DISTRIBUTION OF LOTTERY TICKETS THROUGH MOBILE DEVICES

• US 20080167060A1
• Filed: 03/21/2008
• Published: 07/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CellTrust Corporation
• Original Assignee: CellTrust Corporation
• Inventors: Moshir, Sean, Shafiezadeh, Houman, Moshir, Kevin K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,965,416 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/34 Betting or bookmaking, e.g. Internet betting
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/329 Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• 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

Abstract

A system and method having a first software module of a server recorded on a computer-readable medium programmed to receive a request for information from a user. The user requests a purchase of a lottery ticket, information on lottery laws and regulations, and lottery winnings distribution information using at least one of a short code and a long code and a generic assigned identification. The system obtains a lottery ticket number, lottery laws and regulations, and lottery winnings distribution information requested by the user. The system send the lottery ticket number, lottery laws and regulations, and lottery winnings distribution information requested by the user to a mobile device of the user through at least one of a short message service (SMS) gateway, a mobile phone network, and the Internet.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a first software module of a server, wherein the first software module is recorded on a computer-readable medium and includes programming instructions to;

receive a request for lottery ticket information from a user using at least one of a short code, a long code, and a generic assigned identification; and

send the lottery ticket information requested by the user to a mobile device of the user through at least one of a short message service (SMS) gateway, a mobile phone network, and the Internet.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first software module includes programming instructions to at least one of:

create at least one of a text message, a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message, and a short message service (SMS) message including lottery ticket information requested by the user;

configure at least one of a text message, a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message, and a short message service (SMS) message with a nugget of predefined information;

communicate with a lottery distributor or distribution center server to submit and obtain lottery ticket information; and

allow the user to receive automatic updates of lottery ticket information via at least one of a text message, a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message, and a short message service (SMS) message.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the first software module includes programming instructions to at least one of:

communicate with one or more lottery organizers for selling and distributing lottery tickets;

create a ticket ordering message including at least one of one or more lottery ticket numbers that the user wishes to purchase, one or more of the next sequential lottery ticket numbers, and a number of tickets to be purchased with random numbers, wherein the ticket ordering message may include an indicia of the lottery organizer that the user wishes to purchase tickets from;

add a commission amount to a purchase price of a lottery ticket;

collect payment of at least one of the purchase price and the commission amount;

remit payment of the purchase price to a lottery organizer;

determine a winner of a jackpot amount associated with the lottery organizer;

distribute at least a portion of the jackpot amount to the user; and

compile tax information associated with winning the jackpot amount.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising a second software module for running on the mobile device of the user wherein the second software module is recorded on a computer-readable medium and includes programming instructions to at least one of:

order one or more lottery tickets using the mobile device of the user;

store the lottery ticket information on the mobile device of the user;

provide access to the lottery ticket information by the user;

select at least one of one or more lottery ticket organizers, lottery ticket numbers, and a number of lottery tickets using the mobile device of the user;

determine whether a previously purchased lottery ticket includes winning numbers;

direct disbursement of a jackpot amount to the user;

obtain information about at least one of a drawing time, a jackpot amount, and collection of the jackpot amount; and

obtain information about one or more lottery organizers.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the generic assigned identification is a keyword identifying at least one of a lottery distributor, a lottery agent, a lottery ticket number, a request for a randomly selected lottery ticket number, and a number of lottery tickets.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the lottery ticket information includes at least one of a lottery ticket number, an amount of lottery tickets, a request for a randomly selected lottery ticket number, a request for a winning lottery ticket number, a jackpot amount, an alert about a lottery, an authorization number or code, a request to purchase a lottery ticket, a request for disbursement of winnings, and a request for information about collection of winnings.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein at least one of:

the authorization number or code includes at least one of a number, a character, a symbol, a proof of purchase, and the lottery ticket number; and

the alert includes at least one of a jackpot exceeding a threshold amount selected by the user, an entry deadline, and a drawing time.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of:

the lottery information may be associated with at least one of one or more organized sporting events and one or more gambling organizations;

the user may be charged for one or more lottery tickets via the user'"'"'s phone bill;

the user may be charged for one or more lottery tickets via at least one of the user'"'"'s credit card, debit card, other bank card, and financial account;

the user may pay for one or more lottery tickets via a money transfer service via the Internet;

the user may pay for one or more lottery tickets in advance; and

the user may pay for one or more lottery tickets using funds provided by another as a gift.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the mobile device includes at least one of a mobile phone, Palm Pilot™

device, personal digital assistant (PDA), BlackBerry™

device, smartphone, computer, laptop computer, tablet PC, and portable device for communication.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the first software module includes programming instructions to at least one of:

encrypt the lottery ticket information before sending the lottery ticket information to the mobile device of the user;

decrypt the lottery ticket information;

compress the lottery ticket information before sending the lottery ticket information to the mobile device of the user; and

decompress the lottery ticket information.

11. A method comprising in any order at least:

receiving a request for lottery ticket information from a user using at least one of a short code, a long code, and a generic assigned identification;

obtaining lottery ticket information requested by the user; and

sending the lottery ticket information requested by the user to a mobile device of the user through at least one of a short message service (SMS) gateway, a mobile phone network, and the Internet.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising at least one of:

creating at least one of a text message, a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message, and a short message service (SMS) message including lottery ticket information requested by the user;

configuring at least one of a text message, a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message, and a short message service (SMS) message with a nugget of predefined information;

communicating with a lottery distributor or distribution center server to submit and obtain lottery ticket information; and

allowing the user to receive automatic updates of lottery ticket information via at least one of a text message, a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message, and a short message service (SMS) message.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising at least one of:

communicating with one or more lottery organizers for selling and distributing lottery tickets;

creating a ticket ordering message including at least one of one or more lottery ticket numbers that the user wishes to purchase, one or more of the next sequential lottery ticket numbers, and a number of tickets to be purchased with random numbers, wherein the ticket ordering message may include an indicia of the lottery organizer that the user wishes to purchase tickets from;

adding a commission amount to a purchase price of a lottery ticket;

collecting payment of at least one of the purchase price and the commission amount;

remitting payment of the purchase price to a lottery organizer;

determining a winner of a jackpot amount associated with the lottery organizer;

distributing at least a portion of the jackpot amount to the user; and

compiling tax information associated with winning the jackpot amount.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising at least one of:

ordering one or more lottery tickets using the mobile device of the user;

storing the lottery ticket information on the mobile device of the user;

providing access to the lottery ticket information by the user;

selecting at least one of one or more lottery ticket organizers, lottery ticket numbers, and a number of lottery tickets using the mobile device of the user;

determining whether a previously purchased lottery ticket includes winning numbers;

directing disbursement of a jackpot amount to the user;

obtaining information about at least one of a drawing time, a jackpot amount, and collection of the jackpot amount; and

obtaining information about one or more lottery organizers.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein the generic assigned identification is a keyword identifying at least one of a lottery distributor, a lottery agent, a lottery ticket number, a request for a randomly selected lottery ticket number, and a number of lottery tickets.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the lottery ticket information includes at least one of a lottery ticket number, an amount of lottery tickets, a request for a randomly selected lottery ticket number, a request for a winning lottery ticket number, a jackpot amount, an alert about a lottery, an authorization number or code, a request to purchase a lottery ticket, a request for disbursement of winnings, and a request for information about collection of winnings.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein at least one of:

the authorization number or code includes at least one of a number, a character, a symbol, a proof of purchase, and the lottery ticket number; and

the alert includes at least one of a jackpot exceeding a threshold amount selected by the user, an entry deadline, and a drawing time.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein the lottery information may be associated with at least one of one or more organized sporting events and one or more gambling organizations.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein the mobile device includes at least one of a mobile phone, Palm Pilot™

device, personal digital assistant (PDA), BlackBerry™

device, smartphone, computer, laptop computer, tablet PC, and portable device for communication.

20. A method comprising in any order at least;

receiving a request for at least one of purchase of a lottery ticket, lottery laws and regulations, and lottery winnings distribution information from a user using at least one of a short code and a long code and a generic assigned identification;

obtaining at least one of a lottery ticket number, lottery laws and regulations, and lottery winnings distribution information requested by the user; and

sending the at least one of lottery ticket number, lottery laws and regulations, and lottery winnings distribution information requested by the user to a mobile device of the user through at least one of a short message service (SMS) gateway, a mobile phone network, and the Internet.

21. A method comprising in any order at least:

receiving a request for at least one of purchase of a lottery ticket, lottery laws and regulations, and lottery winnings distribution information from a user using a mobile device;

obtaining at least one of a lottery ticket number, lottery laws and regulations, and lottery winnings distribution information requested by the user; and

sending the at least one of lottery ticket number, lottery laws and regulations, and lottery winnings distribution information requested by the user to the mobile device of the user through at least one of a short message service (SMS) gateway, a mobile phone network, and the Internet.

22. A system comprising:

a first software module of a server, wherein the first software module is recorded on a computer-readable medium and includes programming instructions to;

receive a request for information from a user via at least one of a text message, a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message, and a short message service (SMS) message sent to at least one of a short code and a long code, wherein the information requested by the user depends on a generic assigned identification associated with at least one of purchase of a lottery ticket, lottery laws and regulations, and lottery winnings distribution information;

obtain at least one of a lottery ticket number, lottery laws and regulations, and lottery winnings distribution information requested by the user; and

send the at least one of lottery ticket number, lottery laws and regulations, and lottery winnings distribution information requested by the user to a mobile device of the user via at least one of a text message, a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message, and a short message service (SMS) message through at least one of a short message service (SMS) gateway, a mobile phone network, and the Internet.