EP1556840B1

EP1556840B1 - Lottery game

Info

Publication number: EP1556840B1
Application number: EP03720041A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ventzislav Stoyanov Ivanov
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Ivanov Ventzislav Stoyanov
Priority date: 2002-06-12
Filing date: 2003-04-25
Publication date: 2007-07-11
Anticipated expiration: 2023-04-25
Also published as: WO2003107286A3; CY1108035T1; CN100504937C; DE60314899T2; CN1659598A; WO2003107286A8; PT1556840E; EP1556840A2; NO20050156D0; WO2003107286A2; EA006870B1; AU2003225351A1; ES2287465T3; DK1556840T3; AU2003225351A8; ATE366969T1; DE60314899D1; EA200401601A1

Abstract

The invention refers to an entertainment telelotto game, which may find application in the entertainment industry in running lotteries, tele- or radio-quiz games and other kinds of pools "totalizer" type. The game begins after each participant has already made his/her stakes before the start with the help of telecommunication means and has entered registration data. This enables the communication-computerized system to generate individual registration numbers in the form of numeric and/or letter combination. To determine the prizes drawings are run by making use of devices for the drawing of chance numbers on a random principle. To determine the amount of the prize "maze/labyrinth" type devices are made use of. In each drawing different parts of the registered stakes are played, while over a specified period of time an additional / extra drawing is organized for winning of the accumulated jackpot for the period specified

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention refers to an entertainment game, namely telelotto, offering possibilities for individual participation of any number of players, which may find application in the entertainment industry in running lotteries, tele- or radio-quiz games and other kinds of pools "totalizer" type.

