WO2008056390A2 - Method and system for processing and transmitting data - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for processing and transmitting data based upon sequences of characters associates predetermined symbols of a predetermined type with predetermined sequences of characters, displays such symbols and ensures that such symbols are selected by a player, the symbols being converted into corresponding characters, transmitted towards a centralised receiver body and compared with an drawn sequence of characters so as to work out whether the selected characters and those drawn, to generate a response towards the player. The invention also concerns a system for processing and transmitting data based upon sequences of characters in support of the method described above.

Description

Method and system for processing and transmitting data

The present invention refers to a method and relative system for processing and transmitting data, in particular for processing following acquisition of data based upon sequences of characters and receiving outcomes of such data in which, even more specifically, such data is relative to games based upon sequences of numerical characters.

The following description refers to the Italian lotto game as an example of a game based upon sequences of numerical characters, with the sole purpose of simplifying the presentation of the invention and without intending to limit in any way.

As is well known, the lotto game is and always has been played at authorised sales outlets spread over the national territory; a person wanting to play, who we shall call the "player", goes to one of the authorised sales outlets located within the national territory.

The player, in order to activate a game, specifies the following parameters. the selected numbers, from a minimum of one to a maximum of ten; at least one combination or a set of combinations selecting from number drawn, number drawn in a specific position, set of two, set of three, set of four and set of five; the amount to be played, known as stake, which must be between € 1 and € 200; the fractioning of the stake over the selected combinations.

The wheel or the wheels selected from the 11 wheels available. The game transaction is activated by the employee of the agency upon receiving the instructions specified above entered by the player vocally or through a game slip; the transaction allows the game data to be transmitted to a centralised receiver body.

Following the successful transmission to the centralised agency, the employee of the agency issues a receipt of the game played, which is also the document needed in order to collect a possible win.

The draw takes place in a way defined as "instant" for the "instant lottery lotto" or at a later time (currently three times per week) for the conventional lotto game.

Once the draw has taken place (carried out at or in any case by the centralised body), the results are sent out over the territory through the game receipt itself in the case of the Instant lotto, or, in the case of a lotto at a later time, through suitable bulletins and notices in public places or published in the newspapers, or transmitted through the available means of communication.

In all cases it is up to the player to check whether they have won and to ask for the possible payment of the prize.

There is also the possibility, even if it is of limited use, of collecting games by telephone; in this case the transaction is activated by the player and collected by the telephone system involved, which replace the aforementioned authorised sales outlet.

Current games technology in Italy for playing the lotto game are based upon an online real time computer system that through a network of about 40 thousand terminals collects the games of about 35 thousand sales outlets uniformly spread over the territory.

However, the conventional lotto game in Italy is thought of as an old and outdated game, particularly by the younger public; indeed, it has not taken on the new technologies available and does not seem able to follow a generation shift.

Access to the game is limited to authorised sales outlets (apart from the aforementioned little-used collection of data by telephone) and it does not meet the needs of a public that increasingly values being able to use services via internet and/or mobile telephone that can be accessed directly from locations that are visited in daily life.

Moreover, whereas a real time system is used to receive games, the draws are spread out over time (one or more per week), for which reason the waiting time for the outcome of the games is relatively long. The instant

Lotto, which should have fulfilled this need, however, can only be used in the authorised sales outlet and not by telephone or internet, and therefore there is a logistic barrier to access to the game.

