United States Patent
`4,815,741
`Small
`* Mar. 28, 1989
`[45]
`Date of Patent:
`
`[11]
`
`Patent Number:
`
`[19]
`
`[54] AUTOMATED MARKETING AND GAMING
`SYSTEMS
`
`-[76]
`
`Inventor: Maynard E. Small, 105 Ward Pkwy.,
`Apt. 507, Kansas City, Mo. 64112
`
`[ '] Notice:
`
`The portion of the term of this patent
`subsequent to Jun. 2, 2004 has been
`disclaimed.
`
`[21]
`
`[221
`
`[63]
`
`[5 1]
`[52]
`[58]
`
`[56]
`
`App]. No.:
`Filed:
`
`34,282
`
`Apr. 2, 1987
`
`Related US. Application Data
`Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 668,011, Nov. 5, 1984,
`Pat. No. 4,669,730.
`
`Int. Cl.4 ................................................ A63F 9/00
`US. Cl. .................. 273/138 A; 273/1 E
`
`Field of Search ................ 273/1 E, 85 G. 138 A,
`273/DIG. 28; 364/410-412
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`.
`
`.
`
`3,124,674 3/1964 Edwards et al.
`3,327,292 6/1967 Eriksson et al.
`3,770,269 11/1973 Elder .
`.
`3,786,234
`1/ 1974 Trent et al.
`3,787,660
`1/1974 Meyers et al.
`3,909,002
`9/1975 Levy .
`3,982,102 9/1976 Cidade .
`.
`4,031,376 6/1977 Corkin, Jr.
`4,072,930 2/1978 Lucero et a1.
`4,108,361
`8/1978 Krnuse .
`4,322,612
`3/1982 Lange .
`4,323,770 4/1982 Dieulot et al.
`4,339,798 7/1982 Hedges et al.
`4,373,723
`2/1983 Brown et al.
`.
`4,467,424 8/1984 Hedges et al.
`
`4,494,197
`1/1985 Troy et al.
`.......................... 364/412
`4,636,951
`1/ 1987 Harlick
`273/DIG. 28
`4,669,730 6/1987 Small .............................. 273/138 A
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`.
`
`.
`
`phlet, publication date unknown, but published at least
`by Aug. 1983.
`Supermarket News, “ATMs for Retailers an ‘Open
`Question’”, Jul. 23, 1984.
`Sweepstakes—Type Game Conducted by Bank in Texas
`during 1983.
`Centerre Bank, “Big Dollar Giveaway”, pamphlet,
`published Oct. 1984.
`Crocker National Bank promotion, date unknown.
`Union National Bank “Express Cash", Sweepstakes,
`conducted at least as early as May 1982, in Little Rock,
`Arkansas.
`
`Primary Examiner—Maryann Lastova
`Attorney, Agent. or Firm—Litman McMahon & Brown
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An apparatus and method for automated marketing and
`gaming wherein a player inserts an identification card
`into an automated remote interface device and accesses
`an account at a subject financial institution. The user
`identifier provides access to the financial account, and a
`user indicia is compared to a game indicia. In one form
`a sweepstakes processor compares the user and game
`indicia to determine whether a selected winning corre-
`lation is present between the game indicia and user
`indicia. The appartus is adapted to be used with a net-
`work of data processing machines and a transmission
`facilities device, which provides data processing com-
`munication among the data processing machines. The
`processor can alternatively be in electronic communica-
`tion with a government-associated lottery system to
`purchase lottery chances for distribution to users of the
`remote interface device. Further, the processor can be
`utilized to allow a user to purchase a lottery ticket elec-
`tronically through a transfer of funds from the user’s
`financial account to a lottery-type game account.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`29 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`Commerce Bank, “Connection 24 Sweepstakes”, pam-
`3|
`INSERT
`INSERT
`CARD
`CARD
`AT 110.5.
`
`INTO AIM.
`
`
`ENTER 9 LN.
`4|
`
`
` SEND
`35
`READ
`ACCOUNT
`VALIDATE
`ACCOUNT
`NUMBER TD
`
`
` 35
`NUMBER
`
`PROCEESOR
`SWEEPSTAKES
`
`
`
` $2
`FINANCIAL
`INSTITUTION
`
`
`TRANSACTION
`GENERATE
`
`PRIIE
`
`NUMBER
`
`37
`BETURN
`CARD
`
`MATCHES
`PRIIE
`NUMBER
`
`
`
`COMPLETE
`
`
`
`TRANSACTION
`
`
`AND
`PRINT
`
`RECEIPT
`
`
`
`
`DELIVER
`RECEIPT
`
`39
`
`ZYNGA EX. 1018
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Mar. 28, 1989
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`4,815,741
`
`7
`
`IP.I.N..
`
`.
`
`/' Big. 1’
`
`4
`
`SUBJECT
`HNANmAL
`INSTITUTION
`
`'
`
`SWEEPSTAKES
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`
`
`
`Z
`
`COMPUTER
`
`'7
`
`Pig. 2.
`
`
`
`SUBJECT
`
`FINANCIAL
`
`
`INSTITUTION
`COMPUTER
`
`
`SWEEPSTAKES
`PROCESSOR
`
`
`
`I5
`
`OTHER NETWORK
`FINANCIAL
`INSTITUTIONS
`
`
`
` SUBJECT
`
`FINANCIAL
`INSTITUTION
`COMPUTER
`
`
`
`
`
`SWEEPSTAKES
`PROCESSOR
`
`

