Automated marketing and gaming systems

Claims

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows:

1. Apparatus for participation of a user in a sweepstakes-type game, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a telephone device for allowing electronic communication between the user and a financial services-type institution;

(b) user identification means for providing user access to said financial services-type institution;

(c) means generating user indicia specific to the user; said user indicia being passively generated without input from said user once said user has obtained access to said financial services-type institution;

(d) means generating game indicia; and

(e) processor means associated with said financial services-type institution and communicating with said telephone device, receiving said user indicia, and receiving said game indicia; said processor means including means for comparing said user indicia to said game indicia and determining whether a selected winning correlation exists between same, said processor means including means for completing the comparison of said user game indicia generally contemporaneously with the user effecting an unrelated transaction by means of said telephone device, whereby there is no appreciable extra time required to complete said game in addition to said unrelated transaction.

2. Apparatus for participation of a user in a sweepstakes-type game, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a personal computer for electronic communication between a user and a financial services-type institution;

(b) user identification means for providing user access to said financial services-type institution;

(c) means generating user indicia specific to the user; said user indicia being passively generated without input from said user once said user has obtained access to said financial services-type institution;

(d) means generating game indicia; and

(e) processor means associated with said financial services-type institution and communicating with said personal computer, receiving said user indicia, and receiving said game indicia; said processor means including means for comparing said user indicia to said game indicia and determining whether a selected winning correlation exists between same, said processor means including means for completing the comparison of said user game indicia generally contemporaneously with the user effecting an unrelated transaction by means of said personal computer, whereby there is no appreciable extra time required to complete said game in addition to said unrelated transaction.

3. Apparatus for playing a sweepstakes-type game by a user, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a plurality of remote interface devices; each of said remote interface devices being in electronic communication with a financial institution data processing machine; each of said remote interface devices being one of an automated teller machine, a point-of-sale terminal, telephone device, electronic cash register or personal computer of the type used in financial transactions with a financial services-type institution;

(b) user identification means identifying a financial account associated with a user at said financial institution; each of said remote interface devices including means for allowing said user to access electronically the financial institution account of said user;

(c) a sweepstakes data processor having means for passively reading an account number associated with said user's financial account without input from the user and means for generating a random number and comparing said account number to said random number while the user effects a transaction at said remote interface device, said comparing of said account number and said random number being effected to determine whether said account number and random number match, whereby there is no appreciable additional time required to complete said game in addition to said transaction; and

(d) said sweepstakes data processor including means for determining a prize to be awarded to the user of an account number determined to match said random number and awarding said prize to the user.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein:

(a) said sweepstakes data processor includes means for awarding said prize to the user by transferring prize funds to said user's financial account and notifying the user through one of said remote interface devices of the prize and transfer of prize funds.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein:

(a) said sweepstakes data processor includes means for awarding said prize by dispensing prize funds at one of said remote interface devices when said one remote interface device is one of said automated teller machines or point-of-sale devices.

6. A method of playing a sweepstakes-type game including the steps of:

(a) entering a user identifier into a remote interface device; said interface device being one of an automated teller machine, a point-of-sale terminal, a telephone, an electronic cash register or a personal computer of the type used by a financial services-type institution;

(b) accessing a financial account at a financial services-type institution electronically through the interface device upon entry of said user identifier;

(c) passively assigning user indicia specific to said user without prompting from said user;

(d) selecting a random game indicia;

(e) reading said user indicia and said game indicia;

(f) comparing said user indicia to said game indicia;

(g) determining whether a winning correlation exists between said game indicia and said user indicia;

(h) awarding a selected prize to said user upon determining that said selected winning correlation exists;

(i) notifying said user of whether a selected winning correlation exists at generally the same time that said user completes an unrelated transaction with the financial institution; and

(j) awarding said prize to the user by contemporaneously crediting said user's financial account at said financial services-type institution.

