WO2014179323A1

WO2014179323A1 - System and method for mobile-based gaming

Info

Publication number: WO2014179323A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/035888
Authority: WO
Inventors: Donald Paul CLARK
Original assignee: Clark Donald Paul
Priority date: 2013-04-29
Filing date: 2014-04-29
Publication date: 2014-11-06

Abstract

Method and system is disclosed for facilitating mobile-based gaming transactions including lottery games wherein geography location is a conditional requirement of a transaction. Location is determined using a plurality of positioning techniques including positioning data from a system of satellites, signals from at least three communication transmitters, and stored location data associated with internet protocol addresses associated with computer network access points.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MOBILE-BASED GAMING

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/816,945 filed on April 29, 2013 which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates to mobile-based gaming, and more particularly to systems and methods for participating in lottery games.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

[0004] In traditional lottery games, administered by governmental entities such as countries, states, provinces or multi-state lottery associations, lottery players must be physically present to purchase lottery tickets. Lottery players must physically exchange cash or credit with a clerk of a convenience retailer, who then processes the transaction using a lottery terminal. Some lottery games utilize closed-network kiosks to process lottery ticket transaction. In a typical lottery game, a lottery player may manually fill out selection slip or request a set of random numbers. The lottery terminal is communicatively connected to a central lottery system configured to manage the lottery game. The central game system then issues a coded lottery ticket, and the lottery ticket is physically issued to the lottery players via the local lottery terminal at the convenience retailer.

[0005] In a typical lottery game, a set of a predetermined number of integer- numbers are selected according to the game rules, the selected numbers consisting of the winning number set. The winning number set may be matched against player- selected numbers. The lottery games are typically fixed-odds. The winnings are based upon the number of matches between the player- selected numbers and the winning numbers. Winning lottery tickets must then be physically exchanged for currency either at a certified retailer or a lottery office.

[0006] In many countries, some impoverished, poor institutional support and public services make implementation of lottery games at retailers and kiosks difficult or prohibitively expensive. For example, many countries lack proper communication systems and electrical networks to operate a closed-network lottery system. Further, expenses relating to administration of the lottery terminals and kiosks can present a prohibitive hurtle, and therefore inhibits governmental entities from providing gaming services to raise revenue for public services.

[0007] Coincidentally, private industry has developed and marketed inexpensive mobile devices adapted for various dynamic user-uploaded software applications. In many countries, mobile device units are the primary computing devices available to consumers. The availability and relatively inexpensive cost of mobile devices contrasted with the high cost or administering and implementing a closed-network lottery system presents a cost-effective opportunity for financially- limited governmental entities. Therefore, a need exists for a lottery system which facilitates lottery play of lotteries via mobile devices or computing systems on an open-network such as the Internet.

[0008] Further, in many countries and states, legal and regulatory restrictions prohibit lottery sales cross-border. That is, in many jurisdictions sales are restricted to sales only within the border of the jurisdiction. Current geographical location technology is prone to circumvention and can be inaccurate. For example, known geographical location software can be circumvented whereby a user accesses the Internet from any state by using an Internet access dial-in number in the desired state. In another example, a user may utilize a proxy server to mask their true location. A proxy server is a server that acts as an intermediary between the user and the desired computing service such as a website. Because the proxy server handles communication with the desired website, it may appear to the hosting website that the user is actually located at the site of the proxy server. By selecting an appropriately located proxy server, a user may make him or herself appear to be within any conforming jurisdiction, thus confounding the known geographical location techniques.

[0009] Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a lottery system utilizing a plurality of positioning techniques including positioning data from a system of satellites, signals from at least three communication transmitters, and stored location data associated with internet protocol addresses associated with computer network access points. SUMMARY

[0010] Method and system is disclosed for facilitating mobile-based gaming transactions including lottery games wherein geography location is a conditional requirement of a transaction. Location is determined using a plurality of positioning techniques including positioning data from a system of satellites, signals from at least three communication transmitters, and stored location data associated with internet protocol addresses associated with computer network access points.

[0011] One feature of the system includes verifying positioning accuracy by comparing determined location of a single technique to location determined by the other techniques.

[0012] Another feature of the system includes applying different accuracy requirements based upon proximity to a jurisdictional demarcation line.

