Title: System and method for automated play of lottery games
Abstract: A method according to one embodiment of the present invention provides for receiving data indicating a request by a player for an automated session, in which the automated session comprises a plurality of lottery outcomes. The method further provides for determining at least one parameter associated with the automated session and for determining at least one lottery outcome. The method also includes providing the at least one lottery outcome based on the at least one parameter.
Patent Number: 6,964,611 Issued on 11/15/2005 to Packes, Jr., et al.
| Inventors:
|
Packes, Jr.; John M. (Hawthorne, NY);
Steib; Michael F. (New York, NY);
Golden; Andrew P. (Stamford, CT);
Jorasch; James A. (Stamford, CT);
Walker; Jay S. (Ridgefield, CT);
Sparico; Thomas M. (New York, NY)
|
| Assignee:
|
Walker Digital, LLC (Stamford, CT)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
930717 |
| Filed:
|
August 15, 2001 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
463/40 |
| Intern'l Class: |
A83F 009/24 |
| Field of Search: |
463/40- 42,16,17,20
273/292,293,143.R
|
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|
Primary Examiner: Paradiso; John
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Downs; Michael D.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 60/225,319,
"SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATED LOTTERY GAME PLAY" filed Aug. 15, 2000, incorporated
herein by reference.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/437,204, "AUTOMATED PLAY GAMING DEVICE" filed Nov. 9, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No.
6,244,957, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,983, "AUTOMATED PLAY
GAMING DEVICE" filed Dec. 30, 1996 now U.S. Pat No. 6,012,983. Each of the above
is incorporated herein by reference.
Claims
1. A method comprising:
receiving from a player at least one preference for delivery of game outcomes;
storing an indication of the at least one preference for delivery in a database;
determining a plurality of game outcomes;
retrieving the at least one preference for delivery from the database; and
in accordance with the at least one preference for delivery of game outcomes,
transmitting the plurality of game outcomes to a communication device that is associated
with the player.
2. The method of claim 3, further comprising:
receiving from the player a preference for revealing game outcomes; and revealing
at least one of the plurality of game outcomes via the communication device in
accordance with the preference for revealing game outcomes.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
revealing at least one of the plurality of game outcomes via the communication
device in response to a signal from a lottery server.
4. The method of claim 1, in which transmitting the plurality of game outcomes
to the communication device that is associated with the player in accordance with
the at least one preference for delivery of game outcomes comprises:
transmitting a first game outcome to the communication device; and transmitting
a second game outcome to the communication device a predetermined period of time
after transmitting the first game outcome.
5. The method of claim 4, in which no request for delivery of the second game
outcome is received from the player after the first game outcome is transmitted.
6. The method of claim 1, in which transmitting the plurality of game outcomes
to the communication device that is associated with the player in accordance with
the at least one preference for delivery of game outcomes comprises:
automatically transmitting at least one of the plurality of game outcomes to
the communication device in accordance with a schedule.
7. A method comprising:
receiving a request by a player to purchase a plurality of lottery game outcomes;
receiving at least one selection by the player for how lottery game outcomes
are delivered to the player,
in which each selection comprises at least one of the following:
an indication of a time of day to provide a lottery game outcome to the player,
an indication of a number of a cellular telephone,
an indication of a period of time between delivery of lottery game outcomes,
and storing an indication of the at least one selection in a database;
an indication of an e-mail address;
retrieving the at least one selection from the database;
determining a first lottery game outcome;
communicating the first lottery game outcome to the player in accordance with
the at least one selection for how lottery game outcomes are delivered to the player;
and
updating a credit balance associated with the player based on the first lottery
game outcome.
8. A method comprising:
receiving a request to provide a plurality of lottery game outcomes to a communication
device of a player;
receiving from the communication device at least one parameter for providing
lottery game outcomes to the player,
storing an indication of the preference in a database;
the at least one parameter including a preference for delivery of the lottery
game outcomes to the communication device;
retrieving an indication of the preference from the database;
determining a first lottery game outcome; and
transmitting the first lottery game outcome to the communication device accordance
with the preference for delivery of the lottery game outcomes.