`

`US. Patent Mar. 28,1989
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`4,815,741
`
`I5
`
` OTHER NETWORK
`
`
`FINANCIAL
`INSTITUT I 0N5
`
`P.I._N.
`
`
`
`SUBTECT
`
`
`FINANCIAL
` SWITCH
`
`
`INSTITUTION
`COMPUTER
`
`
`SWEEP STAKES
`
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`24
`I6
`
`
`SUBJ‘ECT
`
`FINANCIAL
`OTHER NETWORK
`
`INSTITUTION
`FINANCIAL
`
`
`
`INSTITUTIONS
`INTERCEPT
`
`
` COMPUTER
`
`
`
`
`2.4
`
`Z
`SUBJ‘ECT
`
`
`FINANCIAL
`
`
`INSTITUTION
`
`INTERCEPT
`
`COMPUTER
`
`
`.
`
`I
`
`SWITCH
`
`
`
`
`
`OTHER NETWORK
`FINANCIAL
`INSTITUTIONS
`
`
`
`
`SWEEPSTAKES
`PROCESSOR
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`, Mar. 28, 1989
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`4,815,741
`
`3|
`
`32
`
`INSERT
`
`
`CARD
`
`
`INTO ATM.
`
`
`INSERT
`CARD
`AT P.O.S.
`
`ENTER PLN.
`
`35
`
`36
`
`
`
`
`SEND
`
`
`ACCOUNT
`
`
`
`VALIDATE
`NUMBER TO
`
`SWEEPSTAKES
`PROCESSOR
`
`FINANCIAL
`
`INSTITUTION
`
`GENERATE
`
`TRANSACTION
`
`PRIZE
`NUMBER
`
`
`42
`
`
`37 ACCOUNT
`
`
`RETURN
`CARD
`
`NUMBER
`MATCHES
`
`PRIZE
`
`NUMBER
`
`
`COMPLETE
`TRANSACTION
`AND
`PRINT
`RECEIPT
`
`
`
`
`
`DETERMINE
`PRIZE
`
`DELIVER
`
`RECEIPT
`
`
`
`39
`
`49
`
`

