U.S. patent application number 12/090520 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-09 for mobile lottery.
This patent application is currently assigned to Gabriel Saig. Invention is credited to Gabriel Saig, Eyal Yona.
Application Number | 20090176549 12/090520 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37968220 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090176549 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Saig; Gabriel ; et
al. |
July 9, 2009 |
Mobile Lottery
Abstract
A system and a method for a mobile lottery for providing the
service of participation in a lottery draw at the push of a single
button, by sending a SMS message from a mobile phone.
Inventors: |
Saig; Gabriel; (Netanya,
IL) ; Yona; Eyal; (Tel Aviv, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DR. MARK M. FRIEDMAN;C/O BILL POLKINGHORN - DISCOVERY DISPATCH
9003 FLORIN WAY
UPPER MARLBORO
MD
20772
US
|
Assignee: |
Gabriel Saig
Netanya
IL
|
Family ID: |
37968220 |
Appl. No.: |
12/090520 |
Filed: |
October 29, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
October 29, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IL2006/001241 |
371 Date: |
October 5, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60730873 |
Oct 28, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/17 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3218 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101; G07F 17/329 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/17 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A mobile-lottery system comprising: (a) an SMS center for
receiving lottery entries from entrants via SMS messages; (b) a
lottery-registration server for registering said entrants in a
lottery, (c) a lottery-draw server for drawing at least one winner
from said lottery; and (d) a lottery-notification system for
notifying said entrants of a lottery status.
2. The system of claim 1, the system further comprising: (e) a
customer-service center for providing assistance to said entrants;
and (f) a billing server for processing entry fees for said
entrants.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein said SMS center, said
lottery-registration server, said lottery-draw server, said
customer-service center, and said billing server are parts of a
lottery-operation center.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein said SMS center is configured to
uniquely identify each mobile device of each said entrant via a
unique mobile-device identifier in said SMS messages.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein said unique mobile-device
identifier is a mobile-device phone number.
6. The system of claim 4, wherein said lottery entries are
configured to be entered by a single activation step from said each
mobile device.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein said lottery-notification system
includes at least one notification system selected from the group
consisting of: a mobile-lottery website, a television broadcast,
and a network broadcast.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein said lottery-notification system
is operative to indicate said lottery status in real time.
9. The system of claim 7, wherein said lottery-notification system
is operative to indicate said at least one winner in real time.
10. The system of claim 7, wherein said lottery-notification system
is operative to indicate a number of said lottery entries in real
time.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein said at least one winner is
randomly selected from said lottery entries.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein said lottery-registration server
is configured to register said entrants via an Internet.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein said lottery-registration server
is further configured for: (i) obtaining a birth date from said
entrants; and (ii) verifying whether said entrants are above a
restricted-age limit.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein said lottery-registration
server is further configured for: (iii) blocking mobile-device
phone numbers of under-aged entrants.
15. The system of claim 1, wherein said lottery-registration server
is further configured to generate a unique draw ticket number
associated with a specific draw of said lottery for each said
lottery entry.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein said step of registering
includes registering said entrants for said specific draws.
17. A method for enabling a mobile-device user to enter a lottery
draw, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving lottery
entries from entrants via SMS messages; (b) registering said
entrants in a lottery; (c) drawing at least one winner from said
lottery; and (d) notifying said entrants of a lottery status.
18. The method of claim 17, the method further comprising the steps
of: (e) providing assistance to said entrants; and (f) processing
entry fees for said entrants.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein said step of registering
includes uniquely identifying each mobile device of each said
entrant via a unique mobile-device identifier in said SMS
messages.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein said unique mobile-device
identifier is a mobile-device phone number.
21. The method of claim 19, the method further comprising the step
of: (e) entering said lottery entries by a single activation step
from said each mobile device.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein said step of registering is
initiated by software installed in said each mobile device.
23. The method of claim 17, wherein said step of notifying is
performed using at least one notification system selected from the
group consisting of: a mobile-lottery website, a television
broadcast, and a network broadcast.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein said step of notifying includes
indicating said lottery status in real time.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein said step of notifying includes
indicating said at least one winner in real time.
26. The method of claim 23, wherein said step of notifying includes
indicating a number of said lottery entries in real time.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein said at least one winner is
randomly selected from said lottery entries.
