Lottery procedure uses mobile phone with random draws and continuing subscription

3) Representative (s): CABINET GRYNWALD.

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PROCESS FOR USERS OF MOBILE PHONES TO PARTICIPATE IN A PRIZE DRAW GAME

The present invention relates to a method for enabling mobile phone users to participate in a prize draw game.

In order to constitute a community of players among mobile telephone users, the inventors wished to allow these users to participate free of charge in raffles comprising prizes, in particular sums of money.

Games of chance of the casino game t ype, games of the Française des Jeux, are well known from the prior art. These games all have a paid character and do not include any method using mobile telephony. Games of chance, of the competition-type without obligation to purchase, are free in nature but do not use mobile telephony. We have recently seen the development of lotteries and other free raffles on the Internet. All of these types of games, free or not, have several drawbacks. First of all, mobile telephony is not implemented directly. At best, it allows players to view the results of the draws over the phone. In addition, the user is obliged to renew his registration regularly in order to be able to continue to participate in the draws. Finally, most of the time, the prize (s) to be won are predetermined.

The present invention avoids these drawbacks. It directly implements the existing mobile telephone networks and makes it possible to create a real community of players within the users. It relates to a method allowing mobile telephone users to participate in a raffle game comprising prizes.

The method comprises several steps.

During the user registration phase, we record, in a server memory area:

• identification information concerning each user, in particular their mobile phone number, age, gender, postal code, • a game combination chosen by each user, in particular three numbers between 0 and 99 and / or a arbitrary code determined by the server, in particular a numeric code comprising five digits, • by default the option for the user to participate in each draw without having to send a request to the server.

In addition, during the user registration phase, the identification information is associated with the game combinations and / or the arbitrary codes determined by the server.

During each draw, the nature or amount of the prizes is selected, in particular randomly.

In addition, during each drawing of lots, a determined number of winning codes and / or winning game combinations is selected randomly from among the codes and / or game combinations stored in the memory area of ​​the server.

During the communication phase of the result of each draw, we communicate to users, whose identification information is associated with the winning codes and / or winning game combinations, the nature or amount of the selected prizes and / or the winning game codes or combinations.

According to an alternative embodiment, the arbitrary code determined by the server is the user's mobile telephone number.

Preferably, the nature or the amount of the lots is selected periodically, in particular randomly.

Also preferably, the winning codes and / or the winning game combinations are selected periodically, in a random manner.

Thus, by default, users do not need to renew their decision to participate in each new raffle.

Preferably, according to a first variant embodiment, during the user registration phase, the users communicate the identification information and, where appropriate, the game combination to the server by means of a fixed telephone.

Preferably, according to a second variant embodiment, during the user registration phase, the users communicate the identification information and, where appropriate, the game combination by means of their mobile telephone to the server.

Preferably, according to a third variant embodiment, during the user registration phase, the users communicate to the server the identification information and, where appropriate, the game combination by means of computer equipment connected to a computer. communication network, in particular of the Internet type.

Optionally, each of the users periodically communicates a game combination of his choice to the server.

Preferably, the step of communicating to users the nature or amount of the prizes and / or the winning game codes or combinations comprises the step of transmitting to the users a single message, in particular a text message of the SMS type, comprising the results of the draw.

Thus, users automatically receive the results of each raffle, without having to request it.

Preferably, the message comprises, in addition to the results of the drawing of lots, information, in particular advertising messages.

Preferably, according to a first variant embodiment, the users receive the message on their fixed telephones.

Preferably, according to a second variant embodiment, the users receive the message on their mobile telephones.

Preferably, according to a third variant embodiment, the users receive the message on their computer equipment.

Also disclosed is a system for mobile phone users to participate in a prize draw game.

The system comprises a server connected to a communication network, in particular of the mobile telephone network type and / or of the Internet type.

The server comprises recording means for recording, in a memory area of ​​the server:

• identification information concerning each user, in particular their mobile phone number, age, gender, postal code, • a game combination chosen by each of said users, in particular three numbers between 0 and 99 and / or a arbitrary code determined by calculation means of said server, in particular a numerical code comprising five digits.

• by default the option for the user to participate in each draw without having to send a request to the server.