• On the other hand, other instant play systems have spread, like so- called "scratchcards", "slot machines" etc., which are perceived to be more captivating by a wide spectrum of the public substantially distributed over all age groups.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method and relative system for processing and transmitting data onto games based upon sequences of characters, improved in terms of spread over the territory and of time and mode of communication between the players and the receiver body, in order to contribute to eliminating the problems outlined above. A further purpose is to make the game easier to understand and more captivating also for the new generations, by speeding up the processes of drawing and transmitting the results through new transmission means. The technical problem is solved by a method for processing and transmitting data based upon sequences of characters characterised by the steps of:

(a) Associating predetermined symbols of a predetermined type with predetermined sequences of characters;

(b) thereafter displaying the symbols on suitable display supports;

(c) selection by a source, of at least one symbol in the sequence of symbols, the at least one symbol being converted (d) into the corresponding sequence of characters, and the sequence of characters being transmitted (e), through transmission means, towards a prearranged destination together with an draw request,

(f) drawing of the winning characters at and/or performed by the destination;

(g) comparing the drawn characters with the characters received from the source;

(h) converting the winning characters into symbols of the same type as those received from the source;

(i) transmitting the symbols towards the source to display them (I). The object of the invention is also a system for processing and transmitting data based upon sequences of characters characterised in that it comprises:

- a source suitable for selecting sequences of symbolic data, associated with predetermined sequences of characters.

- first processing means suitable for receiving said sequences of symbolic data selected by said source and converting them into data in character form;

- first transmission means, towards a destination, of said data in character form,

- second processing means suitable for receiving sequences of data in character form and converting them back into symbolic data;

- second transmission means, towards said source, of said data in character form.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention shall become clearer from the description, made hereafter, of an example embodiment thereof given for indicating and not limiting purposes with reference to the attached drawings, in which: figure 1 shows a general scheme of the system according to the invention figure 2 shows a state diagram of the method according to the invention. figure 3 shows an example of a game with symbols according to the invention.

According to the invention it is foreseen to transmit symbolic data for playing the lotto game (or more generically for other games based upon sequences of characters) in instant form, according to the method described in figure 1 and exploiting the system as illustrated in figure 2.

Nevertheless, the system and method can also be applied to transmissions of symbolic data in playing the conventional lotto game. The system of figure 1 comprises two main subjects: a source (the player) which is the person that interacts with the point of access to the games. a destination (the receiver) which is the centralised body that handles the collection of each game played by the players over the entire national territory.

Therefore, in relation both to the system and to the method, the source can place a bet, according to the invention, by exploiting suitable automated means such as:

• Personal computers connected to internet equipped with suitable applications of the games available;

• Suitably configured self-service terminals authorised to provide games as well as being able to be used for other functions.

• Dedicated games terminals, connected to the network of the centralised body.

• Cellular telephones in use by the public equipped with specific application programs in order to be able to access the games.

• Portable devices that use one or more technologies from GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, for example smart phone or palmtops.

According to the invention, the data is processed by first processing means so that the symbolic data inserted by the player is converted into the corresponding predetermined sequences of characters. Processing takes place thanks to dedicated applications contained in the automated means. The processed data is then transmitted to the destination by exploiting suitable transmission means indicated hereafter as first and second transmission means.

According to the invention, such transmission means allow the source's game to pass to the destination by exploiting new, fast and advanced technologies. The physical supports of such technologies comprise fixed telephone networks, which exploit the conventional internet connection, public networks like ATM banking networks, mobile telephone networks that exploit text messages from radiomobile telephone (SMS), or connectionless computer networks with GSM, GPRS, EDGE or UMTS technologies or other similar or derivative ones.

By exploiting the aforementioned physical communication supports it is possible to understand the different steps for processing and transmitting data characteristic of the invention, as described hereafter with reference to figure 2.

A sequence of symbols of a certain type is associated (step (a)) with a predetermined sequence of characters, in particular numerical characters, like for example the specific ones of the lotto game; the association between symbols and characters in the lotto game, to constitute a new game with a different visual approach, is called symbolic lotto.

The game is simplified thanks to the adoption of a different way of indicating the bets and of a different way of indicating the results as well as through the use of different forms of interactive entertainment combined with the procedures that characterise playing the lotto game and the communication of the results of the draws, allowing the games themselves to be transformed into interfaces for playing the lotto game, whilst the games still do not have any connection with the conventional lotto game clear for the player. According to the invention, "metagames" are used, in other words games based upon other games, capable of having the player play the lotto game upon different bases to the conventional lotto game. In other words, the player plays the lotto game in the form of a different game, through processes of switching the combinations drawn in the lotto game as a result of the game played.

