Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q50/00—Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
  • G06Q50/34—Betting or bookmaking, e.g. Internet betting
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
  • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
  • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
  • G07F17/3286—Type of games
  • G07F17/3288—Betting, e.g. on live events, bookmaking
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
  • A63F13/80—Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an online game service system, and more particularly to an online game service method for providing a user or customer with the opportunity to participate in a lotto game, and a system for the same.
• a variety of online games have currently been provided to the users over the Internet, for example, educational games such as typing games, arcade games such as tetris, board games such as baduk, janggi, and bingo-bingo games, Go-Stop games such as a common go-stop game and a modified go-stop game (also called a Mak-go game in Korea) adapted for only two players, poker games such as a Seven Poker, action/strategy games such as a Grand Chase, and RPGs (Roll Playing Games) such as Lineage and Laghai games, etc.
• educational games such as typing games, arcade games such as tetris, board games such as baduk, janggi, and bingo-bingo games
• Go-Stop games such as a common go-stop game and a modified go-stop game (also called a Mak-go game in Korea) adapted for only two players
• poker games such as a Seven Poker
• action/strategy games such as a Grand Chase
• RPGs Roll
• the Go- Stop games from among the aforementioned online games have been used more frequently than other online games because most general offline games can be configured in the form of online game services on the Internet, resulting in the creation of a large number of users registered as members in a corresponding server.
• a representative example of the above-described Go-Stop game service method using the Internet has been disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 2002-13650, entitled “Go-Stop game service method and system using the Internet", filed in Korean Intellectual Property Office on March 13, 2002 by inventor Seung-tack OH, and assigned to Neowiz Corporation, which is incorporated herein by reference. Referring to the Korean Patent Application No.
• the go-stop game service method and system has been designed to recompense a user who has successfully carried out a specific duty assigned for every game step for his or her successful duty, resulting in increased interest in the go-stop game.
• the lotto business widely used throughout the world to provide users or customers with lotto prize-winning opportunities reduces the number of illegal or fraudulent gambling actions, and is currently provided to people as a healthy leisure activity, such that a large number of people currently have a great interest in lotto tickets and participate in buying them.
• the lotto 6/45 service system enables a lottery customer or user to select 6 desired numbers from among 45 numbers of 1 ⁇ 45 using an OMR (Optical Mark Reader) -based game slip, and transfers selected lottery data to a central computer center (e.g., a central server) over a dedicated communication network in such a way that a lotto ticket having the selected lottery data is issued and sold.
• a central computer center e.g., a central server
• a central computer center e.g., a central server
• a central computer center e.g., a central server
• the final ranking of winners is determined by comparing the lucky number with individual lottery numbers.
• the aforementioned lotto 6/45 service system and method has been slightly modified in various ways, for example, Lotto 6/49 and Lotto 6/37 systems, etc., and has also been widely used in a plurality of countries throughout the world such that most people have experience in purchasing the lotto tickets.
• lotto X/Y service systems With the spread of a variety of lotto X/Y service systems, a variety of lotto tickets using lotto number wheels have rapidly come into wide use over the Internet, and lotto- associated services enable a user either to purchase a desired lotto ticket using a user' s mobile terminal or to directly purchase the desired lotto ticket without using the mobile terminal.
• the online game user can receive an improved online game service from an online game provider and the online game provider can also register many more users as members in a dedicated server of the provider.
• the online service system enables a user who enjoys an online go-stop game to receive a multipoint voice service and the opportunity to participate in a lotto game to increase user's pleasure
• the online game user can receive an improved online go-stop game service from an online game provider and the online game provider can also register many more users as members in a dedicated server of the provider.
• the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an online game service method and system for providing a user or customer with the opportunity to participate in a lotto game. It is another object of the present invention to provide an online go-stop game service method and system for providing a user or gamer with the opportunity to participate in a lotto game while the user or customer enjoys a multipoint online go-stop game over the Internet. It is yet object of the present invention to provide an online go-stop game service method and system for providing users or gamers with not only a multipoint realtime voice conversation service needed for increasing the gamers' pleasure, but also the opportunity to participate in a lotto game .
• a lotto-based online game service method for use in an online game service method over Internet comprising the steps of: a) randomly generating a lotto number upon receipt of a predetermined lotto number generation control signal; b) if a predetermined acquisition item appears during an online game service, displaying the acquisition item synthesized with the randomly-generated lotto number image on an online game image screen; c) storing a lotto number in a member lotto-ticket management database (DB) associated with the generated lotto number, and managing the stored lotto number using the member lotto-ticket management DB; d) if the number of lotto numbers managed by the member lotto-ticket management DB is equal to a predetermined number .
• DB member lotto-ticket management database
• the term "LOTTO" for use in the present invention indicates a specific lotto-number drawing scheme based on lotto X/Y formats such as Lotto 6/45, Lotto 6/49, and Lotto 6/37 formats.
• the specific lotto-number drawing scheme based on such Lotto X/Y formats enables a lotto-ticket purchaser to directly select X desired numbers from among y numbers using a game slip based on an OMR card.
• Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an online game service system for providing a user with the opportunity to participate in a lotto game in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
• Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an online lotto go-stop game service system provided by applying the online game service system of Fig. 1 to an online go-stop game service in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
• Fig. 3 is a detailed block diagram of each lotto- ticket service unit of Figs. 1 ⁇ 2 in accordance with the present invention
• Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an online game service system for providing a user with the opportunity to participate in a lotto game in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
• Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an online lotto go-stop game service system provided by applying the online game service system of Fig. 1 to an online go-stop game service in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
• Fig. 3 is a detailed block diagram of each lotto-
• FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an online game service method for providing a user with the opportunity to participate in a lotto game in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
• Fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an overall control method for use in the online lotto go-stop game in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
• Fig. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a sub-routine for controlling a lotto-number area marking operation of the step 110 shown in Fig. 5 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
• Fig. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a control method for changing a duplicate-marked lotto number to another number in accordance with a preferred embodiment, of the present invention
• FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a communication interface procedure between an online lotto go-stop game service device 2 and -its affiliated lotto-ticket provider 36 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
• Fig. 9 is an exemplary screen image of a homepage for use in the online lotto go-stop game service in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
• Fig. 10 is an exemplary screen image of a specific lotto card called "KoJuBOO" in Korea in accordance with the present invention
• Fig. 11 is an exemplary screen image of a game slip on which a lotto number is recorded in accordance with the present invention
• Fig. 12 is an exemplary screen image of a specific game play status where the lotto KoJuBOO card of Fig.
• Fig. 10 is displayed on the screen during an online lotto go-stop game in accordance with the present invention
• Fig. 13 is an exemplary screen image of a specific game play status where lotto poker cards are displayed on the screen during an online lotto poker game in accordance with the present invention
• Fig. 14 is an exemplary screen image of a specific game play status where lotto baduk stones are displayed on the screen during an online lotto baduk game in accordance with the present invention
• Fig. 15 is an exemplary screen image of a specific game play status where lotto janggi pieces are displayed on the screen during an online lotto janggi game in accordance with the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an online game service system for providing a user with the opportunity to participate in a lotto game in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an online lotto go-stop game service system provided by applying the online game service system of Fig.
• the aforementioned online game service system of Figs. 1 ⁇ 2 can also be called a lotto-based online game service system.
• the lotto-based online game service system includes a lotto-based online game service unit 2a accessing the Internet 4 to provide a user or customer with a specific online game service capable of providing a user with the opportunity to participate in a lotto game.
• a plurality of user terminals 6a ⁇ 6n gain access to the Internet 4.
• a user terminal 32 and a branch remote-control service unit 38 may gain access to a foreign network 30 composed of networks administered by other countries.
• the branch remote-control service unit 38 accessing the foreign network 30 can solve a variety of obstacles which may be encountered by a registered member who is staying in foreign country due to electronic commercial transactions between countries.
• the branch remote-control service unit 38 can invite a foreign user to register himself or herself as a paying member, and can enable the foreign user to receive a prize-winning amount of money from the game server in such a way that it carries out a variety of transactions and management needed for foreign users .
• the lotto-based online game service unit 2a of Fig. 1 includes an online game main server 8a, a multipoint voice chatting service unit 10 acting as an optional item, a lotto- ticket service unit 12, an input/output (I/O) unit 14, a homepage 16, a game- service unit 18, a database (DB) 20, a member DB 22, a contents DB 24, a member lotto-ticket management DB 26, a prize-winning news information DB 28, and a settlement server 29.
• the lotto-based online game service unit 2a gains access to a bank/credit card company server 34 over either the Internet or a dedicated communication network to carry out an online settlement service.
• the lotto-based online game service unit 2a is affiliated with an offline lotto-ticket provider 36 for managing the issuance of real lotto tickets, and gains access to the offline lotto-ticket provider 36 over a dedicated Internet network or other communication networks .
• the affiliated lotto-ticket provider may be an authorized lotto-ticket enterprise for entirely or locally managing the issuance of lotto tickets available for a corresponding country, or may also be a prescribed lotto-ticket store.
• An online lotto go-stop game service system of Fig. 2 is almost identical to the aforementioned lotto-based online game service system block of Fig. 1.
• the online lotto go-stop service system includes a multipoint voice chatting service unit 10, uses a lotto go-stop service unit 2 instead of using the lotto-based online game service unit 2a of Fig. 1, and uses a lotto go-stop main server 8 instead of using the online game main server 8a of Fig. 1.
• the online game main server 8a of Fig. 1 serves as a service block for controlling/administrating individual blocks contained in the lotto-based online game service unit 2a.
• the lotto go-stop main server 8 of Fig. 2 serves as a service block for controlling/administrating individual blocks contained in the lotto go-stop game service unit 2. It should be noted that the present invention selects an online go-stop game from among a variety of online games and selects the lotto 6/45 scheme from among a variety of lotto ticket implementation schemes for the convenience of description and better understanding of the present invention.
• the online go-stop game combined with the lotto 6/45 scheme will hereinafter be called an online lotto go-stop game for the convenience of description.
• a multipoint voice chatting data processor synthesizes voice data of a plurality of users participating in a voice chatting service when performing a lotto go-stop game service from among many online game services, and transmits or receives the synthesized voice data over a single bandwidth to considerably reduce an amount of voice data traffic, resulting in increased voice data processing efficiency.
• a representative example of a data coding scheme available for the multipoint voice chatting service unit 10 has been disclosed in the Korean Patent Application No. 2003-76567, entitled "DATA CODING METHOD USING FREQUENCY TRANSITION PATTERN CONVERSION", filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on October 31, 2003, proposed by the same inventor Chang-Sik KIM as the present invention, which is incorporated herein by reference.
