US 2011/0034231 A1Published application

Network of skill-based electronic game machines that dispense tickets from a plurality of player-selectable deals

AssigneeDiamond Game Enterprises, Inc.

InventorsJames A. Breslo, William F. Breslo

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Abstract

Tickets are vended from a network of electronic game machines that play a game and that are in communication with a central server. Each ticket is associated with a deal of tickets for the game that includes at least some predetermined winning tickets. Each electronic game machine is adapted to simultaneously play a plurality of different deals and includes a deal selection indicator. Deal information and the current status information for each of the different deals is displayed immediately prior to or concurrently with a patron paying for a ticket. The information includes the total number of tickets and total number of tickets that have been played or remain to be played, the number of tickets having winning symbol or number combinations and number of tickets having winning symbol or number combinations that have been played or remain to be played, and the total winnings and amount of the total winnings that have been won or amount of the total winnings that remain to be won. The patron selects at the electronic game machine which of the plurality of deals to play using the deal selection indicator. The results of the next ticket in the selected deal is provided to the electronic game machine upon payment for a ticket, and the patron is informed of the results. The current status information is updated in real time immediately after each game play.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A method of vending tickets from a network of electronic game machines that play a game in communication with a central server, each ticket being associated with a deal of tickets that includes at least some predetermined winning tickets, each electronic game machine adapted to simultaneously play a plurality of different deals and including a deal selection indicator, the method comprising:

(a) providing an electronic memory at the central server that includes:
(i) a plurality of different deals of tickets for the game;
(ii) for each of the different deals:
(A) total number of tickets,
(B) number of tickets having winning symbol or number combinations, and
(C) total winnings;
and
(iii) current status information for each of the different deals including:
(A) total number of tickets that have been played or remain to be played,
(B) number of tickets having winning symbol or number combinations that have been played or remain to be played, and
(C) amount of the total winnings that have been won or amount of the total winnings that remains to be won,
(b) displaying deal information and the current status information for each of the different deals immediately prior to or concurrently with a patron paying for a ticket, including:
(i) total number of tickets and total number of tickets that have been played or remain to be played,
(ii) number of tickets having winning symbol or number combinations and number of tickets having winning symbol or number combinations that have been played or remain to be played, and
(iii) total winnings and amount of the total winnings that have been won or amount of the total winnings that remain to be won;
(c) the patron selecting at an electronic game machine which of the plurality of deals to play using the deal selection indicator;
(d) providing results of the next ticket in the selected deal to the electronic game machine upon payment for a ticket, and informing the patron of the results;
and
(e) updating the current status information in real time immediately after each game play.

16 more elements

An apparatus for vending tickets associated with a game, each ticket being associated with a deal of tickets that includes at least some predetermined winning tickets, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a central server including an electronic memory that stores:
(i) a plurality of different deals of tickets;
(ii) for each of the different deals:
(A) total number of tickets,
(B) number of tickets having winning symbol or number combinations, and
(C) total winnings;
and
(iii) current status information for each of the different deals including:
(A) total number of tickets that have been played or remain to be played,
(B) number of tickets having winning symbol or number combinations that have been played or remain to be played, and
(C) amount of the total winnings that have been won or amount of the total winnings that remains to be won;
(b) at least one display screen that displays deal information and the current status information for each of the different deals immediately prior to or concurrently with a patron paying for a ticket, including:
(i) total number of tickets and total number of tickets that have been played or remain to be played,
(ii) number of tickets having winning symbol or number combinations and number of tickets having winning symbol or number combinations that have been played or remain to be played, and
(iii) total winnings and amount of the total winnings that have been won or amount of the total winnings that remain to be won;
(c) a network of electronic game machines in communication with the central server, each electronic game machine adapted to simultaneously play a plurality of the different deals associated with the game, and including:
(i) a deal selection indicator adapted to allow the patron to select at the electronic game machine which of the plurality of deals to play, and
(ii) a game display screen that provides results of the next ticket in the selected deal to the electronic game machine upon payment for a ticket for informing the patron of the results, wherein the current status information is updated in real time immediately after each game play.

15 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.