Patent Publication Number: US-9839836-B2

Title: Lottery ticket and method for determining a prize associated with the lottery ticket

Description:
This application claims priority to Canadian patent application No. 2,691,896, entitled LOTTERY TICKET AMD METHOD FOR DETERMINING A PRIZE ASSOCIATED WITH THE LOTTERY TICKET, filed on Jan. 29, 2010, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to lottery tickets, and more particularly to an instant lottery tickets including pull-tab and break-open type lottery tickets and a method for determining a prize associated with such lottery tickets. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Instant lottery games have become an important source of income to governments and numerous non-for-profit organizations. Typically, a set of instant lottery tickets is imaged with play and prize value indicia under a scratch-off coating according to a predetermined prize structure. The prize structure often comprises a relatively small number of large value prize tickets, a number of lesser value prize tickets, and a large number of void tickets. The prizes are distributed randomly to the tickets such that each ticket purchased by a player has an equal chance to win one of the prizes. 
     The tickets are then distributed to ticket retailers—such as, for example, convenience stores, supermarkets, gas stations, gift shops, etc.—for dispensing the tickets to consumers and for validating the tickets when they are presented for redemption. 
     With numerous instant lottery games on the market it has become a challenge to sustain public interest. In response, larger valued prizes are offered in various instant lottery games. However, with the increased value of the prizes there is an increased risk that individuals having access to the tickets, for example, employees of the ticket retailer attempt to identify the winning tickets—i.e. attempt to access prize information on the tickets—in a set of tickets for sale, referred to as “fishing”. 
     Instant lottery tickets typically comprise a substrate such as a sheet of, for example, thin cardboard or boxboard, having a secure area and a graphic area with the information printed in the secure area, for example, in the form of a barcode, being hidden by one or more opaque scratch-off layers printed there over. Unfortunately, the coatings used for the scratch-off layers may be incompatible with some lithographic printing processes that produce high quality images and, therefore, instant lottery tickets are visually less appealing. This presents a significant disadvantage since instant lottery tickets may be impulse purchase items and the overall aesthetic appeal substantially affects marketability. 
     Furthermore, removing the scratch-off layers using, for example, a finger nail or sharp object is a cumbersome process and bar code scanners are known to have reliability problems when a portion of the barcode has been damaged during removal of the scratch-off layers. 
     It is desirable to provide a method for determining a prize associated with a lottery ticket that substantially reduces the risk of fishing. 
     It is also desirable to provide an instant lottery ticket that reduces the risk of fishing and has aesthetic appeal. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a method for determining a prize associated with a lottery ticket that substantially reduces the risk of fishing. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an instant lottery ticket that reduces the risk of fishing and has aesthetic appeal. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for determining a prize associated with a lottery ticket. An identifier is disposed on the lottery ticket and at least partially concealed in a substantially tamper-proof fashion. The identifier is uniquely related to the lottery ticket such that each lottery ticket of a plurality of lottery tickets has a unique identifier and is uniquely related to prize data stored in a trusted database. The prize data is indicative of the prize associated with the lottery ticket. After revealing, data indicative of the identifier is provided to a trusted processor in communication with the trusted database. Using the trusted processor data indicative of the prize associated with the lottery ticket is determined in dependence upon the data indicative of the identifier and the prize data, which is then provided for displaying in a human comprehensible fashion. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lottery ticket. The lottery ticket comprises a sheet type body having a predetermined size and shape. An identifier is disposed on the body. The identifier is uniquely related to the lottery ticket such that each lottery ticket of a plurality of lottery tickets has a unique identifier and is uniquely related to prize data stored in a trusted database. The prize data is indicative of the prize associated with the lottery ticket. A concealment conceals at least partially the identifier in a substantially tamper-proof fashion. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lottery ticket. The lottery ticket comprises a top sheet having an upper surface and a lower surface and a bottom sheet having an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface of the bottom sheet is partially adhered to the lower surface of the top sheet. At least a tab is disposed in the bottom sheet. The tab has a hinged part and a severable part. The severable part of the tab is for being severed from the bottom sheet for revealing a predetermined portion of the lower surface of the top sheet with the hinged part of the tab being connected to the bottom sheet. An identifier is disposed on the predetermined portion of the lower surface of the top sheet in proximity to the hinged part of the tab. The identifier is for being compared with data stored in a trusted database. 
