EP1468407A1

EP1468407A1 - Electronic draw-machine

Info

Publication number: EP1468407A1
Application number: EP02789128A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ulf Linde; Zeljko Oreb
Original assignee: Pollux Invest Automattjanst AB
Current assignee: Pollux Invest Automattjanst AB
Priority date: 2001-12-21
Filing date: 2002-12-09
Publication date: 2004-10-20
Anticipated expiration: 2022-12-09
Also published as: SE0104387L; SE0104387D0; WO2003063095A1; ATE430346T1; EP1468407B1; SE519112C2; DE60232192D1

Abstract

The invention concerns an electronic lottery device (10, 12) for lotteries or games and a method for the same. It comprises a processor circuit board (12) for controlling the same, which is connected to a random chance generator for determining the result of each lottery chance or game. It further comprises a counter (RV1) visible to a user of the device for registration of the number of lottery chances or games for lottery or game drawings, a counter (RV2) visible to a user of the device for new chances, a means (14) for initiating the start of a drawing and a means for presentation of the result of a completed drawing. With the random chance generator the drawing is accomplished in real-time. Additionally it comprises a counter (RV3) visible to a user of the device for registration of product prizes in the drawing. The counter for registration of product prizes prevents the counter (RV1) for the number of lotteries or games and the counter (RV2) for new chances from ending up in a constant drawing or winning loop, respectively.

Description

Electronic draw-machine

Technical field

The present invention pertains to an electronic lottery device for lotteries or games, which comprises a processor circuit board for controlling the same, which is connected to a random chance generator for determining each lottery result, a counter visible to a. user of the device for registration of the number of lottery chances in the lottery drawing, a counter visible to a user of the device for new lottery chances, a means for initiating the start of a drawing and a means for presentation of the result of a completed drawing. State of the art

In lotteries there is a drawing with a certain number of chances, either with all existing chances in the lottery or also with the chances that have been sold in the lottery. This means that individual lotteries in which at a given time a participant can determine the extent of the lottery and let a random generator carry out a lottery step for one or several lotteries simultaneously cannot take place.

In present day equippment for drawings, games, lotteries and competitions there is a common counter that registers both bets (credit) and prizes or alternately two counters, one for bets and one for prizes. This means that in an apparatus there can only be one winning category as the result. In case success is to result in different prizes a separate device is needed, e.g. a vending machine for sale of products, to which (prize) credit is transferred. Only after such an event has taken place can a specific prize be chosen. This prevents variations in prizes.

Lottery chances can be stolen or subject to corruption or manipulation after they are bought and until or during the time the drawing takes place. An owner of a lottery chance cannot affect the possibility of a greater chance of a prize in any way, depending on how many lottery chances are operative at any time.

He or she who buys a traditional lottery chance and receives a prize can generally use his or her prize to receive (or buy himself/herself) new lottery chances. For lotteries presently existing on the market this means that a winning chance can therefore result in a new lottery chance. The condition that a winning chance must be exchanged and does not entitle one to a new chance at once is time consuming and is experienced as tedious. For instance, he or she who has bought a Trisslott® for 25 SEK and wins 25 SEK generally wants to have a new lottery chance, but as has been explained it is not possible to scratch once more, but rather the lottery chance must be handed in and thereafter a new lottery chance bought.

Summary of the present invention A purpose of the present invention is to provide solutions to the above problems. In particular the invention shows how a lottery drawing takes place in real-time and how registration of product prizes can be accomplished without the need of a counter comprised in the lottery device ending up in a constant winning-loop.

An additional unique property of the drawing device according to the present invention is that a recently drawn chance can result in a new chance when a counter for new lottery chances has been incremented. This is equivalent to the case above when a Triss® lottery chance has given a prize in the form of 25 SEK, but the player must buy a new lottery chance with a new prize chance for the same price. With the lottery device a player can use the new prize chance directly without buying a new chance from some authorised vendor.