9. The method of claim 8 in which the preference for delivery comprises at least
one time of day at which to provide a lottery game outcome.
10. The method of claim 8 in which the preference for delivery comprises a period
of time between providing lottery game outcomes.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
automatically transmitting a second lottery game outcome to the communication
device after the period of time has passed since transmitting the first lottery
game outcome.
12. The method of claim 8 wherein the preference for delivery comprises a format
for outputting the lottery game outcomes at the communication device.
13. The method of claim 8 wherein the preference for delivery comprises a network address.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the network address comprises at least one of:
an e-mail address, and
an telephone number.
15. The method of claim 8, wherein the lottery game outcomes comprises predetermined outcomes.
16. The method of claim 8, wherein the lottery game outcomes comprises random outcomes.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for automated
play of lottery games.
2. Description of Related Art
A purchase of a lottery ticket typically requires a visit to an authorized lottery
agent, where the process varies depending on the type of game to be played. Commonly-known
games include "instant" tickets, or "scratch" tickets, where the winning status
is apparent on the face of the ticket, and "Lotto" games, where the player picks
or otherwise receives a set of entry numbers, and the status of the numbers is
determined by comparison with numbers selected in a subsequent lottery drawing.
With respect to "scratch-off"-style instant lottery games, a player typically
purchases a paper or cardboard game ticket from a participating lottery agent.
In the case of most instant lottery games, the player then reveals combinations
of symbols or values by physically uncovering a portion of the game ticket that
is concealed by a covering material, such as latex. Certain revealed combinations
of symbols or values may correspond to prizes, which may be provided to a player
at a participating lottery agent.
Thus, once a player purchases a ticket, an outcome corresponding to the ticket
may immediately be determined, and any resultant prize may then be claimed. The
ability of the instant lottery player to determine immediately upon purchase, or
at his convenience, contributes to the appeal of instant lottery games.
The typical requirements of travel to a lottery agent and/or physical play of
the ticket, however, may be a hardship on a player. Further, a potential player
may decide not to purchase a lottery ticket because of these requirements, or may
decide to purchase a lesser number of lottery tickets than desired. In addition,
the overall cost associated with the production and distribution of physical game
tickets makes it prohibitive to offer instant tickets for sale below a certain
price point, such as one dollar ($1.00).
Limited options have been made available whereby lottery tickets may be purchased
without visits to a lottery agent. Some lotteries now offer subscription sales
of "Lotto"-type lottery tickets. With a subscription ticket, lottery entries are
automatically re-entered into drawings for a predefined number of weeks. Such subscription
tickets are often made available at a discounted price. The Vermont State Lottery,
for example, offers multiple drawing "contracts," or a subscription, whereby a
player can enter selected numbers in multiple drawings.
Commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,398, "OFF-LINE REMOTE SYSTEM FOR
LOTTERIES AND GAMES OF SKILL", issued to Schneier, et al. (hereinafter "the '398
patent"), describes systems and methods for the electronic representation of instant
lottery games via an electronic hand-held ticket viewer (HTV). As described in
the '398 patent, the HTV may comprise a personal digital assistant (PDA) or other
electronic device (e.g., a personal computer) having hardware and/or software means
operable to facilitate the methods described therein.
The game of Keno resembles automated game play. A game of Keno consists of matching
a series of player-selected numbers against a series of numbers drawn by the Keno
system. Once the player has selected the series of numbers, the player selects
a certain number of games for which those numbers are valid. Thus, by selecting
several games, the player may bet on future games without further interaction with
the system.
