U.S. patent application number 11/550328 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-24 for system and method of playing lottery games, buying and printing lottery tickets using software on mobile computing devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to LottoSoft Corporation. Invention is credited to Abhishek Kumbhat, David White.
Application Number | 20070117609 11/550328 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37963403 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070117609 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
White; David ; et
al. |
May 24, 2007 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PLAYING LOTTERY GAMES, BUYING AND PRINTING
LOTTERY TICKETS USING SOFTWARE ON MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICES
Abstract
A system for enabling state lottery game play from mobile
computing devices includes a first software module that stores
player account information and validates state lottery game play
purchase information. A second software module runs on a wireless
player computing device and facilitates a player authenticating
himself with the first software module. The second software module
facilitates selection of numbers to be played in a lottery game,
and the first software module and the second software module
communicate player authentication information, user account
information, player lottery game play purchase information, and
player registration information. A third software module receives
lottery game play purchase data from the first software module and
transmits winning game information.
Inventors: |
White; David; (Boca Raton,
FL) ; Kumbhat; Abhishek; (Rajasthan, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBERG TRAURIG, LLP
1750 TYSONS BOULEVARD, 12TH FLOOR
MCLEAN
VA
22102
US
|
Assignee: |
LottoSoft Corporation
Boca Raton
FL
|
Family ID: |
37963403 |
Appl. No.: |
11/550328 |
Filed: |
October 17, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11466735 |
Aug 23, 2006 |
|
|
|
11550328 |
Oct 17, 2006 |
|
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|
60726705 |
Oct 17, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/329 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/017 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A system for enabling state lottery game play from mobile
computing devices, comprising: a first software module, wherein the
first software module stores player account information and
validates state lottery game play purchase information; a second
software module, wherein the second software module runs on a
wireless player computing device, wherein the second software
module facilitates a player authenticating himself with the first
software module, wherein the first software module and the second
software module communicate player authentication information, user
account information, player lottery game play purchase information,
and player registration information, wherein the second software
module facilitates selection of numbers to be played in a lottery
game; and, a third software module, wherein the third software
module receives lottery game play purchase data from the first
software module, and wherein the third software module transmits
winning game information.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the first software
module, second software module, and third software module include
functionality for securely communicating over networks such that
data can be securely exchanged between two or more of the
modules.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second software module
facilitates the printing of lottery tickets.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein said wireless computing device
comprises a mobile phone.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein said wireless computing device
comprises a personal digital assistant.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein said third software module
transmits winning game information to said second software
module.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the system implements a method
comprising: creating a player's profile during a registration
process wherein a user name and password for accessing the player's
account are created; managing the player's account balance
available for lottery play, said account balance being paid either
by credit card, check sent to a service provider's office, or
electronic funds transfer; allowing said player to play a selected
game, said selected game being selected from a plurality of games;
allowing said player to purchase and print a lottery ticket;
managing a database of information concerning each play and each
player on a server in said service provider's control and
duplicating a copy of the same on a server at a state lottery
office when requested by said state lottery office; updating the
second software module with new games offered by the state lottery
office and new security patches; and, transferring data identifying
lottery games played to a state lottery office.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein said first, second and third
software modules communicate over a secure data communication
network in serial fashion.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the system prevents direct
communication between said second software module and said third
software module.
10. The system of claim 1, whereby said second software module
communicates with said first software using a wireless mobile
communication network.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein said wireless mobile
communication network comprises at least one of: a Global System
for Mobile (GSM) network, a Universal Mobile Telecommunication
Services (UMTS) network, a High Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD)
network, a General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) network or a Code
Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network.
