KR20070048187A - Gaming system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an invoice independent of the communication means 12 operated by the player 22, the game progress portion 20, and the game progress portion 20 for providing an invoice to the player 22 to participate in the game. A game system 10 having a providing means 18. When the game progress unit 20 receives a first communication message 44 containing a set of game entry information transmitted from the player 22 via the communication means 12 on the communication network 16, the The invoice providing means 18 is notified of the first communication message 44 by the game progress unit 20 or the communication network 16, generates a game participation invoice having a unique invoice identifier 46, and generates the unique invoice. An invoice identifier 46 is communicated to the game progress unit 20 and the player 22. The game progress unit 20 enters the player 22 into the game, combines the game entry of the player with the unique invoice identifier 46, and sets the game entry information of the set to a predetermined set of victory criteria. To determine the winner, and to send to the winner a second communication message 58 that also includes the victory information.

Game system, game method, game progress unit, game entry information, invoice providing means, victory information, communication means, communication network

Description

Game system and its method {GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD}

The present invention relates to a game system and a method thereof. The game system and method are particularly suitable for use in lottery.

Throughout this specification, the term “comprises” or “comprising” or “comprising”, unless included in the context, means including one component or group of components described, but without any other component. It will be understood that it does not exclude a group of such components.

The following description of the invention is provided to aid in understanding the present invention. This description, however, acknowledges that any of the elements mentioned therein have been published in, or known from, other jurisdictions on the priority date of the present application or are part of the common common knowledge of those skilled in the art. You should recognize that you are not a poet.

Recently, many people have enjoyed participating in games that have the opportunity to win prizes, such as lotteries. A number of systems and methods have been disclosed that use the latest communication technologies to help people participate in such games. However, these systems and methods can be problematic from one or many of the following problems.

▶ Players may claim fraudulently for prizes they do not qualify for.

Game participants may be restricted to submitting entries to either game at a time.

Only participant in one type of game may be allowed-participants cannot choose the game they want to play from multiple games.

▶ You may not be able to prevent illegal participants (eg, people under 18 years) from playing the game.

The present invention seeks to provide a game system and method for alleviating to some extent some or all of these problems.

According to the first aspect of the present invention,

A communication network;

A game facilitator connected to the communication network and configured to receive communication from any one user (player) via the communication network using a communication means; ; And

Means for providing an invoice for issuing an invoice to a player participating in the game, the apparatus being connected to the communication network and operatively independent of the game progression unit and operatively configured to communicate therewith;

The game progression unit is operable to receive a first communication from a player having a set of game entry information, the first communication being transmitted via a communication means via the communication network;

The communication network or game progression unit is operable to notify an invoice providing means for the first communication;

The invoice providing means is operable to generate a game participation invoice having a unique invoice identifier in response to the notification and communicate the unique invoice identifier through the communication network to the game progression unit;

The game progression unit is operable to enter the player into the game and associate the player's game entry with the unique invoice identifier; And

The game progression unit compares the game entry information of the set with a set of winning criteria to determine the winner of the game, and if it is determined that the player is the winner, the game proceeding portion is assigned to the player having the victory information. It is possible to operate to transmit the communication.

This makes it possible to independently verify that a unique invoice identifier issued by an independent third party-an invoice providing means-is substantially one person claiming to be the winner associated with that player's game entry.

Advantageously, said game progression comprises storage means for storing a set of game entry information, a unique invoice identifier, a game entry of a player, and a set of winning criteria.

Preferably, the game progression unit:

Receive a game entry information set, a unique invoice identifier,

Enter the player into the game,

Combine the player's game entry with the unique invoice identifier, and

Processing means operable to compare the game entry information set with a set of winning criteria to determine whether the player is a winner.

More preferably, the processing means is further operable to send the second communication to the player determined to be the winner.

In order to further reduce the chance of success by claiming that an unqualified person is a winner, the game system preferably further comprises a registration means for registering a player to participate in the game. In this case, the registration means may assign to the player one registration identifier included in the set of game entry information and associated with the player's game entry and the unique invoice identifier.

The registration identifier may be a password (password). In order to increase the security, it is preferable that the password meets a predetermined standard. The predetermined criteria may require that the password be at least four characters long or include a combination of letters and numbers.

The second communication may be possible via the communication means. The communication means may have one communication identifier which is combined with the communications transmitted therefrom and which combines with the game entry of the player.

Ideally, the communication means is a mobile phone. In this case, the communication identifier may be a telephone number of the mobile telephone.

Game program means may be stored in the communication means or in the storage means of the game progression to assist the entry of the player in the game. Preferably, the game program means is capable of transferring from the storage means of the game progress portion to the storage means of the communication means.

Advantageously, said game program means is operable to facilitate selection by the player for a game to enter from a plurality of games. The set of winning criteria may be a set of numbers or a winner of a competition.