[0013] This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] One or more embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0015] FIG. 1 schematically shows an exemplary lottery management system including a computing device, a server system, a network, a mobile device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 2 schematically shows an exemplary computing device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] FIG. 3 schematically shows an exemplary mobile device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0018] FIGS. 4 - 25 show various exemplary modules of a user interface configured for use on a mobile device illustrative of functions of the lottery management system, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0019] FIG. 26 shows a block diagram illustrating communication of positioning information to the mobile device, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 27 shows a flow chart illustrating a method for verifying that a location of a mobile device is within predetermined geographical constraints using multiple positioning determination techniques, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0021] FIGS. 28A - 28D show an exemplary region having a permissible zone for permitting a lottery play, the regions having exemplary positions determined by the various position determination techniques, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take at least the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context dictates otherwise. The meanings identified below do not necessarily limit the terms, but merely provide illustrative examples for the terms. The meaning of "a," "an," and "the" includes plural reference, and the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on." The phrase "in one embodiment," as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Similarly, the phrase "in some embodiments," as used herein, when used multiple times, does not necessarily refer to the same embodiments, although it may. As used herein, the term "or" is an inclusive "or" operator, and is equivalent to the term "and/or," unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term "based, in part, on", "based, at least in part, on", or "based upon" is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0023] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, where like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.

[0024] Referring now to the drawings, wherein the depictions are for the purpose of illustrating certain exemplary embodiments only and not for the purpose of limiting the same, FIG. 1 schematically shows an exemplary system 100 that may help implement the methodologies of the present disclosure. The system 100 includes a computing device 5, a server system 7, a network 20, and a mobile tracking device 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the computing device 5 may be directly communicatively connected to the mobile device 10 via the network 20 and/or directly communicatively connected to the mobile device 10. The server system 7 may be directly communicatively connected to the computing device 5 and the mobile device 10 via the network 20. The mobile device 10 may be physically connected to the network 20 or the computing device 5 during selected periods of operation without departing from the teachings herein. Components of the system 100 are shown in FIG. 1 as single elements. Such illustration is for ease of description and it should be recognized that the system 100 may include multiple additional mobile and computing devices.

[0025] The network 20 may be any suitable series of points or nodes interconnected by communication paths. The network 20 may be interconnected with other networks and contain sub networks network such as, for example, a publicly accessible distributed network like the Internet or other

telecommunications networks (e.g., intranets, virtual nets, overlay networks and the like). The network 20 may facilitates the exchange of data between and among the mobile device 10, the computing device 5, and the server system 7 although in various embodiments the mobile device 10 may be directly connected to the computing device 5.

[0026] The computing device 5 and the server system 7 may each be: various embodiments of a computer including high-speed microcomputers,

minicomputers, mainframes, and/or data storage devices. The server system 7 preferably executes database functions including storing and maintaining a database and processes requests from the mobile device 10 and the computing device 5 to extract data from, or update, a database as described herein below. The server 7 may additionally provide processing functions for the mobile device 10 and the computing device 5 as will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a careful reading of the teachings herein.

[0027] In addition, the mobile device 10 may include one or more

applications that the user may operate. Operation may include downloading, installing, turning on, unlocking, activating, or otherwise using the application. The application may comprise at least one of an algorithm, software, computer code, and/or the like, for example, mobile application software. In the alternative, the application may be a website accessible through the world wide web. The mobile device 10 preferably includes GPS or other satellite positioning functionality. In these embodiments, a GPS may determine the location of the mobile device based on data exchanges between the GPS and the mobile device. Other location services may be implemented to determine mobile device location. In some embodiments, for example, network elements may be used to determine location of the mobile device using triangulation of network signals, for example. The application may organize input from the mobile device and transmit such input to the server 5 via the network 20. The application may also organize and display output received from the server 5 for the consumer, as will be described below. The application may acquire the location of the mobile device, and in some instances, historical location information, and transmit the location to the server 5.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows the exemplary computing device 5. The computing device 5 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 50, random access memory (RAM) 52, input/output circuitry 54 for connecting peripheral devices such as a storage medium 56 to a system bus 60, a display adapter 58 for connecting the system bus 60 to a display device, a user interface adapter 62 for connecting user input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, and/or a microphone, to the system bus 60, and a communication adapter 64 for connecting the computing device 5 to the network 20. The storage medium 56 is configured to store, access, and modify a database 66, and is preferably configured to store, access, and modify structured or unstructured databases for data including, for example, relational data, tabular data, audio/video data, and graphical data.

