ACCESS MEANS TO INTERACTIVE SERVICE FOR THE TELEMATIC STAKING IN GAMES BASED ON FORECASTS

Abstract: An interactive and telematic system for the automatization of the stakes in games based on forecasts, through a Service Center, a public wide area network and prepaid cards as payment means. The service center manages the access requests, identifies and checks the card validity and instructs the user on how to perform the stake; after the end of the stake and its confirmation by the user, the service center communicates an identification number of the stake and stores the information on an unerasable storing medium. On the card there are printed an univocal identification number, disposable codes, identification numbers of the stakes, and a hidden code for the collection of the winnings.

Description: Description Access means to interactive service for the telematic staking in games based on forecasts Technical field The present invention generally relates to the field of public telematic services provided on the telephone network. In particular, it relates to an interactive service for the telematic management of stakes in games based on forecasts, which allows the player to automatically stake by performing a telephone call, using access means to the stake operation, which are of the prepaid kind, usually comprising a prepaid card. Background Art At the present state of the art, even if the need to automatize the stakes in prediction-based games is felt by many companies, no proposal has been made till now which eliminates completely the operator's assistance. Until now the player is not able to stake in an interactive manner, by himself, at any our of the day and from a site outside the lottery office. As known from the lottery game, the stakes are performed inside the lottery office by: - filling in a card; - transmitting the data to a data collection centre; - handing over the receipt which serves as a proof that the stake has been done . This game system does not allow the user to stake without the operator's assistance, nor to stake at any hour of the day, from home or from any other place which is distant from the lottery office. With regard to games involving forecasts, like "totocalcio" and "totogol", the stake is performed in a lottery office, tobacco shop or the like, where a sheet of paper which comprises a receipt for the user and a matrix, is certified by a data processing device provided for this purpose. The latter is also able to store on magnetic memories the content of the stake itself. Therefore, in this case too, in order to be able to stake, the user must necessarily go to the lottery office or the like at certain hours of the day. Lottery offices are also known in which the user delegates somebody else to stake, so that -for example- the user dictates his stake (or set of numbers) to an operator, or sends a facsimile, etc. Also this solution does not render the stake fully automatic in that it puts an operator between the user and the storing system, said operator being moreover delegated for this job. Moreover, it involves abvious risks due to the presence of an intermediary, with an evident psychological insecurity which could discourage the user. The object of the present invention is to provide a system for a completely automatic interactive service which constitutes a completion of the stake data collection systems used nowadays. This system must allow to stake, in games based on forecasts, by using the telephone, prepaid cards, rechargeable cards, or credit cards, etc. (in the following we speak only of prepaid cards) as payment means. A further object of the present invention is to provide a completely automatic telematic interactive system for the stakes in games based on forecasts, which is available during the whole 24 hour period, wherein the service is extended until a few hours before the end of the game, renders the stake easy to perform and allows a distribution extending everywhere in the territory. Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an interactive telematic automatic service for the stakes in games based on forecasts, which is realized according to existing rules and laws and giving to the manager of the game a full visibility on the operations. A last object of the present invention is to provide means which serve to realize an interactive, telematic, and automatic service for the stakes in games based on forecasts, said means being based on networks, telephone networks, network protocols, storing supports and complementary software, which are of the standard kind in the telematic field, in order to obtain a reliable system which is easy to manage. Disclosure of the Invention These and other objects, which will become clear in the course of the description, are attained through an interactive and telematic system which automatizes the stakes in games based on forecasts, by providing: a) a service centre; b) a public wide area network for interconnecting the user to the service centre; c) prepaid cards as a payment means. The service centre can carry out procedures for: 1) managing the access requests of the users; 2) instructing the user during the whole "procedural path" which serves to stake, and in particular: a) to identify the card and check its validity to perform a stake; b) to ask the user which kind of game he wants to select; c) to list all possible variants for a certain game and ask the user the selection of the stake; d) to put an end to the stake and ask for confirmation; e) to transmit to the user the "receipt" of the stake, in the form of its identification number; 3) storing all informations related to the stakes, on unerasable storage media (e. g. CD- ORM optical disks) . The card is characterized in that it is marked by an univocal identification obtained through a specific algorithm from the progressive number which distinguishes the card itself, and by a set of secret safety and confirmation codes which are contained in a matrix and which must be communicated to the service system in order to be able to stake and for the validation; it contains also a hidden code to be uncovered at the time of collection of the winnings . Brief description of drawings Only for illustrative purposes and without limiting in this way the generality and the possible application fields, in the following a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1, showing a view of the upper surface of a prepaid card according to the present invention. Best Mode of carrying out the Invention With special regard to the particular application of the present invention in the