BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to transactions and, more specifically, to interactive transactions such as games and tests.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Interactive transactions, as used herein, are transactions between a controlling authority and a user. A typical interactive transaction involves the user participating in a game, test, or the like, and transmitting information, regarding, e.g., play of a game or answers to questions on a test, to the controlling authority. The controlling authority then transmits information to the user related to the user's information that is used in the transaction. For example, the controlling authority could transmit to the user information necessary for the user to receive a prize or information as to the scoring of a test. Examples of interactive transactions include games played over a communications network (such as the Internet and telephone networks) and tests that are taken at one location and scored remotely via a communications network.

One type of interactive game is a player-activated lottery, in which a player purchases a lottery ticket and then interacts with the lottery controlling authority to activate the ticket. This type of game offers the advantage of allowing the player to purchase a ticket at one time and then activate the ticket at a later time. For example, the user could purchase a ticket at a time when the lines are relatively short and then wait until a lottery jackpot has accumulated a substantial prize to activate a ticket. To play the game, the user purchases a ticket and communicates with a controlling authority to activate the ticket. In the communication, the user indicates the date on which he wishes to play the ticket and the numbers that he wishes to play.

Existing systems for interactive lottery have several disadvantages, including the disadvantage of being unpopular with lottery ticket retailers. This is because the retailer is unnecessary to play the ticket so that the retailer may be bypassed in the lottery process. Also, most existing systems for interactive lottery require the user to purchase the ticket with a credit card. However, such purchases are illegal in most states.

Another type of interactive game is an interactive game of skill. Most existing interactive games have the disadvantage of lacking efficient mechanisms for administering the games. Furthermore, existing systems have the disadvantage of not having an effective method of distributing interactive games via retailers and the disadvantage of not being able to award prizes through local retailers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention which, in one aspect, is a method of administering an interactive transaction. A plurality of play spots is printed on each ticket of a plurality of tickets. Each play spot has a value selected from a set of values and the values of the play spots are distributed randomly on the tickets. Thus, the distribution makes it impossible to predict the values of the play spots on a given ticket of the plurality of tickets based on knowledge of the values of play spots of other tickets of the plurality of tickets. Each of the plurality of play spots is covered with a removable medium and a unique identifier is placed on each ticket. A record of the unique identifier and of the values of the play spots for each ticket are stored in a database. If a determination has been made indicating that a user has properly obtained a distributed ticket, then the record of the unique identifier corresponding to the distributed ticket is flagged to indicate that the distributed ticket may be activated. If a communication has been received from the user that identifies the distributed ticket, then interactive data is received from the user; the user is instructed to uncover a preselected set of play spots by removing the removable medium; and the record of the unique identifier corresponding to the distributed ticket is flagged to indicate that the distributed ticket has been activated.

In another aspect, the invention is a ticket for administering an interactive lottery game. The ticket includes a substrate and a first plurality of play spots printed on the substrate. Each play spot shows one of a plurality of lottery play values and is covered with a removable covering. Each removable covering includes a symbol that is not related to the lottery play value being covered and that uniquely identifies the play spot. The ticket also includes a second plurality of play spots printed on the substrate wherein each shows one component of a date so that each of a plurality of combinations of play spots of the second plurality of play spots identifies a different date. The second plurality of play spots includes sufficient play spots to identify each date included in a preselected range of dates. The ticket also includes a scanable identifier that uniquely identifies the ticket.

Yet another aspect of the invention is a ticket for administering an interactive game. The ticket includes a plurality of play spots printed on a substrate. Each play spot shows a result of a user's play of a game and is covered with a removable covering. Each removable covering includes a symbol that is not related to the result being covered and uniquely identifies the play spot. The ticket also includes a scanable identifier that uniquely identifies the ticket and an electronic address printed on the substrate that indicates a point of contact that a user would access to participate in an interactive game.

