EP1007170B1 - Method and system for validating bets for a game, effected from an autonomous electronic housing - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to validate a bet, a housing identifier and a validating datum representative of a reserve of available game units are stored in a file (MMP) of a main validating device (DVP). When the betting data are introduced by the player in the housing (BO), a restitution information containing these betting data as well as the housing identifier is constituted and this information is restored in sound form to a telephone station (PT). The corresponding telephone signal is then transmitted to a voice server (SV) which restores the data introduced by the player in decrypted form. The game units corresponding to the betting data received are then compared with the reserve of game units, for validating or not validating the bet. Thus there is no transmission of any indication concerning an effective payment for the bet by the telephone line between the housing (BO) and the voice server (SV).

Description

The invention relates to the validation of taking bets for a game, made from at least one autonomous electronic box. Such a system being known from document EP-A-0 450 520.

The invention is particularly applicable to all types of games including result depends on an event occurring after the close of recording of bet stakes, for example a draw of numbers in a centralized lottery system, for example a national draw. That said, the invention can also be applied to the validation of bet stakes for horse races.

Currently, in a lottery application, players are provide newsletters on specialist retailers they check off the different numbers they have chosen and then go validate these bet stakes with a retailer equipped with a specific validation device connected to a central computer of the organization carrying out the subsequent national lottery.

Such a system, in addition to the fact that it requires the use of paper support, obliges the players, to validate their catch of bet, to move to specific places.

We also know lottery systems comprising computer terminals, for example microcomputers, which can connect via the internet to a central computer. The organization, managing this central computer as well as the draw centralized later, then distributes specific software comprising means of cryptography, generally sophisticated, so that the players, having a microcomputer equipped with such software, can transfer in encrypted form, in order to avoid any hacking transmitted data, their bet stakes as well as information concerning the actual payment of the bet taken, by example a bank card number.

Such a system, if it offers the advantage of eliminating any paper support, has the disadvantage of not being able to perform the bet taken only from a specific computer terminal. In in addition, it requires the use of software encryption means, which is penalizing from the point of view of cost of use.

The invention aims to provide a solution to these problems.

An object of the invention is to propose taking a bet from of a portable autonomous electronic unit and of reduced size, in possession of the player, and validation of this bet taken from any place equipped with a telephone set, for example at home or from a public phone booth.

Another object of the invention is to allow the validation of a such a bet, with regard to the actual payment of the transaction, without resorting to the use of means of encryption / decryption.

The invention therefore provides a method of validating at least one paid bet for a game, made from at least one portable autonomous electronic box. According to this process, we store in a main validation device, for example a file center of an organization managing a lottery game, prior to the receipt of the bet, validation information containing a box identifier and a prepayment indication associated with this identifier and intended for effective payment of the bet taken. We stores in the box said identifier as well as bet data having been introduced into the case on the initiative of the player and representative for said game of at least one bet bet associated with a preset amount of paid game units. We return to outside the box and towards a telephone set, response to the activation of an activation member located on the housing, a acoustic feedback information containing bet data and the case identifier and free from any indication relating to a effective payment of this bet data. We receive at the level of main validation device for the telephone signal containing said restitution information. We extract the case identifier and bet data. We validate or not the bet taken thus received at from the quantity of game units associated with said bet data and said prepayment indication and, in the event of validation, stores received bet data in main game memory of the device.

The invention is therefore remarkable in that the information of refund sent to the main validation device does not contain no payment transaction information associated with the data bet numbers transmitted, for example a bank card number. He is by therefore unnecessary to provide in the autonomous housing, software information encryption, which therefore minimizes memory size necessary in the housing, and therefore the surface of silicon used, and this has a direct impact on the cost of housing. The prepayment indication associated with this box is stored directly in the main validation device prior to the receipt of any bet taken, by other means not intervene the telephone link used for the transmission of bet data. Each autonomous electronic unit is therefore than a portable betting terminal and is in no way a payment transaction terminal associated with these wagers.

Several solutions are possible for prepayment.