Despite proceeding without interaction between the player and the Keno system,
there is no automated play for a particular customer in Keno. For example, the
numbers are drawn by the system and broadcast or transmitted to a number of screens
throughout an establishment, such as a casino. Thus, the establishment determines
how and when the outcomes of Keno games are provided to players. Furthermore, the
Keno games continue indefinitely, without regard to either (i) a particular player's
status, (ii) a particular player's participation, or (iii) the outcome of a prior
game. Thus, while the drawing of numbers in Keno may occur in a continuous manner,
there is no automated play for a particular customer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method according to one embodiment of the present invention provides for: receiving
data indicating a request by a player for an automated session, in which the automated
session comprises a plurality of lottery outcomes; determining at least one parameter
associated with the automated session; determining at least one lottery outcome;
and providing the at least one lottery outcome based on the at least one parameter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a player communication device;
FIG. 1B is a schematic view of a graphical display of the player communication
device of FIG. 1A;
FIG. 2 is an overall schematic view of a system according to one embodiment
of the present invention, including a lottery server and a player communication device;
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the lottery server of FIG. 2, including a player
database, an automated session database and a communication device database;
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the player communication device of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5. is a schematic view of the player database of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the automated session database of FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the communication device database of FIG. 3;
FIGS. 8A and 8B are a flow diagram of the operation of the system of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of the operation of the system of FIG. 2, illustrating
termination of automated play.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Various embodiment s of the present invention provide a method and apparatus
for automated play of lottery games. According to an exemplary process, a player
communication device and a lottery server are in communication with each other.
Either the player communication device or the lottery server (or a combination
thereof) performs a method of determining an automated play parameter associated
with a player, and providing lottery information in accordance with the automated
play parameter. In this way, a player may enjoy automated play of a lottery game
(or games).
Various embodiments of the present invention include a lottery server operable
to receive a limiting criterion of play, initiate automated play of a lottery game,
and terminate automated play of the lottery game upon occurrence of the limiting
criterion. In another embodiment of the present invention, the automated play of
the lottery game includes repetitive play of the lottery game.
In many instances, the limiting criteria will be the use of the moneys initially
authorized for play, e.g., when an account associated with the automated play mode
runs out of money. The present invention further provides a method and apparatus
for notifying a player when available credit is running low, permitting a player
to increase the balance of an account, or to remotely authorize further fluids
for continued play.
A method according to other various embodiments of the present invention includes
the step of initiating automated play at a player device. In such embodiments,
automated play of the player device may occur when the player device is unattended
by a player.
According to other various embodiments, the method includes the steps of
receiving a play option and automatically playing a lottery game according to the
play option.
The present invention also includes a lottery server which includes a memory
device having a player parameter selection stored therein and a processor in communication
with the memory device. The processor is configured to initiate automated play
of a lottery game until occurrence of a limiting criterion of play.
Various embodiments of the present invention provide for determining an outcome
of an automated play session that requires a decision by the player in order to
determine a further outcome or a payout, and then holding the outcome for a later
decision by the player. Alternatively, the outcome requiring a decision may be
determined in accordance with a parameter associated with the automated play session.
Various embodiments of the present invention provide for maintaining an audit
trail for a lottery server and the outcomes of lottery games.
The present invention is directed generally to automated play of lottery games.
In various embodiments, a player provides player identifying information and player
parameter selections to a lottery server. The lottery server stores the player
parameter selections and proceeds to initiate automated play of a lottery game
or of multiple lottery games.
According to various embodiments, the player identifying information and
player parameter selections may be entered at a player communication device. The
player communication device may store the information and selections and/or transmit
the information and selections to a lottery server. According to various embodiments,
the player communication device may initiate automated play.
Such automated play may occur while the player communication device is unattended
by the player. Remote communications with the player permit the player engaged
in automated play both to enjoy the ongoing play, and to alter any pre-established,
limiting criteria, for example relating to funding, by making appropriate adjustments
during the course of automated play. In various embodiments of the present invention,
such adjustments may be made via a communication device. Some limitations may also
be altered remotely, through a telephone call or appropriate communication to the
lottery server or, for example, to personnel operating the lottery server. The
automated play session ends upon occurrence of a limiting criterion or upon the
termination of the automated play session by the player.
