Method and apparatus for conducting a ring-in game

Abstract

A wireless communications device for use in a wireless network is capable of being invited to participate in a ring-in game, via the wireless network. The wireless communications device includes a memory capable of storing an electronic personal identification number associated with the ring-in game and a main processor associated with the memory capable of communicating with the wireless network, wherein the main processor receives at least a first invitation to participate in a ring-in game.

1 . For use in a wireless network, a wireless communications device capable of being invited to participate in a ring-in game via the wireless network, the wireless communications device comprising:
 a memory capable of storing an electronic personal identification number associated with the ring-in game; and   a main processor associated with the memory capable of communicating with the wireless network, wherein the main processor receives at least a first invitation to participate in a ring-in game.   
   
   
       2 . The wireless communications device according to  claim 1 , wherein the electronic personal identification number is associated with the purchase of goods and services unrelated to the ring-in game. 
   
   
       3 . The wireless communications device according to  claim 1 , wherein the memory comprises an electronic personal identification module capable of maintaining the personal identification number in the memory of the wireless communications device. 
   
   
       4 . The wireless communications device according to  claim 3 , wherein the electronic personal identification module comprises an electronic personal identification program capable of providing a digital storage means for electronically tracking and storing electronic personal identification in the electronic personal identification module. 
   
   
       5 . The wireless communications device according to  claim 3 , wherein the electronic personal identification module is capable of being activated by at least one website at one of a plurality of data centers of the wireless network. 
   
   
       6 . The wireless communications device according to  claim 3 , wherein the electronic personal identification module is capable of data communication with at least one access system of the wireless network for storing and retrieving access time associated with the electronic personal identification number. 
   
   
       7 . The wireless communications device according to  claim 1 , wherein a user of the wireless communications device responds to the invitation to join the ring-in game and the main processor of the wireless communications device initiates the ring-in game on the display of the wireless communications device. 
   
   
       8 . The wireless communications device according to  claim 1 , wherein the wireless communications device is a cellular telephone. 
   
   
       9 . A network for conducting a ring-in game comprising:
 a wireless communications device capable of being invited to participate in the ring-in game via the network;   a memory capable of storing an electronic personal identification number associated with the ring-in game; and   a main processor associated with the memory capable of communicating with the wireless network, wherein the main processor receives at least a first invitation to participate in a ring-in game.   
   
   
       10 . The network according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a plurality of Internet cafe sites capable of data communication with at least one wireless communications device;   at least one data center capable of data communication with the plurality of Internet cafe sites and the at least one wireless communications device; and   at least one access system capable of data communication with the plurality of Internet cafe sites, the at least one data center, and the at least one wireless communications device.   
   
   
       11 . The network according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the plurality of Internet cafe sites further comprises:
 at least one personal identification card purchaseable for goods and services unrelated to the sweepstakes at the plurality of Internet cafe sites;   an electronic personal identification number associated with the at least one personal identification card; and   readable and writeable digital storage means for storing digital data related to the sweepstakes and the goods and services unrelated to the sweepstakes.   
   
   
       12 . The network according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the plurality of Internet cafe sites further comprises:
 at least one sweepstakes terminal capable of data communications with at least one point of sale terminal associated with the Internet cafe.   
   
   
       13 . The network according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one sweepstakes terminal comprises:
 readable and writeable means for accessing digital data associated with the at least one personal identification card;   means for playing at least one sweepstakes game;   wherein, upon playing at least one sweepstakes game, the user may redeem any winnings for additional access time at any appropriate time while playing the at least one sweepstakes game.   
   
   
       14 . The network according to  claim 12 , wherein the Internet cafe further comprises at least one instant validation terminal comprising:
 readable and writeable means for accessing digital data associated with the at least one personal identification card;   wherein, upon accessing digital data associated with the at least one personal identification card, an instant validation is performed upon any predetermined winnings provided at the time of activation of the at least one personal identification card.   
   
   
       15 . The network according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one instant validation terminal further comprises:
 communication means for accessing digital data associated with the at least one wireless communications device;   wherein, upon communication with the digital data associated with the at least one wireless communications device, an instant validation is performed upon any predetermined winnings provided at the time of activation of the electronic personal identification module in the wireless communications device.   
   
   
       16 . The network according to  claim 9 , wherein the wireless communications device further comprises:
 readable and writeable means for accessing digital data associated with the electronic personal identification number;   means for playing the ring-in game;   means for updating the electronic personal identification module with the sweepstakes results; and   means for data communication with at least one access system for storing and purchasing access time associated with the electronic personal identification module;   wherein upon purchase of access time from at least one of the at least one access systems, an entry is provided into the ring-in game and a corresponding number of entry units is provided for corresponding access time purchased unrelated to the ring-in game.   
   
   
       17 . The network according to  claim 9 , wherein the ring-in game is a Texas Hold-em poker game. 
   
   
       18 . A method for conducting a ring-in game comprising the steps of:
 providing an electronic personal identification number associated with the purchase of goods and services unrelated to the ring-in game;   providing at least one wireless communications device capable of being invited to participate in the ring-in game via a wireless network;   providing readable and writeable digital storage means for storing digital data related to the ring-in game and the goods and services unrelated to the ring-in game;   providing a plurality of Internet cafe sites capable of data communication with the at least one wireless communications device;   providing at least one data center for storing and retrieving data associated with a website and capable of data communication with the Internet cafe and the at least one wireless communications device;   providing at least one access system capable of data communication with the at least one wireless communications device, the Internet cafe, and the data center;   placing the wireless communications device, the Internet cafe, the data center, the access system, and the means for activating and reactivating the electronic personal identification module in data communication;   providing an entry into a corresponding number of entry units into the ring-in game;   playing the ring-in game on the wireless communications device, in response to an invitation to join the ring-in game via the wireless network; and   displaying the results of the ring-in game selection on a display of the wireless communications device.   
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising the steps of:
 providing means for reactivating the electronic personal identification module via the wireless network;   reactivating the electronic personal identification module for additional goods and services unrelated to the ring-in game; and   providing a corresponding number of entry units into the ring-in game.   
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the goods and services unrelated to the ring-in game are associated with the access system and comprise at least one of prepaid wireless phone access time, prepaid wireless network access time, or prepaid Internet access time.