12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of mobile
player terminals running said second software module.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein said second software module
operates to: auto self check for security against any intrusion;
register one or multiple players and communicate information to
said first software module; login a player before any game can be
played, and authenticate a player through secure communication with
said first software module; allow the player, once logged into the
system, to access his balance, increase his account balance by
credit card or by check posted to service provider; provide a
player with an option to select any of a plurality of games offered
by a state lottery office; allow a player to manually select a
number or numbers for a lottery game as an alternative to auto
selection; randomly select a number or numbers for a lottery game
at a player's request; allow a player to play the same numbers for
any number of advance games or drawings; allow a player to buy
multiple tickets with same number for the same game or drawing;
confirm with a player information about a lottery game, drawing and
numbers selected by the player, before communicating the
information to said first software module; after receiving
acknowledgement from said first software module regarding a
transaction, display a preview of a printable ticket on screen;
allow a player to print a ticket instantly or at a later time using
a printer connected directly or indirectly to a mobile computing
device; allow a player to update his profile and password after
secure login; regularly check said first software module for
updates, including new lottery games offered by a state lottery
office and security patches available; display an updated balance
before and after each lottery play.
14. The system of claim 1, wherein said first software module
operates to: check for authenticity of said second software module;
manage a player's profile and unique identification to allow him to
access his account; manage a player's balance available for playing
lottery games; allow a player to play only after logging in to the
system using a unique identifier and corresponding password; allow
player to play only those games whose bounded time is yet not over
and winning numbers are yet not declared; update a player's balance
after every purchase of a lottery ticket and communicate the same
to said second software module; manage a database of information
describing each play and player on a server at a service provider's
premises and duplicate a copy of the same onto a server at under
the control of a state lottery office when requested by said state
lottery office; keep said second software module updated for new
lottery games offered by a state lottery office and for new
security patches which become available; keep a record of winning
numbers for all lottery games and provide the same information to
said second software module when requested; allow authenticated
officers at a service provider's office to run queries regarding
software identification code, player identification code, games or
draw played, lottery tickets purchased, or lottery results and
provide results of said queries.
15. The system of claim 1, wherein said third software module
operates to: request said first software module to send all the
data regarding each play for a game whose bounded time is over and
whose winning number are to be drawn; receive requested data from
said first software module over a secure data communication network
and maintain a data base of each play of a particular game;
computerize maintenance of records of balances and financial
transactions relating to lottery games at a state lottery office;
once winning numbers are declared, communicate the same to said
first software module; read a bar code printed on a ticket,
received in connection with a claim of winnings, using a bar code
reader; decode a read bar code using a secure algorithms and keys,
and generate information out from said code; receive a response
from an authentic state lottery officer for manual checking of
information printed on a ticket against decoded information; check
decoded information against respective data received from said
first software module; allow authenticated officers at a state
lottery office to run queries regarding a software identification
code, a player identification code, games or draw played, lottery
tickets purchased, or lottery tickets carrying a winning number;
provide a final determination that a security check is positive
once all security checks confirm authentication of a claimed
ticket; and, upon return of a claimed ticket which is valid for
advance games, print a special ticket valid for said advance games
with the same lottery numbers as said claimed ticket.