The server further comprises selection means for:

• select, in particular randomly, during each draw, the nature or amount of the prizes, • select, at random, during each draw, a determined number of winning codes and / or game combinations winners among the codes and / or game combinations stored in the server's memory area.

The server further comprises broadcasting means for broadcasting to users, whose identification information is associated with the winning codes and / or the winning game combinations, the nature or the amount of the selected prizes and / or the codes or combinations. game winners.

According to an alternative embodiment, the arbitrary code determined by the server is the user's mobile telephone number.

Preferably, the selection means are implemented periodically.

Thus, by default, users do not need to renew their participation for each new raffle.

Preferably, according to a first variant embodiment, the users also have a fixed telephone. The fixed telephone comprises first transmission means for transmitting the identification information and, where appropriate, the game combination to the server, via a fixed telephone network.

Preferably, according to a second variant embodiment, the mobile telephones of the users comprise second transmission means for transmitting the identification information and, where appropriate, the game combination to the server, via the mobile telephone network.

Preferably, according to a third variant embodiment, the users also have computer equipment. The computer equipment comprises third transmission means for transmitting the identification information and, where appropriate, the game combination to the server, via the communication network, in particular of the Internet type.

Optionally, the first transmission means and / or the second transmission means and / or the third transmission means are used periodically by each of the users to communicate the game combinations to the server.

Preferably, the broadcasting means comprise fourth transmission means for transmitting to the users a single message, in particular a text message of the SMS type, comprising the results of the drawing of lots.

Thus, users automatically receive the results of each raffle, without having to request it.

Preferably, the message comprises, in addition to the results of the drawing of lots, information, in particular advertising messages.

Preferably, according to a first variant embodiment, the fourth transmission means transmit the message to the fixed telephones of the users.

Preferably, according to a second variant embodiment, the fourth transmission means transmit the message to the mobile telephones of the users.

Preferably, according to a third variant embodiment, the fourth transmission means transmit the message to the computer equipment of the users.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the description of variant embodiments of the invention, given by way of indicative and non-limiting example, and from FIG. 1 which represents an overall schematic view of the system. according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a user 1 having a mobile telephone 2 and wishing to participate in a game with a draw comprising prizes. The prizes can be in particular sums of money or prizes in kind (material goods, travel). In order to be able to participate, user 1 must proceed to a registration phase for the draw. This registration phase has several stages.

First of all, the user 1 communicates identification information to a server 5. This identification information includes in particular the mobile telephone number of the user 1, the age of the user 1, his sex, its postal code. To transmit this information to the server 5, the user 1 dials, by means of his mobile telephone 2, a call number of the server 5, in particular a free telephone number, of the type 0 800, to enter into communication with a server voice 5a, of the audiotel type, associated with the server 5. The user 1 activates transmission means 2a of his mobile telephone 2 to transmit the identification information to the voice server 5a. The identification information is thus transmitted via a mobile telephone network 6. User 1 is then invited by voice server 5a to choose between two game variants.

According to a first variant of the game, the user 1 communicates to the voice server 5a a combination of the game of his choice, in particular five different numbers between 0 and 99, ie a total of ten digits, for example 02 05 39 07 05. These numbers can be for example the fetish numbers of the user 1 (dates of birth of the family, registration number of his vehicle). This game combination is transmitted to the server 5 by means of the transmission means 2a of the mobile telephone 2 of the user 1, via the mobile telephone network 6.

According to a second variant of the game, the server 5 comprises calculation means 11 for attributing to the user 1 an arbitrary code, in particular a numerical code comprising ten digits. This will be the case in the event that user 1 does not wish to choose a game combination himself and prefers to be assigned an arbitrary code by server 5. This arbitrary code can in particular be the mobile telephone number of user 1, i.e. a total of ten digits, for example 01 69 45 10 12.

The user 1 can also proceed to the registration phase described above by means of a fixed telephone 4, comprising transmission means 4a. The transmission of the identification information is then carried out via a fixed telephony network 8.

User 1 can also proceed to the registration phase described above by means of computer equipment 3, comprising transmission means 3a. The transmission of the identification information is then carried out via a communication network 7 of the Internet type.