28. The method of claim 17, wherein said step of registering is
performed via an Internet.
29. The method of claim 17, the method further comprising the steps
of: (e) obtaining a birth date from said entrants; and (f)
verifying whether said entrants are above a restricted-age
limit.
30. The method of claim 29, the method further comprising the step
of: (g) blocking mobile-device phone numbers of under-aged
entrants.
31. The method of claim 17, the method further comprising the step
of: (e) generating a unique draw ticket number associated with a
specific draw of said lottery for each said lottery entry.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein said step of registering
includes registering said entrants for said specific draws.
33. A business method for operating a lottery, the business method
comprising the steps of: (a) offering for sale registration in the
lottery; (b) receiving lottery entries from entrants via SMS
messages; (c) registering said entrants in the lottery; (d) drawing
at least one winner from the lottery; and (e) notifying said
entrants of a lottery status.
Description
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a system and a method for a
mobile lottery and, in particular to a system and a method for
providing the service of participation in a lottery draw at the
push of a single button, by sending a SMS message from a mobile
phone.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a
system and a method for providing the service of participation in a
lottery draw at the push of a single button, by sending a SMS
message from a mobile phone. At present, participation in draws by
means of a mobile phone involves complicated operation methods and
therefore requires skill on behalf of the user, and consumes a lot
of time. One example of such participation is by sending a SMS
message. According to this method, the user is to select the
numbers they want to include in the draw. An additional example is
sending selected numbers by means of designated software that needs
to be installed in the mobile phone device.
[0003] There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be
highly advantageous to have, a simple and user-friendly system and
method enabling participation in a lottery by means of the mobile
phone.
[0004] Participation in the draw, according to one preferred
embodiment of the present invention, is achieved by sending a SMS
message to a specific number provided by the company holding the
draw. Identification of the draw participant is by means of his
phone number, which also serves as the draw participant number,
thus avoiding the need for providing a list of numbers as the
participants draw ticket.
[0005] The term "company" and the like, as used herein this
application, in the specifications the illustrations, and the
claims section that follows, refer to an entity that is
substantially responsible for operation of the lottery system,
including the draw, registration, payment and website systems, even
if and when the operation of all or some of the systems is achieved
by outsourcing.
[0006] The system and method enable participation in the draw by
means of pushing a single button.
[0007] The system and method also enable performing the following
basic actions, (some can be performed in more than one way).
[0008] A. Registration of a New Client in the System
[0009] The system requires initial registration in the draw
system's database. This is mainly for legal purposes (such as age
verification and fraud prevention); however it can also serve for
advertising purposes.
[0010] The registration in the system can also be performed in
several ways:
[0011] i. By means of a mobile phone, using a text message
(SMS).
[0012] ii. By means of a mobile phone, using service software (such
as a WAP, J2ME, Symbian platform, or based on any other programming
language).
[0013] iii. By means of the Internet, via the company's
website.
[0014] iv. By means of a customer service center.
[0015] B. Registration for Participation in a Draw
[0016] The system enables registration for various kinds of draws.
These draws can be daily, weekly, monthly, annual, or recurrent for
any other interval of time in which the client wishes to
participate. Registration options include the following methods:
[0017] i. By means of a mobile phone, using a text message (SMS),
[0018] ii. By means of a mobile phone, using service software (such
as a WAP, J2ME, Symbian platform, or based on any other programming
language). [0019] iii. By means of the Internet, via the company's
website.
[0020] iv. By means of a customer service center.
[0021] C. Occurrence of a Draw
[0022] At the time of the draw, the registration for it will be
closed, and no filer registration will be allowed for the same
draw. There may be several winners in a single draw, according to
the rules of said draw.
[0023] According to the present invention there is provided a
mobile lottery system including: (a) a mobile Lottery website; (b)
a lottery operation center wherein the lottery operation center is
linked to the mobile lottery website, the lottery operation center
including: (i) a lottery registration server; (ii) a lottery draw
server; and (iii) a customer service center; (c) a mobile network
including: (i) a SMS center; and (d) a lottery billing center
including: (i) billing server, wherein the mobile network is lined
to the to the lottery billing center, the lottery billing center is
linked to the lottery operation center and the mobile network is
linked to the lottery operation center.
