Amusement devices: games – Board games – pieces – or boards therefor – Lotto or bingo type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-25
2001-10-23
Layno, Benjamin H. (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Board games, pieces, or boards therefor
Lotto or bingo type
C463S019000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305687
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to gaming systems and, more particularly, to a lottery-type gaming system.
Lottery-type games of chance have exhibited enduring popularity since such games typically permit a player to make a relatively small investment—by buying a ticket—with a chance of winning a significantly larger award. In addition to the entertainment value that such games provide for the players, these types of games typically provide a source of revenue for the operator, normally a charity, but sometimes a municipality or a business establishment.
Another popular game of chance is BINGO. The most popular form of BINGO played in the United States consists of a 5×5 matrix of numbers with each column of numbers listed under a letter of the word “BINGO” printed at the top of the page. There are seventy-five numbers that may be used in the game such that the numbers
1
-
15
are listed under the letter “B”; the numbers
16
-
30
are listed under the letter “I”; numbers
31
-
45
are listed under the letter “N”; the numbers
46
-
60
are listed under the letter “G” and the numbers
61
-
75
are listed under the letter “O.” There is usually, but not necessarily, a center space of the matrix which falls under the letter “N” that is designated as a free space in the play of the game. The game is played by filling a prescribed pattern on the BINGO face by marking the randomly generated numbers called from the seventy-five numbers employed in the game. The first person to fill the pre-specified pattern and to call “Bingo” wins the game.
However, it would be desirable to combine a lottery-type game of chance with a BINGO-type game. As both such games are quite popular, it is expected that a combination of these games would also prove popular.
It has, therefore, been considered desirable to develop a new and improved seal card game and method for playing same which would meet the above stated needs and others and provide advantageous overall results.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a ticket is provided for use in playing a game of chance. The ticket forms one of a set of tickets and includes a ticket body having front and rear surfaces. A matrix of characters is printed on the rear surface. Each of the characters is different from the other characters in the matrix. The characters are selected such that the matrix differs from matrices of each of the other tickets in the set of tickets. A removable cover member is secured to the rear surface for concealing the matrix of characters prior to playing the game of chance.
In accordance with more limited aspects of this embodiment, the cover member may include one or more flaps, which are connected to the rear surface and are perforated around a periphery for tearing open. Alternatively, the cover member includes a scratch off seal or seals which conceal the characters until scratched off. The matrix of characters is preferably a three character by three character matrix, the matrix differing from the matrices of each of the other tickets in the set by at least three of the characters. The characters may be letters or numbers, such as the numbers in the set
1
-
75
. Preferably, a spatially arranged group of the characters forms a pattern (e.g., horizontal line, vertical line, four corners, a diamond shape, full cover, a T-shape, a cross, a frame, or the like) the group of characters forming the pattern being different from an equivalently positioned spatially arranged group of characters for each of the other tickets in the set. A verification number, such as a bar code, may be located on one of the front and rear surfaces, preferably concealed by the cover member, for verifying that the matrix of characters has not been altered. A serial number may also be located on one of the surfaces for distinguishing the ticket from other tickets outside the set of tickets.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a set of tickets for use in playing a game of chance is provided. Each ticket of the set of tickets includes a front surface and a rear surface. A matrix of characters is printed on the rear surface. Each of the characters is different from the other characters in the matrix. The characters are selected such that the matrix differs from the matrices of each of the other tickets in the set of tickets. A removable cover member is connected to the rear surface and positioned over the matrix of characters for concealing the matrix of characters prior to playing the game of chance.
In accordance with more limited aspects of this embodiment of the present invention, the matrix of characters comprises a 3×3 matrix, such as BINGO numbers. The removable cover member may comprise a tear-open flap. Each ticket preferably comprises a two-ply construction, in which the front and rear surfaces are located on a first ply and the removable cover is formed in a second ply.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of using a ticket in playing a game of chance is provided. The ticket forms one of a set of tickets. The method comprises providing a set of tickets in which each ticket includes a rear surface having a matrix of characters concealed by a cover member. Each of the characters is different from the other characters in the matrix. The characters are selected such that the matrix differs from the matrices of each of the other tickets in the set of tickets. The method further includes removing the cover member from the ticket to reveal a matrix of characters and comparing the ticket characters with randomly-generated characters to determine whether a group of the randomly-generated characters corresponds with at least one preselected spatially oriented group of the ticket characters.
In accordance with one aspect of this embodiment of the present invention, the step of comparing the ticket characters includes the steps of generating a first randomly generated character and comparing the ticket characters with the randomly generated character, marking one of the ticket characters if the randomly generated character corresponds with one of the ticket characters, and repeating the steps of generating and marking until one of the tickets in the set of tickets is marked with a preselected pattern.
One advantage of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved seal card game and method of playing same.
Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a seal card game which employs randomly drawn numbers in its play.
Still another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a seal card game in which the winners are not known until a random number generator has chosen a plurality of numbers which are reflected in a predetermined pattern on a number matrix located in a window of a concealed section of the seal card game.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a seal card game having an N×M matrix of numbers in which the permutations of numbers on each card have the following properties: unique lines, horizontal, vertical and diagonal, as well as unique four corners, letter X's, diamonds, crosses, crazy T's, large frames, postage stamps and two lines, and the like.
A further advantage of the present invention is the provision of a seal card game employing a N×M number matrix in which each card is different from all other cards by at least three numbers and usually by four or more numbers or that a selected game pattern is unique.
A still further advantage of the present invention is the provision of a seal card game in which patterns of numbers are so chosen as to reduce the potential for multiple winners for any single game.
A yet further advantage of the present invention is the provision of a seal card game in which no ticket price is printed on the ticket and, therefore, no specific payout is established. In this way, the proprietor of the game can design its own game. Thus, the game tickets can be used like a BINGO ticket,
Medeiros Ernest C.
Pollock Gregory T.
Arrow International Inc.
Fay Sharpe Fagan Minnich & McKee LLP
Layno Benjamin H.
Mendiratta V K
LandOfFree
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