[0029] The central processing unit 50 is preferably one or more general- purpose microprocessor or central processing unit(s) and has a set of control algorithms, comprising resident program instructions and calibrations stored in the memory 52 and executed to provide the desired functions including parallel processing functions. As one skilled in the art will recognize, the central processing unit 50 may have any number of processing "cores" or electronic architecture configured to execute processes in parallel. In one embodiment, an application program interface (API) is preferably executed by the operating system for computer applications to make requests of the operating system or other computer applications. The description of the central processing unit 50 is meant to be illustrative, and not restrictive to the disclosure, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosure may also be implemented on platforms and operating systems other than those mentioned.

[0030] FIG. 3 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of the device 10 configured to operate in a mobile environment. As shown in FIG. 3, the device 10 may include a dual processor architecture, including a host processor module 72 and a radio processor 74 (e.g., a base band processor or modem). The host processor module 72 and the radio processor 74 may be configured to

communicate with each other using an interface 76. The device 10 may additionally include any digital and/or analog circuit elements, comprising discrete and/or solid state components, suitable for use with the embodiments disclosed herein. One skilled in the art will recognize upon a careful reading of the teachings herein that the radio processor may be omitted in a wired embodiment of the device 10.

[0031] The host processor module 72 may be configured to execute various computer programs (e.g., software, firmware, or other code) such as application programs and system programs to provide computing and processing operations for the device 10. The radio processor 74 may be responsible for performing data communications operations for device 10 such as transmitting and receiving data information over one or more wireless communications channels. Although the host processor module 72 and the radio processor 74 are shown and described as separate processors, such an illustration is for ease of description and it should be recognized that the functions performed by the host processor module 72 and the radio processor 74 may be combined on a single chip.

[0032] In various embodiments, host processor module 72 may be

implemented as a host central processing unit ("CPU") using any suitable processor or logic device, such as a general purpose processor, or other processing device in alternative embodiments configured to provide processing or computing resources to device 10. For example, host processor module 72 may be responsible for executing various computer programs such as application programs and system programs to provide computing and processing operations for device 10. The application software may provide a graphical user interface ("GUI") to communicate information between device 10 and a user. The computer programs may be stored as firmware on a memory associated with processor 72, may be loaded by a manufacturer during a process of manufacturing device 10, and may be updated from time to time with new versions or software updates via wired or wireless communication.

[0033] System programs assist in the running of a computer system. System programs may be directly responsible for controlling, integrating, and managing the individual hardware components of the computer system. Examples of system programs may include, for example, an operating system, a kernel, device drivers, programming tools, utility programs, software libraries, an application

programming interface ("API"), a GUI, and so forth.

[0034] The memory module 78 is preferably coupled to the host processor module 72. In various embodiments, the memory module 78 may be configured to store one or more computer programs to be executed by the host processor module 72. The memory module 78 may be implemented using any machine- readable or computer-readable media capable of storing data such as volatile memory or non-volatile memory, removable or non-removable memory, erasable or non-erasable memory, writeable or re-writeable memory, and so forth.

Although the memory module 78 is shown as being separate from the host processor module 72 for purposes of illustration, in various embodiments some portion or the entire memory module 78 may be included on the same integrated circuit as the host processor module 72. Alternatively, some portion or the entire memory module 78 may be disposed on an integrated circuit or other medium (e.g., solid state drive) external to the integrated circuit of the host processor module 72.

[0035] A user input device 80 may be coupled to the host processor module 72. The user input device 80 may include, for example, an alphanumeric, numeric key layout and an integrated number dial pad. The device 10 also may include various keys, buttons, and switches such as, for example, input keys, preset and programmable hot keys, left and right action buttons, a navigation button such as a multidirectional navigation button, power/end buttons, preset and programmable shortcut buttons, a volume rocker switch, a ringer on/off switch having a vibrate mode, a keypad and so forth.

[0036] The host processor module 72 may be coupled to a display device 82. The display device 82 may include any suitable visual interface for displaying content to a user of the device 10, such as a liquid crystal display ("LCD") such as a touch- sensitive color (e.g., 16-bit color) thin-film transistor ("TFT") LCD screen. In some embodiments, the touch-sensitive LCD may be used with a stylus and/or a handwriting recognizer program.

[0037] An I/O interface 84 is preferably coupled to the host processor module 72. The I/O interface 84 may include one or more I/O devices such as a serial connection port, an infrared port, wireless capability, and/or integrated 802.1 lx (WiFi) wireless capability, to enable wired (e.g., USB cable) and/or wireless connection to a local or networked computer system, such as a workstation client, and/or the server 5.