Preferably, the unique invoice identifier is also notified to the player via the communication network.

According to a second aspect of the invention,

Receiving a first communication from a player that includes a set of game entry information,

Receiving invoice communication from an independent invoice comprising a set of invoice information with a unique invoice identifier;

Admitting a player to a game in association with the invoice information set;

Determining the winner of the game by comparing the set of game entry information to the set of winning criteria, and

When the player is determined to be a winner, a game method including transmitting a second communication message including victory information to the player is provided.

Advantageously, the game method further comprises storing a game entry information set, an invoice information set, a player's game entry, and a set of winning criteria.

Preferably, the game method further includes the step of registering a player participating in the game. In this case, the process of registering a player is:

Assigning a registration identifier to the player,

Including the registration identifier in a set of game entry information, and

Combining the registration identifier with the game entry of the player.

The registration identifier may be a password (password). It is preferable that the password meets a predetermined standard for increasing security. The predetermined criterion described above may require a password to consist of at least four characters in length or include a combination of letters and numbers.

Advantageously, said gaming method further comprises associating said player's game entry with said communication identifier when there is a communication identifier associated with said first communication.

Preferably, the first communication is transmitted via the cellular phone. In that case the communication identifier may be the telephone number of the cellular phone.

Advantageously, said gaming method comprises selecting a game to join from a plurality of games.

The set of victory criteria described above may be a set of numbers or a winner of a competition.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a server for use in a game system, the server communicating with a player connected to a communication network and thereby utilizing a communication means, and an invoice providing means independent of the server. It is configured to be operative, and the server is:

Operable to receive a first communication from a player comprising a set of game entry information, the first communication being transmitted via communication means via the communication network;

Operable to notify an invoice providing means for the first communication;

Operable to receive a game participation invoice with a unique invoice identifier from an invoice providing means via the communication network;

Enter the player into a game and associate the player's game entry with the unique invoice identifier;

Comparing the game entry information of the set with one set of winning criteria to determine the winner of the game; And

If the player is determined to be a winner, the operation is operable to play-transmit the second communication having the victory information.

Advantageously, said server comprises storage means for storing a set of game entry information, a unique invoice identifier, a game entry of a player, and a set of winning criteria.

Preferably, the server is:

Receive a set of game entry information and a unique invoice identifier,

Enter the player into the game,

Combine the player's game entry with the unique invoice identifier, and

Processing means operable to compare the game entry information set with a set of winning criteria to determine whether the player is a winner.

Advantageously, said processing means is further operable to transmit said second communication to a player determined to be a winner.

Preferably, the server further comprises registration means for registering a player to participate in the game.

Preferably, the registration means assigns to the player one registration identifier included in the set of game entry information and associated with the player's game entry and unique invoice identifier.

Advantageously, said registration identifier comprises a password.

Preferably, the password is configured to meet certain criteria.

Preferably, the predetermined criteria may include a password of at least four characters in length or may include a combination of letters and numbers.

Preferably, said second communication is received via a communication means.

Preferably, the communication means may have one communication identifier which is combined with the communications transmitted therefrom and which is combined with the game entry of the player.

Preferably, said communication means comprises a mobile telephone.

Preferably, the communication identifier is a telephone number of the mobile phone.

Preferably, the server may comprise storage means of communication means or game program means stored in the storage means of the server to assist the player's entry in the game.

Preferably, the game program means is capable of transferring from the storage means of the server to the storage means of the communication means.

Advantageously, said game program means is operable to facilitate selection by a player of a game to enter from a plurality of games.

Preferably, said set of winning criteria includes a set of numbers or a winner of a competition.

One embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a game system and method according to an aspect of the present invention; and

2 is a network diagram of the game system and method of FIG.

1 and 2, a first embodiment of a game system 10 according to the invention is shown. The game system 10 includes the following elements:

Communication means in the form of a cellular phone 12;

Game program 14;

Communication network 16;

Invoice providing means in the form of an invoice issuing system 18; And

Game facilitator 20.

The mobile phone 12 is owned and operated by the player 22. The mobile phone 12 has storage means in the form of a memory (not shown) configured to store the game program 14 after transmission or download. In addition, the mobile phone 12 has an operating system (not shown) for executing an application program stored in a memory such as game program 14.

However, it should be noted that the above communication means is not limited to mobile phones. The communication means may be any type of mobile communication device, personal computer (PC) 13, personal digital assistant (PDA) 15, satellite phone, landline phone 17, watch type communication device, input device or It may be any communication device capable of transmitting and selectively receiving messages via a communication network comprising a dedicated game device.