With reference to FIG. 1A, a cellular telephone
100 according to one
exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. The telephone
100
has a game display
150 capable of displaying lottery information.
With reference to FIG. 1B, the game display
150 depicts an example of
an instant lottery game. A player playing the instant lottery game is instructed
to reveal the six play areas displayed. If three winning amounts are matched, the
player wins that amount (e.g., the instant lottery game shown in FIG. 1B results
in a ticket outcome of $5.00). The game display
150 indicates that the player
has arranged to have one instant lottery game automatically delivered each hour
from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (e.g., without further input or request from the player)
via his cellular telephone
100.
The play areas may be revealed in response to the player's input, for example,
by using the keypad of the cellular telephone
100, or, alternatively, by
voice command. Alternatively, the play areas may be revealed automatically by the
cellular telephone
100. According to one embodiment, the cellular telephone
may reveal the play areas automatically in response to a signal from a lottery server.
With reference to FIG. 2, a system
200 according to one embodiment of
the present invention is shown. In general, the system
200 comprises a lottery
server
300 in communication with a plurality of player communication devices
400. Communication device
400 (e.g., a pager, personal computer,
handheld display device, PDA, set-top display device, or cellular telephone including
a display) provides sufficient information to permit the player to follow and enjoy
the play, and in some cases to authorize necessary or desired changes in the play.
As will be described in greater detail below, the player communication device
400 may be used to communicate player identifying information and player
parameter selections to the lottery server
300. The lottery server
300
may comprise a computer device, such as a Web server, operated on behalf of or,
in conjunction with, a lottery authority. The lottery server
300 determines
lottery outcome data and communicates instructions and lottery information, including
the lottery outcome data, to the player communication device (or communication
devices)
400.
Communications between the lottery server
300 and the player
communication devices
400 may be facilitated by way of a computer network,
such as the World Wide Web, the Internet, local area network, postal mail, or any
combination thereof. In accordance with the present invention, a plurality of player
communication devices
400 may be located remotely from the lottery server
300, for example, at a home of a player or at a lottery agent.
With reference to FIG. 3, the lottery server
300 will be described in
greater detail. Lottery server
300 may comprise any computing device operable
to execute electronically represented instant lottery games in accordance with
the methods of the present invention. Lottery server
300 has a Central Processing
Unit (CPU)
310. The CPU
310, which has a clock
312 associated
therewith, executes instructions of a program stored in Read Only Memory (ROM)
320. During execution of the program instructions, the CPU
310 temporarily
stores information in the Random Access Memory (RAM)
330.
Additionally, the CPU
310 is coupled to a data storage device
340, having a transaction processor
342, a player database
500,
an automated session database
600 and a communication device database
700.
In general, the transaction processor
342 manages the contents of the data
storage device
340. As discussed in detail below, the player database
500,
automated session database
600 and the communication device database
700
store information related to player identification, automated lottery game play
and remote communication to the player's communication device
400, respectively.
In order to communicate with the communication device
400, the lottery
server
300 also includes a communication port
350. The communication
port
350 is coupled to both the CPU
310 and the data storage device
340. Thus, the CPU
310 can control the communication port
350
to receive information from the data storage device
340 and transmit the
information to the player communication device
400. Information may also
be received from the player communication device
400 via communication port
350. Note that the communication path between the communication port
350
and the communication device
400 need not be hardwired. As noted above,
the communication device
400 is preferably a personal computer, a pager,
a handheld device including a display (e.g., such as a PDA), or a cellular telephone,
and preferably employs wireless communication.
Lastly, also in communication with the CPU
310 is a Random Number
Generator (RNG)
360. Under control of a program stored, for example, in
storage device
340 or ROM
320, the CPU
310 initiates the RNG
360 to generate a random number. Alternatively, the CPU
310 may be
controlled by, or responsive to, for example, a signal from the player communication
device
400.