field of soccer (football) games, buying a prepaid card of the kind shown in the figure, the user can stake one or more times until he reaches the maximum allowed number of columns according to the card he has purchased. During each stake, the remaining number of columns is updated and communicated on-line. The card is characterized in that it is not reproducible and is univocally identified by an identification number, and it provides for different kinds of stakes (Totocalcio, Totogol) ,- it has a unique size but different embodiments (e.g. 25 columns, 50 columns, 100 columns, ...). The aforesaid unique way of identifying the card occurs according to: - a progressive number 1 which is visible on a light background; - an identification number 2 which can be uncovered only by the user; - n disposable codes (mxn matrix) 3, which remain hidden (which could be uncovered for instance by scraping) ; - a code 4 which is hidden by a film and which is associated to the wording "beware, do not scrape here" . Moreover, on the card there may be provided a free space 5 which is designed for carrying personal data of the user, who may for instance put his signature or the like, and adjacent to each disposable code 3 there is provided a box 6 whereon the user may write his identification number for the "receipt". The different codes and identification numbers form a code system which prevents falsification of the card and frauds due to embezzlement. The different steps of the game (stake) , that is the access, stake and confirmation, are accessible in the system by the communication of the different codes . It is possible to provide a piercing on the card, which would allow the user to tear out that part containing the disposable codes 3. In this manner it is possible to eliminate the risk of a stake done by an illegitimate owner of one of the two parts . The association of the progressive number and of the identification number constitutes an univocal identification number for the card. In fact, the identification number which is visible only by the user is associated to the visible (that is not hidden) progressive number, through a dedicated algorithm, during the production of the card itself. On the other hand, the production and printing of the cards, with its identification codes which are either secret or visible, occurs in a completely automatic way, inaccessible to the operators designed for this purpose. In the same manner, also the secrecy in the generation of the disposable codes of the matrix mxn is insured, the latter being known only to the system and being managed by it, and being inaccessible to inspection by the operators designed to the production. The national authority responsible for the games based on forecasts (which in the case of soccer is named "Comitato Olimpico Nazionale Italiano, CONI) , can enter the information file at any time, which contains the number of cards which have been already produced (file of produced cards) , even if said information is in any case periodically supplied thereto. The connection to the Service Center in order to perform a stake, is obtained by dialling a telephone number which is unique for the whole national territory and which is predetermined. Once the connection has been established, the service Center instructs the user in an interactive manner to select one of the following options: - information regarding the service presentation; - statistical information which is useful for the predictions; - authorization (enabling) to perform the stake and confirmation thereof. The information regarding the service presentation is of a general kind and it relates for example to the modality and organization of the game (collection of winnings, purchase of prepaid cards, etc) and to the service costs. The statistical information contains data of a different nature which are related to preceding games. The authorization enabling to take part to the game is possible only to the owners of a prepaid card after communication of the univocal identification number. The telematic stake process comprises the following steps: 1) identification of the prepaid card (to provide access to the stake) ; 2) selection of the stake kind; 3) stake and confirmation (validation) thereof; 4) transmission of the "receipt" and storing. The user which is connected through its telephone apparatus to the Service Center, after the enabling (obtained by dialling the univocal identification number which is formed by the algorithmic correspondence between progressive number 1 and identification number 2) , is informed about the integral value or residual value of the card (identification of the prepaid card) . The user is interactively instructed until he communicates the type of stake he desires (choice of the kind of stake) and until he effects the stake. It is interesting to note how a system for performing an automatic and telematic management of the stakes according to the present invention, allows the interactive dialogue between the Service Center and the user, using the telephone apparatus, both by keying in specific combinations of numbers, which is done by the user, and alternatively, by the exchange of vocal messages between the user and a voice recognition system which is provided by the Service Center. After the stake, the Service Center asks again, for the validation, the disposable code 3 which is contained in the matrix mxn (stake and confirmation) . This system of secret codes is used also by the telephone banks for order-type operations, for instance credit transfers; in the present invention this modality eliminates completely the risks due to phone tapping and to the manipulation of the value of the cards. The mxn matrix may consist of a single element. In such a case the code is used as a password to enable the stake. This choice, even if it slightly reduces the safety of the card, it improves on the other hand the friendly use of the card itself. The Service Center transmits to the user an identification number (PIN of the stake) associated to the performed stake and at the same time, it reduces the value of the card and stores the data of the stake together with those of the card (receipt and storage) . This identification number must be kept by the user for possible complaints. The PIN of the stake may also be furnished by the player on demand from the Service Center. In such a case it must be univocal and easily verifiable, that is, associated to any means or document put in circulation which has a validity and safety which is assured by a public entity (for instance a series number of a