Therefore, it starts from a precise way of playing the lotto game to build a family of games capable of providing differentiated sensorial stimuli: a person playing the derivative game may not have the slightest idea of the rules of the lotto game and if suitably attracted he might have the stimulus to take part in the philosophy of the lotto game.

The symbols are suitably displayed (step (b)) through display means so as to provide the player with a simplified interface of the rules of the Italian lotto game and to allow the "public gaming" system to be integrated with sensorial stimuli also capable of entertaining the public.

Displaying takes place through computer/mobile telephone etc. connected to internet or network or self-service terminals located in the home or at various types of commercial buildings or at authorised sales outlets.

The symbolic lotto gives the interactive player the chance to play the conventional lotto game by indicating, instead of set numbers, stakes and combinations, one or more symbols, (step (c)) combined with the 90 numbers of the lotto game representative of numbers or groups of numbers, in predetermined gaming strategies by the association between symbols and sequence of characters of step (a)

The selected symbols are converted (step (d)) into the corresponding characters; the conversion takes place in specific application programs linked to the game used. Thereafter, the selected symbols are transmitted (step

(e)), through the first transmission means, already described, towards the centralised body that handles the draw (step (f)) of the winning numbers.

The system is also able to promote new forms of commercial activity at mass distribution outlets, such as bars, restaurants, waiting and entertainment sites, the managers of which can procure the instruments described above

(computers, telephones, dedicated terminals) allowing the clients to approach the lotto game in its new symbolic lotto form.

Moreover, the simplification and consequent speeding up of the step of accessing the game can trigger a sequential repetition mechanism of playing the instant lottery.

The centralised receiver body handles (step (e)) the drawing of the winning characters and, thereafter (step (f)) the comparison between the symbols played, received from the players through the transmission means, and the characters drawn. These characters are then converted into symbols of the same type as those received from the source in step (e). Through suitable second transmission means, the symbols drawn are transmitted (step (g)) to the terminal where the player is located, this being the terminal on which they are displayed (step (I)).

The player shall gain winnings if the bets generated by the symbols are winners.

With the method and the system according to the invention, with respect to conventional games like the lotto game, the following features are advantageously developed:

• combination of entertainment with money betting

• repeatability of the game

• ease of access to the game

A type of symbolic lotto shall now be described, as an example, also highlighting its probabilities and appearance emphasising that a plurality of types of symbolic games can be obtained, by suitably selecting symbols, combinations, stakes and sequences.

Purely as an example, and without any intention of making the explanation of the mechanism for forming the symbolic lottos exhaustive, an application is shown hereafter that uses 10 symbols associated with the 9 sets of ten of the Italian lotto game.

In this example, the player indicates one or more symbols and wins in the case of the appearance of 2, 3, 4 or 5 symbols identical to those indicated. Considering associating the nine sets of ten numbers of the lotto game with nine mathematical graphical symbols Sl, S2, up to S9 with which graphical symbols are combined in biunique form. In this case Sl will count the numbers between 1 and 10, S2 will count the numbers between 11 and 20, and so on up to S9 that will count the numbers between 81 and 90. Just as an example, a list of symbols of the type found in a "slot machine" are shown that can be used in the representation:

At this point it is possible to build a sequence of 5 symbols, for a draw of 5 numbers corresponding to a wheel, that represents its result in terms of symbols and let us suppose that these symbols are ordered in the natural sequence derived from their underlying combination with the numbers. In this case the representation lends itself to being represented by a graphic of the type found in slot machines displaying the results of a draw of the lotto game on one wheel on a line. Many lines can also be displayed on the same viewer, which means draws on many wheels, the player will have the option to bet on a single line, single line play, or on many lines, multi-line play_A similarly to slot machines.

