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WO2008038254A2 - Voucher based lottery system and method - Google Patents

Voucher based lottery system and method Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008038254A2
WO2008038254A2 PCT/IB2007/053978 IB2007053978W WO2008038254A2 WO 2008038254 A2 WO2008038254 A2 WO 2008038254A2 IB 2007053978 W IB2007053978 W IB 2007053978W WO 2008038254 A2 WO2008038254 A2 WO 2008038254A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
lottery
voucher
participant
ticket
monetary value
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2007/053978
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2008038254A3 (en
Inventor
Anthony Joseph Jagga
Original Assignee
Anthony Joseph Jagga
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Anthony Joseph Jagga filed Critical Anthony Joseph Jagga
Publication of WO2008038254A2 publication Critical patent/WO2008038254A2/en
Publication of WO2008038254A3 publication Critical patent/WO2008038254A3/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3244—Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
    • G07F17/3248—Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3286—Type of games
    • G07F17/329—Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a voucher based lottery system and method.
  • Typical lottery systems comprise fixed point of sale machines that sell lottery tickets to participants, the lottery tickets comprising at least one set of potential winning numbers. At regular intervals, the actual winning numbers are drawn, and if there is sufficient overlap between the participant's potential winning numbers on his or her ticket and the actual winning numbers, the participant may win money corresponding to the degree of overlap between the numbers.
  • a disadvantage of such systems is that the participant must then physically go to any of the point of sale machines to collect his or her winnings or to purchase the initial lottery ticket. If the winnings are sufficiently high, the inconvenience of going back to the point of sale machine may be considered worthwhile. However, if the winnings are relatively low, then some people may consider the inconvenience of claiming his or her money not worth it, thereby allowing his or her winnings to remain unclaimed.
  • a voucher based lottery system to allow a participant to partake in a lottery, the system comprising:
  • a validator to validate a voucher issued to the participant, the voucher having a voucher identifier and carrying monetary value data representing a monetary value, the validator comprising:
  • a processor to:
  • a user account to reflect the monetary value associated with the voucher if the voucher is validated by the processor
  • a playing module comprising:
  • a database to receive and store at least one set of possible winning numbers from the participant to define a lottery ticket having a playing monetary value
  • a processor to:
  • the system may further comprise at least part of a voucher issuing module to issue a voucher to the participant or to a point of sale that may issue the voucher to a participant.
  • the lottery winnings are determined by receiving notification from the lottery authority of the lottery winnings based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers.
  • the lottery winnings are calculated based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket.
  • the playing module's processor may be arranged to debit the participant's user account when it submits the defined lottery ticket to the lottery authority.
  • the playing module's processor may be further arranged to credit the participant's user account whenever the participant's defined lottery ticket is a winning ticket.
  • the validation data received by the validator's processor is received from a mobile handset of the participant, such as a cellular telephone, the validation data comprising the telephone's telephone number and/or IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity).
  • IMEI International Mobile Equipment Identity
  • the validation data and the voucher identifier received by the validator's processor is received from an Internet- based software module, the validation data comprising a Private Identification Number (PIN) and/or password.
  • PIN Private Identification Number
  • the voucher issuing module may be a Point of Sale (POS) device at a retail outlet.
  • POS Point of Sale
  • the voucher may be issued either as a till voucher from a till or as a scratch card.
  • the processor of the playing module is arranged to either receive manually entered numbers from the participant or to generate random or pseudo-random numbers. These numbers may be presented to a participant, who selects at least some of the random or pseudo-random numbers, which numbers are then transmitted back to the playing module.
  • a validator to validate a voucher with respect to a participant wishing to participate in a voucher based lottery system, the lottery system including a voucher issuing module to issue the voucher to the participant, the voucher having a voucher identifier and carrying monetary value data representing a monetary value, the validator comprising:
  • a processor to: receive from the participant the voucher identifier and validation data to identify the participant;
  • a user account to reflect the monetary value associated with the voucher if the voucher is validated by the processor.
  • a playing module for use within a voucher based lottery system, the playing module comprising:
  • a database to receive and store at least one set of possible winning numbers from a participant wishing to participate in the lottery system, the at least one set of possible winning numbers defining a lottery ticket having a playing monetary value;
  • a processor to:
  • the lottery winnings are determined by receiving notification from the lottery authority of the lottery winnings based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers.
  • the processor may be configured to notify the participant of the winnings, if applicable.
  • the processor may be arranged to debit the participant's user account when it submits the defined lottery ticket to the lottery authority.
  • the processor may be further arranged to credit the participant's user account whenever the participant's defined lottery ticket is a winning ticket.
  • a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating a lottery, the method comprising:
  • the validating step comprising the sub-steps of: receiving from the participant the voucher identifier and validation data to identify the participant;
  • the lottery winnings are determined by receiving notification from the lottery authority of the lottery winnings based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers.
  • the lottery winnings are calculated based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket.
  • the method may include receiving notification of the lottery winnings from the lottery authority.
  • the method may comprise the step of debiting the participant's user account when the defined lottery ticket is submitted to the lottery authority.
  • the method may further comprise the step of crediting the participant's user account whenever the participant's defined lottery ticket is a winning ticket.
  • a method of validating a voucher and participant in a voucher based lottery system including a voucher issuing module to issue the voucher to the participant or to a point of sale which issues the voucher to the participant, the voucher having a voucher identifier and carrying monetary value data representing a monetary value, the method comprising:
  • a method of allowing a participant to participate in a voucher based lottery system comprising: receiving and storing at least one set of possible winning numbers from the participant, the at least one set of possible winning numbers defining a lottery ticket having a playing monetary value;
  • the lottery winnings are determined by receiving notification from the lottery authority of the lottery winnings based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers.
  • the lottery winnings are calculated based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket.
  • Figure 1 shows a voucher based lottery system in accordance with an example embodiment
  • Figure 2 shows a block diagram of different components or modules of the voucher based lottery system of Figure 1 , in accordance with an example embodiment
  • Figure 3 shows a flow diagram of a method for registering a prospective participant of the voucher based lottery system of Figure 1 or 2, in accordance with an example embodiment
  • Figure 4 shows a flow diagram of a method for operating the voucher based lottery system of Figure 1 or 2, in accordance with an example embodiment
  • Figures 5A to 5L show example embodiments of mobile device display screens with messages displayed on each of the display screens, in accordance with an example employment of the voucher based lottery system in order for a participant to partake in a lottery.
  • the system 10 comprises a voucher based lottery system 100 to allow a participant to partake in a lottery.
  • the system 10 allows a participant to partake in a lottery over a communications network 14 by way of a communications device such as a computer 11 connected to the Internet (not shown), a mobile handset, e.g, a cellular or mobile telephone 12, or the like.
  • the communications network 14 may be a cellular telecommunications network, a packet-switched network and may form part of the Internet, a circuit switched network, a public switched data network, or any combination thereof, or the like.