The communication network 16 and the invoicing system 18 are owned and / or operated by a communication agency (carrier) (not shown). The communication network 16 facilitates worldwide data communication between the parties connected thereto, so that the parties are not limited to being present only in a particular country or region in communicating via the communication network 16. .

The communication network 16 includes all the features of a known cellular radiotelephone network including a plurality of base stations BS1 and BS2 and a network service center 24. The communication network 16 has a plurality of cells 25, each of which is served by a base station. Mobile stations, such as cell phones 12, are roaming within the communication network 16, and if they are in either active mode, standby mode or "receive" mode, they communicate with the base station serving the cell in which they are located. Done. Thus, the mobile stations can transmit data such as audio, control and text data to the base stations BS1 and BS2 and from there to the network service center 24 and from there to their intended recipients, i.e. servers such as other mobile stations or Internet servers. It is possible to send and receive signals to them.

In the described embodiment, communication network 16 is a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) network. GSM cellular radiotelephone networks, the operation of such networks, and the terminals using those networks are well known to those skilled in the art, and thus, no further detailed description thereof will be required herein except as related to the present invention. It should be noted that the communication network 16 is not limited to the GSM network, and alternative embodiments of the present invention may use other communication protocols.

The carrier (carrier) provides a Short Message Service (SMS) in the communication network 16, in which point the network service center 24 is SMS operable to manage the SMS functions of the communication network 16. Center (SMSC) 27 is included. In particular, the SMSC 27 receives SMS messages from various sources, identifies the sender, its contents and the recipient of the message, and delivers it to the recipient.

A user or subscriber of the communication network 16 may use a SMS provided on the communication network 16 to play a game connected to an SMS gateway, for example, using a mobile station such as a mobile phone 12 or via the Internet. It is possible to send and receive text messages using a computer, such as a facilitator computer 29 of the game facilitator 20, or by any other suitable means.

The invoice providing means 18 is operatively connected with the SMSC 27 to generate an invoice or bill for the sender of the SMS identified by the SMSC 27. The amount of invoices or bills generated may vary depending on a number of factors, including the identity of the sender, the identity of the recipient and / or the content of the SMS identified by the SMSC 27.

The mobile phone 12 communicates with the progress computer 30 of the game progress section 20 via the communication network 16. The host computer 29 of the game progress unit 20 also performs data communication with the invoice providing system 18 via the communication network 16.

The invoice providing system 18 has a financial transaction database 26. This financial transaction database holds a number of records 28. Each record 28 contains a set of financial transaction information for a user of the communication network 16, including:

→ statement;

→ address;

→ date of birth;

→ password (password) for user identification; And

→ an identifier for the communication device owned by the user used on the communication network 16, for example a mobile phone number, an e-mail address and the like.

The password must meet predetermined criteria. In the described embodiment, the password should consist of at least four letters and contain a combination of letters and numbers.

Each record 28 is assigned to a particular player of the communication network 16. One of the records 28 is for player 22 and will hereinafter be referred to as player record 30. This player record 30 will assist invoicing of the player 22 by the carrier (carrier) for use of the player 22 of the communication network 16.

The functionality of the above elements and additional features of game system 10 will now be described with reference to game system 10 in use.

The carrier allocates a predetermined telephone number to the game progress unit 20. The predetermined telephone number described above is used to designate the game progression unit 20 as a receiver of communication messages transmitted via the communication network 16. The predetermined telephone number described above is a global or international telephone number and can be used from anywhere in the world to access the communication network 16 to identify the game progression 20 as the recipient of the communication message sent by it.

In order to participate in the game, the player 22 first sends an SMS message 32 to the predetermined number through the mobile phone 12.

The progress unit computer 29 of the game progress unit 20 executes application software stored in the progress unit memory, such as a registration database 36, a game entry database 48, a progress unit program (not shown), and a progress unit program. And a game application server cluster having a progress unit memory for storing a progress unit operating system. In addition, the progress unit computer 29 of the game progress unit 20 includes a processor (not shown) connected to the progress unit memory.

The progress unit computer 29 of the game progress unit 20 receives the SMS message 32 sent to a predetermined number.

In response to receiving the SMS message, the processor computer 29 transmits the address of the processor memory in which the game program 14 is located to the mobile phone 12 and executes a download sequence for downloading the game program 14. Ask the player 22. Upon completion of this download sequence, cellular phone 12 stores game program 14 in its memory.

Once storage is completed in the memory of the cellular phone 12, the game program 14 can be executed by the operating system according to the command of the player 22.

When executed for the first time, the game program 14 is essentially equivalent to the information recorded in the player record 30, and additionally includes the credit card transaction information details of that player 22. Asking for information will provide the player 22 with a set of registration questions.

The player's 22 responses to the registration related question include a set of registration information. Once the player 22 answers all registration related questions, the game program 14 sends the SMS message 34 via the mobile phone 12 to the host computer 29 of the game progress unit 20. Send a set of registration information.