• the aforementioned Korean Patent Application No. 2003-76567 relates to a data coding method using a frequency transition pattern conversion, controls K square-shaped input signals to be transitioned to 2K pulse frequencies, and performs a pattern conversion process to convert a parameter of source data into a simple parameter of a pulse frequency, resulting in a simplified configuration of data.
• the data coding method disclosed in the Korean Patent Application No. 2003- 76567 reduces energy spectrum density and bit rate information of original source data to compress data, considers the compressed data to be one block according to specific information indicative of pattern conversion independence, and interconnects a plurality of blocks serially or in parallel, such that it can indefinitely compress desired data.
• the aforementioned data coding method detects a prescribed frequency assigned to the compression process in association with the original source data having a predetermined pattern associated with the pulse frequency in such a way that it can decompress the original source signal. Furthermore, the aforementioned data coding method considers pattern conversion data to be one independent block in the same manner as in the compression process, and carries out data decompression operations equal to the number of serially- or parallel- connected blocks during the data compression process in such a way that it can decompress the compressed original source data.
• 2003-76567 has been designed to carry out data compression/decompression operations using a frequency transition pattern conversion operation, such that one pattern conversion data has signal characteristics and parameters quite different from those of the original source signal, resulting in a guarantee of signal independence regardless of the original source signal. Therefore, data can be efficiently compressed or decompressed, and can also be compressed or decompressed without deteriorating or damaging the original source signal, resulting in a simplified data compression/decompression algorithm.
• the multipoint voice chatting service unit 10 uses the aforementioned data coding method , receives individual voice data from a plurality of chatting participants, synthesizes the received voice data in the form of single synthesized voice data, and configures the last synthesized data transferred to individual chatting participants in the form of a single channel having a single bandwidth, such that it can considerably reduce an amount of data processing load assessed to a chatting participant's terminal. Also, the multipoint voice chatting service unit 10 can enable all the chatting participants to process their voice data over a single bandwidth, such that there is no need to limit the number of chatting participants. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the lotto-ticket service unit 12 randomly generates a lotto number during the online game service time.
• the lotto-ticket service unit 12 synthesizes the randomly-generated lotto number image with the acquisition item, displays the synthesized image on an online game screen, records the synthesized image in a predetermined DB, and manages data stored in the DB.
• the lotto-ticket service unit 12 transmits a lotto-ticket issuance request to the affiliated lotto-ticket provider 36 at intervals of a predetermined time, such that the affiliated lotto-ticket provider 36 can issue a real lotto ticket where the lotto numbers acquired by the user are recorded. If the user wins the first prize or other prizes in the lottery, the lotto-ticket service unit 12 enters a predetermined prizewinner management mode for managing/administrating prizewinners .
• Fig. 3 is a detailed block diagram of each lotto- ticket service unit 12 of Figs .
• the lotto-ticket service unit 12 includes a lotto-number generation controller 40, a random lotto-number generator 42, a lotto-number marking controller 44, and a real lotto-ticket purchase controller 46.
• the lotto-number generation controller 40 determines a total number of lotto numbers to be generated during one week and the number of lotto numbers to be generated for every day of the week. For example, it is assumed that the previous week's average income of 20% can be paid back to users in the form of a lotto-ticket issuance bonus, and the number of lotto numbers to be generated for every day varies with day and event information.
• the random lotto-number generator 42 Upon receiving a control signal from the lotto-number generation controller 40, the random lotto-number generator 42 randomly generates only one number from among 45 numbers of 1 ⁇ 45, and transmits the randomly-generated number to a game service unit 18.
• the lotto-number marking controller 44 enables a lotto number acquired by a member user (i.e., a gamer or player) during the online game to be marked on a lotto-number area contained in a game slip image of the member lotto-ticket management DB 26.
• the real lotto-ticket purchase controller 46 transmits a lotto-ticket serial number and its corresponding member information to the affiliated lotto- ticket provider 36 via a prescribed interface connected to the affiliated lotto-ticket provider at intervals of a predetermined time (e.g., one day) in such a way that the affiliated lotto-ticket provider ' 36 issues a lotto ticket associated with the received lotto-ticket serial number and its corresponding member information, and remits an amount of the issued lotto ticket to the affiliated lotto-ticket provider 36.
• a predetermined time e.g., one day
• the lotto-ticket prize-winning controller 48 determines a prizewinner upon receiving prize-winning lotto number information from an administrator or manager, such that it displays the determined prizewinner information on a predetermined homepage and transmits an E-mail message indicative of the prize-winning fact to the determined prizewinner. Also, if a prescribed condition for remitting prize money to the prizewinner is provided, the lotto-ticket prize-winning controller 48 pays the prize money by transfer of funds to an account of the prizewinner.
• the I/O unit 14 includes an input unit (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, and a scanner, etc.), a display such as an administrator's monitor, and an output unit such as a printer.
• the homepage 16 acting as an online game homepage is implemented to support a plurality of foreign languages.
• the game service unit 18 provides a user or customer with a variety of online game programs and game- associated information.
• the DB server 20 manages the member DB 22, the contents DB 24, the member lotto-ticket management DB 26, and the prize-winning news information DB 28, and can be implemented using an OODBMS (Object-Oriented DataBase Management System) or a real-time DB management system denoted by DNBS .