Yet another aspect of the invention is a method of authenticating a ticket. A plurality of verification spots is printed on each of a plurality of tickets. Each verification spot has a value and the values of the verification spots are randomly distributed on the plurality of tickets, thereby making it impossible to predict the values of verification spots on a given ticket based on knowledge of the verification spots on other tickets of the plurality of tickets. Each of the plurality of verification spots is covered with a removable medium and a unique identifier is placed on each ticket. A first record of the unique identifier on each ticket and a second record of each of a selected set of values of the verification spots on each ticket are stored in a database. The second record is associated with the first record for each ticket. A selected ticket is distributed to a user and the user is instructed to remove the removable medium covering a set of verification spots on the selected ticket corresponding to a verification code. The unique identifier on the selected ticket and the exposed verification code on the ticket are input into a computer as part of a verification process. The verification code is compared to the second record of the selected set of values of the verification spots associated with the first record of the unique identifier corresponding to the unique identifier on the selected ticket. If the comparing step indicates that the verification code is identical to the selected set of values, then the it is indicated that the selected ticket has been successfully authenticated, otherwise it is indicated that the selected ticket has not been successfully authenticated.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings. As would be obvious to one skilled in the art, many variations and modifications of the invention may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

is a schematic diagram showing the interrelationship between the various entities that use one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2

is a flowchart showing the steps performed by the issuing entity in using one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3

is a flowchart showing the steps performed by a user of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4

is a front view of a lottery ticket that is usable in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5

is a front view of an interactive game ticket that is usable in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6

is a front view of a test score card-type ticket that is usable in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7

is a front view of a ticket that shows a verification code.

FIG. 8

is a flow chart showing the steps performed in verifying a ticket.

FIG. 9

is a front view of an interactive game ticket that embodies a game show format.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the invention is now described in detail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughout the claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise: the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” Also, as used herein, lottery means an event involving chance in which a prize is awarded and the ability to play is based on receipt of consideration. Sweepstakes means an event involving chance in which a prize is awarded, but in which there in no receipt of consideration in exchange for being allowed to play.

As shown in

FIG. 1

, the present invention employs a system

100

of several different interrelated entities. A controlling authority

120

(e.g., a lottery ticket issuing organization) generates and administers a plurality of tickets used in games or as score cards. The controlling authority

120

maintains a database

122

containing a record of each ticket. When the controlling authority

120

prints a ticket

124

, it stores an unique identification of the ticket in the database

122

. The controlling authority

120

issues

170

the ticket to a distributor

140

(e.g., a convenience store that sells lottery tickets), who then distributes

172

the ticket to a user

160

. It should be noted that, although in this figure the controlling authority

120

is shown as a single entity, it could actually comprise several different entities, with each performing a separate function.

As part of the distribution process, the distributor

140

communicates

174

with the controlling authority

120

to indicate that the ticket has been properly distributed to a user

160

. This communication

174

may be done using a scanning device, such as a bar code reader, a mag stripe reader or other devices that are capable of reading an identifier on a ticket and communicating with the controlling authority

120

. (It should be noted that while the present invention will work especially well with electronic devices, such as bar code scanners, other forms of communication, such as voice communication over the telephone, are possible, without departing from the scope of the invention.) The controlling authority

120

then flags

126

the record in the database

122

corresponding to the ticket, thereby indicating that the ticket may be played.

In an alternate embodiment, the controlling authority

120

may directly indicate that a ticket, or group of tickets, has been properly distributed to a user

160

(or group of users). In this scenario, tickets could be directly distributed to the user

160

and the controlling authority

120

would directly update the database

122

to reflect that the tickets are authorized to be played by the user

160

. Such pre-authorized tickets could also be transferred to the distributor

140

, who then distributes them to the user

160

. One illustrative example of direct distributing would occur when tickets are distributed as part of a promotional activity.

The user

160

communicates

176

with the controlling authority

120

to use the ticket. This communication could be conducted over a telephone line, using voice prompts, via the Internet or over any other communication system in which two parties can communicate (e.g., cellular networks, broadband, direct satellite, etc.). The user

160

first communicates the unique identification of the ticket and then sends data relative to play of the game. The controlling authority flags

126

the record in the database

122

corresponding to the ticket to indicate that the ticket has been played and may not be played again. The controlling authority

120

also transmits data to the user

160

including instructions as to how to modify the ticket so that it will reflect the data relative to play sent by the user

160

. As part of this process, the controlling authority

120

will modify the record corresponding to the ticket in the database

122

to record

126

any play data exchanged between the user

160

and the controlling authority

120

. Such play data could include, for example, such things as lottery play numbers chosen by the user

160

, moves made during an interactive game or answers to a test. Typically, the controlling authority

120

will associate a record of the data sent by the user

160

with a record of the ticket in the database

122

.

