WO2006058405A1

WO2006058405A1 - Game system

Info

Publication number: WO2006058405A1
Application number: PCT/BY2005/000008
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrey Stanislavovich Grigortsevich; Igor Viktorovich Mamonenko; Igor Anatolievich Parchinsky; Yriy Nikolaevich Koltovich
Original assignee: Grigortsevich Andrey Stanislav; Igor Viktorovich Mamonenko; Igor Anatolievich Parchinsky; Yriy Nikolaevich Koltovich
Priority date: 2004-10-22
Filing date: 2005-08-24
Publication date: 2006-06-08

Abstract

The invention relates to electronic games and can be used for a lottery draw of for carrying out a totalisator by using mobile communications means. The inventive system consists of a plurality of mobile telephones, a cellular telecommunications network (3) for transmitting information to a server of managing computers of a central game station (17) which is used for receiving and processing information of the draw rounds. Said system also comprises a mobile telephone identifier (23) provided with an R-UIM card for a CDMA network and/or the analogs thereof for PDC, WCDMA, DAMPS networks and/or other digital standards and is provided with a game server (36) with hardware/software means for receiving and transmitting digital and/or textual and/or symbolic information in MMS;USSD formats or the analogs thereof. The system is also provided with payment elements (20) which are individually arranged and connected to a financial control and game access unit (5) by means of an electrocommunication channel (27). Said unit (5) comprises personal computers (31, 34) which are connected to each other and are used for processing information about financial assets received from the individual payment elements (20), a server (32) provided with a database for storing the received information and a server (33) provided with a database for identifying the participant game accounts.

Description

GAME SYSTEM (Options)

The invention relates to electronic games and is intended for drawing lotteries or conducting sweepstakes using mobile communications, in particular, for organizing sports distance drawings with a significantly expanded coverage area for game participants.

The system of collective game in the telephone lottery “Indecloto” is 10 out of 10 (1). According to the invention, each participant in the game before the phone draw registers the information being played in the form of an index consisting of non-repeating numbers, and his own code, different from the codes of other lottery participants. The code is used to identify each participant in the telephone lottery after the draw, while the registered index can consist of ten Arabic digits. The use of telephone communications in the game system eliminates the need to fill out and send special cards, which makes the game “comfortable” for its participants.

A disadvantage of the known system is that it is designed to use wired telephone networks, which narrows the circle of possible game participants.

A well-known system of mass entertainment using mobile phones (2). Participants complete the task and send a message by mobile phone. Winner is rewarded from prize- fund, part of which was formed by withdrawing money from participants' mobile phones. At the same time, those participants on whose accounts there is no predetermined amount are excluded from the game.

The disadvantage of the system is the inefficient use of the capabilities of mobile communications.

A gaming system is proposed in which a plurality of gaming devices — mobile radio telephones — are connected via remote access to the central computer of the gaming station (3). The central computer is connected to a random number generator, which determines winning combinations of characters with their subsequent display on the display of gaming devices. To participate in the game, gaming devices are connected to a special registration number of a gaming station, for example, a device for charging credit card numbers, which is associated with a PIN code of a participant’s mobile phone.

A game system is also known in which the participants in the game are not connected to the location of the central station with personal computers and are connected to the Internet network (4). The system comprises a central computer game station (CMS) with a server and means for receiving and transmitting game data from registered participants via short messages via a mobile radio network from a plurality of mobile radio devices. Mobile radio devices contain a SIM card, through which they display the commands and results of the game. The SIM card contains the means for indicating the amount of money pre-paid and provides the opportunity to participate in games. The CIS includes computers with databases for checking money, the means for determining game quotas for distributing winnings and crediting them to the corresponding game accounts, as well as a random number generator for issuing winning combinations, which is connected to a programmed tool - a workstation block of gaming tours. Financial checks and admission to the game contain a PC with special software (software) that interacts via SMS messages with the participants of the game - the owners of mobile phones and provides the latter with access to the game depending on their financial condition and provides each participant with guaranteed crediting or debiting winnings (for example, through an authorized bank). Each participant in the game is identified by his individual phone number, for which the SIM card of the mobile phone is connected via a telecommunication network to a personal computer (PC) of the financial verification and admission unit. Any mobile phone user can be a participant, and the number of participants is limited only by the number of network subscribers. At the same time, participation fee payment _: in the game it is carried out exclusively by purchasing an SMS card with a quota of 45 games. Guaranteeing the authenticity of game data, first of all, the authenticity of the identity of the respective participant, as well as the exchange of data via the mobile radio network between the mobile radio devices and the central station, are achieved through security services.