Considering, first of all, single line play based upon a slip containing all of the numbers between 1 and 10, playing the lotto game on a wheel gives 10 draws, 45 sets of two, 120 sets of three, 210 sets of four and 252 sets of five, and it is represented by the simple single line game of Sl that we shall, for example, depict with the symbol J%.

In the graphical example highlighted hereafter we consider the case of a player that has played a symbol (e.g. «») on one line. Consequently a bet of the instant lottery of the series of numbers associated with the indicated symbol is triggered with fractioning of the stake over the combinations in accordance with the set rules. It is the wheel that decides whether or not there is a win and the player is given the visual and economic result on the viewer, as shown in figure 3a. Let us suppose that one does not bet upon the 10 individual numbers (for which a win would not compensate the cost of playing) and let us fraction the stake in a considered manner over the other combinations to give prizes of worth for the player. In this way a line game that is very easy for the player to activate is obtained ensuring that the player has a considered and optimised form of play.

In order to proceed to the optimisation of the bet it is necessary to make a comparison of the main game parameters of the symbolic lotto and of the corresponding game of the lotto to check whether the grouping of the numbers into the symbols has had effects or not on the probabilities of winning and how it has affected the freedom of play provided to the player. In the following parameters we analyse the present application from a mathematical point of view.

To analyse the game with the symbols it is sufficient to calculate the probability of winning the corresponding bets in the two game systems, in the following table such values are displayed:

Probability

Nos. P_lotto x 10 P_symbolic No. Of drawn numbers lotto chances

0 0.54699 0.54699 1.8

1 0.55556 0.55556 1.8

2 0.11236 0.11236 8.9

3 0.01021 0.01021 97.9

4 0.00041 0.00041 2433.5

5 0.00001 0.00001 174401.9

The table highlights how the two probabilities completely match one another proving that the grouping does not give any effect on the probabilities in the game dynamics.

However, it should be noted that in the lotto game the public has all of the possible forms of grouping of the numbers. The bank actually plays against a plurality of players who can make all of the bet combinations that are created by combining 5 numbers of the 90 in the in the urn in all possible ways. In the application under examination the player can bet just on the combinations that are created in 10 consecutive numbers, this represents an advantage for the Bank when it comes to the draws in which the five numbers belong to different sets of ten: in this case the draw is unprofitable for the player - indeed none of the players of symbols achieves a win. The player in this circumstance could be given a chance by the bank through the repetition of the unprofitable draws. By doing so the probability expressed previously of obtaining winners is modified in favour of the player.

In this case we calculate the benefit for the player by purging the previous probabilities of the probability of obtaining 5 symbols that are all different from one another.

The probability of 5 different symbols being is equal to PO=O.12742 in the case in which the predetermined symbol is absent and it is equal to Pl=O.159275 in the case in which the predetermined symbol does appear. In the following table we show the value of the corrected probability and the comparison between the number of winning chances.

Correct probability after discarding the unprofitable draws

No. no.

Uncorrected . Corrected uncorrected corrected probability. correction probability. chances chances

Nos.drawn

O 0.54699 0.12742 0.44709 1.8 2.2

1 0.55556 0.15927 0.41222 2.8 2.4 2 0.11236 0.12853 11.9 7.8 3 0.01021 0.01168 115.9 85.6 4 0.00041 0.00047 2616 2127.3

5 5.73388E-06 6.S5912E-06 174401.9 152459.6

It can immediately be seen that by repeating the draws there is a improvement in the chances of winning, on average passing from a chance of getting a set of two symbols in one in every 11.9 draws to one in every 7.8, a set of three going from one in every 115.9 to one in 85.6, a set of four going from one in every 2616 to one in 2127 and a set of five going from one in every 174.401 to one in 152.459.