The CPU
310 looks up the generated random number in a stored table
382
and finds the corresponding outcome. Based on the identified outcome, the CPU
310
locates the appropriate payout in a stored payout table
384. Alternatively,
the CPU may determine the payout based directly upon the generated random number.
With reference to FIG. 4, the player communication device
400 contains
a Central Processing Unit (CPU)
410 and a clock
412. The CPU
410
may execute instructions of a program stored in Read Only Memory (ROM)
420.
The player communication device
400 also includes a display area
470
and a keypad
430. In operation, as discussed below, the player communication
device
400 may display a message prompting the player to enter player parameter
selections. In the present embodiment, the player enters the player parameter selections
via the keypad
430. In an alternative embodiment, a player enters the player
parameter selections via the display area
470, which may include a touch screen.
With respect to gaming operations, under control of a program stored (e.g.,
in a storage device
480 or ROM
420) the CPU
410 may determine
an automated play parameter associated with the player. For example, the player
may input an indication of an automated player parameter, or, alternatively, the
player communication device may store an indication of the automated player parameter
in, for example, storage device
480. Then, the player communication device
400 may provide lottery information in accordance with the automated play
parameter. For example, as discussed in greater detail below, a sequence of lottery
outcome data may be received from lottery server
300 and stored, for example,
in storage device
480. Player communication device
400 may then display
lottery information in accordance with the automated play parameter, for example,
revealing a game (or game result) once every hour. Alternatively, the CPU
410
may be controlled by, or responsive to, for example, a stored program or a signal
from the lottery server
300. Thus, information and instructions may be communicated
among the lottery server
300 and player communication device
400.
The player database
500 of the present embodiment as shown in FIG. 5,
includes multiple records having multiple fields of information. Specifically,
the player database
500 comprises multiple records, each record being associated
with a particular player, as identified by a player identification (ID) code. The
fields within each record include: name
510, social security number
520,
player ID
530, address
540, telephone number
550, credit card
number
560 and credit balance
570. Thus, having information related
to one field, such as player ID
530, allows the lottery server
300
to retrieve or access further information stored in the other fields of that player's record.
It is to be understood that not all of these identifying fields, nor the illustrated
design of the player database
500, are necessary for operation of the present
embodiment. Specifically, the name
510, social security number
520,
player ID
530, address
540, telephone number
550 and credit
card number
560 fields are merely representative of additional information
that may be stored and used for other purposes. For example, in an alternative
embodiment, credit card number
560 is used for billing purposes and social
security number
520 is used to generate tax forms when a player wins a payout
over a given amount.
Thus, in the present embodiment, only the player's name
510, player
ID
530 and credit balance
570 are necessary.
The automated session database
600, as shown in FIG. 6, comprises multiple
records, each record pertaining to an automated play session of a particular player,
as identified by the player ID. Consequently, one field in each record is the player
ID field
610. Other fields include: start time
620, end time
630,
time to deliver outcome
635, maximum number of games
640, limiting
credit balance
650, limiting maximum payout
660, bet per game
670,
time between games
680, event
690 and communication device number
695. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, since both
the player database
500 and the automated session database
600 include
a player ID field,
530 and
610, respectively, the system
200
can correlate any information stored in the player database
500, corresponding
to a particular player, with any information stored in the automated session database
600, corresponding to that same player.
The communication device database
700, as shown in FIG. 7, includes multiple
records, each record pertaining to a different communication device
400
as identified by a communication device number as stored in the communication device
number field
710. The additional fields in each record include communicator
identifier
720, player ID
730, communicator time out
740,
and communicator time in
750. Because the communication device database
700 and the automated session database
600 both include a communication
device number field
720,
695, respectively, information can be correlated
between the two databases.