The disadvantage of the system is the relatively limited access of the number of players due to the insufficiently perfect form of admission to the game using communication tools with the central game station of only one format (SMS messages).

Closest to the proposed invention, the technical solution of the game lottery system, which is selected as a prototype (5). The system contains many mobile phones equipped with an SIM card, a telecommunications cellular network for connecting lottery tours to the central gaming station’s control computer server, means of financial verification, admission to the game, notification and settlement with game participants through an authorized bank, and payment item in the form of a current account of a mobile subscriber and security measures against unauthorized access control. The identifier of a standard SMS card of a mobile phone subscriber is made in combination with a block of financial verification tools, access to the game with a database (DB) of participants who have not passed authorization with the possibility of sending a digital combination in the form of SMS messages to the next round. The game station includes a source of external events - a random number generator - the issuance of winning combinations of lottery rounds, which is functionally connected to the system block for conducting rounds with software, as well as blocks from the database of the next round, the database of all rounds, the database of winnings, the distribution block of notifications of winnings in the next round and the module of financial calculations. The module of financial settlements by a secure communication channel is connected to the “authorized bank” block. The central game station is additionally equipped with means of protection against unauthorized access and an automated workstation (AWP) for control. As a means of protection against unauthorized access, the CISs contain secure communication channels that connect the lottery rounds to identification, financial verification, access to the game and the database of participants who are not authorized, as well as to the automated workplace control unit. Additional means of protection against unauthorized access are made in the form of separate rooms with a burglar alarm, where the functional blocks of the central game station are located, as well as the “authorized bank” and automated workstation control units. Many mobile phones are connected to one, two or more telecommunication networks of mobile operators.

A disadvantage of the known gaming system is the insufficiently effective use of the capabilities of mobile communications to provide wider access for participants to the game.

The aim of the invention is to remedy this drawback and expand communication facilities with a central gaming station. The technical result of the invention is to expand access to the gaming system of potential participants by including additional technical elements of payment and means of communication through a mobile phone using WAP, GPRS, EDGE and their analogues.

Option 1. The goal is achieved by the fact that the game system, containing many mobile phones, a telecommunication cellular network for connecting to the server of the control computers of the central gaming station, receiving and processing the information of the rounds of the drawing, including the source of winning combinations, an identifier based on the standard SΙM- cards, blocks with personal computers (PCs) and software for financial verification and admission to the game, notification and calculation of game participants through the mobile operator and, with the identification of participants by an individual mobile phone number, as well as payment elements and security measures against unauthorized access, according to the invention further includes an identifier of mobile phones with an R-UIM card for a CDMA network and / or their analogues for PDC, WCDMA, DAMPS networks and / or other digital standards and is equipped with a game server with software and hardware for receiving and transmitting digital and / or text and / or symbolic information in MMS, USSD and their analogs.

The game server is capable of online interaction of the game participants by mobile phone with the server of the control computers of the central game station via WAP, or GPRS, or EDGE, or similar technologies.

The source of winning combinations is made in the form of a block of personal computers (PCs) with the ability to enter information about external events, for example, the results of sports competitions. Option 2. The goal is also achieved by the fact that the system a flat one containing many mobile phones, a telecommunication cellular network for connecting to the server of the control computers of the central gaming station, receiving and processing information of the draw rounds, including a source of winning combinations, an identifier based on a standard SIM card, blocks with personal computers (PCs) and software for financial verification and admission to the game, notification and calculation of game participants through a mobile operator, with the identification of participants by an individual number According to the invention, the mobile telephone, as well as payment elements and security means against unauthorized access, further includes an identifier for mobile phones with an R-UIM card for a CDMA network and / or their analogues for PDC, WCDMA, DAMPS and / or other digital standards , contains a game server with software and hardware for receiving and transmitting digital, and / or text, and / or symbolic information in the formats MMS, USSD and their analogs, and is additionally equipped with separately placed payment elements that are electronically osvyazi connected to the unit of financial verification and admission, and the latter further comprises two interconnected PCs by treatment with information about funding received from the payment of separate elements, a server with a database for storing the received information, and a server with a database of identification of game accounts.

The payment element is made in the form of an express card, which is made, for example, on paper or plastic media with a hidden individual access number for the game with the possibility of identifying the participant by his individual mobile phone number with crediting funds to the participant’s identification game account. Payment item made in the form of an electronic bank card such as Master Card or a similar device with the ability to identify the participant by his individual mobile phone number with crediting funds to the participant’s identification game account. The payment element includes a system of electronic banking, postal or money transfer of the form Web Mopeu Trapsfer with the possibility of identifying a participant by his individual mobile phone number with crediting funds to the participant’s identification game account. Payment items additionally include SMS banking and / or Internet banking.

The invention is illustrated in the drawing, where Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a gaming system. The system will hold mobile phones 1 with identifier 23 (standard SIM or R-UIM cards and their analogues for PDC ₅ WCDMA, DAMPS networks) connected to the base station 22 of the telecommunication cellular network. Through a network operator 3, participants 4, owners of mobile phones 1, are connected via PC 35 of the financial verification and admission unit 5 to the central game station (CIS) 17. Block 5 also contains PC 31 and 34, as well as a server with database 19 for registration of participants who did not pass authorization and servers 32 and 33 with databases of financial resources received from participants 1 via telecommunication channels 27 and 39 from separate payment elements 20 - express cards 28, electronic cards such as Master Card 29 and through electronic payment system 30 (SMS banking, Internet banking r and similar). Block 5 includes a game server 36 with software and hardware for providing online communication of participants with the CIS 17, and the latter, in addition to the random number generator 8, contains a source of information about external events - PC unit 37 for entering relevant data about these events. PC 35 block 5 A connected communication channel 21 is connected to the CIS 17, to the workstation of block 7 and to the communication channel 38 to block 14. The random number generator 8 is connected by electrical connection to block 7, which in turn is connected to block 9 (server for the database of the next round database) , block 10 (server for the database of all tours), PC module 11 for financial calculations, PC block 13 distribution of notifications of winnings in the next round. Block 13 is also directly connected to module 11 and the server of block 12 (winnings database), and the latter is connected for data exchange also with the PC of module 11. Module 11 is protected by a communication channel 24 connected to the PC of block 14 “authorized bank”, which, in turn, is functional the secure communication channel 2 is connected to the mobile phone 1 of the participant 4. The control unit PCs 15, 16 are connected via the secure communication channels 25, 26 to the workstation of unit 7. CIS 17, the PC unit 14 authorized bank and the automated workstation control units 15, 16 are protected from unauthorized access, like ogrammnymi means, and further physically, by placement in individual areas 18 with an alarm (not shown) system. Blocks 15 and 16 are territorially installed in the relevant services, providing control of the system as a whole. Block 7 - a programmable tool (a workstation based on computers of the company Never Raspard) is the central information processor and initiator of the CIS 17 events. The software of block 7 according to the rules, according to the algorithms used in this game system, provides a request for a winning combination in a random number generator 8 and to the unit with PC 37 - a source of information about external events, and also processes and transfers information to servers with databases 9, 10, 12 and PC units 13, 14 and module 11, and also provides information in a given form ate for PCs that support automated monitoring jobs blocks 15, 16. The database unit is implemented on the basis of certified allocated servers for the formation, storage and protection of information. The financial settlement module 11 is made on the basis of a PC with software having the characteristic features of accounting programs.