• the member DB 22 includes a member field for storing personal details of individual members, for example, ID (Identification) , contact phone number, E-mail address, financial details, and password information of the members.
• the member DB 22 includes a member registration field in consideration of settlement security and various conveniences.
• the contents DB 24 stores various data associated with an online game, a variety of contents, and various entertainment data, etc.
• the member lotto-ticket management DB 26 stores a variety of information associated with members having acquired their lotto numbers .
• the member lotto-ticket management DB 26 stores image information of a member's game slip on which a member name, a member ID, an E-mail address, a resident registration number, an account number, an acquired lotto serial number, and a lotto number area are recorded.
• the prize-winning news information DB 28 stores general data associated with prize- winning news and other prize-wining data associated with individual members • .
• the settlement server 29 contains a prescribed billing machine to carry out a billing operation indicative of a combination between a calculation function and a recording function. Also, the settlement server 29 is implemented with a variety of methods, for example, a Secure Electronic Transaction (SET) needed for a secure electronic commerce transaction, a layer-level encryption scheme such as a Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol, or a Public Key Intra (PKI) scheme, etc., such that it guarantees settlement security and protects information associated with the settlement from hacking.
• Fig. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the lotto- based online game service method in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig.
• a user gains access to a prescribed Web-site administered by the lotto-based online game service unit 2a using one of user terminals 6a, 6n, and 32 to enjoy a desired online game, registers himself or herself as a member in a server of the Web-site and logs in as a member of the Web-site at step SI.
• the member registration fee is determined to be free-of-charge or payment, however, it is preferable for the Web-site to be a pay-for-use site in such a way that a desired lotto online game service is provided to the user.
• the lotto-based online game service unit 2a provides the user with the desired online game at step S2, and at the same time controls a predetermined lotto number generation operation at step S3 in such a way that a lotto number is randomly generated at step S4.
• the lotto-based online game service unit 2a superimposes the acquisition item on the randomly-generated lotto-number image, displays the synthesized item image on the online game image screen, and records or marks a number area contained in a game slip image of a corresponding member in the member lotto-ticket management DB 26 associated with the generated lotto number at step S5.
• a predetermined acquisition item e.g., the KoJuBOO card of the present invention
• the lotto-based online game service unit 2a provides the user registered as a member with a lotto- ticket serial number, and transmits a lotto-ticket issuance request message composed of the lotto-ticket serial number and associated member information to the lotto-ticket provider service system 36 capable of issuing such a real lotto-ticket over a predetermined communication network at intervals of a predetermined time, such that the lotto-ticket provider service system 36 can issue a real lotto-ticket and can pay the settlement amount of money at step S6 over a prescribed interface connected to the lotto-ticket provider service system 36.
• an administrator or manager of the lotto-based online game service unit 2a enters prize-winning information indicative of the lotto-ticket prize-winning number in the Web-site, such that the lotto-based online game service unit 2a displays the prize-winning information on a homepage 16 of the Web-site and transmits an E-mail message to a corresponding prizewinner at step S7.
• the lotto-based online game service unit 2a determines if a prescribed remittance-enable condition (e.g., either one of 3rd, 4th, or 5th grades) capable of directly remitting the prize money to the prizewinner member is provided or not. If it is determined that the prescribed remittance-enable condition has been provided, the lotto-based online game service unit 2a remits the prize money to the prizewinner's account.
• a prescribed remittance-enable condition e.g., either one of 3rd, 4th, or 5th grades
• Fig. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an overall control method for use in the online lotto go-stop game in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a sub-routine for controlling a lotto-number area marking operation of the step 110 shown in Fig. 5 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a control method for changing a duplicate-marked lotto number to another number in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a communication 'interface procedure between an online lotto go- stop game service device 2 and its affiliated lotto-ticket provider 36 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 9 is an exemplary screen image of a homepage for use in the online lotto go-stop game service in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 9, a main image screen of the Website homepage includes a variety of items, for example, a log-in window, various game image icons, an official announcement item, an event window, and a lotto-ticket image icon, etc.
• the lotto-based online game service unit 2a displays a prescribed image composed of a variety of items on the screen, for example, a lotto-ticket drawing result of a previous week, prizewinner and congratulation messages, lotto news, and a current lotto-ticket accumulated prize money, etc. Operations of the online lotto go-stop game service method in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the annexed drawings.
• an online lotto go-stop game and a multipoint voice chatting service can be carried out in real-time, such that a new online go-stop game capable of the online lotto go-stop game and the real-time chatting service at the same time can be provided, resulting in increased interest in the go-stop game.
• a random lotto number is assigned to a specific card (i.e., the KoJuBOO card) while the user enjoys the online go-stop game, such that the user can seize the opportunity to acquire a lotto number from the Web-site.
• the KoJuBOO card for use in the go-stop game is assigned to a unique game function (also called "Ssang-Pee” in Korea) acting as a bonus card.
• the KoJuBOO card issued when an arbitrary lotto number is randomly generated according to the present invention is called a "lotto KoJuBOO card" capable of carrying out the Ssang-Pee function and the lotto-number function at the same time.
• the lotto go- stop main server 8 controls the DB server 20 to record user's member information in the member DB 22 in such a way that the registered user can be qualified as a receiver of a desired lotto go-stop game service at step 102 of Fig. 5.