[0038] In one embodiment, the device 10 includes an audio/video ("A/V") module 86 coupled to the host processor module 72 for communicatively connecting and communicating therebetween to various audio/video devices. The A/V module 86 may be configured to support A/V capability of the device 10 including components such as, a microphone, one or more speakers, an audio port to connect an audio headset, an audio coder/decoder (codec), an audio player, a video codec, a video player, and so forth. The A/V input module 86 may include an imaging module configured to capture digital images. The imagining module may include an optical sensor, e.g., a charged coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) optical sensor to facilitate camera functions, such as recording photographs and video clips. The image frames may be processed by the memory 78 or displayed on the display 82.

[0039] A power supply 88 configured to supply and manage power to components of device 10 is preferably coupled to the host processor module 72. In various exemplary embodiments, the power supply 88 may be implemented by a rechargeable battery, such as a removable and rechargeable lithium ion battery to provide direct current ("DC") power, and/or an alternating current ("AC") adapter to draw power from a standard AC main power supply.

[0040] As described herein above, the radio processor 74 may perform voice and/or data communication operations for the device 10. For example, the radio processor 74 may be configured to communicate voice information and/or data information over one or more assigned frequency bands of a wireless

communication channel. The radio processor 74 may be implemented as a communications processor using any suitable processor or logic device, such as a modem processor or baseband processor. The radio processor 74 may include, or be implemented as, a digital signal processor ("DSP"), a media access control ("MAC") processor, or any other type of communications processor in accordance with the described embodiments. Memory 94 may be coupled to the radio processor 74. Although memory 94 is shown as being separate from and external to the radio processor 74 for purposes of illustration, in various embodiments some portion may be included on the same integrated circuit as the radio processor 74. Further, the host processor module 72 and the radio processor 74 may share a single memory.

[0041] The device 10 may include one or more transceivers 90 coupled to the radio processor 74, each transceiver 90 may be configured to communicate using a different types of protocol, communication ranges, operating power

requirements, RF sub-bands, information types (e.g., voice or data), use scenarios, applications, and so forth. For example, the transceiver 90 may include a Wi-Fi transceiver and a cellular or WAN transceiver configured to operate

simultaneously. The transceiver 90 may be implemented using one or more chips as desired for a given implementation. Although transceiver 90 is shown as being separate from and external to the radio processor 74 for purposes of illustration, in various embodiments some portion may be included on the same integrated circuit as the radio processor 74. The transceiver is preferably connected to an antenna 91 for transmitting and/or receiving electrical signals. As shown in FIG. 3, the antenna 91 may be coupled to the radio processor 74 through transceiver 90.

[0042] A SIM device 96 may be coupled to radio processor 74. The SIM device 96 may be implemented as a removable or non-removable smart card configured to encrypt voice and data transmissions and to store user-specific data for allowing a voice or data communications network to identify and authenticate the user. The SIM device 96 also may store data such as personal settings specific to the user. [0043] An I/O interface 98 may be coupled to the radio processor 74. The I/O interface 98 may include one or more I/O devices to enable wired (e.g., serial, cable, etc.) and/or wireless (e.g., WiFi, short range, etc.) communication between the device 10 and one or more external computer systems.

[0044] The mobile device 10 includes location or position determination capabilities. The mobile device 10 may utilize one or more position determination techniques including, for example, GPS techniques, Cell Global Identity ("CGI") techniques, CGI including timing advance ("TA") techniques, Enhanced Forward Link Trilateration ("EFLT") techniques, Time Difference of Arrival ("TDOA") techniques, Angle of Arrival ("AOA") techniques, Advanced Forward Link Trilateration ("AFTL") techniques, Observed Time Difference of Arrival ("OTDOA"), Enhanced Observed Time Difference ("EOTD") techniques, Assisted GPS ("AGPS") techniques, hybrid techniques (e.g., GPS/CGI,

AGPS/CGI, GPS/AFTL or AGPS/AFTL for CDMA networks, GPS/EOTD or AGPS/EOTD for GSM/GPRS networks, GPS/OTDOA or AGPS/OTDOA for UMTS networks), etc. Position determination techniques may be based on signals from one or more nearby cellular towers such as the radio communication tower 25, one or more Wi-Fi access points (in which position is determined at least in part by collecting addresses of nearby wireless access points and comparing the addresses to a pre-stored database which associates addresses to geographic position), or other techniques. The mobile device 10 can communicate location information upon determination, at various intervals, upon occurrence of trigger events, upon requests, or the like. [0045] In various embodiments, the device 10 may include dedicated hardware circuits or structures, or a combination of dedicated hardware and associated software, to support position determination. For example, the transceiver 90 and the antenna 91 may include GPS receiver or transceiver hardware and one or more associated antennas coupled to the radio processor 74 to support position determination.