According to a simplified variant of the invention, a player can get an autonomous case from a merchant including a memory non-volatile contains the case identifier, for example its number series. The housing also has on one of its faces a indication, for example a detachable label on which the barcode of the box corresponding to its serial number. The player detaches the chard label and transmits it, by mail for example, to the centralized body by attaching its bank card number serving as a prepayment indication. In this case, while the storage of the box identifier and the prepayment indication takes place upon receipt of this mail, receipt by line phone number of the box identifier and bet data associated, will automatically debit the account of the player based on the bet data received and thereby validating the bet taken.

It is also possible, in another variant, that the prepayment indication or validation data representative of an available reserve of game units. In this case, at reception of the telephone signal, we compare the quantity of game associated with said bet data with this validation data, whether or not to validate said bet data according to the result of the comparison, and in case of validation, we store the bet data received in the main game memory of the device and we update new validation data associated with this box identifier from the old validation data and the quantity of units of game corresponding to the stored bet data.

Thus, one can provide that the player transmits by mail to main validation device, in addition to the box identifier, a check representative of a reserve of game units that he wishes to form. On receipt of this letter, we proceed, at the level of main validation device, to the computer input of the identifier of the case, possibly the coordinates of the player, and validation data corresponding to the amount of money received. This validation information (identifier and validation data) are then stored, in a conventional manner, in memory means of the validation device.

In another variant of the invention, provision may be made for a player obtains an autonomous box from a merchant associated with a predetermined number of available game units, the financial value of these game units being included in the purchase price of the case. In this case, storing validation information in the device, the main is performed only in the presence of a specific indication of storage. For example, it is only when the main validation device will have received by mail the identifier of the case, meaning that the case was bought by a player, that entering this identifier associated with the preset validation data, will be stored in the memory means of the main device of validation.

According to another variant of the invention, the housing with at least one auxiliary validation station. We transfer then the case identifier in the station. We introduce in this station the prepayment indication associated with this box (for example credit card number or validation data) and we transfer said validation information from the station to the main device by an external means of communication, for example a link specific data transmission, possibly secure. A such a variant has the advantage for a player not to transmit by a letter identifying the box and / or a payment check and / or a bank card number. According to this variant, the player presents himself at an auxiliary validation station. The box is then brought into contact with the station, for example by a coupling electromagnetic or capacitive, and the case identifier is then transferred to the validation station. In addition, the player rules by example on site the amount corresponding to the reserve of units of game he wants to build and the validation data is entered in the validation station so that be associated with the case identifier to thus form said validation information. This validation information is then transmitted to the main device by the dedicated link and is automatically stored, in software, in the means of memory of this main device.

While it is generally planned to enter the bet data in the case, directly from the case, for example by using the keys on a keyboard operated by the player it is also possible to enter bet data in the box by through an auxiliary validation station. It is notably the case when one wishes to enter fixed bet data, corresponding to a game subscription. In other words, although such betting data are entered on the initiative of the player who chooses, they are not directly introduced by him.

In this respect, the expression "at the initiative of the player" must be understood according to the invention in a very broad sense, also including the actuation, by the player or at his request, of an organ specific command that can activate a pseudo-random generator delivering the bet data.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is renders in plain language to the loudspeaker of the telephone set, at least part of the betting data contained in the information of refund received. In other words, we can plan at the level of main validation device a voice server restoring in plain language the numbers (for example) chosen by the player so that the latter can in particular verify that these numbers correspond well to those which he introduced into his case and which were transmitted under acoustic form then telephone to the validation device.

au moins un boítier électronique autonome portatif comportant une interface-joueur pour l'introduction à l'initiative de l'utilisateur du boítier, de données de pari représentatives pour ledit jeu d'au moins une prise de pari associée à une quantité préétablie d'unités de jeu payantes, une mémoire-boítier apte à contenir les données de pari ainsi qu'un identifiant du boítier, des moyens de restitution aptes, en réponse à l'activation d'un organe d'activation, à restituer à l'extérieur du boítier, en direction d'un poste téléphonique, une information de restitution acoustique contenant les données de pari et l'identifiant de boítier et exempte de toute indication relative à un paiement effectif de ces données de pari, et