The present invention comprises an electronic lottery device for lotteries made to accomplish the above. It comprises a processor circuit board for controlling the device. The circuit board comprises or is connected to a random chance generator for determining the result of each lottery. A counter visible to a user of the device for registration of the number of chances in the lottery drawing and a counter visible to a user of the device for new lottery chances are connected to the circuit board. Further a means for initiating the beginning of a drawing and a means for presentation of the result of a completed drawing are connected to the circuit board.

The random chance generator accomplishes the lottery drawing in real-time, which comprises: a means for electronic readout of a carrier with at least one registered lottery chance; a counter visible to a user for registration of product prizes in a drawing; and a means for determining new lottery chances and product prizes for incrementing the corresponding counter, which makes it possible for the counter for registration of product prizes to avoid requiring the counter for new lottery chances to be incremented for product prizes, which would put it into a constant winning loop.

In one embodiment incrementing the counter for new lottery chances entails that a lottery chance to participate in a new drawing is obtained, whereby the counter for the number of lottery chances is not decremented for the new drawing, or that the number of new chances is used when the counter for the number of lottery chances/games is zeroed. In another embodiment a random chance means is comprised that randomly allocates one or several product prizes to at least one lottery chance after a drawing by running the counter for product prizes.

In one embodiment of the present invention the device comprises means that mark and perform drawing a plurality of lottery chances in a single drawing.

Another embodiment comprises using a random chance means that randomly allocates one or several product prizes to at least one lottery chance by incrementing the counter for product prizes when the new chance counter has not been incremented after a drawing. In an additional embodiment there is a counter for each product prize category.

The present invention further encompasses a method for lottery or game drawing with an electronic lottery device for lotteries or games. The device comprises a processor circuit board for controlling the same, which is connected to a random chance generator for determining each lottery or game result. There are a counter visible to a user of the device for registration of the number of lottery chances or games for lottery or game drawing and a counter visible to a user of the device for new lottery chances. Further, there is a means for initiating the start of a drawing and a means for presentation of the result of a completed drawing.

The random chance generator accomplishes the drawing in real-time, which comprises the following method steps: electronic readout of a carrier with at least one registered lottery chance or game; registration of product prizes with a counter visible to a user of the device when drawing; and incrementing the corresponding counter for new lottery chances and product prizes, which enables the counter for registration of product prizes to eliminate the necessity for the counter for new lottery chances to be incremented for product prizes, whereby it would end up in a constant winning loop.

An embodiment comprises incrementing the counter for new lottery chances entailmg that a chance to participate in a new drawing is obtained, whereby the counter for the number of lottery chances is not adjusted downward in a new drawing, or that the number of new chances is used when the counter for the number of lottery chances or games is zeroed.

The method in an embodiment comprises the device marking and drawing a plurality of lottery chances or games in a single drawing. Another embodiment comprises using a random chance means that randomly allocates one or several product prizes to at least one lottery chance by incrementing the counter for product prizes when the new chance counter has not been incremented after the drawing. An additional embodiment entails that there is a counter for each category of product prize.

Brief description of drawings In the following descriptive text reference is made to the attached drawings for better understanding of the present invention with its examples and embodiments, wherein: Fig. 1 is schematically illustrating a lottery device according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is schematically illustrating a drawing with the device according to fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is illustrating a flow chart for a drawing with a device according to the present invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments Existing electronic devices for games and lottery drawings have one or two counters visible to a user of the devices. In the case of one counter the counter is incremented, from an amount put into the game device, with possible game prizes, and a possible final sum on the counter is paid out in cash when a player initiates disbursement on the device.

When a game device has two counters, one for the number of games and one for prizes in the same category as the one for the number of games, for example the number of SEK, that gives a prize in the same category, i.e. SEK, there is no problem. Either the player chooses that the prize that is marked on the counter for prizes is paid out, or the player chooses to transfer the prize to the counter for the number of games and the player can then proceed with his or her game.

