means may be provided to indicate the user's ticket as the winner of the non-redeemed ticket, for example, the Express Point Plus system available from GTECH corporation of greenwich, rhode island.
At 825, the instant lottery ticket may be submitted for prize collection. The submission may include presenting the winning ticket to a lottery agent, which then scans the ticket at an incumbent lottery terminal. The submission may also include the participant inserting the ticket into an unattended device capable of redeeming the winning ticket, or by transmitting a serial number or other identifier of the winning ticket using a video kiosk or personal computer.
In 827, a prize may be awarded to the user. The granting may include: the participant receives cash, credit tickets (credit), merchandise, or additional lottery tickets from a lottery agent or video kiosk, credits into a user account, or other means for providing a prize. It will be appreciated that the jackpot award may be transferred to an alternative redemption location, such as a lottery redemption authority, where additional security may be provided to secure the ticket.
The second process flow in fig. 8 illustrates an exemplary procedure for facilitating the purchase and redemption of an instant lottery ticket. The second process focuses on the program implemented by the terminal, such as a modified conventional lottery terminal, a lottery kiosk, a game machine, or other point at which instant lottery tickets may be sold.
At 831, a request to purchase a ticket is received by the terminal. The request may be received in various ways, such as a request from a lottery agent at an attended lottery ticket terminal to purchase a lottery ticket or directly from a user using a video kiosk.
It will be appreciated that other ways of receiving a purchase request are also contemplated, such as using a pick-up menu or playslip (the use of pick or play slips), online requests over the internet, and asynchronous requests by email or other asynchronous communication means.
At 833, the available lottery games and price points may be displayed on the terminal. The display may include representations of images of different lottery tickets for different games, logos for different lottery games, or various game titles. The display may also include different wagers available for each lottery game. For example, the lottery games BINGO, BINGO3, and crossword puzzle may all be displayed. Each game may have different sets of rules and goals. There may be different payouts for each game. For example, the $1, $5, and $10 credits may be displayed on the terminal. The display may be on a lottery terminal that is viewed by the lottery agent or the user, or the display may be on a video kiosk and viewable by the user.
At 835, the user's game and price point selections may be received at the terminal. The selection may include a lottery game selected by the user based on the user's game preferences. The selection may also include the amount the user places on the selected lottery game.
At 837, lottery ticket purchase information may be sent to the host. The transmitting may include transmitting information describing the selected lottery game and the selected wager amount to a lottery center system.
At 839, information required to generate a lottery ticket may be received by the terminal from the lottery central system. The information needed to produce the ticket may include a security or authentication code to be printed on the ticket that can be used to authenticate and identify the ticket when presented for redemption. The information required to produce a lottery ticket may include information provided by the presentation. For example, such information may include a graphical representation of the lottery ticket such that the lottery game displays the correct winning prize when played according to the rules of the lottery game. Alternatively, the presentation information may include an indication of a set of symbols previously stored on the terminal, and information indicative of the relative position, for example, a set of numbers for a BINGO game, or cards, or shapes and their grid positions.
At 841, an instant win lottery ticket may be generated at the terminal. The generation may include creating an image of the lottery ticket based on information received from the lottery central system. The image may be printed on regular paper, or on secure or special paper. A particular document material may be used, or a document preprinted with a special background. However, special pre-printed tickets, such as those used in conventional scratch-off games, are not required. For example, the generated output ticket may comprise a printed lottery ticket for a BINGO lottery game. The ticket may include a BINGO card and a selected BINGO number. If the outcome generated for the ticket is a $5 prize, then the selected BINGO number and placement of those numbers on the BINGO card will generate a $5 prize based on the rules of the BINGO lottery game. The generated output ticket may also include a security or validation number contained in the information from the lottery central system. The serial number may be used to determine whether the lottery ticket is a winning ticket and whether the lottery ticket is awarded.
In 843, a ticket from the user for redemption may be received at the terminal. The redemption may include: the user participates in the instant lottery game and determines the lottery ticket as a winner based on the game rules and scans or enters the lottery ticket into a video kiosk. The redemption may also include the lottery agent scanning or entering the lottery ticket into a lottery terminal.
In 845, the ticket information can be sent to the host. The transmission may include transmitting information related to the participating lottery game and information of the prize won for the participating lottery game, such as a security code or a validation code printed on the ticket.
In 847, the authentication may be received from the host. The receipt may include instructions from the lottery central system that a certain prize amount should be paid. An instruction to not pay for the ticket may be sent if the ticket is not a winner, is not a valid ticket, or if the ticket has been previously redeemed. It will be appreciated that jackpot redemption may be transferred to an alternative redemption location, such as a central lottery ticket redemption center, where greater security against fraud may be provided.
