Deterministic method and system for determining winners of scratch and win ticket contests and other numeric prize contests

Abstract

A deterministic gaming method for a contest is presented. The method includes generating at least one or more mathematical problems to be solved by contestants. An announcement of the contest to potential contestants is provided. Instructions including the at least one or more mathematical problems and rules of play for the contest are provided to participating contestants. After a predetermined period of time, it is determined if one or more participating contestants has correctly solved the problem and is a winner. If there is no winner, the mathematical problems and rules of play for the contest are continued to be provided. The contest is stopped when one or more winners are determined. A prize is then distributed to the one or more winners. Also is presented is a system for the deterministic contest and contest tickets for use therein.

1 . A gaming method for a contest, the method comprising the steps of:
 generating at least one or more mathematical problems to be solved by contestants;   providing an announcement of the contest to potential contestants;   providing instructions comprising said at least one or more mathematical problems and rules of play for the contest to participating contestants;   determining, after a predetermined period of time, if one or more participating contestants has correctly solved said problem and is a winner;   continuing to provide said at least one or more mathematical problems and rules of play for the contest in the absence of said winner; and   stopping the contest when one or more winners are determined.   
   
   
       2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of distributing a prize to said one or more winners. 
   
   
       3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , in which said predetermined period of time is determined in part by a difficulty of solving said mathematical problem. 
   
   
       4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a means for solving said at least one or more mathematical problems to said participating contestants. 
   
   
       5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of including a random factor in said instructions for modifying the playing of the contest. 
   
   
       6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of including a random choice for said participating contestants. 
   
   
       7 . The method as recited in  claim 6 , in which said random choice determines a one of said mathematical problems said participating contestant is to solve. 
   
   
       8 . The method as recited in  claim 6 , in which said random choice, in part, determines a value of said prize. 
   
   
       9 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , in which said instructions are in part provided by a contest ticket. 
   
   
       10 . The method as recited in  claim 9 , in which said step of determining includes examining contest tickets entered by participating contestants. 
   
   
       11 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further including the step of selecting a duration for the contest. 
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , in which said duration is included with said instructions. 
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , in which said duration is in part selected by the complexity of said mathematical problem. 
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , in which said at least one or more mathematical problems is a cryptographic algorithm and said generating comprises encoding a clear text message. 
   
   
       15 . A gaming method for a contest, the system comprising:
 a steps for generating one or more mathematical type problems;   a steps for announcing the contest to potential contestants;   a steps for providing said one or more mathematical problems and rules of play to participating contestants;   a steps for determining, after a predetermined period of time, if one or more participating contestants has correctly solved said problem and is a winner;   a steps for continuing to provide said problem and rules in the absence of said winner;   a steps for stopping the contest when one or more winners are determined; and   a steps for distributing a prize to said one or more winners.   
   
   
       16 . The system as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising a steps for including a random factor. 
   
   
       17 . The system as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising steps for providing a means for solving said one or more mathematical problems to said participating contestants. 
   
   
       18 . The system as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising steps for selecting a duration for the contest. 
   
   
       19 . The system as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising steps for providing said duration to said participating contestants. 
   
   
       20 . A method for generating a contest, the method comprising the steps of:
 creating a plurality of mathematical problems to be solved;   obtaining a predetermined number of contest tickets for each of said mathematical problems, said contest tickets being shuffled and divided into a predetermined number of lots; and   distributing said lots for purchase by potential contestants.   
   
   
       21 . A system for generating a contest comprising:
 a means for creating a plurality of mathematical problems to be solved;   a means for generating a predetermined number of contest tickets for each of said mathematical problems;   a means for combining, shuffling and dividing said contest tickets into a predetermined number of lots; and   a means for distributing said lots for purchase by potential contestants.   
   
   
       22 . A process for participating in a contest, the process comprising the steps of:
 obtaining a contest entry;   solving at least one mathematical problem presented on said contest entry;   displaying on said contest entry if a solution of said mathematical problem is correct; and   submitting said contest entry for verification if said solution is correct.   
   
   
       23 . The process as recited in  claim 22 , further comprising the step of determining if a means for solving said mathematical problem is provided by the contest and using said method in solving said mathematical problem. 
   
   
       24 . The process as recited in  claim 23 , in which said step of determining further comprises obtaining said method. 
   
   
       25 . The process as recited in  claim 24 , in which said obtaining of said method is accomplished in part using a computer connection. 
   
   
       26 . The process as recited in  claim 24 , in which said obtaining of said method is accomplished by purchase. 
   
   
       27 . The process as recited in  claim 22 , further comprising the step of choosing a random factor provided with said contest entry. 
   
   
       28 . The process as recited in  claim 22 , further comprising using a random factor for effecting the play of the contest. 
   
   
       29 . The process as recited in  claim 22 , in which said contest entry is obtained by purchase of a contest ticket. 
   
   
       30 . A system for participating in a contest, the system comprising:
 a means for obtaining a contest entry;   a means for solving at least one mathematical problem presented on said contest entry;   a means for displaying on said contest entry if a solution of said mathematical problem is correct; and   a means for submitting said contest entry for verification if said solution is correct.   
   
   
       31 . The system as recited in  claim 30 , further comprising a means for obtaining a method for solving said at least one mathematical problem. 
   
   
       32 . The system as recited in  claim 30 , further comprising a means for providing a random factor. 
   
   
       33 . A contest ticket for a deterministic game play, the ticket comprising:
 a first side comprising indicia providing instructions with at least one mathematical problem to be solved; and   a second side comprising indicia providing a plurality of solutions to said mathematical problem including at least one correct solution to said mathematical problem and a means for indicating said one correct solution when said one correct solution is selected.   The ticket as recited in  claim 33 , in which said plurality of solutions are arranged in a gird.   
   
   
       34 . The ticket as recited in  claim 33 , in which a one of or both of said first side and said second side includes a random factor. 
   
   
       35 . The ticket as recited in  claim 33 , in which said random factor is selectable. 
   
   
       36 . The ticket as recited in  claim 33 , further comprising a method for solving said at least one mathematical problem.