[0024] According to the present invention the mobile lottery system
further including: (e) a mobile device having a number wherein the
mobile device enables a customer to contact the mobile lottery
system, and wherein the mobile lottery system can associate a
communication with the number of die mobile device of a client.
[0025] According to transfer features in preferred embodiments of
the present invention the mobile device is a cellular device.
[0026] According to further features in preferred embodiments of
the present invention the cellular device is a cellular phone.
[0027] According to the present invention there is provided a
method for enabling a user of cellular phone to take part in a
lottery draw at the push of a single button, by sending a SMS
message from a mobile phone, the method including the steps of: (a)
providing a mobile lottery system, the mobile lottery system
including: (i) a mobile lottery website; (ii) a lottery operation
center wherein the lottery operation is linked to the mobile
lottery website, the lottery operation center including: (A) a
lottery registration server; ( ) a lottery draw server; and (C) a
customer service center; (iii) a mobile network including: (A) a
SMS center; and (iv) a lottery billing center including: (A) a
billing server, wherein the mobile network is lied to the to the
lottery billing center, the lottery billing center is linked to the
lottery operation center and the mobile network is linked to the
lottery operation center; (b) performing registration of a client
in the mobile lottery system; (c) participation of the client in
draws in the mobile lottery system by means of the cellular device,
by sending a text message (SMS); and (d) performing a draw and
notifying the participant client of its results.
[0028] According to further features in preferred embodiments of
the present invention the method further including the step of; (e)
registration of a new client in the mobile lottery system by means
of mobile device.
[0029] According to further features in preferred embodiments of
the present invention the method further including the step of; (e)
registration of a new client in the mobile lottery system by means
of the customer service center.
[0030] According to further features in preferred embodiments of
the present invention the registration is performed through
software installed in the mobile device.
[0031] According to further features in preferred embodiments of
the present invention the registration is performed via an
Internet.
[0032] According to further features in preferred embodiments of
the present invention the registration is performed via the
customer service center.
[0033] According to further features in preferred embodiments, of
the present invention the mobile lottery system further includes:
(v) a mobile device having a number wherein the mobile device
enables a customer to contact to the mobile lottery system, and
wherein the mobile lottery system can associate a communication
with the number of the mobile device of a client.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a preferred embodiment
of a mobile lottery system according to the present invention.
[0035] FIGS. 2.1 and 2.2 are a flow chart that illustrates the
primary draw system registration method according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 3 is an illustration of the method of participation in
draws by means of the cellular device, by sending a text message
(SMS) according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0037] FIG. 4 is an illustration of the manner in which a draw is
held and the participants notified of its results according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 5 is a flow chart that illustrates the registration of
the client as a new client in the mobile lottery system by means of
mobile device using software according to a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 6 is a flow chart that illustrates the registration of
the client as a new client in the mobile lottery system via the
Internet according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0040] FIG. 7 is a flow chart that illustrates the registration of
the client as a new client in the mobile lottery system by means of
the customer service center according to a preferred embodiment of
the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 8 is a flow chart that illustrates registration for a
draw by means of software installed in the mobile device according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 9 is a flow chart that illustrates registration for the
draw via the Internet according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0043] FIG. 10 is a flow chart that illustrates registration for a
draw via the customer service center according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0044] The present invention is a system and a method for a mobile
lottery. The principles and operation of a system and a method for
a mobile lottery according to the present invention may be better
understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying
descriptions.
[0045] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention
in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and the
arrangement of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings.
[0046] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The
materials, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative
only and not intended to be limiting.
[0047] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a schematic
illustration of a preferred embodiment of a mobile lottery system
10 according to the present invention.
[0048] Mobile lottery system 10 includes the Internet 11, which
contains a mobile lottery website 16, a lottery operation center
17: which contain a lottery registration server 12; lottery draw
server 18, and customer service center 22, a mobile network 14:
which contains a SMS center 20, and a lottery billing center 13,
which contains a billing server 19.
[0049] The customer service center 22 can also include a Customer
Relations Management (CRM) unit that deals with managing customer
relations, and with systems and software developed for the purpose
of the company's creating and maintaining good relations with its
customers.
[0050] The illustration also shows the client 15 and the mobile
device 21 by means of which they contact the mobile lottery system
10.
[0051] The terms "client" and "user" both have the same definition
in all of their uses in this application, in the specification, the
illustrations, and the claims.