[0046] FIGS 4 - 25 show various modules of a user interface scheme configured for use on a mobile device.

[0047] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary initial registration module 200. In one embodiment, a user is directed to the initial registration module 200 upon their initial execution of a mobile-based application configured to execute methods described herein. The initial registration module 200 includes a data field 202 for input of a unique user identifier such as a user's phone number.

[0048] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary user registration module 210. In one embodiment, a user is directed to the module 210 upon supplying the unique user identifier. In one embodiment, the mobile-based application is configured to require specific user information. In one embodiment required user information includes one or more of a user's name 212, birthdate 214, gender 216, username 218, and password 220. In one embodiment, the user is required to agree to specified terms and conditions 222.

[0049] FIG. 6 shows an exemplary user profile module 230. In one embodiment, the user profile module 230 is configured to display user information such as the user's name 212, email address 232, birthday 234, gender 216, user picture or avatar 236, and a description 238. Additional information and user information may be displayed. In one embodiment, social networking functionality and profile information may be configured here including levels of public sharing and accessibility to profile information.

[0050] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary notifications module 240. In one embodiment the notifications module 240 is configured to receive user inputs to control notification settings. In one embodiment, the mobile-based application may be configured to notify a user of drawing results 242. In one embodiment, the mobile-based application may be configured to notify a user of winning tickets 244. In one embodiment, the mobile-based application may be configured to notify a user to purchase tickets 246. In one embodiment, the mobile-based application may be configured to notify a user to purchase tickets based upon time criteria such as a day of the week or specific time. In one embodiment, the mobile-based application may be configured to notify a user to purchase tickets based upon location based criteria, e.g., at a location associated with a gas station. In one embodiment, the mobile-based application may be configured to notify a user to purchase tickets based upon projected winnings of a game. Notifications may occur locally on the mobile device. In one embodiment, notification settings may include email-based notification 248 and text/SMS-based notifications 250.

[0051] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary game selection module 260. As FIG. 8 shows, the mobile-based application may be configured to interface with one or multiple games. Navigational buttons may be provided for one or more games listed in the game selection module 260 and configured for use within the mobile- based application. First and second games 262 and 264, respectively, are shown as illustrative examples. In operation, a user may select a listed game for navigation to a game control interface.

[0052] FIG. 9 shows an exemplary game control interface 270. In one embodiment, the user navigates to the control interface 270 via actuation of a navigational button provided in the game selection module 260. For example, actuation of the 262 navigation button may direct a user to the game associated with the game control interface 270. As shown in FIG. 9, the game control interface 270 may include game information 272, time remaining to play 274, and a navigational button 276 to play the game. Upon actuation of the navigation button 276 the user may be directed to add ticket module 280 such as shown in exemplary FIG. 10. In one embodiment, the user may add one or more tickets 282 by buying through the mobile-based application. After adding one or more tickets, the user then initials the buying procedure via a 'Buy Ticket(s)' control button 284. In one embodiment, upon clicking the add ticket button 282 a module 290 such as a popup display window is shown.

[0053] The exemplary popup display window 290 is shown in FIG. 11. The module 290 may include a cancel button 292 configured to minimize the module and return the user to the add ticket module 280. The display window 290 presents a choice to the user with regard to the method of selecting numbers for a ticket to the associated game. In one embodiment, the user may pick the number manually 294. In one embodiment, the user may have the system randomly assign or generate numbers for a ticket 296. In one embodiment, the user may assign predetermined numbers stored in the mobile-based application as a user's favorite numbers 298.

[0054] Should a user select the 'pick numbers' button 294, the mobile-based application presents a pick numbers module 300 as shown as exemplary in FIG. 12. As FIG. 12 shows, a user may enter numbers for a ticket using a plurality of selectable numbers on a virtual keypad 306. According to rules of the particular game, upon selection of a single number for subsequent positions the number may be unavailable for selection. The selected numbers for a ticket are displayed to the user 304. After selecting the desired numbers for a ticket, the user may actuate the 'Add' control button 302.

[0055] Should a user select the 'favorite(s)' button 298, the user may be directed to an initial favorites module 310 such as shown as exemplary FIG. 13 or a favorites module 320 such as shown as exemplary in FIG. 14. The user is directed to the initial favorites module 310 if the user has not yet stored favorite numbers for a game. The initial favorites module may display information associated with storing favorite numbers or present control functions to the user to store favorite numbers. The favorites module 320 may list favorite number sequences for the game and enable the user to select a favorite number sequence for play within the game. For example, the user may select "My First Favorite" 322 or "My Second Favorite" 324.