  • the system 10 further comprises a voucher issuing module 102 to issue a voucher to the participant.
  • the voucher has a voucher identifier, which is unique and is preferably generated by a predetermined algorithm of the voucher issuing module.
  • the voucher identifier may preferably be a voucher number which includes checksum values and other values to create a predefined profile of the voucher identifier thereby to determine its validity. Every voucher further carries or has monetary value data that represents a monetary value associated with the voucher.
  • the voucher issuing module 102 may issue a voucher to a participant by first issuing vouchers to a Point of Sale (POS) device at a retail outlet.
  • POS Point of Sale
  • a retailer may purchase a number of vouchers from the lottery system 100 and may then issue vouchers to participants at POS devices of the retail outlets.
  • the voucher may be issued either as a till voucher from a till or as a scratch card.
  • the voucher issuing module 102 may be in communication with the lottery system 100 typically over a communications network, for example the communications network 14. In this way, the lottery system 100 has access to information associated with all vouchers issued thereby at least ameliorating the possibility of fraudulent vouchers being issued. Instead, or in addition, the voucher issuing module 102 may form part of the lottery system 100. It will be appreciated that, where the voucher issuing module 102 forms part of the lottery system 100, a voucher identifier database 120 (shown in Figure 2) may be maintained by the voucher issuing module 102, The voucher identifier database 120 may contain all voucher identifiers, with each voucher identifier having a monetary value associated with the voucher. This voucher identifier database 120 may be accessible to a validator 104 of the lottery system 100, described in more detail below, in order to validate a voucher on submission to the lottery system 100
  • the system 100 may comprise a validator 104 to validate the voucher with respect to the participant.
  • the validator 104 comprises a processor 106 (shown in Figure 2) that is arranged to receive from the participant the voucher identifier with associated monetary value data to validate the voucher and validation data to identify the participant.
  • the voucher identifier database 120 will contain both the voucher identifier and the associated monetary value, it will only be necessary for the participant to submit the voucher identifier to the lottery system.
  • the processor 106 may be one or more microprocessors, controllers, or any other suitable computing device, resource, hardware, software, or embedded logic.
  • the processor 106 may include a communications module (not shown) to receive the voucher identifier and validation data from the participant's cellular telephone 12 or the participant's computer over the communications network 14.
  • the processor 106 may be operable to compare the validation data received from the participant with validation data stored on the participant, in order to validate the participant.
  • the processor 106 may be further be operable to compare the voucher identifier received from the participant with data stored in a predetermined profile associated with the voucher thereby to validate the voucher.
  • Vouchers may, in an example embodiment be issued with values of R5, R10, R20, R50, R100, R200 etc.
  • a person may purchase a voucher and provide the voucher identifier to a third party, for the third party to use the voucher in order to partake in a lottery.
  • a third party may validly submit the voucher in the event that the third party obtains the lost voucher.
  • the validator 104 may be in communication with the voucher issuing module 102 and the associated voucher identifier database 120 thereby enabling the processor 106 to compare the voucher identifier received from a participant with voucher identifiers in the database 120 thereby to identify the participant's voucher as a validly issued voucher and to obtain the associated monetary value data associated with vouchers.
  • the monetary value data may form part of the voucher identifier, in that the voucher identifier includes a code from which the processor 106 may retrieve information, by way of, for example, a decoding algorithm, indicative of the monetary value associated with the issued voucher or the authenticity thereof.
  • the voucher issuing module 102 may make use of an associated algorithm in order to generate the monetary value data for a voucher.
  • the validator 104 may further comprise a user account database 108 comprising user account data of respective participants.
  • the user account data will reflect a change equal to the monetary value associated with a particular voucher if the voucher is validated by the processor 106. It will be noted that every user account stored in the user account database 108 may include a profile of a registered participant.
  • the system 100 further comprises a playing module 110 that in turn comprises a play database 112 (shown in Figure 2) to receive and store at least one set of possible winning numbers from a participant, the at least one set of possible winning numbers defining a lottery ticket having a playing monetary value.
  • a playing module 110 that in turn comprises a play database 112 (shown in Figure 2) to receive and store at least one set of possible winning numbers from a participant, the at least one set of possible winning numbers defining a lottery ticket having a playing monetary value.
  • the validator 104 and "module” in the context of the specification includes an identifiable portion of code, computational or executable instructions, data, or computational object to achieve a particular function, operation, processing, or procedure.
  • a module need not be implemented in software; a module may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. Further, a module may be provided or may reside in the network 14 such that the functionality of each module may be effected from within the network.
  • the play database 112 and the user account database 108 comprising the user account data may be a single database accessed by both the playing module 110 and the validator 104. Alternatively, it may be separate databases that share information.
  • the playing module 110 may further comprise a processor 114 that is arranged to compare the playing monetary value of the defined lottery ticket to the monetary value data associated with the relevant user account of the participant in the user account database accessible by the validator 104.
  • the processor 114 may be one or more microprocessors, controllers, or any other suitable computing device, resource, hardware, software, or embedded logic.
  • the processor 114 may further be arranged to submit the defined lottery ticket to a lottery authority 116 if the monetary value in the participant's user account is sufficient to cover the playing monetary value of the defined lottery ticket.
  • the playing module 110 may be operable to communicate with the lottery authority 116 via a communications network, e.g., the communications network 14 (not shown in Figure 2 for ease of illustration).
  • the processor 114 is arranged to receive the winning numbers for a played lottery from the lottery authority 116 and to determine whether the defined lottery ticket is a winning ticket by comparing the received winning numbers from the lottery authority 116 to the possible winning numbers stored in the playing module's database 112. The processor 114 may determine the lottery winnings if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket. For example, in one example embodiment, the processor 114 may be notified by the lottery authority (or another third party) of the lottery winnings based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket. Alternatively, the processor 114 may calculate the lottery winnings based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers, and the number of overall winners in different lottery winning categories.
  • the user is able to pay and enter the lottery by using his or her user account which is maintained in the user account database 108.
  • the playing module's processor 114 may be arranged to debit the participant's user account when it submits the defined lottery ticket to the lottery authority.
  • the playing module's processor 114 may be further arranged to credit the participant's user account in the database 108 whenever the participant's defined lottery ticket is a winning ticket.
  • the playing module's database 112, as well as the user account database 108, are both arranged to continuously be updated about all participants, their purchases and their credits.
  • the validation data received by the validator's processor 106 is received from a mobile handset 12 of the participant.
  • the validation data may comprise the telephone's MSISDN (Mobile Station Integrated Services Digital Network) or telephone number and/or IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) and/or the telephone's IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) so that the cellular telephone may be uniquely identified during the validation of the voucher.
  • the IMEI a number unique to every GSM and UMTS cellular telephone, may form part of the validation data.
  • the IMEI number is used by the GSM network to identify valid devices and therefore can, for example, be used to stop a stolen phone from accessing the network.