When receiving the SMS message 34 including the above-mentioned registration information set, the game progression unit 20 enters the registration information set from the registration database 36 to participate in the game via the progression unit computer 29. The player 22 is registered. In addition, the game progress unit 20 assigns a registration number 38 corresponding to the registration information set to the corresponding player 22.

Once the registration number 38 has been assigned, the game progress unit 20 confirms that the player 22 has been successfully registered to participate in the game, and has assigned the registration number 38 to the player 22. Send an SMS message 40 to the player 22 indicating. The game program 14 registers the registration number 38 assigned to the memory of the mobile telephone 12.

In some cases, the game progression unit 20 may not be able to enter the registration information set into the registration database 36. This may occur, for example, when there is an error in the credit card transaction details provided by the player 22. In such a situation, the game progression unit 20 attempts to register the player 22 to participate in the game. The player 22 is sent an SMS message 42 informing the player 22 that the player has failed and informing the player to resume the registration stop.

The date of birth information included in the details of the player record 30 may indicate that the player 22 is legally too young to participate in the game. In this case, the game progression unit 20 notifies the player 22 that the player 22 is too young to register to participate in the game and recommends that the player 22 attempt to register again when the player 22 is older. Send an SMS message 43 to the player 22.

Upon subsequent execution of the game program 14, the game program 14 confirms that the player 22 has been successfully registered by checking for the registration number 38 in the memory of the mobile phone 12. . If the player 22 has not been registered successfully, the registration procedure is repeated again as described above.

If the player 22 has successfully registered, the game program 14 presents a set of game related questions to the player, requesting information about the game. In the first embodiment the game is a lottery, and the related information includes not only the registration number 38 but also a six digit number between 1 and 44 selected by the corresponding player 22. The player 22's response to the set of game related questions described above includes a set of game entry information. Once the player 22 has completed answering all game related questions, the game program 14 is a set of games in SMS message 44 to the game progression section 20 via the mobile phone 12. Send entry information.

The game progression section 20 performs a predetermined number of game rounds during a particular period, providing the player 22 an opportunity to enter a particular round that stops at a predetermined time at the end of the period. If the player 22 attempts to enter a particular round after the predetermined time, the player 22 enters the game of the next round. The procedure for game entry is described in more detail below.

In the above-described embodiment, the game progression unit 20 executes two rounds of lottery lottery every week, one on the first designated date and the other on the second designated date. The opportunity for the player 22 to enter the round performed on the first designated day ends at the first designated time of the first designated day described above. Likewise, the opportunity for the player 22 to enter the round performed on the second designated day ends at the second designated time of the second designated day.

If the player 22 attempts to enter the round played on the first designated date after the first designated time ends, the player 22 enters the next game played on the second designated day. do. Similarly, if the player 22 attempts to enter a round performed on the second designated date after the second specified time has ended, the player 22 is next time played on the first designated day. You enter the game.

Each round is assigned a unique round number 47 by game progress unit 20. This unique round number 47 is used to identify the game round.

When the SMS message 44 is sent, the carrier charges the game entry fee to the player record 30 through the invoice providing system 18 as follows.

As mentioned above, the SMS message sent before delivery to the recipient is received by the SMSC 27 of the network service center 24.

Upon receipt of the SMS message 44, the SMSC 27 of the network service center 24 sends the sender of the SMS message 44 as the player 22 and the receiver of the SMS message 44 as the game progress unit 20. And the content of the SMS message 44 as a game entry information set.

When the contents of the SMS message 44 are identified by the SMSC 27 as a game entry information set, the invoice providing system 18 corresponds to the game entry fee in the player record 30 of the identified player 22. Issue invoices or invoices. The game entry fee is charged to player record 30 of player 22 of player 22 so that player 22 does not need to open a bank account to participate in the game, and transaction account database 26 The existing player record 30 of is used.

In addition, an invoice number 46, i.e., an invoice number that records and includes the details of this bill, is assigned by the invoice providing system 18 and forwarded to the SMSC 27.

The SMSC 27 then forwards the SMS message 44 and invoice number 46 to the game progress unit 20.

Upon receipt of the SMS message 44 comprising the game entry information set and invoice number 46, the game progression unit 20 receives its time stamp 49 via the progression computer 29. Record the time, which is subsequently used to determine the game's unique round number 47 to enter. It is important to note that the time stamp 49 records the reception time of the SMS message 44 by the game progress unit 20, not the time when the SMS message 44 was transmitted according to the mobile phone 12. Is the point.

The game progression unit 20 then enters the player 22 into the game via the progression unit computer 29. This is done by entering a set of game entry information including a registration number 38, a corresponding invoice number 46 and a time stamp 49 into the game entry database 48.