Furthermore, because the communication device database
700, like
the automated session database
600 and the player database
500, contains
a player ID field
730, the system
200 can correlate information contained
within these three databases
500,
600,
700 for a particular
player, as identified by the player ID.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the information stored in the communication
device database
700 is used to inventory the communication devices
400.
The communication time out
740 represents the time at which a player received
a communication device
400 from, for example, a lottery agent, and the communicator
time in
750 represents the time the communication device
400 was
returned to, for example, the lottery agent. Having such information, the lottery
server
300 may, at any given time, search the communication device database
700 and determine which communication devices
400 are presently in
use. Furthermore, for any communication device
400 that has been out for
more than a given period, the lottery server
300 may determine which player,
based upon the player ID number in field
730, last used the device
400.
Moreover, based on the player ID number, the server
300 can obtain the information
necessary to contact that player from that player's record in the player database
500.
As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the ultimate goal of most
lottery
players is to hit a payout. The enjoyment of the play, as well as the ability to
maximize the chance of hitting a large payout, is increased by more play. Play
can be increased both by playing longer, and by playing faster. As will be appreciated
from a consideration of the process described below, the present invention permits
both increased duration and speed of play. The operation of the system
200
will now be described in greater detail with reference to automated play process
800 of FIGS. 8A and 8B, and continuing reference to FIGS. 1-7. It is to
be understood that the programs stored in ROM
320 of the lottery server
300 and ROM
420 of the player communication device
400 provide
the functions described below.
As shown at step
805, the lottery player first activates player communication
device
400. Player communication device
400 then proceeds to determine
player identifier information. Player identifier information may be stored, for
example, in storage device
480. Alternatively, the player may input the
player identifier information. Typically, the player identifier information, namely
the player's name and the player ID, are communicated from the player communication
device
400 to the lottery server
300. In other embodiments, the player
communication device
400 may simply transmit its communication device number
to lottery server
300. The lottery server
300 may then retrieve player
identifier information by referencing the communication device number field
710
of the player communication device database
700 and determining the corresponding
player ID
730.
Upon receiving the player identifying information, the lottery server
300
authenticates the information. This step, depicted as step
810, includes
the lottery server
300 searching the player database
500 for a record
containing the player name and player ID received in the appropriate fields
510
and
530, respectively. Once the lottery server
300 authenticates
the player identifying information, the server
300 transmits a signal to
the player communication device
400 acknowledging such authentication.
In step
815, the player chooses to select automated lottery play. According
to various embodiments of the present invention, the player may choose to select
automated lottery play after receiving an offer of a reward in exchange for the
player participating in an automated play session. A reward might be, for example,
a bonus payout, a higher payout schedule, a gift certificate, free plays, or the like.
The player communication device
400 also prompts the player to authorize
funds for use during the automated play session. Specifically, as shown in step
530, the player uses player communication device
400 to authorize
an amount of funds for lottery play by, for example, providing a credit card number
and the amount of funds the player wishes to have credited to his game account.
The player communication device
400 then transmits a signal to the lottery
server
300 indicating the credit card number and/or the amount of funds
deposited by the player. In response, the lottery server
300 accesses the
record in the player database
500 corresponding to the particular player
and increments the credit balance field
3500 in accordance with the amount
of funds deposited.
In yet another alternative embodiment, the player, prior to initiating an automated
play session, deposits a certain amount of funds at a lottery agent. The lottery
agent accesses the record in the player database
500 corresponding to the
player's ID. The cashier then increments the credit balance field
570 by
the amount of funds just deposited.
In step
820 the remote player enters the player parameter selections.
More
specifically, the lottery server
300 transmits a signal to the player communication
device
400 causing the player communication device
400 to display
a prompt on the display
420 requesting that the player enter the player
parameter selections. As noted above, the player preferably enters the player parameter
selections via keypad
430. In an alternative embodiment, the player enters
the player parameter selection via the touch screen on the display
420.
