GB2385489A

GB2385489A - Question and answer game played over a communications link

Info

Publication number: GB2385489A
Application number: GB0203393A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Merin Erkman
Original assignee: PLATONICA INTERNAT Ltd
Current assignee: PLATONICA INTERNAT Ltd
Priority date: 2002-02-13
Filing date: 2002-02-13
Publication date: 2003-08-20
Also published as: GB0203393D0; WO2003068325A3; AU2003209973A1; WO2003068325A2; AU2003209973A8

Abstract

A text-based question and answer game to stimulate the use of services such as short message service (SMS) or wireless application protocol (WAP). A computing means adapted to receive and transmit short message service receives a first signal containing information related to a first user 16 and a second user 18. The computing means 14 transmits a signal containing questions to both users 16, 18, receives reply signals containing answers from both users 16, 18, compares the answers in the replies and sends a signal containing the results of the comparison to at least one of the users. Preferably, the first signal is either delivered via SMS or is provided to the computing means via a suitable WAP portal. Subsequent signals are preferably sent via SMS but if an answer from a user is sent via WAP, subsequent questions to that user will be sent via a WAP page. Email or suitable web interfaces may also be used and the communication network may be a mobile telephone network or the internet. In a preferred embodiment, a first user 16 can challenge a second user 18 to a variety of text-based games, by transmitting the first signal which contains the identities of the first and second users and preferably also a category of question, e.g. general knowledge, sport, dating. The computing means 14 sends an invitation to play to the second user 18 and then sends questions to both users 16, 18 once the invitation is accepted. For example, in a dating quiz, the users' answers to multiple choice questions may be compared to indicate percentage compatibility, with a score of 100% resulting in a dinner invitation. May user SMS, WAP enabled phones, PDAs, 3G handsets etc.

Description

GAME FOR PLAYING OVER A COMMUNICATIONS LINK The present invention relates to a game for playing over a communications link, especially (but not exclusively) a wireless communications link. It aims to stimulate the use of wireless services as such as the Short Messaging Service (SMS) or Wireless Application Protocol (WAP).

SMS or'text messages'are widely used in mobile telephony services and consist of a messaging protocol in which a limited length text message can be sent from one mobile telephone on a network to another. Text messaging has proved to be extremely popular, particularly in European markets, and is now an important source of revenue for network providers.

WAP is a protocol to allow limited internet access from mobile telephones, to WAP-enabled websites, but has been less successful primarily due to the limited bandwidth available and the limited display facilities available on current telephone handsets. In addition, the range of WAP-enabled websites which a user will generally want to view whilst on the move is somewhat limited.

An application which stimulated the use of SMS services and/or provided a motivation to use WAP services would stimulate the use of the network and increase revenue for network providers. The present invention seeks to provide such application.

The present invention therefore provides an operating method for a communications network, including a computing means connected therewith and adapted to receive and transmit short message service signals, wherein the computing means is adapted to receive a first signal containing information related to a first user and a second user, to transmit a signal to both users containing questions, to receive reply signals from both users containing answers, to compare the answers in the reply signals, and to send a signal containing the results of that comparison to at least one of the users.

It is preferred that both users receive the results, but the system could still be implemented in a viable form with only the first or second user receiving the results.

The various signals can be transmitted over a mobile telephony network, preferably via the SMS protocol or via WAP. In a preferred arrangement, the first signal is either delivered via SMS or is provided to the computing means via a suitable WAP portal, and subsequent signals are via SMS.

It is preferred that the users can choose categories of questions. In this case, the choice of categories is preferably included in the first signal.

The invention also provides a computing means attached to a communications network and adapted to carry out a method as defined above, and a software programme which when loaded on a suitable computing means will cause it to carry out such a method.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a mobile telephony network used in the present invention.

The present invention provides a semi-competitive game for the amusement of users of the mobile telephony network. According to the invention, one user can challenge another to one of a variety of text-based games. It is envisaged that the games will be themed such that they could have a general knowledge, sporting or dating theme, and thus users can challenge their friends, colleagues, boyfriend, girlfriend etc. Suitable categories include the current or past composition or performance of particular sporting teams, memories of joint events such as first dates, preferences of third parties or the like. In the datingthemed games, categories could include "How well do you know your lover", "How was your first date"and the like.

To operate the system, the first system sends an SMS message to a designated number in a set format, stating the mobile telephone number to a second user and identifying the category. The system then sends the same set of multiple choice questions to both users who answer via SMS or WAP. The system then calculates the compatibility between the users from the answers.

For example, if 4 questions are sent to both users and the first user answers 1, 2,1, 4 and the second users answers 2,2, 1,3 then the system reports 50% compatibility. This result is sent to both users.

The system can also recognise certain commands from the users to personalise the game further. For example, the first user can include codes or commands to personalise the result message. This would allow a 100% score to be rewarded with an invitation to dinner, for example.

Referring to Figure 1, this shows in schematic form the apparatus required in the form of a mobile telephony network. The network itself comprises a number

of receiver/transmitter masts 10 which are linked via data communication lines 12. A server 14 is connected to the network and runs the necessary software to execute the game. A first user has a handset 16 communicating with one of the masts 10a whilst a second user has a handset 18 communicating with a second mast 10b. The initial SMS message is transmitted by handset 16 to mast 10a and then via the data channel 12 to the server 14. This then generates a pair of second SMS messages which are delivered via the data channel 12 to masts 10a and 10b and then to handsets 16,18. Replies arrive from each handset 16, 18 via masts 10a, 10b and the data channel 12 to the server 14, which then performs the necessary comparison and delivers a final SMS message to each handset 16,18 via the data channel 12 and masts 10a, 10b respectively.

A sample set of rules might be as follows : GENERAL RULES 1. In the question database there may be as many questions as desired (of course not less than 3). Initially, will have 3 subjects (love, date, sex), each 30 questions.

2. The application will (randomly) choose any three questions from selected subjects.

3. The game is started if and only if the first message is correct regarding the keyword and the mobile number format.

SMS VERSION User A invites User B for Compatibility Test by sending a love or date or sex key words message to the specified number.

If the message is correct (i. e. both any word starting with correct initial for the keyword and the mobile number of B fit the format), the game will start.

The application sends a message to A saying that the invitation is sent to B, and sends the invitation message to B.

If B replies with anything except No, the application will send the first question to both A and B.

If the players reply with the same answer (even if they send the same couple of letters instead of the answer number, the answers are accepted to be the same), then the application will increase the number of the SAME answers.

This process will go on until the answers of the 3rd question are received. The application will finalize the test by sending the result message to the players.

WAP VERSION The general rule for the WAP version is that, if the application receives the answer via WAP the next question is sent back as a WAP page, not SMS. This logic will decrease the number of short messages generated by the application.

Scenario 1 User A has a WAP enabled mobile, whilst user B has a standard mobile.

User A selects one of the compatibility tests from the WAP page and enters the mobile number of B.

The application will inform A via a WAP page, telling that the message is sent to B, and sends a short message to B.

If B replies with anything except No, the application will send the first question via SMS to both A and B.

After that point, if A sends the answers via WAP, then they will receive the questions via a WAP page; otherwise, the questions are sent as short messages. On the other hand, all of the responses sent to B as short messages.

The result message is sent to both players as short messages.

Scenario 2 Both A & B have WAP enabled mobiles.

User A selects the compatibility test from the WAP page and enters the mobile number of B.

If B chooses to reply (within a WAP page), the application will send the first question via SMS to A and via WAP page to B.

After that point, if the users send the answers via WAP, then will receive the questions via WAP page; otherwise, the questions are sent as short messages.

The result message is sent to both players as short messages.

Variations on the above specific embodiments are of course possible. The above example is conducted mainly by SMS messages as these are the

preferred form of text communication in many jurisdictions. However, a WAPenabled version could be possible, with one handset 16 accessing the server 14 via a WAP interface and entering the mobile telephone numbers, identities, and the selections etc. as required via a WAP interface. Subsequent data transmission could be via SMS messages as before or via a further customdesigned WAP interface. Invitations to access the WAP interface could be sent by SMS if desired. Alternatively, the one or more of the messages could be sent via electronic mail and or a web interface (WAP or otherwise). In a mobile version, the initial message could be via email with subsequent messages being transmitted via SMS. Alternatively, the game could be provided via the web, mobile or otherwise, with messages passing via email or via suitable web interfaces.

Likewise, the application refers to handsets but an SMS or WAP-enabled version could communication with other portable devices such as PDAs, 3G handsets or the like.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An operating method for a communications network, including a computing means connected therewith and adapted to receive and transmit short message service signals, wherein the computing means is adapted to receive a first signal containing information related to a first user and a second user, to transmit a signal to both users containing questions, to receive reply signals from both users containing answers, to compare the answers in the reply signals, and to send a signal containing the results of that comparison to at least one of the users.
2. An operating method according to Claim 1 in which both users receive the results.
3. An operating method according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the signals are transmitted over a mobile telephony network.
4. An operating method according to Claim 3 in which the signals are transmitted via SMS or WAP.
5. An operating method according to Claim 4 in which the first signal is provided to the computing means via a WAP portal and subsequent signals are via SMS.
6. An operating method according to any one of the preceding claims in which users can choose categories of questions.
7. An operating method according to Claim 6 in which the selected category is included in the first signal.

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8. An operating method according to Claim 1 in which the communications network is the Internet.
9. An operating method substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying figures.
10. A computing means attached to a communications network and adapted to carry out the method of any one of the preceding claims.
11. A software programme which when loaded on a suitable computing means will cause it to carry out the method of any one of Claims 1 to 9.