16. The system of claim 1, wherein said first, second, and third
software modules collectively or individually operate to: require a
player to receive a printed copy of a lottery ticket; provide a
printed lottery ticket which includes not only numbers chosen by a
player for a particular game but which further includes other
information selected from: game type, player's unique user
identification number or code, second software module
authentication identification number or code, time and date of
play, or amount paid printed on said printed lottery ticket; print
lottery tickets in a manner whereby each lottery ticket printed
using the system is unique from each other lottery ticket printed
using the system, said ticket being unique therefrom by virtue of a
unique encrypted code which encrypts information selected from:
player end software used, game, draw, numbers selected, advance
plays, date and time of purchase, and number of tickets purchased;
print lottery tickets in a manner whereby a single lottery ticket
can be printed only once and no duplicity of lottery tickets is
allowed; obtain permission from said first software module before a
player is permitted to select numbers for a selected game and
drawing; transmit to said third software component records
regarding every play for a particular game before a bounded time
for said game is over.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/466,735 filed Aug. 23, 2006, and claims the
benefit of Provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/726,705,
filed Oct. 17, 2005, the teachings of which are hereby incorporated
by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This disclosure relates to the field of lottery games, and
in particular to systems and methods for buying and printing
lottery tickets, and providing lottery tickets and related services
on player demand at player premises regardless of his location
using a software on player's mobile computing devices, which is
networked with centralized service provider's office and ultimately
to state lottery office over secure data communication network.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Passion to play on chance and dreams to become a millionaire
have made the state lottery an attractive game of chance. Every
year, billions of dollars are spent playing state lotteries and
people try their luck day after day. There are thousands of retail
stores in various states that sell lottery tickets. The player must
physically visit a retail store in order to purchase a lottery
ticket and play the game. At the retail store, the player may
receive a lottery slip for the particular game from the retailer
and select a number or numbers out of the printed numbers on the
lottery slip as per game rules. In return, after submitting the
filled-out lottery slip or otherwise selecting one or more numbers
to play, the player receives a ticket with his selected numbers( )
printed on the ticket from the retailer. Retailers transfer the
relevant information to the state lottery office via electronic
communication setup using ticket printing machines. Once a winning
number/numbers are drawn for a particular game at a state lottery
office, the player can claim his winnings by presenting the printed
ticket to the state lottery office or, in the case of a small
winning, to the retailer. The state lottery office typically checks
for the claimed ticket and provides the winnings to ticket owner.
The prospect of visiting the retailer premises each time the player
desires to play a lottery game is inconvenient and time consuming.
In addition, the presence of a plurality of retailers between
players and state lottery offices makes the lottery game process
chain longer, thus complicating the overall system.
[0004] Additionally, recent wireless communication technologies and
the development of small computing devices have freed people from
wires using various small mobile computing devices such as mobile
phones, personal digital assistants (PDA) etc. Beyond just basic
telephonic usage of mobile phones and schedule/diary management
usage of PDAs, technology advancements have transferred a heavy
work load to these small mobile computing devices from conventional
computers. These small mobile computing devices are becoming
smarter and more powerful, and people feel comfortable while
working on user-friendly software on their mobile devices with a
substantially similar user interface as that provided by
conventional computers. Advancements in wireless data communication
networks have also connected these small wireless/mobile devices to
other computer networks or the internet with a high speed
connection. Despite the significant success of wireless
technologies over these small mobile computing devices, a
wireless/mobile option to play lottery games, and to buy and print
tickets at a player's location has never been materialized.
[0005] The combination of advanced wireless technology and the
desire of a player to avoid visiting a retail store each time he
desires to play the state lottery raises the need for playing
lottery games via software on small mobile computing devices
regardless of the player's location. Also, as conventional lottery
games must typically be updated and refreshed frequently, while
remaining secure, connecting the retailer to the centralized
service provider's office and ultimately with state lottery office
in a complex manner is also required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a new system and method for
playing a state lottery, and for buying and printing lottery
tickets using software on a small mobile computing device such as
mobile phone or PDA regardless of player's location. A first
software module stores player account information and validates
state lottery game play purchase information. A second software
module runs on a wireless player computing device and facilitates a
player authenticating himself with the first software module. The
second software module facilitates selection of numbers to be
played in a lottery game, and the first software module and the
second software module communicate player authentication
information, user account information, player lottery game play
purchase information, and player registration information. A third
software module receives lottery game play purchase data from the
first software module and transmits winning game information.