[0056] FIG. 15 shows the add ticket module 280 having a ticket 286 added by the user. In one embodiment, multiple added tickets may be populated on the ticket module 280 as added by a user. Upon actuation of the 'Buy Ticket(s)' button 284, the user is directed to a purchase module 330. The purchase module may display purchase information to the user based upon the selected tickets, game information, and price. In one embodiment, the purchase module includes a password field 334, requiring a user to insert the user's password before proceeding with the ticket purchase. Upon acceptance of any terms and conditions, the user may select a 'Buy Now' control button 336 to proceed with the purchase. If the terms are not selected before actuating the control button 336 a popup window 338 may be displayed to the user to accept the terms such as shown in exemplary FIG. 17.

[0057] Before completing the transaction, the system 100 determines whether the user is within geographical locations consistent with predetermined parameters of the game. If the system 100 determines that the user is out of the geographical locations, the mobile-based application will display information to the user notifying of the unsuccessful transaction and the geographical condition failure such as shown in exemplary popup window in FIG. 18, as exemplary.

[0058] Upon successful purchase, the user may be directed to a purchase complete module 340 such as shown as exemplary in FIG. 19. The module 340 may display information associated with the purchase such as quantity purchased, date and time of the drawing, and notification settings links. In one embodiment, the module 340 includes a navigational link 342 to a user' s purchased ticket information and information associated with a user's winning tickets such as shown, as exemplary, in FIG. 20 as module 350. [0059] Upon actuation of a 'Purchased Tickets' control button 352 the user may be directed to purchased tickets module 360, in one embodiment, as shown as exemplary in FIG. 21. The purchased tickets module 360 preferably lists purchased tickets associated with a draw date for the game. Numbers associated with the purchased tickets may be displayed within the module 360. Upon selection of a purchased ticket, a user is directed to a view ticket module 370 in one embodiment that includes the purchased ticket such as shown, as exemplary, in FIG. 22

[0060] As FIG. 22 shows, the view ticket module 370 displays the selected purchased ticket 372. The purchased ticket may include information associated with the purchaser 374 such as provided in the player profile module 230 described hereinabove. In one embodiment, information 376 associated with the purchased ticket is displayed, such as ticket numbers, purchase date, a ticket identifier, and a draw date associated with the game. In one embodiment, the purchased ticket includes scannable information and may include some or all of the information associated with the purchased ticket and/or the purchaser. In one embodiment, a 'Share' control button 382 is provided. The button 382 may be configured to display a popup window such as shown in FIG. 23. Upon actuation of the button 382, a user may share the purchase event via email, text, or by printing, in one embodiment.

[0061] Upon actuation of a 'Winning Tickets' control button 354 the user may be directed to winning tickets module 390, in one embodiment, as shown as exemplary in FIG. 24. The winning tickets module 390 preferably lists winning tickets purchased by the user for the game. Numbers associated with the winning tickets may be displayed within the module 390. Upon selection of a winning ticket, a user may be directed to a display module showing the purchased ticket such as shown in exemplary FIG. 22.

[0062] FIG. 25 shows an exemplary display module 400 for displaying one or more winning numbers 402 for the game.

[0063] FIG. 26 shows a block diagram illustrating communication of positioning information to the mobile device 10. Location of the mobile device 10 may be determined by the mobile device 10 or the server 5. In one embodiment, the mobile device 10 determines position throughout operation including as the user moves the mobile device. In one embodiment, positioning information is obtained from a plurality of satellite positioning signals 450, a plurality of cellular towers 452, and one or more computer network access points 454. Positioning data is communication between the mobile device and the server 5.

[0064] FIG. 27 shows a flow chart illustrating a method 500 for verifying that a location of a mobile device is within predetermined geographical constraints using multiple positioning determination techniques. The method begins at step 502 where the mobile device sends a unique phone identification to the server 5. In one embodiment, the mobile device 10 transmits a determined location and a time-stamp to the server 5 although it is contemplated herein that embodiments may include the server 5 determining location of the mobile device 10 instead of internally by the mobile device 10. The server 5 stores a predetermined number of location positions associated with the mobile device 10, e.g., the last six received location positions 504. The positions may be stored as an average of a plurality of positioning determination techniques and/or stored individually according to an associated positioning determination technique, e.g., GPS, cellular triangulation, computer IP address, etc. In one embodiment, when a purchase transaction is initiated by the user, e.g., by actuating the 'Buy Ticket(s)' control button 284, the stored location positions are added to a data file for the created transaction.