     One advantage of the present invention is that it provides a method for determining a prize associated with a lottery ticket that substantially reduces the risk of fishing. 
     A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides an instant lottery ticket that reduces the risk of fishing and has aesthetic appeal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       An embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIGS. 1 a    is a simplified block diagram illustrating a computer system for implementing a method for determining a prize associated with an instant lottery ticket according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1 b    is a simplified flow diagram illustrating a method for determining a prize associated with an instant lottery ticket according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 1 c  and 1 d    are simplified block diagrams illustrating look-up tables for use with the method for determining a prize associated with an instant lottery ticket according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 1 e    is a simplified block diagram illustrating an instant lottery ticket according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 1 f    is a simplified flow diagram illustrating a method for determining a prize associated with an instant lottery ticket according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 2 a  to 2 c    are simplified block diagrams illustrating cross-sectional views of an instant lottery ticket according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 2 d  and 2 e    are simplified block diagrams illustrating bottom views of the instant lottery ticket according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2 f    is a simplified block diagram illustrating a bottom view of the top sheet of the instant lottery ticket according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2 g    is a simplified block diagram illustrating a top view of the instant lottery ticket according to an embodiment of the invention; and, 
         FIG. 2 h    is a simplified block diagram illustrating a bottom view of the instant lottery ticket according to another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, certain particular methods and materials are now described. 
     While the description of the various embodiments herein below is with reference to the use of a linear barcode, it will become evident to those skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto, but are also applicable for use with matrix 2-D barcode or other methods of optical recognition such as, for example, Optical Character Recognition (OCR). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 a  to 1 f   , a method for determining a prize associated with an instant lottery ticket according to an embodiment of the invention is provided. The method is implemented, for example, using a present day lottery system  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 a   . The system  10  comprises a central data processing unit  12  which is connected to terminals  14  via a communication network  13  such as, for example, the Internet. The central data processing unit  12  is placed in a trusted entity such as, for example, an administrative center or headquarters of the lottery operator and comprises a trusted processor  16  and a trusted database  18 . The terminals  14  are located at ticket retailers for dispensing the tickets and for validating the tickets when presented for redemption and comprise, for example, a processor  20 , a display  22 , and a barcode reader  24 . The processor  20  communicates with the trusted processor  16 , the barcode reader  24 , and the display  22  as will be described herein below. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 b   , a plurality of identifiers are determined using, for example, the trusted processor  16  and each of the plurality of identifiers is associated with one lottery ticket in a one-to-one relationship— 50 . Each identifier is unique and comprises, for example, a sequence of numbers, a sequence of characters, a sequence of symbols, or a combination thereof and is determined, for example, in a random or pseudo-random fashion. At  52 , at least a prize is determined and information indicative of the at least a prize is associated with at least an identifier of the plurality of identifiers— 54 . Data indicative of the at least an identifier and information indicative of the associated at least a prize are then stored— 56 —in the trusted database  18 . The data are stored, for example, in the form of a look-up table, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 c   . For example: the identifier is stored in a memory location having a first address and the information indicative of the associated prize is stored in a memory location having a successive address which is accessed immediately after the first address; the identifier and the prize information are stored in same or linked/related memory locations; or, for example, the identifier is the address of the memory location of the corresponding prize. Optionally, the prize—the dollar amount illustrated in  FIG. 1 c   —is, for example, replaced by a single number such as 1 for a first prize, 2 for a second prize, etc., thus reducing the storage space used for storing the information in the trusted database. The actual prize—for example, the dollar amount is then determined by the trusted processor  16  in dependence upon the retrieved number. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 c   , only the identifiers of tickets having a prize associated therewith are stored in the trusted database  18 . Alternatively, all identifiers are stored in the trusted database  18 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 d   . For example, the identifier of a void ticket has a zero prize value associated therewith. At  58 , the plurality of lottery tickets is then produced and distributed to the retailers. Each ticket of the plurality of tickets has one identifier of the plurality of identifiers. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 e   , a lottery ticket  100  according to an embodiment of the invention is provided. The lottery ticket  100  comprises a sheet type body  102  such as, for example, a semi-rigid sheet of paper, cardboard, or boxboard having a predetermined shape—for example, rectangular shape—and size. The identifier is printed on the body  102  in the form of a barcode  108  such as, for example, a linear barcode, or a matrix barcode. As described herein above, the identifier is uniquely related to the lottery ticket such that each lottery ticket of a plurality of lottery tickets has a unique identifier and is uniquely related to prize data stored in the trusted database  18 . Optionally, at least a portion of the identifier is encoded using, for example, an error correcting code such as a Reed Salomon code to provide an indication that the identifier has been corrupted and/or to retrieve the identifier in case the barcode has been damaged. 