• the user registered as a member downloads a prescribed lotto go-stop program from the online lotto go-stop game site upon receiving a control signal from the lotto go-stop main server 8, installs the downloaded lotto go-stop program in the user terminal 2k, and creates a game directory or enters a pre-opened game community in such a way that the user can enjoy the lotto go-stop game as a gamer at step 102 of Fig. 5.
• the lotto go-stop game service is carried out upon receiving a control signal from the game service unit 18.
• the lotto go-stop program is stored in the contents DB 24, and is transmitted to the user terminal 2k upon receiving a control signal from the DB server 20.
• a maximum number of users who can enjoy the online lotto go-stop game is determined to be 3 ⁇ 5.
• the number of users participating in each online lotto go- stop game is determined to be 3.
• the remaining users sell 3 users a prescribed card (e.g., Gwang card or SsangPee card) from among all their cards according to prescribed regulations of the online lotto go-stop game, and are each qualified as a game observer instead of a gamer.
• a prescribed card e.g., Gwang card or SsangPee card
• the random lotto-number generator 42 contained in the lotto-ticket service unit 12 randomly generates a lotto number upon receiving a control signal from the lotto-number generation controller 40 at step 108 of Fig. 5.
• the lotto-number generation controller 40 determines a total number of lotto numbers to be generated during one week and the number of lotto numbers to be generated for every day of the week.
• the random lotto-number generator 42 Upon receiving a control signal from the lotto-number generation controller 40, the random lotto-number generator 42 randomly generates only one number from among 45 numbers of 1 ⁇ 45, and transmits the randomly-generated number to the game service unit 18. The lotto-number random generator 42 randomly generates only one lotto number, such that it should be noted that all the KoJuBOO cards issued during one online lotto go-stop game are not always assigned to lotto numbers.
• the KoJuBOO card always appears when each gamer carries out one online lotto go-stop game, and a lotto KoJuBOO card containing a lotto number may also appear on the screen if a gamer has a fortune during the game. If the KoJuBOO card appears during the lotto go-stop game at step 106 of Fig. 5 on the condition that the predetermined lotto number has been randomly generated at step 104 of Fig. 5, the lotto go-stop main server 8 goes to step 108 of Fig. 5.
• the lotto go-stop main server 8 synthesizes the KoJuBOO card with the randomly-generated lotto number image to create a lotto KoJuBOO card, and displays the created lotto KoJuBOO card on the game image screen at step 108 of Fig. 5.
• Fig. 12 is an exemplary screen image of a specific game play status where the lotto KoJuBOO card is displayed on the screen during the online lotto go-stop game in accordance with the present invention.
• Fig. 10 is an exemplary screen image of the lotto KoJuBOO card displayed on the game image screen in accordance with the present invention. Referring to Figs.
• a lotto KoJuBOO card is configured by combining the randomly-generated lotto number "37" with the KoJuBOO card in such a way that the lotto KoJuBOO card is displayed on the game image screen.
• a prescribed joyful message such as "Wow, Lotto !” shown in Fig. 12 to be displayed on the game image screen, resulting in an increased user's pleasure.
• the lotto go-stop main server 8 controls the lotto- ticket service unit 12 to search for a number area corresponding to the acquired lotto number from among the game slip image area of the member user acquiring the lotto number, such that the lotto-ticket service unit 12 records or marks the searched number area in the member lotto-ticket management DB 26.
• Fig. 11 is an exemplary screen image area of a lotto- number marking game slip stored in the member lotto-ticket management DB 26.
• the game slip image of Fig. 11 is almost identical to an offline lotto-number record paper (also called an offline lotto-number marking paper or a game slip) . Referring to Fig. 11, the game slip image area is composed of five game areas A, B, C, D and E.
• Each game area includes 45 number areas, and also includes an automatic selection button and an automatic selection cancellation button to enable the user to freely select his or her desired lotto numbers from among 45 numbers using a manual selection or automatic selection scheme. Because of the automatic selection button and the automatic selection cancellation button, the user can also freely change a duplicate-marked lotto number to another number.
• the lotto-number area marking control operation at step 110 of Fig. 5 is carried out by the lotto-number marking controller 44, and its detailed sub-routine control operations will hereinafter be described with reference to Fig. 6. Referring to Fig.
• the lotto-number marking controller 44 determines if a current marking game area (e.g., "A" game area) contained in the game slip image area shown in Fig. 11 contains prescribed number areas marked with the acquired lotto number at step 200 of Fig. 6. If it is determined that the prescribed number areas have not been previously marked with the acquired lotto number at step 202, the lotto-number marking controller 44 selects number areas corresponding to the acquired lotto number from among current marking game areas and marks the selected number areas with the acquired lotto number at step 212 of Fig. 6, such that the number areas indicative of the lotto number "37" are marked as shown in Fig. 11.
• a current marking game area e.g., "A" game area
• the lotto-number marking controller 44 determines if the next game area (i.e., B game area) of the above marking game area contained in the game slip image area contains prescribed number areas marked with the acquired lotto number at step 204 of Fig. 6. If it is determined that the prescribed number areas have not been previously marked with the acquired lotto number at step 206, the lotto-number marking controller 44 selects number areas corresponding to the acquired lotto number from among a plurality of non-marking game areas, and marks the selected number areas in the form of black-colored lines at step 208 of Fig. 6.
