Abstract:
A method of facilitating lottery players in tying lottery tickets together to improve the players&#39; chances of winning by determining upon purchase of the lottery tickets whether the players desire to tie their lottery tickets with those of other players and apportioning the winnings of tied lottery tickets among the players.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority based on provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/804,771 filed Jun. 14, 2006, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates to the field of lotteries. 
       BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Lottery is a form of gambling that has long existed in one form or another. Common to all lotteries is the opportunity for individual players to purchase or otherwise acquire chances, usually tickets, hoping to win prizes. One or more of the tickets is randomly chosen as the winning number. 
         [0004]    Of particular recent prominence are lotteries, often known as state lotteries, run by governments in order to generate revenue for budgetary spending. State lotteries are known for offering players chances to win large sums of money. The players typically choose a set of numbers and a ticket is generated bearing the selected numbers. At a predetermined time a winning set of numbers is randomly generated by the lottery facilitator and the winner of the lottery is the player that previously selected the winning numbers. 
         [0005]    The odds of winning a given lottery are typically low. The present invention addresses the low odds problem by providing a method for tying lottery chances together to improve players&#39; odds of winning. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the invention is practiced using lottery machines that are known in the art. Prior art lottery machines allow players to select numbers and purchase tickets at various locations such as retail stores, gas stations, and the like, and are connected electronically in a system that stores and maintains information indicating the numbers selected for each ticket, the time, date, and location of each ticket purchase, and so on. Such systems are well-known in the prior art and that knowledge is incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0007]    Lottery machines are utilized in the practice of the present invention to allow players to tie their lottery tickets together by prompting the players to choose whether they wish to tie their tickets to others. If players choose to tie their tickets to those of co-players, the system records information identifying the players and the tied tickets. 
         [0008]    One way in which the players&#39; tickets are tied is as follows: First a player is prompted by a machine in the system to choose whether to tie his or her ticket to the ticket of a co-player, an option that may be referred to as combination play. If the player chooses combination play, the player is first prompted to input into the machine which numbers he or she wishes to play in the lottery. Alternatively, the player may allow the lottery machine to automatically select the numbers to be played. This set of numbers will be the player&#39;s primary set of numbers. A second set of numbers is then randomly generated by the lottery machine. This set of numbers will be the player&#39;s secondary set of numbers. The secondary set of numbers is matched to a set of numbers of a co-player who has also selected combination play. In this manner, the tickets are tied together. The secondary set of numbers is the player&#39;s subset and the player and co-player will share any winnings associated therewith. 
         [0009]    In accordance with another example of the invention, players are assisted in tying their chances of winning lotteries via an internet website. Players can register with the service provider of the internet website and purchase lottery tickets via the website by electronically transferring money thereto. The service provider also allows registered players to tie their chances of winning to the chances of other co-players thereby improving the odds of winning. The players may designate specific co-players or accept randomly assigned co-players. In either case the co-players must all agree to be tied. The number of players that may be tied is variable. 
         [0010]    The effect of being tied is that the co-player agrees in advance to share any winnings with the other co-players. The percentage that each co-player receives is variable as long as it is agreed on in advance. 
         [0011]    In this example the lottery tickets are actually purchased through the service provider. Thus, when a co-player&#39;s ticket wins the prize, the prize is first received by the service provider, thereby allowing the service provider to distribute the prize to the co-players in accordance with their agreed upon percentage share. 
         [0012]    Whether the invention is practiced in conjunction with lottery machines or an online website, it is envisioned that the service provider may afford the players the additional opportunity to win prizes in addition to the primary lottery prizes. For example, the service provider affords the players the opportunity to win coupons having a cash value associated therewith if the players utilize the option of tying their tickets to others. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in connection with the accompanying Drawings, wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a flow chart illustrating the steps of one embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustrating the steps of a second embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    Referring to the drawings, and in particular to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a flowchart illustrating the steps of a first embodiment of the invention wherein lottery tickets are tied via a lottery machine. The first step comprises providing a lottery machine that players may utilize. The lottery machine utilized may be of the kind known in the art. The lottery machine may be provided by the lottery facilitator, which in many cases is a state agency, or by a private third party. The next step is to electronically connect the lottery machine to a system of lottery machines that stores and maintains information, such as the numbers selected for each ticket, the time, date, and location of each ticket purchase, and so on. Such system may be of the kind known in the art. 
         [0017]    In order to purchase tickets in this embodiment the service provider must first know what numbers each player wishes to play in the lottery. Thus the next step is determining which numbers each player wishes to play. The lottery rules govern how many numbers are played on any given ticket which constitutes a set of numbers. The service provider utilizes means within the lottery machine to receive from players a set of numbers for each ticket the player wishes to play. A player may also allow the lottery machine to automatically select the numbers to be played. As part of the number selection process, a player may be required to determine what payout option he or she desires, for example a cash option payout, whereby the player receives any winnings in a lump sum, discounted to present value, or an annuity payout, whereby the player receives any winnings over a predetermined time period. These are the payout options commonly offered by lottery facilitators, however, the present invention envisions other payout options, and would function the same no matter what payout option is ultimately selected. 
