Method, Apparatus, and System for Entertaining Users of an Electronic Information Distribution System

Abstract

Some embodiments provide a method of determining whether a lottery player or the player's computer is within a particular location. The player's computer is connected to a computer network. The method transmits, through the computer network, a pass code and a telephone number to the lottery player's computer. The method requests the lottery player or the player's computer to call the number and provide the pass code within a pre-determined amount of time. The method determines whether the pass code is provided within a predetermined amount of time after the transmission of the pass code from a telephone specified to be within the particular location. The method verifies whether the lottery player or player's computer is within the particular location, based on the determination.

1 - 82 . (canceled) 
     
     
         83 . A method of selling lottery for a state through a computer network, the method comprising:
 a) through the computer network, receiving a request from a computer to purchase the state's lottery ticket;   b) determining whether the computer passes a physical location criteria; and   c) allowing the computer to purchase the state's lottery tickets if the computer passes the physical location criteria.   
     
     
         84 . The method of  claim 83  wherein determining whether the computer passes the physical location criteria comprises:
 a) through the computer network, transmitting to the computer a pass code and a telephone number for dialing to establish a telephone session to provide the pass code; 
 b) rejecting calls to the telephone number from outside of the state; and 
 c) determining whether the pass code is provided within a predetermined amount of time after the transmission of the pass code. 
 
     
     
         85 . The method of  claim 84  wherein the computer dials the transmitted telephone number. 
     
     
         86 . The method of  claim 85  wherein the computer automatically dials the telephone number. 
     
     
         87 . The method of  claim 86  wherein the computer automatically provides the pass code when a successful telephone session is established. 
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 85  wherein an individual using the computer provides the pass code when a successful telephone session is established. 
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 85  wherein an individual using the computer instructs the computer to dial the supplied telephone number. 
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 89  wherein the computer automatically provides the pass code when a successful telephone session is established. 
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 89  wherein the individual provides the pass code when a successful telephone session is established. 
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 84  wherein an individual using the computer dials the supplied telephone number and provides the pass code when a successful telephone session is established. 
     
     
         93 . (canceled) 
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 93 , wherein for cases where a telephone line of the dialer of the telephone number has caller-identification block, the method further comprising requesting the dialer to disable the caller identification block. 
     
     
         95 . (canceled) 
     
     
         96 . (canceled) 
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 84  further comprising rejecting the pass code when the pass code is not provided within the predetermined amount of time. 
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 97  wherein the method rejects the pass code permanently. 
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 97  wherein the method rejects the pass code for a pre-specified duration of time. 
     
     
         100 - 124 . (canceled)