  • the thief would be able to use the money in the participant's user account to partake in a lottery.
  • the participant's mobile handset communicates with the playing module 110 by accessing a mobile communication application which application may, but need not, first be downloaded onto the participant's mobile handset.
  • the validation data received by the validator's processor 106 is received from an Internet-based software module, the validation data comprising a Private Identification Number (PIN) and/or password.
  • the processor 114 of the playing module 110 is arranged to either receive manually entered numbers from the participant or generate random or pseudo-random numbers.
  • the playing module 110 may comprise a random lottery number generator (not shown), that may be configured to generate random or pseudo-random numbers for a lottery on a request (e.g., a QuickPick request) being received from a participant. Once the numbers are generated, they may be presented to the participant that may select all or some of these numbers, which numbers are then transmitted back to the playing module, in order to partake in a lottery.
  • the processor 114 of the playing module 110 may allow the participant to view his/her selected numbers together with the actual winning numbers to see how many numbers were successfully selected. For example, the participant may transmit a request via the participant's mobile handset or computer. In an example embodiment, if there are three or more matching numbers, the participant may be provided with the option of withdrawing the winnings, or alternatively transferring his or her winnings to his or her user account 108 for use in subsequent lotteries. A participant may, for example, be able to withdraw winnings from a POS terminal which issues vouchers. If 5 or 6 numbers match, then the participant may be notified on his/her mobile telephone 12 over the communications network 14 by way of SMS.
  • the playing module's database 112 of entries together with associated lottery winning numbers may be accessible to participants for a predetermined period, e.g., 2 years, and may, e.g., be queried via a user device by any of the participants during this period.
  • a prospective participant may need to first register with the voucher based lottery system so as to define a participant profile.
  • the example methods shown in Figures 3 and 4 may be employed in the system of Figures 1 and 2. However, it is to be appreciated that the example methods may be employed in other systems not described in this application.
  • the method 150 includes capturing, at block 152, identifying information associated with a prospective participant.
  • the identifying information may include at least the MSISDN, IMSI or IMEI number associated with the participant if the participant intends on using his/her mobile device 12 to participate in the lottery.
  • the identifying information may further include the participant's name, address, identification (ID) number, other contact details, or the like.
  • the method 150 may include a step of allocating a unique PIN to the participant, or a step where the participant selects a unique PIN and/or password. Capturing the identifying information may be done through the participants mobile device, online on, for example, a web page or it may be done manually and may include the prospective participant completing a registration form, or the like. Once the identifying information of the prospective participant has been captured, a profile is created for the participant and a user account stored on a user account database 108 is created in the lottery system 100. It will be understood that as soon as the identifying information is captured in the lottery system 100, the participant is deemed to be registered, at block 154. The identifying information captured will be subsequently used to validate the validation data received from the participant.
  • the method 150 may, but need not, include downloading software (not shown) to a participant's mobile telephone 12 or computer, if he/she is making use of the Internet to participate in the lottery, to facilitate the participant partaking in the lottery.
  • the software may enable the participant to submit a voucher identifier, as well as validation data to identify the participant.
  • the software may further enable the participant to select numbers which he/she wishes to play, edit his/her profile, interact in a communication session with the lottery system 100, or the like.
  • a method 200 of operating a lottery comprises issuing a voucher to a participant, as indicated by block 202.
  • the voucher has a voucher identifier and carries monetary value data representing a monetary value.
  • the voucher is issued by the voucher issuing module 102 directly to a user or may be issued by a POS terminal that has purchase vouchers from the lottery system. In these circumstances, the voucher issuing module 102 firs issues the voucher to the POS terminal, which then issues the voucher on to the participant.
  • the method 200 may further comprise validating a participant based on validation data received from the participant, either via the participants mobile device or a computer.
  • This step is indicated by block 203 and is performed, in an example embodiment by the validator 104, in particular the processor 106.
  • This validation step 203 may comprise receiving from the participant, over the communications network 14, validation data that may comprise the IMEI, IMSI and/or MSISDN number of the mobile device, as well as a password and/or PIN of the participant. This validation data is used to validate the participant as a registered participant and to identify the user account associated with the participant.
  • the method 200 may further comprise validating the voucher with respect to a predefined voucher profile by way of the validator 104, in particular the processor 106, as indicated by block 204.
  • the validating step 204 may comprise the sub-steps of receiving from the participant, over the communications network 14, the voucher identifier which is associated with a monetary value data.
  • the voucher identifier may comprise validation data (such as checksum values) to validate the voucher identifier, comparing the voucher identifier to voucher identifiers maintained in a voucher identifier database 120 maintained by the voucher issuing module thereby to verify that the voucher issued is valid and available and also to determine the monetary value associated with the voucher.
  • the method 200 may comprise crediting a user account, at block 206, to reflect the monetary value associated with the voucher. For example, the system will add a monetary value associated with the voucher to the user account of the participant.
  • the method 200 may further comprise receiving and storing in the play database 112 of the playing module 110 at least one set of possible winning numbers from the participant to define a lottery ticket having a playing monetary value, as indicated by block 208.
  • the set of possible winning numbers may be received from a keypad of the participant's mobile telephone 12 or alternately from a keyboard of a participant's computer. Alternatively, the set of possible winning numbers may be randomly generated by the playing module in response to receiving a random number generation request from the participant.
  • software downloaded to the participant's cellular telephone 12 or computer may provide an interface for the participant to enter his/her set of possible winning numbers.
  • the method 200 comprises comparing the playing monetary value of the defined lottery ticket to the monetary value in the user account of the user account database 108, as indicated by block 210.
  • the comparison as described with reference to block 210 is done by the processor 114 of the playing module 110.
  • the method 200 may further comprise submitting the defined lottery ticket to a lottery authority 116 over the communications network 14 if the monetary value in the participant's user account is sufficient to cover the playing monetary value of the defined lottery ticket, as indicated by block 212.
  • the lottery system 100 may include a communication module (not shown) to submit the defined lottery ticket to the lottery authority 116.
  • the method 200 comprises receiving the winning numbers for a played lottery from the lottery authority 116 via the communications network 14, as indicated by block 214, and then determining whether the defined lottery ticket is a winning ticket by comparing the received winning numbers from the lottery authority 116 to the received possible winning numbers, as indicated by block 216. It will be understood that the comparison may be effected by the processor 114 of the playing module 110.
  • the method 200 may terminate by determining the lottery winnings if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket.
  • the lottery winnings may be determined by calculating lottery winnings based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket, as indicated by block 218.
  • the calculation as described with reference to block 218 is effected by the processor 114 of the playing module 110.
  • the processor 114 may be notified by the lottery authority of the lottery winnings based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket.
  • the method may comprise the step of debiting the participant's user account in the user account database 108 when the defined lottery ticket is submitted to the lottery authority 116.