`

`Mar. 28,1989
`Sheet 4 of4
`1:15.43.
`
`
`
`
`
`SUBJECT
`FINANCIAL,
`
`'NTERFACE
`INSTITUTION
`DEVICE
`_ COMPUTER
`
`VALIDATION
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`4,815,741
`
`I04
`
`I05
`
`E p T
`sw E s AKES
`PROCESSOR
`
`‘02
`
`
`
` REMOTE
`
`
`INTERFACE
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`'
`
`”’7
`VALIDATION
`
`I04 I
`
`I05
`
`SUBIECT
`
`SWEEPSTAKES
`FINANCIAL
`
`
`
`INSTITUTION
`PROCESSOR
`
`COMPUTER
`
`
`
`
`'3
`
`I
`
`STATE LOTTERY
`COMPUTER
`
`
`
`
`Ill
`
`LOTT E RY-TYPE
`GAME ACCOUNT
`
`'
`
`I09
`
`INSTITUTION-CONTROLLED
`FINANCIAL ACCOUNT
`
`
`
`
`£15.10.
`
`I04
`I02
`
`
`SUBJECT
`
`REMOTE
`FINANCIAL
`SWEEPSTAKES
`
`
`
`
`
`INTERFACE
`VALIDATION
`INSTITUTION
`PROCESSOR
`
`
`
`
`DEVICE
`
`
`COMPUTER
`
`
`USER
`
`
`
`
`LOTTERY-TY PE
`STATE LOTTERY
`FINANCIAL
`COM P OTER
`
`GAME ACCOUNT
`ACCOUNT
`
`
`
`

`

`1
`
`4,815,741
`
`AUTOMATED MARKETING AND GAMING
`SYSTEMS
`
`CROSS—REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`The present application is a continuation-in—part of
`United States application Ser. No. 668,011, filed Nov. 5,
`1984,
`entitled AUTOMATED SWEEPSTAKES-
`TYPE GAME, now US. Pat. No. 4,669,730.
`
`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 typi-
`cally 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 opera-
`tor. If the numbers match, the player or user is typically
`awarded a prize, either as pre-determined by the opera-
`tor 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 fman—
`cial 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 com-
`puter terminal, such as an automated teller machine
`(ATM) or point-df-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 iden-
`tification 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 cus-
`tomer 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 cus-
`tomer’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 con-
`troller in that it routes a specific transaction to its appro-
`priate 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
`
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`
`2
`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 pur-
`chase 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 con-
`junction with a financial institution data processor and a
`remote interface device; to provide such a game appara-
`tus 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 indi-
`cia 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 exam-
`ple, 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 elec-
`tronic 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 in-
`serted into the ATM or POS terminal and the user is
`
`required to identify his account through the use of a
`personal identification number (PIN).
`
`

`

`3
`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 com-
`pare the account number and the game number and
`determine whether the two numbers match.
`The present invention is designed to be used in con-
`junction 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 in-
`formation 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 de-
`signed to be kept secret. Typically, only a central hold-
`ing 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 50phisticated communications network such as the
`one described is an expensive endeavor. In order to
`justify the expense, it is vital that the financial institu-
`tion’s customers utilize the system. The financial institu-
`tions benefit from the use of the system in that the trans-
`actions are essentially paperless and are not labor inten-
