IES990693A2 - Scratch-card lottery apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Scratch-card-type lottery apparatus coupled to a telephone system, such as a public switched telephone network (PSN), is disclosed. The apparatus includes means (40) for recording a selection of numbers from a participant, means (47) for generating a substantially random set of numbers, means for generating a symbol for each possible number, means for informing the participant of the symbols corresponding to the selected numbers, means (48) for matching the set or sets with the participant's selection of numbers, and means for notifying the participant in the event of a match. The means (40) for recording a selection of numbers from a participant may include apparatus (37) for recognising keys pressed on a keypad of a telephone receiver. <Figure 2>

Description

The present invention relates to scratch-card lottery apparatus.

Lotteries are a well-known form of gambling. In one well-established form, commonly known as a scratch-card, a player purchases a ticket with a number of locations each covered with an opaque covering which can be easily removed (typically by scratching it with a suitable implement such as a coin). The player then chooses a set of locations and scratches those locations (i.e. removes the covering from those locations), so revealing the symbols printed in those locations. If a sufficient number of the revealed symbols are identical, the player wins a prize, which they can cash by handing the ticket over to the retailer from whom they bought the ticket. (In principle, they can cash their ticket in various ways, e.g. with any retailer participating in the scheme; in practice, it is likely to be the retailer from whom they bought the ticket, as they will normally scratch the card on the spot as soon as they have bought it.) All tickets may have the same number of potential wins, or different tickets may have different numbers of potential wins (possibly with some having no potential wins). 0 The general object of the present invention is to provide a novel way of playing scratch-card type lotteries.

The crux of the present invention is the provision of scratch-card lottery apparatus which enables such a lottery to be played over the telephone, and more specifically, in which participants can enter the lottery by telephone.

OPI According to the invention there is provided scratch-card-type lottery apparatus coupled to a telephone system and including means for recording a selection of numbers from a participant, means for generating a substantially random set of ymbol for each possible number, means for UNDER SECTION 28 ANO RULE 23 INT CL JNL NO. fill 3)42.

IE990693 informing the participant of the symbols corresponding to the selected numbers, means for matching the set or sets with the participants selection of numbers, and means for notifying the participant in the event of a match.

To purchase a ticket, the participant therefore rings up the lottery apparatus and provides their selection of numbers to the apparatus. The apparatus, by means of a random or pseudo-random number generator, generates one or more sets of numbers and a symbol for each possible number, and compares the numbers selected by the participant with the sets so generated. To increase the apparent similarity of the game to conventional scratch-cards, it is presented as involving the generation of symbols behind the numbers (which will normally be the keys on a telephone keypad). Thus the participant may think of the game as involving the generation of a pattern of lemons, cherries, etc. behind the keypad keys, so that they have to guess, say, 3 keys with the same symbol (e.g. a lemon) behind them.

If a match is achieved, the apparatus informs the participant that they have won and how they can claim their prize.

In its simplest form, a win requires the exact matching of say 3 numbers - that is, the selection of 3 keys with the same notional symbol behind all of them. There 0 may be only one such set of numbers, or there may be more than one such set of numbers, with different symbols behind each set. The game may however pay out smaller prizes for partial matches, e.g. the selection of 3 keys of which 2 are the same (i.e. have the same symbol behind them) while the third has a different symbol. At another extreme, the game may involve the selection of only one key, with the symbol behind one key (or those behind a few of the keys) being winning symbols and the remaining symbols (which will be those behind most of the keys) being losing symbols.

On a win, the apparatus informs the participant how they can claim their prize. 0 This can be done by the apparatus inviting the participant to give their name and IE990693 address, so that a cheque can be sent to them, and/or giving them a unique transaction number which they can then use to collect their prize. This may also involve transfer to a human operator.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a lottery apparatus embodying the invention, given by way of example and with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a flow diagram of the operation of the apparatus; and Fig. 2 is a simplified block diagram of the apparatus.

The system involves using a Public Switched Network to play Scratch Card style lottery games. A participant is required to connect to the lottery using a telecommunications system, typically a normal telephone handset. The caller will then be presented with a set of keys or numbers, which will typically be the buttons 1 to 9 on their handset. They are told that behind the buttons 1 to 9 on their handset there are 9 symbols or numbers; for example, they may be told that behind the buttons 1 to 9 on their handset there are up to 9 symbols. Each key or number can thus be thought of by the participant as having or representing a hidden symbol behind it. They are then asked to choose a selection of numbers, with the aim of revealing two or more symbols the same as each other.

The caller uses whatever input mechanism is presented to them to enter thenselection. In the case of entry via a normal telephone handset, this could be by dialling in their selection using the telephone keypad or by speaking; in the case of a Web site style connection, it will normally be by means of a keyboard or mouse. Once the selection has been entered, an indication of confirmation of acceptance may be given.

IE990693 Before or during the course of the call, the apparatus automatically generates a grouping of the numbers into sets, randomly or pseudo-randomly. It also identifies each group with a different symbol. When the apparatus has defined its sets of numbers, it compares those sets with the selection made by the participant, and notifies the participant of the symbols corresponding to the selected numbers whether or not there is a match, i.e. whether they have won or lost. If they have won, the apparatus also gives them instructions on how they can claim their prize. Obviously, the apparatus must generate a different grouping effectively randomly A for each call.

If the caller wins, they can be issued with a unique ticket number while still connected. The ticket number can either be generated on the spot or selected from a batch of pre-generated ticket numbers. This can be issued to them by using pre-recorded prompts, or by visual display in the case of a Web site style connection. The ticket number is proof that the caller has won a draw, and can be stored on a database with the amount of the win. Once the ticket number has been issued, the caller can disconnect. The participant can use the ticket number as a means to claim their prize by following the claim procedures specific to the lottery. Lottery staff can validate the win by referencing the ticket number on the 0 database.

The ticket number should have a substantial number of digits, to minimise the risk of a third party calling in later with a randomly chosen ticket number in the hope that that ticket number will have won a prize. If desired, a segment chosen by the caller can be inserted into the ticket number. If the caller»s telephone number is available, e.g. from a CLI (calling line identification) system, this can similarly be inserted into the ticket number.

The telephone number for entering the draw may be a premium rate line, so that the participant automatically pays a substantial amount determined by the time IE990693 taken to complete the call; the average amount will be set by the charging rate and the time taken by the recorded prompts, confirmations, etc. plus the average time taken by the caller to enter their selection. Charging may also be achieved by a variety of other methods. For example, the caller may sign up with a credit card to purchase a number of plays, or a voucher can be sold giving a number of plays. To play, the caller will give their identification (e.g. a PIN number issued when they sign up, or a PIN number on the voucher). The system will maintain a database with the caller details, or voucher PIN numbers; each time the caller participates in the draw, the number of remaining plays they are allowed will be reduced accordingly.

The system may use a different (low rate or free) telephone number for responding to calls and queries from winners, e.g. wanting confirmation of their win or wanting to discuss methods of claiming their prize. A similar but low rate number can be used for information purposes, allowing the participant to go through the procedures and familiarise themselves with them but not actually entering the lottery.

Fig. 1 is a flow diagram of the procedure which the apparatus follows when a participant enters the draw (by dialling a published number using a normal telephone handset, which connects the caller to the lottery). In block 10, an introductory message is sent to the caller, explaining the system. This is followed by another message, in block 11, asking the caller to choose a hidden symbol. In this example they do so by pressing the selected button on their telephone handset. In block 12, the number returned by the caller is identified; this process is simple if the selection is entered by means of e.g. a touch-tone keypad, but more elaborate if it is entered by voice. In block 13, the number is validated to check that it is within the allowable range (e.g. that one of the control buttons on the keyboard has not been pressed). In block 14, the number is repeated back to the caller, who is asked to confirm that that is the number they actually want; if it isn't, the IE990693 apparatus returns to block 11. If confirmation is received, the selection is stored (block 15) and the number of numbers selected so far is checked (block 16). If the required number of numbers in the selection has not been reached, the system returns to block 11 for the next number to be chosen.

When the required selection of numbers has been chosen, the system proceeds to block 17, where it generates a grouping of the numbers into sets, randomly or pseudo-randomly, and identifies each group with a different symbol. (It may be preferable for the system to generate its grouping before the caller chooses their selection of numbers, either at the beginning of the call or as an off-line process generating a series of groupings which are then used as calls are made. In principle, the groupings can be generated mechanically, e.g. by picking balls from a bag.) The system then proceeds to block 18, where the numbers selected by the caller are compared with the sets of numbers generated in block 17. In block 18, the system announces the result to the caller; for each number selected by the caller, the system announces what the corresponding symbol is, then the number of matches, and then whether the caller has won or lost (block 19). The system then asks the caller whether they want the result repeated (block 20).

