US20120214582A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20120214582A1
Application number: US13/031,382
Authority: US
Inventors: Alex Marek
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-02-21
Filing date: 2011-02-21
Publication date: 2012-08-23

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for a player to enter a lottery game using a computing device from any location having an available connection to a data communication network. The systems and methods include a lottery entry service provider operating a networked platform that is accessible from the computing device connected to the data communication network for the player to submit a lottery ticket purchase request. A lottery agent prints an actual lottery slip from a virtual lottery slip generated by the lottery entry service provider in accordance with the player selected lottery numbers. The lottery agent submits the actual lottery slip to the lottery commission using a lottery terminal of the lottery commission and receives a printed official lottery ticket. The lottery agent retains the office lottery ticket for pickup by the player.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to lottery games, and more particularly, relating to systems and methods for enabling lottery game entry by a participant using a computing device from any location with access to the internet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many States and government agencies conduct lotteries that offer players with a chance to win large monetary awards. For this reason, lotteries are attractive games of chance that are played by numerous people. Retail outlet such as gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, liquor stores, etc. sell lottery tickets. A player must physically visit one of these locations to purchase a lottery ticket. Generally, lottery tickets are purchased in one of two ways. The first, being called a “quick-pick” in which a lottery terminal selects the lottery numbers randomly for entry into the lottery. The second involves a player filling out a lottery slip by selecting the desired lottery numbers and presenting the lottery slip to the retailer for submission to the lottery commission via the lottery terminal. Once submitted the lottery terminal prints an official lottery ticket which is given to the player.

There are instances when it is inconvenient for a player desiring to enter a lottery to visit a retail store to purchase a lottery ticket. In other instances a player may not be able to physically visit a retail store to purchase a ticket. For example, a player may be traveling or located in a location that does not offer the ability to enter into a desired lottery. In another example, inclement weather may prevent the player from visiting a store. In other instances a player may be presented with long lines at a store for the purchasing of a lottery ticket.

With the advent of modern computing technology including small portable computing devices and wireless communication networks several systems and methods have been developed to permit a player to enter a lottery without requiring the player to physically visit a retail store through the use of computer systems and data communication networks, such as the internet. However, while these systems and methods heretofore meet their respective objectives and requirements, they have not been widely adopted due to several drawbacks. Particularly, the systems and methods heretofore require direct integration with existing lottery agency systems, including the computing and communication systems to function. Direct integration, in most instances, requires the lottery agency to adopt and implement new systems, which is an expensive and over burdensome task for the resulting player convenience.

Accordingly, there is a need for new systems and methods that provide player convenience in the purchasing of lottery tickets and which do not require lottery agencies to implement new system to facilitate the ability of a player to enter a lottery without having to visit a retail store to purchase a lottery ticket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiments of the present invention addresses these needs by providing systems and methods for a player using a computing device to request an entry into a desired lottery game from any location where the computing device may be connected to a data communication network and without the player having direct communication with the lottery agency systems and/or a retail store, and without requiring the lottery agency to adopt and implement new systems.

The systems and methods herein utilizes available computer technology, computing devices and wired and wireless data communication networks and is easily adaptable for use with future developed computer technology, computing devices and wired and wireless data communication networks.

In an embodiment, the systems and methods herein include a website platform that is developed for player access through a web browser operating on the player's computing device for requesting entry into a lottery. The website platform may be optimized for access from mobile computing device including mobile phones, personal digital assistants, portable computing devices, etc.

In embodiments, the system herein includes a lottery entry service provider operating a computer system including one or more networked computers, a plurality of geographically located lottery agents each operating a computer system including one or more networked computers and printers, and a player using a computing device having access to data communication network. In this system the player's computing device is networked with computer systems of the lottery entry service provider, and the computing system of each lottery agent is networked with the computer systems of the lottery entry service provider. In some instances, the computing system of a lottery agent may be networked with the player's computing system, for example for one-way communication from the lottery agent to the player.

The player using a computing device connected to a data communication network and running a web browser visits the website of the lottery entry service provider and utilizing the website, the player submits a request for a lottery entry into a desired lottery game and pays the lottery entry service provider an amount necessary to purchase the lottery ticket from the lottery agency conducting the desired lottery plus a service fee to the lottery entry service provider.