Problems occur when a device for games or lotteries must be able to pay out prizes in different categories, for example in the categories money and products. Then one counter is used or two counters are used for one category, usually with markers that are directly convertible to money. Prizes in the products category can therefore not easily be transferred to one or several counters that count money.

Especially for lotteries it is desirable that product prizes can be paid out. In lotteries it is well known that prizes can consist of products such as travel, electronic equipment, food, etc. Of course money is not excluded in lottery prizes. For drawing real lottery chances a unique embodiment of the present invention solves the problem that new lottery chances must be bought or old ones exchanged for new lottery chances. The problem is solved by a counter designated new lottery chances that makes a new drawing chance possible one or several times depending on the number of won lottery chances marked on the counter for new lottery chances. This embodiment with a new lottery chance is unique and not previously known in lotteries or applied to lottery devices.

To rebuild a device so that it converts product prizes to money requires that comprehensive work be done. In many cases it is not desirable to convert to money since a player may wish to have the product prize. The circuit boards that control games or lottery devices are standard products made by special manufacturers of such items. They control only one or two counters that are visible to a player as has been described above.

An embodiment of a game or lottery device according to the present invention is shown in fig. 1. Figure 1 shows a mother board or processor circuit board 10 for controlling a lottery device for games or lotteries. The two headed arrow in fig. 1 indicates data communication between the circuit board 10 and a schematically shown front drawing panel 12 or game console for a lottery device according to a feasible embodiment of the present invention.

In one embodiment the lottery device has a game or lottery field in the form of a matrix with six boxes. Common markings in the boxes for determining prizes or in conventional games a blank are fruit symbols, for example three lemons in a line, a column or diagonally in the matrix. Of course there exist symbols other than fruit symbols for marking prizes and blanks. The fruit symbols are used only for exemplification purposes and numerous other symbols such as graphics, sounds, lights, etc. can be used for marking. The single headed arrows in the matrix mark all the prize chances in a matrix with six game fields according to fig. 1. There can be additional prize chances such as bonus prizes when for example all the matrix boxes have symbols of the same colour after a drawing.

In order to mark games or lottery drawings in the matrix for example buttons 14 for different combinations are used in a well-known manner. Each line, column and diagonal in the matrix has an electronic marking ring 16 for drawing or playing. By pushing the buttons 14 games or drawings are selected with for example ones in the rings 16. In fig. 1 only the two diagonals and top bar in the matrix are marked with ones for illustrative purposes. In other embodiments of the lottery device the counter for the number of chances RVl can count something other than lottery chances. For a subsequent lottery drawing three lottery chances have therefore been chosen for drawing of the 100 that are available according to the selection on the counter RN1 in the figure. The counter RN2 for indicating new lottery chances is zeroed since no drawing with new chance prizes has yet taken place. In the same way there is also a counter for product prizes RN3, not previously known for lottery devices, which is zeroed since no product prizes have been registered. For completed games when the counter for new lottery chances is not zeroed prizes can be paid out in money corresponding to the value of new chances on the said counter.

In an embodiment of the present invention each so-called "blank drawing" gives at least one product prize point. The lottery device according to the present invention can be used to determine the category of prize to which a given lottery result is entitled. The existence of the phrase blank drawing is connected with other known technology where no prize is normally given for drawing non-paying symbols. Other feasible pay outs or markings of product prizes are not excluded because of that. Figure 2 shows only the drawing panel 12 for a completed lottery drawing. Two lottery chances have been drawn with the lottery device's random chance generator. The lottery chances have been played as marked in the rings 16, i.e. in the left diagonal and upper rows in the checker matrix. The counter RVl for the number of lottery chances has therefore been decremented by two and displays 098 lottery drawings remaining. As an example it is assumed that the diagonal marks a prize according to a lottery plan, which means that the counter for new lottery chances RN2 has been adjusted up by one prize consisting of new chances, here 020, which can correspond for example to two new lottery chances or for example 20 SEK cash disbursement after the game is finished. This means that a new drawing chance has the value 10 SEK in this example. If the player chooses to use the two new lottery chances received instead of corresponding hard cash a button 14 is pushed corresponding to this choice, once for one new chance and for example two times for two. This corresponds to the example of drawing a Triss® lottery chance, with the difference that the player can continue the lottery in real-time without buying a new chance in another location. When new chance is selected by the player the counter RN1 for the number of lottery chances is not decremented since that was a new chance prize for a drawn chance. In an embodiment the lottery device can be adjusted so that the number of new lottery chances cannot be used before the calculator RVl for the number of lotteries/games is zeroed.