`sive, 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 appa-
`ratus. 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 fman-
`cial
`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 ran-
`dom 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. Typi-
`cally,
`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,
`
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`4,815,741
`
`4
`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 num-
`ber, this information is relayed back to the ATM or
`POS terminal (through the switch if present) and pref-
`erably, 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 com-
`puter 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. Alterna-
`tively,
`if the winning numbers are pre-selected,
`it is
`possible to assign a prize to that number upon genera-
`tion of same. As a third alternative, the prizes can be
`awarded in a pre-selected order, thereby ensuring that,
`for example, the “grand” prize is awarded at an appro--
`priate time during the sweepstakes. Whichever alterna-
`tive is selected, it is essential to program the sweep-
`stakes processor to include a sweepstakes account,
`which keeps track of each prize so that only a predeter-
`mined number of prizes are awarded. The sweepstakes
`account can be programmed to track both cash awards
`and material awards.
`
`It is envisioned that if cash awards are given, the
`operator of the sweepstakes may elect
`to instanta-
`neously credit the winner’s financial institution account,
`or if the ATM is being utilized, to immediately deliver
`the cash prize to the user at the ATM. If the award is
`not given immediately at the ATM,
`the transaction
`receipt is printed to indicate the award to the user.
`When the game apparatus is used in conjunction with
`a network system, it is possible to arrange the compo-
`nents such that each financial institution is in control of
`its own separate sweepstakes-type game. It is also envi-
`sioned that a network-wide sweepstakes-type game
`could be conducted.
`In areas where lottery games are permitted, the appa-
`ratus is designed to be utilized as a lottery machine. The
`components are substantially similar, although the user
`would be required to pay consideration for the change
`to enter the lottery sweepstakes. Preferably, a separate
`function key would be provided on the ATM or POS
`terminal whereby the user could designate an amount of
`money to be withdrawn from the user’s financial institu-
`tion account and applied toward the lottery. This sepa-
`rate sweepstakes key could also be used on the standard
`sweepstakes-type game to increase user awareness. The
`sweepstakes computer is then programmed to accom-
`modate either an instantaneous lottery determination or
`to enter the user’s account number or other user indicia
`into a longer term lottery, as is well known in the art.
`An alternative participation system is provided for
`non-account holders to participate in the game. 'In cer-
`tain states, the charges associated with using a debit
`card could be considered to constitute a lottery-type
`situation. In that event, an alternate non-customer ac-
`cess means is provided whereby the presumption of
`consideration is defeated, so long as no charge is made
`for the alternative participation means. For example, a
`special sweepstakes card can be produced, which al-
`lows access only to the sweepstakes processor. Alterna-
`tively, the non-customer can be allowed to participate
`by requesting a playing card having special game indi-
`cia thereon for game play.
`
`

