992results about "Lottery apparatus" patented technology

Embodiments of the instant invention are directed to a method, apparatus and system for lottery gaming, wherein a simple, objective, verifiable and reliable method of selecting the winning lottery numbers is provided. In preferred embodiments, a user accesses the game via a wide area network or by some other remote means and inputs required information, including payment information and the user's selections for the game. Prior to any user participating in the game, the game provider selects elements that comprise a winning combination. Preferably, the elements that comprise the winning combination are objective and verifiable elements, such as, for example, a portion of the closing stock market price on a given day for a specified set of markets. As such, the elements comprising the winning combinations are objective and can be verified by all of the users. The definition of the winning combination can be redefined for each new game, or as it is generated from a indicia providing source, can remain the same for all games or a set number of games.

A lottery game system includes a number of lottery tickets, a playing area disposed on each lottery ticket, the playing area having a number of paths each traversing in the playing area. A starting point and a finishing point are disposed on the playing area. A first winning predetermined path begins at the starting point and ends at the finishing point and is initially concealed from a player prior to commencing play of the lottery game. A special point is disposed among the various paths and a second winning path, defined as a portion of the first winning path, begins at the starting point and ends at the special point. The special point is positioned before the finishing point. The second winning path results in a higher winning amount than the first winning path. The lottery game system may further include a lottery wand manipulated by a user wherein the lottery wand remains in contact with said lottery ticket along said winning path. Further, the lottery game system may include at least one lottery terminal which is operative to print at least one playing area and to dispense at least one lottery ticket.

A gaming system for the play of lottery is disclosed. The gaming system may include a lottery ticket having a removable portion concealing instant game information and information for the play of an interactive game. A method for facilitating the play of a lottery game is also disclosed. The method may include providing both instant win and an interactive game using information for a common ticket.

The present invention relates to a method for gaming and for a gaming system. More particularly the present invention relates to mobile or networked gaming with a terminal, such as a mobile terminal. In the method the player is recognized by an existing identifier without specific registration to the gaming system. Also a simple method of paying the prize is provided.

A method and system for providing real time scratch-off lottery like games over a wireless network. The method and system allow a user of a wireless station to play a lottery game electronically with the feel of real-time scratch and win determination. Substantially concurrently, security, including win / loss determination is maintained by a betting service provider on a system apart from the wireless station of the user. The system tracks user accounts, outstanding lottery games, and randomly determines win / loss information. The user is notified of win or loss (or the value “underneath” the scratch-off block in near real time. The wireless station transmits minimal amounts of data, typically a lottery ticket identifier and description of the users actions to the betting service provider and receives a value to display from the betting service provider.

A pricing terminal is installed at a retail store. The pricing terminal includes an enclosure that allows a customer to be seated therein, a display screen mounted in the enclosure, a keyboard and a processor operatively connected to the display screen and the keyboard. The processor is programmed to control the display screen, receive input via the keyboard and guide the customer to perform a pricing activity. The pricing activity may include viewing an advertisement, answering survey questions, or agreeing to enter into a transaction with a third party. The customer is rewarded for performing the pricing activity by receiving a discount on a purchase transaction or another benefit.

A method and apparatus for generating random numbers for use in electronic applications is disclosed. A given sequence of random binary numbers of a certain length can be decoded into several random numbers for a specific application. The upper range values of the random numbers to be decoded determine the number of bits required for the generation of the these random numbers. In the decoding process, the given random binary number divides a range value to generate a remainder and a quotient. The quotient becomes the new random binary number for the generation of other random numbers while the remainder is the generated random number. The process then repeats to generate other random numbers. At the end of the generation process, the last quotient determines the validity of the generated random numbers.

A gaming system produces a multiple-play physical pull tab ticket at the request of a player. Each chance in the game is associated with a game play record which has been produced and stored in the system prior to the sale of the physical game ticket. A player in the game selects a number of game play outcomes or plays to be purchased and the gaming system responds to the request by producing and distributing to the player a pull tab ticket having the requested number of game play outcomes printed or otherwise formed on a ticket substrate. Game play information specifying the outcomes of each game play printed on the game ticket may be printed or otherwise encoded on the game ticket. A player terminal may read this game play information using a suitable scanning device and may then display the results of the plays to the player.

A computer based lottery which allows entries to be sold over the telephone, by ATM or POS machines, by email, or via kiosks, in which participants are invited to choose at least one unique number from a defined range of numbers, e.g. between one and one million which hopefully no-one else has or will select before the end of the competition. The participant can register their selection with an entry-logging engine (which can be an automated call answering system allowing the user to key in the number chosen by using the telephone keypad). This records the identity or contact details of the participant (for example telephone number or email address), the number selected by the participant, and the date and time of the entry, the entry-logging engine giving the participant an optional receipt number.

A tray, serving as a transaction drawer, optimally fitted to X-ray inspection equipment for ease and efficiency of the operation. Yet, easy to handle by the operator and stackable for storage and having a test wedge to verify read outs by the X-ray machine, made out of translucent, plastic material, economically produced.

The present invention relates to highly available sequence number generation with minimal latency. The present invention involves establishing a primary and secondary sequence number generators. A sequence number request is forwarded to the primary generator. The primary generator determines the next sequence number and forwards the response to the secondary generator. The secondary generator stores the value and forwards the value to the originating entity. Accordingly, the configuration avoids single point failure and is robust against malfunction.

A central determination gaming system with a keno game. Upon a player initiating a game play at gaming terminal, the gaming terminal enables the player to select a plurality of symbols. The gaming terminal accesses a standard set of predefined symbols for the specific game played. The gaming terminal bidirectionally maps the player's selected symbols with the standard set of predefined symbols. The gaming terminal receives a predetermined game outcome seed from a central controller. The gaming terminal utilizes the selected game outcome seed to generate a plurality of game symbols. The gaming terminal determines if each of the generated game symbols needs to be modified. If so, the gaming terminal modifies these generated game symbols based on the bidirectionally mapping, presents the modified game symbols to the player and provides the player a game outcome that is determined based on the selected game outcome seed.

A playing card system is disclosed comprising a face side displaying markings, which can be hidden and revealed by an adjustable barrier. A set of these playing cards may be used in the same games as those using a standard deck of cards. A shuffler randomizes the order and / or arrangement of the one or more sets through an agitation mechanism. The shuffling system allows for heightened randomization and secrecy of the markings, and minimizes opportunities for manipulation.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a platform-independent execution environment for executing embedded instructions. In one example, the instructions may be embedded in an active barcode format. In this embodiment a barcode encoded with an instruction may be read. A machine executable instruction may be generated based on the read barcode using a virtual machine. The machine executable instruction may be executed using the virtual machine.

A coupon issuing apparatus for a gaming machine is provided which comprises a hopper 2 for containing a plurality of blank coupon, a conveyer means 20 for discharging a blank coupon from the hopper 2 and transporting the blank coupon along a passageway 14, and a printer 19 provided in the vicinity of the passageway 14 for printing given gaming information on the moving blank coupon to easily dispense valuable coupons at player's request by printing monetary value on the blank coupon by the printer 19.

A system and method for generation of unpredictable and auditable random numbers includes a host computer, a digital signature server and a verification device. The host computer provides data to the digital signature server; obtains digital signature for this data; uses elements of this signature for random numbers generation; logs relevant data for audit. The verification device uses logged data for auditing of the random number generation process. This invention can be applied in gaming and gambling industries where the random numbers are used for generation of game / play elements and of winning numbers elements. The game / play elements and winning numbers elements generated using this invention can be audited.

A game ticket is disclosed. The game ticket includes a substrate, a game play area located on the substrate, and a first machine-readable code located on the substrate. The machine-readable code includes a first piece of authentication information. A second machine-readable code is located on the substrate. The second machine-readable code includes a second piece of authentication information. A removable opaque covering applied to the substrate conceals the game play area and the second machine-readable code. The first machine-readable code is not concealed by the removable opaque covering. Both the first piece of authentication information and the second piece of authentication information are required for authenticating the game ticket. A method and apparatus for using the game ticket is also disclosed.

A system for providing supplementary product sales is provided in which a central controller receives a purchase from a card authorization terminal. The purchase includes at least one purchase parameter, such as a customer account identifier, product identifiers for specifying items purchased or product price. The central controller determines a supplementary product to offer that is based on the at least one purchase parameter. A product identifier for specifying the supplementary product is transmitted to the card authorization terminal, where the customer chooses whether to accept the offered supplementary product. The card authorization terminal generates and transmits to the central controller a selection signal indicative of whether the supplementary product is accepted. If the selection signal indicates that the supplementary product is accepted, the central controller adjusts a balance of a financial account in dependence on an adjustment value associated with the supplementary product.

A central determination gaming system including a plurality of gaming terminals in communication with a central controller. In one embodiment, upon initiation of a game at one of the gaming terminals, the gaming terminal randomly generates a proposed game outcome. The proposed game outcome is communicated to the central controller. The central controller determines if a pool of predetermined game outcomes includes the proposed game outcome. If the pool includes the proposed game outcome, the central controller authorizes the proposed game outcome to be provided to the player, flags the authorized game outcome from further authorizations and communicates the authorized game outcome to the gaming terminal. The gaming terminal then provides the authorized game outcome to the player. If the pool does not include the proposed game outcome, the central controller discards the proposed game outcome and instructs the gaming terminal to generate another proposed game outcome for authorization.

A method and system for conducting a terminal based lottery game having an instant game component and raffle component includes point of sale terminals where paying players are issued a game ticket having an instant lottery game play. A randomly generated raffle number is assigned to each game ticket, with all assigned raffle numbers being eligible to win in a subsequent raffle drawing. The raffle drawing is conducted in conjunction with an independent third party event, such as a televised game show, wherein the raffle prize is a function of a prize awarded in the event independent of the lottery game.

The present invention relates to a system and a method for facilitating governmental lottery games with a screening, a verification, and a subscription play function. A lottery agent system of the present invention includes a plurality of player terminals on which lottery players can play lottery games, including purchasing and receiving lottery tickets, an agent server for facilitating the purchase and screening of players and winning tickets, and a governmental lottery administrator for providing security or serial numbers for verification. The present invention further discloses a method for claiming awards for the winning tickets upon a drawing of winning numbers. Upon receiving information of the winning tickets, the state provides the agent server with claim validation numbers associated with the winning tickets for claims on lottery awards by winning players.

In a method for manufacturing instant lottery tickets where book numbers and ticket numbers are printed on the tickets utilizing a dual security process such that the book numbers are shuffled in each pool before the tickets are printed to break the link between the book numbers the ticket numbers or validation numbers, a reversing process can be used under certain predefined conditions to relate the original book numbers to the ticket numbers or validation numbers. In one example, where a shuffling algorithm utilizing seeds is used to shuffle the book numbers, the seeds used in the algorithm are maintained in an encrypted file. A decryption key for the encrypted seed file can be used by a lottery administration or trusted third party to reconstruct game play indicia for game adjustment purposes and manufacturing adjustments. To enhance security, the independent third party can also be used to administer the encryption and decryption keys during the ticket manufacturing process and during life of the instant ticket game.

A mobile lottery terminal is disclosed. The mobile lottery terminal includes a processor. The mobile lottery terminal may include a Braille keypad in communication with the processor. The mobile lottery terminal may also include a customer information input device in communication with the processor and operable to input information indicative of a customer-selected lottery number. A system incorporating mobile lottery terminals and method of vending lottery tickets using mobile lottery terminals is also disclosed.