7. Apparatus for promoting the use of remote interface devices for making financial transactions, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a remote interface device of the type provided by financial services-type institutions for effecting financial transactions between at least one of said institutions and a user;

(b) said interface device being one selected from the group consisting of a telephone, a point-of-sale device, an automatic teller machine, an electronic cash register and a personal computer;

(c) user identification means providing user access through said interface device to said institution;

(d) means providing a financial account under the control of the institution, said financial account being funded for promoting the frequent use of said interface device;

(e) means for providing a lottery-type game account adapted to electronically receive funds paid for lottery chances;

(f) means communicating with said interface device and adapted to electronically effect the transfer of funds out of said institution-controlled financial account and into said lottery-type game account, said electronic transfer to said lottery-type game account occurring without input by said user other than said user effecting at least one separate financial transaction with said institution through operation of said interface device; and (g) further means communicating with said interface device and adapted to notify said user that a lottery chance has been purchased by said institution on behalf of said user.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein:

(a) said further means communicating with said interface device includes means for providing said user with printed evidence of said lottery chance.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein:

(a) said means effecting the electronic transfer into said lottery-type game account includes means for causing the transfer contemporaneously with said separate financial transaction.

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein:

(a) said means effecting the electronic transfer into said lottery-type game account includes means for causing the transfer non-contemporaneously with said separate financial transaction.

11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein:

(a) said means effecting the electronic transfer into said lottery-type game account includes means for storing information relating to the number of lottery chances purchased on behalf of remote interface device users and means for subsequently electronically batch transferring corresponding funds into said lottery-type game account.

12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 further including:

(a) means for notifying said lottery-type game account that said lottery chance purchased on behalf of the user is a winning lottery chance and effecting the transfer of winning proceeds from said lottery-type game account to said institution-controlled financial account for distribution to the user.

13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 further including:

(a) means for automatically confirming the existence of a winning correlation and crediting the user's financial account with lottery proceeds from said lottery-type game account.

14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein:

(a) said means communicating with said interface device includes means for storing user identification indicia obtained from said user identification means and means for comparing said indicia with identification indicia obtained from a later user;

(b) said means communicating with said interface device having means operative to block the purchase of a lottery chance on behalf of the later user upon finding a match between said respective indicia; and

(c) including means for preventing a particular user from repeatedly obtaining lottery chances purchased by said institution.

15. Apparatus for marketing lottery chances comprising:

(a) a remote interface device of the type provided by financial services-type institutions for effecting financial transactions between at least one of said institutions and a user;

(b) said interface device being one selected from the group consisting of a telephone, a point of sale device, an automatic teller machine, an electronic cash register and a personal computer;

(c) user identification means providing user access through said interface device to one of said institutions;

(d) means providing a financial account under the control of the user;

(e) means providing a lottery-type game account for electronically receiving funds thereinto;

(f) means communicating with said interface device and including means for electronically effecting the transfer of funds out of said financial account and into said lottery-type game account; and

(g) further means communicating with said interface device for notifying said user that a lottery chance has been purchased by said user.

16. The apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein:

(a) said further means communicating with said interface device includes means for providing said user with printed evidence of said lottery chance.

17. The apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein:

(a) said means effecting the electronic transfer into said lottery-type game account is adapted to store information relating to the number of lottery chances purchased on behalf of remote interface device users in a lottery player information repository and subsequently electronically batch transfer corresponding funds into said lottery-type game account.

18. Apparatus for distributing lottery chances comprising:

(a) a remote interface device of the type provided by financial services-type institutions for effecting financial transactions between at least one of said institutions and a user;

(b) said interface device being one selected from the group consisting of a telephone, a point of sale device, an automatic teller machine, an electronic cash register and a personal computer;

(c) user identification means providing user access through said interface device to one of said institutions;

(d) means providing a financial account under the control of the user;

(e) means providing a lottery-type game account including means for electronically receiving funds thereinto;

(f) means providing a lottery player information repository;

(g) means communicating with said interface device and including means for receiving and recording in said repository a set of lottery numbers assigned to the user and means for electronically effecting the transfer of funds out of said financial account and into said lottery-type game account; and

(h) further means communicating with said interface device and including means for notifying said user that a lottery chance associated with said lottery numbers has been issued.