[0052] The mobile device 21 can be a cellular phone or any other
mobile device that can communicate via the cellular network or any
other suitable network. The illustration depicts the system
components and the communication between them.
[0053] Every description of communication via a mobile device 21 in
this application, the specification, the illustrations, and the
claims, can also apply to communication by any other means, as long
as the mobile lottery system 10 can associate this communication
with the number of the mobile device 21 of the client 15. An
example of this is sending SMS messages from a computer.
[0054] FIGS. 2.1 and 2.2 are a flow chart that illustrates the
primary draw system registration method according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0055] This registration also entitles the participant to a free
draw ticket according to one preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0056] The flow chart starts as depicted in FIG. 2.1 by sending a
message that reads "PLAY" 40 and continues in this illustration
until the determination whether the participant is a minor 48.
[0057] The flow chart continues with FIG. 2.2 starting with the
determination whether the participant is a minor 48.
[0058] The registration method is as follows:
[0059] The client 15 sends a text message by means of the mobile
device 21, including a predetermined word or code such as "PLAY" 40
to the phone number of the lottery operation center 17.
[0060] The message enters the SMSC (SMS Center) 20.
[0061] The message is relayed from the SMS center 20 to the lottery
registration server 12 located in the lottery operation center 17.
The relayed message includes the phone number from which the
message was sent, as well as the message content.
[0062] The client 15 is singularly recognized by the lottery
registration server 12 according to his phone number. The server
checks whether the client is a new client 41. If he is a returning
client 42, the system processes the client according to the regular
draw participation process, as described in the following FIG. 3.
If he is a new client 41 the lottery registration server 12 sends
him a message 43. The message directs him to send his birth date in
order to verify that he is not a minor (as defined by the law of
state of origin). The system and method also enable participation
in the draw for a client 15 who is outside of the state in which
the draw is being held, the necessary means or service can be added
to verify the age of the client 15 according to the local laws that
apply to him.
[0063] The message is received by the client 15 by means of the
mobile device 21 via the mobile network 14.
[0064] If the client does not send his birth date 44, the client is
not registered in the system as a new client. However, if the birth
date is sent, the lottery registration server 12 that receives the
message via the cellular network checks whether the date is correct
format 46.
[0065] If the date is incorrect (whether the format is wrong or
letters were sent instead of number, etc.) a repeated message is
sent requesting the correct format 47 and the process described in
the previous paragraph is then repeated. If the date is correct the
lottery registration server 12 will perform a test to see whether
the sender's age enables participation in the lottery (as defined
by the law of the sender's state of origin) 48.
[0066] If the server identifies the sender as a minor according to
the above, the sender's phone number is blocked 50 by the system
and draw participation requests 54 on his behalf will be rejected.
In this case, the lottery registration server 12 will send a
message 52 to the mobile device 21 of the client 15 via the mobile
network 14 incoming him to contact customer service center 22, in
order to verify his age by other means or to explain why he cannot
participate in the draw 54.
[0067] In another case, in which the lottery registration server 12
identifies the client's age as legal for draw participation, the
lottery registration server 12 will generate a unique code (CD1234)
49, that will serve the client for registration in future draws and
with customer service center 22. Furthermore, the lottery
registration server 12 will generate a draw participation ticket
for the client with an identification number that is unique to the
specific draw (#424242) 51.
[0068] The generated code (CD1234) 49 as well as the participation
ticket number (#424242) 51 (along with the draw date) will be sent
by two separate messages 53 and 55 respectively by the lottery
registration server 12 via the mobile network 14 to the mobile
device 21 of the client 15. Should the above apply, the client will
appear in the system as a registered client and will participate in
the nearest coming draw.
[0069] FIG. 3 is an illustration of the method of participation in
draws by means of the cellular device, by sending a text message
(SMS), according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0070] The client 15 sends a text message by means of the mobile
device 21, to the phone number of the lottery operation center 17.
The message includes his number (CD1234) 80, which enables
single-time participation in the next coming draw. However, in
order to register for periodical draws in advance, the client 15
call send the desired period, separated by a symbol such as #, so
that if the client 15 wishes to participate in a weekly draw, he
should send a message that reads CD1234#WEEK. The client can send
more than one participation request. Every such request will
generate a suitable participation ticket for the client.