The user

160

will then have the played ticket authenticated

128

by the controlling authority

120

. This could be accomplished by directly contacting

182

the controlling authority

120

if the controlling authority

120

had remote terminals for ticket authentication. It could also be done by taking the ticket

178

to the distributor

140

for authentication. In this case, the distributor

140

contacts

180

the controlling authority

120

, identifies the ticket and indicates how the ticket has been modified by the user

160

. If the modifications correspond to the record of the ticket in the database

122

, then the controlling authority will indicate that the ticket has been authenticated. If the modification to the ticket indicates that the user

160

is eligible for a prize, then the distributor

140

will issue the prize to the user

160

and the controlling authority will reimburse

180

the distributor

140

for the value of the prize. If the system employs the direct method of authentication

182

, then the controlling authority

120

will issue the prize directly

128

.

As shown in

FIG. 2

, the flow of operations

200

from the controlling authority's perspective begins with the printing of a ticket

210

. Printed on the ticket is a plurality of play spots, with each play spot including some sort of symbol, such as a number. Also placed on the ticket is a unique identifier. A record of the unique identifier is recorded

212

in a database and the play spots are covered

214

with a removable medium. Examples of the removable media include: scratchable latex coverings, pull tabs and peel-off labels. Then the ticket is delivered

216

to the distributor.

The controlling authority waits until the distributor has indicated

218

that the ticket has been properly obtained by a user. Once this has happened, the controlling authority updates the database by flagging

220

the record corresponding to the ticket to indicate that the ticket may be activated by the user.

The controlling authority then waits until it has been contacted by the user

222

. When the user contacts the controlling authority, the controlling authority first receives the unique identifier from the user. This could be in response to a voice prompt via telephone or a text prompt via a computer network. It is conceivable that the user's computer could be equipped with a device, such as a bar code scanner or mag stripe reader, that reads the unique identifier directly from the ticket and transmits the information contained therein directly to the controlling authority.

Once the ticket has been properly identified, the controlling authority accesses the record of the ticket in the database to verify that the ticket has been flagged as having been properly obtained by the user from the distributor. If so, the controlling authority receives

224

interactive data from the user. This data could take the form of an indication of which lottery numbers that the user desires to play and the desired play date of the ticket. It could also take the form of indications of desired moves in an interactive game, such as an on-line board game, where the user interacts with other players or a virtual computer-based opponent in a game of skill.

Once the controlling authority has received all of the interactive data, the controlling authority indicates

226

to the user the play spots that are to be uncovered resulting from the receipt of the interactive data. For example, in the case of a lottery, the controlling authority would indicate to the user the play spots corresponding to the chosen lottery play numbers and the date that the ticket is to be played. In the interactive game example, the controlling authority would instruct the user to uncover the play spots that would indicate such things as the user's score or the prize won by the user.

Once the ticket has been played by the user, the controlling authority records

228

in the database an indication that the ticket may no longer be played.

As shown in

FIG. 3

, the flow of operations

300

from the user's perspective begins with the user purchasing

310

, or otherwise properly obtaining, a ticket. In an alternate example of properly obtaining a ticket, the user could receive the ticket and then go to a distributor and have it activated for a preselected fee. In another example, the ticket could be issued to the user for free as part of a promotional activity.

Once the user has properly obtained the ticket, the controlling authority is contacted

312

and an indication of the unique identifier is transmitted

314

to the controlling authority. This may be done verbally, if the controlling authority employs an operator or uses a voice response unit, or electronically. An example of an electronic embodiment uses the key-pad of a telephone or a computer-based data transmission.

The user then provides

316

the interactive data to the control authority. Then the user removes the play spot coverings

318

in accordance with the instructions of the control authority. If the ticket has a redemption value

322

, for example if the user wins a prize, then the user redeems the ticket

324

, otherwise the user disposes of or stores

320

the ticket.

As shown in

FIG. 4

, a ticket

400

for a “lottery on command” game would have printed thereon the title

410

of the game, instructions

412

on to how to play the game, a plurality of game number play spots

420

, a plurality of activation date play spots

430

, and a unique identifier

440

. A plurality of verification play spots

450

and an indication

414

of the cost of the ticket may also be included.

Initially, all play spots are covered. The removable covering of a covered play spot

422

of the plurality of game number play spots

420

has printed thereon a symbol

428

that identifies the play spot, but that may not correspond directly to the value of the play spot. An uncovered play spot

424

would show the lottery number

426

that the user desires to play using the ticket

400

. To improve security, the numbers

426

of the plurality of play spots

420

may be randomly distributed from ticket to ticket so that the user cannot tell where the play spots are on any given ticket based on the user's knowledge of the location of play spots on other tickets.