It may be preferable for the system to announce the result of each number selection as that number is selected, rather than waiting until all numbers have been selected. This will mean that if for example three identical symbols are necessary for a win, if the first two selections yield different symbols, it is evident at that point that the caller has lost. Also, if a number is entered twice, the system obviously does not count that; it preferably tells the caller that the. have already selected that number previously, and may also remind the caller of the symbol for that number.

IE990693 Ί If the caller has lost, the system then terminates the transaction, via blocks 21 and 24. If the caller has won, the system passes through block 21 to block 22, where it explains the claiming process to the caller. This may involve a transfer to an operator, asking the caller for their name and address, or assigning a ticket number to the caller, as discussed above. The system can then ask the caller if they want the claiming procedure repeated (block 23); the procedure then ends (block 24).

It will of course be realised that this flow diagram is simplified, and various additional features may be provided. For example, the caller may be able to choose which of a variety of draws they are interested in, and the system may allow the call to continue to allow the caller to make a further selection, i.e. buy another entty into the lottery. Also, the system may of course generate its grouping of the numbers into sets (shown as block 16) either at the beginning of the call or as the caller»s selection of numbers proceeds.

. For an information only call, the same general procedure is followed, but of course no prize can be won, the messages to the caller are modified appropriately, and the procedure may be simplified. 0 Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the major functional elements of the apparatus. A telephone unit 35 has the appropriate number of telephone (PSN) lines coupled to it, and acts as an interface between the PSN system and the rest of the apparatus, being coupled to a bus 36 to which the remaining units are also coupled. A message unit 34 contains a repertoire ofstored messages which can be read out for sending to a caller.

When a caller enters the lottery, they are prompted to signal a series of selections.

Each selection is analysed by a number identification unit 37, and the number so identified it passed to a validation unit 38, which checks that the number is within the range defined by a range storage unit 39. The validated number is returned to IE990693 the caller for confirmation, and then stored in a temporary storage unit 40. When the appropriate number of numbers has been received from the caller, a number set generator unit 47 randomly or pseudo-randomly generates a set of numbers. A match unit 48 compares the selection of numbers from the caller with the set of numbers generated by unit 47, and determines whether there is a match, i.e. whether or not the caller has won. The caller is then told of the results, i.e. the symbols corresponding to the selected numbers and whether or not they have won.

If the caller has won, they can be issued with instructions on how to claim their 10 prize. For this, they can be given a ticket number generated by a ticket number generator 41. At the same time, the amount of the prize (and possibly their selection of numbers and/or the sets generated by unit 47) is transferred to a database unit 42 along with the ticket number.

An operator unit 44, with a speaker 45 and a microphone 46, is also coupled to the bus 36, to allow a caller to speak to the operator, e.g. for the operator to check the caller»s selection of numbers against the sets from unit 47, and/or to discuss in more detail how to claim prizes. 0 Claims Any novel and inventive feature or combination of features specifically disclosed herein within the meaning of Article 4H of the International Convention (Paris Convention).

Claims (5)

Claims

1. Scratch-card-type lottery apparatus coupled to a telephone system and including means for recording a selection of numbers from a participant, means for generating a substantially random set of numbers, means for generating a symbol for each possible number, means for informing the participant of the symbols corresponding to the selected numbers, means for matching the set or sets with the participant’s selection of numbers, and means for notifying the participant in the event of a match.

2. . Scratch-card-type lottery apparatus according to claim 1 in which the means for recording a selection of numbers from a participant includes apparatus for recognising a number spoken by a participant into a telephone receiver, for recognising a number entered by a participant at a telephone receiver, or for recognising a selection made by a participant using a computer input device.

3. . Scratch-card-type lottery apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the means for matching the set or sets with the participant’s selection of numbers records whole or partial matches between the set or sets with the participant’s selection of numbers.

4. . Scratch-card-type lottery apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the means for notifying the participant informs the participant of a reference number and instructions on how to claim a prize. IE990693

5. . Scratch-card-type lottery apparatus coupled to a telephone system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.