un dispositif principal de validation, comportant des moyens d'introduction pour introduire dans le dispositif une information de validation contenant d'identifiant du boítier et une indication de prépaiement associée à cet identifiant et destinée à un paiement effectif de la prise de pari, des moyens de traitement principaux aptes à délivrer l'information de validation à des moyens de mémoire principaux, des moyens de réception principaux reliés aux moyens de mémoire principaux et audit poste téléphonique pour recevoir le signal téléphonique contenant ladite information de restitution, les moyens de traitement principaux étant en outre aptes à extraire du signal téléphonique reçu, l'identifiant de boítier et les données de pari, à valider ou non la prise de pari ainsi reçue à partir de la quantité d'unités de jeu associée auxdites données de pari et de ladite indication de prépaiement, et, en cas de validation, à stocker les données de pari reçues dans une mémoire principale de jeu.

The invention also provides an electronic system for validating at least one paid bet for a game, comprising:

at least one portable autonomous electronic box comprising a player interface for the introduction on the initiative of the user of the box, of bet data representative for said game of at least one bet bet associated with a preset amount of paying game units, a box memory capable of containing the bet data as well as an identifier of the box, means of rendering capable, in response to the activation of an activation member, to be rendered outside of the box, in the direction of a telephone set, acoustic restitution information containing the bet data and the box identifier and free of any indication relating to an effective payment of these bet data, and

a main validation device, comprising introduction means for introducing into the device validation information containing the identifier of the case and a prepayment indication associated with this identifier and intended for effective payment of the bet taken, means main processing units capable of delivering validation information to main memory means, main reception means connected to the main memory means and to said telephone set to receive the telephone signal containing said restitution information, the main processing means being further able to extract from the received telephone signal, the case identifier and the bet data, to validate or not the bet take thus received from the quantity of game units associated with said bet data and said indication prepayment, and, in case of validation, to store the bet data received from ns a main game memory.

According to one embodiment, the prepayment indication is a validation data representative of an available reserve of units of play and the main processing means are able to compare the quantity of game units associated with said bet data with said validation data, whether or not to validate said bet data in depending on the result of the comparison, and, in the case of validation, to store the bet data received in the main game memory and to update a new validation data associated with this box identifier from the old validation data and the quantity of game units corresponding to the bet data stored.

• au moins une station auxiliaire de validation, comportant une première interface-station apte à coopérer avec l'interface-boítier pour recevoir l'identifiant de boítier, une deuxième interface-station pour l'introduction dans la station de l'indication de prépaiement associée à ce boítier, une mémoire-station pour stocker l'indication de prépaiement et l'identifiant du boítier, une troisième interface-station reliée à un moyen de communication externe, des moyens de traitement-station aptes à délivrer à partir du contenu de la mémoire-station, ladite information de validation sur le moyen de communication externe, et
• une interface principale reliée au moyen de communication externe et aux moyens de traitement principaux pour recevoir ladite information de validation.

According to one embodiment, the case comprises an interface-case connected to the memory-case and the introduction means then comprise:

• at least one auxiliary validation station, comprising a first station interface capable of cooperating with the box interface to receive the box identifier, a second station interface for entering the associated prepayment indication into the station to this unit, a station memory for storing the prepayment indication and the unit identifier, a third station interface connected to an external communication means, station-processing means capable of delivering from the content of the memory station, said validation information on the external communication means, and
• a main interface connected to the external communication means and to the main processing means to receive said validation information.

The player interface located on the housing can be the housing interface, bet data being entered into the case via the second and first station-interfaces of an auxiliary validation station.

The player interface can also include a set of keys.

The housing advantageously includes a display for displaying bet data entered.

The housing may also preferably include a memory validation capable of containing said validation data, as well as a means of displaying the content of this validation memory. The housing then includes processing means-housing capable of update the content of the validation memory after each take of bet. It is thus possible for the player to view directly on its box the number of game units it has left.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the means of reception include at least one voice server capable of rendering in plain language to the loudspeaker of the telephone set, part of the less bet data contained in the restitution information received.