STATE OF THE ART

Lotteries are extremely popular and interesting games, where the players usually chose a certain group of numbers - a bet, among a larger group of possible numbers, while at payment of the bet as defined they participate in the distribution of winnings provided they have guessed a defined number or all of the drawn numbers. As a disadvantage of the known totalizer may be emphasized the fact that such kinds of games are usually run at bookmakers', casinos, etc., i.e. the participants have to go to a certain place and make their stakes there. Such games cannot be treated as team or collective games, in so far that the participants do not play among themselves against each other, but with the casino or the bookmakers'. With these games the profit of the organizers is not fixed. It is practically unlimited and may reach 100% or even more. The profits depend on the results of the players alone, which is quite often connected with bias or fraudulent arrangement of data, facts, as well as on various machinations/manipulations.
A game lotto is also known from Patent No. 2014108 - C1, RU , based on a lottery principle. Before the start of the game each participant has to make his/her stakes by registering at that a specific number and/or an additional numeric and/or letter designation from a payment note, which has real coverage and the nominal value of which is proportional to the stakes made. In accordance with a variant of the game played, each participant has to register information on the mode of playing and a number and/or additional numeric and/or information of a payment note, the nominal value of which is equal to 10% of the value of the stakes made. The game is played under rules, which allow the prize of a participant in the pools to exceed twice the amount of the stakes made.
Another game with balls is known from patent publication Nº 94018736-A1-RU , which consists of a body filled in with balls with different marking and which is provided with a movable bottom part with a possibility to be rotated. Means for chance choice of the gambling elements - balls have been envisaged, offering also a possibility for periodical withdrawal of balls from the body through a special opening in the wall of the body. The means for chance choice include a spiral-shaped guiding element and a pole-shaped one, whereas the guiding element is coaxially installed on the movable bottom element in a way making it possible for the chance chosen ball to be pushed out along the spiral-shaped guiding element.
A disadvantage of the cited known game is the complicated construction of the device, as well as the limited possibilities for the achievement of dynamics, high grade of spectacularity and a wide range of combinations.
A known game is the "totalizer" based on the principle each participant to have made his/her stakes before the game is run and to have registered his/her information data. The wins are determined by consecutive drawings of the lots, while the drawn numbers, which coincide with the stakes made, determine the winning individual registration numbers, as well as the amount of the prize won.
A telecommunication system is known for performing of a lottery game, Patent No. 5 403 999 - US , which particularly refers to a method of use of public switched network to enter a lottery and receive an indication of winning, while connected on a lottery call. A possible embodiment of the method in accordance with the invention supposes implementation of a lottery game, run in the following manner:
The potential participant dials a lottery access code while connecting to a toll switching system, to which a complex of network services is linked. The user phone number (Automatic Number Identification) is transmitted to the toll switching system, which contains a network services complex, including announcement system, through which instructions, as well as advertising messages for lotteries paid by a sponsor are given to the user. After that a database is used to maintain customer eligibility data for a lottery and for accumulating billing data. The participant enters his lottery bet using Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) signals keyed by the phone buttons or speech, after which the charging data is entered and the appropriate sum is retained from him. Upon this a control processor is activated, which generates a lottery target random number, which is then compared to the lottery comparison number generated from the lottery selection. In case of match or near match of the compared numbers, immediately a record is made on a printing device and the participant is notified for the winning through a message, whereas additional data such as name and/or address are recorded by an operator.
The known method as described above for performing of lottery game by using phone network has its shortcomings, which may be described as follows: the known lottery game can be defined in the group of the instant gambling games where the participant is instantly notified whether he wins or not, thus eliminating the attractiveness of the game. Such a game lacks the thrill of expectation, which devices back the participants and makes it unpopular. Another element, which affects the attractiveness of the game, is certainly the individual moment in the game, because the participant alone receives an indication of whether he is winning and in this respect there is no possibility for his success to be known to a large number of people, friends, and relatives. At the same time the game is performed in such a manner, so that the participant plays for winning of fixed prize, which represents an additional impairment of the attractiveness and the appeal, related to winning a bigger or a smaller prize. As far as the technical provision non of the lottery is concerned, the fact that one and the same system is used for registering of the bets and determining of the winnings may be noted as a substantial disadvantage, which considerably lowers the level of confidence in the game. Besides, some requirements have been introduced, such as the requirement for a credit card or (ANI)Automatic Number Identification, the requirement for finding and/or submission of "first part of information", "second part of information", which complicate the technical implementation of the lottery in practice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Claim 1 discloses the present invention. Preferred embodiments are disclosed in claims 2-4.
The claim of the invention is to be created an entertainment telelotto game, which is to be distinguished by a well-developed structure and attractive_of the game making it possible: to be used a quick, easy and comfortable way of nominating the stakes, as also the game to be organized in different ways, methods and variants of the play, so that it can be run in a great number of game combinations and variants. Thus complex conditions for spectacularity, attractiveness, comfort and chance to win a prize are created for each participant. Another aim of the invention is to be reduced or to be done away with the personal interest of the organizers of the game in the profit from concrete participants, by applying a principle for formation of the prize as a sum of commission fees. In this case the results from the game have no influence on the size of the prize received. Thus the profit made by the organizers is fixed and is always a previously set percentage (%) of the total amount of the stakes made.
The task is solved with an entertainment game "telelotto", where every participant connects through a communication device with a toll telephone system and enters registration data, while by means of computer-electronic system an individual registration number is generated, which is later compared to a lottery target random number and winnings are defined.
In accordance with the invention the bet is formed by the duration of the phone call of the participant, while the winnings are defined by performing public series of draws in an electronic media, where during every draw a different part of the registered bets is played and distributed by using devices for drawing of random numbers
In accordance to another variant of the game telelotto the participants use telecommunication means to make their stakes and after listening to a voice greeting input their individual registration number (IRN), numeric and/or character combination, and registration data and a computer database registers the correspondence between the IRN and the identificator of the file containing the voice file containing the data of the participant. Drawings are made to specify the winners by making use of Drawing Machine for Random Numbers (DMRN), while "maze / labyrinth" type devices are used to determine the size of the prize.
The game "telelotto" characterized also with the fact that at least a part of the price of the telephone call represents participant's stake.
The prizes from the third drawing are determined with the help of specialized software for picking up of a choice number from among the individual numbers of the participants, who have made their stakes.
The participant thus chosen is granted the right to play on the "maze/labyrinth" device and by telecommunication means to give instructions on his moves along the playing fields in the form of a maze/labyrinth. Upon reaching a spot with an amount specified on it, the participant wins that amount as a prize. In the maze /labyrinth device used for determining the prizes from the third drawing there are also playing fields with a possibility to be rotated. The playing field, from which the game begins, is marked with arrows pointing at three possible directions for moving ahead, while the remaining playing fields are marked with one- or with two-direction arrows pointing at the possible directions for the next moves of the participant. On some end playing fields an "n" number of indicators with a previously fixed and specified amount of the prize are situated.
The advantages of the "telelotto " game in accordance with the invention become obvious by the highlighted attractiveness and high spectacularity during the determination of the winnings in the process of all draws. Easier access to the lottery is provided by the game, for it is enough for the participant to connect to the charging telephone system and to enter registration data, without the need of credit card or any Automatic Number Identification availability, while the information for the placed bet is transmitted directly to the participant. The mentioned attractiveness and spectacularity comes from the successful combination between the facilitated placing of bet by using of toll telephone system and using of multimedia for defining of the winning participants. The carrying out of the game especially its part for making the draws for determination of the winnings is performed in a TV show, in view of a large audience, where the winning participant may share his joy from his success with other people.
The rules for defining of the winnings create conditions for unexpectedness of the situations, because the possibility exists for a large number of participants to win. The latter is a result of the fact that the winnings are distributed under a scheme, which depends on the incomes, that is, from the number of the calls, while there is no restriction for one participant to call more than once. The game is carried out under the conditions of spectacularity and attractiveness, which is determined by the large number of playing combinations and the amount of the possible winnings during the different draws. Easy access and the arising of unforeseen situations characterize the game in the course of its running. Spectacularity is typical for the game though the running of all the drawings due to the great number of play mode combinations. The rules specified above determine the possibility for each participant to be able to exert influence on the size of the prize from a given drawing through the personal stake made, as well as to win more at a time in one cycle by specifying the number of the stakes. Dynamism, simplicity and justice, goodness and fairness characterize the game, eliminating in this way any inner restrictions or suppressed moods in the players. The "Maze/Labyrinth " and the "Radiance of Ra " games, which are run on the devices described above, may be used also as individual games run in the same consecutive order or in combination with other games.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An example of the running of the entertainment game "telelotto" in compliance with the invention is given in the enclosed figures, where:

Fig.1 - Offers a front view at the playing board of the device for determining the prizes from the third drawing
Fig.2 - Offers an exemplary scheme of the location of the playing fields as per fig. 1 with indication of one-directional and two-directional arrows for the movement towards the winning areas
Fig.3 - Offers a general view at the playing board of a device for determining the prizes
Fig.4 - Offers a Call Processing schematic
Fig.5 - Offers a schematic of 1^st Drawing
Fig.6 - Offers a schematic of 2^nd Drawing
Fig.7 - Offers a schematic of 3^rd Drawing
Fig.8 - Offers a schematic of 4^th Drawing

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Herein under in the description will be offered an exemplary running of the game in compliance with invention, which does not restrict the way it is played if the consecutive order of the different drawings is changed. At the same time the typical spectacularity, attractiveness and easiness in making the stakes already mentioned are entirely preserved.
The entertainment game "telelotto" includes four different stages - drawings, which have to be passed. With a view to the increasing number of the participants and the attractiveness of the game they may be run immediately one after the other or at specified intervals of time. In accordance with an exemplary running of the game, it begins after an unspecified number of calls have been made by any communication means, which are being registered by a communication-computer system. Each participant after submitting his/her information data concerning the registration and having made his/her stakes is considered as a regular participant, while the abovementioned computer system generates on a chance principle (at random) an individual number, for instance, a five-digit one. In compliance with the invention requirements, the participants use telecommunication means (fig. 4) to make their stakes and after listening to a voice greeting 104 input their individual registration number (IRN) 105, numeric and/or character combination, and registration data 107 and a computer database 106 registers the correspondence between the IRN and the identificator of the file containing the voice file containing the data of the participant. This five-digit number offers a possibility for participation in the distribution of the prizes from the first through the third drawing, which are run after the time for making the stakes is over. After a specified period of time a fourth drawing of prizes is run, in which all the regular registered participants over the specified period of time take part, irrespective of the fact whether they have taken part or not in the distribution of the prizes in the previous three drawings. It is suitable the making-of-stakes cycle to be set at 24 hours by daily running of the firsts, the second and the third drawings and the cycle for the fourth drawing to be on a weekly basis (i.e. once a week).
In the first - and the second drawings different parts of the stakes are distributed, which have been made for the daily cycle of the game only. The first drawing begins by making use of devices for the drawing of chance numbers (at random), such as drums, for instance, in which there are balls marked with numbers from 0 through 9 rotated by compressed air. In this concrete case three drums are used with 10 balls in each. Three balls are drawn one after the other (one ball from each drum) for the three different digits (one, ten and hundred digits) in a three-digit number respectively. Three drums are used for determining the prizes from the first drawing (Fig.5) and the resulting number 111 is input into a computer-electronic system 112 which visualizes all of the IRNs for the active game period with last three digits coinciding with the three-digit number drawn 115. The winners distribute among themselves equal parts of the payout for the first drawing. All the participants, who have made stakes and have been given a generated five-digit individual number the last three digits of which coincide with the three-digit number drawn, distribute among themselves equal parts of the amount specified as a percentage (%) from the planned prizes. The second drawing begins by making use of four drums with balls marked with numbers from 0 through 9 rotated by compressed air. Four balls are drawn one after the other (one ball from each drum) for the four different digits in a four-digit number respectively. Four drums are used for determining the prizes from the second drawing (Fig.6) and the resulting number 118 is input into a computer-electronic system 119 which visualizes all of the IRNs for the active game period with last three digits coinciding with the three-digit number drawn 122. The winners distribute among themselves equal parts of the payout for the second drawing. All the participants with valid stakes, the last four digits of whose individual numbers coincide with the four-digit number drawn, distribute among themselves equal parts of the amount specified to be distributed as prizes, which is a percentage (%) from the stakes made for the second drawing. The third drawing begins by making use of specialized software for picking up of a number on a "random choice principle" from among the individual numbers of the participants registered for the daily cycle. The participant thus chosen is granted the right to take part in the distribution of the prizes from the third drawing with a device called the "maze / labyrinth". The prizes from the third drawing (Fig. 7) are determined with the help of specialized software for selection of a random call from the participants, who have made their stakes 125, with the corresponding voice recording file being played 127. After checking the validity of the data in the recording 129 a phone connection is made with the player 130 and he is granted the right to play on the "maze / labyrinth" device and by telecommunication means to give instructions on his moves along the playing fields in the form of a maze / labyrinth. Upon reaching a spot with an amount specified on it, the participant wins that amount as a prize 131. The moderator