Summary of the prize system of the symbolic lotto game in the single line version

The symbolic lotto is actually a generator of prize-winning systems that can be determined by splitting the stake in the various combinations of the conventional lotto game. The manager can create a plurality of splits capable of satisfying the expectations of the player and providing them with the possibility of choice. Purely as an example, without in any way wanting to consider the attached data to be exhaustive, hereafter we display the values of the prizes in a hypothetical case of splitting.

PRIZE SYSTEM CONNECTED TO A HYPOTHETICAL CASE of splitting the stake

By processing other hypothetical cases of splitting a plurality of prize systems can be generated that are able to cover a wide spectrum of needs of the public.

The players that use the "prepaid game" form, and who therefore play a plurality of game cycles, could be favoured by the bank by granting a predetermined number of rounds of bets without taking the payment. This is possible since the payment for the game together with the taxation of winnings (currently 5%) gives a net charge every game cycle and consequently the support of the player prolongs the entertainment without causing damage to the tax authorities at all.

Hereafter the previous hypothetical case of splitting the stake is displayed in the theory of a bonus of two rounds of bets out of every ten. PRIZE SYSTEM CONNECTED TO A HYPOTHETICAL

Deriving immediately from the single line case is the multiple line case described hereafter.

For example, playing the lotto game on at least 3 wheels of a set of ten numbers all containing the numbers from 1 to 10 for each wheel out of 10 draws there are 45 sets of two, 120 sets of three, 210 sets of four and 252 sets of five, which in the symbolic lottery is represented by the simple bet of Sl repeated over a number of lines equal to the predetermined wheels. The graphical example of figure 3b considers the case of a player that has played a symbol (e.g. **) on three lines. Consequently three games of the instant lotto of the series of numbers associated with the indicated symbol are triggered with splitting of the total stake over three wheels and fractioning of the stake over the combinations in accordance with the set rules. For each wheel it is checked whether or not there is a win and the player is given the visual and economic result on the viewer. It can immediately be worked out that:

For a player of the lotto game that must follow the outcome of the bet of 10 numbers on three wheels it becomes an onerous activity both when playing and when checking the results. Through symbolic lottery the game is simplified and sped up;

• the 4 possibilities of winning (set of two, three, four and five) expressed in the single line case enormously multiply in the multiple line case since multiple wins occur, like for example a double set of two, set of two and set of three, double set of three • the greater distribution of prizes also means a greater dispersion of the prizes with a consequent increase in the number of games cycles by the players.

Considering the most elementary hypothetical case of two wheels, there is a system of two lines of which the prize system and the chances of winning are compared, keeping in mind that it is immediately derived from the single line case since both the two games and the two wheels are independent. The probability of a set of two, three, four and five is double that of the single line case and the size of the prizes is equal to half for the same stake since it is spread over two wheels whereas the chance of prizes is added to by all of the simultaneous prize forms on the two lines.

The following tables display after how many bets on average there is a win (Chances) and a hypothetical case of splitting the stake with the prizes won.

Increasin list for the value of the rizes for s mbolic lotto with two lines

The same table is also displayed in the order of the winning chances.

It should be highlighted that in the case of a simultaneous win the overall prize does not take into account the compound probability since the multi-line game in the form outlined is in fact the sum of two or more independent games.

For this purpose it should be observed that many other forms of multi-line game can be constructed both with the same symbols and with different symbols (Si,Sj) on the same wheel or on different wheels. Therefore, it should be repeated that symbolic lotto represents an inexhaustible plurality of possibilities of play.

Claims

1. Method for processing and transmitting data based upon sequences of characters characterised by the steps of

(a) associating predetermined symbols of a predetermined type with predetermined sequences of characters;

(b) thereafter displaying said symbols on suitable display supports;

(c) selection by a source of at least one symbol in a sequence of said symbols, said at least one symbol being converted (d) into the corresponding said sequence of characters, and said sequence of characters being transmitted (e), through transmission means, towards a prearranged destination together with a draw request,

(f) drawing of the winning characters at and/or performed by said destination;

(g) comparing said drawn characters with said characters received from the source;

(h) converting said winning characters into symbols of the same type as those received from said source;

(i) transmitting said symbols towards said source to display them (I).