Numerous security measures are disclosed and may be embedded into
the system. The system and method shortens and simplifies the
process chain of a lottery game by eliminating retailers from the
chain, and provides significant advantages to both the players and
the state lottery office.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an architecture of
the lottery system in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a process using the
system and method in accordance with the present invention in one
embodiment;
[0009] FIGS. 3a and 3b show a flow chart showing an exemplary
process for playing a lottery game at a mobile player's terminal
using LottoMobile.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In view of the above discussion, what is needed is a means
to facilitate playing of a state lottery, and buying and printing
of lottery tickets, using small wireless/mobile computing devices
such as mobile phones, PDAs, etc. regardless of the player's
location. There is also a need to simplify the process chain of the
lottery game and to provide more convenient solutions to users
desiring to play lottery games. The present invention provides a
system and method of playing lottery games, and buying and printing
lottery tickets, using user-friendly software on small
mobile/wireless computing devices such as mobile phone, PDA etc.
The system is transparent to the players as far as method of
playing the games is concerned. Typically, players play the game in
much the same manner as they have played in past. However, the user
interface is provided through software operating on a small hand
held mobile computing device such as a mobile phone, PDA, or other
suitable mobile computer. The graphical user interface on software
at the mobile player's end has been optimized for a wide range of
small mobile computing devices starting from low range mobile
phones to high end mobile phones and PDAs. Thousands of retailers
are replaced by software running on the server at a service
provider's premises. Each of the plays is observed and recorded by
software running at service provider's premises. Data relevant to
each play is also provided to software running at a state lottery
office. The system not only makes it convenient for players to play
and buy lottery tickets while being anywhere in the access area of
a wireless communication network but also creates a convenient
alternative to the retailer chain model of lottery game play, thus
shortening and simplifying the process chain of the game.
[0011] The system and method of the present invention in one
embodiment provides the following services relevant to lottery game
play: [0012] 1) Create player's profile while registration and
create his user name and password for accessing his account; [0013]
2) Manage player's balance for the game, paid either by credit card
or check posted to the withholding service provider's office;
[0014] 3) Play a selected game out of several games offered by
state lottery office; [0015] 4) Buy and print the lottery ticket
for the same; [0016] 5) Manage database for each of the plays and
players on a server at service provider's end and duplicating a
copy of the same on server at state lottery office whenever
requested by state lottery office; [0017] 6) Keep the software
updated for all the new games offered by the state lottery office
and new security patches; [0018] 7) Provide a way to transfer data
to state lottery office which is simpler than that of retailer
chain model.
[0019] FIG. 1 shows the system architecture for the lottery playing
system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
The lottery game is played at a mobile Player's end 101 and a
plurality of such mobile player end terminals are controlled by the
service provider's premises terminal 102. Finally, the state
lottery office 103 receives data regarding each play to cross check
for numerous security measures embedded into the system against any
winnings claimed by the player. In one embodiment, the lottery play
system consists of three software modules running at these three
locations. The first module, referred to herein as `LottoMaster`,
runs on a server 105 at a service provider's premises 102. The
second module, referred to herein as `LottoMobile`, runs on small
mobile computing devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, or other
mobile computers 104 at the mobile player's end. The third module,
referred to herein as `LottoState`, runs on server 106 at a state
lottery office 103.
[0020] LottoMobile 104 is preferably designed to run on a wide
range of small mobile/wireless computing devices, from low-end
mobile phones to high-end mobile phones, PDAs, and other high-end
mobile devices. Such mobile devices may be designed to operate over
any existing and future mobile communication network. However, as
per existing mobile devices and mobile communication networks,
there are two basic requirements for small mobile computing devices
to run LottoMobile 104 to play lottery games via the present
system, which are as follows.
[0021] The small mobile computing device should be enabled to run
one or more external software applications based on a mobile
application development environment, such as Java, BREW (Binary
Runtime Environment for Wireless), or Microsoft .NET Compact
Framework;
[0022] The small mobile computing device should be enabled for one
or more wireless data communication protocols, such as High Speed
Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD), General Packet Radio Services
(GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunication Services (UMTS) or Code
Division Multiple Access (CDMA), to communicate with LottoMaster
105 running on the server at service provider's premises.
[0023] The LottoMobile module 104 is preferably optimized for best
performance as per the supported mobile application environment and
mobile communication network. The graphical user interface of the
LottoMobile module 104 is also preferably optimized as per screen
size and other features of small mobile computing device on which
it is running. LottoMobile enables players to play the offered
lottery games, select numbers, and buy lottery tickets from their
mobile computing device regardless of their location. Player can
print their previously purchased lottery tickets using a printer
107 connected directly to a mobile device using a data cable,
infrared communication link, or other wireless technology such as
Bluetooth. The mobile device can also be indirectly connected to
the printer 107 via a computer using a customized software
interface.
[0024] The LottoMaster module 105 monitors a plurality of
LottoMobile modules 104 and manages databases containing
information concerning each lottery play. The LottoMaster module
105 also manages account balances of players, paid either by credit
card or check posted to service provider office. The LottoState
module 106 receives a copy of all data regarding each play from the
LottoMaster module 105 before the winning number drawing for each
game, and crosschecks for each claim of winnings; it also maintains
records of each play and account balances with the service
provider. All three of the software modules communicate over one or
more secure data communication networks in a serial fashion, as
shown for example in FIG. 1. Communication in serial fashion among
these software modules means information flows from LottoMobile to
LottoMaster, and is then transferred to LottoState from
LottoMaster. There is no direct access to the state lottery office
data bank from the plurality of mobile player end
terminals/software modules, thereby providing substantially
improved security. The network 108 between the LottoMobile module
104 and the LottoMaster module 105 may be a combination of wireless
and wired communications. For example, the network from the mobile
device to the mobile service carrier end may be wireless while from
there onwards to LottoMaster at the service provider's premises is
wired communication. On the other hand, the network 109 between
LottoMaster 105 and LottoState 106 is a secure data communication
network using infrastructure such as the internet. Various network
security features may be deployed over both the networks to keep
the data protected.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a flowchart 200 of the steps in a complete process
of the state lottery game in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention. When the LottoMaster module 105 is up and
running at a service provider's end 102, it monitors all of the
games played at mobile player end 101 using the LottoMobile module
104. At this time, if a new player wants to play a game, then in
accordance with step 201 of FIG. 2, the player installs the
LottoMobile module on his mobile computing device. At the same
time, the software is also remotely checked for authentication by
the LottoMaster module. Once installed, the player must register
himself in the lottery system using LottoMobile as per step 202 of
FIG. 2, and this registration information is then sent to
LottoMaster using a secure data communication network. In step 203
the LottoMaster module at a service provider's terminal manages the
player's account balance to play. The player makes one or more
payments to the service provider by credit card, by check, by
electronic funds transfer, or by other suitable payment method. At
the same step of execution, LottoMobile is checked to determine if
any update is available to provide new games being offered by the
state lottery, any new security patch, or other updated
functionality.
[0026] As is shown in step 204, the player elects to play for a
particular lottery game and selects one or more numbers for the
same using a user-friendly graphical user interface provided by the
LottoMobile module on a mobile computing device. However, the
player can play only for those games/drawings, which are valid to
play at the particular moment of time, i.e., those games for which
the bounded time for playing the game/drawing is not over. This
check is performed by the LottoMobile module using secure
communication with the LottoMaster module. Once the particular game
and numbers for the game are selected, the information concerning
same is communicated to LottoMaster and the player's balance is
updated in step 205 of FIG. 2. In step 206, the player can print
the ticket using a printer connected directly or indirectly to his
mobile computing device (mobile phone/PDA), as described above. The
printed ticket may include several security measures to avoid any
fraudulent claims.