The lottery service provider processes the players requested lottery entry and generates a virtual lottery slip in accordance with the player selected lottery numbers. A designated lottery agent then prints an actual lottery slip from the virtual lottery slip onto physical media that is readable by a lottery terminal. The lottery agent then submits the player's desired lottery entry to the lottery agency using the lottery terminal and receives a printed official lottery ticket, which is retained by the lottery agent to be claimed by the player at his/her convenience.

To achieve these and other advantages, in general, in one aspect, a method for entering a lottery is provided. The method includes the steps of:

- a. communicating selected lottery numbers to a remote processing engine using a computing device connected to a communication network;
- b. generating a virtual lottery slip including at least said selected lottery numbers;
- c. communicating a transaction request to a designated lottery agent via a communication network, said transaction request including information identifying said virtual lottery slip;
- d. printing an actual lottery slip from said virtual lottery slip on physical media that is readable by a lottery terminal used to submit a lottery ticket purchase request to a lottery commission;
- e. processing said actual lottery slip by a lottery terminal during a lottery ticket purchase request to the lottery commission;
- f. printing an official lottery ticket by said lottery terminal; and
- g. retaining said official lottery ticket by designated lottery agent.

In general, in another aspect, a method for entering a lottery is provided. The method includes the steps of:

- a. accessing a lottery entry service provider website via a web browser operating on a mobile computing device connected to a wireless communication network providing access to the internet by a user/player;
- b. designating a lottery draw by a user/player;
- c. selecting lottery numbers for entry into the designated lottery draw by the user/player;
- d. generating a virtual lottery slip in accordance with the designated lottery draw and the selected lottery numbers;
- e. designating a lottery agent;
- f. printing an actual lottery slip from the virtual lottery slip on physical media that is readable by a lottery terminal used to submit a lottery ticket purchase request to a lottery commission by the designated lottery agent;
- g. processing said actual lottery slip by a lottery terminal during a lottery ticket purchase request to the lottery commission;
- h. printing an official lottery ticket by said lottery terminal; and
- i. retaining said official lottery ticket by designated lottery agent.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate by way of example and are included to provide further understanding of the invention for the purpose of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the embodiments in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. Identical reference numerals do not necessarily indicate an identical structure. Rather, the same reference numeral may be used to indicate a similar feature of a feature with similar functionality. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an architectural diagram of a typical state run lottery;

FIG. 2 is an architectural diagram of a lottery entry system in accordance with an embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process using the system and method in accordance with an embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a virtual lottery slip being printed onto physical preprinted lottery slip media in the printing of an actual lottery slip in accordance with an embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of a virtual lottery slip being printed onto blank lottery slip media in the printing of an actual lottery slip in accordance with an embodiment of this invention;

FIGS. 6athrough6care serial flowcharts showing a process using the system and method in accordance with an embodiment of this invention and

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of an system for the automation of the processing of actual lottery slips by a lottery terminal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed herein provides a player of a lottery, such as a state lottery, the means to facilitate the participation in the lottery using a personal computing device from any location that the computing device may be connected to a communication network, such as, for example, a wired or wireless communication network providing access to the world wide web (internet). The invention disclosed herein is particularly suited for wireless mobile computing devices including mobile phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDA), tablet devices, etc. Further, unlike existing systems and methods, the system and methods of this invention can be implemented without requiring integration with or without requiring active cooperation by existing lottery system infrastructures.

With reference toFIG. 1, there is illustrated an architectural diagram of a typical state run lottery including alottery system10 comprising computer hardware and software required to administer the lottery. Implementation oflottery system10 is well known in the art and forms no part of this invention. Accordingly, a detailed description of thelottery system10 is not required herein. Aretail lottery terminal12 located at aretail outlet14, such as, for example a convenience store, is connected to thelottery system10 by acommunication network16 for communication therebetween in the facilitation of the purchasing of lottery tickets and the redeeming of lottery winnings. A player desiring to participate in the lottery is required to visit theretail outlet14 and complete alottery slip18 by filling-in lottery number selection bubbles20 that correspond to the player's desired lottery number selection for a given lottery draw. The player presents the completedlottery slip18 to a representative of theretail outlet14 along with a payment required for participation in the lottery draw according to the completed lottery slip. Thelottery slip18 is processed usinglottery terminal12, which during processing communicates the desired bet with thelottery system10 where it is processed according to the particulars of the lottery system. Once the bet is accepted, thelottery terminal12 prints anofficial lottery ticket22 including the details of the lottery and the selected lottery numbers. The purchase transaction is concluded with thelottery ticket22 being given to the player.