         [0018]    The next step is determining whether a player desires to tie lottery tickets to the lottery tickets of other players, known as co-players. The effect of tying the tickets together is that the odds of winning are increased, and if a tied ticket wins the winnings are apportioned among the tied players. The apportionment of winnings from a tied lottery ticket must be determined by the service provider and agreed upon by the players before the ticket is played in the lottery. 
         [0019]    One way in which the players&#39; tickets are tied is as follows: First a player is prompted by a machine in the system to choose whether to tie his or her ticket to the ticket of a co-player, an option that may be referred to as combination play. If the player chooses combination play, the player is first prompted to input into the machine which numbers he or she wishes to play in the lottery. Alternatively, the player may allow the lottery machine to automatically select the numbers to be played. This set of numbers will be the player&#39;s primary set of numbers. A second set of numbers is then randomly generated by the lottery machine. This set of numbers will be the player&#39;s secondary set of numbers. The secondary set of numbers is matched to a set of numbers of a co-player who has also selected combination play. In this manner, the tickets are tied together. The secondary set of numbers is the player&#39;s subset and the player and co-player will share any winnings associated therewith. It is envisioned that there is no additional cost associated with selecting combination play, however, a lottery facilitator can change this as desired. Any number of players selecting combination play can be accommodated. 
         [0020]    In one of many possible examples, here involving three players, players who have selected combination play are tied as follows:
       1) Player A is the first player in a drawing period to select combination play. Player A chooses his or her primary set of numbers and is randomly assigned a secondary set of numbers.   2) Player B is the second player in a drawing period to select combination play. Player B chooses his or her primary set of numbers and is assigned a secondary set of numbers. Player B&#39;s secondary set of numbers will be the same set of numbers as Player A&#39;s primary set of numbers. Stated another way, Player B will be assigned Player A&#39;s primary set of numbers as his or her secondary set of numbers.   3) Player C is the third player in a drawing period to select combination play. Player C selects to allow the lottery machine to randomly select his or her primary set of numbers. The lottery machine will recognize that Player A&#39;s secondary set of numbers has not been assigned to a co-player, and will assign it to Player C as Player C&#39;s primary set of numbers. Player C&#39;s secondary set of numbers will be the same set of numbers as Player B&#39;s primary set of numbers.   4) Numbers are assigned in this manner to every player that has selected combination play. Therefore, every player that has selected combination play will have a primary set of numbers that is the same as another combination player&#39;s secondary set of numbers, and a secondary set of numbers that is the same as another combination player&#39;s primary set of numbers.   5) If a player purchases multiple tickets for which he or she selects combination play, the player will be assigned multiple secondary sets of numbers, one for each primary set of numbers. The machine will be configured so as not to assign a player his or her own primary set of numbers as his or her secondary set of numbers and vice versa.   6) In the event a drawing period closes and all players selecting combination play have not been assigned to a co-player, say for example an odd number of players select combination play, the lottery machine will recognize this and automatically generate a set of numbers to be assigned to the unmatched player. This number and any winnings associated therewith will belong to the service provider.       
 
         [0027]    The next step in this embodiment is allowing players to purchase tickets from the lottery machine. If one of the tied tickets wins, the service provider then accepts the winnings on behalf of the player and any co-player. The service provider then apportions the winnings to the player and any co-player. 
         [0028]    Referring to the drawings, and in particular to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a flowchart illustrating the steps of a second embodiment of the invention wherein lottery tickets are tied via an internet website. The first step comprises providing an internet website that lottery players may utilize. The website may be provided by the lottery facilitator, which in many cases is a state agency, or by a private third party. The next step is for the service provider to allow players to register with the website. The service provider may require players to pay a fee to utilize the service, or require the players to provide specific identifying information in order to track the players use of the service, or both. 
         [0029]    The next step is accepting electronic fund transfers through the website from registered players for the purchase of lottery tickets. The service provider accepts funds from players and purchases tickets on behalf of the players. 
         [0030]    In order to purchase tickets in this embodiment the service provider must first know what numbers each player wishes to play in the lottery. Thus, the next step is determining which numbers each registered player wishes to play. The lottery rules govern how many numbers are played on any given ticket which constitutes a set of numbers. The service provider utilizes means on the website to receive from players a set of numbers for each ticket the player wishes to play. A player may also allow the service provider to automatically select the numbers to be played. 
         [0031]    The next step is determining whether a registered player desires to tie lottery tickets to the lottery tickets of other players, known as co-players. The effect of tying the tickets together is that the odds of winning are increased, and if a tied ticket wins the winnings are apportioned among the tied players. The apportionment of winnings from a tied lottery ticket must be determined by the service provider and agreed upon by the players before the ticket is played in the lottery. 
         [0032]    The next step in this embodiment is purchasing lottery tickets for registered players. If one of the purchased tickets wins, the service provider then accepts the winnings on behalf of the registered player and any co-players. The service provider then apportions the winnings to the player and any co-players. 
         [0033]    Whether the invention is practiced in conjunction with lottery machines or an online website, it is envisioned that the service provider may afford the players the additional opportunity to win prizes in addition to the primary lottery prizes. For example, the service provider affords the players the opportunity to win coupons having a cash value associated therewith if the players utilize the option of tying their tickets to others. 
         [0034]    Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions of parts and elements without departing from the spirit of the invention.