The server 5 comprises recording means 10 for recording, in a memory area 9, the identification information transmitted by the user 1. The server 5 associates the identification information with the game combination chosen by the user. 1 and / or to the arbitrary code determined by the server 5. Thus, for example, the server 5 records, in the memory zone 9, that at the telephone number 01 69 45 10 12, identifying the user 1, is associated the game combination 02 05 39 07 05.

The server 5 comprises broadcasting means 13 for broadcasting to the user 1 a message confirming his registration. This message includes in particular the reminder of the game combination chosen by user 1 or the arbitrary code that the server 5 assigned to user 1. This confirmation message is in particular in the form of an SMS type message. when it is transmitted to the mobile telephone 2 of the user 1, via the mobile telephone network 6. This confirmation message is in particular in the form of an electronic mail type message when it is transmitted to the computer equipment 3 of the user 1, via the communication network 7 of the Internet type. This message is in particular in the form of an audio message type message if it is sent, via the fixed telephone network 8, to the fixed telephone 4 of user 1.

The registration phase described above takes place only once for each user 1. The credentials transmitted to the server 5 by user 1 remain valid for all draws subsequent to registration. user 1. Likewise, the game combination chosen by user 1 or the arbitrary code assigned to him by server 5 allows user 1 to participate in all the draws, without limitation of duration. The user 1 however has the possibility, at any time, to communicate to the server 5 new identification information and / or to communicate to the server 5 a new game combination of his choice and / or to be assigned by the server. 5 a new arbitrary code. To do this, it suffices for him to enter into communication with the server 5 according to the procedure described above, either by means of his mobile telephone 2, or by means of his fixed telephone 4, or by means of his computer equipment 3.

Each random draw makes it possible to designate one or more winners from among all the users who have completed the registration phase described above. The draws take place regularly, especially every day at a fixed time. Each drawing of lots comprises two steps implementing means 12 for selecting the server 5. First of all, the means 12 for selecting the server 5 make it possible to select, in particular randomly, the nature or the amount of the prizes. In the case of a lot in the form of a sum of money, the selection means 12 of the server 5 for example select randomly a sum the amount of which varies between 1000 FRF and 1,000,000 FRF. This selection can also be implemented by taking account of probability rules. For example, the probability rate of winning equal to 1,000,000 FRF will be one divided by ten thousand while the probability rate of winning equal to 5,000 FRF will be one divided by fifty. Secondly, once the nature or the amount of the prize has been selected, the selection means 12 of the server 5 randomly select a determined number of winning game combinations and / or arbitrary codes, from among all the game combinations. and arbitrary codes recorded in the memory area 9 of the server 5. For example, the selection means 12 of the server 5 make it possible to select at random five winning combinations from among the totality of the combinations of play and of arbitrary codes recorded in the memory area 9 of the server 5. The five winning users will be those whose information of 'identification are associated with one of the five winning combinations selected by the selection means 12 of the server 5.

Once the draw has taken place, the results are communicated to all users. In particular, the results of each draw are communicated to users every day at a fixed time. On the one hand, the broadcasting means 13 of the server 5 make it possible to broadcast a message to the winning users, in particular a congratulatory message comprising the result of the drawing of lots as well as information relating to the withdrawal of the won prize. On the other hand, the broadcasting means 13 of the server 5 comprise means 13a more particularly intended to transmit to non-winning users a message, in particular a message comprising the result of the drawing of lots as well as information, in particular advertising information. The possibility of broadcasting an advertising message makes it possible to finance the game and to offer players the opportunity to participate for free in each draw without wagering. The message sent by the server 5, both the message sent to the winning users and to the non-winning users, is in particular in the form of an SMS type message if it is sent, via the mobile telephone network 6 , to the mobile phone 2 of user 1. The message is in particular in the form of an electronic mail-type message if it is sent, via the Internet-type computer communication network 7, to the computer equipment 3 of the user 1. The message is presented in particular in the form of an audio message type message if it is sent, via the fixed telephone network 8, to the fixed telephone 4 of user 1.

Thus, user 1 automatically receives, in particular every day at a fixed time, the results of each drawing of lots without having to carry out any consultation.