[0071] The message reaches the mobile network 14, to the SMS center
20. The message is relayed from the SMS center 20 to the lottery
registration server 12 that is located in the lottery operation
center 17. The relayed message includes the telephone number from
which the message was originally sent as well as the message
content. The client 15 is singularly recognized by the lottery
registration server 12 according to his phone number. The lottery
registration server 12 examines whether the user code 80 that was
sent matches the client's mobile device number 81.
[0072] In the case that the code 80 does not match the mobile
device 21 number of the client 15 from which the message was
received or if the code 80 that was sent is incorrect for any other
reason, the client 15 will receive a message that the code that was
sent is incorrect 82. Furthermore, the previous message can be
accompanied with a message suggesting that the client contact
customer service center 22 for assistance. The message is relayed
to the client 15 via mobile device 21, on the mobile network 14. In
the above case, the client's participation request will not be
registered and he will not participate in the draw 84.
[0073] In the case that the code 80 is correct according to the
above, lottery registration server 12 will generate a participation
ticket with a unique number for the specific draw in question
(#434343) 83.
[0074] The draw ticket number (#434343) 83 (combined with the draw
date) 85 is sent by the lottery registration server 12, via the
mobile network 14 to the mobile device 21 of the client 15.
Furthermore, in case a special participation request was sent (a
request to participate in a periodical draw), the request will be
registered in the registration server 12, and prior to each draw,
the client 15 will be sent a message with the number of the ticket
generated for him 85. Following the above, the client will
participate in the draw of his choice 86.
[0075] FIG. 4 is an illustration of the manner in which a draw is
held and the participants notified of its results according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0076] At the time of a draw, the lottery registration server 12
relays all of the participating draws tickets to the lottery draw
server 18. The lottery draw server 18 randomly selects as many
tickets as the number of possible winners, and at a ranking
according to the draw rules 100. The draw can be broadcast live on
television, the Internet or any other means that will enable real
time broadcasting of the results. The wining numbers are relayed
from the lottery draw server 18 to the lottery registration server
12 and also posted on the mobile lottery website 16. Furthermore,
the lottery registration server 12 sends messages to all of the
winners notifying them of their win 103. Contrarily, participants
who did not win will receive a message with the list of winning
numbers 102. The messages will be sent to the client 15 via the
mobile device 21 on the mobile network 14. Furthermore, the
messages will be forwarded via e-mail (to addressees who
participated in the draw, whose addresses are listed in the
system). The lottery registration server 12, will forward the list
of users to the billing server 19 at the lottery billing center 13.
The bitting server 19 will pay the prize to winner, by a check or
any other means of payment enabled by the mobile lottery system 10.
According to the above, all clients will know whether they won, and
be awarded with suitable prizes 104.
[0077] FIG. 5 is a flow chart that illustrates the registration of
the client 15 as anew client in the mobile lottery system 10 by
means of mobile device 21 using software according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0078] The client 15 downloads and installs software 140. The
software can be provided by the company operating the lottery
operation center 17. The software enables the registration of the
client 15 as a client of the company and also registers him for
participation in several types of draws. The software can be
downloaded directly from the company's mobile lottery website 16
and can also be sent directly to the mobile device 21 of the client
15. After installing the software, the client 15 registers his
personal details via the software 141. The details are relayed from
the mobile device 21 directly to the lottery registration server
12. The details of the client 15 are examined by the lottery
registration server 12 to verify that he is not already registered
in the system 142. In the case that he is not a new client 15, he
will be handled as an existent client 15 as described in FIG. 3,
143. In the case that he is a client 15 that is not yet registered
in the system (a new client), the lottery registration server will
verify that the client 15 is not considered a minor under the law
in his state of origin 144. In the case that the client 15 is
recognized as a minor, the software will display a message
explaining that he cannot register for the draw because he is a
minor 150. Furthermore, he may receive a message directing him to
the lottery operation center 17. In this case, the client 15 will
not be registered in the mobile lottery system 10, but will be
registered as unable to participate in draws 151.
[0079] In the case that the client 15 is not a minor, his details
will be stored in the system. After registration, the lottery
registration server 12 will generate a unique code (CD1234) 145
that will serve the client 15 when registering for failure draws or
with the customer service center 22. Furthermore, a draw
participation ticket with a number that is unique to the specific
draw in question (#424242) will be generated for him 146. The
generated code (CD1234) and the draw ticket number (9424242)
(combined with the draw date) will be sent in two separate messages
(147 and 148 respectively) by the lottery registration server 12
via the mobile network 14 to the mobile device 21 of the client
15.
[0080] If the above occurs, the client 15 will be registered in the
mobile lottery system 10, and will be registered to participate in
the next coming draw 149.
[0081] FIG. 6 is a flow chart that illustrates the registration of
the client 15 as a new client in the mobile lottery system 10 via
the Internet according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0082] The client 15 surfs to the mobile lottery website 16 and
fins in his personal details 60. The details include the number of
his mobile device 21 and his email address. This action is referred
to as site registration, although as long as the details are not
received by the lottery registration server 12 there is no actual
registration. Registration for periodical draws (daily draws,
weekly draws, etc.) is also possible as soon as the initial
registration. The personal details are relayed from the mobile
lottery website 16 to the lottery registration server 12. The
details of the client 15 are examined by the lottery registration
server 12 in order to verify that the client 15 is not previously
registered in the mobile lottery system 10. In the case that he is
not a new client 15, he will be handled as returning client 15, as
described in FIG. 3. In the case that the client 15 is not yet
registered in the system (new client), the lottery registration
server will verify that the client 15 is not considered a minor
under the law of his state of origin 63. In the case that the
client 15 is recognized as a minor, the lottery registration server
12 sends a message to the mobile lottery website 16 that seeing as
he is a minor, he is prohibited from registering for the draw 72.
Furthermore, he may receive a message directing him to the customer
service center 22. In this case, the client 15 is not registered in
the mobile lottery system 10, and is not able to participate in
draws 73.
[0083] In the case that the client 15 is not a minor, his details
are stored in the system. Furthermore, the lottery registration
server 12 generates an identification code for registration
purposes only. The code is forwarded to the client 15 via email,
and optionally directly to the mobile device 21 of the client 15 as
a SMS text message, mainly as a means of preventing fraud and
harassment of innocent customers. The client 15 is requested to
send the code back to the phone number of the lottery operation
center 17 in order to complete registration 64. In the case that
the client 15 does not send the code back, or in the case that the
sent code does not match the number of the mobile device 21 from
which registration was performed, the client 15 will not appear as
a registered client and will not be able to participate in draws
66. In the case that the code is correct (according to the above)
the lottery registration server 12 will generate a unique code
(CD1234) 67 that will serve said client for registration in future
draws or with the customer service center 22. Furthermore, a draw
participation ticket with a unique identification number for the
draw in question (#424242) will be generated for him 68. The
generated code (CD1234) as well as the draw ticket number (#424242)
(combined with the draw date) are sent E two separate messages (69
and 70 respectively) by the lottery registration server 12 via the
mobile network 14 to the mobile device 21 of the client 15.
[0084] If the above occurs, the client 15 appears in the system as
a registered client and will participate in the next coming draw
71.
[0085] FIG. 7 is a flow chart that illustrates the registration of
the client 15 as a new client in the mobile lottery system 10 by
means of the customer service center 22 according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0086] The client 15 contacts the customer service center 22 by
means of the mobile device 21 or by means of instant messaging
software (chat) and gives his personal details for registration by
the customer service representative. The software used by the
representative forwards the personal details of the client 15 to
the lottery registration server 12. If all of the details have been
forwarded and the client 15 is not a minor, the lottery
registration server 12 generates a unique identification code for
registration purposes only 121. The code is forwarded to the client
15 via the mobile device 21, email instant messaging software, or
any other secure means. The service representative guides he client
15 to send the code back from the mobile device 21 that is
registered 122, in order to complete the registration process. In
the case that the client does not send the code back or if the sent
code does not match the number of the mobile device 21 from which
registration was performed, Ate client 15 will not be registered
and will not be able to participate in draws 124. In the case that
the code is correct (according to the above), the lottery
registration server 12 generates a unique code (CD1234) 125 to
serve the client 15 for registration in future draws or with the
customer service center 22. Furthermore, it will generate a draw
participation ticket with a number that is unique for this draw
(#424242) 126. The generated code (CD1234) as well as the draw
ticket number (#424242) (combined with the date of the draw) are
sent in two separate messages (127 and 128 respectively) by the
lottery registration server 12 via the mobile network 14 to the
mobile device 21 of the client 15.
