Systems, Methods, and Devices for Message Based Gameplay

Abstract

In part, the invention relates to processor-based methods, systems, and devices relating to games implemented using messaging data, such as the contents of SMS messages, fee structures and rate selection relating to the same. The games are suitable for playing on end-user devices, such as computers, mobile phones, and mobile devices.

1 . A method of conducting an interactive competition over a network between a plurality of mobile device users, comprising the steps of:
 receiving a first mobile originating message from a mobile device, the mobile originating message comprising an indicator to enable participation;   transmitting a mobile terminating message to the mobile device, the mobile terminating message comprising a question having a plurality of answer options and at least one keyword option, wherein the answer options are of a first message type and the keyword option is of a second message type;   receiving from the mobile device a second mobile originating message, the second mobile originating message comprising either an answer option or a keyword option, wherein the answer option of the first message type is valued a first amount and the keyword option of the second message type is valued a second amount, the second amount greater than the first amount;   evaluating the second mobile originating message;   if the second mobile originating message is a keyword option, transmitting a second mobile terminating message to the mobile device, the second mobile terminating message comprising the question and an assistive mechanism; and   if the second mobile originating message is an answer option, transmitting a third mobile terminating message to the mobile device if the answer option is correct,   determining a winner of the competition based upon the number of consecutive correct answers sent by one of the plurality of mobile devices.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of answer options include one correct answer option, and at least two incorrect answer options. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first amount is $0.00 and the second amount is above a minimum rate, or is a premium rate. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first amount is above a minimum rate and the second amount is a premium rate. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first mobile originating message includes a premium rate and the first and second amounts are $0.00. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first mobile originating message includes a premium rate, the first amount is $0.00 and the second amount is either a premium rate or greater than a minimum rate defined by a service operator. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the keyword option is selected from the group consisting of Hint, Skip, Undo, and Ask. 
     
     
         8 . A computer readable medium having computer-instructions for a method of conducting an interactive competition between a plurality of mobile device users, comprising the steps of:
 receiving a first mobile originating message from a mobile device, the mobile originating message comprising an indicator to enable participation;   transmitting a mobile terminating message to the mobile device, the mobile terminating message comprising a question having a plurality of answer options and at least one keyword option, wherein the answer options are of a first message type and the keyword option is of a second message type;   receiving from the mobile device a second mobile originating message, the second mobile originating message comprising either an answer option or a keyword option, wherein the answer option of the first message type is valued a first amount and the keyword option of the second message type is valued a second amount, the second amount greater than the first amount;   evaluating the second mobile originating message;   if the second mobile originating message is a keyword option, transmitting a second mobile terminating message to the mobile device, the second mobile terminating message comprising the question and an assistive mechanism; and   if the second mobile originating message is an answer option, transmitting a third mobile terminating message to the mobile device if the answer option is correct,   determining a winner of the competition based upon the number of consecutive correct answers sent by one of the plurality of mobile devices.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the plurality of answer options include one correct answer option, and at least two incorrect answer options. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the first amount is $0.00 and the second amount is above a minimum rate, or is a premium rate. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the first amount is above a minimum rate and the second amount is a premium rate. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the first mobile originating message includes a premium rate and the first and second amounts are $0.00. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the first mobile originating message includes a premium rate, the first amount is $0.00 and the second amount is either a premium rate or greater than a minimum rate defined by a service operator. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the keyword option is selected from the group consisting of Hint, Skip, Undo, and Ask. 
     
     
         15 . A mobile gameplay system, the system comprising:
 a memory device; and   a processor in communication with the memory device, wherein the memory device comprises instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to:   connect to a messaging gateway;   send a plurality of mobile terminated messages to a plurality of mobile devices, each message comprising a first question for a game;   receive a first response from a mobile device to the mobile terminated message comprising a response to the question;   evaluate the first response for a correct answer;   upon determining the first response includes the correct answer, send to the mobile device a second mobile terminated message comprising a second question;   receive a keyword response from the mobile device response to either the first or second question; and   initiate a charge at a premium rate to an account of the mobile device in response to receiving the keyword.   
     
     
         16 . The mobile gameplay system of  claim 15  wherein responding to either the first or the second message is either free or charged at a rate less than the premium rate. 
     
     
         17 . The mobile gameplay system of  claim 15  further comprising a campaign engine, wherein the campaign engine comprises one or more engines, wherein one or more of the engines comprises the instructions, wherein one or more of the engines is executed by the processor. 
     
     
         18 . The mobile gameplay system of  claim 17  wherein the one or more engines is selected from the group consisting of an interactivity optimization engine, a dialogue engine, a contact engine, and a data analysis engine. 
     
     
         19 . The mobile gameplay system of  claim 17  wherein one of the engines is an interactivity optimization engine configured to segment the mobile devices into a plurality of customer segments and optimize teasers for each customer segment. 
     
     
         20 . The mobile gameplay system of  claim 19 , wherein another one of the engines is a contact engine configured to register mobile devices and receive MO messages and transmit MT messages.