[0065] At step 506, the server 5 receives notice from the mobile device 10 that a purchase transaction has been initiated. At step 508, the mobile device 10 or the server 5 determines position of the mobile device 10 using multiple positioning techniques from positioning and/or time data. A first positioning technique utilizes satellite positioning signals such as signals from the GPS to determine a position of the mobile device. A second positioning technique utilizes signals from communication radio towers 25 such as towers associated with cellular signals to determine a position of the mobile device. A third positioning technique utilizes computer network access points such as Wi-Fi access points to determine a position of the mobile device. In one embodiment position is determined based upon computer network access points by collecting physical addresses of wireless access points and comparing the addresses to a pre-stored database which associates addresses to geographic position. In one embodiment, access points may be defined and indexed by IP address identifiers.

[0066] As described hereinabove, the mobile device 10 or server 5 may further utilize CGI techniques including timing advance ("TA") techniques, Enhanced Forward Link Trilateration ("EFLT") techniques, Time Difference of Arrival ("TDOA") techniques, Angle of Arrival ("AOA") techniques, Advanced Forward Link Trilateration ("AFTL") techniques, Observed Time Difference of Arrival ("OTDOA"), Enhanced Observed Time Difference ("EOTD") techniques, Assisted GPS ("AGPS") techniques, hybrid techniques (e.g., GPS/CGI,

AGPS/CGI, GPS/AFTL or AGPS/AFTL for CDMA networks, GPS/EOTD or AGPS/EOTD for GSM/GPRS networks, GPS/OTDOA or AGPS/OTDOA for UMTS networks), etc.

[0067] At step 510, the mobile device 10 or the server 5 compares each of the determined positions to verify that the determined positions are within a predetermined threshold distance from each other. In one embodiment, captured data signals and positioning determinations may be conditioned based upon historical values and known associations between determined positions from competing techniques. For example, for a known GPS and cellular triangulation position it is known to determine position of computing network access points at a determined position. If given a GPS and cellular triangulation position the position determined using computing network access points is off more than a threshold, the system 100 may disregard the position calculation or deny the purchase transaction in various embodiments. In another example, data may be conditioned based upon historical accuracy and precision metrics associated with a mobile device type and position determination technique. For example, in a certain mobile device type may determine GPS positioning points precisely, but at a known accuracy deviation. [0068] At step 512, the mobile device 10 or the server 5 determines whether the mobile device 10 is within a predetermined geographical zone. The mobile device 10 or server 5 determines whether the mobile device 10 is within the geographical zone based upon the position points determined by the several techniques. The mobile device 10 is determined to be out of the zone if any one of the position points are outside of the zone.

[0069] If the mobile device 10 or server 5 cannot verify that the mobile device 10 is within the predetermined geographical zone, then the geographical criterion of the purchase transaction is not satisfied and the transaction is not permitted to proceed 514. The geographical criterion of the purchase transaction is also not satisfied and the transaction is not permitted to proceed should the mobile device 10 or the server 5 determine that the mobile device is outside of the predetermined zone.

[0070] FIGS. 28 A - 28D show a region 600 including a zone A and a zone B. zone A and zone B are divided by a jurisdictional line 610. Zone C is defined by the jurisdictional line 610 and a threshold distance from the line 610 such as by line 608. Location points 602, 604, and 606 are determined from different position determination techniques, e.g., satellite positioning signals, signals from communication radio towers, and computer network access points. Zone A is a jurisdictional zone where purchase transactions may be executed by the system 100. Zone B is a jurisdictional zone where purchase transactions are not authorized by the system 100. In one embodiment, given determined location points of 602, 604, and 606 in an area shown in FIG. 28A, the geographical criterion of the purchase transaction is satisfied and the transaction is would be permitted to proceed as all of the determined location points are in a permissible zone. In one embodiment, given determined location points of 602, 604, and 606 in an area shown in FIG. 28B, the geographical criterion of the purchase transaction would be further evaluated as one or more of the determined position points are within a threshold distance from the line 610 separating the permissible zone A and the impermissible zone B. In one embodiment, further evaluation may include utilizing additional historical stored locations, determining position using an additional point, and/or using a shorter threshold distance between each of the determined points. Given determined location points of 602, 604, and 606 in an area shown in FIG. 28C, the geographical criterion of the purchase transaction is not satisfied and the transaction is not permitted to proceed as a single point 606 is outside the permissible zone A. As described herein above, if the number of points the mobile device 10 or server 5 is able to determine is less than the threshold quantity, then the geographical criterion may not be satisfied and the transaction is not permitted to proceed. For example, in FIG. 28D only two positions 602 and 604 are determined. Because the system 100 requires at least three positions, in one embodiment, the geographical criterion is not satisfied and the transaction is not permitted to proceed.