The set of game entry information including the registration number 38, the corresponding invoice number 46, and the time stamp 49 includes one entry in the game entry database 48, and the progress unit computer 29 One unique entry number is assigned by the game progress unit 20 via.

Once the entry number 50 has been assigned, the game progress unit 20 confirms that the player 22 has successfully entered the game, and informs the player 22 that the game program (memory) is stored in the memory of the mobile phone 12. An SMS message 52 is sent to the player 22 informing about the next information subsequently recorded by 14).

→ entry number 50;

→ time stamp 49;

→ unique round number 47 corresponding to that timestamp 49;

Invoice number 46; And

→ Charged game entry fee.

If it is impossible for the game progress unit 20 to input any of the game entry information set, the corresponding invoice number 46, the time stamp 49, or the unique round number 47 into the game entry database 48, The game progress unit 20 notifies the player 22 that the player 22's attempt to enter the game was unsuccessful and sends an SMS message 54 to the player 22 to urge the player 22 to try again. 22). This would be the case when the game entry information set provided by the player 22 contains only three numbers, for example, not six.

Subsequently, the player 22 may enter the game several times while entering the aforementioned game entry database 48 for each entry, or as described above, a unique entry number may be assigned by the game progress unit 20. have.

The game program 14 facilitates the player 22 to store a plurality of sets of six "lucky" numbers in the memory of the mobile phone 12. From the plurality of sets of lucky numbers described above, a particular set of lucky numbers may be selected by the player 22 in response to a set of game questions when participating in the game.

The game program 14 also facilitates the player 22 transmitting multiple entries to one game at the same time as an alternative to submitting one entry at a time.

In such a case:

→ six numbers in each set containing one of the plurality of entries selected by the player 22 in the set of game entry information are separated by semicolons;

The carrier's SMSC 27 determines the number of entries for multiple entries by counting the semicolon, and a proportional game entry fee is charged via invoicing system 18; And

→ The SMS message 52 confirming that the player 22 has successfully entered the game has a corresponding entry number 50 assigned to each entry in the multiple entries and that player for the total game entry charges charged. (22).

After the opportunity for the player 22 to enter the game round corresponding to the unique round number 47 is over, the game progress section 20 selects the game round from entries in the game entry database 48. Victory entry 56 is determined via progression computer 29. The progress computer 29 of the game progression section 20 generates a set of six numbers randomly from 1 to 44, which is then generated in the set of game entry information for each entry in the game entry database 48. The decision is made by comparing the six numbers selected. An entry whose six numbers selected from the set of game entry information match the set of six random numbers is considered to be the winning entry 56.

If the entry number 50 of the player 22 is determined to be the winning entry 56, the game progression unit 20 sends an SMS message 58 informing the player 22 of his victory. The SMS message 58 transmits, via the mobile phone 12, an SMS message describing the registration number 38, the player 22's password, the invoice number 46 and the entry number 50 for requesting a prize. By additionally instructing the corresponding player 22 to contact the game progress unit 20 within five working days. In the above embodiment, the prize is a certain amount of money. In alternative embodiments, the award may be an item of a good, such as a house or a car.

If the six numbers selected from the set of game entry information above do not have an entry that matches six random numbers, i.e. there are no winning entries 56, the prize for that game round is the so-called "jackpot". "Will be added to the prize for the next game round.

Upon receipt of the SMS message 58, in order to claim the prize, the player 22 confirms that the player 22 wishes to receive the prize and registers the registration number 38, the password of the player 22, An SMS message 60 describing the invoice number 46 and the entry number 50 is transmitted to the game progress section 20 in response.

Upon reception of the SMS message 60, the game unit computer 29 of the game progression unit 20 is the secret number of the registration number 38, player 22 contained in the SMS message 60. By comparing the number, the invoice number 46 and the entry number 50, and the telephone number of the telephone used to transmit the SMS message 60 with the following information, the sender of the SMS message 60 is connected to the corresponding player. Verify that (22) is correct:

→ a set of registration information in the registration database 36 corresponding to the registration number 38 described above; And

A set of invoice number 46 and game entry information in the game entry database 48 corresponding to entry number 50;

Once verified as above, the game progress unit 20 provides the player 22 with the prize in a suitable manner according to the predetermined prize. For example, in the embodiment where the difference is a certain amount of money, the game progress unit 20 mails the prize money to the address of the player 22 or grants the prize money to the credit card account of the player 22. If necessary, the game progress unit 20 obtains the necessary address or credit card account information from the registration information set in the registration database 36 corresponding to the registration number 38.

In an alternative embodiment, if the prize money is less than, for example, less than $ 100, the game progression unit 20 may have the player record 30 of the player 22 in the account database 26 of the invoice providing system 18. The prize money is given as a prize money, that is, as a depositor (credit) of the supplier to the account of the player 22.

In another embodiment, when the prize money is a large item such as a car or a boat, the game progress unit 20 may deliver a product to the address of the player 22. If the prize is a house, the game progress unit 20 may take action to meet the player 22 to give the player 22 transfer of ownership of the house.

The game progress unit 20 may receive SMS messages from communication devices other than the mobile phone 12, that is, a personal computer or another mobile phone. The game progression unit 20 will ignore any SMS messages received from communication devices that imply that it is an SMS message 50. In this way the sender of such an SMS message will not be verified as the player 22 and no prize will be mailed or offered.

If it is determined that the entry number 50 of the player 22 is not the winning entry 56, the game progression unit 20 informs the player 22 that the person has not won and the player 22 An SMS message 62 is sent to the player 22 inviting him to play the game again. The SMS message 62 additionally informs the player 22 of the set of six random numbers generated by the game progression unit 20, i.e. the winning number.

In another alternative embodiment of the invention, the game progression section 20 also determines the first and second upward prize winning entries 64 and 66 from entries in the game entry database 48. . An entry in which five of the six numbers selected in the game entry information set above match five of the six random numbers in the set is considered the first winning prize entry 64 described above. An entry in which four of the six numbers selected in the game entry information set above match four numbers in the six random numbers in the set is considered the second upper prize winning entry 66 described above.

Players whose entries correspond to the first winning prize entry 64 or the second winning prize entry 66 described above obtain a corresponding comfort prize in a similar process as described above with respect to the winning entry 56.

When two or more players have an entry corresponding to the above-mentioned winning entry 56, the amount including the prize money in the above-described embodiment is evenly distributed among the winners.

The amount including the comfort prize described above is equally equal if two or more players have an entry corresponding to the first comfort victory entry 64 or the second comfort victory entry 66, if provided. Is distributed.

In another alternative embodiment in which the prize is an item such as a house and two or more players have an entry corresponding to the winning entry 56, the item is sold so that the amount collected through its sale is equally among the winners. Is distributed.

The revenue generated from the player 22's participation in the game resulting from the charged game entry fee is shared between the game progress section 20 and the carrier in accordance with the agreement there between. Such arrangement may include sharing revenue generated from communications sent to the game progression 20 by the player 22 via the communication network 16, such as the SMS message 32.

According to a second embodiment of the invention where the same numbers represent the same parts, the game may comprise a set of "footy tipping", a set of boxing match, or a set of "horse betting". It may be the same set of sports game. In this case, the information about the game required by the game question set includes the registration number 38 as well as any team or individual selected by the player 22 to win each athletic event in that set of sporting events. Include.

Victory entry 56 identifies the team or individual who actually wins each athletic event and compares it to the team or individual selected in the set of game entry information for each entry in game entry database 48. Determined by (20). The entry with the highest number of winners selected is considered to be the winning entry 56.

It should be appreciated that the game may be any form of game or game for which a winner may be determined. In addition to the games already mentioned, games include casino games, network games, board games, and the like.

On the other hand, in another alternative embodiment, the information about the game requested by the set of game questions only includes a notification that the player 22 wants to participate in the game. The winning entry 56 is then determined by game progression 20 which arbitrarily selects one entry from the entries in game entry database 48.

In another alternative embodiment, the information about the game required by the set of game questions includes a notification that the player 22 wants to have a random or "slikpik" entry. In this case, the game progression unit 20 arbitrarily selects the selections for the set of game entry information for the player 22 according to the game to be executed.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. In particular, the invention described above may include the following modifications and / or additions:

The game progress unit 20 may provide various games such as general lottery, foot tipping, and horse betting. In this case, the game program 14 is operable to allow the player to select any of a number of games in which the player 22 wishes to participate. For example, the player 22 may operate the game program 14 to participate in the lottery game, and then operate the game program 14 to participate in the soccer lottery.

The set of registration information can be stored in the memory of the cellular phone 12. In such a case, the game program 14 does not present a set of registration-related questions to the player 22 to facilitate the registration of the player 22, but rather sets the registration information set directly from the memory of the mobile phone 12. Copy

The registration number 38 may be a kind of "blind" number that can never be read by the player 22. In this case, even if the registration number 38 is still registered in the memory of the cellular phone 12, the player 22 is not informed what the registration number 38 is. The game program 14 automatically inserts the registration number 38 into SMS messages sent through the mobile phone 12 to the game progression unit 20.

The game progression section 20 may comprise a game website that may be connected to initiate the transfer of the game program 14 from the game progression section 20 to the mobile phone 12. In one embodiment of the invention where such a website exists, the mobile phone 12 additionally includes a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) browser. The WAP browser is operable by the player 22 via the mobile phone 12 to access the game website and download and store the game program 14 in the memory of the mobile phone 12.

The game progress unit 20 may have a registration website that helps the player 22 register. To register, the player 22 connects to the registration website. The registration website then presents the player 22 with a set of registration questions. Registration-related questions, that is, the player's 22 response to the registration information set, is processed by the game progress unit 20, as described above, once the player 22 has answered all the registration-related questions. The game progress unit 20 communicates with the corresponding player 22 via the registration website.

Once the player 22 is registered, the player can enter the game without using the game program 14. In order to enter the game in this manner, the player 22 sends an SMS message to the game progress section 20 including the registration number 38 and the game entry information set.

Rather than the carrier determining the number of entries for a game and charging a proportional game entry fee through the invoice providing system 18, the game progress unit 20 determines the number of entries for a game and The carrier may also inform the carrier about the charges to be charged for it. In this case, when the SMS message 44 is sent, the carrier charges the player record 30 via the invoice providing system 18 with a basic fee. Details of the basic fee are recorded in the invoice number 46 and transmitted to the game progress unit 20. For each game that the player 22 enters, the game progress unit 20 adds the game fee to the base fee to determine the total fee. The total fee is then transferred from the game progression 20 to the carrier and billed to the player record 30 via the invoice providing system 18.

The invoice providing system 18 may be owned and / or operated by an agency other than the carrier, provided that the agency is independent of the game progression unit 20.

Although mobile phone 12 and SMS messages have been described, the invention is not so limited, and any suitable means of communication and communication message format may be used.

The player 22 may automatically enter the game upon registration.

The game program may be stored in the memory of a game computer, such as a server operated by the game progression unit. In such a case, the player may operate communication means for connecting to the game computer and execute the game program via the communication network.

The progress computer of the game progression unit may include security means such as a firewall to block unauthorized access to it.

The game progression may comprise identification means for identifying a communication message transmitted from or through an unauthorized source. The unauthorized source may be an unwelcome marketeer, such as a spammer, or other carrier vendor, for example, because it resides in a country where participation in the game is illegal, or because it is prohibited. Or it may be a player who is not allowed to participate in the game because of the communication network operated by the service provider. In such a case, the game progression unit preferably further includes blocking means for blocking communication messages identified by the identification means as being transmitted from or through an unauthorized source.

The communication transmitted from the cellular phone 12, such as the SMS message 44, via the communication network 16 may be encrypted. Such encryption reduces the likelihood of fraud and reduces the likelihood of errors in transmitted communications.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention described herein is subject to many variations and modifications from those specifically described so far. It is, therefore, to be understood that the present invention includes all modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the invention and the scope thereof will be determined from the appended claims.

The game system and method according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in the lottery business.

Claims (50)

In the game system, A communication network; A game progression unit connected to the communication network and configured to receive a communication from a player through the communication network using a communication means, to help play a predetermined game; And Means for providing an invoice for issuing an invoice to a player participating in the game, the apparatus being connected to the communication network and operatively independent of the game progression unit and operatively configured to communicate therewith; The game progression unit is operable to receive a first communication from a player including a set of game entry information, the first communication being transmitted via a communication means via the communication network; The communication network or game progression unit is operable to notify the invoice providing means of the first communication; The invoice providing means is operable to generate a game participation invoice having a unique invoice identifier in response to the notification and communicate the unique invoice identifier through the communication network to the game progression unit; The game progression unit is operable to enter the player into the game and associate the player's game entry with the unique invoice identifier; And The game progression unit compares the game entry information of the set with a set of victory criteria to determine the winner of the game, and if it is determined that the player is the winner, send the second communication having the winner information to the player. Game system, characterized in that configured to enable operation. 2. The game system of claim 1, wherein the game progress portion comprises storage means for storing a set of game entry information, a unique invoice identifier, a player's game entry, and a set of winning criteria. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the game progress unit: Receive a game entry information set and a unique invoice identifier, Enter the player into the game, Combine the player's game entry with the unique invoice identifier, And processing means operable to compare the set of game entry information to a set of winning criteria to determine if the player is a winner. 4. The game system of claim 3, wherein said processing means is further operable to transmit said second communication to a player determined to be a winner. The game system of claim 1, further comprising registration means for registering a player to participate in the game. 6. The game system according to claim 5, wherein said registration means assigns to said player a registration identifier included in said set of game entry information and associated with said player's game entry and a unique invoice identifier. 7. The game system of claim 6, wherein said registration identifier comprises a password. The game system of claim 7, wherein the password is configured to meet predetermined criteria. 10. The game system of claim 8, wherein the predetermined criterion comprises a password having a length of at least four characters and comprising a combination of letters and numbers. Game system according to any preceding claim, wherein said second communication is received via a communication means. A game system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said communication means has a communication identifier which is combined with the communications transmitted therefrom and which is combined with the game entry of the player. Game system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said communication means comprises a mobile telephone. 13. The game system according to claim 11, wherein the communication identifier is a telephone number of the mobile phone. The game system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising game program means stored in a communication means or in a storage means of a game progression portion to assist the player's entry in the game. 15. The game system according to claim 14, wherein the game program means is configured to enable transfer from the storage means of the game progress portion to the storage means of the communication means. 16. The game system of claim 14 or 15, wherein said game program means is operable to facilitate selection of a game to be entered by a player from a plurality of games. The game system of claim 1, wherein the set of winning criteria comprises a set of numbers or a winner of a competition. The game system of claim 1, wherein the unique invoice identifier is also notified to a player via a communication network. In the game method, Receiving a first communication from a player that includes a set of game entry information, Receiving an invoice communication from an independent invoice device comprising a set of invoice information with a unique invoice identifier; Admitting a player to a game in association with the invoice information set; Determining the winner of the game by comparing the set of game entry information to the set of winning criteria, and If the player is determined to be a winner, transmitting a second communication message including the victory information to the player. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising storing a set of game entry information, an invoice information set, a player's game entry, and a set of winning criteria. 21. The game method according to claim 19 or 20, further comprising registering a player participating in the game. The process of claim 21, wherein registering the player comprises: Assigning a registration identifier to the player, Including the registration identifier in a set of game entry information, and Combining the registration identifier with a game entry of a player. 23. The game method of claim 22, wherein said registration identifier comprises a password. 24. The game method of claim 23, wherein the password meets a predetermined criterion. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises a password of at least four characters in length and comprises a combination of letters and numbers. 26. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 25, wherein there is a communication identifier associated with the first communication and the game method further comprises the step of linking the player's game entry with the communication identifier. How to play. 27. A method according to any of claims 19 to 26, wherein the first communication is transmitted via a cellular phone. 28. The game method according to claim 27, wherein said communication identifier is a telephone number of said cellular phone. 29. The method of any one of claims 19 to 28, further comprising selecting a game to enter from the plurality of games. 30. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 29, wherein said set of winning criteria includes a set of numbers or winners of a competition. A server for use in a game system, the server being connected to a communication network, whereby the server is operatively configured to communicate with a player using a communication means and an invoice providing means independent of the server. The server is: Operable to receive a first communication from a player comprising a set of game entry information, the first communication being transmitted via communication means via the communication network; Operable to notify the invoice providing means of the first communication; Operable to receive a game participation invoice with a unique invoice identifier from an invoice providing means via the communication network; Enter the player into a game and associate the player's game entry with the unique invoice identifier; Comparing the game entry information of the set with one set of winning criteria to determine the winner of the game; And if the player is determined to be a winner, operable to send a second communication having victory information to the player. 32. The server of claim 31, wherein the server comprises storage means for storing a set of game entry information, a unique invoice identifier, a game entry of a player, and a set of winning criteria. 33. The method of claim 31 or 32, Receive a game entry information set and a unique invoice identifier, Enter the player into the game, Combine the player's game entry with the unique invoice identifier, and And processing means operable to compare the game entry information set with a set of winning criteria to determine if the player is a winner. 34. The server of claim 33, wherein said processing means is further operable to transmit said second communication to a player determined to be a winner. 35. The server of any of claims 31 to 34, further comprising registration means for registering a player to participate in the game. 36. The server according to claim 35, wherein said registration means assigns to said player a registration identifier included in said set of game entry information and associated with said player's game entry and a unique invoice identifier. 37. The server of claim 36, wherein said registration identifier comprises a password. 38. The server of claim 37, wherein said password meets predetermined criteria. 39. The server of claim 38, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises a password of at least four characters in length and comprising a combination of letters and numbers. 40. The server according to any one of claims 31 to 39, wherein said second communication is received via a communication means. 41. A server according to any one of claims 31 to 40, wherein said communication means has a communication identifier which is combined with the communications transmitted therefrom and which is associated with a game entry of the player. 42. The server according to any one of claims 31 to 41, wherein said communication means comprises a cellular phone. 43. The server of claim 42, wherein the communication identifier is a telephone number of the mobile phone. 44. The server according to any one of claims 31 to 43, further comprising game program means stored in a storage means of a communication means or a storage means of a game progress portion to assist a player's entry in the game. . 45. The server according to claim 44, wherein said game program means is configured to enable transmission from a storage means of said server to a storage means of a communication means. 46. The server according to claim 44 or 45, wherein said game program means is operable to facilitate selection of a game to enter by a player from a plurality of games. 47. The server of any of claims 31 to 46, wherein the set of victory criteria includes a set of numbers or a winner of the competition. Game system as described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. Game method as described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. Server for use in the game system as described above with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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