IE20020907A1 - A system for a gaming, marketing and/or entertainment application and a method for playing a game using the system - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for a gaming, marketing and/or entertainment application based on a mobile phone network comprises a portal module operable in a mobile phone, a service module for providing the gaming, marketing and/or entertainment service operable in a service provider computing system, and communication between the portal module and the service module being effected through the mobile phone network, in use, the portal module being loaded onto the subscriber identification module (SIM) card of the mobile phone. There is also provided a method, based on the system, of playing a game, such as a lottery game, based on a mobile phone network, wherein a player (10) dials up (11) a game service provider (12) using a mobile phone. If playing for the first time, the player (10) registers with the game service provider (12) and receives a personal identification number (PIN) from the provider (12). The game service provider (12) downloads a portal module to the subscriber identification module (SIM) card of the player's (10) mobile phone. The player (10) then plays the game, and arranges for payment to the provider (12), before hanging up. The system and method does not require a specially modified mobile phone handset and the memory of the handset is not used as the portal module resides on the SIM card. <Figure 1>

Description

A system for a gaming, marketing and/or entertainment application and a method for playing a game using the system This invention relates to a system for a gaming, marketing and/or entertainment application, and, in particular, to such a system based on mobile phone technology.

The invention also relates to a method for playing a game using the system.

As mobile phone technology advances, more and more applications, other than pure communication applications, are being developed, which take advantage of the features of the technology such as the mobility and availability of mobile phone handsets. Thus, applications in areas such as games, gambling, and the provision of information have been developed.

In the area of games, which may be played using a mobile phone handset, different approaches have been taken.

Thus, in its simplest form, a game can be factory-loaded onto the mobile phone handset memory and can be played whenever the handset is turned on. The handset need not be connected to an external games provider.

Games can also be played on specially modified mobile phone handsets, such as those incorporating ExEn technology (ExEn is a trade mark of In-Fusio, Le Millenium, 12, quai de Queyries, 33072 Bordeaux, ibtcl_A_ IE Ο 2 0 9 0 7 France). Using this technology a specific game can be downloaded from a games server and executed on an ExEn enabled handset.

A disadvantage of such a system is that the games can only be played on modified handsets, thus limiting the number of players who can avail of these games.

Games can also be played on wireless application protocol (WAP) enabled mobile phone handsets. Such handsets provide access to Internet based games. A large number of games can be played, including multiplayer games.

However, a disadvantage of such an application is that WAP handsets have a low penetration into the mobile phone market. Slowness of display and time-based pricing of the games are also disadvantages.

Lottery applications are being developed using WAP technology. But again the usefulness of such applications is questionable due to the low penetration of WAP handsets into the mobile phone market.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the systems hereinbefore described.

Thus, the invention provides a system for a gaming, marketing and/or entertainment application based on a mobile phone network comprising: a portal module operable in a mobile phone; IE Ο 2 Ο 9 Ο 1 a service module for providing the gaming, marketing and/or entertainment service operable in a service provider computing system; and communication between the portal module and the service module being 5 effected through the mobile phone network, in use, characterised in that the portal module is loaded onto the subscriber identification module (SIM) card of the mobile phone.

An advantage of the system is that the portal module resides on the SIM card of the mobile phone handset and space in the handset memory is not required.

Having the portal module on the SIM card also has the advantage that operation of the system is not dependent on a particular handset as the SIM card can be moved from one handset to another.

Preferably, the portal module is downloadable from the service 15 module through the mobile phone network.

The advantage of being able to download the portal module from the service module is that a standard mobile phone handset can be subsequently used to access the services on the service module. This compares favourably with systems, which have to employ modified handsets as hereinbefore described. 1E020901 Further, preferably, the communication between the portal module and the service module is based on short message service (SMS) technology.

Use of SMS technology is increasing with most mobile phone 5 users being familiar with the sending and receiving of text messages.

