Method and apparatus for conducting a ring-in game

Abstract

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

1 . A method comprising:
 initiating contact from a server to a wireless communications device, the wireless communications device being associated with a user, the contact being initiated according to previously-received contact information associated with the user, the contact being initiated in order to establish a communication session between the server and the wireless communications device, wherein communication between the server and the wireless communications device takes place via at least one wireless network, wherein the wireless communications device includes readable and writeable digital storage means for storing digital data, the digital data including data representative of an electronic personal identification number;   during the communication session, transmitting an invitation message to the wireless communications device from the server via the at least one wireless network, the invitation message including an invitation to play a predetermined game;   receiving initiation information at the server from the wireless communications device, the initiation information including data representative of an initiation of the predetermined game on the wireless communications device, wherein the initiation of the predetermined game is made in response to the invitation message from the server to the wireless communications device;   determining, by the server, a game result indicative of whether the user has won a prize; and   transmitting, a results message to the wireless communications device from the server, the results message including data representative of the game result determined by the server.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless communications device includes a cellular telephone, wherein the initiating contact includes the server placing a call to the wireless communications device, and wherein the transmitting of the invitation message includes transmitting the invitation message as a pre-recorded voice message to the wireless communications device. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless communications device includes a cellular telephone, and wherein the transmitting of the invitation message includes transmitting the invitation message as a text message to the wireless communications device. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining a geographical location of the wireless communications device and determining whether to perform the initiating of the contact from the server to the wireless communications device and the transmitting of the invitation message to the wireless communications device based at least in part on the determined geographical location of the wireless communications device. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the determining of the geographical location of the wireless communications device includes determining whether the wireless communications device is located near a participating promotional entity, and wherein the prize is associated with the participating promotional entity. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising receiving recharge request information at the server from the wireless communications device, the recharge request information including data representative of a request by the user for access time. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising, in response to the receiving of the recharge request information at the server, transmitting entry information from the server to the wireless communications device, the entry information including data representative of a number of game entries being added in association with the electronic personal identification number. 
   
   
       8 . A system comprising:
 a computer system comprising one or more servers having one or more electronic processors and computer memories, the computer system being configured for:
 initiating contact from the computer system to a wireless communications device associated with a user according to previously-received contact information associated with the user in order to establish a communication session between the computer system and the wireless communications device, wherein communication between the computer system and the wireless communications device takes place via at least one wireless network, wherein the wireless communications device includes readable and writeable digital storage means for storing digital data, the digital data including data representative of an electronic personal identification number; 
 during the communication session, transmitting an invitation message to the wireless communications device from the computer system via the at least one wireless network, the invitation message including an invitation to play a predetermined game; 
 receiving initiation information at the computer system from the wireless communications device, the initiation information including data representative of an initiation of the predetermined game on the wireless communications device, wherein the initiation of the predetermined game is made in response to the invitation message from the computer system to the wireless communications device; 
 determining, by the computer system, a game result indicative of whether the user has won a prize; and 
 transmitting, a results message to the wireless communications device from the computer system, the results message including data representative of the game result determined by the computer system. 
   
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the wireless communications device includes a cellular telephone, wherein the initiating contact includes the server placing a call to the wireless communications device, and wherein the transmitting of the invitation message includes transmitting the invitation message as a pre-recorded voice message to the wireless communications device. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the wireless communications device includes a cellular telephone, and wherein the transmitting of the invitation message includes transmitting the invitation message as a text message to the wireless communications device. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the computer system is further configured for determining a geographical location of the wireless communications device and determining whether to initiate contact from the server to the wireless communications device and transmit the invitation message to the wireless communications device based at least in part on the determined geographical location of the wireless communications device. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the determining of the geographical location of the wireless communications device includes determining whether the wireless communications device is located near a participating promotional entity, and wherein the prize is associated with the participating promotional entity. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the computer system is further configured for receiving recharge request information from the wireless communications device, the recharge request information including data representative of a request by the user for access time. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the computer system is further configured for transmitting entry information to the wireless communications device in response to the receiving of the recharge request information, the entry information including data representative of a number of game entries being added in association with the electronic personal identification number.