The activation date play spots

430

would include month identifying play spots

432

, day identifying play spots

434

, and, possibly, year identifying play spots

436

. The date play spots may also be randomly distributed from ticket to ticket and covered with arbitrary symbols, to reduce claims by the user that the ticket was played on a different date than that originally chosen by the user. In the example shown, the uncovered month play spot

433

shows “December” and was covered with the symbol “M4,” the uncovered day play spot

435

shows “23” and was covered with the symbol “D9” and the uncovered year play spot

437

shows “2001” and was covered with the symbol “Y2.” Thus, if the user desired to play the ticket

400

on “Dec. 23, 2001,” then the controlling authority would instruct him to remove the covering of play spots “M4,” “D9” and “Y2.”

The unique identifier

440

would include a readable identification number

442

and may also include a machine readable code, such as a bar code

444

or a magnetic stripe (not shown). Depending on the embodiment, one or both of these types of uniquely identifying the ticket

400

would be employed.

As shown in

FIG. 5

, a ticket

500

for an interactive game of skill would have printed thereon the title

510

of the game, instructions

512

on to how to play the game, a plurality of play spots

520

, and a unique identifier

540

. As shown in this embodiment, the unique identifier could include a covered registration number

544

for added security. A plurality of verification play spots

550

and an indication

514

of the cost of the ticket may also be included.

Initially, all play spots are covered. The removable covering of a covered play spot

522

has printed thereon a symbol

528

that identifies the play spot, but that may not correspond directly to the value of the play spot. An uncovered play spot

524

would show the value

526

that would correspond to the results of the user's play of the interactive game. In one example, the value

526

would show a point score awarded to the user, with such a point score corresponding to a prize level shown in a prize legend

560

printed on the ticket. In the example shown, if the user's play resulted in an award of 200 points, then the user would be eligible for a prize corresponding to prize level 1. This could be one predetermined prize (e.g., a cash prize) or the system could allow the user to select from a group of prizes having similar values (e.g., a cash prize, a consumer product, or a service, etc.). Alternately, the value

526

could directly recite a prize won by the user. As in the lottery embodiment, the values

526

of the plurality of play spots

520

may be randomly distributed from ticket to ticket so that the user cannot tell where the play spots are on any given ticket based on the user's knowledge where the play spots are on other tickets.

As shown in

FIG. 6

, a ticket

600

to be used as a test scorecard would have printed thereon the title

610

of the scoring system, instructions

612

on to how to take a test using the scorecard

600

, a plurality of answer play spots

620

, and a unique identifier

640

, which could include a bar code

642

and a readable registration number

644

. A plurality of verification play spots

650

may also be included.

Each row of answer play spots

620

is preceded by a printed identifier of the question number

638

that corresponds to the question that the row contains an answer thereto. The removable covering of a covered answer play spot

622

has printed thereon a symbol

628

that identifies the answer play spot, but that does not correspond directly to the value of the play spot so that the user does not know what covered play spot corresponds to a given answer until instructed to uncover the play spot by the control authority. An uncovered play spot

624

would show the value

626

of the answer submitted by the test taker in answer to a question. (For example, it could give an immediate indication of whether the answer is correct or incorrect.) The numbers

626

of the plurality of play spots

620

are randomly distributed from ticket to ticket so that the user cannot tell where the play spots are on any given ticket based on the user's knowledge where the play spots are on other tickets.

Although the examples of tickets disclosed in

FIGS. 4-6

show the values of play spots being designated by numbers, it will be readily appreciated that the values of play spots could be designated using other symbols without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, such values could be designated using letters, decorative symbols (e.g., stars, hearts, diamonds, etc.), words or combinations thereof.

The verification system embodiment is shown in FIG.

7

. In this embodiment, a ticket

700

is printed with information

702

, which could include text or play spots, and a unique identifier

740

, which could include a bar code

742

and a readable registration number

744

.

A plurality of verification play spots

750

are also included. The verification play spots are initially covered

752

with a removable covering that has a symbol

758

printed thereon. Once the user completes an operation, the controlling authority instructs him to remove the covering of a preselected set of the play spots

750

. The uncovered play spots

754

would then show a code

756

(the code

756

being the combination of values of all of the uncovered play spots

754

) that could be entered into a computer system and that would correspond to the unique identifier

740

, either directly (e.g., showing the last four digits of the registration number

744

) or associatively in the database. This would allow quick and secure verification of the authenticity of the ticket

700

by the controlling authority.