Thus, a system, which uses such technology, has the advantage of being readily acceptable to current mobile phone users.

Suitably, the gaming application is a lottery.

Playing a lottery game using a mobile phone is more convenient 10 than having to physically go to a retail outlet in order to purchase your selected numbers for a particular play.

Other applications, which would be suitable for such a system would include casino type games and sports betting.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of 15 playing a game based on a mobile phone network, comprising the steps of: dialling up a game service provider using a mobile phone; if playing for the first time, registering with the 20 game service provider and receiving a personal identification number (PIN) from the provider; ΙΕ η 7 Ο 9 Ο 7 if playing for the first time, downloading a portal module to the subscriber identification module (SIM) card of the mobile phone; playing the game; arranging for payment to the provider; and hanging up following a successful play.

The method has the advantage that, once the portal module has been downloaded to the SIM card on the mobile phone handset, the handset can then be used to play a variety of games provided by the game service provider. The portal module does not reside in the handset memory and accessing the games does not require a modified handset.

Preferably, the payment step is by way of debiting a credit card account.

Paying for a game by means of a credit card account, provided 15 the necessary security checks are in place, is a convenient way to pay for the service.

Alternatively, the payment step is by way of debiting the mobile phone account.

Payment by means of the mobile phone account is also a 20 convenient way to pay for the service. The risk that a third party could ΙΕ η 7 η 9 9 7 use the phone to play himself is minimised by use of the PIN number for accessing the service before playing.

Most preferably, the payment step provides the choice of paying by way of debiting either a credit card or mobile phone account.

This allows the player to choose the method of payment each time he plays.

Preferably, the game is a lottery game.

Playing a lottery game in accordance with the invention is more convenient than having to physically go to a retail outlet to buy a lottery ticket. It also has the advantage that the lottery game can be played from any location up to the cut-off time for a particular game.

Suitably, the method comprises the further step of receiving confirmation of a successful play from the provider.

An advantage of receiving confirmation of a successful play is 15 that the player has the assurance that he is participating in the current lottery game.

Preferably, the confirmation of a successful play is a short message service (SMS) text receipt.

Receiving confirmation by an SMS text message has the 20 advantage that the player’s choice of lottery numbers can be kept on his ΙΕ Ο ? 09 0 / mobile phone for subsequent checking against the winning lottery numbers, following the draw.

The invention will be further illustrated by the following examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a flow chart of a method, in accordance with the invention, of playing a lottery game based on a mobile phone network; and Fig. 2 is a flow chart of a further method, in accordance with the invention, of playing a lottery game based on a mobile phone network.

Example 1 A method of playing a lottery game on a mobile phone network, with payment being by way of debiting a credit card account In Fig. 1, which is a flow chart of a method in accordance with the invention of playing a lottery game based on a mobile phone network, the dashed lines indicate the information trail and the solid lines indicate the money trail.

Referring to Fig. 1, a player 10 initially dials up 11 a lottery game service provider 12 in order to register with the lottery game service provider 12. This will entail giving his credit card details and IE Ο 2 09 Ο 1 establishing the security routine, by being provided with a personal identification (PIN) number.

Once the lottery game service provider 12 is satisfied with the details received it will upload a portal module to the player’s 10 mobile phone subscriber identification module (SIM) card enabling the player 10 to play the lottery game. All of the above registration steps can be effected on the mobile phone.

Once registered, the player 10 can play the lottery as hereinafter described, with reference to Fig. 1.

As before, the player 10 dials up 11, on his mobile phone, the lottery game service provider 12. When connected, the player 10 keys in his PIN number, followed by his lottery selections.

On receipt of this data, the lottery game service provider 12 sends a signal 13 to the credit card company 14 requesting payment.

On receipt of this request the credit card company 14 validates (or rejects) the transaction and informs 15 the lottery game service provider 12 accordingly.

The lottery game service provider 12 then acknowledges 16 the successful play to the player 10, by sending back an “SMS text receipt” to the player’s 10 mobile phone.

IE Ο ? Ο 9 Ο 7 The player 10 pays for the lottery play by debiting 17 his account with the credit card company 14.

The credit card company 14 pays 18 the appropriate amount to the lottery game service provider 12.

The lottery game service provider 12 receives the gross amount of the lottery play from the credit card company 14 and then pays 19 an agreed fee/share to the method provider.

Example 2 A method of playing a lottery game on a mobile phone network, with payment being by way of debiting the mobile phone account In Fig. 2, which is a flow chart of a method, in accordance with the invention, of playing a lottery game based on a mobile phone network, the dashed lines indicate the information trail and the solid lines indicate the money trail.

Referring to Fig. 2, a player 30 dials up 31 a lottery game service provider 32 for the first time and proceeds to register with the lottery game service provider 32. Registration will entail giving his name and address and establishing a security routine, by being provided with a personal identification (PIN) number.

Once the lottery game service provider 32 is satisfied with the details received it will upload a portal module to the player’s 30 mobile η 9 η 9 0 7 phone SIM card enabling him to play the lottery game. All of the above registration procedure is effected on the mobile phone.

Once registered, the player 30 can play the lottery as hereinafter described, with reference to Fig. 2.

As before, the player 30 dials up 31, on his mobile phone, the lottery game service provider 32. When connected, the player 30 keys in his PIN number, followed by his lottery selections.

The lottery game service provider 32 then acknowledges 33 the successful play to the player 30, by sending back an “SMS text receipt” to the player’s 30 mobile phone.

The player 30 pays 34 for the lottery play and the phone call to the lottery game service provider 32 by debiting his account with his mobile phone network provider 35.

The mobile phone network provider 34 deducts the price of the 15 phone call and submits 36 the balance to the lottery game service provider 32. On receipt of this payment, the lottery game service provider forwards 37 an agreed fee/share to the method provider 38.

Claims (13)

1. Claims: 1. A system for a gaming, marketing and/or entertainment application based on a mobile phone network comprising: a portal module operable in a mobile phone; 5 a service module for providing the gaming, marketing and/or entertainment service operable in a service provider computing system; and communication between the portal module and the service module being effected through the mobile phone network, in use, characterised in that 10 the portal module is loaded onto the subscriber identification module (SIM) card of the mobile phone.

2. A system according to Claim 1, wherein the portal module is downloadable from the service module through the mobile phone network. 15

3. A system according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the communication between the portal module and the service module is based on short message service (SMS) technology.

4. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the gaming application is a lottery. 20 5. A method of playing a game based on a mobile phone network, comprising the steps of: IE Ο 2 0 9 Ο 7 dialling up a game service provider using a mobile phone; if playing for the first time, registering with the game service provider and receiving a personal

5. Identification number (PIN) from the provider; if playing for the first time, downloading a portal module to the subscriber identification module (SIM) card of the mobile phone, playing the game; 10 arranging for payment to the provider; and hanging up following a successful play.

6. A method according to Claim 5, wherein the payment step is by way of debiting a credit card account.

7. A method according to Claim 5, wherein the payment step 15 is by way of debiting the mobile phone account.

8. A method according to Claim 5, wherein the payment step provides the choice of paying by way of debiting either a credit card or mobile phone account.

9. A method according to any one of Claims 5 to 7, wherein 20 the game is a lottery game. ,ρ η ? η β Ο 7

10. A method according to Claim 9, comprising the further step of receiving confirmation of a successful play from the provider.

11. A method according to Claim 9, wherein the confirmation of a successful play is a short message service (SMS) text receipt. 5

12. A system according to Claim 1 for a gaming, marketing and/or entertainment application based on a mobile phone network, substantially as hereinbefore described and exemplified.

13. A method according to Claim 5 of playing a game based on a mobile phone network, substantially as hereinbefore described with 10 particular reference to the accompanying drawings.