At 849, an instruction to pay the prize may be generated at the terminal. The instructions may include an amount of the prize to be paid. The instructions may also include a type of prize to be paid. For example, the prize may be cash, merchandise credits, entertainment game or feature value, additional lottery ticket or lottery credits, or any other prize that may be of value to the user. The instruction may be sent to an agent in the attended terminal as a visual indication. At the unmanned terminal, instructions to pay for the prize may be sent to trigger automatic payment, for example by using an automated teller machine or by providing a credit card.
A third parallel process for facilitating participation in an instant lottery game may be executed by the host computer.
In 851, ticket purchase information may be received from the terminal. The ticket purchase information may include a lottery game selected by the user and a wager placed on the lottery game.
In 853, the ticket purchase information may be verified. The validation of the ticket purchase information may include a password or other information that indicates that the ticket was produced by the authorized location. If the ticket purchase information is verified, a ticket may be generated. A pool and prize points for the game may be identified. The prize pool may comprise a digital database containing different data entries, with a prize award for each data entry. It will be appreciated that prize awards may also include non-prize awards. A progressive of a plurality of progressive associated with a lottery game may be identified. For example, different prize pools may be used at different price points, different times, or different jurisdictions for the same game.
At 855, an item may be randomly selected from the prize pool. For example, the progressive may be a grid, and each grid position may be an entry in the progressive that contains data. The entry may also be identified by a number. The host may randomly generate a number and may select the number to identify an entry in the prize pool.
At 857, the presentation information associated with the result of the prize pool may be selected. Each entry in the prize pool may contain a result describing a prize award. Each expression of a set of expressions for a lottery game may contain information associated with a particular outcome. For example, in a set of expressions for a lottery game BINGO, there may be 10 different expressions associated with a prize award of $ 10. Each expression associated with a $10 prize award may have a different BINGO card and number, but when participating in a game according to the rules of the game, each of those games produces a $10 prize award.
In 859, information representing the selected expression may be transmitted to the terminal. The representation of the expression may include information associated with the particular expression of the generated prize award. It will be appreciated that the enunciated information may be communicated to the terminal in different ways. For example, all possible tickets for a game may be loaded into the terminal in advance in a graphical format. In this case, the host computer need only transmit the identifier of the selected ticket to the terminal, which then prints this pre-loaded ticket image. This approach has the advantage of minimising the required communication bandwidth, but requires a large capacity of memory at the terminal. Alternatively, the ticket image may be created in the host computer and sent to the terminal on demand. This method requires a lot of processing and the widest bandwidth in the host, but minimizes the content stored in the terminal. Alternatively, the code symbol may be stored at the terminal along with a standard background image for the game. The host computer may then send the selection and location information of the pre-encoded symbol to the terminal, which places the selected symbol at a specified location on a pre-stored background to create a ticket image that is then output or printed in electronic form.
For example, for the BINGO game described above, a ticket image having a BINGO card and call number set, created in the host computer and transmitted to the terminal, may be stored at the terminal, or alternatively, the host computer may transmit card numbers and their locations and call numbers to the terminal, which then creates and displays the card having the transmitted number.
At 861, the prize pool and ticket sales log may be updated. For a progressive, if the progressive is sampled without replacement, the selected progressive entry may be marked to indicate that it has been awarded. After marking the entry, the existence of predetermined conditions that result in a progressive reset or refill may be checked. For example, the prize pool may be reset when all prizes are awarded, when a jackpot is awarded, when a certain portion of entries in a particular tier or prizes have been awarded, etc. Also, the ticket log may be updated. The ticket log may include information about each ticket sold. The ticket information may include an identifier of the game that issued the ticket, a ticket identifier, the time and place of sale, a prize value of the ticket, an expression associated with the ticket, information indicating whether the ticket has been redeemed, and information of when and where the ticket, if any, was redeemed. In addition to tracking individual tickets, information may also be tracked and/or reported by sales location, by game play, and the like. This tracking information can be used for marketing, administration and auditing.
At 863, redemption information for the ticket can be received. The redemption information may be a unique ticket identifier or may be a location identifier or security code that the ticket is being redeemed.
In 865, the ticket information may be verified. Validation of the ticket information may include analyzing a serial number associated with the lottery ticket to determine that the ticket is a valid ticket that should be redeemed. For example, a ticket that has been previously redeemed should not be redeemed a second time.
At 869, an instruction to pay for the prize may be sent, for example, by sending a secure signal to the lottery terminal. Instructions to pay the reward may be generated on the host computer after the ticket information has been verified by the host computer. For example, if the ticket information matches the ticket information on the host system, the ticket is validated and instructions to pay the ticket may be generated by the host. Alternatively, for a jackpot prize, the ticket may be transferred to an alternate redemption location, such as a lottery authorization ticket redemption center, where it has greater security against fraud.
Fig. 9 shows an exemplary program for creating a new game or an improved game according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The creation of the game may be accomplished using a set of presentation data and a progressive, each of which may be new or reused.