[0087] If the above occurs, the client 15 will appear in the system
as a registered client 15 and will participate in the next coming
draw 129.
[0088] FIG. 8 is a flow chart that illustrates registration for a
draw by means of software installed in the mobile device 21
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0089] The client 15 downloads and installs software that is
provided by the company 160. The software enables registration as a
client of the company, as well as registration for several types of
draws. The software can be downloaded directly from the company's
mobile lottery website 16 and can also be sent directly to the
mobile device 21 of the client 15. This step is unnecessary if the
software has already been installed in the mobile device 21 of the
client 15 (for example, if the software was installed at the
registration stage 140 as shown in FIG. 5). After installing the
software, the client 15 logs in to the mobile lottery system 10 by
entering his personal code. The code is cross-checked with the
lottery registration server 12, which verifies the correspondence
between the number of the calling mobile device 21 and the personal
code of the client 15. Additional checks may be run prior to
completing the connection, such as verification that the client 15
is not blocked. If, for whatever reason, the process is
unsuccessful, the client 15 will be given a support message guiding
him further 163. He may be directed to a service representative. In
the case that the entry process was completed successfully, the
software will be activated for the client 15, and he will be
required to push a button to "Play now" in order to register
immediately for the next coming draw. Furthermore, the client 15
will be able to choose from various periodical draws, such as
weekly draws, monthly draws, etc. 164. Every option chosen by the
client 15 will be relayed to the lottery registration server 12 and
will be registered in the mobile lottery system 10. The lottery
registration server 12 generates a participation ticket (#1030) 165
for the client 15 and displays its number using the software.
Furthermore, the ticket number is also sent to the mobile device 21
of the client 15 as a text message (#1030) 166.
[0090] If the above occurs, the client will participate in the
drawls of his choice.
[0091] FIG. 9 is a flow chart that illustrates registration for the
draw via the Internet 11 according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0092] The client 15 surfs to the company's mobile lottery website
16, where he logs in to the mobile lottery system 10 by entering
the number of his mobile device 21 as well as his personal code
180. The data will be relayed from the mobile lottery website 16 to
the lottery registration server 12 which checks the correspondence
between the number of the mobile device 21 and the personal code of
the client 15. Additional checks may be run prior to completing the
connection, such as verification that the client 15 is not blocked.
If, for whatever reason, the process is not completed successfully,
the client 15 will receive a support message guiding him further
182. Furthermore, he may be directed to a service representative at
the customer service center 22. In the case that the entry process
was completed successfully, the mobile lottery website 16 will be
open to the client 15 who will be required to click the "Play now"
button, in order to register immediately for the next coming draw.
Furthermore, the client can choose from various periodical draws,
such as a weekly draw, a monthly draw, etc. 183. Any option chosen
by the client 15 will be relayed to the lottery registration server
12 via the mobile lottery website 16 and will be registered in the
mobile lottery system 10. The lottery registration server 12 will
generate a participation ticket for the client 15 (#4010) 184 and
display its number. Furthermore the ticket number will also be sent
to the mobile device 21 as a text message (#4010) 185.
[0093] If the above occurs, the client will participate in the
draw/s of his choice 186.
[0094] FIG. 10 is a flow chart that illustrates registration for a
draw via the customer service center 22 according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
[0095] The client 15 contacts the customer service center 22 by
means of the mobile device 21 or instant messaging software (chat)
200 and gives his personal details as well as die draws in which he
wishes to participate 201. The service representative from the
customer service center 22 enters the details of the request in the
system. The lottery registration server 12 generates an
identification code for the request 202. This code is meant to
minimize the chances of fraud, seeing as the code is sent to the
number of the mobile device 21 that the client 15 gave as an SMS
message and the client 15 has to resend the code to the customer
service center 22, 203. Registration for the requested draws will
not be completed until the lottery registration server 12 receives
the correct code for the request from the client 15 via the SMS
center 20, 205. If the correct code is sent, the lottery
registration server 12 will generate a participation ticket (#6015)
for the client 206. The ticket number is sent to the client 15 in a
text message 207. If the above occurs, the client will participate
in the draw/s of his choice 208.
[0096] Although the invention has been described in conjunction
with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace
all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall
within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *