Method and apparatus for providing an instant lottery game with an ordered assortment

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.

1 . A method comprising:
 providing a first price category and a second price category in which a instant lottery ticket can be purchased for a instant lottery game, the first price category being distinct from the second price category, the first price category corresponding to a first known portion of a linear prize associated with the instant lottery game, the second price category corresponding to a second known portion of the linear prize associated with the instant lottery game, the second known portion of the linear prize being more than the first known portion of the linear prize;   selecting a set of instant lottery game numbers;   generating a single predetermined ordered assortment of the set of instant lottery game numbers in an instant lottery matrix of numbers;   generating, for each of the plurality of instant lottery tickets, a subset of the instant lottery game numbers;   printing, on each of the plurality of instant lottery tickets, the subset of the instant lottery game numbers generated particular to a respective lottery ticket and the single predetermined ordered assortment of the set of instant lottery game numbers in the instant lottery matrix of numbers;   providing the first known portion of the linear prize associated with the instant lottery game to a player if the player purchased the lottery ticket from the first price category and a linear match in the instant lottery matrix of numbers is displayed, the linear match being a linear display in the instant lottery matrix of numbers of at least a predetermined quantity of numbers from the linear subset; and   providing the second known portion of the linear prize associated with the instant lottery game to the player if the player purchased the lottery ticket from the second price category and a linear match is displayed in the instant lottery matrix of numbers.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the generating, for each of the plurality of instant lottery tickets, the subset of the instant lottery game numbers is effectuated through a random selection. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the random selection is a quick pick. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the random selection is generated by a random number generator. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the random selection is generated by a computing device. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the linear match is a row in the instant lottery matrix. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the linear match is a portion of a row in the instant lottery matrix. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the linear match is a column in the instant lottery matrix. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the linear match is a portion of a column in the instant lottery matrix. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the linear match is a diagonal in the instant lottery matrix. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the linear match is a portion of a diagonal in the instant lottery matrix. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the linear match includes a consecutive linear display in the instant lottery matrix of a plurality of numbers in the linear subset. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the linear match includes a non-consecutive linear display in the instant lottery matrix of a plurality of numbers in the linear subset such that a number that is not within the linear subset is between numbers that are within the linear subset. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the linear prize is a fixed prize. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the linear prize is a progressive prize. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein payment of the linear prize is guaranteed by a third party. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a variable ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category for distribution of the linear prize. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first price category also corresponds to a first known portion of a non-linear prize associated with the instant lottery game and the second price category also corresponds to a second known portion of the non-linear prize, the second known portion of the non-linear prize being more than the first known portion of the non-linear prize. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a constant ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category for distribution of the linear prize. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined quantity of numbers equals four. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the instant lottery game is implemented as a monitor game. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising performing a selection of a non-linear subset of the set of instant lottery game numbers that is utilized for each of the plurality of instant lottery tickets. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the performing the selection of the non-linear subset of the set of instant lottery game numbers that is utilized for each of the plurality of instant lottery tickets is effectuated through a random selection. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising providing the first known portion of the non-linear prize associated with the instant lottery game to the player if the player purchased the lottery ticket from the first price category and a non-linear match is displayed in the instant lottery matrix of numbers, the non-linear match being a predetermined arrangement of numbers in the non-linear subset that is a display in the instant lottery matrix of numbers, the quantity of numbers in the predetermined arrangement of numbers being less than the predetermined quantity of numbers. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising providing the second known portion of the non-linear prize associated with the instant lottery game to the player if the player purchased the lottery ticket from the second price category and a non-linear match is displayed in the instant lottery matrix of numbers. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a variable ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category for distribution of the non-linear prize. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a constant ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category for distribution of the non-linear prize. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein payment of the non-linear prize is guaranteed by a third party. 
   
   
       29 . A method comprising:
 providing a first price category and a second price category in which a instant lottery ticket can be purchased for a instant lottery game, the first price category being distinct from the second price category, the first price category corresponding to a first known portion of a non-linear prize associated with the instant lottery game, the second price category corresponding to a second known portion of the non-linear prize associated with the instant lottery game, the second known portion of the non-linear prize being more than the first known portion of the non-linear prize;   selecting a set of instant lottery game numbers;   generating a single predetermined ordered assortment of the set of instant lottery game numbers in a instant lottery matrix of numbers;   generating, for each of the plurality of instant lottery tickets, a subset of the instant lottery game numbers;   printing, on each of the plurality of instant lottery tickets, the subset of the instant lottery game numbers generated particular to a respective lottery ticket and the single predetermined ordered assortment of the set of instant lottery game numbers in the instant lottery matrix of numbers;   providing the first known portion of the non-linear prize associated with the instant lottery game to the player if the player purchased the lottery ticket from the first price category and a non-linear match is displayed in the instant lottery matrix of numbers, the non-linear match being a predetermined arrangement of numbers in the non-linear subset that is a display in the instant lottery matrix of numbers, the quantity of numbers in the predetermined arrangement of numbers being less than the predetermined quantity of numbers; and   providing the second known portion of the non-linear prize associated with the instant lottery game to the player if the player purchased the lottery ticket from the second price category and a non-linear match is displayed in the instant lottery matrix of numbers.   
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the generating, for each of the plurality of instant lottery tickets, the subset of the instant lottery game numbers is effectuated through a random selection. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the random selection is a quick pick. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the random selection is generated by a random number generator. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the random selection is generated by a computing device. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein payment of the non-linear prize is guaranteed by a third party. 
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein a variable ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category for distribution of the non-linear prize. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein a constant ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category for distribution of the linear prize. 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the instant lottery game is implemented as a monitor game. 
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the first price category also corresponds to a first known portion of a linear prize associated with the instant lottery game and the second price category also corresponds to a second known portion of the linear prize, the second known portion of the linear prize being more than the first known portion of the non-linear prize. 
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising performing a selection of a linear subset of the set of instant lottery game numbers that is utilized for each of the plurality of instant lottery tickets. 
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the performing the selection of the linear subset of the set of instant lottery game numbers that is utilized for each of the plurality of instant lottery tickets is effectuated through a random selection. 
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 40 , further comprising providing the first known portion of the linear prize associated with the instant lottery game to a player if the player purchased the instant lottery ticket from the first price category and a linear match in the instant lottery matrix of numbers is displayed, the linear match being a linear display in the instant lottery matrix of numbers of at least a predetermined quantity of numbers from the linear subset. 
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 40 , further comprising providing the second known portion of the linear prize associated with the instant lottery game to the player if the player purchased the instant lottery ticket from the second price category and a linear match is displayed in the instant lottery matrix of numbers. 
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein a variable ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category for distribution of the linear prize. 
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein a constant ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category for distribution of the linear prize. 
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein payment of the linear prize is guaranteed by a third party. 
   
   
       46 . An apparatus comprising:
 a price category module that establishes a first price category and a second price category in which a instant lottery ticket can be purchased for a instant lottery game, the first price category being distinct from the second price category, the first price category corresponding to a first known portion of a linear prize associated with the instant lottery game, the second price category corresponding to a second known portion of the linear prize associated with the instant lottery game, the second known portion of the linear prize being more than the first known portion of the linear prize;   a instant lottery game number selection module that selects a set of instant lottery game numbers;   an ordered assortment module that generates a single predetermined ordered assortment of the set of instant lottery game numbers in a instant lottery matrix of numbers;   a number generation module that generates, for each of the plurality of instant lottery tickets, a subset of the instant lottery game numbers;   a printer that prints, on each of the plurality of instant lottery tickets, the subset of the instant lottery game numbers generated particular to a respective instant lottery ticket and the single predetermined ordered assortment of the set of instant lottery game numbers in the instant lottery matrix of numbers; and   a distribution module that provides the first known portion of the linear prize associated with the instant lottery game to a player if the player purchased the instant lottery ticket from the first price category and a linear match in the instant lottery matrix of numbers is displayed, the linear match being a linear display in the instant lottery matrix of numbers of at least a predetermined quantity of numbers from the linear subset and provides the second known portion of the linear prize associated with the instant lottery game to the player if the player purchased the instant lottery ticket from the second price category and a linear match is displayed in the instant lottery matrix of numbers.   
   
   
       47 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the instant lottery game number selection module is a random selection module. 
   
   
       48 . The apparatus of  claim 47 , wherein the random selection is a quick pick. 
   
   
       49 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the random selection is effectuated through a random number generator. 
   
   
       50 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the random selection is effectuated through a computing device. 
   
   
       51 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the linear match is a row in the instant lottery matrix. 
   
   
       52 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the linear match is a portion of a row in the instant lottery matrix. 
   
   
       53 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the linear match is a column in the instant lottery matrix. 
   
   
       54 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the linear match is a portion of a column in the instant lottery matrix. 
   
   
       55 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the linear match is a diagonal in the instant lottery matrix. 
   
   
       56 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the linear match is a portion of a diagonal in the instant lottery matrix. 
   
   
       57 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the linear match includes a consecutive linear display in the instant lottery matrix of a plurality of numbers in the linear subset. 
   
   
       58 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the linear match includes a non-consecutive linear display in the instant lottery matrix of a plurality of numbers in the linear subset such that a number that is not within the linear subset is between numbers that are within the linear subset. 
   
   
       59 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the linear prize is a fixed prize. 
   
   
       60 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the linear prize is a progressive prize. 
   
   
       61 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein payment of the linear prize is guaranteed by a third party. 
   
   
       62 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein a variable ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category for distribution of the linear prize. 
   
   
       63 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the first price category also corresponds to a first known portion of a non-linear prize associated with the instant lottery game and the second price category also corresponds to a second known portion of the non-linear prize, the second known portion of the non-linear prize being more than the first known portion of the non-linear prize. 
   
   
       64 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein a constant ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category for distribution of the linear prize. 
   
   
       65 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the predetermined quantity of numbers equals four. 
   
   
       66 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein the lottery game is implemented as a monitor game. 
   
   
       67 . The apparatus of  claim 66 , further comprising performing a non-linear selection module that selects a non-linear subset of the set of instant lottery game numbers that is utilized for each of the plurality of instant lottery tickets. 
   
   
       68 . The apparatus of  claim 67 , wherein the non-linear selection module is a random selection module. 
   
   
       69 . The apparatus of  claim 67 , wherein the distribution module also provides the first known portion of the non-linear prize associated with the instant lottery game to the player if the player purchased the lottery ticket from the first price category and a non-linear match is displayed in the instant lottery matrix of numbers, the non-linear match being a predetermined arrangement of numbers in the non-linear subset that is a display in the instant lottery matrix of numbers, the quantity of numbers in the predetermined arrangement of numbers being less than the predetermined quantity of numbers. 
   
   
       70 . The apparatus of  claim 67 , wherein the distribution module also provides the second known portion of the non-linear prize associated with the instant lottery game to the player if the player purchased the lottery ticket from the second price category and a non-linear match is displayed in the instant lottery matrix of numbers. 
   
   
       71 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein a variable ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category for distribution of the non-linear prize. 
   
   
       72 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein a constant ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category for distribution of the non-linear prize. 
   
   
       73 . The apparatus of  claim 46 , wherein payment of the non-linear prize is guaranteed by a third party. 
   
   
       74 . An apparatus comprising:
 a price category module that establishes a first price category and a second price category in which a instant lottery ticket can be purchased for a instant lottery game, the first price category being distinct from the second price category, the first price category corresponding to a first known portion of a non-linear prize associated with the instant lottery game, the second price category corresponding to a second known portion of the non-linear prize associated with the instant lottery game, the second known portion of the non-linear prize being more than the first known portion of the non-linear prize;   a instant lottery game number selection module that selects a set of instant lottery game numbers;   an ordered assortment module that generates a single predetermined ordered assortment of the set of instant lottery game numbers in a instant lottery matrix of numbers;   a number generation module that generates, for each of the plurality of instant lottery tickets, a subset of the instant lottery game numbers;   a printer that prints, on each of the plurality of instant lottery tickets, the subset of the instant lottery game numbers generated particular to a respective lottery ticket and the single predetermined ordered assortment of the set of instant lottery game numbers in the instant lottery matrix of numbers; and   a distribution module that provides the first known portion of the non-linear prize associated with the instant lottery game to the player if the player purchased the lottery ticket from the first price category and a non-linear match is displayed in the instant lottery matrix of numbers, the non-linear match being a predetermined arrangement of numbers in the non-linear subset that is a display in the instant lottery matrix of numbers, the quantity of numbers in the predetermined arrangement of numbers being less than the predetermined quantity of numbers and provides the second known portion of the non-linear prize associated with the instant lottery game to the player if the player purchased the lottery ticket from the second price category and a non-linear match is displayed in the instant lottery matrix of numbers.   
   
   
       75 . The apparatus of  claim 74 , wherein the lottery game number selection module is a random selection module. 
   
   
       76 . The apparatus of  claim 75 , wherein the random selection is a quick pick. 
   
   
       77 . The apparatus of  claim 74 , wherein the random selection is effectuated through a random number generator. 
   
   
       78 . The apparatus of  claim 77 , wherein the random selection is effectuated through a computing device. 
   
   
       79 . The apparatus of  claim 74 , wherein payment of the non-linear prize is guaranteed by a third party. 
   
   
       80 . The apparatus of  claim 74 , wherein a variable ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category for distribution of the non-linear prize. 
   
   
       81 . The apparatus of  claim 74 , wherein a constant ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category for distribution of the linear prize. 
   
   
       82 . The apparatus of  claim 74 , wherein the instant lottery game is implemented as a monitor game. 
   
   
       83 . The apparatus of  claim 74 , wherein the first price category also corresponds to a first known portion of a linear prize associated with the instant lottery game and the second price category also corresponds to a second 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. 
   
   
       84 . The apparatus of  claim 83 , further comprising performing a linear selection module that selects a linear subset of the set of instant lottery game numbers that is utilized for each of the plurality of instant lottery tickets. 
   
   
       85 . The apparatus of  claim 84 , wherein the linear selection module is a random selection module. 
   
   
       85 . The apparatus of  claim 83 , wherein the distribution module also provides the first known portion of the linear prize associated with the instant lottery game to a player if the player purchased the instant lottery ticket from the first price category and a linear match in the instant lottery matrix of numbers is displayed, the linear match being a linear display in the instant lottery matrix of numbers of at least a predetermined quantity of numbers from the linear subset. 
   
   
       86 . The apparatus of  claim 85 , wherein the distribution module also provides the second known portion of the linear prize associated with the instant lottery game to the player if the player purchased the instant lottery ticket from the second price category and a linear match is displayed in the instant lottery matrix of numbers. 
   
   
       87 . The apparatus of  claim 83 , wherein a variable ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category for distribution of the linear prize. 
   
   
       88 . The apparatus of  claim 83 , wherein a constant ratio is established between the first price category and the second price category for distribution of the linear prize. 
   
   
       89 . The apparatus of  claim 83 , wherein payment of the linear prize is guaranteed by a third party.