Lottery system

• US 20040225565A1
• Filed: 05/05/2004
• Published: 11/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Openlot Systems B.V.
• Original Assignee: Openlot Systems B.V.
• Inventors: Selman, Tijmen Jan Hendrik
• Application Number:
  US10/839,582
• Publication Number:
  US 20040225565A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1066 Game playing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5322 for recording text messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0048 where the text-based messaging service is a Short Message Service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1235 where one of the core networks is a wireless network

Abstract

A method for transferring data between a lottery system and a participant to the lottery system is described. The participant participates in a lottery game via a mobile communication device such as a mobile telephone. The method comprises the steps of transferring a non confidential part of the data between the communication device and the system via a first communication channel, such as a SMS channel. In response to the transfer of the non confidential part of the data, a confidential part of the data is transferred between the participant and the system via a second, secure communication channel, such as a voice response channel, a wireless access protocol (WAP channel) or an internet connection.

Claims

1. A method for transferring data between a lottery system and a participant to the lottery system, the participant communicating with the lottery system via a mobile communication device such as a mobile telephone, the method comprising the steps of:

a) transferring a non confidential part of the data between the communication device and the system via a first communication channel;

b) in response to the transfer of the non confidential part of the data, transferring a confidential part of the data between the participant and the system via a second, secure communication channel.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first communication channel comprises a message channel such as a short message service (SMS) channel, a multimedia service (MMS) channel or and enhanced messaging service (EMS) channel.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second communication channel comprises a voice response channel between the communication device and the system.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second communication channel comprises an internet connection or Wireless Access Protocol WAP channel.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein step b) is initiated by the system or by the communication device.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein step b) comprises the steps of:

b1) sending a message by the system to the communication device requesting the participant to enter specified data; and

b2) receiving by the system the data from the communication device, upon entry of the specified data by the participant.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein step a) comprises the step of:

a1) sending a confirmation message from the system to the mobile communication device that a ticket for participating in a game is generated; and

wherein step b) comprises the step of;

b3) sending ticket data comprised in the ticket via the second communication channel to the communication device.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the system waits for a receipt of an accept message from a telecom operator, prior to issuing a lottery ticket for the participant.

9. The method according to claim 1, comprising the further steps of:

c) detecting by the system a telephone number of the mobile communication device;

d) comparing the telephone number against a telephone number stored in user data of the participant; and

e) enabling transfer of data when the detected telephone number matches the stored telephone number.

10. The method according to claim 1, comprising the further steps of:

f) transferring a PIN code entered by the participant via the second communication channel to the system;

g) comparing the PIN code against a PIN code stored in user data of the participant; and

h) enabling transfer of data when the transferred PIN code matches the stored PIN code.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the confidential part of the data comprises registration data for registration of the participant in the system, and wherein the method comprises the further step of:

i) registrating the participant in the system making use of the registration data.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of

j) creating an electronic wallet for the participant, when the participant wins a price;

and

k) transferring an amount of the price to the electronic wallet.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein step j) comprises the steps of:

j

     1) sending via the first communication channel a message to the communication device;

j2) transferring data via the second communication channel to the system; and

j3) creating the electronic wallet for the participant making use of the data entered in step j2).

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method comprises the further step of:

l) charging a fee from the electronic wallet, when the participant initiates a further play.

15. The method according to claim 12, comprising the further step of, when an amount in the electronic wallet is lower than a fee required for a further play, sending a message to the participant inviting the participant to transfer a monetary amount to his electronic wallet.

16. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

m) sending via a communication network, an identification message from a pay-out terminal to the system for identifying a participant;

n) establishing a connection with the mobile communication device of the participant via the second communication channel;

o) providing an authentication code to the participant via the second communication channel;

p) prompting the participant to enter the authentication code on the pay-out terminal;

q) transferring the entered code from the terminal to the system; and

r) sending a pay-out message to the terminal for paying out a price, when the entered authentication code matches the provided authentication code.

17. The method according to claim 1, comprising the steps of:

s) transferring at least one play message between the mobile communication device of the participant and the system for playing in a game;

t) charging a first amount to the participant via a mobile telephone operator charging system, associated with the sending of at least one of the at least one play messages, the first amount being transferred to a payment system of a lottery exploitant of the lottery system;

u) sending a result message of the game to the communication device of the user; and

v) charging a second amount to the participant via the mobile telephone operator charging system, associated with the sending of the result message.

18. The method according to claim 1, comprising the further steps of:

counting a number of lottery tickets for a participant in a predetermined time period; and

blocking generation of a lottery ticket, when the number of lottery tickets exceeds a predetermined number.

19. A computer program comprising program instruction for, when loaded into a computer system, carrying out the method according to claim 1.

20. The computer program according to claim 19, carried on a data carrier, loaded into a memory or carried on a data signal carrier.

21. A lottery system comprising a computer provided with a computer program according to claim 19.