[0071] The disclosure has described certain preferred embodiments and modifications thereto. Further modifications and alterations may occur to others upon reading and understanding the specification. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for lottery play on a mobile device, the method comprising:

determining a plurality of position points corresponding to location of a mobile device using a plurality of positioning techniques, wherein a first positioning technique determines mobile device location based upon positioning data from a system of satellites, a second positioning technique determines mobile device location based upon signals from at least three communication transmitters, and a third positioning technique determines mobile device location based upon stored location data associated with internet protocol addresses associated with a computer network access point; and

permitting the lottery play at least if: (1) each of the positioning techniques determine that the mobile device is within a predefined zone, (2) each position determined by the positioning techniques is within a predetermined threshold distance from one another, and (3) a predetermined number of iterations of determined position points for each positioning technique are each within the predefined zone.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining whether a position point of the plurality of position points is within a threshold proximity to a jurisdictional demarcation line, wherein the threshold distance is selected from a group of predetermined distances based upon proximity of one or more of the position points to the jurisdictional demarcation line.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the positioning data from a system of

satellites is obtained from the Global Positioning System.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second positioning technique is

executed using cellular triangulation routines based upon signals from the communication transmitters.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second positioning technique is

executed using a positioning determination technique selected from a timing advance technique, enhanced forward link trilateration technique, a time difference of arrival technique, an angle of arrival technique, an advanced forward link trilateration technique, an observed time difference of arrival technique, and an enhanced observed time difference technique.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the third positioning technique is executed using stored location data associated with internet protocol addresses associated with the computer network access point.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: conditioning positioning data from a system of satellites based upon historical location information associated with a model type of the mobile device receiving the positioning data.

8. A computer system for data collection, comprising:

at least one processor; and

a tangible computer-readable medium storing program code segments, the program code segments configured to cause the at least one processor to perform the following operations:

determining a first position point based upon positioning data from a system of satellites;

determining a second position point based upon received signals from at least three communication transmitters;

determining a third position point based upon received signals from at least one computer network access point;

determining whether the first, second, and third position points are within a predetermined threshold distance from one another; and

iteratively determining whether each of the position points are within a predefined zone;

permitting the lottery play at least if: (1) each of the position points are within a predefined zone for a predetermine number of iterations, and (2) the position points are within a predetermined threshold distance from one another.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: determining whether the first, second, or third position point is within a threshold proximity to a jurisdictional demarcation line, wherein the threshold distance is selected from a group of predetermined distances based upon proximity of one or more of the position points to the jurisdictional demarcation line.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the positioning data from a system of satellites is obtained from the Global Positioning System.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the second position point is determined using cellular triangulation routines based upon signals from the communication transmitters.

The method of claim 8, wherein the second position point is determined using a positioning determination technique selected from a timing advance technique, enhanced forward link trilateration technique, a time difference of arrival technique, an angle of arrival technique, an advanced forward link trilateration technique, an observed time difference of arrival technique, and an enhanced observed time difference technique.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the third position point is determined using stored location data associated with internet protocol addresses associated with the computer network access point.

14. A tangible computer-readable medium storing program code segments, the program code segments configured to cause a processor to perform a method, the method comprising:

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: determining whether the first, second, or third position point is within a threshold proximity to a jurisdictional demarcation line, wherein the threshold distance is selected from a group of predetermined distances based upon proximity of one or more of the position points to the jurisdictional demarcation line.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the positioning data from a system of satellites is obtained from the Global Positioning System.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the second position point is determined using cellular triangulation routines based upon signals from the communication transmitters.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the second position point is determined using a positioning determination technique selected from a timing advance technique, enhanced forward link trilateration technique, a time difference of arrival technique, an angle of arrival technique, an advanced forward link trilateration technique, an observed time difference of arrival technique, and an enhanced observed time difference technique.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the third position point is determined using stored location data associated with internet protocol addresses associated with the computer network access point. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

conditioning positioning data from a system of satellites based upon historical location information associated with a model type of the mobile device receiving the positioning data.