System and method of playing lottery games, buying and printing lottery tickets using software on mobile computing devices

Abstract

A system for enabling state lottery game play from mobile computing devices includes a first software module that stores player account information and validates state lottery game play purchase information. A second software module runs on a wireless player computing device and facilitates a player authenticating himself with the first software module. The second software module facilitates selection of numbers to be played in a lottery game, and the first software module and the second software module communicate player authentication information, user account information, player lottery game play purchase information, and player registration information. A third software module receives lottery game play purchase data from the first software module and transmits winning game information.

1 . A system for enabling state lottery game play from mobile computing devices, comprising: 
 a first software module, wherein the first software module stores player account information and validates state lottery game play purchase information;    a second software module, wherein the second software module runs on a wireless player computing device, wherein the second software module facilitates a player authenticating himself with the first software module, wherein the first software module and the second software module communicate player authentication information, user account information, player lottery game play purchase information, and player registration information, wherein the second software module facilitates selection of numbers to be played in a lottery game; and,    a third software module, wherein the third software module receives lottery game play purchase data from the first software module, and wherein the third software module transmits winning game information.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first software module, second software module, and third software module include functionality for securely communicating over networks such that data can be securely exchanged between two or more of the modules.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second software module facilitates the printing of lottery tickets.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said wireless computing device comprises a mobile phone.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said wireless computing device comprises a personal digital assistant.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said third software module transmits winning game information to said second software module.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system implements a method comprising: 
 creating a player's profile during a registration process wherein a user name and password for accessing the player's account are created;    managing the player's account balance available for lottery play, said account balance being paid either by credit card, check sent to a service provider's office, or electronic funds transfer;    allowing said player to play a selected game, said selected game being selected from a plurality of games;    allowing said player to purchase and print a lottery ticket;    managing a database of information concerning each play and each player on a server in said service provider's control and duplicating a copy of the same on a server at a state lottery office when requested by said state lottery office;    updating the second software module with new games offered by the state lottery office and new security patches; and,    transferring data identifying lottery games played to a state lottery office.    
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first, second and third software modules communicate over a secure data communication network in serial fashion.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system prevents direct communication between said second software module and said third software module.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , whereby said second software module communicates with said first software using a wireless mobile communication network.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein said wireless mobile communication network comprises at least one of: a Global System for Mobile (GSM) network, a Universal Mobile Telecommunication Services (UMTS) network, a High Speed Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD) network, a General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) network or a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of mobile player terminals running said second software module.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said second software module operates to: 
 auto self check for security against any intrusion;    register one or multiple players and communicate information to said first software module;    login a player before any game can be played, and authenticate a player through secure communication with said first software module;    allow the player, once logged into the system, to access his balance, increase his account balance by credit card or by check posted to service provider;    provide a player with an option to select any of a plurality of games offered by a state lottery office;    allow a player to manually select a number or numbers for a lottery game as an alternative to auto selection;    randomly select a number or numbers for a lottery game at a player's request;    allow a player to play the same numbers for any number of advance games or drawings;    allow a player to buy multiple tickets with same number for the same game or drawing;    confirm with a player information about a lottery game, drawing and numbers selected by the player, before communicating the information to said first software module;    after receiving acknowledgement from said first software module regarding a transaction, display a preview of a printable ticket on screen;    allow a player to print a ticket instantly or at a later time using a printer connected directly or indirectly to a mobile computing device;    allow a player to update his profile and password after secure login;    regularly check said first software module for updates, including new lottery games offered by a state lottery office and security patches available;    display an updated balance before and after each lottery play.    
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first software module operates to: 
 check for authenticity of said second software module;    manage a player's profile and unique identification to allow him to access his account;    manage a player's balance available for playing lottery games;    allow a player to play only after logging in to the system using a unique identifier and corresponding password;    allow player to play only those games whose bounded time is yet not over and winning numbers are yet not declared;    update a player's balance after every purchase of a lottery ticket and communicate the same to said second software module;    manage a database of information describing each play and player on a server at a service provider's premises and duplicate a copy of the same onto a server at under the control of a state lottery office when requested by said state lottery office;    keep said second software module updated for new lottery games offered by a state lottery office and for new security patches which become available;    keep a record of winning numbers for all lottery games and provide the same information to said second software module when requested;    allow authenticated officers at a service provider's office to run queries regarding software identification code, player identification code, games or draw played, lottery tickets purchased, or lottery results and provide results of said queries.    
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said third software module operates to: 
 request said first software module to send all the data regarding each play for a game whose bounded time is over and whose winning number are to be drawn;    receive requested data from said first software module over a secure data communication network and maintain a data base of each play of a particular game;    computerize maintenance of records of balances and financial transactions relating to lottery games at a state lottery office;    once winning numbers are declared, communicate the same to said first software module;    read a bar code printed on a ticket, received in connection with a claim of winnings, using a bar code reader;    decode a read bar code using a secure algorithms and keys, and generate information out from said code;    receive a response from an authentic state lottery officer for manual checking of information printed on a ticket against decoded information;    check decoded information against respective data received from said first software module;    allow authenticated officers at a state lottery office to run queries regarding a software identification code, a player identification code, games or draw played, lottery tickets purchased, or lottery tickets carrying a winning number;    provide a final determination that a security check is positive once all security checks confirm authentication of a claimed ticket; and,    upon return of a claimed ticket which is valid for advance games, print a special ticket valid for said advance games with the same lottery numbers as said claimed ticket.    
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said first, second, and third software modules collectively or individually operate to: 
 require a player to receive a printed copy of a lottery ticket;    provide a printed lottery ticket which includes not only numbers chosen by a player for a particular game but which further includes other information selected from: game type, player's unique user identification number or code, second software module authentication identification number or code, time and date of play, or amount paid printed on said printed lottery ticket;    print lottery tickets in a manner whereby each lottery ticket printed using the system is unique from each other lottery ticket printed using the system, said ticket being unique therefrom by virtue of a unique encrypted code which encrypts information selected from: player end software used, game, draw, numbers selected, advance plays, date and time of purchase, and number of tickets purchased;    print lottery tickets in a manner whereby a single lottery ticket can be printed only once and no duplicity of lottery tickets is allowed;    obtain permission from said first software module before a player is permitted to select numbers for a selected game and drawing;    transmit to said third software component records regarding every play for a particular game before a bounded time for said game is over.