Turing now toFIG. 2, there is illustrated an architectural diagram of thelottery entry system100 in accordance with the principals of the present invention. In an embodiment, thelottery entry system100 includes a lotteryentry service provider102,multiple lottery agents104, and user/player computing device106, each connected to acommunication network108 facilitating the communication of data between thecomputing device106 and the lotteryentry service provider102, and the communication of data between thelottery agents104 and the lottery entry service provider.

The lotteryentry service provider102 includes one or morenetworked computers110 running one or more software applications configured to process lottery entries, manage user/player access, manage lottery agent access, manage state lottery commission access, manage databases containing user/player information and lottery play information and manage user/player prepaid purchasing accounts and/or to facilitate electronic commerce transactions. User/player information may include a unique identification code assigned to each user/player, username and password, as well as user/player contact information including mailing address, email address and telephone numbers, age verification data, historical data of lottery entries, and preferences. Lottery play information may include the types of lottery draws available through a state lottery, frequency of lottery draws, time restrictions for entering a lottery draw, rules and regulations concerning state lottery drawings, etc.

In an embodiment, the lottery entry service provider'scomputers110 includes a web server operating to host a website that provides a user interface that is accessible by a web browser operating oncomputing device106 connected tocommunication network108. In an embodiment,communication network108 includes the internet to whichcomputing device106 is connected. Ideally, the connection between thecomputing device106 and thecomputers110 is made through a secured connection protocol, such as, but not limited to Secure Sockets Layer or the like. In a preferred embodiment,computing devices106 are mobile, wireless computing devices including mobile phones, mobile computers, PDAs, computer tablet devices, etc. that are configured to operate over a mobile communications network that provides access to the internet.Computing devices106 may also be configured to connect to the internet through available wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) connections, also referred to as a Wi-Fi® connection, or the like.

Lottery agents

104 may be operated by the lotteryentry service provider100 or may be separate entities contracted with the lottery entry service provider. Preferably,lottery agents104 are authorized state lottery venders that are contracted with the lotteryentry service provider100 to process player/user lottery entries as will be further explained below.Lottery agents104 are geographically dispersed within a geographical area to provide multiple service points.Lottery agents104 include one or more staff members, one or morenetworked computers112 and one ormore printers114 connected to the one or more networked computers.Computers112 are configured to be connected tocommunication network108 to communication with the lottery entry service provider'scomputers110.Computers112 are ideally connected tocomputers110 through a secured dedicated connection or a secured connection over the internet, for example, a Virtual Private Network. Alternatively, and in an embodiment, theprinter114 may be a networked enabled printer that is connected to thecommunication network106 with out connection through an intermediate computer.

The entry service provider'scomputers110 further included a processing engine to receive lottery entry requests from a user/player using a computing device connected to the communication network, to process the request, and to establish communication with a lottery agent to communicate the received lottery entry request to the lottery agent, as will be further described below.

With reference toFIG. 3, there is shown ahigh level flowchart300 broadly illustrating the steps in a process of a user/player lottery entry into a state lottery according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. Instep302, a user/player accesses the lottery entry service provider's website connected to the lottery entry service provider's servers using a web browser operating on a computing device that is connected to the internet. In step,304 the user/player designates an available future state lottery draw presented to the user/player and selects the desired lottery numbers for entry into the designated lottery draw. In an embodiment, the user/player is presented with an interface simulating a lottery slip for the selection of the lottery numbers to enhance user/player experience. In step306, payment for the designated lottery draw is consummated either by a prepaid account, credit card, debit card or other electronic commerce payment options. In step308, a virtual lottery slip is generated in accordance with the designated lottery draw and the selected lottery numbers. In step310, a physical lottery slip is printed from the virtual lottery slip by a designated lottery agent. In step312, the physical lottery slip is processed by a state lottery terminal connected to a state lottery system. In step314, an official lottery ticket is printed by the state lottery terminal. Then instep316, the official lottery ticket is retained by the lottery agent for subsequent pickup by the user/player.

In embodiments, the designated lottery agent may communicate to the user/player using the user/player's stored contact information to inform the user/player the availability of picking up the official lottery ticket. For example, the lottery agent may send a notification message to the user/player's mobile phone via a SMS messaging.

With reference toFIG. 4, there is diagrammatically illustrated one embodiment of avirtual lottery slip116 for printing onto preprintedlottery slip media118 for generation of thephysical lottery slip119 to be processed by a state lottery terminal. In this embodiment,virtual lottery slip116 comprising a plurality ofdiscrete blots120 each corresponding to a user/player selected lottery number and arranged in registration with a corresponding lotterynumber selection bubble122 on the preprintedlottery slip media118 during printing of the virtual lottery slip onto the preprinted lottery slip media. In this embodiment, thevirtual lottery slip116 may be a digital image data file, for example a bitmap image file, a JPEG image file, a GIF image file, a TIFF image file, or any other suitable image file. Thevirtual lottery slip116 may also comprise a print-to-file data file. Thevirtual lottery slip116 may also comprise a portable document file (PDF). Thevirtual lottery slip116 may also be a non-image based data file that is processed during printing to registerblots120 withbubbles122.

With reference toFIG. 5, there is diagrammatically illustrated an alternative embodiment of avirtual lottery slip124 for printing on to blanklottery slip media126 for generatingactual lottery slip127 for processing by the state lottery terminal. In this embodiment, thevirtual lottery slip124 comprisesvirtual lottery slip116 superimposed on an image of a lottery slip withblots120 registered with corresponding the lottery number selection bubbles122. In this embodiment, thevirtual lottery slip124 may be a digital image data file, for example a bitmap image file, a JPEG image file, a GIF image file, a TIFF image file, or any other suitable image file. Thevirtual lottery slip124 may also comprise a print-to-file data file. Thevirtual lottery slip124 may also comprise a portable document file (PDF). Thevirtual lottery slip116 may also be a non-image based data file that is processed during printing to registerblots120 withbubbles122.

With reference toFIGS. 6athrough6c, there is shown adetailed flow chart400 illustrating steps in a process of a user/player lottery entry into a state lottery according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. Instep402, a user/player accesses the lottery entry service provider's website connected to the lottery entry service provider's servers using a web browser operating on a computing device that is connected to the internet. The user/player computing device may be mobile, wireless computing devices including mobile phones, mobile computers, PDAs, computer tablet devices, etc. that are configured to operate over a mobile communications network that provides access to the internet or configured to connect to the internet through available WLAN connections. Atstep404, the user/player is presented with a login screen wherein the user/player enters his/her username and password. Atstep406, the entered username and password is verified and authenticated. If atstep408, if the username and password are not valid, atstep410, the user/player is presented with an option to either re-enter the username and password or to register a username and password with the system. If the user/player selects the re-enter option the process is continued back tostep404. If the user/player selects the register option the process is halted and the user/player is directed to a user registration process.

After being verified and authenticated the user/player may enter various registered user functions such as account balance, historic lottery play, user information, lottery entry. Only the lottery entry portion of the functionality of the system is illustrated inflowchart400. Atstep412, the user/player selects from available lottery games and lottery draw dates presented to the user/play in accordance the lottery play information database. Then atstep414, the user/player selects his/her desired lottery numbers to be entered into the previously selected lottery. In this step, the user/player may be presented with an interface simulating a lottery slip for the selection of the lottery numbers to enhance user/player experience. Alternatively, atstep414, the user/player may opt for an auto select play (quick-pick) wherein system will provide an indicator of such on the virtual lottery slip. Atstep416, the user/player's confirms his/her selected lottery and selected lottery numbers. If the selected lottery and selected lottery numbers are confirmed instep418, the process continues to step420, otherwise the process loops back to step412 or the user/player is given an option to exit the lottery play function. Atstep420, payment of the lottery entry is consummated by either debiting the user/player's prepaid account, or through other payment options available through electronic commerce.

Once the purchase of the lottery entry is consummated, atstep422, a virtual lottery slip is generated in accordance with the user/player selections. The virtual lottery slip may be or may not be presented to the user/player at this time. Atstep424, a desired lottery agent is designated for further processing of the lottery entry by the lottery agent and pickup of the official lottery ticket by the user/player. In an aspect, a lottery agent may be automatically designated according to lottery agent preference stored in the user/player information database, the lottery agent may be selected from a map that is presented to the user/player or the lottery agent may be selected based upon the geographical location of the user/player relative to the closest lottery agent. In the geographical location selection, the user/player needs to be using a computing device equipped with a global positioning system or with a radio system wherein the user/player's location may be triangulated using radio towers, or the user must enter a postal code corresponding to his/her location. Such geographical locating system are well known in the art, and accordingly a complete discussion thereof is not required for the understanding and implementation of the system and methods of the present invention.

There are several contemplated options for facilitating receipt of the virtual lottery slip by the designated lottery agent. A first option is illustrated inflowchart500 inFIG. 6b. Atstep502, a lottery agent using a web browser operating on computing device connected to a communication network accesses the website of the lottery entry service provider and enters into a lottery agent portal according to credentials provided by the lottery agent during access. From here atstep504, the lottery agent may view virtual lottery slips designated to the lottery agent for further processing. Atstep506, the lottery agent may select virtual lottery slips to be printed. At step508, the selected virtual lottery slips are printed onto corresponding lottery slip media using a printer at the lottery agent location forming an actual lottery slip including the user/player selections. Atstep510, the actual lottery slip is processed by a state lottery terminal and the desired bet is transmitted to the state lottery system. Atstep512, an office lottery ticket is printed by the state lottery terminal. Asstep514, the office lottery ticket is retained by the lottery agent for subsequent pickup by the user/player. Additionally, the lottery agent may retain the virtual lottery slip and the actual lottery slip as records of the lottery entry.

A second option for facilitating receipt of the virtual lottery slip by the designated lottery agent is illustrated inflow chart600 inFIG. 6c. Atstep602, it is determined if the computer (or network printer) of the designated lottery agent is connected to the communication network and is available for communication by the servers of the lottery entry service provider. Atstep604, the virtual lottery slip is pushed out to the designated lottery agent computer (or networked printer). Atstep606, the pushed virtual lottery slip is printed onto corresponding lottery slip media using a printer at the lottery agent location forming an actual lottery slip including the user/player selections. Atstep608, the actual lottery slip is processed by a state lottery terminal and the desired bet is transmitted to the state lottery system. Atstep610, an office lottery ticket is printed by the state lottery terminal. Asstep612, the office lottery ticket is retained by the lottery agent for subsequent pickup by the user/player. Additionally, the lottery agent may retain the virtual lottery slip and the actual lottery slip as records of the lottery entry.

Additional steps may be added to the method as desired and required for adding additional functionality to thelottery entry system100.

In an embodiment, the state lottery commission may be provided access to databases maintained by the lottery entry service provider to locate owners of winning tickets, to authentic a lottery entry, to very compliance with lottery commission rules and regulations and state laws, etc.

In an embodiment, a registered user/player may be notified of a winning lottery entry, for example through an electronic communication that is automatically generated based upon stored user/player historic lottery play data and winning lottery numbers. The electronic communication could be, as an example, an email, an automated voice mail message, an SMS message, etc. Further, the registered user/play may be notified of large lottery drawings, presented with offers, etc. using any method of communication available according saved user/player contact information.

The above described embodiments make use of a web browser installed on a networked computing device operated by a user/player to access the lottery entry service providers system through a website. Alternatively, a dedicated program may be made available for downloading and running locally on the user/player's computing device to facilitate user/player access and use of the lottery entry service provider's systems for entry a lottery in a similar manner as described above.

Other embodiments are possible. With reference toFIG. 7, there is diagrammatically illustrated alottery agent104 including a lottery slip transfer device (automatic document feeder)130 operatively connected toprinter114 and operatively connected to alottery terminal12 for receiving a printedlottery slip132 from the printer and transferring the printed lottery slip to thelottery terminal12 for processing. This arrangement provides for the automation of transferring and processing of printed lottery slips by a lottery terminal, thereby eliminates the need for the manual labor of receiving printed lottery slips from the printer and manually processing the printed lottery slips by a lottery terminal.

Additionally, as depicted inFIG. 7,printer114 may include a plurality of paper sources, such as

paper trays

134 and136, each including physical lottery slip media that is specific for a different lottery draw. The number of paper sources may be expanded as required. Alternatively or in addition, an external paper source feeder may be operatively connected to the printer to provide paper sources. Printer/paper source handling system may be implemented to automatically route a virtual lottery slip to a designated printer and/or paper source on the basis of the lottery game type and the location of the corresponding physical media. In some instances, alottery agent104 may include a software module operating to provide a graphical user interface for the purpose of printer configuration and virtual lottery slip routing configuration. The software module may also operate to load balancing print jobs between configured printers.

A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.