In the same drawing also product prizes have been won for all lottery chances that did not give a new chance result. Since two lottery chances were played it was the upper bar in the checker matrix that did not give a new chance. According to the game plan with a product prize for each played lottery chance not resulting in a new chance the counter for product prizes RV3 shows 001, which for example can correspond to points for product prizes. If all eight playable lottery chances in the checker matrix in fig. 2 had been played RV3 would have shown 007 according to the point counting system in effect for product prizes. In one embodiment there is a random chance means that randomly allocates one or several product prizes to at least one lottery chance that did not give a new chance by incrementing the counter RV3 for product prizes.

In one method, according to the principle that product prizes for lottery chances do not give a new chances the counter for new chances RV2, and possibly also the counter for the number of lotteries RVl in certain game forms, would need to be incremented by the points for product prizes, whereby for a user the lottery drawing would end up in a constant loop with never ending lottery chances. The calculator RV3 thus solves the problem of prizes in different prize categories for games or lottery drawings from game or lottery devices according to the present invention.

It should be observed that the present invention has two embodiments of the lottery device, one for lotteries and one for game drawings. The lottery device has one or several readers 18 for one or more carriers in the form of cards 20 of the type smart card, mini-CD card, credit card with magnetic reader or the like. They can also be intended for other types of carriers or other materials such as paper tickets with a readable number of lottery chances or the like, for example with bar codes. In one embodiment especially for smart cards or cards with for example mini-CDs comprised the reader also registers new drawing chances/cash prizes and/or product prizes according to counters RV2 and RV3 and possibly the number of remaining lottery chances if they have been incremented on counter RVl. In other cases they are already registered on the card.

In a lottery it can be comprised that lottery chances are not bought back by the lottery manager. They must be opened to determine a prize value. Therefore a player should play the number of lottery chances that the counter RVl has registered. This does not exclude letting the player draw chances at different times.

Using a flow chart fig. 3 shows how a drawing is carried out in a specific embodiment of the lottery device, for example a lottery or game device. A card 20 of credit card size is inserted in the reader 18 and the number of lottery chances is read 100 and transferred to the counter RVl for the number of playable lottery chances. The lottery player chooses 110 to bet between one and eight lottery chances in this embodiment of the device. RVl is decremented 120 by the number of bet lottery chances, as selected using the input buttons 14, and the player pushes 130 on the start button 14 for a lottery drawing, whereby the random chance generator carries out the drawing in real-time, i.e. the lottery prize result is not decided in advance according to previously known methods, but rather the lottery chances that give prizes are selected by the random chance generator.

After the drawing has taken place and if no new chance has resulted 140 for example the not played lottery chances between two and eight are transferred to the counter for product prizes RV3 with for example one point 150 for at least one lottery chance that did not give a new chance. The player can now chose if he or she wants to accept the product prize 160, and if that is the case to call the personnel 170 for presenting products.

In the next alternative the player chooses whether to continue the lottery with possible remaining lottery chances on RVl, in which case the flow diagram for the lottery drawing continues at the choice of the number of lottery chances 110 for games. If the player wants to finish his or her game the number on the counter RV2 for new chances can possibly be converted to hard cash to be paid out 190.

In case the drawing gave a new chance prize 140 it is transferred to the counter RV2 and in one embodiment the player is asked if he or she wants to double the bet 200. If that is not the case he or she is asked to proceed with a new drawing 180. Here the player can chose to finish the drawing 180 and the winnings are paid out 190.

When a player decides to double a new drawing chance 200 a random process begins 210 in which a new chance is either doubled 220 and the prize is transferred to RV2 or the chance is used up 230. Thereafter the flow diagram for drawing follows the sequence according to the boxes 180, 110 or 180, 190.

The present invention has been described here in the form of an example and preferred embodiments, but it is not therefore limited to them. Rather, it is the attached set of claims that provide additional embodiments for a person skilled in the art.

Claims

Patent claims

1. An electronic drawing device (10, 12) for lotteries or games, which comprises a processor circuit board (12) for controlling of the same, which is connected to a random chance generator for determining each lottery chance or game result, a counter visible to a user of the device (RVl) for registration of the number of lottery chances or games for lottery or game drawings, a counter for new lottery chances (RV2) visible to a user of the device, a means (14) for initiating the start of a drawing and a means for presentation of the result of a completed drawing, characterized in that using the random chance generator it performs the drawing in real-time, whereby it comprises: a means for electronic readout (18) of a carrier (20) with at least one registered lottery chance or game; a counter (RV3) visible to a user of the device for registration of product prizes in the drawing; and a means for determining new lottery chances and product prizes for incrementing the corresponding counter, which makes it possible for the counter (RV3) for registration of product prizes to prevent the counter (RV2) for new lottery chances from having to be incremented for a product prize, whereby it would end up in a constant winning loop.

2. An electronic lottery device according to claim 1, characterized in that incrementing the counter for new lottery chances (RV2) entails that a drawing chance to participate in a new drawing is obtained, whereby the counter (RVl) for the number of lottery chances is not decremented for a new drawing, or that the number of new chances is used when the counter (RVl) for the number of lottery chances/games is zeroed.

3. An electronic lottery device according to either of claims 1 and 2, charact e r i z e d in that it comprises one or more means that mark and draw a plurality of lottery chances or games in a single drawing.

4. An electronic lottery device according to claims 1-3, characterized in that it comprises a random chance device that randomly allocates one or several product prizes to at least one lottery chance by incrementing the counter for product prizes when the new chance counter has not been incremented after a drawing.

5. An electronic lottery device according to claims 1-4, characterized in that it has a visible counter (RV3) for each category of product prize.

6. A method for lottery or game drawing with an electronic lottery device (10, 12) for lotteries or games, which comprises a processor circuit board (12) for controlling the same, which is connected to a random chance generator for determining each lottery chance or game result, a counter (RVl) visible to a user of the device for registering the number of lottery chances or games for lottery or game drawing, a counter (RV2) visible to a user of the device for new lottery chances, a device (14) for initiating the start of a drawing and a device for presentation of the result of a completed drawing, characterized by performing a drawing in real-time using the random chance generator, whereby the following method steps are comprised: electronic reading of a carrier (20) with at least one registered lottery chance or game; registration of product prizes with a counter (RV3) visible to a user of the device when drawing; and incrementing the corresponding counter (RV2) for new lottery chances and product prizes (RV3), which makes it possible for the counter (RV3) for registration of product prizes to prevent the counter (RV2) for new lottery chances from needing to be incremented for a product prize, whereby it would end up in a constant winning loop.

7. A method according to claim 6, characterized by incrementing the counter for new lottery chances (RV2) entailing that a drawing chance to participate in a new drawing is obtained, whereby the counter (RVl) for the number of lottery chances is not decremented for a new drawing or that the number of new chances is used when the counter (RVl) for the number of lottery chances/games is zeroed.

8. A method according to either of claims 6 and 7, characterized by use of one or more random chance means that randomly allocate one or several product prizes to at least one lottery chance by incrementing the counter for product prizes when the new chance counter (RV2) has not been incremented after drawing.

9. A method according to claims 6-8, characterized by marking and drawing of a plurality of lottery chances or games in a single drawing.

10. A method according to claims 6-9, characterized by there being a counter (RV3) for each category of product prize.