METHOD FOR DRAWING OF A WINNER IN A LOTTERY AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A SET OF SYMBOL SEQUENCES

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for drawing of a winner in a lottery with a prize dividend given in advance, where a number of symbol sequences are created with assistance of a computer in such a way that the symbol sequences are unique and give a statistical number of prize winning number rows among the counters, of which number corresponds to an interval of dividends given in advance. At the generating of the number sequences the number sequence is controlled with regard to on one hand the dividend of winning counters, on the other hand the dividend of not winning counters, whereby the number sequences having to large share of not winning counters being far from winning are sorted out.

Description: Title METHOD FOR DRAWING OF A WINNER IN A LOTTERY AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A SET OF SYMBOL SEQUENCES . TECHNICAL FIELD AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION At conventional lotteries, prize tickets are simply drawn of the total number of lottery tickets, until an in advance given number of prize tickets have been obtained. The result of such drawings is published in form of a lottery prize list. A disadvantage of usual lotteries is that the excitement moment is short lived. Interactive games of bingo type engage the participants considerably more and are therefore experienced as more exciting. A problem at games of bingo type is that the random drawing of numbers gives an unpredictable prize dividend. Indeed, that the prize dividend may be statistically calculated in the long run, but the uncertainty is still very great before each individual drawing. In US-A-4 909 516 an interactive bingo play system is shown, in which the memory of the computer is used for storing all number sequences on the bingo counters. However, the previously known system comprises a push bottom for a bingo ball, which gives a random drawing of the numbers leading to an unpredictable prize dividend. In EP 647 341, a system is shown for drawing of a winner in a lottery, where a number of number sequences is created with assistance of a computer, where every number sequence is unique and has a predetermined number of prize winning number rows. When a winner should be drawn, one of the number sequences created is randomly selected. Thus, this system achieves a prize dividend at games of bingo-type given in advance. TECHNICAL PROBLEM It has turned out, that what is of importance for maintaining and supporting an interest at a game of any type, for example of bingo type, is not the pleasure of a possible winning, but the excitement during the course of the game. As the course of the game is decided, and the game has generated winners and losers, respectively, the winners are obviously satisfied. A more difficult task is to maintain and support the interest of the games to the persons, which have lost. Thus, the object of the invention is to achieve a game, where the excitement and the pleasure is maintained and supported for players loosing in a game round. THE SOLUTION To this object, the invention relates to a method for drawing of a winner in a lottery with a prize dividend given in advance, wherein a set of playing zones are each provided with an unique identification number and a unique playing zone comprising a number of different symbols, the identification number and symbol groups on each lottery ticket are stored in a first register, which is readable by a microprocessor, that a number of symbol sequences are created with assistance of a computer in such a way that the symbol sequences are unique and give a statistical number of prize winning symbol groups among the playing zones, the number of which corresponds to an interval of prize dividends given in advance, said plurality of symbol sequences are stored in a second register, which is readable by a microprocessor, a symbol sequence is selected by a random drawing among the said symbol sequences stored in the second register, the symbol sequence selected is compared by the microprocessor having the symbols groups stored in the first register, the symbol groups of which symbols are comprised in the symbol sequence selected are sorted out by the microprocessor, and the identification numbers on the playing zones having the symbol groups selected with profit are put together, and the symbol group selected is presented, there, at the generating of the symbol sequences (c), a selection of a first number of symbol sequences generated occur, which selection changes the distribution of the number of symbol groups being close to profit in relation to the number symbol groups being far from winning, and that the symbol sequences selected are intended to be stored in the said second register. By the usage of the method proposed game rounds are generated, in which players loosing, in average, are more close to winning at the completing of a game round, without lowering the randomly character of the game, and maintaining an established profit margin. Preferred embodiments of the invention are evident from the accompanying sub claims. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is based on the use of the conventional bingo counter for variation games. In this case, thus, a set of symbols is used consisting of the numbers 1-75. The symbol group arranged at the playing zone, which in this case is constituted by a counter, in this case constituted of number rows according to the following. Normally, a counter comprises 75 numbers distributed in five columns having 15 rows each, with the numbers 1-15 in the first column, 16-30 in the second column, 31-45 in the third column, 46-60 in the fourth column, and 61-75 in the fifth column. However, the invention is not limited to this size, but may be modified concerning the number of rows and columns. Totally, there are 50.625 different ways to combine a bingo counter with 75 numbers in five columns. Each lottery ticket comprises at least one of these counters. It can manageably be appropriate, to use series of for example 10.000 lottery tickets per series. Then, 10.000 bingo-counters of the total number of bingo counters are selected. The counters are each printed and provided with an identification number, so that every lottery ticket in each series has a unique counter, and a unique identification number. If several series are present, for example nine, there are thus 90.000 lottery tickets having nine identical counter series and 90.000 different lottery ticket numbers. Consequently, each ticket lottery number in a series represents a unique counter. The lottery ticket numbers and their respective counters are stored in a first register readable by a microprocessor. Before each drawing the prize plan should be known. It is for example possible to chose that there should be 90 winners per 10.000 lottery tickets. The drawing occurs after completed sale and before the presentation of the drawing result. This presentation may for example occur in the television, in such a way, that it seems as if the drawing, which is of bingo play character, is made in the broadcast moment. Moreover, the presentation may be published in the daily press after the television broadcast. In a second register readable by a microprocessor, a number of symbol sequences in form of number sequences are stored, which comprise 17-20 different numbers between 1 and 75. These number sequences are unique and constructed in such a way, that they give an exact number of winners at the use of 10.000 counters. For satisfying the requirement of randomness, the number of number sequences for example may include 2.000. The drawing occurs by randomly selecting a number sequence among the said 2.000 in the second register. Consequently, it is completely the random sample deciding which 90 counters per series being a prize ticket. After this drawing, a computer run takes place in which the number sequence selected is compared to the counters in the first register. In this way, the prize lottery ticket numbers are selected successively until all prize tickets in all series have been obtained. Now, it is possible to accomplish the presentation of the number sequences selected, for example in live-broadcasting television, in such a way that the public acquires the impression that the drawing, which is of bingo play character, occurs in the broadcast moment. The creation of number sequences occurs by means of the internal random number generator of the computer. Firstly, five lists of random numbers (one per column) are generated having random mutual order of the numbers 1-15 in the first list, 16-30 in the second list, 31-45 in the third list, 46-60 in the fourth list and 61-75 in the fifth list. Subsequently, a random number between one and five is generated. This number determines in which list of random numbers (column) that the last number shall be drawn. Then, an appropriate number of numbers in each of five lists of random numbers are drawn by means of a new random number between 1-15 for each drawing. This random number points onto a position in the actual list of random numbers. This position contains the number that shall be used in the number sequence. In this way, the random number function of the computer is used twice for obtaining a number drawn. Moreover, it is provided that the order among the numbers generated is mixed, so that not all the numbers of the same column appear consecutively. The distribution of numbers of the different columns is made in an appropriate way in relation to the number of winners, for example a drawing of three number in column 1, two numbers in column 2, five numbers in column 3, one number in column 4 and three numbers in column 5, give a total of 90 winners. In this way, each number sequence is generated. Now, the computers are used for going through and ascertain on which number counters there are a horizontal line having five numbers drawn. If the number of prize counters corresponds to the prize dividend given, this number sequence is accepted, in another case it is rejected. In such a way, the accepted number sequences are generated, until the numbers form a statistical distribution number in relation to the number of lottery tickets in each series. At the generating of number sequences, according to the invention, a procedure step also is added, where a selection of the number sequences generated occur, which selection changes the distribution of the number of symbol groups being close to winning in relation to the number of symbol groups being far from winning, and that the number sequences selected are intended to be stored in said second register. In a preferred embodiment, this occurs for each number sequence, the distribution of the number of symbol groups being close to winning and the number of symbol groups being far from a winning are studied, and that the number sequences where the number of symbol groups being far from winning exceeding a predetermined limit value is rejected. In practice, the said selection may occur by means of investigating the prize dividend of the bingo counters for each number sequence so that the number of counters giving four in a row, three in a row, and two in a row, are registered. The number sequences giving a to a low number of counters having four in a row, are rejected. Said selection may either occur after that a first number of number sequences have been generated or in such a procedure step in relation to that a number sequence is generated. In the proposed generating method for number sequences, according to the invention, is ensured by means of on one hand a control- and selection procedure that the number of winning tickets are correct, on the other hand that a control- and selection procedure where the not winning rows are selected, according to a desired pattern. In said control- and selection procedure is decided if the number of winning rows are correct, either by means of that the number of winning rows are exact according to what been desired in the cases that games, where this is possible to calculate mathematically such as at bingo having winning rows or columns, or by means of the number winning rows are within a statistical given interval in games where the exact number can not be calculated such as at bingo having winning diagonals or other symbols. After a finished lottery round, the number sequence selected is erased from the second register. Instead, a new drawing sequence is created in the way described above, so that before each lottery round there is always available the number of sequences, determined in advance, to choose among. The system, according to the invention, is very flexible, and can easily be adapted to various average distributions of prize dividend. In the example of the preferred embodiment, a game of bingo type is described, wherein as symbols, the numbers 1 -75 have been selected. The game may of course be carried out with another set of symbols. In this case, the playing zone is provided with a group a symbols, according to what been indicated above, which may be a selection of the symbol set, or all the occurring symbols of the symbol set, arranged in a particular order. The drawing series, which is manufactured, is denominated symbol sequences in the general case, and these also constitute a random sequence of symbols selected of the set of symbols. As the symbol sequences are applied on the playing zone, a set of winning playing zones and a set of not winning playing zones, is generated for each symbol sequence. Among the playing zones being the not winning, the criteria may be established concerning what constituting far from winning and close to winning. If for example, the game aims at obtaining 5 in a row, it is considered to be closer winning obtaining 4 in a row than 3 in a row. Similar analogies may be performed if the game aims at obtaining a certain number of identical symbols or symbols in a certain order. Thus, each symbols sequence is the cause of a set not winning playing zones having a distribution between the playing zones close to winning and playing zones far from winning. By rejecting the symbol sequences comprising too a high share of playing zones far from winning, a set of symbol sequences having a higher share of not winning playing zones close to winning are obtained. However, these symbol sequences will fulfill the other requirements that each symbol sequence gives a statistical prize dividend within a given interval. The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown but can be varied in a number of ways without departing from the scope of the appended claims. For example, counters having more or fewer numbers than described above can be used.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A method for drawing of a winner in a lottery with a prize dividend given in advance, wherein (a) a set of playing zones are each provided with an unique identification number and a unique play area comprising a number of various symbols in symbol groups (b) the identification number and symbol groups on each playing zone are stored in a first register readable by a microprocessor (c) a number of symbol sequences are created with assistance from a computer in such a way that the symbol sequences are unique and gives a statistical number of prize winning symbol groups among the playing zones, of which number corresponds to an interval of prize dividends given in advance (d) said plurality of symbol sequences are stored in a second register readable by a microprocessor (e) a symbol sequence is selected by a random drawing among the said symbol sequences stored in the second register (f) the symbol sequence selected is compared by the microprocessor having the symbols groups stored in the first register (g) the symbol groups of which symbols are comprised in the symbol sequence selected are sorted out by the microprocessor, and the identification numbers on the playing zones having the symbol groups selected with profit are put together (h) the symbol group selected is presented, characterized in, at the generating of the symbol sequences (c), that a selection of generated symbol sequences generated occur, which selection changes the distribution of the number of symbol groups being close to winning in relation to the number symbol groups being far from winning, and that the symbol sequences selected are intended to be stored in said second register. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in, that said selection of symbol sequences occurs by means of that the fact for each symbol sequence distribution of the number of symbol groups being close to winning and the number of symbol groups being far from winning are determined, and that the symbol sequences where the number of symbol groups being far from winning exceed a predetermined limit value are rejected. 3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in, that the number of prize winning symbol groups for each sequence is determined. 4. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in, that the number of prizewinning symbol groups for each sequence is constituted by a statistical distribution within given intervals. 5. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in, that the numbers arranged on each playing zone are arranged in rows and columns, and that the numbers of the symbol sequence selected is accounted for one-and one in a bingo way. 6. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in, that the first register comprises all possible symbol groups. 7. A method as claimed in claim 1 - 5, characterized in, that the register comprises a number of symbol groups selected. 8. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in, that the second register comprises at least so many symbol sequences, that the symbol sequences form a statistical distribution number in relation to the number of symbol groups. 9. A method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in, that each symbol sequences is created with regard to the number of symbol groups, to the number of winners in the in advance given prize plan, and to how long the symbol sequence shall be to indicate winning rows. 10. A method as claimed in claim 9, whereby a playing zone comprises number 1-75, arranged in five columns, characterized in, that each symbol sequence is created with assistance of the internal random number function of the computer, whereby a number of lists of random numbers are generated corresponding to the number of columns of the playing zone, having a random mutual order of the numbers 1-15 in the first list, 16-30 in the second list, 31-45 in the third list, 46-60 in the fourth list and 61-75 in the fifth list, that a random number between one and five is generated, which number determines in which list of random numbers (column) that the last number shall be drawn, that one to five numbers is drawn in each list of random numbers with assistance of a new random number between 1-15 for each drawing, which random number points onto a position in the actual list of random numbers so that this position contains the number that shall be used in the number sequence. 11. A method as claimed in any of the proceeding claims, characterized in, that said selection of symbol sequences occurs after a first number of symbol sequences have been generated. 12. A method as claimed in the claims 1 - 10, characterized in, that said selection of the symbol sequences occur at the generating of a symbol sequence. 13. A method for generating a set of symbol sequences, where a first set of symbol sequences is generated with assistance of a random process in a computer, where each symbol sequence comprises a sequence of separate symbols, which are randomly selected of a set of symbols, where each symbol sequence at application on a set of playing zones, each showing a symbol group having separate symbols randomly selected of said set of symbols, give a statistical number of prize winning playing zones, of which number correspond to an interval given in advance of prize dividends, where each symbol sequence at the application on said set of playing zones give a statistical number of not prize winning playing zones showing a distribution between playing zones close to winning and playing zones far from winning, where said first set of symbol sequences is stored in a first register, characterized in, that a second set of symbol sequences is generated by means of a selection of the first set of symbol sequences, which selection changes the distribution of the number of playing zones being close to winning in relation to the number of playing zones being far from winning, and that the symbol sequences selected are intended to be stored in a second register. 14. A method as claimed in claim 13, characterized in, that said selection of symbol sequences occurs for each number sequence by determining, the distribution of the number of playing zones of each symbol sequence being close to winning and the number of playing zones being far from winning are determined, and that the symbol sequences where the playing zones being far from winning exceeding a predetermined limit value is rejected. 15. A method as claimed in any of the claims 13 or 14, characterized in, the number of prize winning playing zones for each sequence is determined. 16. A method as claimed in any of the claims 13,14 or 15, characterized in, that the number of prize winning playing zones for each sequence is constituted of a statistical distribution within the given interval.

Inventors: LUNDIN PER, LUNDIN, PER
Applicants: GE SPELUTVECKLING AB, LUNDIN PER, LUNDIN, PER
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A63F3
IPC codes: A63F3