The computer could determine if the authenticity of the code

756

in several ways. For example, the computer could store a predetermined authentication code for each ticket in the database. Thus, verification is a simple matter of finding the record corresponding to the unique identifier

740

, retrieving the predetermined code and comparing it to the code

756

. This embodiment provides a high level of security, but has the overhead relating to the controlling authority being accessed every time that the ticket

700

is authenticated.

In another example of authentication, the code

756

is a preselected set of digits of the registration number and one merely compares these digits to the code

756

to verify the ticket

700

. This method would allow verification of the ticket by sight and, thus, would involve lower overhead for tickets that are repeatedly authenticated. However, this method might be more vulnerable to forgery and, therefore, would be recommended when the likelihood or consequences of forgery are relatively low.

In yet another example, the code

756

is algorithmicly determined by a computer. Such a method would employ an algorithm that would calculate the value of the code

756

based on such values as: the registration number, the date of play, etc. Many different algorithms known to computer science could be employed (e.g., hashing, enciphering, arithmetic, etc.). This method would allow a high level of security and remote verification without the necessity of connecting to the controlling authority every time a verification is to be made. This method would be recommended when authenticating tickets using a remote terminal that is not usually connected to the controlling authority at the time of authentication.

While the verification embodiment of the invention would improve the security of interactive games, it could also be used to verify tickets used in many other applications. In one example that is unrelated to interactive games, the ticket

700

could be attached to aircraft parts and the verification system could be used to verify that a given part has properly passed an inspection. In another example, the ticket

700

could be used to control access to a limited access event, such as a college admissions test.

FIG. 8

shows one embodiment of the system

800

employed in the verification process. When the ticket is printed, a record of the unique identifier printed thereon is stored

810

in a database, along with an associated record of a verification code. At the time that the ticket is to be activated, the user is instructed

812

to remove a preselected set of play spots corresponding to the verification code. When it is necessary to verify the authenticity of the ticket, the controlling authority is contacted with information concerning both the unique identifier and the exposed verification code play spots. The system compares

814

the exposed verification play spots to the verification code associated with the unique identifier of the ticket and determines

816

whether the verification code corresponds to the exposed play spots. If they correspond, the system indicates

818

that the ticket has been successfully authenticated. Otherwise, the system indicates

820

that the ticket has not been successfully authenticated.

As shown in

FIG. 9

, an embodiment configured to play an interactive television game show, or interactive televised program, includes a ticket

900

having a game identifier

910

and game instructions

912

printed thereon. A plurality of play spots

920

and a plurality of date registration spots

930

are also printed on the ticket. Also included on the ticket

900

is a plurality of verification spots

950

, a scanable identifier (such as a bar code

940

) and a registration number

944

. To play this embodiment, the user uncovers the registration number

944

, logs onto the controlling authority's web site and indicates the desired date to play the game. The controlling authority then instructs the user to uncover the group of date registration spots

930

corresponding to the desired date of play and one or more of the verification spots

950

. Once the ticket has been registered, the user watches the televised game show on the date indicated on the ticket. The controlling authority instructs the user via the televised game show to uncover one or more of the play spots

920

, such instructions might relate directly to the results of play of the televised game show. Values of the uncovered play spots determine any prize that may be awarded to the user. This embodiment could be employed in a game of chance, or it could also be used in an interactive game of skill.

Another embodiment of the invention is a prepaid game card. In this embodiment, a user purchases a ticket for a selected amount of money, the controlling authority would record the amount paid for the ticket in and associate it with the unique identifier of the ticket. Then, the user could choose to play all or part of the value of the ticket at the time of the user's choosing. In one example of a lottery embodiment, the user could buy the ticket for $5.00 and at a later date decide to play three $1.00 lottery tickets. The user would contact the controlling authority and indicate that he wished to play three tickets. The controlling authority would then activate three plays for the user and deduct three dollars from the value of the ticket. At a later time, the user could purchase two more $1.00 plays and the controlling authority would execute the same process, but would then deactivate the ticket. It should be noted that this embodiment of the invention does not require a physical ticket. It could be embodied, for example, as an on-line virtual ticket. The only thing necessary is that the user know the unique identifier of the ticket.

The above described embodiments are given as illustrative examples only. It will be readily appreciated that many deviations may be made from the specific embodiments disclosed in this specification without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the claims below rather than being limited to the specifically described embodiments above.