of the game contacts that participant by telephone and the latter gives instructions as to the moves to be made on the maze / labyrinth device. In the maze / labyrinth device used for determining the prizes from the third drawing there are also playing fields with a possibility to be rotated. The playing field, from which the game begins, is marked with arrows pointing at three possible directions for moving ahead, while the remaining playing fields are marked with one- or with two-direction arrows pointing at the possible directions for the next moves of the participant. On some end playing fields an "n" number of indicators with a previously fixed and specified amount of the prize are situated. The maze/labyrinth is a board with playing fields marked with signs - numbers, letters or a combination thereof. An exemplary running of the game displays a board with 54 playing fields on it. Along the sides against respective peripherally situated playing fields are placed indicators with a previously set prize, which is a percentage (%) of the total amount collected from the stakes for the day, for instance 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% and jackpot (JP). The running of the game always begins from a playing field specified as "start", which allows the moves to be done in three directions, respectively "to the left", "to the right" or "downwards". All the rest of the remaining playing fields are marked with one-directional and two-directional arrows showing the possible directions a participant may give instructions to be followed. When a two-directional playing field (i.e. a field with two possible directions) is opened, the participant chooses and indicates the direction he / she would like to be taken. When a one-directional playing field is opened, the direction is already shown and the moderator opens the next playing field himself. The aim is a peripherally situated playing field to be reached, against which a prize is indicated, which leads to winning of the sum indicated. The reaching of a prize marks the end of the third drawing. The difference between the prize won by the participant and the sum distributed from the daily cycle for prize from the third drawing is added to the amount for the "jackpot" of the device for the following day. In case no connection can be made with the participant chosen to be the player at the beginning of the game it may be possible maximum two other participants to be chosen and contacted by telephone to act as players on the "maze/labyrinth" device. Once a week the "Radiance of Ra" game is run, during which the prizes from the fourth drawing are determined. Five drums are used for determining the prizes from the fourth drawing (Fig.8) and the resulting number 134 is input into a computer-electronic system 135 which visualizes all of the IRNs for the active game period with last five digits coinciding with the five-digit number drawn 138 with the corresponding voice recording files being played 139. After checking the validity of the data in the recording 141 a phone connection is made with the player 142. The prizes from the fourth drawing are determined with the help of a "Klondike" device 143. It consists of an inclined board with a flat surface. The playing field is outlined by barriers situated on it, whereas the barriers in the different lines are displaced with regard one to another and at the bottom of the board indicators for the collection of the playing elements - balls and specifying the prize are formed. All the participants in the cycles during that week may take part in it. For determining the prizes is used a device from the maze/labyrinth type called "Klondike". The running of the game begins by using a device for drawing of numbers on a random principle, in the concrete case - of five drums with balls marked with numbers from 0 through 9. Five balls are drawn (one from each drum), which make a five-digit number. All the participants that have made stakes under an individual number coinciding with the five-digit number thus drawn are granted the right to take part in the distribution of the prizes from the fourth drawing. The device "Klondike" is used to determine the prizes. It consists of an inclined board (1) with a limiting framework (2) along its periphery. On the playing field (3) thus formed there are fixed barriers (4) oriented in lines (5), barriers (4) from one line are displaced in relation to the barriers (4) from the previous line. At the bottom end of the playing board (1) there are indicators (6) in the form of pockets, which specify in advance the amount of the prize. It is preferable the pockets (6) to be at least 5 in number. In the concrete case they are 9 in number and in the center is situated the pocket with the greatest prize, while the pockets (6) at the periphery are for smaller prizes. The "Radiance of Ra" game envisages each participant to have the right to use 10 contest figures - balls of the same color, which he/she inserts in the device. The balls, which move chaotically among the barriers (4) run into pockets, which specify the size of the prize. A new ball is inserted into the device only when the previous ball has finished its movement. When the number of participants is more than one, lots are drawn for determining the consecutive order of the game, i.e. the order in which each of them will insert a new ball.
A prize - "a super jackpot" or any other, is received by a participant who has managed to drive in two balls in one pocket, which means the end of his participation. The remaining participants continue to play until they have used all the balls (10 pieces) they are allowed to, or until they win. In case any of the participants wins "the super jackpot", the other participants may get consolation or booby prizes.
The difference between the sums won and the sum distributed from the prizes from the weekly cycle of the game is added to the amount for the "super jackpot" of the device for the following week.
The two devices described above - "maze/labyrinth" and "Klondike" may be used as individual games or in combination - in the same or in reverse order.

