Patents by Inventor Michael D. Frick

Michael D. Frick has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20100093419
    Abstract: A process provides a first price category and a second price category in which a lottery ticket can be purchased for a lottery game. The first price category is distinct from the second price category. The first price category corresponds to a first known portion of a grand linear prize and a first known portion of a linear prize associated with the lottery game. The second price category corresponds to a second known portion of the grand linear prize and a second known portion of the linear prize. The grand linear prize is greater than the linear prize.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Robert J. Wright, Michael D. Frick, Timothy Patrick Jonathan Green, Stan Pade
  • Publication number: 20100075731
    Abstract: A process establishes a gross wholesale value for a predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets. Further, the process establishes a net wholesale value for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets that is less than or equal to the wholesale value for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets. A ratio of a sub-target lot size to a sub-target price is in a non-linear proportion with a ratio of a target lot size to a target price. The process also receives, from a retailer, the net wholesale value for the predetermined quantity of instant lottery game tickets such that a remainder that exceeds the net wholesale value is a commission for the retailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventor: Michael D. Frick
  • Publication number: 20100062824
    Abstract: The process generates a predetermined number of unique sub-combinations of a set of game numbers. Each of the sub-combinations has the same quantity of numbers. Further, the process prints a set of promotional lottery tickets for a promotional lottery game such that each of the promotional lottery tickets in the set of promotional lottery tickets distinctly corresponds to one of the unique sub-combinations of the set of game numbers. In addition, the process indicates a maximum prize that is won by a player having a promotional lottery ticket with a full match. The process also indicates a secondary prize that is won by a player having a promotional lottery ticket with a partial match. Further, the process provides at least a subset of the set of promotional lottery tickets to a plurality of players in the promotional lottery game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Michael D. Frick, Mark Davis
  • Publication number: 20100062822
    Abstract: A process is provided. The process generates an initial lot of instant lottery tickets. The initial lot has an initial lottery prize structure. The initial lottery prize structure has an initial lot size. Further, the process randomly selects an extracted lot of instant lottery tickets from an aggregate lot. The extracted lot has (i) an extracted lottery prize structure that has identical odds to the initial lottery prize structure without being limited to the predetermined number of maximum prizes in the maximum prize category and the predetermined number of secondary prizes in the secondary prize category, and (ii) an extracted lot size that is less than the aggregate lot size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Michael D. Frick, Mark Davis, David Richard Mizeur, Stan Pade, Andrzej Surmacz
  • Publication number: 20100062823
    Abstract: A process is provided. The process generates a predetermined number of unique sub-combinations of a set of game numbers, each of the sub-combinations having the same quantity of numbers. Further, the process prints a set of probabilities-based raffle tickets for a probabilities-based raffle game such that each of the probabilities-based raffle tickets in the set of probabilities-based raffle tickets distinctly corresponds to one of the unique sub-combinations of the set of game numbers. The process indicates a first price category and a second price category. In addition, the process indicates a maximum prize that a single player having a probabilities-based raffle ticket with a full match wins. The process also indicates a secondary prize that each of a plurality of players having a probabilities-based raffle ticket with a partial match wins. Each partial match is distinct and has a same quantity of numbers matched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Michael D. Frick
  • Publication number: 20100062825
    Abstract: A process is provided. The process generates a predetermined number of unique combinations of a set of game digits. Each of the combinations has the same quantity of digits. Further, the process prints a set of promotional lottery tickets for a promotional lottery game such that each of the promotional lottery tickets in the set of promotional lottery tickets distinctly corresponds to one of the unique combinations of the set of game digits. In addition, the process indicates a predetermined minimum number of primary prizes. The process also provides at least a subset of the set of promotional lottery tickets to a plurality of players in the promotional lottery game through ticket sales.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Michael D. Frick, Mark Davis
  • Publication number: 20100062821
    Abstract: A process is provided. The process generates a predetermined number of unique sub-combinations of a set of game numbers, each of the sub-combinations having the same quantity of numbers. Further, the process prints a set of probabilities-based raffle tickets for a probabilities-based raffle game such that each of the probabilities-based raffle tickets in the set of probabilities-based raffle tickets distinctly corresponds to one of the unique sub-combinations of the set of game numbers. In addition, the process indicates a maximum prize that a single player having a probabilities-based raffle ticket with a full match wins. The process also indicates a secondary prize that each of a plurality of players having a probabilities-based raffle ticket with a partial match wins. Each partial match is distinct and has a same quantity of numbers matched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventor: Michael D. Frick