[0027] Once the bounded time for a particular game is over, the
service provider's software module, LottoMaster, submits the data
and respective payments for the number of transactions associated
with the game, in step 207, to the LottoState module running at the
state lottery office. At a certain date and time, the winning
numbers for the game are drawn at the state lottery office and
information identifying the same is passed to the LottoMaster
module. In accordance with step 208, the player can check for the
winning number either from the official web-site of state lottery
office or from LottoMobile via LottoMaster at service provider's
premises. Winners claim their prize money, for example, by showing
the printed tickets at the state lottery office in step 209, and
state lottery office checks for authentication of the ticket by
various security measures over the ticket in step 210. After
authentication of the winning ticket, winnings can be provided to
the player/owner of the claimed ticket as per step 211, and this
completes a session for the game.
[0028] A more detailed flowchart of a process for playing state
lottery games and buying and printing of lottery tickets using the
LottoMobile module running on a player's small mobile computing
device, such as mobile phone or PDA at the mobile player's end, is
shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b. As is shown in the flowchart 300, once
the player has installed the LottoMobile software and registered
with the LottoMaster software, the player is asked to enter a
PlayerName and Password to log into the lottery system, as is shown
in step 301. In step 302, the LottoMobile module communicates the
entered PlayerName and Password to LottoMaster over a secure data
communication network. In step 303, the LottoMaster module, running
on a server at the service provider's premises, validates the
PlayerName and Password using its database or an external database.
If the PlayerName is not registered or the Password is incorrect as
determined in step 304, LottoMobile reports the
unauthorized/unknown player in step 305; otherwise, the LottoMaster
module communicates the player's balance information to
LottoMobile, as shown in step 306. In the case of an
unauthorized/unknown entry, step 305, LottoMobile asks the player
either to login again or to exit. It should be noted that while a
player is registered, LottoMaster ensures that every player has a
unique player identification, e.g., PlayerName. No duplicity of
PlayerName is allowed.
[0029] After displaying balance information to the player,
LottoMobile checks whether the amount is sufficient to play at
least a single game or not, as is shown in step 307 of FIG. 3a. In
the case of an insufficient balance, or if player wishes to pay
more, the LottoMobile module provides a means by which the player
may add more credit to his account at this time using, e.g., a
credit card or a check sent to the service provider, in step 308.
In the case of a check sent by mail to the service provider, the
player may communicate the check number and relevant information
using LottoMobile, and the player's balance will be updated once
the service provider receives the check. However, in the case where
payment is made by credit card, the player's balance can be updated
instantly. The disclosed lottery system may utilize other payment
methods, such as prepaid cards, debit cards, or other electronic
funds transfer means. The updated balance is shown once again in
step 309 and game play begins in step 310 of FIG. 3a.
[0030] Once the game has started, LottoMobile offers the option to
play any of a plurality of lottery games offered by the state
lottery office, in step 311. The player selects the game to play.
In the same step, the player also chooses the draw in which to
participate (i.e. Daily/Weekly/Monthly etc. draws). It should be
noted that final selection of the game and draw is done after a
data interchange with LottoMaster is performed to check that the
bounded time for the game is still not over and the player is
authenticated to play the selected game and draw. The LottoMobile
module may also allow the player to play the same numbers for
advance lottery games. In this case, player provides input
indicating the number of advance games he wishes to play. Thus, the
player will select whether he wishes to play only for the current
game or for advance games as well, and how many advance games, in
the same step 311 of FIG. 3a. The option for advance play may vary
depending on the particular game selected by the player, and per
state lottery office rules.
[0031] After finalization of all the options regarding selection of
game, the player enters into a selected game. A range of numbers is
displayed on screen as per rules of the selected game in step 312
of FIG. 3a. In step 313, the player can select a number or numbers
using a user-friendly graphical interface provided by the
LottoMobile module. The player can either pick the numbers of his
choice manually or he can request that the software randomly select
numbers for him. At this moment of the game, the LottoMobile module
requests player input as to the number of tickets to buy with the
selected numbers for the selected game for the selected draw, in
the same step 313 of FIG. 3b.
[0032] Before the selected numbers and game are finalized, the
player is preferably requested to confirm for the selected game and
selected numbers, with all of his selections explicitly displayed,
three times, in step 314. This is significant in the case of auto
selection of numbers by software. If the player denies confirming,
in step 315, the selected game/numbers, LottoMobile starts the game
once again, bringing the player back to the game selection page,
i.e., step 310 of FIG. 3a. After confirmation from the player, the
LottoMobile module determines whether the player's balance is
sufficient to buy the desired tickets or not in step 316. If the
balance is not sufficient, as in step 317, the player is notified
regarding the same. In this case, the player may either pay more as
per the usual method of payment, or change his ticket buying
preferences, or completely exit from the game, depending on his
choice in step 318. On the contrary, if the balance is sufficient
to buy the selected tickets, the LottoMobile module communicates
the relevant information to the LottoMaster module running on the
remote server at the service provider's premises in step 319 of
FIG. 3b.
[0033] The LottoMaster module maintains all data regarding every
play, and transmits acknowledgements to LottoMobile for receipt of
information regarding the play, in step 320 of FIG. 3b. In step
321, the LottoMobile module reports the player confirmation for the
game after receiving acknowledgement from LottoMaster. The
LottoMobile module displays the image of printable tickets on
screen in accordance with purchased lottery tickets in the same
step. The player can print the ticket instantly or at later time at
his election in step 322. The LottoMobile module saves the
information about the game in its data base in step 323 and the
player is also updated as to the remaining balance. If the player
wishes to play more in step 324, the LottoMobile module returns the
player to the balance acquisition page from LottoMaster, and a new
game is started; otherwise, the current login session for the
player is terminated. Thus the disclosed method of playing lottery
games using software on small mobile computing devices retains the
basic manner of playing the game intact while making the same more
automatic, user friendly, mobile and convenient by avoiding visits
to the retail store each time the player wishes to play. This
provides significant advantages to both the players and the state
alike.
[0034] Once the bounded time for a particular game is over, i.e.,
before the drawing of winning numbers for a particular game, the
LottoState module requests from the LottoMaster module the complete
data regarding each play for the game. The LottoMaster module
transfers the requested data to the LottoState module over the
secure data communication network. This process not only makes all
data available to the state lottery office before any drawing to
securely handle any claims of winnings, but also makes the system
secure against intruders attempting to buy a ticket for a game
whose winning numbers are already declared, as once the data
regarding any game has been forwarded to LottoState, LottoMaster
does not allow players to play for that game and none of the
players has access to the state lottery office server. Once the
winning numbers are drawn, they are transmitted to the LottoMaster
module so that LottoMobile users can check for winning numbers,
using LottoMobile via LottoMaster. After declaring winning numbers
and gathering the relevant data from LottoMaster, the state lottery
office is ready to handle any claims for winnings for the game,
using LottoState. The LottoState module preferably includes an
interface with bar code reader 110, as shown in FIG. 1, to read the
bar code printed on the ticket. The LottoState module decodes the
read code using secure algorithm and keys which are only accessible
to LottoState, and generates the relevant information. The
information is first checked against the printed information on the
ticket in order to confirm that the player has not changed the
printed numbers by improper means since it is extremely difficult
to have a properly encoded bar code equivalent to a modified
number. In addition, the LottoState module also cross checks the
same information with the data collected from LottoMaster to
provide added security. The system and method in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention enables state lottery officials
to know, in advance, the identification and location of winning
tickets and their owners, prior to the claims made by the players.
This facilitates authentication of the lottery ticket against any
claim for winnings, and makes the same more secure. Once all the
information is matched and printed ticket is authenticated, the
winnings can be handed over to the owner.
[0035] The LottoState module may include special provisions to
handle advance-play tickets. Whenever a player makes a claim for
winnings with a ticket which is valid for next games as well, the
player receives a special re-printed ticket upon return of the
submitted ticket. The state lottery office prints such special
ticket using LottoState and a printer 111, as shown in FIG. 1,
connected to the server, on receipt of submitted ticket. The
re-printed ticket is valid for next advance games in place of the
submitted ticket.