2. Method according to claim 1 wherein in said step (b), said displaying takes place through automated means.

3. Method according to claim 2 wherein in said automated means there is a selection from

- a personal computer.

- a suitably configured self-service terminal.

- a game terminal connected directly to said destination.

- a mobile telephone equipped with specific application programs.

- a portable device without fixed network connection.

4. Method according to claim 1 wherein said transmission step (e) exploits a fixed telephone network.

5. Method according to claim 4 wherein said fixed telephone network is the internet.

6. Method according to claim 4 wherein said fixed telephone network is an ATM banking network.

7. Method according to claim 1 wherein said transmission step (e) exploits a mobile telephone network.

8. Method according to claim 1 wherein said transmission step (e) exploits a connectionless network.

9. Method according to claim 8 wherein said connectionless network uses one or more from GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS and similar technologies.

10. Method according to claim 1 wherein in said step (I), said displaying takes place through automated means.

11. Method according to claim 10 wherein in said automated means there is one of a selection from

- a personal computer.

- un suitably configured self-service terminal.

- a game terminal connected directly to said destination.

- a cellular telephone equipped with specific application programmes.

- a portable device without connection to a fixed network.

12. Method according to claim 1 wherein said transmission step (i) exploits a fixed telephone network.

13. Method according to claim 12 wherein said fixed telephone network is the internet.

14. Method according to claim 12 wherein said fixed telephone network is an ATM banking network.

15. Method according to claiml2 wherein said transmission step (i) exploits a mobile telephone network.

16. Method according to claim 12 wherein said transmission step (i) exploits a connectionless network.

17. Method according to claim 16 wherein said connectionless network uses one or more from GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS and similar technologies.

18. Method according to claim 1 wherein in said step (a) a graphical symbol is associated with a sequence of 10 characters.

19. Method according to one of the previous claims wherein, in said step (b), the displaying of said symbols takes place on a line.

20. Method according to one of the previous claims wherein, in said step (b), the displaying of said symbols takes place on a plurality of lines.

21. Method according to the previous claim, wherein said plurality of lines corresponds to three lines.

22. System for processing and transmitting data based upon sequences of characters characterised in that it comprises

- a source suitable for entering sequences of symbolic data, previously associated with predetermined sequences of characters.

- first processing means suitable for receiving said sequences of symbolic data entered by said source and converting them into data in character form;

- first transmission means of said data in character form to a destination,

- second processing means suitable for receiving sequences of data in character form and converting them into symbolic data;

- second transmission means of said data in character form to said source.

23. System according to claim 22 wherein transmission means comprise said first and said second transmission means.

24. System according to claim 23 wherein said first transmission means comprise a fixed telephone network.

25. System according to claim 23 wherein said fixed telephone network is the internet.

26. System according to claim 25 wherein said fixed telephone network is an ATM banking network.

27. System according to claim 23 wherein said transmission means comprise a mobile telephone network.

28. System according to claim 23 wherein said transmission means comprise a connectionless network.

29. System according to claim 28 wherein said connectionless network uses one or more from GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS and similar technologies.

30. System according to claim 22 wherein processing means comprise said first and said second processing means.

31. System according to claim 30 wherein said processing means comprise a personal computer.

32. Method according to claim 30 wherein said processing means comprise suitably configured self-service terminals.

33. Method according to claim 30 wherein said processing means comprise game terminals connected directly to said destination.

34. Method according to claim 30 wherein said processing means comprise cellular telephones equipped with specific application programs.

35. Method according to claim 30 wherein said processing means comprise portable devices without connection to a fixed network.

36. Method according to one of the previous claims wherein said source is a player.

37. Method according to one of the previous claims wherein said destination is a centralised receiver body.