  • Publication number: 20090318213
    Abstract: A process is provided. The process provides, with a ticket printer, a plurality of lottery tickets such that each lottery ticket indicates a first lottery game and a second lottery game. The process also provides a first lottery game match prize category in the first lottery game such that a player having a lottery ticket with a match in the first lottery game wins a first lottery game prize. Further, the process provides a second lottery game match prize category in the second lottery game such that a player having a lottery ticket with a match in the second lottery game wins a prize. In addition, the process provides a first multiplier category and a second multiplier category in the second lottery game, without being utilized in the first lottery game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Robert J. Wright, Michael D. Frick
  • Publication number: 20090298566
    Abstract: A process is provided. The process provides a lottery game. Further, the process provides a full match prize category in the lottery game such that a lottery player having a lottery ticket with a set of player numbers that is a full match with a set of drawn numbers wins a prize associated with the full match. In addition, the process provides a partial match prize category in the lottery game such that a lottery player having a lottery ticket with a set of player numbers that is a partial match with a set of drawn numbers wins a prize associated with the partial match that is less than the prize associated with the full match. The process also provides a subset partial match prize category in the lottery game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventor: Michael D. Frick
  • Publication number: 20090227318
    Abstract: A process provides a first price category and a second price category in which a scratch-off lottery ticket can be purchased for a instant lottery game. The first price category is distinct from the second price category. The first price category corresponds to a first known portion of a linear prize associated with the instant lottery game. The second price category corresponds to a second known portion of the linear prize associated with the instant lottery game. The second known portion of the linear prize is more than the first known portion of the linear prize. The process selects a set of instant lottery game numbers. The process generates a single predetermined ordered assortment of the set of instant lottery game numbers in a instant lottery matrix of numbers. The process generates, for each of the plurality of instant lottery tickets, a subset of the instant lottery game numbers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Robert J. Wright, Michael D. Frick
  • Publication number: 20090209328
    Abstract: A process indicates a first price category and a second price category in which a raffle ticket having a raffle number thereon is available for purchase. The raffle ticket is eligible for play in both an initial raffle game and a subsequent raffle game. The raffle ticket is eligible for play in both an initial raffle game and a subsequent raffle game. Further, the raffle number is utilized for play in both the initial raffle game and the subsequent raffle game. In addition, the initial raffle game occurs during an initial time period and the subsequent raffle game occurs during a subsequent time period. The initial raffle game also has an initial raffle game prize associated therewith. Further, the subsequent raffle game has a subsequent raffle prize associated therewith. The subsequent raffle game prize is less than the initial raffle game prize.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: Michael D. Frick
  • Publication number: 20090197661
    Abstract: A system is provided. The system includes a lottery ticket printer that prints a plurality of first price category lottery tickets, the plurality of second price category lottery tickets, and the plurality of third price category lottery tickets. Further, the system includes a lottery ticket distribution module that provides the plurality of first price category lottery tickets, the plurality of second price category lottery tickets, and the plurality of third price category lottery tickets to a plurality of players. The system also includes an allocation module that allocates a predetermined percentage of lottery ticket sales from the plurality of first price category lottery tickets, the plurality of second price category lottery tickets, and the plurality of third price category lottery tickets to each prize distribution in each price category. Further, the system includes a random selection module that randomly selects a set of winning lottery numbers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Michael D. Frick, Robert J. Wright
  • Publication number: 20090197662
    Abstract: A process provides indicates, with a display module, on a display a first price category and a second price category in which an instant online lottery ticket can be purchased for an instant online lottery game and a supplemental game. The first price category is distinct from the second price category. The first price category corresponds to (i) a first known portion of an instant online linear prize and a first known portion of an instant online non-linear prize associated with the instant online lottery game and (ii) a supplemental game prize. The second price category corresponds to (i) a second known portion of the instant online linear prize and a second known portion of the instant online non-linear prize associated with the instant online lottery game and (ii) the supplemental game prize.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Robert J. Wright, Michael D. Frick
  • Publication number: 20090194988