des moyens de codage aptes à délivrer, pour un bit de ladite information de restitution ayant la valeur logique "1", un signal logique ayant l'état haut pendant une première durée prédéterminée et un état bas pendant une deuxième durée prédéterminée, et pour un bit de ladite information de restitution ayant la valeur logique "0", un signal logique ayant l'état bas pendant la totalité des première et deuxième durées, et

un transducteur électro-acoustique ne délivrant aucun signal acoustique en réponse à un signal logique à l'état bas, et délivrant en réponse à un signal logique à l'état haut un signal acoustique monofréquence dont la fréquence est située sensiblement au centre de la bande passante de la ligne téléphonique.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the restitution information being made up of a plurality of bits, the restitution means comprise:

coding means capable of delivering, for a bit of said restitution information having the logic value "1", a logic signal having the high state for a first predetermined duration and a low state for a second predetermined duration, and for a bit of said restitution information having the logical value "0", a logic signal having the low state during the whole of the first and second durations, and

an electro-acoustic transducer delivering no acoustic signal in response to a logic signal in the low state, and delivering in response to a logic signal in the high state a monofrequency acoustic signal whose frequency is located substantially in the center of the band phone line busy.

However, other forms of acoustic coding are possible.

la figure 1 illustre très schématiquement un mode de réalisation d'un système selon l'invention,

la figure 2 illustre très schématiquement l'architecture interne d'un boítier autonome selon l'invention ;

la figure 3 illustre schématiquement l'une des faces d'un boítier selon l'invention ; et

les figures 4 et 5 illustrent un mode de transmission de l'information de restitution acoustique.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description of an embodiment and implementation, in no way limiting, and the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 very schematically illustrates an embodiment of a system according to the invention,

Figure 2 very schematically illustrates the internal architecture of an autonomous housing according to the invention;

Figure 3 schematically illustrates one of the faces of a housing according to the invention; and

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a mode of transmission of the acoustic restitution information.

Suppose now, although the invention is not limited thereto, that the validation system applies to wagering for a game lottery type.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the SY validation system includes a plurality of BO boxes, or portable terminals betting, of which only one of them was represented for the purpose of simplification. Each box is autonomous from the point of view power supply in particular, and has a reduced size allowing it to be easily held in one hand. Each BO box has a housing interface I1 which will be discussed in more detail below on function. This BO box is able to cooperate so acoustic with the handset of a PT telephone set connected to the network PSTN switched telephone. On this switched telephone network is also connected a main DVP validation device comprising main reception means I6 capable of receiving a telephone signal from the PT telephone set. It is also provided within this DVP device means of main MTP processing associated with at least one SV voice server and to main memory means MMP. Finally, an interface main I7 is intended to be connected by means MCO external communication, for example a dedicated link of data transmission, to a network of auxiliary stations of after-sales validation (only one being represented).

In FIG. 1, the different means constituting the device main validation were grouped within the same station main. Of course, some of these means can be materially separated and located in different places. So, it is conceivable that the vocal server SV, physically produced from classical way by software means and voice cards, connected by a data transmission link, possibly secure, using main MTP processing, also conventionally performed in software form.

The after-sales service validation station is articulated very schematically around MTS processing station resources software within a microprocessor. To these means of MTS processing are connected to a first interface station I2, suitable to cooperate, for example by electromagnetic coupling or capacitive, with the housing interface I1, a second interface station I3 for the introduction into the station of an associated validation data in the housing, a third interface station I4 connected by means of external communication MCO, as well as a memory station M5, by example a random access memory capable of containing validation information including the identifier of a box and the validation data associated, and intended to be transferred to the main device of DVP validation via the MCO communication medium.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the BO box contains means of treatment-case MTB also realized functionally under software form and incorporated within a microprocessor or microcontroller. To these MTB processing means are connected a ECR display screen, a set of keys forming a keyboard CL, a memory M1 intended to contain the housing identifier as well as bet data entered for example by the player, using the CL keyboard. Advantageously, a memory of M2 validation intended to store the quantity of game units still available for the case.

To these MTB processing mbyens are also connected MRS restitution means comprising MCS coding means functionally implemented in software and incorporated into a 4-bit microcontroller or directly incorporated within the microprocessor forming the MTB processing means. Ways also include an electro-acoustic transducer BZ, for example a buzzer, intended to transmit outside the acoustic restitution information containing the box identifier and the bet data stored in the box. These restitution means are activated by the command of an organ OG activation manual.

Figure 3 illustrates in more detail the front face of the housing of the figure 2. The ECR display screen materializing in the example describes a LOTO grid (registered trademark). CL keyboard has a number of TT keys that may be provided an IS zone for a specific registration. Some of these keys can be used to move a cursor on the display screen, while another key can be used to confirm the position of the cursor and therefore the number chosen. Finally, the OG activation organ is here materialized by a push button on which is represented a Handset.

We will now describe from the functioning of this system, an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

It is assumed here that the player has obtained the BO box from from a specialist dealer and that this BO box contains in a rewritable memory (not shown in the figures) sound identifier, for example its serial number.

To be able to play and take bets, that is to say in the case present, choose LOTO numbers, the player goes to a retailer equipped with an after-sales service validation station and cooperate its BO box with the validation device equipping this station via interfaces I1 and I2. The means of MTS processing of the service station will then, for example, extract from the rewritable memory of the case, the identifier of the latter and the transfer to M5 station memory. In addition, the player settles at detailing an amount representing a certain amount of game units Pay. For example, it provides a corresponding sum of money, either to take a bet on a multiple grid, or to several takes bet on simple grids. These indications are then introduced in the service station via the I3 interface, for example consisting of a keyboard, and are converted into validation data representative of a reserve of play units available for the case BO. This validation data is then transferred to the memory M5 to form with the housing identifier, the information of validation. This validation information is then extracted from the memory M5 by the MTS processing means and transmitted via the I4 interface, the MCO communication medium and the I7 interface at main MTP processing means of the main device validation. These then store the validation information received in the main memory means MMP.

In addition, the validation data entered in the validation and corresponding to the payment made by the player is also advantageously stored in the validation memory M2 of the case via the interfaces I1 and I2. The indication of number of game units is then advantageously displayed on the screen ECR of the case.

Later, the player decides to take a bet for the next lottery draw.

He then composes using the keys TT of the keyboard CL the numbers he chooses. It is assumed in the present case that he does not wish perform a simple grid with eight numbers, for example, whose financial value corresponds to one game unit. The numbers chosen are then stored in the memory M1 of the case and are then part bet data for this bet take. It is also possible incorporate in this bet data, the number of grids played, in the species one. The player then picks up the receiver of a set telephone, for example his own or that of a telephone booth public, and dials the call number of one of the voice servers of the main DVP validation device. When communication is established, the player places the BZ transducer against the microphone of the handset and presses the OG push button. In response to this activation, the MRS restitution means restore in the form acoustic, restitution information from the content of the memory M1, into which, for example, has been transferred the identifier of the case, and containing in addition to this identifier, the data bet.

This acoustic information travels in the form of a signal telephone to the voice server which is equipped with means of decoding of the frame thus transmitted. After decoding the information of restitution, the vocal server retransmits in clear on the line to the handset speaker and for the player, the numbers he has actually chosen. This one can then check that there is no error, these numbers unencrypted refunds authentic for the subsequent payment of winnings.

The main processing means of the main device validation determine the number of game units, i.e. in fact the amount of money, corresponding to the bet data received, in this case a game unit since there was only one grid transmitted, and verify that the reserve of game units associated with this identifier of case, and contained in the main memory means MMP, is sufficient to authorize validation of the bet data received. Yes this is the case, the data is actually stored in the means MMP main memory matching the identifier of the case and the validation data stored in the memory means main is updated, i.e. it is decremented here of a unit.

Likewise, this decrementation is advantageously also carried out by the MTB processing means of the housing so as to develop new validation data stored in memory M2 and displayed on the screen so as to indicate to the player the quantity remaining game units available.

During the official draw, if the winning numbers are those associated with the box identifier, the body can then (if the player has, during a letter to the organization, makes known its contact details) send the payment to your home.

To transmit information over the telephone line acoustic reproduction, it is particularly advantageous, in particular in order to avoid disrupting data transmission with parasitic frequencies, to use a coding of the information of restitution in the form of an acoustic barcode. Concretely, we provides MCS coding means, achievable in software form within a microcontroller. These coding means are suitable, for a bit of logical value "1" of the acoustic information transmitted, to deliver a logic signal having a high state during a first predetermined duration and a low state for a second duration predetermined. However, for a bit of logical value "0", the coding means deliver a logic signal having the low state during all of the first and second durations.

In combination, the BZ transducer will not deliver any signal acoustic in response to a logic signal in the low state, and in response to a high logic signal, will deliver an acoustic signal monofrequency whose frequency is located substantially at the center of the phone line bandwidth.

We will therefore preferably use a frequency of 2048 Hz which is also easily usable from a 4-bit microcontroller classic, since this frequency is a multiple of two. The logic signals S1 and S2 corresponding to bit codings having logic values 1 and 0 respectively, are illustrated in the figure 4. The total transmission time T of a bit is 15.625 ms, which is approximately three times the time constant of a microphone coal fitted to a telephone set. Regarding the signal S1, the duration T1 during which the logic signal is in the high state, is taken equal to 11.71875 ms, while the duration T2 is equal to 3.90652 ms.

In fact, only the mask of the signal S1 is represented for purposes of simplification in FIG. 4 and we will nevertheless speak of a high state for the signal S1 for the duration T1 although in reality, during this duration, the signal consists of a plurality of peaks at the frequency of 2048 Hz.

This transmission time of 15.625 ms, corresponding to a baud rate of 64 baud, was adopted here due to its ease of implementation. We can nevertheless choose a speed of optimal transmission between 15 baud and 16 baud, which provides a stable transmission signal given the time constant of a carbon microphone.

Data transmission takes place by sending frames successive. The reception, at the server level, is then of the type synchronous, that is to say that there is a synchronization performed on the header of each frame transmitted. This synchronization allows in particular the adjustment of reception levels by a automatic gain control, speed detection transmission, and the timing of the reception means. The setting of the reception level by an automatic gain control device allows good reception of the frames and compensates for the loss of levels due to the carbon microphone (if used), or by means amplification of a signal produced by an electronic microphone. The means for decoding the transmission frames are moreover carried out in software.

A transmission frame is illustrated in Figure 5. The duration the header of a frame is 575 ms and breaks down into a signal logic S3 in the high state for a duration T3 of 400 ms maximum, allowing automatic gain control, followed by a signal in the state low S4 for a duration T4 of 50 ms allowing the setting of means of reception of the radio frequency server and / or receiver, finally followed by a synchronization byte S5 comprising an alternation of bits 1 and bits 0 for 125 ms. S1 and / or S2 signals corresponding to the restitution information, are then transmitted.

Claims (16)

1. Method of validation of at least one prepaid bet for a game in which effected from at least one portable autonomous electronic housing, in which there is stored in a main validation device, prior to the reception of the bet, a validation information containing an identifier of the housing and an indication of prepayment associated with this identifier and intended for an effective payment of the bet, there is stored in the housing (BO) the said identifier and betting data which have been entered into the housing at the initiative of the player and which are representative, for the said game, of at least one bet associated with a pre-established quantity of prepaid game units, there is retrieved, outside of the housing and to a telephone, in response to the activation of an activation device (OG) located on the housing, an acoustic retrieval information which contains the betting data and the housing identifier and is free of any indication relating to an effective payment for these betting data, the telephone signal containing the said retrieval information is received at the main validation device (DVP), the housing identifier and the betting data are extracted from it, the bet thus received is or is not validated on the basis of the quantity of game units associated with the said betting data and of the said prepayment indication and, in the case of validation, the received betting data are stored in a main game memory (MMP) of the device.
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the prepayment indication is a validation datum representative of an available reserve of game units. and in that, on receipt of the said telephone signal, the quantity of game units associated with the said betting data is compared with the said validation datum, the said betting data are or are not validated according to the result of the comparison and, in the case of validation, the received betting data are stored in the main game memory (MMP) of the device and a new validation datum associated with this housing identifier is updated from the old validation datum and from the quantity of game units corresponding to the stored betting data.
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing is made to co-operate with at least one auxiliary validation station (SAV), the housing identifier is transferred into the station, the prepayment indication associated with this housing is entered into the station, and the said validation information is transferred from the station to the main device by an external communications means (MCO).
4. Method according to Claim 3, characterized in that the betting data are entered into the housing by the intermediary of an auxiliary validation station (SAV).
5. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the betting data are entered into the housing (BO) directly from the housing.
6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the validation information is stored in the main device (DVP) in the presence of a specific storage indication.
7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there is retrieved in clear language, to the loudspeaker of the telephone (PT), at least a portion of the betting data contained in the received retrieval information.
8. Electronic system for the validation of at least one prepaid bet for a game, comprising
      at least one portable autonomous electronic housing (BO) comprising a player-interface (CL) for entering, at the initiative of a user of the housing, betting data which are representative, for the said game, of at least one bet associated with a pre-established quantity of prepaid game units, a housing-memory (M1) capable of containing the betting data and a housing identifier, retrieval means (MRS) capable, in response to the activation of an activation device (OG), of retrieving outside of the housing, to a telephone, an acoustic retrieval information which contains the betting data and the housing identifier and is free of any indication relating to an effective payment for these betting data, and
      a main validation device (DVP), comprising means of entering (SAV) for entering into the device a validation information containing the identifier of the housing and an indication of prepayment, associated with this identifier and intended for an effective payment for the bet, main processing means (MTP) capable of delivering the validation information to main memory means (MMP), main receiving means (I6) connected to the main memory means and to the said telephone for receiving the telephone signal containing the said retrieval information, the main processing means furthermore being capable of extracting from the received telephone signal the housing identifier and the betting data, of validating or not validating the bet thus received on the basis of the quantity of game units associated with the said betting data and of the said prepayment indication and, in the case of validation, of storing the received betting data in a main game memory (MMP).
9. System according to Claim 8, characterized in that the prepayment indication is a validation datum representative of an available reserve of game units and in that the main processing means (MTP) are capable of comparing the quantity of game units associated with the said betting data with the said validation datum, of validating or not validating the said betting data according to the result of the comparison and, in the case of validation, of storing the received betting data in the main game memory (MMP) and of updating a new validation datum associated with this housing identifier from the old validation datum and from the quantity of game units corresponding to the stored betting data.
10. System according to Claim 8 or 9,
    characterized in that the housing comprises a housing-interface (I1) connected to the housing-memory and in that the means of entering comprise
       at least one auxiliary validation station (SAV), comprising a first station-interface (I2) capable of co-operating with the housing-interface (I1) for receiving the housing identifier, a second station-interface (I3) for entering into the station the prepayment indication associated with this housing, a station-memory (MS) for storing the prepayment indication and the housing identifier, a third station-interface (I4) connected to an external communications means, station-processing means (MCO) capable of delivering from the contents of the station-memory the said validation information on the external communication means, and
       a main interface (I7) connected to the external communications means and to the main processing means in order to receive the said validation information.
11. System according to Claim 10, characterized in that the player-interface situated on the housing is the housing-interface (I1).
12. System according to one of Claims 8 or 10, characterized in that the player-interface (CL) comprises a set of keys (TT).
13. System according to one of Claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the housing comprises a display (ECR) for displaying the entered betting data.
14. System according to one of Claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the housing comprises a validation memory (M2) capable of containing the said validation datum, and a means (ECR) of displaying the contents of this validation memory and in that the housing comprises housing-processing means (MTB) capable of updating the contents of the validation memory (M2) after each bet.
15. System according to one of Claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the main receiving means comprise at least one voice server (SV) capable of retrieving in clear language, to the loudspeaker of the telephone (TP), at least a portion of the betting data contained in the received retrieval information.
16. System according to one of Claims 8 to 15, characterized in that the retrieval information being constituted of a plurality of bits, the retrieval means comprise encoding means (MCS) capable of delivering, for a bit of the said retrieval information having the logic value "one", a logic signal having a high state during a first predetermined duration and a low state during a second predetermined duration, and for a bit of the said retrieval information having the logic value "zero", a logic signal having the low state during the whole of the first and second durations, and

    an electro-acoustic transducer (B2) delivering no acoustic signals in response to a logic signal in the low state, and delivering in response to a logic signal in the high state a single-frequency acoustic signal whose frequency is situated substantially in the centre of the pass band of the telephone line.

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