`

`5
`Additionally, other remote interface devices such as
`telephones, personal computers and electronic cash
`registers (ECR) are utilized for financial transactions,
`whereby the user has more flexibility in location when
`contacting the financial services-type institution.
`In states where lottery games are legal, the financial
`institution can modify its sweepstakes processor to pur-
`chase electronically lottery chances, or tickets, for the
`user, and give the ticket as a prize for periodic use of the
`remote interface device. Appropriate security mea-
`sures, including a “buffer” lottery-type game financial
`account, will be necessary to ensure the integrity of the
`state-sponsored lottery. The present invention also pro-
`vides confirmation means, such as an assigned confirma-
`tion number, which is given to the user and stored by
`the lottery computer, for further security.
`In another embodiment of the present invention, the
`remote interface device (e.g. ATM, POS device, ECR
`or analogous devices such as a telephone or personal
`computer in electronic communication with the finan-
`cial services-type institution) is used to effect the pur-
`chase of a lottery ticket. Again, the lottery computer
`preferably issues a set of confirmation numbers and
`records them in addition to relaying them to the sweep-
`stakes processor and the user, for security and fraud-
`prevention purposes.
`Whether the lottery chance is awarded to, or pur-
`chased by, the user, money is transferred electronically
`from the financial institution to a lottery account. If a
`user-purchase is involved, the user’s financial account is
`instantaneously debited. However, the money may be
`transferred to an account controlled by the financial
`services-type institution and held for periodic transfer
`to the lottery account on a daily or weekly basis. The
`same is true if the lottery ticket is given as a prize; the
`money is periodically batch transferred to the lottery
`account.
`
`The drawings constitute a part of this specification
`and include exemplary embodiments of the present
`invention and illustrate various objects and features
`thereof.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of the principal
`components employed for practicing an automated
`sweepstakes game according to the present invention,
`and showing an automated teller machine.
`FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and illustrates a
`point-of-sale terminal in lieu of an automated teller ma-
`chine.
`
`FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of the principal
`components of the automated sweepstakes game further
`showing a network system.
`FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a first
`alternative arrangement of the principal components
`and network system.
`FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a second
`alternative arrangement of the principal components
`and network system. FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3
`showing a third alternative arrangement of the principal
`components and network system.
`FIG. 7 is a flow chart representing the principal steps
`employed in practicing the automated sweepstakes
`game.
`FIG. 8 is a simplified block diagram of the principal
`components employed in the instant
`invention and
`showing a generic remote interface device.
`
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`3O
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4,815,741
`
`6
`FIG. 9 is a simplified block diagram of the present
`invention and showing additional components utilized
`to award a lottery chance as a prize.
`FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram of an alternative
`embodiment showing the principal components neces-
`sary to allow a user to purchase a lottery ticket elec-
`_ tronically.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`As required, detailed embodiments of the present
`invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be un-
`derstood that the disclosed embodiments are merely
`exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in
`various forms. Therefore, specific structural and func-
`tional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted
`. as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
`representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
`variously employ the present invention in virtually any
`appropriately detailed structure.
`Referring to the drawings in more detail, the refer-
`ence numeral 1 generally indicates an automated sweep-
`stakes game apparatus. An interface device, for exam-
`ple, an automated remote computer terminal such as an
`automated teller machine (ATM) 2, electronically com-
`municates with a subject financial institution data pro-
`cessor or computer 4. A sweepstakes processor or com-
`puter Sis in electronic communication with the subject
`financial institution computer 4 and the ATM 2. Typi-
`cally, a user or player (not shown) gains access to the
`ATM 2 by inserting an identification card (not shown)
`and in addition (or instead of), by entering a personal
`identification number (PIN) 7.
`Processor means such as the sweepstakes processor 5
`reads a user indicia (not shown) such as a user’s financial
`institution account number. The sweepstakes processor
`5 generates a game indicia, such as a random prize num-
`ber (not shown), and compares the user indicia and
`game indicia to determine whether a selected winning
`correlation exists between them.
`The sweepstakes processor 5 relays the correlation
`information to the ATM and a printed receipt is given
`to the user, which indicates the absence or presence of
`the winning correlation. If a winning correlation exists,
`the sweepstakes processor 5 determines a prize (not
`shown) to be awarded a user as well as a manner of
`awarding the prize to the user.
`As shown in FIG. 2, the remote computer terminal
`may be what is commonly known as a point-of-sale
`(POS) terminal 12 of the type located in a retail estab-
`lishment for direct debiting of a user’s financial institu-
`tion account. The ATM 2 and POS terminal 12 are
`analogous machines, although not interchangeable. The
`functions of these machines are well known in the art
`and they will be discussed together, except where sig-
`nificant differences between them affect the present
`invention. Thus, in FIGS. 3 through 6, the POS termi-
`nal 12 could be substituted for the ATM 2. Further-
`more, it is noted that a plurality of such ATM‘s 2 and
`POS terminals 12 are generally associated with a sub-
`ject financial institution computer 4.
`Typically,
`the user is provided a debit card (not
`shown) having a magnetically encoded stripe thereon.
`The debit card is adapted to be inserted into the ATM
`2 and identifies the user to the subject financial institu-
`tion computer 4. The PIN 7 is also used as an identifica-
`tion means for further validating the user’s access to the
`subject financial computer 4. The user has an account
`
`

`

`4,815,741
`
`7
`number with the subject financial institution 4 that is
`specific to the user, and preferably comprises the user
`indicia for the present invention.
`It is envisioned that the type of card kn0wn as a bank
`credit card could be used in lieu of the debit card, with
`no effect on the present invention. Further, the user
`indicia,
`in addition to comprising the user’s financial
`institution account number (such as a checking account
`number), the user indicia could take the form of a num-
`ber specifically assigned to the debit or credit card. It is
`also envisioned that the user indicia can comprise the
`transaction number or other number that identifies the
`user sufficiently to properly credit the user should he or
`she win the sweepstakes.
`The user indicia, such as the financial institution ac-
`count number, typically comprises approximately 10
`digits, although the identifier can comprise alphanu-
`meric characters. In any event, the sweepstakes proces-
`sor 5 generates the game indicia such that the game
`indicia generally corresponds to the format of the user
`indicia. That is, if the user indicia comprises an account
`number having ten digits, the game indicia generated by
`the sweepstakes processor 5 would typically have ten
`digits.
`.
`FIGS. 3 through 6 disclose alternative configurations
`of the present invention, which configurations include a
`network of financial institutions 15 and a transmission
`facilities device, such as a switch 16. As illustrated in
`FIG. 3, the switch 16 receives an electronic communi-
`cation from the ATM 2 and routes the financial institu-
`tion instructions to the subject financial institution com-
`puter 4. The sweepstakes information, i.e. the user indi-
`cia, is routed to the sweepstakes processor 5 for com-
`parison to a game indicia. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the
`financial institution information and the user indicia are
`routed to the subject financial instition computer 4. The
`user indicia is then routed to the sweepstakes computer
`5 for further activity.
`Upon completion of the data processing associated
`with the present invention, the information is relayed
`back to the switch 16. The results are routed by the
`switch 16 to the ATM 2 and the subject financial institu-
`tion 4 for notification of the user, as seen in FIG. 3. As
`illustrated in FIG. 4, the results are first routed to the
`subject financial institution 4 and subsequently to the
`switch 16 for routing to the ATM 2.
`As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6,
`the subject financial
`institution may place what is commonly known as an
`intercept computer 24 between the ATMs 2 associated
`with the financial institution and the switch 16. This
`positioning of the intercept computer 24 is commonly
`known as operating “in front of the switch", whereas
`the configurations disclosed in FIGS. 3 and 4 are known
`as operating “behind the switch”. The intercept com-
`puter 24 “intercep " communications from its associ-
`ated ATMs 2 which are specific to the subject financial
`institution, while routing communications related to
`other network financial
`institutions 15 through the
`switch 16.
`As shown in FIG. 5, the sweepstakes processor 5 is in
`direct communication with the intercept computer 24
`and receives the user indicia information from the ATM
`2 through the intercept computer 24 without routing to
`the switch 16.
`
`As illustrated in FIG. 6, the sweepstakes processor 5
`is in communication with the switch 16. Accordingly,
`user indicia relating to a customer of the subject finan-
`cial institution is routed through the intercept computer .
`
`8
`24 and switch 16 to the sweepstakes processor 5 and
`back again.
`It is envisioned that the present invention can take a
`plurality of different configurations. As discussed in the
`Background of the Invention, the number of institutions
`comprising the network financial institutions 15 is very
`large. At present, network systems comprising in excess
`of 400 financial institution members are known, which
`together utilize in excess of a thousand automated teller
`machines.
`The sweepstakes processor 5 as illustrated in FIGS. 3
`through 6 can accommodate a number of different
`sweepstake alternatives. For example, the sweepstakes
`processor 5 can be adapted to accommodate an individ-
`ual sweepstakes configuration for the subject financial
`institution alone. Alternatively, the sweepstakes proces-
`sor 5 can be adapted to allow any user of any of the
`ATMs 2 in communication with the network of finan-
`cial institutions 15 to participate in a single collective
`sweepstakes. It is further envisioned that a sweepstakes
`processor 5 could accommodate a plurality of individ-
`ual financial institution sweepstakes.
`A preferred method of playing the sweepstakes-type
`game is disclosed in the flow chart of FIG. 7. Step 31
`requires the insertion ,of an identification card, such as
`the previously described debit card in to an ATM 2.
`Alternatively, the user may insert the debit card or the
`like into a POS terminal 12, as shown at step 32. In
`either event, the deibt card begins the activation process
`and identifies the proposed user to the system. At step
`33, the financial institution computer requires that the
`PIN 7 be entered on a keyboard (not shown) of the
`ATM 2 or POS terminal 12. The financial institution
`computer receives the informaation directly, or through
`the switch 16, as the case may be, and validates the PIN
`7, provided the PIN 7 is in fact valid, as shown at step
`35. Once validated, the user has access to his financial
`institution account and proceeds to conduct his finan-
`cial institution transactions at step 36. As the user trans-
`acts his affairs with the financial institution at step 36,
`the sweepstakes computer reads the user’s account
`number at step 40.
`When the user has completed his transactions with
`the financial institution, at step 37 the card is returned to
`the user. At step 38, the financial transactions are com-
`pleted (such as the delivery of withdrawn money) and
`the printing of a receipt. The receipt is delivered to the
`user at step 39. Alternatively, the card can be returned
`to the user following delivery of the receipt at step 39.
`The account number is sent to the sweepstakes com-
`puter at step 41. The sweepstakes computer 5 generates,
`or has previously generated, a prize number or numbers
`as shown at step 42. The account number is compared
`to the prize number at step 45. The numbers are com-
`pared to determine whether a predetermined winning
`correlation exists between the numbers, that is whether
`they match. If no match exists, the game branches to
`step 38, and the negative results are printed on a receipt
`which is delivered to the user at Step 39.
`If the account and prize numbers match at step 45, the
`game branches to step 48, which determines the prize to
`be awarded to the