  • the method may further comprise the step of crediting the participant's user account 108 whenever the participant's defined lottery ticket is a winning ticket.
  • Figures 5A to 5L show example embodiments of mobile device display screens with messages displayed on each of the display screens, in accordance with an example employment of the voucher based lottery system in order for a participant to partake in a lottery.
  • a participant enters his cellphone number and a password in order to access the voucher based lottery system of the present invention and/or to partake in a lottery. It will be appreciated that the system 100 may check the participant's IMEI number by intercepting messages transmitted to a mobile operator's network, without the knowledge of the participant.
  • the participant may be provided with options of viewing purchased lottery ticket, lottery draws or to load a monetary value (e.g., "Rands") into a user account of the participant.
  • a monetary value e.g., "Rands”
  • the participant In order to upload the monetary value into the user account the participant enters a voucher identifier or number (shown by Figure 5C), with the system 100 then acknowledging the monetary value of the submitted voucher by transmitting the monetary value to the mobile device of the participant (shown by Figure 5D).
  • the participant is then provided with options on submitting lottery numbers to the system, by either choosing and manually entering numbers (shown by Figures 5E to 5H) or by selecting the option for the system to generate lottery numbers (shown by Figures 51 to 5L).
  • the present invention thus advantageously provides a user account that the participant can conveniently use to play the lottery and to collect all winnings in an easy and convenient manner.

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Abstract

A voucher based lottery system and method to allow a participant to partake in a lottery are provided. A voucher is issued to a participant, the voucher having a voucher identifier and carrying monetary value data representing a monetary value. The voucher and participant are validated by receiving from the participant the voucher identifier and validation data to identify the participant and comparing the voucher identifier against a predefined profile for the voucher. A user account is credited to reflect the monetary value associated with the voucher if the voucher is validated. At least one set of possible winning numbers is received from the participant, which defines a lottery ticket having a playing monetary value. This playing monetary value is compared to the monetary value in the user account and if there are sufficient funds, the lottery ticket is submitted to a lottery authority. The system now determines whether the lottery ticket is a winning lottery ticket and determines the lottery winnings.

Description

VOUCHER BASED LOTTERY SYSTEM AND METHOD
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a voucher based lottery system and method.
Typical lottery systems comprise fixed point of sale machines that sell lottery tickets to participants, the lottery tickets comprising at least one set of potential winning numbers. At regular intervals, the actual winning numbers are drawn, and if there is sufficient overlap between the participant's potential winning numbers on his or her ticket and the actual winning numbers, the participant may win money corresponding to the degree of overlap between the numbers. However, a disadvantage of such systems is that the participant must then physically go to any of the point of sale machines to collect his or her winnings or to purchase the initial lottery ticket. If the winnings are sufficiently high, the inconvenience of going back to the point of sale machine may be considered worthwhile. However, if the winnings are relatively low, then some people may consider the inconvenience of claiming his or her money not worth it, thereby allowing his or her winnings to remain unclaimed.
Individually, these unclaimed winnings may not amount to very much, but collectively and over time, they may represent a relatively substantial amount of money for any one participant.
It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a system and method that can address the need for a winning participant to approach a point of sale machine each and every time he or she has won some money in the lottery, and to address the need to approach a point of sale machine to purchase the lottery tickets SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a voucher based lottery system to allow a participant to partake in a lottery, the system comprising:
a validator to validate a voucher issued to the participant, the voucher having a voucher identifier and carrying monetary value data representing a monetary value, the validator comprising:
a processor to:
receive from the participant the voucher identifier and validation data to identify the participant; and
validate the voucher by comparing the voucher identifier against a predefined profile for the voucher; and
a user account to reflect the monetary value associated with the voucher if the voucher is validated by the processor;
a playing module comprising:
a database to receive and store at least one set of possible winning numbers from the participant to define a lottery ticket having a playing monetary value; and
a processor to:
compare the playing monetary value of the defined lottery ticket to the monetary value of the user account; submit the defined lottery ticket to a lottery authority if the monetary value in the participant's user account is sufficient to cover the playing monetary value of the defined lottery ticket;
receive the winning numbers for a played lottery from the lottery authority;
determine whether the defined lottery ticket is a winning ticket by comparing the received winning numbers from the lottery authority to the possible winning numbers stored in the playing module's database; and
determine the lottery winnings if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket.
The system may further comprise at least part of a voucher issuing module to issue a voucher to the participant or to a point of sale that may issue the voucher to a participant.
Preferably the lottery winnings are determined by receiving notification from the lottery authority of the lottery winnings based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers. Alternatively, the lottery winnings are calculated based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket.
The playing module's processor may be arranged to debit the participant's user account when it submits the defined lottery ticket to the lottery authority. The playing module's processor may be further arranged to credit the participant's user account whenever the participant's defined lottery ticket is a winning ticket.
In an example embodiment, the validation data received by the validator's processor is received from a mobile handset of the participant, such as a cellular telephone, the validation data comprising the telephone's telephone number and/or IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity).
In an alternate example embodiment, the validation data and the voucher identifier received by the validator's processor is received from an Internet- based software module, the validation data comprising a Private Identification Number (PIN) and/or password.
The voucher issuing module may be a Point of Sale (POS) device at a retail outlet. For example, the voucher may be issued either as a till voucher from a till or as a scratch card.
In an example embodiment, the processor of the playing module is arranged to either receive manually entered numbers from the participant or to generate random or pseudo-random numbers. These numbers may be presented to a participant, who selects at least some of the random or pseudo-random numbers, which numbers are then transmitted back to the playing module.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a validator to validate a voucher with respect to a participant wishing to participate in a voucher based lottery system, the lottery system including a voucher issuing module to issue the voucher to the participant, the voucher having a voucher identifier and carrying monetary value data representing a monetary value, the validator comprising:
a processor to: receive from the participant the voucher identifier and validation data to identify the participant; and
validate the voucher by comparing the voucher identifier against a predefined profile for the voucher; and
a user account to reflect the monetary value associated with the voucher if the voucher is validated by the processor.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a playing module for use within a voucher based lottery system, the playing module comprising:
a database to receive and store at least one set of possible winning numbers from a participant wishing to participate in the lottery system, the at least one set of possible winning numbers defining a lottery ticket having a playing monetary value; and
a processor to:
compare the playing monetary value of the defined lottery ticket to a monetary value stored in a user account of the participant;
submit the defined lottery ticket to a lottery authority if the monetary value in the participant's user account is sufficient to cover the playing monetary value of the defined lottery ticket;
receive the winning numbers for a played lottery from the lottery authority;
determine whether the defined lottery ticket is a winning ticket by comparing the received winning numbers from the lottery authority to the possible winning numbers stored in the database; and
be notified by the lottery authority of the lottery winnings based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket; and
determine the lottery winnings if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket.
Preferably the lottery winnings are determined by receiving notification from the lottery authority of the lottery winnings based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers.