The exemplary program includes associating an expression set with the progressive and associating each expression in the expression set with an entry in the progressive. The exemplary program may be executed on the host of the client-server system described above, for example, using a terminal that communicates with a management client connected to the host. It will be appreciated that the management system may be local, co-located with the host, or remote from the host. In fig. 9, small arrows represent program control flow between different processes and/or actors implementing the program. The rectangle represents the process and the diamond indicates the decision made in the program.
In 911, an expression set can be received, for example, by a host through a management client. The expression set may include a set of ticket images, a set of partial ticket images, or a set of data that may be used for an instant win ticket for an instant lottery game. Alternatively, a program executing on the host computer or remotely may be used to generate the expression sets. For example, a lottery operator may select a new lottery game to offer, such as the BINGO game described above. The lottery operator may generate a set of BINGO cards and call numbers to include on the ticket. These may be created manually and may be entered into the host, generated by a program on the host, or generated remotely by the program and sent to the host. The representation of the game ticket may be stored as a complete ticket image, a grid with attached call number sets, or a suitable data structure indicating the card number and its location and a list associated with the call number of each ticket.
At 913, the host may receive the price point. The price point indicates an amount that may be selected by the user for play on the instant lottery game and/or a sales price of the instant lottery ticket. If the ticket includes multiple games, the price points for the games and the ticket may be different. A particular type of game may have a single price point or multiple price points.
At 915, for the selected price point, an expression set may be associated with the prize pool. Such association may include determining a prize pool that identifies possible game outcomes for the amount wagered by the user, which in turn includes associating the determined prize pool with the expression set. This may be repeated if the game has multiple price points.
In 917, it may be determined whether to use a new or existing prize pool for a given game and price point. If a new prize pool is desired, it may be entered or created in 919. If a new progressive is not desired, then the existing progressive may be selected at 921. Whether a new progressive or an existing progressive is selected, once a progressive is selected, each entry in the expression set can be associated with a corresponding entry in the selected progressive at 923. For example, there may be different expressions for the expression sets for a BINGO lottery game that contain different BINGO card information, such as different card entries and number calling sets. The entries in the prize pool associated with an expression should then match the results that would be obtained with the particular bin go card entry group and call number group for the expression. For example, cards that do not have a BINGO or other type of match may be associated with a non-prize awarded pool entry. A card on a BINGO card with all numbers matching may be associated with the largest prize in the prize pool.
At 925, if all the presentation entries have been associated with all of the game price point's progressive entries, the exemplary process may continue to 925. If not, the example process may return to 915 such that the expression set is associated with a prize pool for another price point of the instant game.
In 927, game information can be transmitted to the terminal. Depending on how the game is implemented, the transfer may include the transfer of a complete set of ticket images, the transfer of partial ticket images, or the transfer of background information common to all tickets and information used to interpret the presentation information sent by the host when the ticket is authorized. Other information that may be communicated to the gaming terminal may include information that may be needed to modify the game and price point selections to allow the newly created game to begin selling.
In 929, a ticket sales log may be initialized for the newly created game. It may also include setting the prize pools to their initial state and selecting a prize pool reset parameter that controls how and when the prize pool is sampled.
At 931, the game may be activated. Once the game is activated, the terminal may be allowed to sell the in-game opportunities to the consumer.
Fig. 10 illustrates an exemplary process for auditing the sale of instant lottery ticket tickets. The exemplary program may be executed on a host or management system. And this exemplary program may be executed by a developer or operator of the lottery game, for example, as part of the commissioning/validation process. The exemplary procedure may also be performed by a separate entity, for example to meet regulatory requirements. It will be appreciated that the host or management system may be local, incorporated into the kiosk, or remote from the terminal. In FIG. 10, small arrows represent program control flow between different processes and/or actors implementing the program. The rectangles represent processes and all diamonds represent decisions made in the program.
At 1011, a request to audit the lottery game may be received at the host. The audit may include evaluating the prize award to determine the appropriate prize payout that the instant lottery game offers to the consumer.
In 1013, all of the expressions in the expression set of the lottery game may be output. For example, in the case of a BINGO game, the BINGO expression set may include information for all of the BINGO cards generated in a particular game and the card number set associated therewith. The expressions in the BINGO expression sets may include different BINGO cards that give a winning outcome for each different prize award when participating in a game according to the BINGO rules.
In 1015, prize information associated with each expression, such as a progressive entry associated with each expression, may be output. This may include a prize pool entry associated with each expression, a prize level for the prize pool entry associated with each expression, or other similar information indicating a prize to be awarded when a ticket having that expression is sold.
At 1017, the expression information is evaluated to determine an appropriate prize level for each expression according to the rules of the game being audited.
In 1019, the appropriate prize level may be compared to the prize actually associated with the item associated with the expression. A comparison may be performed for each expression.
At 1021, it may be determined whether all of the prizes are correct. If the determination can be positive, in which case the audit can be determined to be successful. If all prizes are determined not to be correct, a problem may be determined and the audit is determined to be unsuccessful, with corrective action being required.
Although the present invention and its preferred embodiments have been described in detail, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that modifications and variations, including improvements, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.