The software for the game lottery system is written in the C ^{++ programming language} .

The gaming system works as follows. The participants - the owners of mobile phones 1 - choose one or another format of communication with the CIS 17 and through the base station 22 send, for example, a text message to a number specially allocated by the operator 3. In this case, the standard SIM- or R-UIM card of the phone (or their analogs in PDC, WCDMA, DAMPS networks) in combination with PC 35 and its financial verification and admission tools for block 5, works as identifier 23. The message is transmitted, for example , as a set of numbers - “17 5 23 34 8, 31 1 9 27 18” (the brackets “” are not typed in the message), where - 17 5 23 34 8 and 31 1 9 27 18 - combinations of numbers chosen by the participant for the game in the next round of the lottery.

A message can also be transmitted in the form of a set of characters, depending on the form of a particular draw in the system. Moreover, the number of transmitted combinations of numbers or characters for participation in the draw round is limited only by the length of the message, determined by the selected format (SMS, MMS, USSD and their analogues), and the financial capabilities of the participant. Messages through the operator’s network 3 are sent to block 5, where they are checked for the correctness of filling in each card and their financial confirmation. If the test result is positive, i.e. the correct combination of numbers / symbols and the availability of financial support, the participant receives a return message - confirmation of participation in the game with the time and number of the draw in the form: "738 17 5 23 34 8, 738 31 1 9 27 18", where 738 is the number of the next round of the draw;

17 5 23 34 8 - a combination of numbers sent by the participant and accepted by the CIS 17 to participate in the next round of the draw. The winning digital combination is determined by the random number generator 8. Participants can get admission to the game in the lottery or on the sweepstakes using telecommunication channel 27. To do this, pay with one of the selected payment elements 20. Thus, cards 28 are pre-purchased from the lottery organizer (sweepstakes) in points distribution (not shown in the drawing). Information on the funds received from the sale of express payment cards 28 to the organizer’s account via telecommunication channel 27 is entered via PC 31 into the server 32 database. The participant opens an individual number on card 28 and transmits it along with the selected number combination via mobile phone 1 ( 17 5 23 34 8) or characters in the form of a test message (SMS, MMS, USSD format and their analogues) through the network operator 3 to PC 35 of block 5 for processing. After authorization (verification of payment and the correctness of entering the card ID), the participant receives a confirmation of admission or denial of admission to the game in the form of a text message in the appropriate format. The participant can also pay for participation in the drawing round by means of an electronic card such as Master Card 29 or similar, as well as by an electronic payment system 30 (bank, post, wire transfer type Web Mopeu Trapsfer, as well as via SMS banking or Internet banking ) Payment data for channel 27 is sent to PC 31, through which information about the received funds is entered into the server 32 database. Next, the received information is processed by PC 34 and the funds are credited to the participant’s identification game account in server 33. After identification (verification with the participant’s mobile phone number, i.e. his SIM or R-UIM card) information The statement about financial means through PC 34 is sent to PC 35 for authorization. An identification account linked to a SIM / R-UIM card is assigned to each participant upon his first participation in the game. In the future, this account is kept with him constantly, regardless of the number of times subsequent participation in the draws. Thus, any participant can join the game at any time convenient for him.