     Concealment  110  either fully conceals at least partially conceals the identifier  108  in a substantially tamper-proof fashion. The concealment comprises, for example, a second sheet type body, which is partially adhered to the sheet type body  102  and comprises at least a break open tab. Alternatively, the concealment comprises one or more layers of opaque scratch-off layers disposed upon all or at least a portion of the identifier  108 . 
     The lottery ticket  100  may further comprise a play area  104  which is partially concealed using concealment  106 . Alternatively, the identifier  108  is integrated into the play area  104 . 
     Optionally, a second identifier is disposed in an unconcealed fashion on the lottery ticket and is, for example, indicative of a validation number or inventory number. For example, a retailer “activates” the lottery ticket by reading the second identifier and providing it to the central data processing unit  12  prior the display of the lottery ticket for sale, enabling the lottery organization to track the sale of the lottery tickets at the various retailers. 
     It is noted that each lottery ticket also typically comprises a Universal Product Code (UPC) which is, for example, printed on the backside of lottery ticket. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 f   , after purchase of the lottery ticket a player reveals— 70 —the identifier on the lottery ticket which was fully or at least partially concealed in a substantially tamper-proof fashion. As described herein above, the identifier is uniquely related to the lottery ticket such that each lottery ticket of the plurality of lottery tickets has a unique identifier and is uniquely related to prize data stored in the trusted database  18 . The identifier is read using barcode reader  24  and processor  20  then provides— 72 —data indicative of the identifier via the communication network  13  to the trusted processor  16 , which is in communication with the trusted database  18 . Using the trusted processor  16  the received data indicative of the identifier is then compared— 74 —with data indicative of an identifier stored in the trusted database  18  and a comparison result is provided. If the comparison result is indicative of a match the respective prize data is retrieved— 76 —using the trusted processor  16 . Using the trusted processor  16  the data indicative of a prize associated with the lottery ticket is determined in dependence upon the prize data— 78 . 
     Alternatively, data indicative of a prize associated with the lottery ticket is directly stored in the trusted database  18 . Using the trusted processor  16  the data indicative of the prize associated with the lottery ticket is then provided— 80 —via the communication network  13  to the processor  20  for displaying the same— 82 —on display  22  to the player. 
     Optionally, the identifier data and the respective prize data are erased, or tagged as claimed, after retrieval, thus preventing repeated access to the data in order to further reduce the risk of tampering. 
     Further optionally, using the trusted processor  16  record data is determined when data indicative of a same identifier have been received at the trusted processor  16  more than one time for comparison. The record data comprise, for example, information indicating which processor  20  has provided the same identifier enabling a lottery organization to track locations—i.e. retailers—where potentially tampering has taken place. 
