Gaming Device and Ticket for Interactive Instant Lottery Games

Abstract

An instant lottery ticket and gaming device that improves user interaction and excitement. The gaming device makes the fixed outcome result of a ticket appear more like a casino-type or other multiple iteration game. Game configuration and interaction between the user and the gaming device depends upon user preferences and any limitations imposed by the lottery authority.

1 . An instant lottery gaming system comprising: 
 a. A lottery ticket having a removable portion concealing instant game information including the fixed outcome of the ticket;    b. A reader means to input lottery ticket information into the gaming device;    c. An input means whereby the lottery player can interact with the lottery game;    d. A display means to show the user the current status of the game and current winnings, if any;    e. A configuration means to hold user gaming preferences;    f. A gaming logic means to play one or more lottery games;    f. A controller means to manage the operation of the gaming device.    
   
   
       2 . The lottery gaming system of  claim 1  wherein the information on the lottery ticket is encrypted so the outcome of the ticket cannot be determined without using the gaming device.  
   
   
       3 . The lottery gaming system of  claim 1  wherein the reader means reads the encrypted lottery ticket information and converts it to its unencrypted form.  
   
   
       4 . The lottery gaming system of  claim 1  wherein the gaming device is a cellular phone with integrated keypad, graphical display, and digital camera.  
   
   
       5 . The lottery gaming system of  claim 4  where the gaming system runs as a software component on the cellular phone.  
   
   
       6 . The lottery gaming system of  claim 1  wherein the gaming logic emulates popular casino games and other games of chance, and permits multiple gaming attempts to increase player enjoyment.  
   
   
       7 . The lottery gaming system of  claim 1  wherein the configuration means saves user preferences in non-volatile storage allowing a new game to start immediately when a lottery ticket is read by the reader means.  
   
   
       8 . A lottery ticket comprising a removable portion to reveal instant game information that requires an electronic gaming device to determine the winning value of the ticket by playing an interactive game.  
   
   
       9 . A lottery ticket of  claim 8  wherein the game information is encrypted such that it can only be recognized by devices approved by the controlling lottery authority.  
   
   
       10 . A method of conducting a lottery comprising the steps of: 
 a. accepting instant lottery information from a ticket;    b. applying user configuration to determine what game to play, how long the game will last, and game specific parameters;    c. optionally restricting the game choice and parameters to limitations imposed by the information on the lottery ticket;    d. interactively playing the game showing gaming information after each step of the game;    e. displaying the final, fixed outcome of the lottery ticket.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the step of accepting instant lottery information consists of reading the fixed outcome of the ticket as well as the ticket price, expiration date, and gaming limitations.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the step of restricting the game choice and parameters consists of enforcing limitations imposed by the lottery authority when the game is played and overrides any user specified configuration.