METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A PROGRESSIVE PRIZE STRUCTURE IN AN INSTANT GAME

A multi-priced instant lottery game with a first price point and a second price point is provided such that (i) the first price point corresponds to a first known potential fixed prize and a first known potential percentage of a progressive prize and (ii) the second price point corresponds to a second known potential fixed prize and a second known potential percentage of the progressive prize. The second price point is greater than the first price point. The second known potential fixed prize being greater than the first known potential fixed prize. The second known potential percentage of the progressive prize is greater than the first known potential percentage of the progressive prize. Further, a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket is generated. In addition, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia is printed with a lottery ticket printer.

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Description
BACKGROUND

1. Field

This disclosure generally relates to the field of gaming. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a game of chance.

2. General Background

An instant lottery game typically allows a player to determine if he or she has won the lottery game instantly and the exact amount of the prize won instantly. The instant lottery game may be operated through a terminal at a lottery vendor. For example, the lottery vendor may have an instant lottery ticket dispensing machine that communicates with a central server. The instant lottery ticket dispensing machine may determine the assortment of indicia on the instant lottery game ticket at the time the instant lottery game ticket is purchased. Alternatively, the instant lottery game ticket may have an assortment that is predetermined prior to sale to the lottery vendor. As an example, a book of instant lottery game tickets may be generated and soled to the lottery vendor. The book of instant lottery game tickets may include scratch cards, pull tabs, or the like.

With respect to paper based instant lottery ticket games, the prizes have been fixed for practical purposes. For example, communicating changes in prize amounts for an instant win game to a player would be quite cumbersome and difficult. Further, the player would unlikely want to receive information on frequent updates to the prize structure.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process provides a multi-priced instant lottery game with a first price point and a second price point such that (i) the first price point corresponds to a first known potential fixed prize and a first known potential percentage of a progressive prize and (ii) the second price point corresponds to a second known potential fixed prize and a second known potential percentage of the progressive prize. The second price point is greater than the first price point. The second known potential fixed prize being greater than the first known potential fixed prize. The second known potential percentage of the progressive prize being greater than the first known potential percentage of the progressive prize. Further, the process generates a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket. In addition, the process prints, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia. The process also provides the instant lottery game ticket to the player at a first time such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia. The progressive prize has a first time accumulated value at the first time. Further, the process determines, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time, a second time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets. The second time accumulated value of the progressive prize is greater than the first time accumulated value of the prize. In addition, the process provides the first known potential fixed prize and the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point. The process also provides a portion of the first known potential fixed prize and a portion of the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point. Further, the process provides the second known potential fixed prize and the second known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point. In addition, the process provides a portion of the second known potential fixed prize and a portion of the second known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process provides a single-priced instant lottery game with a price point such that the price point corresponds to a known potential fixed prize and a known potential percentage of a progressive prize. Further, the process generates a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket. In addition, the process prints, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia. The process provides the instant lottery game ticket to the player at a first time such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia. The progressive prize has a first time accumulated value at the first time. The process also determines, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time, a second time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets, the second time accumulated value of the progressive prize being greater than the first time accumulated value of the prize. In addition, the process provides the known potential fixed prize and the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point. The process also provides a portion of the known potential fixed prize and a portion of the known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point.

In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process provides a multi-priced instant lottery game with a first price point and a second price point such that (i) the first price point corresponds to a first known potential fixed prize and a first known potential percentage of a progressive prize and (ii) the second price point corresponds to a second known potential fixed prize and a second known potential percentage of the progressive prize. The second price point being greater than the first price point. The second known potential fixed prize is greater than the first known potential fixed prize. The second known potential percentage of the progressive prize is greater than the first known potential percentage of the progressive prize. Further, the process generates a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket. In addition, the process prints, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia. The process also provides the instant lottery game ticket to the player such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia. The progressive prize has a first time accumulated value at the first time. Further, the process receives, at a first time, a claim of a player win. In addition, the process determines, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time, a second time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets, the second time accumulated value of the progressive prize being greater than the first time accumulated value of the prize. The process also provides the first known potential fixed prize and the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point. Further, the process provides a portion of the first known potential fixed prize and a portion of the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point. In addition, the process provides the second known potential fixed prize and the second known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point. The process also provides a portion of the second known potential fixed prize and a portion of the second known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process provides a single-priced instant lottery game with a price point such that the price point corresponds to a known potential fixed prize and a known potential percentage of a progressive prize. Further, the process generates a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket. In addition, the process prints, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia. The process also provides the instant lottery game ticket to the player at a first time such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia. The progressive prize has a first time accumulated value at the first time. Further, the process receives, at a first time, a claim of a player win. In addition, the process determines, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time, a second time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets. The second time accumulated value of the progressive prize is greater than the first time accumulated value of the prize. The process also provides the known potential fixed prize and the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point. Further, the process provides a portion of the known potential fixed prize and a portion of the known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point.

In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process provides a multi-priced instant lottery game with a first price point and a second price point such that (i) the first price point corresponds to a first known potential fixed prize and a first known potential percentage of a progressive prize and (ii) the second price point corresponds to a second known potential fixed prize and a second known potential percentage of the progressive prize. The second price point is greater than the first price point. The second known potential fixed prize is greater than the first known potential fixed prize. The second known potential percentage of the progressive prize is greater than the first known potential percentage of the progressive prize. Further, the process generates a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket. In addition, the process prints, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia. The process also provides the instant lottery game ticket to the player at a current time such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia. The progressive prize has a current time accumulated value at the first time. Further, the process determines a previous time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets. The previous time accumulated value of the progressive prize is less than the first time accumulated value of the prize. In addition, the process provides the first known potential fixed prize and the first known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point. The process also provides a portion of the first known potential fixed prize and a portion of the first known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point. Further, the process provides the second known potential fixed prize and the second known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point. In addition, the process provides a portion of the previous known potential fixed prize and a portion of the second known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process provides a single-priced instant lottery game with a price point such that the price point corresponds to a known potential fixed prize and a known potential percentage of a progressive prize. Further, the process generates a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket. In addition, the process prints, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia. The process also provides the instant lottery game ticket to the player at a current time such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia. The progressive prize has a current time accumulated value at the first time. In addition, the process determines a previous time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets. The previous time accumulated value of the progressive prize is less than the first time accumulated value of the prize. The process also provides the known potential fixed prize and the known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point. Further, the process provides a portion of the known potential fixed prize and a portion of the known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point.

In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process provides a multi-priced instant lottery game with a first price point and a second price point such that (i) the first price point corresponds to a first known potential percentage of a progressive prize and (ii) the second price point corresponds to a second known potential percentage of the progressive prize. The second price point is greater than the first price point. The second known potential fixed prize is greater than the first known potential fixed prize. The second known potential percentage of the progressive prize is greater than the first known potential percentage of the progressive prize. Further, the process generates a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket. In addition, the process prints, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia. The process also provides the instant lottery game ticket to the player at a first time such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia. The progressive prize has a first time accumulated value at the first time. Further, the process determines, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time, a second time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets. The second time accumulated value of the progressive prize is greater than the first time accumulated value of the prize. In addition, the process provides the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point. The process also provides a portion of the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point. Further, the process provides the second known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point. In addition, the process provides a portion of the second known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process provides a single-priced instant lottery game with a price point such that the first price point corresponds to a known potential percentage of a progressive prize. Further, the process generates a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket. In addition, the process prints, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia. The process also provides the instant lottery game ticket to the player at a first time such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia, the progressive prize having a first time accumulated value at the first time. Further, the process determines, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time, a second time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets. The second time accumulated value of the progressive prize is greater than the first time accumulated value of the prize. In addition, the process provides the known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point. The process also provides a portion of the known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point.

In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process provides a multi-priced instant lottery game with a first price point and a second price point such that (i) the first price point corresponds to a first known potential percentage of a progressive prize and (ii) the second price point corresponds to a second known potential percentage of the progressive prize. The second price point is greater than the first price point. The second known potential fixed prize is greater than the first known potential fixed prize, the second known potential percentage of the progressive prize being greater than the first known potential percentage of the progressive prize. Further, the process generates a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket. In addition, the process prints, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia. The process also provides the instant lottery game ticket to the player such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia. The progressive prize having a first time accumulated value at the first time. Further, the process receives, at a first time, a claim of a player win. In addition, the process determines, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time, a second time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets. The second time accumulated value of the progressive prize is greater than the first time accumulated value of the prize. The process also provides the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point. Further, the process provides a portion of the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point. In addition, the process also provides the second known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point. The process also provides a portion of the second known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process provides a single-priced instant lottery game with a price point such that the price point corresponds to a known potential percentage of a progressive prize. Further, the process generates a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket. In addition, the process prints, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia. The process also provides the instant lottery game ticket to the player at a first time such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia. The progressive prize has a first time accumulated value at the first time. Further, the process receives, at a first time, a claim of a player win. In addition, the process determines, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time, a second time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets. The second time accumulated value of the progressive prize is greater than the first time accumulated value of the prize. The process also provides the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point. Further, the process provides a portion of the known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point.

In another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process provides a multi-priced instant lottery game with a first price point and a second price point such that (i) the first price point corresponds to a first known potential percentage of a progressive prize and (ii) the second price point corresponds to a second known potential percentage of the progressive prize. The second price point is greater than the first price point. The second known potential percentage of the progressive prize is greater than the first known potential percentage of the progressive prize. Further, the process generates a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket. In addition, the process prints, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia. The process also provides the instant lottery game ticket to the player at a current time such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia, the progressive prize having a current time accumulated value at the first time. Further, the process determines a previous time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets, the previous time accumulated value of the progressive prize being less than the first time accumulated value of the progressive prize. In addition, the process provides the first known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point. The process also provides a portion of the first known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point. Further, the process provides the second known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point. In addition, the process provides a portion of the second known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point.

In yet another aspect of the disclosure, a process is provided. The process provides a single-priced instant lottery game with a price point such that the price point corresponds to a known potential percentage of a progressive prize. Further, the process generates a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket. In addition, the process prints, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia. The process also provides the instant lottery game ticket to the player at a current time such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia, the progressive prize having a current time accumulated value at the first time. Further, the process determines a previous time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets, the previous time accumulated value of the progressive prize being less than the first time accumulated value of the prize. In addition, the process provides the known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point. The process also provides a portion of the known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a prize structure for a multi-priced instant lottery game with a progressive.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrates a process that provides a multi-priced instant lottery game with a progressive prize.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process that provides a single-priced instant lottery game with a progressive prize.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a process that is an alternative configuration to the process 200 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B for providing a multi-priced instant lottery game with a progressive prize.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a process that is an alternative configuration to the process illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B for providing a multi-priced instant lottery game with a progressive prize.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a station or system that provides an instant progressive prize.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A method, apparatus, and computer program product may be utilized to provide a progressive prize in an instant game. A player that purchases an instant lottery ticket may instantly determine if he or she has won the instant lottery game. However, the exact amount of the progressive prize in a paper based instant lottery game cannot be determined with certainty at the time the player determines a possible win. A reason that the exact amount of the progressive prize cannot be determined for certainty at the time of the instant win is that a progressive prize may be shared amongst multiple winners. As an example, if a first player wins the instant game in the morning on a given day and a second player wins the instant game in the afternoon on that same day, the two players may possibly share the progressive prize. However, if the first player is plaid the progressive prize in the morning, then the progressive prize is no longer available for sharing with the second player. Further, another reason that the exact amount of the progressive prize cannot be determined for certainty at the time of the instant win is that in some instant games, e.g., scratch cards, a tracking system may possibly not be utilized to determine the exact time of the instant win as the scratch cards are generated prior to sale to the vendor.

Accordingly, a progressive prize is provided with an instant game with a delay mechanism. The player will instantly be able to determine whether he or she has won the instant lottery game, but a delay will exist in between the time the player purchase his or her instant lottery game ticket and the time that the player may determine the instant lottery game prize.

FIG. 1 illustrates a prize structure 100 for a multi-priced instant lottery game with a progressive. The prize structure 100 has a plurality of price points. As an example, the prize structure 100 may have a first price point 102 for one dollar, a second price point 104 for two dollars, and a third price point 106 for five dollars. With respect to each price point, a player with a winning lottery number may win a corresponding potential fixed prize 108. For example, a player that purchases a one dollar price point 102 may win a first fixed prize 110 of one hundred thousand dollars, a player that purchases a two dollar price point 104 may win a second fixed prize 112 of two hundred fifty thousand dollars, and a player that purchases a three dollar price point 106 may wing a third fixed prize 114 of one million dollars. In one embodiment, the progressive prize 110 equals a percentage of the fixed prize 108. In one configuration, the percentage equals the percentage of the fixed prize for a given price of the maximum fixed prize for the maximum price point. For example, a first price point progressive percentage 116 may equal ten percent since the first fixed prize 110 of one hundred thousand dollars is ten percent of the third fixed prize 114 of one million dollars. As another example, a second price point progressive percentage 118 may equal twenty five percent since the second fixed prize 112 is twenty five percent of the third fixed prize 114. As yet another example, a third price point progressive percentage 120 is one hundred percent sine the third fixed prize 114 is one hundred percent of the third fixed prize 114.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrates a process 200 that provides a multi-priced instant lottery game with a progressive prize. At a process block 202, the process 200 provides a multi-priced instant lottery game with a first price point and a second price point such that (i) the first price point corresponds to a first known potential fixed prize and a first known potential percentage of a progressive prize and (ii) the second price point corresponds to a second known potential fixed prize and a second known potential percentage of the progressive prize. The second price point is greater than the first price point. The second known potential fixed prize being greater than the first known potential fixed prize. The second known potential percentage of the progressive prize being greater than the first known potential percentage of the progressive prize. Further, at a process block 204, the process 200 generates a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket. In addition, at a process block 206, the process 200 prints, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia. At a process block 208, the process 200 also provides the instant lottery game ticket to the player at a first time such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia. The progressive prize has a first time accumulated value at the first time. Further, at a process block 210, the process 200 determines, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time, a second time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets. The second time accumulated value of the progressive prize is greater than the first time accumulated value of the prize. In addition, at a process block 212, the process 200 provides the first known potential fixed prize and the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point. At a process block 214, the process 200 also provides a portion of the first known potential fixed prize and a portion of the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point. Further, at a process block 216, the process 200 provides the second known potential fixed prize and the second known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point. In addition, at a process block 218, the process 200 provides a portion of the second known potential fixed prize and a portion of the second known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point.