     Yet further optionally, using the trusted processor  16  record data is determined when the received data indicative of an identifier do not match data indicative of an identifier stored in the trusted database  18  to enable a lottery organization to track locations where potentially tampering has taken place. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 a  to 2 h   , an embodiment of a lottery ticket  200  according to the invention is provided. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 a   , the lottery ticket comprises a top sheet  202  having an upper surface  204  and a lower surface  206  and a bottom sheet  208  having an upper surface  210  and a lower surface  212 . The upper surface  210  of the bottom sheet  208  is partially adhered to the lower surface  206  of the top sheet  202  at predetermined areas using, for example, an adhesive suitable for use with the material of the top sheet  202  and the bottom sheet  208 . The top sheet  202  and the bottom sheet  208  are made of, for example, a semi-rigid sheet of paper, cardboard, or boxboard having a predetermined shape—for example, rectangular shape—and size. 
     At least a tab  220  is disposed in the bottom sheet  208 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b    with the tab closed and opened, respectively. The tab  220  has a hinged part  222  and a severable part  224 . The severable part  224  of the tab  220  is for being severed from the bottom sheet  208  for revealing a predetermined portion  217 ,  218  of the lower surface  206  of the top sheet  202  with the hinged part  222  of the tab  220  being connected to the bottom sheet  208 . The tab  220  is formed by disposing a perforation  216  in the bottom sheet  208  bordering at least a portion of the severable part  224  of the tab  220 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 a  to 2 d   . As is evident, the shape of the tab  220  is not limited to a rectangular shape as illustrated but various shapes such as, for example, circular, oval, triangular shapes are also applicable. 
     Alternatively, the at least a tab  220  is disposed in the top sheet  202  for revealing a predetermined portion of the upper surface  210  of the bottom sheet  208 . Further alternatively, tabs  220  are disposed in the top sheet  202  as well as in the bottom sheet  208  for revealing respective portions of the upper surface  210  of the bottom sheet  208  and the lower surface  206  of the top sheet  202  with the portions being placed such that they are other than facing each other. 
     An identifier is disposed on the predetermined portion  217  of the lower surface  206  of the top sheet  202  in proximity to the hinged part  222  of the tab  220 . The identifier is printed on the lower surface  206  in the form of a barcode such as, for example, a linear barcode, or a matrix barcode. Examples of linear barcodes are an interleaved 2 of 5 barcode or a PDF 417 barcode. The identifier is compared with data stored in a trusted database to, for example, validate the ticket and/or to determine a prize associated with the lottery ticket. Disposing the identifier in proximity to the hinged part  222  of the tab  220  substantially complicates tampering since the tab  220  has to be completely opened to reveal the identifier disposed on the predetermined portion  217 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2   b.    
     Alternatively, the top sheet  202  and the bottom sheet  208  are two parts of a folded single sheet with a fold  226  and the two parts being partially adhered together, as illustrated in  FIG. 2   c.    
     Alternately, the lottery ticket  200  comprises a plurality of tabs  220 B,  220 C, and  22 D wherein the tabs are joint in proximity to the hinged part  222  such that the severable portion  224  of each of the tabs is to be severed for revealing the identifier  217 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 b  and 2 d  to 2 f   . Of course, various numbers of joint tabs are applicable for complicating tampering. 
     Provision of break open tabs  220  enables use of lithographic printing processes for printing gaming information and appealing images on the lower surface  206  and the upper surface  204  of the top sheet  202 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 f  and 2 g   , respectively. Optionally, lithographic printing processes are also employed for printing the lower surface  212  of the bottom sheet  208 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 f   , a second identifier  230  is optionally disposed in an unconcealed fashion on the lottery ticket  200  and is, for example, indicative of a validation number or inventory number. 
     A UPC code  228  may be printed, for example, on the lower surface  212  of the bottom sheet  208 . 
     Optionally, the perforation  216  is disposed such that a portion of the bottom sheet  208  is to be torn for substantially completely revealing the predetermined portion  217 ,  218  of the lower surface  206  of the top sheet  202 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 h   . For example, un-perforated section  232  divides the severable part  224  in two and has to be torn from the bottom sheet  208 , which further complicates tampering. 
     The present invention has been described herein with regard to certain embodiments. However, it will be obvious to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein.