Amusement devices: games – Problem eliciting response – Questions and answers
Reexamination Certificate
2002-05-22
2003-09-09
Pierce, William M. (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Problem eliciting response
Questions and answers
C463S040000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06616143
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system and method of conducting a lottery based game which is particularly adapted to be presented as a televised game show wherein a viewing audience may be defined both by a live audience and a television audience. A predetermined number of contestants are randomly selected from a plurality of lottery participants each of which have purchased the opportunity or chance to become a contestant.
2. Description of the Related Art
The popularity of lotteries continues to increase both in the United States and in many countries throughout the world. Specifically, lotteries are operated by the state or local government or in certain instances are privately operated. However, regardless of the sponsoring entity, the convenience of being able to purchase one or more lottery tickets at a fairly reasonable price allows many individuals to participate in the opportunity to win a significant amount of money or other “grand” prize. Also the existence and popularity of lotteries frequently benefit a variety of different worthy causes including charities and certain activities which are normally funded by state, local or federal taxes. Therefore, the ability to “contribute” to a worthy cause also encourages many people to play such games which would normally not be involved.
However, lotteries of the type generally known and practiced do have ceratin disadvantages which can be somewhat discouraging to many potential players. One such disadvantage is that many, if not most, of known lottery organizations provide for only a single level of play in the form of one ticket price or denomination. Therefore, if a player wishes to play at a higher level and thereby increase his opportunity to win an even greater amount of money or more valuable prize, the only option is to purchase more than one ticket. Even the purchasing of multiple tickets frequently does not significantly increase a player's odds of winning because of the extremely large number of lottery tickets or chances which are normally distributed or sold, especially in lotteries which are operated within a large geographical region such as a state or nation.
Due to the popularity of a lottery type gaming system, attempts have been made to incorporate the basic playing procedure of a lottery into another format which is also extremely popular. This additional format is well known as quiz shows or game shows. Typically, such game shows are broadcast over television and/or radio and provides an extremely large broadcast audience the opportunity to observe one or more contestants win a significant amount of money or other prizes. The procedures involved in such game shows typically include one or more contestants answering a plurality of questions submitted to them individually by a host or commentator.
The aforementioned attempts to combine the game show format with the lottery gaming system or procedure include the use of an interactive television facility which provides at least some type of participation of at least some of the television audience. For example, one type of game involves the use of numerous remote computers or television receivers, located throughout a given geographical area, which communicate with a central station. A customer seeking to play or participate in the game being televised may pay or otherwise be charged a certain entry fee of a few dollars and the game proceeds in accordance with certain rules.
The popularity of television is also realized in the more conventional broadcast of the random chance selection of the specific numerals which make up a winning lottery number. This may involve, for example, operating a machine loaded with a plurality of balls each of which has an eligible numeral marked thereon. The machine containing such balls randomly and successively selects a winning number from all of the balls representing all of the various numerals. This selection process is broadcast on local or statewide television stations so that contestants can watch to see if there numbers have been selected.
In light of the above, it would be highly desirable to produce and televise a lottery based game incorporating a quiz show or game show type of format, wherein the actual contestants are chosen on a lottery type basis. Further, the selected contestants, being randomly chosen, all may win a specific money award with the additional opportunity of proceeding in the progress of the “game show” to win additional money awards and possibly a grand prize. In such an improved lottery based game show, proceeds from the lottery would represent at least a portion of the monies distributed to the contestants as awards and/or the grand prize. Also, the monies used for the grand prize and other money awards would be guaranteed by the sponsor of the lottery, such as a state and/or federal government. Further, the improved and preferred lottery based game of the type set forth in greater detail hereinafter would be conducted over any predetermined geographical area, such as one or more states or an entire nation. Also, the lottery based game would be conducted periodically, such as two times yearly, thereby providing potential lottery participants with a certain amount of anticipation. In addition, the cost of the individual chances would be relatively inexpensive, especially when the lottery based game was conducted over an extensive area such as nationwide as set forth above. Finally, the excitement and appeal of an improved lottery based game could be further enhanced by incorporating all of the special effects, lighting set presentations, etc., for which the televison industry is noted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a lottery based game which is particularly adapted to be the subject of a televised game show and which is preferably conducted on a site which includes television broadcast facilities capable of accomplishing this end. Accordingly, when the game is being conducted, a viewing audience may be defined by both a live audience, having live access to the site and the activities being conducted thereat, and a television audience. In addition, the live audience, when present, will to at least some extent comprise a participating factor in the playing of the lottery based game by virtue of supplying laughter, applause or like reactions to the various activities of which lottery based game is comprised.
As indicated above, the game is at least partially based on a lottery to the extent that a predetermined number of contestants will be chosen to actively be a part of the game. In addition, the system and method of the present invention conforms to all local, state and government lottery regulations, particularly emphasizing the fact that all individuals which purchase or otherwise have authorized possession of a “lottery chance” or opportunity are eligible to participate actively. The predetermined number of contestants are randomly selected from a plurality the of lottery participants. Each of the lottery participants are defined by those individuals who have purchased or otherwise have authorized possession of at least one chance or opportunity to become a contestant. The selection procedure for determining the predetermined number of contestants may comprise a typical or conventional random drawing or other procedure which determines an unbiased selection of the predetermined number of contestants. As will be apparent hereinafter, the actual number of contestants chosen may vary based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the intended length of the broadcast time or period during which the game show will be conducted. Once the predetermined number of contestants have been randomly selected, they are gathered at the common site or television set.
Also, a predetermined number of individuals are chosen to serve on a panel which will have a specific purpose and function in the conducting of the lottery based game, as described in greater detail hereinafter. The panel members, in orde
Egner Fritz
Geissler Antonio
Heath Gregory
Malloy & Malloy P.A.
Pierce William M.
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