In yet another alternative embodiment, the player parameter selections are previously
stored in a record in the automated session database
600 as identified by
the particular player's player ID in field
510. Alternatively, the player
may enter the player parameter selections via voice commands to communication device
400.
Player parameter selections include both play options and limiting criteria
of play. Play options, as used herein, include any information used to define automated
play. In the present embodiment, play options include the bet per game and time
between games, as stored in fields
670 and
680 of the automated session
database
600. Other play options may include, for example, the type(s) of
lottery game(s) to be played, a time for an outcome to be provided, or an event
that triggers the provision of an outcome. For example, a player might request
an automated play session including only games which had produced the most (or,
alternatively, the fewest) wins in the last hour.
Play options may be used by the player communication device
400 or by
the lottery server
300 to determine how the player wants the lottery information
delivered. For example, a player may desire an electronic "scratch-off" type lottery
ticket to be delivered to the payer via e-mail once per hour during the workday.
According to another embodiment, the player communication device
400 or
the lottery server
300 may automatically play the lottery ticket for the
player, e.g., by revealing or otherwise determining an outcome of the electronic ticket.
A limiting criterion, on the other hand, is any information that may define the
beginning or end of an automated play session. In the present embodiment, limiting
criteria include: start time, end time, requested number of games, credit balance,
total losses, total winnings, and limiting maximum payout. By definition, the expiration
of all available credits/funding for playing will, unless other arrangements are
made in advance with the lottery authority, constitutes a limiting criterion of
play. Similarly, the player may define a specific winning credit value as a limiting
criterion of play (e.g., stop playing if a credit of one thousand dollars is ever registered).
Once the player communication device
400 receives the player preference
selections, the player communication device
400 transmits the information
to lottery server
300. The lottery server
300, as shown in step
830,
proceeds to store the player parameter selections in the appropriate fields in
the automated session database
600.
In addition to storing the player parameter selections, the lottery server
300
assigns an address in RAM
330 to keep current totals of actual limiting
values. An actual limiting value is a value that corresponds to a limiting criterion
of play. More specifically, an actual limiting value is the actual, current total
of a criterion value necessary to determine whether any of the limiting criteria
of play have occurred.
Thus, in the present embodiment, the lottery server
300 assigns an address
in RAM
330 to store the number of outcomes that actually occur during automated
play. Additionally, the server
300 assigns an address in RAM
330
to store the actual amount of losses or winnings during automated play. Both the
actual number of outcomes and the actual amount of winnings or losses may be actual
limiting values.
Furthermore, the current credit balance, which is stored in RAM
330,
may also be an actual limiting value. As described below with reference to steps
845,
850 and
860, these actual limiting values are updated
during automated play and used to determine whether a limiting criterion has occurred.
The lottery server
300 may also assign an address in RAM
330 to
store a time value corresponding to the play option of time between games
580.
Next, in step
835, the automated play session commences. In one embodiment
of the present invention, the commencement of automated play includes the lottery
server
300 transmitting locking data to the player communication device
400. The locking data may be a signal that prevents a player from initiating
a manual play of the player communication device
400.
The lottery server
300 need not transmit locking data. If so, player communication
device
400 is not locked and may be used by any player (including the player
for whom automated play has commenced).
Automated play may commence in various ways. The server
300 may
initiate automated play of a lottery game (or games), as shown in step
840,
if the player has entered a start time
530 as a player parameter selection.
Specifically, the lottery server
300 searches the automated session database
600 and compares the time from the clock
312 to the values stored
in the start time field
530 and the end time field
540. If the internal
clock time is equal to or greater than the value stored in the start time field
530 and less than the value stored in the end time field
540 (if
such a value exists), then the lottery server
300 initiates automated play.
Alternatively, the player may choose to begin automated play immediately
upon entering the player parameter selections other than a start time
530.
In step
845, the lottery server
300, having determined outcome
data,
as descr