If an error is detected in the participant’s message, block 5 sends a message indicating a specific error in completing the combination or financial impossibility to participate (in case of absence or shortage of funds in the participant’s identification account). In this case, the data that did not pass authorization is entered into the database of server 19. Information that has passed authorization in the form of encoded SMS / MMS / USSD messages on channel 21 from block 5 is sent to the workstation of block 7, where it is processed and entered on the servers with the database of block 9 and the database of block 10. When the rally is activated, by software, block 7 requests from block 8 - a random number generator - a combination of the numbers of the next round. Block 8 sends to the block 7 winning combinations of the next round. Block 7 processes the collected information for the next round, which then goes to the payoff database of block 12, from where control is transferred to block 11 of the module for financial calculations. In the block of module 11, information on the next round is analyzed, the sum of the winnings of each of the participants in this round of the drawing is calculated and is again entered into the database of block 12 already with financial calculations. After processing the information, block 11 sends messages to block 13 about winnings in the next round of the lottery, and also sends them via secure channel 24 to block 14 “authorized bank” and then through the communication channel to 2 participants of the game on mobile phones 1. Through block 13 of the CIS 17 sends the results of the next round to all participants of this round, and also sends Messages to participants whose combinations have won in the form of SMS / MMS / USSD messages:

“738 17 5 23 34 8 - 123 847”, where 738 is the circulation number; 17 5 23 34 8 - winning combination;

123 847 - the amount of winnings in the respective monetary units.

When the sweepstakes draw is activated, by means of software, block 7 requests the relevant information from the source of external events - PC block 37. At the same time, the actual result of the event (for example, playing soccer) is preliminarily entered by the organizer of the sweepstakes into the game server 36 through the block “event source” - PC 37. The participant of mobile phone 1, using WAP Internet technology for mobile communication, contacts the CIS online 17 and visually, through the “menu” system of the game server 36, bets on one or another game event proposed by the PC unit 37 (for example, winning one of the football teams, i.e., the event on which a bet is made in this round of the game on the sweepstakes ) At the same time, the participating player has the opportunity to indicate the size of the bet in the specified field of the screen “menu” (not shown in the drawing). Further, as in the case of the lottery, after processing the information, block 11 sends messages to block 13 about wins in the next round of the sweepstakes, depending on the size of the winning pool and the participant’s stake. Then, via a secure communication channel 24, this information is sent to the “authorized bank” unit 14, and then through the communication channel 2 they inform the participants of the game on mobile phones 1.

When the "instant" lottery is activated, the participant makes a bet on the "menu" screen (not shown) and, here, during one online communication session with the CIS 17 through the game server 36 via WAP Internet technology (or GPRS, EDGE analogues) in time of the communication session, on the corresponding display field of the mobile phone 1 will receive the result of their game.

Participants who won in the next game round of lotteries, “instant” lotteries or on the sweepstakes receive a cash prize according to the established procedure in an authorized bank, which is guided by the information of block 14 “authorized bank”.

The security of the system is ensured by software by the method of encoding information, and also through blocks 15 and 16 installed in the respective security services that control the operation of the game lottery system. The number of blocks 15 and 16 depends on their need, while they cannot affect the system, as they have only monitoring functions. Reliability and guarantee against unauthorized access to the system is additionally ensured by means of protection in the form of separate rooms 18 with a burglar alarm, where the central game station 17, “authorized bank” 14 and AWP controls 15, 16 are located.

The number of private traders in each round of the draw is limited only by the technical ability of mobile communication lines. Any mobile phone user can be a participant, if his mobile operator is a part of the game system, and the number of operators is limited by their physical presence on the territory of the game system.

Information sources:

1. Patent RU W 2053827 Cl, IPC ⁶ A 63F 3/06, 3/08; G 07C 15/00, (22) 01/10/93. (46) 02/10/96.

2. Application RU .Nb 2001132056/12 of 11.28.2001, IPC ⁷ A 63F 3/06, BIPM No. 21, 07.27.2003. 3. DE W 195 02 613 A, 8/1996.

4. US Jfe 6416414 BA, IPC ⁷ A 63F 9/24, (22) PCT File: 02.17.1999,

(45) 07/09/2002.

5. Patent BY La 1741U, IPC ⁷ A 63F 3/00, (22) 2004.06.18.,

(46) 2004.12.30, (54) “Lottery gaming system ⁾⁾ , (prototype).