The processor may be configured to notify the participant of the winnings, if applicable.
The processor may be arranged to debit the participant's user account when it submits the defined lottery ticket to the lottery authority.
The processor may be further arranged to credit the participant's user account whenever the participant's defined lottery ticket is a winning ticket.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating a lottery, the method comprising:
issuing a voucher to a participant, the voucher having a voucher identifier and carrying monetary value data representing a monetary value;
validating the voucher with respect to the participant, the validating step comprising the sub-steps of: receiving from the participant the voucher identifier and validation data to identify the participant; and
validating the voucher by comparing the voucher identifier against a predefined profile for the voucher;
crediting a user account to reflect the monetary value associated with the voucher if the voucher is validated by the processor;
receiving and storing at least one set of possible winning numbers from the participant to define a lottery ticket having a playing monetary value;
comparing the playing monetary value of the defined lottery ticket to the monetary value in the user account;
submitting the defined lottery ticket to a lottery authority if the monetary value in the participant's user account is sufficient to cover the playing monetary value of the defined lottery ticket;
receiving the winning numbers for a played lottery from the lottery authority;
determining whether the defined lottery ticket is a winning ticket by comparing the received winning numbers from the lottery authority to the received possible winning numbers; and
determining the lottery winnings if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket.
Preferably the lottery winnings are determined by receiving notification from the lottery authority of the lottery winnings based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers. Alternatively, the lottery winnings are calculated based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket.
The method may include receiving notification of the lottery winnings from the lottery authority.
The method may comprise the step of debiting the participant's user account when the defined lottery ticket is submitted to the lottery authority.
The method may further comprise the step of crediting the participant's user account whenever the participant's defined lottery ticket is a winning ticket.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of validating a voucher and participant in a voucher based lottery system, the lottery system including a voucher issuing module to issue the voucher to the participant or to a point of sale which issues the voucher to the participant, the voucher having a voucher identifier and carrying monetary value data representing a monetary value, the method comprising:
receiving from the participant the voucher identifier and validation data to identify the participant;
validating the voucher by comparing the voucher identifier against a predefined profile for the voucher; and
reflecting the monetary value associated with the voucher in a user account associated with the participant if the voucher is validated.
According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of allowing a participant to participate in a voucher based lottery system, the method comprising: receiving and storing at least one set of possible winning numbers from the participant, the at least one set of possible winning numbers defining a lottery ticket having a playing monetary value;
comparing the playing monetary value of the defined lottery ticket to a monetary value stored in a user account of the participant;
submitting the defined lottery ticket to a lottery authority if the monetary value in the participant's user account is sufficient to cover the playing monetary value of the defined lottery ticket;
receiving the winning numbers for a played lottery from the lottery authority;
determining whether the defined lottery ticket is a winning ticket by comparing the received winning numbers from the lottery authority to the possible winning numbers stored in the database; and
determining the lottery winnings if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket.
Preferably the lottery winnings are determined by receiving notification from the lottery authority of the lottery winnings based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers. Alternatively, the lottery winnings are calculated based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:
Figure 1 shows a voucher based lottery system in accordance with an example embodiment;
Figure 2 shows a block diagram of different components or modules of the voucher based lottery system of Figure 1 , in accordance with an example embodiment;
Figure 3 shows a flow diagram of a method for registering a prospective participant of the voucher based lottery system of Figure 1 or 2, in accordance with an example embodiment;
Figure 4 shows a flow diagram of a method for operating the voucher based lottery system of Figure 1 or 2, in accordance with an example embodiment; and
Figures 5A to 5L show example embodiments of mobile device display screens with messages displayed on each of the display screens, in accordance with an example employment of the voucher based lottery system in order for a participant to partake in a lottery.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of an embodiment of the present disclosure. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a system in accordance with an example embodiment is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The system 10 comprises a voucher based lottery system 100 to allow a participant to partake in a lottery. In particular, the system 10 allows a participant to partake in a lottery over a communications network 14 by way of a communications device such as a computer 11 connected to the Internet (not shown), a mobile handset, e.g, a cellular or mobile telephone 12, or the like. In this regard, the communications network 14 may be a cellular telecommunications network, a packet-switched network and may form part of the Internet, a circuit switched network, a public switched data network, or any combination thereof, or the like.
The system 10 further comprises a voucher issuing module 102 to issue a voucher to the participant. In an example embodiment, the voucher has a voucher identifier, which is unique and is preferably generated by a predetermined algorithm of the voucher issuing module. The voucher identifier may preferably be a voucher number which includes checksum values and other values to create a predefined profile of the voucher identifier thereby to determine its validity. Every voucher further carries or has monetary value data that represents a monetary value associated with the voucher. The voucher issuing module 102 may issue a voucher to a participant by first issuing vouchers to a Point of Sale (POS) device at a retail outlet. For example, a retailer may purchase a number of vouchers from the lottery system 100 and may then issue vouchers to participants at POS devices of the retail outlets. For the POS version, the voucher may be issued either as a till voucher from a till or as a scratch card.
The voucher issuing module 102 may be in communication with the lottery system 100 typically over a communications network, for example the communications network 14. In this way, the lottery system 100 has access to information associated with all vouchers issued thereby at least ameliorating the possibility of fraudulent vouchers being issued. Instead, or in addition, the voucher issuing module 102 may form part of the lottery system 100. It will be appreciated that, where the voucher issuing module 102 forms part of the lottery system 100, a voucher identifier database 120 (shown in Figure 2) may be maintained by the voucher issuing module 102, The voucher identifier database 120 may contain all voucher identifiers, with each voucher identifier having a monetary value associated with the voucher. This voucher identifier database 120 may be accessible to a validator 104 of the lottery system 100, described in more detail below, in order to validate a voucher on submission to the lottery system 100
The system 100 may comprise a validator 104 to validate the voucher with respect to the participant. In an example embodiment, the validator 104 comprises a processor 106 (shown in Figure 2) that is arranged to receive from the participant the voucher identifier with associated monetary value data to validate the voucher and validation data to identify the participant. As the voucher identifier database 120 will contain both the voucher identifier and the associated monetary value, it will only be necessary for the participant to submit the voucher identifier to the lottery system.
The processor 106 may be one or more microprocessors, controllers, or any other suitable computing device, resource, hardware, software, or embedded logic. The processor 106 may include a communications module (not shown) to receive the voucher identifier and validation data from the participant's cellular telephone 12 or the participant's computer over the communications network 14. The processor 106 may be operable to compare the validation data received from the participant with validation data stored on the participant, in order to validate the participant. The processor 106 may be further be operable to compare the voucher identifier received from the participant with data stored in a predetermined profile associated with the voucher thereby to validate the voucher. For example, if the participant enters a voucher identifier "34178105" the system would be able to compare this identifier with predetermined profiles of vouchers in the database 120, determine that the voucher identifier is associated with a valid and available voucher and determine that the voucher has a R200 monetary value. Vouchers may, in an example embodiment be issued with values of R5, R10, R20, R50, R100, R200 etc.
It will be appreciated that no validation is done between the participant and the voucher purchased or issued. Therefore, a person may purchase a voucher and provide the voucher identifier to a third party, for the third party to use the voucher in order to partake in a lottery. Alternatively, if a person looses his voucher, a third party may validly submit the voucher in the event that the third party obtains the lost voucher.
As mentioned, the validator 104 may be in communication with the voucher issuing module 102 and the associated voucher identifier database 120 thereby enabling the processor 106 to compare the voucher identifier received from a participant with voucher identifiers in the database 120 thereby to identify the participant's voucher as a validly issued voucher and to obtain the associated monetary value data associated with vouchers.
It will be appreciated that, instead, or in addition, the monetary value data may form part of the voucher identifier, in that the voucher identifier includes a code from which the processor 106 may retrieve information, by way of, for example, a decoding algorithm, indicative of the monetary value associated with the issued voucher or the authenticity thereof. In this regard, the voucher issuing module 102 may make use of an associated algorithm in order to generate the monetary value data for a voucher.
The validator 104 may further comprise a user account database 108 comprising user account data of respective participants. The user account data will reflect a change equal to the monetary value associated with a particular voucher if the voucher is validated by the processor 106. It will be noted that every user account stored in the user account database 108 may include a profile of a registered participant.
In an example embodiment the system 100 further comprises a playing module 110 that in turn comprises a play database 112 (shown in Figure 2) to receive and store at least one set of possible winning numbers from a participant, the at least one set of possible winning numbers defining a lottery ticket having a playing monetary value. At this point it will be understood that the validator 104 and "module" in the context of the specification includes an identifiable portion of code, computational or executable instructions, data, or computational object to achieve a particular function, operation, processing, or procedure. A module need not be implemented in software; a module may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. Further, a module may be provided or may reside in the network 14 such that the functionality of each module may be effected from within the network.
It should be appreciated that the play database 112 and the user account database 108 comprising the user account data may be a single database accessed by both the playing module 110 and the validator 104. Alternatively, it may be separate databases that share information.
The playing module 110 may further comprise a processor 114 that is arranged to compare the playing monetary value of the defined lottery ticket to the monetary value data associated with the relevant user account of the participant in the user account database accessible by the validator 104. The processor 114 may be one or more microprocessors, controllers, or any other suitable computing device, resource, hardware, software, or embedded logic. The processor 114 may further be arranged to submit the defined lottery ticket to a lottery authority 116 if the monetary value in the participant's user account is sufficient to cover the playing monetary value of the defined lottery ticket. In this regard, the playing module 110 may be operable to communicate with the lottery authority 116 via a communications network, e.g., the communications network 14 (not shown in Figure 2 for ease of illustration). In an example embodiment, the processor 114 is arranged to receive the winning numbers for a played lottery from the lottery authority 116 and to determine whether the defined lottery ticket is a winning ticket by comparing the received winning numbers from the lottery authority 116 to the possible winning numbers stored in the playing module's database 112. The processor 114 may determine the lottery winnings if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket. For example, in one example embodiment, the processor 114 may be notified by the lottery authority (or another third party) of the lottery winnings based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket. Alternatively, the processor 114 may calculate the lottery winnings based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers, and the number of overall winners in different lottery winning categories.
Advantageously, the user is able to pay and enter the lottery by using his or her user account which is maintained in the user account database 108. Thus, the playing module's processor 114 may be arranged to debit the participant's user account when it submits the defined lottery ticket to the lottery authority. Similarly, the playing module's processor 114 may be further arranged to credit the participant's user account in the database 108 whenever the participant's defined lottery ticket is a winning ticket. The playing module's database 112, as well as the user account database 108, are both arranged to continuously be updated about all participants, their purchases and their credits.
In an example embodiment, the validation data received by the validator's processor 106 is received from a mobile handset 12 of the participant. In this example, the validation data may comprise the telephone's MSISDN (Mobile Station Integrated Services Digital Network) or telephone number and/or IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) and/or the telephone's IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) so that the cellular telephone may be uniquely identified during the validation of the voucher. In the preferred example embodiment of the invention, the IMEI, a number unique to every GSM and UMTS cellular telephone, may form part of the validation data. The IMEI number is used by the GSM network to identify valid devices and therefore can, for example, be used to stop a stolen phone from accessing the network. Therefore, in the event that only the IMEI number is used by the lottery system and should a participant's mobile phone be stolen, with a thief having access to a participant's password and/or Private Identification Number (PIN) for accessing the lottery system 100, the thief would be able to use the money in the participant's user account to partake in a lottery.
In an example embodiment, the participant's mobile handset communicates with the playing module 110 by accessing a mobile communication application which application may, but need not, first be downloaded onto the participant's mobile handset. In an alternate example embodiment, the validation data received by the validator's processor 106 is received from an Internet-based software module, the validation data comprising a Private Identification Number (PIN) and/or password.
In an example embodiment, the processor 114 of the playing module 110 is arranged to either receive manually entered numbers from the participant or generate random or pseudo-random numbers. For example, the playing module 110 may comprise a random lottery number generator (not shown), that may be configured to generate random or pseudo-random numbers for a lottery on a request (e.g., a QuickPick request) being received from a participant. Once the numbers are generated, they may be presented to the participant that may select all or some of these numbers, which numbers are then transmitted back to the playing module, in order to partake in a lottery.
The processor 114 of the playing module 110 may allow the participant to view his/her selected numbers together with the actual winning numbers to see how many numbers were successfully selected. For example, the participant may transmit a request via the participant's mobile handset or computer. In an example embodiment, if there are three or more matching numbers, the participant may be provided with the option of withdrawing the winnings, or alternatively transferring his or her winnings to his or her user account 108 for use in subsequent lotteries. A participant may, for example, be able to withdraw winnings from a POS terminal which issues vouchers. If 5 or 6 numbers match, then the participant may be notified on his/her mobile telephone 12 over the communications network 14 by way of SMS.
The playing module's database 112 of entries together with associated lottery winning numbers may be accessible to participants for a predetermined period, e.g., 2 years, and may, e.g., be queried via a user device by any of the participants during this period.
Referring to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, and irrespective of whether a prospective participant will be using a mobile telephone 12 or the Internet to participate, a prospective participant may need to first register with the voucher based lottery system so as to define a participant profile. In one example embodiment, the example methods shown in Figures 3 and 4 may be employed in the system of Figures 1 and 2. However, it is to be appreciated that the example methods may be employed in other systems not described in this application.
Turning to Figure 3, a flow diagram of a method 150 of registering a prospective participant in accordance with an example embodiment is shown. The method 150 includes capturing, at block 152, identifying information associated with a prospective participant. The identifying information may include at least the MSISDN, IMSI or IMEI number associated with the participant if the participant intends on using his/her mobile device 12 to participate in the lottery. The identifying information may further include the participant's name, address, identification (ID) number, other contact details, or the like. In order to increase the security associated with the system, in particular should the participant wish to make use of the Internet to participate in the lottery, the method 150 may include a step of allocating a unique PIN to the participant, or a step where the participant selects a unique PIN and/or password. Capturing the identifying information may be done through the participants mobile device, online on, for example, a web page or it may be done manually and may include the prospective participant completing a registration form, or the like. Once the identifying information of the prospective participant has been captured, a profile is created for the participant and a user account stored on a user account database 108 is created in the lottery system 100. It will be understood that as soon as the identifying information is captured in the lottery system 100, the participant is deemed to be registered, at block 154. The identifying information captured will be subsequently used to validate the validation data received from the participant.
In an example embodiment, once the participant is registered, the method 150 may, but need not, include downloading software (not shown) to a participant's mobile telephone 12 or computer, if he/she is making use of the Internet to participate in the lottery, to facilitate the participant partaking in the lottery. In this regard, the software may enable the participant to submit a voucher identifier, as well as validation data to identify the participant. The software may further enable the participant to select numbers which he/she wishes to play, edit his/her profile, interact in a communication session with the lottery system 100, or the like.
Referring now in particular to Figure 2, a method 200 of operating a lottery comprises issuing a voucher to a participant, as indicated by block 202. In an example embodiment, the voucher has a voucher identifier and carries monetary value data representing a monetary value. In an example embodiment, the voucher is issued by the voucher issuing module 102 directly to a user or may be issued by a POS terminal that has purchase vouchers from the lottery system. In these circumstances, the voucher issuing module 102 firs issues the voucher to the POS terminal, which then issues the voucher on to the participant.
The method 200 may further comprise validating a participant based on validation data received from the participant, either via the participants mobile device or a computer. This step is indicated by block 203 and is performed, in an example embodiment by the validator 104, in particular the processor 106. This validation step 203 may comprise receiving from the participant, over the communications network 14, validation data that may comprise the IMEI, IMSI and/or MSISDN number of the mobile device, as well as a password and/or PIN of the participant. This validation data is used to validate the participant as a registered participant and to identify the user account associated with the participant.
The method 200 may further comprise validating the voucher with respect to a predefined voucher profile by way of the validator 104, in particular the processor 106, as indicated by block 204. The validating step 204 may comprise the sub-steps of receiving from the participant, over the communications network 14, the voucher identifier which is associated with a monetary value data. The voucher identifier may comprise validation data (such as checksum values) to validate the voucher identifier, comparing the voucher identifier to voucher identifiers maintained in a voucher identifier database 120 maintained by the voucher issuing module thereby to verify that the voucher issued is valid and available and also to determine the monetary value associated with the voucher.
If the processor 106 validates the voucher, i.e., the voucher is a validly issued voucher, and further identifies that the participant is a registered participant, the method 200 may comprise crediting a user account, at block 206, to reflect the monetary value associated with the voucher. For example, the system will add a monetary value associated with the voucher to the user account of the participant.
The method 200 may further comprise receiving and storing in the play database 112 of the playing module 110 at least one set of possible winning numbers from the participant to define a lottery ticket having a playing monetary value, as indicated by block 208. The set of possible winning numbers may be received from a keypad of the participant's mobile telephone 12 or alternately from a keyboard of a participant's computer. Alternatively, the set of possible winning numbers may be randomly generated by the playing module in response to receiving a random number generation request from the participant. In an example embodiment, software downloaded to the participant's cellular telephone 12 or computer may provide an interface for the participant to enter his/her set of possible winning numbers.
In an example embodiment, the method 200 comprises comparing the playing monetary value of the defined lottery ticket to the monetary value in the user account of the user account database 108, as indicated by block 210. In an example embodiment, the comparison as described with reference to block 210 is done by the processor 114 of the playing module 110.
The method 200 may further comprise submitting the defined lottery ticket to a lottery authority 116 over the communications network 14 if the monetary value in the participant's user account is sufficient to cover the playing monetary value of the defined lottery ticket, as indicated by block 212. The lottery system 100 may include a communication module (not shown) to submit the defined lottery ticket to the lottery authority 116.
In an example embodiment, the method 200 comprises receiving the winning numbers for a played lottery from the lottery authority 116 via the communications network 14, as indicated by block 214, and then determining whether the defined lottery ticket is a winning ticket by comparing the received winning numbers from the lottery authority 116 to the received possible winning numbers, as indicated by block 216. It will be understood that the comparison may be effected by the processor 114 of the playing module 110.
The method 200 may terminate by determining the lottery winnings if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket. For example, and as indicated by block 218, the lottery winnings may be determined by calculating lottery winnings based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket, as indicated by block 218. In an example embodiment, the calculation as described with reference to block 218 is effected by the processor 114 of the playing module 110. Alternatively, the processor 114 may be notified by the lottery authority of the lottery winnings based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket.
The method may comprise the step of debiting the participant's user account in the user account database 108 when the defined lottery ticket is submitted to the lottery authority 116.
The method may further comprise the step of crediting the participant's user account 108 whenever the participant's defined lottery ticket is a winning ticket.
Figures 5A to 5L show example embodiments of mobile device display screens with messages displayed on each of the display screens, in accordance with an example employment of the voucher based lottery system in order for a participant to partake in a lottery.
In Figure 5A a participant enters his cellphone number and a password in order to access the voucher based lottery system of the present invention and/or to partake in a lottery. It will be appreciated that the system 100 may check the participant's IMEI number by intercepting messages transmitted to a mobile operator's network, without the knowledge of the participant.
As shown by Figure 5B, the participant may be provided with options of viewing purchased lottery ticket, lottery draws or to load a monetary value (e.g., "Rands") into a user account of the participant. In order to upload the monetary value into the user account the participant enters a voucher identifier or number (shown by Figure 5C), with the system 100 then acknowledging the monetary value of the submitted voucher by transmitting the monetary value to the mobile device of the participant (shown by Figure 5D). The participant is then provided with options on submitting lottery numbers to the system, by either choosing and manually entering numbers (shown by Figures 5E to 5H) or by selecting the option for the system to generate lottery numbers (shown by Figures 51 to 5L).
The present invention thus advantageously provides a user account that the participant can conveniently use to play the lottery and to collect all winnings in an easy and convenient manner.

Claims

1. A voucher based lottery system to allow a participant to partake in a lottery, the system comprising:
a validator to validate a voucher issued to the participant, the voucher having a voucher identifier and carrying monetary value data representing a monetary value, the validator comprising:
a processor to:
receive from the participant the monetary identifier and validation data to identify the participant; and
to validate the voucher by comparing the voucher identifier against a predefined profile for the voucher; and
a user account to reflect the monetary value associated with the voucher if the voucher is validated by the processor;
a playing module comprising:
a database to receive and store at least one set of possible winning numbers from the participant to define a lottery ticket having a playing monetary value; and
a processor to:
compare the playing monetary value of the defined lottery ticket to the monetary value of the user account; submit the defined lottery ticket to a lottery authority if the monetary value in the participant's user account is sufficient to cover the playing monetary value of the defined lottery ticket;
receive the winning numbers for a played lottery from the lottery authority;
determine whether the defined lottery ticket is a winning ticket by comparing the received winning numbers from the lottery authority to the possible winning numbers stored in the playing module's database; and
determine the lottery winnings if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket.
2. A voucher based lottery system as claimed in claim 1 , which comprises at least part of a voucher issuing module to issue a voucher to the participant or to a point of sale that issues the voucher to the participant.
3. A voucher based lottery system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the lottery winnings are determined by receiving notification from the lottery authority of the lottery winnings based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers.
4. A voucher based lottery system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the lottery winnings are calculated based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers.
5. A voucher based lottery system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the playing module's processor is arranged to debit the participant's user account when it submits the defined lottery ticket to the lottery authority.
6. A voucher based lottery system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to
5, wherein the playing module's processor is arranged to credit the participant's user account whenever the participant's defined lottery ticket is a winning ticket.
7. A voucher based lottery system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the validation data received by the validator's processor is received from a mobile handset of the participant, the validation data comprising the telephone's telephone number and/or IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) and/or a Private Identification Number (PIN) and/or password.
8. A voucher based lottery system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to
6, wherein the validation data received by the validator's processor is received from an Internet-based software module, the validation data comprising a Private Identification Number (PIN) and/or password.
9. A voucher based lottery system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the voucher is issued from a Point of Sale (POS) device at a retail outlet.
10. A voucher based lottery system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the voucher is issued as a till voucher.
11. A voucher based lottery system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the voucher is issued as a scratch card.
12. A voucher based lottery system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor of the playing module is arranged to either receive manually entered numbers from the participant or generate random or pseudo-random numbers.
13. A validator to validate a voucher and a participant wishing to participate in a voucher based lottery system, the lottery system including a voucher issuing module to issue the voucher to the participant, the voucher having a voucher identifier and carrying monetary value data representing a monetary value, the validator comprising:
a processor to:
receive from the participant the voucher identifier and validation data to identify the participant; and
validate the voucher by comparing the voucher identifier against a predefined profile for the voucher; and
a user account to reflect the monetary value associated with the voucher if the voucher is validated by the processor.
14. A playing module for use within a voucher based lottery system, the playing module comprising:
a database to receive and store at least one set of possible winning numbers from a participant wishing to participate in the lottery system, the at least one set of possible winning numbers defining a lottery ticket having a playing monetary value; and
a processor to:
compare the playing monetary value of the defined lottery ticket to a monetary value stored in a user account of the participant; submit the defined lottery ticket to a lottery authority if the monetary value in the participant's user account is sufficient to cover the playing monetary value of the defined lottery ticket;
receive the winning numbers for a played lottery from the lottery authority;
determine whether the defined lottery ticket is a winning ticket by comparing the received winning numbers from the lottery authority to the possible winning numbers stored in the database; and
determine the lottery winnings if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket.
15. A playing module as claimed in claim 14, wherein the lottery winnings are determined by receiving notification from the lottery authority of the lottery winnings based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers.
16. A playing module as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the processor is configured to notify the participant of the lottery winnings, if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket.
17. A playing module as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the processor is arranged to debit the participant's user account when it submits the defined lottery ticket to the lottery authority.
18. A playing module as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the processor is arranged to credit the participant's user account whenever the participant's defined lottery ticket is a winning ticket.
19. A method of operating a lottery, the method comprising:
issuing a voucher to a participant, the voucher having a voucher identifier and carrying monetary value data representing a monetary value;
validating the voucher with respect to the participant, the validating step comprising the sub-steps of:
receiving from the participant the voucher identifier and validation data to identify the participant; and
validating the voucher by comparing the voucher identifier against a predefined profile for the voucher;
crediting a user account to reflect the monetary value associated with the voucher if the voucher is validated by the processor;
receiving and storing at least one set of possible winning numbers from the participant to define a lottery ticket having a playing monetary value;
comparing the playing monetary value of the defined lottery ticket to the monetary value in the user account;
submitting the defined lottery ticket to a lottery authority if the monetary value in the participant's user account is sufficient to cover the playing monetary value of the defined lottery ticket;
receiving the winning numbers for a played lottery from the lottery authority; determining whether the defined lottery ticket is a winning ticket by comparing the received winning numbers from the lottery authority to the received possible winning numbers; and
determining the lottery winnings if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket.
20. A method of operating a lottery as claimed in claim 19, wherein the lottery winnings are determined by receiving notification from the lottery authority of the lottery winnings based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers.
21. A method of operating a lottery as claimed in claim 19, wherein the lottery winnings are determined by calculating lottery winnings based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers.
22. A method of operating a lottery as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 21 , the method comprising the step of debiting the participant's user account when the defined lottery ticket is submitted to the lottery authority.
23. A method of operating a lottery as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 22, the method comprising the step of crediting the participant's user account whenever the participant's defined lottery ticket is a winning ticket.
24. A method of validating a voucher and participant in a voucher based lottery system, the lottery system including a voucher issuing module to issue the voucher to the participant, the voucher having a voucher identifier and carrying monetary value data representing a monetary value, the method comprising: receiving from the participant the voucher identifier and validation data to identify the participant;
validating the voucher by comparing the voucher identifier against a predefined profile for the voucher; and
reflecting the monetary value associated with the voucher in a user account associated with the participant if the voucher is validated.
25. A method of allowing a participant to participate in a voucher based lottery system, the method comprising:
receiving and storing at least one set of possible winning numbers from the participant, the at least one set of possible winning numbers defining a lottery ticket having a playing monetary value;
comparing the playing monetary value of the defined lottery ticket to a monetary value stored in a user account of the participant;
submitting the defined lottery ticket to a lottery authority if the monetary value in the participant's user account is sufficient to cover the playing monetary value of the defined lottery ticket;
receiving the winning numbers for a played lottery from the lottery authority;
determining whether the defined lottery ticket is a winning ticket by comparing the received winning numbers from the lottery authority to the possible winning numbers stored in the database; and
determining the lottery winnings if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket.
26. A method of allowing a participant to participate in a voucher based lottery system according to claim 25, wherein the lottery winnings are determined by receiving notification from the lottery authority of the lottery winnings based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers.
27. A method of allowing a participant to participate in a voucher based lottery system according to claim 25, wherein the lottery winnings are calculated based on the overlap between the received and possible winning numbers if the defined lottery ticket is deemed to be a winning ticket.
PCT/IB2007/053978 2006-09-29 2007-10-01 Voucher based lottery system and method WO2008038254A2 (en)

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