As an example of how the process 200 is implemented, a player may purchase an instant lottery ticket at the first price point 102, as illustrated in FIG. 1, at a first time of eleven am on a Monday morning. At that first time, the progressive prize may have accumulated to be equal to fifty thousand dollars. The player may instantly determine at the first time of eleven am on that Monday morning that he or she has won the instant lottery game. Further, he or she may determine that he or she has won the first price point fixed prize 110 of one hundred thousand dollars. However, the player cannot determine at eight am on that Monday morning with certainty what the progressive prize will be. The player has to wait until a second time such as eleven fifty nine pm on that Monday night to determine the final progressive prize. At that second time, the player will know whether the prize has accumulated to an amount greater than fifty thousand dollars and whether the progressive prize has to be shared with any other players. For example, if the progressive prize accumulates to sixty thousand dollars at the second time of eleven fifty nine pm on that Monday night, the player may win the first progressive percentage 116 of ten percent of that second time accumulated progressive prize of sixty thousand dollars, i.e., six thousand dollars, in addition to the first price point fixed prize 110 of one hundred thousand dollars if no other players have won the instant lottery game on that Monday. However, if another player has won the instant lottery game on that day, e.g., a second player wins at six pm on that Monday, then the players may have to share the progressive prize or portions of the progressive prize. In one embodiment, only multiple winners from the same price point share a prize. For example, multiple winners at the first price point 102 would share the first progressive prize portion 116 of ten percent. However, multiple winners from different price points would not share the progressive prize 110 or any portions thereof. As an example, a player that purchased a winning instant lottery ticket at the first price point 102 and a player that purchased a winning instant lottery ticket at the second price point 104 would not share their portions of the progressive prize 110. The portions would be fully paid out. Even if a player purchase an instant lottery ticket at the second price point 104 and a player purchased an instant lottery ticket at the third price point 106, the full prize percentages would be paid. In other words, the instant lottery ticket holder that purchased the instant lottery game ticket at the third price point 106 would be paid the full one hundred percent of the progressive prize 110 and the instant lottery ticket holder that purchased the instant lottery game ticket at the second price point 104 would be paid the full twenty five percent. In yet another embodiment, multiple winners at different price points would share the progressive prize 110. In one configuration, the player that purchased his or her instant lottery game ticket at the higher price point than the other player would receive a larger share.

In one embodiment, determining the assortment in any of the configurations provided for herein involves randomly generating the assortment. The random generation may be performed by a computer processor that randomly generates the assortment, a random generation apparatus such as a ball hopper, or the like. In another embodiment, determining the assortment for any of the configurations provided for herein may be an nth ticket configuration. In other words, an assortment may be determined so that a certain nth ticket will have winning indicia. As an example, every one thousandth ticket may predetermined to have winning indicia.

FIG. 3 illustrates a process 300 that provides a single-priced instant lottery game with a progressive prize. At a process block 302, the process 300 provides a single-priced instant lottery game with a price point such that the price point corresponds to a known potential fixed prize and a known potential percentage of a progressive prize. Further, at a process block 304, the process 300 generates a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket. In addition, at a process block 306, the process 300 prints, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia. At a process block 308, the process 300 provides the instant lottery game ticket to the player at a first time such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia. The progressive prize has a first time accumulated value at the first time. Further, at a process block 310, the process 300 also determines, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time, a second time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets, the second time accumulated value of the progressive prize being greater than the first time accumulated value of the prize. In addition, at a process block 312, the process 300 provides the known potential fixed prize and the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point. At a process block 314, the process 300 also provides a portion of the known potential fixed prize and a portion of the known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a process 400 that is an alternative configuration to the process 200 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B for providing a multi-priced instant lottery game with a progressive prize. At a process block 402, the process 400 provides a multi-priced instant lottery game with a first price point and a second price point such that (i) the first price point corresponds to a first known potential fixed prize and a first known potential percentage of a progressive prize and (ii) the second price point corresponds to a second known potential fixed prize and a second known potential percentage of the progressive prize. The second price point being greater than the first price point. The second known potential fixed prize is greater than the first known potential fixed prize. The second known potential percentage of the progressive prize is greater than the first known potential percentage of the progressive prize. Further, at a process block 404, the process 400 generates a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket. In addition, at a process block 406, the process 400 prints, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia. At a process block 408, the process 400 also provides the instant lottery game ticket to the player such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia. The progressive prize has a first time accumulated value at the first time. Further, at a process block 410, the process 400 receives, at a first time, a claim of a player win. In addition, at a process block 412, the process 400 determines, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time, a second time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets, the second time accumulated value of the progressive prize being greater than the first time accumulated value of the prize. At a process block 414, the process 400 also provides the first known potential fixed prize and the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point. Further, at a process block 416, the process 400 provides a portion of the first known potential fixed prize and a portion of the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point. In addition, at a process block 418, the process 400 provides the second known potential fixed prize and the second known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point. At a process block 420, the process 400 also provides a portion of the second known potential fixed prize and a portion of the second known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point. In an alternative embodiment, a single-priced instant lottery game may be utilized.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a process 500 that is an alternative configuration to the process 200 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B for providing a multi-priced instant lottery game with a progressive prize. At a process block 502, the process 500 provides a multi-priced instant lottery game with a first price point and a second price point such that (i) the first price point corresponds to a first known potential fixed prize and a first known potential percentage of a progressive prize and (ii) the second price point corresponds to a second known potential fixed prize and a second known potential percentage of the progressive prize. The second price point is greater than the first price point. The second known potential fixed prize is greater than the first known potential fixed prize. The second known potential percentage of the progressive prize is greater than the first known potential percentage of the progressive prize. Further, at a process block 504, the process 500 generates a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket. In addition, at a process block 506, the process 500 prints, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia. At a process block 508, the process 500 also provides the instant lottery game ticket to the player at a current time such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia. The progressive prize has a current time accumulated value at the first time. Further, at a process block 510, the process 500 determines a previous time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets. The previous time accumulated value of the progressive prize is less than the first time accumulated value of the prize. In addition, at a process block 512, the process 500 provides the first known potential fixed prize and the first known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point. At a process bock 514, the process 500 also provides a portion of the first known potential fixed prize and a portion of the first known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point. Further, at a process block 516, the process 500 provides the second known potential fixed prize and the second known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point. In addition, at a process block 518, the process 500 provides a portion of the previous known potential fixed prize and a portion of the second known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point.

As an example of how the process 500 is implemented, a player may purchase an instant lottery ticket at the first price point 102, as illustrated in FIG. 1, at a current time of eleven am on a Monday morning. The progressive prize may have been fifty thousand dollars at a previous time such eleven fifty nine pm on the previous Sunday night. By the time that the player purchases the instant lottery ticket at eleven am, the progressive prize may have grown to be sixty thousand dollars. However, the process 500 provides a portion of the progressive prize at the previous time to the player. For example, the player may win the first progressive percentage 116 of ten percent of the previous time accumulated progressive prize of sixty thousand dollars, i.e., six thousand dollars, in addition to the first price point fixed prize 110 of one hundred thousand dollars if no other players have won the instant lottery game on that Monday. However, if another player has won the instant lottery game on that day, e.g., a second player wins at six pm on that Monday, then the players may have to share the progressive prize or portions of the progressive prize. In one embodiment, only multiple winners from the same price point share a prize. For example, multiple winners at the first price point 102 would share the first progressive prize portion 116 of ten percent. However, multiple winners from different price points would not share the progressive prize 110 or any portions thereof. As an example, a player that purchased a winning instant lottery ticket at the first price point 102 and a player that purchased a winning instant lottery ticket at the second price point 104 would not share their portions of the progressive prize 110. The portions would be fully paid out. Even if a player purchase an instant lottery ticket at the second price point 104 and a player purchased an instant lottery ticket at the third price point 106, the full prize percentages would be paid. In other words, the instant lottery ticket holder that purchased the instant lottery game ticket at the third price point 106 would be paid the full one hundred percent of the progressive prize 110 and the instant lottery ticket holder that purchased the instant lottery game ticket at the second price point 104 would be paid the full twenty five percent. In yet another embodiment, multiple winners at different price points would share the progressive prize 110. In one configuration, the player that purchased his or her instant lottery game ticket at the higher price point than the other player would receive a larger share. In an alternative embodiment, a single-priced configuration may be utilized.

In one embodiment, the game of chance is utilized for both non-cash and cash prizes. In other words, different types of winning outcomes provide non-cash and/or cash prizes.

In one embodiment, the sale of scratch cards in a book of scratch cards is not tracked by a central server. In another embodiment, the sale of scratch cards in a book of scratch cards may be tracked by a central server. For example, a bar code may be placed on the scratch card to track the scratch card. In another embodiment, the sale of the scratch cards may be tracked by activation. The central server may know which book the winning ticket came from.

The processes described herein may be implemented in a general, multi-purpose or single purpose processor. Such a processor will execute instructions, either at the assembly, compiled or machine-level, to perform the processes. Those instructions can be written by one of ordinary skill in the art following the description of the figures corresponding to the processes and stored or transmitted on a computer readable medium. The instructions may also be created using source code or any other known computer-aided design tool. A computer readable medium may be any medium capable of carrying those instructions and include a CD-ROM, DVD, magnetic or other optical disc, tape, silicon memory (e.g., removable, non-removable, volatile or non-volatile), packetized or non-packetized data through wireline or wireless transmissions locally or remotely through a network.

A computer is herein intended to include any device that has a general, multi-purpose or single purpose processor as described above. For example, a computer may be a lottery terminal, a kiosk, a vending machine, a set top box (“STB”), cell phone, portable media player, or the like.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a station or system 600 that provides an instant progressive prize. In one embodiment, the station or system 600 is implemented utilizing a general purpose computer or any other hardware equivalents. Thus, the station or system 600 comprises a processor 610, a memory 620, e.g., random access memory (“RAM”) and/or read only memory (ROM), an instant progressive prize module 640, and various input/output devices 630, (e.g., audio/video outputs and audio/video inputs, storage devices, including but not limited to, a tape drive, a floppy drive, a hard disk drive or a compact disk drive, a receiver, a transmitter, a speaker, a display, an image capturing sensor, e.g., those used in a digital still camera or digital video camera, a clock, an output port, a user input device (such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, and the like, or a microphone for capturing speech commands)).

It should be understood that the instant progressive prize module 640 may be implemented as one or more physical devices that are coupled to the processor 610. For example, the instant progressive prize module 640 may include a plurality of modules. Alternatively, the instant progressive prize module 640 may be represented by one or more software applications (or even a combination of software and hardware, e.g., using application specific integrated circuits (ASIC)), where the software is loaded from a storage medium, (e.g., a magnetic or optical drive, diskette, or non-volatile memory) and operated by the processor in the memory 620 of the computer. As such, the instant progressive prize module 640 (including associated data structures) of the present disclosure may be stored on a computer readable medium, e.g., RAM memory, magnetic or optical drive or diskette and the like.

The station or system 600 may be utilized to implement any of the configurations herein. For example, the processor 610 may be utilized to establish a game, operate a game, perform calculations, or the like.

A virtual device may be utilized to provide any of the games provided herein. For example, a virtual lottery ticket may be sold rather than a paper ticket. For instance, a player may be able to purchase an electronic version of a ticket through a computing device such as a computer, laptop, kiosk, cell phone, smart phone, personal digital assistant, or the like.

A supplemental game may be utilized in addition to any of the configurations provided herein. Further, any of the configurations provided may be utilized as a supplemental game.

A variety of price points may be utilized. Although two price points are illustrated, any of the configurations described herein may include more price points.

It is understood that the processes and systems described herein may also be applied in other types of processes and systems. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various adaptations and modifications of the embodiments of the processes and systems described herein may be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the present processes and systems. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the present processes and systems may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing a multi-priced instant lottery game with a first price point and a second price point such that (i) the first price point corresponds to a first known potential fixed prize and a first known potential percentage of a progressive prize and (ii) the second price point corresponds to a second known potential fixed prize and a second known potential percentage of the progressive prize, the second price point being greater than the first price point, the second known potential fixed prize being greater than the first known potential fixed prize, the second known potential percentage of the progressive prize being greater than the first known potential percentage of the progressive prize;
generating a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket;
printing, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia;
providing the instant lottery game ticket to the player at a first time such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia, the progressive prize having a first time accumulated value at the first time;
determining, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time, a second time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets, the second time accumulated value of the progressive prize being greater than the first time accumulated value of the prize;
providing the first known potential fixed prize and the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point;
providing a portion of the first known potential fixed prize and a portion of the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point;
providing the second known potential fixed prize and the second known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point; and
providing a portion of the second known potential fixed prize and a portion of the second known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second known potential percentage of the progressive prize equals one hundred percent.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein first known potential percentage of the progressive prize equals a percentage that results from the first known fixed prize divided by the second known fixed prize.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicia are numbers.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicia are symbols.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first time is a morning time.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first time is an afternoon time.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first time is an evening time.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second time is a last evening time in a day.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein sale of the instant lottery ticket is tracked by a central server.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the instant lottery ticket is sold through a lottery ticket terminal.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the instant lottery ticket is sold from a book of instant lottery tickets without a bar code on each of the instant lottery tickets in the book.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the instant lottery ticket is sold from a book of instant lottery tickets with a bar code on each of the instant lottery tickets in the book.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the instant lottery ticket is scratch card game.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the instant lottery ticket is a pull tabs game.

16. A method comprising:

providing a single-priced instant lottery game with a price point such that the price point corresponds to a known potential fixed prize and a known potential percentage of a progressive prize;
generating a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket;
printing, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia;
providing the instant lottery game ticket to the player at a first time such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia, the progressive prize having a first time accumulated value at the first time;
determining, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time, a second time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets, the second time accumulated value of the progressive prize being greater than the first time accumulated value of the prize;
providing the known potential fixed prize and the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point; and
providing a portion of the known potential fixed prize and a portion of the known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicia are numbers.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicia are symbols.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the first time is a morning time.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the first time is an afternoon time.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the first time is an evening time.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the second time is a last evening time in a day.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein sale of the instant lottery ticket is tracked by a central server.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the instant lottery ticket is sold through a lottery ticket terminal.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the instant lottery ticket is sold from a book of instant lottery tickets without a bar code on each of the instant lottery tickets in the book.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the instant lottery ticket is sold from a book of instant lottery tickets with a bar code on each of the instant lottery tickets in the book.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the instant lottery ticket is scratch card game.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein the instant lottery ticket is a pull tabs game.

29. A method comprising:

providing a multi-priced instant lottery game with a first price point and a second price point such that (i) the first price point corresponds to a first known potential fixed prize and a first known potential percentage of a progressive prize and (ii) the second price point corresponds to a second known potential fixed prize and a second known potential percentage of the progressive prize, the second price point being greater than the first price point, the second known potential fixed prize being greater than the first known potential fixed prize, the second known potential percentage of the progressive prize being greater than the first known potential percentage of the progressive prize;
generating a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket;
printing, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia;
providing the instant lottery game ticket to the player such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia, the progressive prize having a first time accumulated value at the first time;
receiving, at a first time, a claim of a player win;
determining, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time, a second time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets, the second time accumulated value of the progressive prize being greater than the first time accumulated value of the prize;
providing the first known potential fixed prize and the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point;
providing a portion of the first known potential fixed prize and a portion of the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point;
providing the second known potential fixed prize and the second known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point; and
providing a portion of the second known potential fixed prize and a portion of the second known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point.

30. A method comprising:

providing a single-priced instant lottery game with a price point such that the price point corresponds to a known potential fixed prize and a known potential percentage of a progressive prize;
generating a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket;
printing, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia;
providing the instant lottery game ticket to the player at a first time such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia, the progressive prize having a first time accumulated value at the first time;
receiving, at a first time, a claim of a player win;
determining, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time, a second time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets, the second time accumulated value of the progressive prize being greater than the first time accumulated value of the prize;
providing the known potential fixed prize and the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point; and
providing a portion of the known potential fixed prize and a portion of the known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point.

31. A method comprising:

providing a multi-priced instant lottery game with a first price point and a second price point such that (i) the first price point corresponds to a first known potential fixed prize and a first known potential percentage of a progressive prize and (ii) the second price point corresponds to a second known potential fixed prize and a second known potential percentage of the progressive prize, the second price point being greater than the first price point, the second known potential fixed prize being greater than the first known potential fixed prize, the second known potential percentage of the progressive prize being greater than the first known potential percentage of the progressive prize;
generating a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket;
printing, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia;
providing the instant lottery game ticket to the player at a current time such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia, the progressive prize having a current time accumulated value at the first time;
determining a previous time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets, the previous time accumulated value of the progressive prize being less than the first time accumulated value of the progressive prize;
providing the first known potential fixed prize and the first known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point;
providing a portion of the first known potential fixed prize and a portion of the first known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point;
providing the second known potential fixed prize and the second known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point; and
providing a portion of the previous known potential fixed prize and a portion of the second known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point.

32. A method comprising:

providing a single-priced instant lottery game with a price point such that the price point corresponds to a known potential fixed prize and a known potential percentage of a progressive prize;
generating a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket;
printing, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia;
providing the instant lottery game ticket to the player at a current time such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia, the progressive prize having a current time accumulated value at the first time;
determining a previous time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets, the previous time accumulated value of the progressive prize being less than the first time accumulated value of the prize;
providing the known potential fixed prize and the known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point; and
providing a portion of the known potential fixed prize and a portion of the known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point.

33. A method comprising:

providing a multi-priced instant lottery game with a first price point and a second price point such that (i) the first price point corresponds to a first known potential percentage of a progressive prize and (ii) the second price point corresponds to a second known potential percentage of the progressive prize, the second price point being greater than the first price point, the second known potential fixed prize being greater than the first known potential fixed prize, the second known potential percentage of the progressive prize being greater than the first known potential percentage of the progressive prize;
generating a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket;
printing, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia;
providing the instant lottery game ticket to the player at a first time such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia, the progressive prize having a first time accumulated value at the first time;
determining, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time, a second time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets, the second time accumulated value of the progressive prize being greater than the first time accumulated value of the prize;
providing the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point;
providing a portion of the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point;
providing the second known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point; and
providing a portion of the second known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point.

34. A method comprising:

providing a single-priced instant lottery game with a price point such that the first price point corresponds to a known potential percentage of a progressive prize;
generating a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket;
printing, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia;
providing the instant lottery game ticket to the player at a first time such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia, the progressive prize having a first time accumulated value at the first time;
determining, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time, a second time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets, the second time accumulated value of the progressive prize being greater than the first time accumulated value of the prize;
providing the known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point; and
providing a portion of the known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point.

35. A method comprising:

providing a multi-priced instant lottery game with a first price point and a second price point such that (i) the first price point corresponds to a first known potential percentage of a progressive prize and (ii) the second price point corresponds to a second known potential percentage of the progressive prize, the second price point being greater than the first price point, the second known potential fixed prize being greater than the first known potential fixed prize, the second known potential percentage of the progressive prize being greater than the first known potential percentage of the progressive prize;
generating a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket;
printing, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia;
providing the instant lottery game ticket to the player such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia, the progressive prize having a first time accumulated value at the first time;
receiving, at a first time, a claim of a player win;
determining, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time, a second time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets, the second time accumulated value of the progressive prize being greater than the first time accumulated value of the prize;
providing the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point;
providing a portion of the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point;
providing the second known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point; and
providing a portion of the second known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point.

36. A method comprising:

providing a single-priced instant lottery game with a price point such that the price point corresponds to a known potential percentage of a progressive prize;
generating a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket;
printing, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia;
providing the instant lottery game ticket to the player at a first time such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia, the progressive prize having a first time accumulated value at the first time;
receiving, at a first time, a claim of a player win;
determining, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time, a second time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets, the second time accumulated value of the progressive prize being greater than the first time accumulated value of the prize;
providing the first known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point; and
providing a portion of the known potential percentage of the second time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point.

37. A method comprising:

providing a multi-priced instant lottery game with a first price point and a second price point such that (i) the first price point corresponds to a first known potential percentage of a progressive prize and (ii) the second price point corresponds to a second known potential percentage of the progressive prize, the second price point being greater than the first price point, the second known potential percentage of the progressive prize being greater than the first known potential percentage of the progressive prize;
generating a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket;
printing, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia;
providing the instant lottery game ticket to the player at a current time such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia, the progressive prize having a current time accumulated value at the first time;
determining a previous time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets, the previous time accumulated value of the progressive prize being less than the first time accumulated value of the progressive prize;
providing the first known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point;
providing a portion of the first known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point;
providing the second known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the first price point and no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point; and
providing a portion of the second known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the second price point.

38. A method comprising:

providing a single-priced instant lottery game with a price point such that the price point corresponds to a known potential percentage of a progressive prize;
generating a set of indicia associated with an instant lottery game ticket;
printing, with a lottery ticket printer, the instant lottery game ticket with the set of indicia;
providing the instant lottery game ticket to the player at a current time such that the player instantly determines if the set indicia is a winning set of indicia, the progressive prize having a current time accumulated value at the first time;
determining a previous time accumulated value of the progressive prize and a quantity of winning instant lottery tickets, the previous time accumulated value of the progressive prize being less than the first time accumulated value of the prize;
providing the known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to a single player that purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point if no other player purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point; and
providing a portion of the known potential percentage of the previous time accumulated progressive prize to each of multiple players that each purchased a winning instant lottery game ticket at the price point.
Patent History
Publication number: 20120122536
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 12, 2010
Publication Date: May 17, 2012
Inventors: Michael D. Frick (Crawfordville, FL), Mark B. Davis (San Juan, PR), David Richard Mizeur (Springfield, IL), Stan Pade (North Arlington, NJ)
Application Number: 12/945,611
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Lot Match Or Lot Combination (e.g., Roulette, Lottery, Etc.) (463/17); Parimutuel Pool (463/28)
International Classification: A63F 3/06 (20060101);