• the next game area i.e., B game area
• the lotto-number marking controller 44 determines if the next game area of the B game area contains number areas marked with the acquired lotto number at step 210 of Fig. 6, and returns to step 206. In this way, if the aforementioned number area marking control operation is carried out, the double-acquired lotto numbers when one game area is not filled with 6 lotto numbers yet can be marked on the game slip without using additional operations. Therefore, the user or gamer can previously prevent an abnormal status such as a game halt state needed for a lotto-number marking change process caused by the double-acquired lotto numbers from being generated during the online game.
• the duplicate-marked lotto number change process can be carried out when the user does not participate in the online game, and its associated control routine will hereinafter be described with reference to Fig. 7.
• Fig. 7 if the user clicks on a prescribed lotto-number check button denoted by "My Lotto- number Check” disposed at a plurality of locations of a main image screen or link window contained in the Web-site homepage, the lotto-number making controller 44 contained in the lotto-ticket service unit 12 determines if the user has clicked on the prescribed lotto-number check button denoted by "My Lotto-number Check" upon receiving a control signal from the lotto go-stop main server 8 at step 300 of Fig. 7, and goes to step 302 of Fig. 7.
• the lotto-number marking controller 44 displays a corresponding member's game slip image window configured in the form of the image of Fig. 11 at step 302 of Fig. 7. Thereafter, if the user commands the lotto go-stop main server 8 to change a duplicate lotto number to another number at step 304, the lotto-ticket service unit 12 determines if a current time is in a prescribed time zone during which the duplicate lotto number can be changed to another number at step 306.
• the duplicate lotto number change request at step 304 can be recognized by the lotto- ticket service unit 12 when the user clicks on either the automatic selection button or the automatic selection cancellation button contained in the game area of the game slip image area of Fig. 11.
• the prescribed time zone capable of changing the duplicate number to another number at step 306 can be determined to be a time zone ranging from 01:00 to 23:00.
• a specific time zone ranging from 23:00 today to 01:00 tomorrow is determined to be a prescribe time zone acting as a time consumed for preparing/requesting the issuance of daily-counted lotto tickets, such that the member user cannot freely change the duplicate lotto number to another number. If it is determined that the current time is not in the prescribed time zone during which the duplicate lotto number can be changed to another number at step 306 of Fig. 7, the lotto-ticket service unit 12 prevents the duplicate lotto number from being changed to another number.
• the lotto-ticket service unit 12 determines if the user clicks on the automatic selection button or the automatic selection cancellation button at step 308. If it is determined that the user clicks on the automatic selection button at step 308, the lotto-number marking controller 44 recognizes that a current mode is an automatic selection mode, and goes to step 310 of Fig. 7, such that it randomly generates the remaining lotto numbers other than the duplicate lotto number at step 310.
• the lotto-number marking controller 44 deletes mark contents contained in the duplicate-marked number area where the same lotto number is marked two times, and marks a number area contained in a current marking game area corresponding to the new randomly-generated lotto number at step 312. However, if it is determined that the user clicks on the cancellation button needed to cancel the duplicate- marked game area at step 308, the lotto-number marking controller 44 activates a current marking game area at step 314, and goes to step 316. The lotto-number marking controller 44 determines if the user marks the activated current marking game area with his or her desired lotto number at step 316.
• the lotto-number marking controller 44 goes to step 318 of Fig. 7.
• the lotto-number marking controller 44 deletes mark contents from the above number area where the same lotto number is marked two times at step 318 of Fig. 7, selects a number area corresponding to the member-selected lotto number from among the activated current marking game area, and marks the selected number area.
• the user can freely change the duplicate-marked lotto number to another number according to an automatic or manual selection scheme. Referring back to Fig. 5, if the lotto-number area marking control operation has been carried out at step 110, the lotto go-stop main server 8 goes to step 112.
• the lotto go-stop main server 8 determines if the lotto-number marking operation associated with the game slip image area of the member lotto-ticket management DB 26 is repeated 6 times indicative of the maximum number of issuable lotto-tickets at step 112. If it is.
• the lotto go-stop main server 8 provides a main image screen or other linked windows with a prescribed message composed of a lotto-ticket serial number and a congratulation message so as .to enable the user to visually view the message, and stores a lotto-ticket serial number and the number of accumulated lotto tickets of a corresponding member user in the member lotto-ticket management DB 26.
• the lotto-ticket serial number is updated to the member lotto-ticket management DB 26 until reaching a prescribed lotto-ticket issuance request time.
• the prescribed lotto-ticket issuance request time is determined by an administrator or manager of the Web-site.
• the prescribed lotto-ticket issuance request time may be determined to be 0:00.
• the lotto-ticket request interval is determined to be 24 hours, such that 0:00 for each day is determined to be a lotto-ticket issuance request time . If a current time reaches the lotto-ticket issuance request time at step 116 of Fig. 5, the lotto go-stop main server 8 goes to step 118.
• a lotto-ticket issuance request list which contains a lotto-ticket serial number and its associated member information stored in the member lotto- ticket management DB 26 is printed by a server-dedicated printer contained in the I/O unit 14 of Fig. 2 at step 118.
• a lotto-ticket issuance request message composed of the lotto-ticket serial number and its associated member information is transmitted to the affiliated lotto-ticket provider 36 over a prescribed communication network (e.g., a dedicated Internet network) at step 118.
• the affiliated lotto-ticket provider 36 issues a real lotto-ticket using a communication interface at step 120. If the affiliated lotto-ticket provider 36 issues the real lotto-ticket, then the lotto go-stop main server 8 controls the settlement server 29 to transmit the settlement amount of money to the affiliated lotto-ticket provider 36.
• a detailed communication interface procedure between the lotto go-stop game service unit 2 and the affiliated lotto-ticket provider 36 at step 120 of Fig. 5 is shown in Fig. 8.
• the real lotto-ticket purchase control method of Fig. 8 is carried out by the real lotto-ticket purchase controller 46 of the lotto-ticket service unit 12 of Fig. 3.
• the online lotto go-stop game service unit 2 transmits a lotto-ticket issuance request message composed of a lotto- ticket serial number and its associated member information (i.e., a member ID, etc.) to the affiliated lotto-ticket provider 36 at step 402.
• the affiliated lotto- ticket provider 36 marks the received lotto-ticket serial number and associated member information configured in the form of a lotto number on a lotto-number selection paper for use in a prescribed lotto-ticket issuance device, and prints the member information on the lotto-number selection paper at step 404. If it is determined that the lotto number is marked on the lotto-number selection paper and the member information is printed on the same at step 404, a completion message is transmitted to the online lotto go-stop game service unit 2 at step 406.
• the lotto-ticket seller When a lotto-ticket seller attends a shop or store of the affiliated lotto-ticket provider 36, the lotto-ticket seller manually enters the lotto-number selection paper where the lotto number has been marked in a prescribed lotto-ticket issuance device in such a way that the lotto ticket having the marked lotto number is electronically processed and issued, resulting in the issuance of a real lotto-ticket at step 408. If the affiliated lotto-ticket provider 36 has issued the real lotto-ticket, a lotto-ticket completion message is transmitted to the online lotto go-stop game service unit 2 at step 410. In this case, the lotto-ticket completion message includes prescribed list information composed of the issued lotto ticket's serial number and its associated member information such as a member ID.
• the online lotto go-stop game service unit 2 Upon receiving a lotto-ticket issuance completion message from the affiliated lotto-ticket provider 36, the online lotto go-stop game service unit 2 determines if the received message is equal to a lotto-ticket serial number requested by the lotto-ticket issuance request message. If it is determined that the received message is equal to the lotto-ticket serial number, the online lotto go-stop game service unit 2 controls the settlement server 29 to transmit the settlement amount of money to the affiliated lotto- ticket provider 36 at step 412 of Fig. 8. The lotto go-stop main server 9 goes to step 122 of Fig. 8 after performing the step 120 of Fig. 5 as a detailed operation of Fig. 8.
• the administrator or manager of the lotto go-stop main server 8 Upon receipt of a lotto-ticket prize-winning result, the administrator or manager of the lotto go-stop main server 8 enters the lotto-ticket prize-winning information at step 122 of Fig. 8. If the lotto-ticket prize-winning information has been entered, the lotto go-stop main server 8 controls the lotto-number prize-winning controller 48 contained in the lotto-ticket service unit 12. Thereafter, upon receipt of lotto-ticket prize-winning information, the lotto-number prize-winning controller 48 determines a prizewinner from among a plurality of members using member lotto-ticket associated information stored in the member lotto-ticket management DB 26, displays a message indicative of the prizewinner on the homepage, and transmits an E-mail message to the prizewinner at step 122 of Fig. 5.
• the prizewinner having the prize-winning lotto-ticket serial number and the prize-winning news information are stored in the prize-winning news information DB 28 of Fig. 2.
• the lotto go-stop main server 8 inserts a specific information message in such an E-mail message such that the prizewinner visits a lotto-ticket provider's main office or a prescribed bank to directly receive the prize money from the main office or bank.
• the lotto go-stop main server 8 inserts a prescribed button indicative of a prize-money reception request of a corresponding member in such an E-mail message.
• Step 124 of Fig. 5 is adapted as an example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it should be noted that various modifications, additions and substitutions are made available for the present invention.
• the lotto go-stop main server 8 may allow the prizewinner to replace the prize-winning lotto-ticket with a new lotto-ticket issued for the next drawing time, instead of transmitting the prize money to the prizewinner. Otherwise, the lotto go- stop main server 8 may be implemented to select either one of the prize-money remittance service and the exchange service for replacing the drawn lotto-ticket with a lotto ticket of the next time (i.e., the next drawing) .
• the aforementioned preferred embodiment has been disclosed as a detailed example such as a lotto go-stop game, however, it should be noted that the present invention is applicable to a variety of online games on the Internet. Representative online games applicable to the present invention will hereinafter be described in detail.
• Lotto Poker game A conventional online poker game starts its operation when each user receives four cards and opens only two cards from among four cards in such a way that the Lotto Poker game starts its operation. In this case, one card for each term is additionally open to the user.
• the Lotto Poker game inserts a lotto number in the card, resulting in the acquisition of lotto numbers of a plurality of players.
• Fig. 13 is an exemplary image screen of a specific game play status where lotto poker cards are displayed on the screen during the online lotto poker game in accordance with the present invention. If a lotto number caused by the lotto poker card is acquired and six lotto numbers are combined with each other, one lotto ticket is generated.
• a card game similar to the poker game is carried out in the form of a lotto poker game.
• Lineage 2 Referring to the mug-game, the mug-game adapts a large number of users as objects. Secondly, the mug-game basically intends to grow or increase its other self (i.e., its character) in cyber space. However, the mug-game also intends to form a variety of relationships between people, for example, unity between our forces needed to war with enemy countries, an endeavor needed to develop their guilds, an action for selectively killing only a weak person from among people, self-sacrificing people who assist weak people (i.e., game beginners), etc. The aforementioned special conditions called cyberspace. anonymity intend to sufficiently reflect individuality of a master moving one character.
• the cyberspace relationship between the gamer and the people may also be extended to an offline mode if needed.
• This relationship game is called a mug- game.
• a representative example of the mug-game is a Lineage- 2 game which is the most popular online game in Korea. All the mug-games have similar game schemes and formats, such that they are designed to grow and increase their characters, buy necessary items, and carry out given quests.
• the gamer must catch a monster to increase a character level. If the gamer catches the monster, items randomly drop. In this case, a prescribed lotto number can be applied to the aforementioned case.
• the gamer acquires a typical item and at the same time catches the monster, he or she can acquire a prescribed lotto number from a prescribed game server. In this way, if the gamer acquires the lotto number during the Lineage game and combines the acquired 6 lotto numbers with each other, a single lotto ticket is configured.
• Lotto Baduk game A general online baduk game has been designed to put a plurality of babuk stones composed of white and black stones on a baduk board displayed on the screen.
• the lotto baduk game is designed to randomly insert a lotto-number image in such baduk stones, such that the lotto number randomly appears on the user's baduk stones during the baduk game.
• a gamer is determined to be a user of white baduk stones and a lotto number appears on the white baduk stones, the lotto number is automatically marked on a prescribed user information field.
• Fig. 14 is an exemplary image screen of a specific game play status where lotto baduk stones are displayed on the screen during an online lotto baduk game in accordance with the present invention.
• a lotto Oh-mok game during which one gamer uses only five white baduk stones and the other gamer uses only five black baduk stones can be carried out in a way similar to the aforementioned lotto buduk game.
• Fig. 15 is an exemplary image screen of a specific game play status where lotto janggi pieces are displayed on the screen during an online lotto janggi game in accordance with the present invention. Referring to Fig. 15, a lotto number is randomly assigned to lotto janggi stones. If the acquired 6 lotto numbers are combined with each other, a single lotto ticket is formed.
• a gamer fills a prescribed area with a variety of blocks continuously dropping from upper to lower side without generating empty space among the blocks, a general tetris game is designed to delete one line from the block-filled area contained in the prescribed area.
• a variety of items can be assigned to such blocks as shown in typical tetris games provided from a variety of game sites. The acquisition items assigned to the blocks will be described in detail: For example, if the gamer removes one line composed of corresponding items from the game image screen, the number of blocks of a counterpart gamer is increased. Also, the gamer can freely change a shape of the counterpart gamer's block to another shape if needed, and can also exchange his or her block for the counterpart gamer's block if needed.
• a lotto number is assigned to a predetermined acquisition item from among various acquisition items to remove a specific block having a lotto number from overall blocks, resulting in the acquisition of one lotto number. This lotto number is randomly assigned, and one lotto ticket is formed by combining the acquired 6 lotto numbers with each other.
• Lotto Fortress game A general fortress game enables a variety of mini-tanks to shoot their missiles at their counterpart mini-tanks in order to exhaust energy gauge bars of the counterpart mini- tanks.
• the lotto fortress game controls a helicopter to appear from the sky during the game time, and controls the helicopter to drop a prescribed item to the ground. In this case, a prescribed lotto number can be assigned to the item. Therefore, users have a great interest in the lotto fortress game to acquire the lotto number dropping from the helicopter.
• a user who has acquired the lotto number from the helicopter can insert the acquired lotto number in his or her personal information field. In this way, 6 lotto numbers are acquired from the helicopter and are combined with each other, resulting in the creation of one lotto-ticket.
• the present invention provides a user or gamer who enjoys an online game with the opportunity to participate in a lotto game, and also provides the user or gamer with a multipoint real-time voice chatting service.
• the preferred embodiments of the present invention have disclosed a variety of online games for the convenience of description, it should be noted that they are applicable to a variety of online services carried out over the Internet. In this case, game money is considered to be cyber money.
• the present invention is applicable to a variety of online games, for example, educational games such as typing games, arcade games such as tetris, board games such as baduk, janggi, and bingo- bingo games, Go-Stop games such as a common go-stop game and a modified go-stop game (also called a Mak-go game in Korea) adapted for only two players, poker games such as a Seven Poker, action/strategy games such as a Grand Chase, and RPGs (Roll Playing Games) such as Lineage and Laghaim games, etc.
• educational games such as typing games, arcade games such as tetris, board games such as baduk, janggi, and bingo- bingo games
• Go-Stop games such as a common go-stop game and a modified go-stop game (also called a Mak-go game in Korea) adapted for only two players
• poker games such as a Seven Poker
• action/strategy games such as a Grand Chase
• RPGs Roll Playing Games

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• 2003
  • 2003-11-15 KR KR1020030080864A patent/KR100433780B1/ko not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2004
  • 2004-01-29 WO PCT/KR2004/000160 patent/WO2005048150A1/en active Application Filing

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