The list of abbreviations CIS - the central gaming station; PC - personal computer; DB - database; SIM card - Subscriber IDEPTifiCtiop Module (standard subscriber authentication module);

R-UIM - Removable User ID Module (subscriber card for CDMA-2000 standard);

SMS - Short message service (short message service); MMS - Multimedia messaging service (multimedia messaging service);

USSD - Industrial Surprise Servis Data (technology for transmitting data in the GSM network);

GSM - Global Sustem Mobile (global system of mobile communication);

PDC - Resopal Digital Cellular (personal digital cellular communication);

WCDMA - Video Broadcast Divisiop Multilе Assess (Broadband Multiple Access); DAMPS - Digital Аdvapsed Mobile Ріпе Срвісе (Digital Standard for Cellular Mobile Communications);

WAP - Wireless Arrlisatioprotosol (protocol for transferring information from the Internet to a mobile phone display);

GPRS - Geospatial Radio Radio Server (packet data service over the air);

EDGE - Happy Date Data For Global Evolution (data transfer technology at higher speeds).

Claims

Claim

1. A gaming system comprising a plurality of mobile telephones, a telecommunication cellular network with a standard SIM card identifier for connecting to a server of control computers of a central gaming station for receiving and processing information of raffle rounds, including a source of winning combinations, blocks with personal computers (PCs) and software for financial verification and admission to the game, notification and calculation of game participants through a mobile operator, with the identification of participants by individual mobile phone measure, as well as elements of the payment and security from unauthorized access, characterized in that it further includes a R-UIM ID card mobile phone for CDMA networks and / or their analogs for the PDC ₅ WCDMA networks, DAMPS and / or other digital standards and equipped with a game server with software and hardware for receiving and transmitting digital, and / or text, and / or symbolic information in the formats MMS, USSD and their analogues.

2. The game system according to claim 1, characterized in that the game server is configured to online interact with the game participants on a mobile phone with the control computer server of the central game station via WAP, or GPRS, or EDGE, or similar technologies.

3. A gaming system according to claim 1, characterized in that the source of winning combinations is made in the form of a block of personal computers (PCs) with the ability to enter information about external events, for example, the results of sports competitions.

4. A gaming system comprising a plurality of mobile phones, a telecommunications cellular network with a standard SMΙ card identifier for connecting to a server managing computers ter of the central game station for receiving and processing information of the rounds of the drawing, including the source of winning combinations, blocks with personal computers (PCs) and software for financial verification and admission to the game, notification and calculation of game participants through a mobile operator, with the participants being identified by an individual number mobile phone, as well as payment and security features from unauthorized access, characterized in that it further includes a mobile phone identifier with an R-UIM card for a CDMA network and / or their analogues for PDC, WCDMA, DAMPS and / or other digital standards, it contains a game server with software and hardware for receiving and transmitting digital, and / or text, and / or character information in the formats MMS, USSD and their analogues, and is additionally equipped with separately placed payment elements that are connected by a telecommunication channel to the financial verification and admission unit, and the latter additionally contains two PCs connected to each other for processing information about received financial resources from separate payment elements, a server with a database for storing the received information and a server with a database of identification game accounts.

5. A game system according to any one of paragraphs l or 4, characterized in that the payment element is made in the form of an express card, which is made, for example, on paper or plastic media with a hidden individual access number for the game with the possibility of identifying the participant by his individual mobile phone number with funds credited to the participant’s identification game account.

6. A gaming system according to any one of claims 1 or 4, characterized in that the payment element is made in the form of an electronic bank card such as Master Card or a similar device with the possibility of Member identification by his individual mobile phone number with crediting of financial resources to the participant’s identification game account.

7. A game system according to any one of paragraphs l or 4, characterized in that the payment element includes a system of electronic banking, postal or money transfer of the form Web Mopeu Trapsfer with the ability to identify the participant by his individual mobile phone number with crediting funds to the identification gaming member account.

8. A gaming system according to any one of paragraphs. L or 4, characterized in that the payment elements further include SMS banking and / or Internet banking.