19. The apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein:

(a) said further means communicating with said interface device including means for providing said user with a printed lottery ticket bearing said lottery numbers.

20. A method for promoting the use of remote interface devices for making financial transactions including the steps of:

(a) entering a user identifier into a remote interface device for effecting financial transactions between a user and a financial services-type institution; one of said remote interface devices being one selected from the group consisting of a telephone, a point-of-sale device, an automated teller machine, an electronic cash register and a personal computer;

(b) accessing a user's financial account at said financial services-type institution electronically through said remote interface device upon entry of said user identifier;

(c) providing an institution-controlled financial account funded for promoting the use of said remote interface device;

(d) providing a lottery-type game account for electronically receiving funds paid for lottery chances; and

(e) electronically transferring funds from said institution-controlled financial account to said lottery-type game account for periodically purchasing a lottery chance for the user without input therefrom upon the user effecting a financial transaction with said financial services-type institution through operation of said remote interface device.

21. The method as set forth in claim 20 further including the step of:

(a) notifying the user that a lottery chance has been purchased by said financial services-type institution on behalf of said user.

22. A method of marketing lottery chances including the steps of:

(a) entering a user identifier into a remote interface device for effecting financial transactions between a user and a financial services-type institution; said remote interface device being one selected from the group consisting of a telephone, a point-of-sale device, an automated teller machine, an electronic cash register and a personal computer;

(b) accessing a user's financial account at said financial services-type institution electronically through said remote interface device upon entry of said user identifier;

(c) providing a lottery-type game account for electronically receiving funds paid for lottery chances;

(d) transferring electronically funds from said user's financial account to said lottery-type game account to purchase a lottery chance upon instructions from said user by means of said remote interface device; and

(e) notifying said user that a lottery chance has been purchased by said user.

23. The method as set forth in claim 22 further including the steps of:

(a) determining whether the user's lottery chance is a winning ticket;

(b) notifying said lottery-type game account of the existence of a winning ticket;

(c) requesting transfer of winning proceeds of the winning ticket from said lottery-type game account to said financial services-type institution;

(d) crediting the user's financial account at said financial services-type institution with said winning proceeds; and

(e) notifying the user of the existence of said winning ticket and the crediting of the user's financial account.

24. The method as set forth in claim 22 further including the steps of:

(a) automatically confirming the existence of a winning lottery ticket; and

(b) automatically crediting the user's financial account with proceeds from the winning lottery ticket.

25. A method of stimulating the use of remote interface devices by playing a sweepstakes-type game including the steps of:

(a) generating prize winning indicia;

(b) entering a user identifier into a remote interface device; said interface device being one of an automated teller machine, a point-of-sale terminal, a telephone, an electronic cash register or a personal computer of the type used in conducting transactions with a financial services-type institution;

(c) accessing a financial account in said financial services-type institution electronically through the interface device upon entry of said user identifier;

(d) passively generating indicia for the user;

(e) comparing said passively generated indicia to said prize indicia; and

(f) determining whether a winning correlation exists between said passively generated indicia and said prize indicia at generally the same time that said user conducts an unrelated transaction with said financial services-type institution.

26. The method as set forth in claim 25, including the step of:

(a) awarding as a prize one of cash, a credit to said financial account, a discount coupon or instructions for redeeming a material good or service.

27. Apparatus for playing a sweepstakes-type game comprising:

(a) a plurality of remote interface devices; each of said remote interface devices being capable of electronic communication with a financial services-type institution data processing machine; each of said remote interface devices being one of an automated teller machine, a point-of-sale terminal, a telephone, electronic cash register or personal computer of the type used in conducting transactions with said financial services-type institution;

(b) user identification means identifying a financial account associated with a user at said financial services-type institution; each of said remote interface devices including means for allowing said user to electronically access the financial services-type institution account of said user;

(c) means for generating winning prize indicia;

(d) means for passively generating indicia for the user;

(e) means for comparing said passively generated indicia to said winning prize indicia approximately while the user effects an unrelated transaction with said financial services-type institution at one of said remote interface devices, said means for comparing being operable to determine whether a winning correlation exists between said prize indicia and said passively generated indicia over an interval requiring no appreciable additional time beyond that required to complete said transaction.

28. The apparatus as set forth in claim 27, including:

(a) means for awarding as a prize one of cash, a credit to said financial account, a discount coupon or instructions for redeeming a material good or service.

29. A method of stimulating the use of remote interface devices by playing a sweepstakes-type game including the steps of:

(a) generating prize winning indicia;

(b) entering a user identifier into a remote interface device; said interface device being one of an automated teller machine, a point-of-sale terminal, a telephone, an electronic cash register or a personal computer of the type used in conducting transactions with a financial services-type institution;

(c) accessing a financial account in said financial services-type institution electronically through the interface device upon entry of said user identifier;

(d) generating indicia for the user;

(e) comparing said user generated indicia to said prize indicia; and

(f) determining whether a winning correlation exists between said user generated indicia and said prize indicia contemporaneously with the user effecting an unrelated financial transaction via said remote interface device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a marketing and gaming apparatus and, more particularly, to devices which, in one form, require the use of a remote computer terminal and data processor for matching certain user indicia with corresponding game indicia.

Sweepstakes-type games are well known, and typically involve the selection of a series of numbers by a player and the comparison of same to a random pre-selected number determined by the sweepstakes operator. If the numbers match, the player or user is typically awarded a prize, either as pre-determined by the operator or through an alternative random selection process. Previous sweepstakes-type games have required active participation by the user.

In recent decades, significant advancements have been made in the development of computer technology. Such elements have influenced the operation of financial institutions, such as banks and savings and loans associations. It is now commonplace for a financial institution to issue its customers a debit card with a magnetically encoded stripe on the back thereof. The debit card is designed for insertion into a remote computer terminal, such as an automated teller machine (ATM) or point-of-sale (POS) terminal. The remote terminal is in electronic communication with a data processor associated with the financial institution. Upon entry of proper user identifiers, such as a personal identification number (PIN), the user has electronic access to his or her account so that various transactions can be undertaken.

One significant development in the computer field enables a network of participating financial institutions to communicate among themselves such that the customer of one institution can use his or her debit card to execute certain transactions at another participating institution's automated teller machine. These networks are typically known as electronic funds transfer (EFT) systems. To accomplish the routing of a particular customer's transaction to his account with his financial institution, sophisticated data processing machines known as transmission facilities devices, or switches, are utilized. The switch is comparable to a traffic controller in that it routes a specific transaction to its appropriate destination. It is envisioned that with proper computer hardware and software, a user will be able to access his financial account from practically anywhere in the world.

The advantage to the financial institution is that the amount of paperwork is drastically reduced in that no checks or the like are involved. In the case of the POS terminal, the user's financial account is immediately debited in the amount of the user's purchase. Such a system is advantageous to the merchant because the funds are immediately transferred to the merchant's account from the user's account; thus, there is no float time or chance of non-collection of a check. Again, the financial institution saves time and money through the reduction of its paper processing.

Notwithstanding the convenience to the user, the use of debit cards at ATMs and POS terminals has not been as high as the financial institutions require to achieve substantial economic benefit from the machines. Thus, there exists a need for a manner in which to promote the use of the machines, both for the benefit of a financial institution and the associated merchants. Preferably, the promotional scheme should promote the use of the debit cards in addition to promoting the goods and services of the merchants by rewarding the user of the ATM or POS terminal. There further exists a need for a device to promote the debit card use on a broad geographic basis without resorting to active involvement of the user or employees of the financial institution. In order to utilize the machines more fully, there is a need to expand their uses, as by using them to effect the purchase of lottery tickets.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a game apparatus for encouraging the use of remote financial institution interface devices; to provide such a game apparatus which utilizes a sweepstakes-type game scheme; to provide such a game apparatus which utilizes a sweepstakes game computer in conjunction with a financial institution data processor and a remote interface device; to provide such a game apparatus which can be used in conjunction with a network of financial institution data processors having electronic communication means thereamong; to provide such a game apparatus having means to identify a user of a remote interface device and assign a user-specific indicia thereto for matching to a randomly selected game indicia to determine whether the user wins a prize; to provide such a game apparatus wherein the user indicia is the user's account number with his or her financial institution; to provide such a game apparatus which may be utilized to purchase separately lottery chances by a user; to provide such a game apparatus which uses complimentary lottery chances as an inducement to use the remote interface devices; to provide such a game apparatus which is relatively simple to use, economical to manufacture, requires relatively low labor input, minimal computer time, and user active participation and is particularly adapted for the proposed usage thereof.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Apparatus and method designed for participation of a user in a marketing or gaming system promotes the use of a remote computer terminal adapted to be in electronic communication with a financial institution. A user interacts with an interface device, such as a remote computer terminal, and more particularly an automated teller machine (ATM) or point-of-sale (POS) terminal. Preferably, a magnetically encoded debit card is inserted into the ATM or POS terminal and the user is required to identify his account through the use of a personal identification number (PIN).

Upon validation of the user's access to the financial institution account, the account number is relayed to a sweepstakes processor. The sweepstakes processor has means for generating a random game indicia, e.g. a game number. The processor is further adapted to compare the account number and the game number and determine whether the two numbers match.

The present invention is designed to be used in conjunction with a network of financial institutions having interconnected data processing facilities. Typically, each separate financial institution has a plurality of ATM, POS terminals or other remote interface devices. In recent years network systems have been developed to allow electronic communications among the various ATMs and POS terminals and the financial institutions such that a user of any of the ATMs can access his personal financial account. A transmission facilities device, commonly known as a switch, is a sophisticated computer facility having the means to route a particular transaction from any of the ATMs or POS terminals to the appropriate financial institution and then relay information back to the ATM or POS terminal. In this way, a user can access his financial account in one city even though the user is in a city located many hundreds or thousands of miles away, so long as the ATM or POS terminal and the individual user's financial institution are on the network.

In order to limit fraudulent access, in addition to the magnetically encoded debit card, each user is assigned a personal identification number, i.e. PIN, which is designed to be kept secret. Typically, only a central holding company has access to the PINs, although the PINs are recorded in each financial institution's computer data banks. Appropriate security limits are placed on access to these computer data banks.

A sophisticated communications network such as the one described is an expensive endeavor. In order to justify the expense, it is vital that the financial institution's customers utilize the system. The financial institutions benefit from the use of the system in that the transactions are essentially paperless and are not labor intensive, resulting in cost savings sufficient to justify the capital outlay. In addition, some financial institutions charge a nominal fee to the user for each transaction using the debit card, in much the same way that check fees are imposed.

It is the purpose of the present invention to stimulate use of the ATMs and POS terminals by providing a sweepstakes-type game which utilizes a network apparatus. Upon insertion of the debit card to an ATM or POS terminal, the user is required to enter the PIN, which validates the user's access to the particular financial institution account. The sweepstakes processor reads the account number or other selected user indicia and compares the account number to a computer-generated prize number. The prize number may be randomly generated instantaneously with the reading of the account number, or one or more winning account numbers can be pre-selected, but preferably on a random basis. In either case, the prize number is compared to the account number and a determination is made as to whether a winning correlation exists between the two numbers. Preferably, an identical match is required between the prize number and account number. Typically, the account numbers are about ten digits in length; thus, a great deal of flexibility is available in terms of the required winning correlation. It is possible that a particular prize could be awarded for matching, for example, five numbers out of ten numbers, whereas a different selected prize could be given for an identical match.

If the account number does not match the prize number, this information is relayed back to the ATM or POS terminal (through the switch if present) and preferably, the user is so notified on a transaction receipt, which is delivered to the user upon completion of the other financial transactions.

If a winning correlation exists, the sweepstakes computer is programmed to determine the prize to be awarded the user. As with the generation of the prize number, it is possible to randomly select a prize each time a winning correlation is encountered. Alternatively, if the winning numbers are pre-selected, it is possible to assign a prize to that number upon generation of same. As a third alternative, the prizes can be awarded in a pre-selected order, thereby ensuring that, for example, the "grand" prize