EP1484722A1

EP1484722A1 - A method and system for providing a removable graphical interface on a mobile device

Info

Publication number: EP1484722A1
Application number: EP03394049A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mikael Nilsson; Mathias Dicklén; Magnus Adolfsson
Original assignee: Mobile Integrated Solutions Ltd
Current assignee: MOBILE INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Priority date: 2003-06-06
Filing date: 2003-06-06
Publication date: 2004-12-08

Abstract

A method and system adapted to provide for additional functionality on hand held devices is provided. The invention particularly relates to the display of a graphical user interface on a screen of a mobile or hand-held device. At least two sets of images are provided, a second set being superimposed over a first set. By enabling a user to "scratch off" the second set it is possible to reveal the first set located thereunder.

Description

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to the field of mobile telephony and in particular to wireless telecoms. Within such a field it is known for a user to use their mobile or handheld device to communicate with other users over a mobile network. With the increase in bandwidth and functionality available on the handheld devices it is becoming more common to provide additional functionality to the user. The invention particularly relates to applications such as gaming which incorporate such additional functionality.

Background to the Invention

With the growth in popularity of mobile telecommunications more and more users possess handheld devices with which they communicate over a wireless network. Traditionally, the functionality of such handheld devices was limited to the provision of voice or data transfer between two parties. With the increase in functionality and processing power available on handsets, it is becoming more common for network providers to enable users to play games on their handheld devices. The types of games that may be played may be divided into two main categories; the first relating to games whose functionality is wholly resident on the handheld device and the second which require some sort of interaction with an external host or server to initiate the game. The latter type of game has become more popular but the type of game that may be provided is limited by the available bandwidth. Examples of such a latter type of game include quiz type games where a question is communicated from a server to a remote user, who then provides a response back to the server. If the response that is received back at the server matches the correct answer, then the user is provided with a reward or prize. Such low level games are widespread and there is a desire to provide more complex type game scenarios or types.
One type of game that would be useful to be able to provide is a scratch card type game. Scratch cards are well known in the traditional art of gaming. A user purchases a card which has an opaque removable cover displaced over a plurality of images. By removing the cover, the user reveals the images below. If a certain predefined number of images match one another then the user has won the game. If the revealed images do not match in sufficient quantity then the user has lost. In the traditional paper based game, the vendor prints a certain quantity of winning games and a certain quantity of losing games. The luck of the user is defined by the card that he purchases.
Efforts have been made to extend such a game to an electronic based environment. An example of such an extension is described in WO9836809, which has the title "INTERNET SCRATCH-OFF GAME" and describes a method for presenting a scratch-off game card image on a browser connected to the internet. This document describes how an image of a scratch off card is displayed on a web page. The screen is separated into a plurality of panels having one or more alphanumeric characters or symbols. These panels are then covered by a second image, thereby obscuring them from the view of the user. The user determines whether the displayed game represents a winning game by dragging their cursor over sections of the panels, thereby revealing the images below. On revealing all the images, the browser is advised whether the scratch card just played is a winning card and the user is informed or credited accordingly. Such a system is specifically suited for the internet in that it requires repeated communication between the browser and the server providing the game. This requirement for a plurality of communication links is perfectly satisfactory for an internet application where bandwidth is dictated by the communication channels available and any communication channel established is normally robust to maintain an uplink between the server and the browser for a time period sufficient to enable completion of the game. The method is however unsuitable for extension to a wireless environment for a variety of reasons. Firstly, the functionality of such a game is provided by continual interaction between the remote user and the server hosting the game throughout the course of the game. This has a number of associated problems including the fact that the communications link may be unpredictable in the wireless environment and the browsers in the phones are very limited. Javascript and for example Macromedia Flash, tools needed to make a tasteful or graphically pleasing user interface, do not exist or are limited. Furthermore, the provision of a continual link between the remote user and server to effect the game can interrupt or obviate the possibility of the user taking advantage of other traditional functionality of the handset- such as the ability to make and receive telephone calls.
There is therefore a need to provide a system and method that will enable a playing of such scratch card type games in a mobile telecommunication network.

Object of the Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system and method that enables a provision of a "scratchable user interface" to a user on a mobile device. It is a further object of the present invention to enable a utilisation of such scratchable user interfaces to enable a user to play scratch card type games on a mobile device.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly the present invention provides a system and methodology adapted to provide for functionality that enables the provision of multiple graphical surfaces layered upon one another on the graphical user interface (GUI) of the mobile device. An upper surface is provided so as to obscure at least a portion of a lower surface such that on user interaction with the upper surface and the subsequent removal of that surface, an image provided by the lower surface below is revealed.
According to a first embodiment, the present invention provides a method of providing a scratchable image template on a screen of a mobile device, the image template being provided by a first set of images that are initially occluded by a second set of images, the second set of images being removable on application of a user input device to a region of the screen corresponding to the location of the second set of images, a removal of one or more of the second set of images revealing the corresponding one or more of the first set of images located below. In accordance with a first embodiment the method comprises the steps of:
providing from a remote server to a mobile device, upon a user request, a software application that is installable on the remote device, the software application on activation providing for the display of an image template on the screen of the mobile device,
receiving, at the remote server, a request from the mobile device for an activation code for an installed application,
providing an activation code to the mobile device, the activation code determining the image template to be displayed, a receipt of the activation code at the mobile device effecting the display of the image template.
The processing required to effect the removal of the second set of images is desirably provided locally on the mobile device.
A plurality of available image templates may be stored locally on the mobile device and are available for display, the choice of image template displayed being determined by the activation code provided by the remote server.
The type of image template that may be displayed typically differs in the number of identical images in the first image set.
The method may include an additional step, on removal of a predetermined number of images from the second set, of:
determining if a predetermined number of images on the first set are identical images, and
if a predetermined number of images are identical images displaying a winning code for the user, or
if a predetermined number of images are not identical providing an indication for the user that they are not winners.
In such an embodiment, the number of identical images that are present in the first set is typically determined by the remote server prior to sending the activation code to the mobile device, such that on removal of a predetermined number of images from the second set, an indication to the user regarding whether they have won or not can be displayed.
The indication displayed for the user confirming that they have won is desirably related to a corresponding indication identifier stored on the remote server.
In accordance with a further embodiment on removal of at least one of the second set of images, an executable program which effects a moving display on the corresponding one of the first set of images, may be executed.
The image templates are desirably representative of a type of game, and the user request for an activation code includes an identifier associated with a game type.
Desirably, the removal of the second set of images is effected by a user activated pointing device on the screen of the mobile device.
The invention also provides a system adapted to provide a scratchable image template on a screen of a mobile device, the image template being provided by a first set of images that are initially occluded by a second set of images, the second set of images being removable on application of a user input device to a region of the screen corresponding to the location of the second set of images, a removal of one or more of the second set of images revealing the corresponding one or more of the first set of images located below. The system includes a server, remotely located from the mobile device and adapted to communicate with one or more mobile devices, the server having:
means for providing from a remote server to a mobile device, upon a user request, a software application that is installable on the remote device, the software application on activation providing for the display of an image template on the screen of the mobile device,
means for receiving a request from the mobile device for an activation code for an installed application,
means for providing an activation code to the mobile device, the activation code determining the image template to be displayed, a receipt of the activation code at the mobile device effecting the display of the image template.
The processing required to effect the removal of the second set of images is provided locally on the mobile device. These and other features of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows an example of a layout that may be used on a graphical user interface of a mobile device according to the present invention,
Figure 2 shows the layout of Figure 1, utilised using exemplary imagery and partially scratched to reveal the images below the upper occluding surface,
Figure 3 is an example of a process flow according to the invention,
Figure 4 is a schematic showing the exchange of information between a server and a remote handheld device according to the present invention,
Figure 4A is a timeline showing such an exchange of information,
Figure 5 is a process flow according to an embodiment of the invention,
Figure 6 is a continuation of the process flow of Figure 5,
Figure 7 is a further continuation of the process flow of Figure 5, and
Figure 8 is an example of the type of graphical interfaces that may be provided at a remote device in accordance with further embodiments of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8.
Figure 1 shows an example of the type of playing image template 100 that may be displayed on a screen of a handheld device according to the present invention. In the example of Figure 1, the playing image template is subdivided into a plurality, 9 in this examples, sub-images or panels A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I. Each of the panels may be provided with a distinct character or symbol. The template is further provided with an additional display, J, which is used for the display of advertising material. An interactive icon, K, is also provided. Contact by the user with that icon can result in the termination of the game.
As shown in Figure 2, which is an exemplary application of the type of graphical interface that may be provided to a user, each of the sub-images may be provided with an individual representation. When the template is originally provided to the user on their handheld device, each of the panels provided by the first set of images 110 are covered or overlain with a second set of images 120. This second set is provided to occlude, from initial view, the panels provided underneath. Typically, the second set of images may include some wording indicative of the fact that the second set of panels are to be removed. In this example of Figure 2, the wording "scratch" is used. In other embodiments, the second set of images may include some imagery associated with the nature of the game being played.
For example, if the purpose of the game is to reveal a certain number of matching football personalities, then the second set will display the team logo for those personalities. In use, a user will use a stylus or some other means to interact with the screen and by moving the stylus over the second set will effect a removal of those from sight thereby revealing the panels underneath. On matching a predefined number of panels, the user is defined as a winning user or not.
It will be appreciated that the retrieval and display of a plurality of images and the enabling of a subsequent interaction by a user to enable a revealing of the panels on the first set of images requires a level of processing power on the handheld device. It also requires some interaction with a remote server so as to effect the retrieval of the specific image template, and the determination as to whether the user has won or not. The present invention addresses this communication problem by defining a number of distinct interactions between the user handheld device and the remote server providing the gaming service. This remote server may for example be a network provider or operator, or a gaming specific server accessible through a network provided number.
Figure 3 outlines a process flow for an initial interaction between a user's handheld device and a remote server to enable an installation of a game template on the remote device. In step 300, the remote server receives a request from a handheld mobile device for a specific game template. On determining the correct template, this is then provided to the user (Step 305). On receipt of the bundled software by the handheld device, it may then be installed or extracted for installation on the handheld device (Step 310). It will be appreciated that this preloading of the game onto the handheld device requires a certain level of initial interaction between the user and the remote server hosting the plurality of games. The present invention provides for the downloading of the client software to the phone or other remote wireless device in a first initial set-up step prior to initiation of any game. This can be done in a plurality of different ways such as:
a) an initial download of the game structure to a personal computer (PC) and the subsequent transfer of the software to the phone;
b) a registration by the user on a HTML page hosted on a web server through a PC and the subsequent sending by the web server of an SMS/MMS containing a URL link to the client application. The user activates the link through the phone WAP or HTML browser, and the client application is downloaded and installed;
c) a code is presented in an advertisement in any media (for example a magazine), and the user is advised to send in a SMS/MMS to a specific telephone number. The receiving end will then send the link in an SMS/MMS to the user which can be used to download and install the client application;
d) using a simple embedded WAP/HTML browser and a URL link to a specific website, the client application can be downloaded and installed.
It will be further appreciated that the necessary software application required to effect a processing of the templates could alternatively be pre-installed on the mobile device at the time of manufacture. In such instances it will be appreciated that the remote server providing the application will probably be different to that server that will be used in subsequent interactions initiated by the mobile device to request an authentication or activation code ( more details below). It will be further understood that the term "server" is not intended to be limited to a single machine as any collection or network of servers could equally be used to effect the necessary processing.
Once a game template has been installed on a handheld device the user may make one or more subsequent interactions with the remote server to activate specific games. Figure 4 shows an example of the type of interaction that is provided by the system of the present invention. A remote user 200 decides that he wishes to play a game. He contacts the game provider 205 over a standard telephone communication link, typically by means of a data message such as SMS or the like. As part of the initial communication link, the game provider 205 can determine a user specific identifier such as the user MSISDN and therefore can associate the request with a specific user. The game provider then provides a randomly generated code back to the user, again using a data communication channel. This randomly generated code will be used to effect the display of the requested game. As the code is reliant on SMS technology, it is limited to the number of characters that may be displayed. The code is server generated as one or two types of code, a winning or losing code. It will be appreciated therefore that the server "knows" at the time of dispatch of the code to the remote device that the code will activate a winning or losing game. A typical time line showing the processing conducted and sequence of same is shown in Figure 4A. As will be evident from an inspection of this Figure, the present invention provides for the allocation of processing resources at both the remote device and the central server. Prior to the server sending the requested activation codes to the user, the server has determined that those codes are related to a winning game.
Figure 5 is an example of the flow sequence that occurs during such an interaction. In step 501, the user sends via an SMS type message a request for a specific game that has been previously preloaded onto their handheld device. If the user has two or more games preloaded on the device, the remote server can interpret from the SMS message which exact game is requested. The user then receives back from the server a server generated SMS that includes a code relevant to the specific requested game (Step 502). In step 503, the returned code is used to generate a lottery ticket (lot). The generation of a lottery ticket is effected at the client side and is generated using the details of the SMS message that was sent from the server application. The client side application receives the SMS signal from the Operating System (OS) in the phone and can, from an interrogation of the SMS message, determine or generate two codes (a first code being a lottery generation code and the second code to be used as a lottery number), from the OS. The generation of the lottery ticket is made automatically by the client in the phone guided by the generation code sent in the SMS. On generation of the lottery code, the process flow proceeds to the steps shown in Figure 6 (Step 504).
Step 604 shows the linking of the steps of Figure 5 to Figure 6. On generation of a lottery ticket, the handheld device retrieves and hides the first set of images specific for the requested game (Step 611)-the background images. Each of the background images are associated with parameters equivalent to their position or area coordinates. These images are overlain with the second set of images (Step 612)- the foreground images- and are displayed on the screen for subsequent user interaction. In accordance with techniques well known to those skilled in the art, the handheld device can react to the movement of a cursor, pen, jog knob, stylus or any other suitable point input means, and record the pixel position within the template where the user has pointed their cursor (Step 603). By determining where the user has pointed the cursor the device can then exchange the scratched off pixels from the second set of images with their corresponding first set of images (Step 613). This can be done on a per panel basis. The handheld device is further adapted to determine the percentage of each panel that has been scratched off (Step 614) and only to reveal the displayed image when a predetermined percentage has been removed (Step 615). Such a visual reaction to the movement of the stylus or other pointing device is achieved by exchanging every pixel on the screen which is touched by the stylus with a corresponding pixel in the background picture.
On determining that the predetermined amount of the panel has been removed, the system is adapted to effect the initiation of an assessment process, which will be further detailed with reference to Figure 7 (Step 615).
As shown in Figure 7, once the system has determined that a predetermined amount of a first panel has been removed, it then checks to ascertain whether more panels have been cleared. In a preferred embodiment, the number of panels that need to be cleared is at least three (Step 701). On determining that at least three panels have been cleared, each of the panels that have been revealed are examined to see whether they match the other revealed panels. If three matches ( for example) are determined then the user is defined a winner (Step 703). If less than three matches are determined but there are no remaining panels to be cleared, then the user is defined a loser (Step 704), and the process is terminated (Step 707). If less than three matches are determined, but there are remaining panels that could be cleared then the user is allowed to proceed upto all panels are cleared (Step 702). On clearing all panels, the final decision is then made as to whether a user is determined a winner or loser.
On determining whether the user as being a winning user, a user winning code is extracted from the SMS message (Step 705). As mentioned above, the actual randomising of the winning codes is calculated by the server. The SMS message contains a code that the client application presents to the user when the user has won. The user is instructed to use this code to get his/her reward/prize. When the user presents this code to the lottery owner or his personnel the code is used as a lottery number, to keep track of winning lots.
The calculated winning code is then displayed for the user (Step 706).This display of a lottery number may be used to keep track of prize deliveries. The user can use this winning code to retrieve their prize. It will be appreciated that the prize may be provided in one or more of a plurality of different ways such as a cash credit to an account associated with the user or the physical collection of a prize from a retail outlet or some other suitable establishment. The program is then terminated.
It will be appreciated that the system and methodology of the present invention has been described with reference to a specific gaming application but that the application of the technique extends beyond same. For example the method of revealing a hidden picture or symbol to launch a function, picture or video can be used in any one of a number of applications and is well suited for different types of computer games to those described here. It could also be used for security purposes where certain cells of calculation sheets are hidden and can only be reviewed by those parties having been previously authorised.
It will be appreciated that according to the present invention much of the technology required to implement or activate a game is provided in the initial software that is installed on the handheld device. The subsequent interaction between the device and the remote server is simply the retrieval of codes that may be used to activate pre-stored templates which are resident on the handheld device. As such it may be possible to generate the same layout twice- however this is not a duplication of the game as the game is the discovery of the imagery below, not the actual layout. The delivered SMS code from the server to the remote device may include additional parameters to that of the generating code needed to activate the game. Examples of use of such additional parameters include date stamping, the provision of a generated winning code that needs to be returned to the server to enable a retrieval of the prize and the like. It will be appreciated that in preferred embodiments communications between the server and the remote device may be effected in an encrypted form so as to obviate the possibility of these being intercepted by persons of unscrupulous nature.
It will be further appreciated that the present invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, namely the provision of a scratch card type game on a remote handheld mobile device. Such an embodiment is exemplary of the type of application that may be used for the scratchable graphical interface of the present invention. Examples of other type of applications that may be used include the provision of coupons or the like by supermarkets to their customers, the provision of video imagery below the first screen such that the scratching of the overlay effects the running of the video imagery and the provision of bingo type games.
Figure 8 shows an example of the extension of the method of the present invention to the provision of a bingo type game. In such an embodiment, the user is capable of downloading a scratch bingo "card" 800, which includes a "calling table" 810, with a series of numbers which are initially hidden, and one or more bingo trays 820. The user then scratches of the surface of the "calling table", in a manner similar to that discussed above, and discovers the hidden number. Then the user scratches the corresponding number on the bingo tray. In the traditional manner of winning in bingo, if the user manages to scratch 3, 5, or 7 in a row or just have the same characters/pictures and so forth he is a winner. It will be understood that the system has pre-determined prior to providing the user with the graphical interface whether that user is a winner or not. Similarly to that described above, once the user has cleared the "calling table" and equated the symbols provided thereon with those on their bingo trays then the system issues a winning code etc..
A example of video application could be a "video present" where a loyal customer get a "scratch video" file. The customer starts the file and sees a small video clip with for example a cartoon character saying " You have a surprise discount on a secret product, just scratch me to see what it is" . The video clip repeats itself continuously to the point where the user scratches more then for example 60 % of the video surface, finding the secret product discount. The underlying "surface" can also be a video clip. The provision of a dual set of images, with one being initially occluded by the second is, as will be appreciated, be the same as that of the first described embodiments; differing only in the nature in which the images are provided.
It will be further appreciated that the type of interaction between the device and the remote server has been described with reference to SMS type messages. It will be understood that with the developments in mobile networks that the use of GPRS or similar technologies with their increased bandwidth may enable the provision of additional data between the two entities during subsequent interactions. Examples of such additional data may include, for example, additional templates and the like. If such embodiments are utilised then the activation of a game may be achieved by the downloading of a new template for that game type- such that the possibility of a user playing the same game twice on the same device is obviated.
It will be appreciated that hereinbefore has been described a system and methodology for providing additional functionality on mobile devices. It is not intended that the application of the system be limited in any way except as may be deemed necessary in the light of the appended claims.
It will be further understood that the words "comprises/comprising" and the words "having/including" when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims

A method of providing a scratchable image template on a screen of a mobile device, the image template being provided by a first set of images that are initially occluded by a second set of images, the second set of images being removable on application of a user input device to a region of the screen corresponding to the location of the second set of images, a removal of one or more of the second set of images revealing the corresponding one or more of the first set of images located below, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing from a remote server to a mobile device, upon a user request, a software application that is installable on the remote device, the software application on activation providing for the display of an image template on the screen of the mobile device,

b) receiving, at a remote server, a request from the mobile device for an activation code for an installed application,

c) providing an activation code to the mobile device, the activation code determining the image template to be displayed, a receipt of the activation code at the mobile device effecting the display of the image template, and

wherein the processing required to effect the removal of the second set of images is provided locally on the mobile device.
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein a plurality of available image templates are stored locally on the mobile device and are available for display, the choice of image template displayed being determined by the activation code provided by the remote server.
The method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the type of image template that may be displayed differs in the number of identical images in the first image set.
The method as claimed in claim 3 further comprising the additional step, on removal of a predetermined number of images from the second set, of:

a) determining if a predetermined number of images on the first set are identical images, and

b) if a predetermined number of images are identical images displaying a winning code for the user, or

c) if a predetermined number of images are not identical providing an indication for the user that they are not winners.
The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the number of identical images that are present in the first set is determined by the remote server prior to sending the activation code to the mobile device, such that on removal of a predetermined number of images from the second set, an indication to the user regarding whether they have won or not can be displayed.
The method as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein the indication displayed for the user confirming that they have won is related to a corresponding indication identifier stored on the remote server.
The method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein on removal of at least one of the second set of images, an executable program which effects a moving display on the corresponding one of the first set of images, is executed.
The method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the image templates are representative of a type of game, and the user request for an activation code includes an identifier associated with a game type.
The method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the removal of the second set of images is effected by a user activated pointing device on the screen of the mobile device.
The method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the steps of providing the software application and the processing of the request for an activation code are provided by the same remote server.
A system adapted to provide a scratchable image template on a screen of a mobile device, the image template being provided by a first set of images that are initially occluded by a second set of images, the second set of images being removable on application of a user input device to a region of the screen corresponding to the location of the second set of images, a removal of one or more of the second set of images revealing the corresponding one or more of the first set of images located below, the system including a server, remotely located from the mobile device, and having:

a) means for providing from a remote server to a mobile device, upon a user request, a software application that is installable on the remote device, the software application on activation providing for the display of an image template on the screen of the mobile device,

b) means for receiving a request from the mobile device for an activation code for an installed application,

c) means for providing an activation code to the mobile device, the activation code determining the image template to be displayed, a receipt of the activation code at the mobile device effecting the display of the image template, and

wherein the processing required to effect the removal of the second set of images is provided locally on the mobile device.