Claims

Entertainment game telelotto system comprising:
Telecommunication mean arranged for making stakes by each participant,

mean arranged so that each participant make stakes and enter registration data before the running of the game starts,

mean arranged for make drawings for the purpose of determining the prizes and arranged so that for each of the drawings a different part of the registered stakes is used and distributed,

a computer-digital system for generation an individual registration number in the form of a numeric and/or a letter combination, and for recording participant's voice,

means arranged for in the case the individual registration number had already been generated, the participant after having listened to a voice greeting enters his individual registration number,

"maze-labyrinth" devices arranged for the distribution of the prizes draws,
characterized in that,
the "maze-labyrinth" devices consist of an inclined board (1) with flat surface, the playing field of which is specified by barriers (2) on its surface oriented in lines, whereas the barriers (2) forming the different lines are displaced in relation to one another and at the bottom end of the playing board (1) there are indicators (3) formed for collection of the balls and for indicating the size of the prize to be won.
Entertainment game "telelotto" system according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the price of the telephone call represents participant's stake.
Entertainment game "telelotto" system according to claim 1, wherein a participant is able to exert influence on the size of the prize through the number of stakes which correspond to the number of calls of said participant.
Entertainment game "telelotto" system according to any previous claim, wherein the "labyrinth"-type games are done with 10 balls per participant and a prize is won by every participant who has managed to drive in at least two balls into one and the same indicator.