SMSWINCARD

• US 20110202441A1
• Filed: 02/16/2010
• Published: 08/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nkosi Steele
• Original Assignee: Nkosi Steele
• Inventors: Steele, Nkosi
• Application Number:
  US12/618,717
• Publication Number:
  US 20110202441A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/105 involving programming of a portable memory device, e.g. IC cards, "electronic purses"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/28 Pre-payment schemes, e.g. "pay before"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3251 involving media of variable value, e.g. programmable cards, programmable tokens

Abstract

The Smswincard invention revolutionizes the interactive, text based game market. Traditionally, winners of SMS sweepstakes, text-to-win sweepstakes, and respective state lottery scratch-to-win games have all purported being able to make the player an ‘instant winner’. The reality is that ‘instant win’ awards take anywhere between 6-8 weeks to be verified, processed, and actually awarded in some tangible form. Smswincard provides a means for instant verification of a winning game-piece, instant transfer of winner'"'"'s account information to host, and allows for the hosts to award cash prizes immediately via wire transfer. The Smswincard platform combines cell phones, prepaid Visa debit/ATM cards, and SMS technologies to make ‘instant win’ actually instant. By combining a means of playing, a means of verifying winners, and a way to transfer and house funds, the Smswincard will be the new medium when playing any kind of ‘instant win’ game and in awarding or transferring prize money.

Claims

1. Smswincard—

a prepaid credit card device;

3. The Method of use for the device outlined in claims 1 &

2 is a paperless Mobile platform which allows users to instantly collect sums of prize money won by users participating via cell phone or internet in text message games and sweepstakes or text-to-win games;

4. The Method of use for the device outlined in claims 1 &

2 allows for instant, paperless, international distribution of prize money won directly to customer'"'"'s device via electronic funds transfer;

5. The method of use for the device outlined in claims 1 &

2 allows companies and brands to interact with consumers via SMS sweepstakes or text-to-win games;

6. A Process or Method for using device outlined in claims 1 &

2;

a) Prepaid credit card device charges the user a one-time activation fee;

b) Prepaid credit card device charges the user a per purchase fee with a maximum charge ceiling set for the month;

c) Prepaid credit card device charges the user a non-activity fee if the card is not used for ATM withdrawal, debit purchase, or SMS game play for 60 days;

d) Prepaid credit card device charges the user processing fees for being able to receive prize money and credit appropriate accounts with their winnings;

e) Prepaid credit card device charges no annual, monthly, or customer service fees

7. A Process or Method for using device outlined in claims 1 &

2;

a. Prepaid credit card device charges the user a one-time activation fee;

b. Prepaid credit card device is used to purchase lottery tickets, instant win sweepstakes, to participate in SMS or interne sweepstakes that have chosen Smswincard as its platform to verify winners and award prizes instantly.

c. Prepaid credit card device is used by winner of game to verify his winning game ticket

d. Host of sweepstakes distributes award to winners via instant wire transfer to Smswincard account

e. Card holder uses the Smswincard for ATM withdrawal or debit purchase

2. A device comprising:

a) credit card

a. prepaid, re-loadable, refillable;

b. ability for continual use;

c. allows the user to use for debit purchases;

d. allows user to make ATM withdrawals;

e. graphic design, logo, or imprint of brand/sponsor

f. issued by licensed prepaid credit card issuer;