[0036] The system and method of the invention in certain
embodiments thus not only provides a very convenient alternative to
visiting a retail store each time a player desires to play a
lottery game, but also simplifies the process chain of the game.
The system and method in certain embodiments incorporates numerous
security measures to assure a secure game. In accordance with one
embodiment, security measures are embedded into the system and
method as follows. [0037] Even though a lottery game is played from
a small mobile computing device, the player receives a printed copy
of the lottery ticket. This equates to the current security level
of printed lottery tickets. [0038] Lottery tickets printed using
the LottoMobile module include not only the numbers chosen by the
player for a particular game but also other information such as
game type, player's unique user identification number/code,
LottoMobile software authentication identification number/code,
time and date of play, amount paid, and other information printed
on it. This makes the printed lottery ticket itself resistant to
theft or modification. [0039] Every lottery ticket printed using
the system is unique, regardless of player end software, game,
draw, numbers selected, advanced plays, date and time of purchase
and number of tickets purchased using the unique encrypted code out
of all this information. This facilitates tracing of any ticket
purchased. [0040] The printed lottery ticket also includes an
encoded bar code printed on it containing substantial information.
Reading and decoding of this bar code can only be performed at the
state lottery office using LottoState interfaced with a bar code
reader. The decoding of the bar code uses secure algorithms and
keys. [0041] The LottoMobile module allows only one time printing
of a ticket for a play. No duplicity of lottery tickets is allowed.
Loss of a printed ticket is the responsibility of the player, as in
prior retail-based systems. [0042] Before a player is allowed to
select numbers for a selected game and drawing, the LottoMobile
module obtains permission from the LottoMaster module. This allows
each play to be monitored, and allows the player to play only for
those games for which time permits and his balance permits. [0043]
The LottoMaster module retains a record of each play and maintains
a player's account balance available to play lottery games. [0044]
The LottoState module receives all the records regarding every play
for a particular game before the bounded time is over. Once the
data has been transferred to the LottoState module, play for the
particular game is halted. [0045] Multiple backups are kept of all
the data at service provider's server end and state lottery office
end, along with printed hard copy of all data at both locations.
This gives full assurance against any system failure. [0046]
Communication between the LottoMobile module and the LottoMaster
module, and between the LottoMaster module and the LottoState
module, are performed using secure data communication protocols
with numerous security features taken into account, including
digital signatures, firewalls, encryption and other known security
measures. [0047] The server at the state lottery office is not kept
on open web access; only a secure communication link with this
server may be used. [0048] The LottoState module enables state
lottery officials to know, in advance, the identification and
location of winning tickets and their owners, prior to claims being
made by the players. This facilitates authentication of the lottery
ticket against any claim for winnings, and makes the same more
secure.
[0049] The invention in various embodiments described above
provides significant improvements in convenience of playing lottery
games, and buying and printing lottery tickets, by enabling the
same to be performed from small mobile computing devices. The
invention further provides, in certain aspects, a simplified
process utilizing an automatic and secure system, which has
significant advantages for both the state lottery office and the
players. The present invention in certain embodiments further
provides a system and method for playing lottery games, and buying
and printing lottery tickets, using software on small mobile
computing devices, as many times as the player wishes while
providing numerous security measures embedded into the system.
Software may be provided at the service provider's premises to
monitor every play for each of the games offered on the system, and
maintain players' account balances available to play lottery games.
The invention can be utilized to shorten and simplify the process
chain of lottery play by eliminating thousands of retailers from
the chain. Software and systems at a state lottery office receive
copies of all play records in a manner whereby claims for winnings
can be securely handled.
[0050] While the invention has been particularly explained with
reference to a preferred software implementation, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form
and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention. For example, each module described
above may be implemented via one or a plurality of software
components.
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