    Abstract: A process provides a first price category and a second price category in which a scratch-off lottery ticket can be purchased for a scratch-off lottery game. In addition, the process randomly selects an extracted lot of scratch-off lottery tickets from the aggregate lot, the extracted lot having (i) an extracted lottery prize structure that has identical odds to the initial lottery prize structure without being limited to the predetermined number of maximum prizes in the maximum prize category and the predetermined number of secondary prizes in the secondary prize category, and (ii) an extracted lot size that is less than the aggregate lot size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Robert J. Wright, Michael D. Frick, Mark Davis, David Richard Mizeur, Stan Pade, Andrzej Surmacz
  • Publication number: 20090143127
    Abstract: A process provides a lottery game. The process indicates a first price category and a second price category from which a lottery player can purchase a lottery ticket. The second price is a maximum price. Further, the process indicates a first prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a match of a predetermined quantity of numbers between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and a randomly selected set of numbers. In addition, the process indicates a second prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a match between the set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Michael D. Frick, Mark Davis, Edward Batoff, Robert J. Wright
  • Publication number: 20090131139
    Abstract: A process is provided. The process provides a lottery game. Further, the process indicates a first price category and a second price category from which a lottery player can purchase a lottery ticket. In addition, the process indicates a first partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the first price category that has a partial match of a predetermined quantity of numbers between a set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the first price category and a randomly selected set of numbers. The process also indicates a second partial match prize distribution that can be won with a lottery ticket purchased from the second price category that has a partial match between the set of player numbers appearing on the lottery ticket purchased from the second price category and the randomly selected set of numbers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Michael D. Frick, Mark Davis, Robert J. Wright
  • Publication number: 20090124365
    Abstract: An apparatus displays a plurality of distinct wager categories corresponding to play in a first game and a second game. Each of the distinct wager categories being associated with a known distinct portion of a jackpot prize associated with the second game. Further, the apparatus receives a selection of one of the distinct wager categories. In addition, the apparatus initiates play of the first game. The apparatus also initiates, after the play of the first game, play of the second game. Further, the apparatus determines a winning combination for the second game. In addition, the apparatus determines a player combination for the second game. The apparatus also provides the known distinct portion of the jackpot prize associated with the distinct wager category and also with the second game if the player combination matches the winning combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Andrzej Surmacz, Michael D. Frick, Robert J. Wright
  • Publication number: 20080254852
    Abstract: A process provides a first price category and a second price category in which an instant online lottery ticket can be purchased for an instant online lottery game. The first price category is distinct from the second price category. Further, the first price category corresponds to a first known portion of a linear prize and a first known portion of a position specific prize associated with the instant online lottery game. In addition, the second price category corresponds to a second known portion of a linear prize and a second known portion of the position specific prize, the second known portion of the linear prize being more than the first known portion of the linear prize. The second known portion of the position specific prize is more than the first known portion of the position specific prize.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Robert J. Wright, Michael D. Frick
  • Publication number: 20080254851
    Abstract: A process provides a first price category and a second price category in which an instant online lottery ticket can be purchased for an instant online lottery game. The first price category is distinct from the second price category. In addition, the process randomly generates an assortment of the set of instant online game numbers in an instant online matrix of numbers. The process also determines a linear subset of the set of instant online game numbers such that each number in the linear subset is matched with corresponding numbers in the instant online matrix of numbers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Robert J. Wright, Michael D. Frick
  • Publication number: 20080254853
    Abstract: A process provides a first price category and a second price category in which a lottery ticket can be purchased for a lottery game. The first price category is distinct from the second price category. The first price category corresponds to a first known portion of a linear prize and a first known portion of a non-linear prize associated with the lottery game. Further, the second price category corresponds to a second known portion of a linear prize and a second known portion of a non-linear prize associated with the lottery game. The second known portion of the linear prize is more than the first known portion of the linear prize, the second known portion of the non-linear prize being more than the first known portion of the non-linear prize.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Robert J. Wright, Michael D. Frick