banknote, etc.) . The use of an external means with respect to the system, increases the safety of the service itself and could be used, together with the card ("totocard") in order to claim a possible win. The disposable code (or the stake PIN) is the identification number through which the user is able to check again, at any time, the stake he has performed, by calling once again the Service Center. The hidden code 4, which must be uncovered only by the treasurer at the time of collection of the winnings, reproduces the conventional association (correspondence) between the "parent" (matrix) counterfoil and its "daughter" . The reliability of the stake modalities is insured by the secrecy, the reliability of the data files and impossibility of their manipulation, by the fact that confidential data are inaccessible, and by the controlled access to the different steps which constitute the service. In this manner, the manager of the game based on forecasts, may easily control the distribution and sale of the cards, so as to periodically compare the takings related to the telephonic-stakes, with the number of issued cards. The Service Center is the center where the stakes are directed, and in the particular application of the invention this center has the function of a Virtual Lottery Office, which has been realized ad hoc for the telephonic stakes . The Service Center is formed by a hardware which is highly reliable, being suited to insure a service continuity during 24 hours. It performs the following functions : a) virtual lottery office b) management of the production and distribution of the cards ; c) help desk. The main functions of the Service Center comprise the management of the stakes, the management of the automatically provided information for the users, and the management of the game end, involving the production of the stake files, and lastly, the handing over of the cards or other material complying with the law. The Service Center performs the management of the stakes , by instructing the user throughout the procedural path. The management of the stakes already performed, which are in the form of "columns", and the protection and security mechanisms which have been already described, generates inside the Service Center the corresponding stake file. The information of the aforesaid file which is associated to each stake, is the following: the univocal card identification number, the forecast, the column number, the disposable code, the stake identification number, and the hidden code . Furthermore, as has been said in the foregoing paragraphs, the Service gives information regarding the modality of the Service itself, as well as statistical data which are useful for the user. The latter are updated for each game by the service center. During the filing step, at the end of the game, for each stake there are produced all storage media which are necessary for the filing, including all information which relate the stake to the respective prepaid card. When it is in possession of these data, the CONI, assisted by the manager of telematic stakes, performs the scrutiny and forms the list of the winning stakes comprising the information related to the associated prepaid cards. It must be noted that with regard to the information carrier of the telephone network, the service offered by the present invention is applicable to already existing and operating infrastructure , protocols, and software. In this respect, it must be put in evidence the possibility to employ a subsystem of the telephone call management, through the Pluritel system, which specifically transforms the voice into data in such a way as to optimize information exchange. Moreover, it must be noted that in principle, according to the present invention, the public wide area network for interconnecting the user to the Service Center may be realized indifferently both on a fixed telephone line, or with a wireless telephone line. The modality of collection of the winnings is associated to a very high security and prevents both the manager and the user from possible internal or external frauds. The code system and the management of the stakes prevents any kind of reproduction and falsification of the winning prepaid cards . For illustrative purposes, in the following there will be described a collection procedure at the treasury. The collection occurs according to different modalities according to the different structures (organization) of the treasury, and to the amount of the winnings. The management of the minor winnings below a certain value could be performed through a structure which is secure and extends everywhere on the territory of the nation. This collection modality is such that in each peripheral office where the user produces his card, the operator itself can check in real time the exact correspondence between the identification data (the univocal identification number, the disposable code of the stake, or the PIN and the hidden code) and the data communicated by the service center. As already described, the hidden code is an identification number printed on the card, which is hidden from the card owner itself. The check procedure allows to see only the data related to that particular stake, after the correct input of the univocal prepaid winning card identification number. Provided that all parameters coincide, the user collects the winnings. Always in real-time, the operator verifies the residual value of the card, if any, and in the affirmative case this value is summed up to the winnings. The card is handed over to the user as the receipt of the payment . The collection of the winnings exceeding a certain limit- value may again occur at counter of the treasury, with the above described procedure, or the manager may as well be entrusted according to the existing regulation. The wide area (like Pluritel) insures the access to the service, with the safeguard, above all, of an everywhere extending network, besides its availability and its quality. The use of a network having such features and making use of the telephone apparatus and possibly of more modern interactive media, widens and diversifies the participation modalities to a game based on forecasts, independently of the kind of the terminal utilized to have access to the system (telephone, PC, etc.) . In a further embodiment, the stake may also be transmitted through a device comprising a keyboard and display (e.g. a computer), which, if appropriately designed, can help in prepairing the stake off-line, and which sends DTMF tones when it is put adjacent to a microphone of any type of telephone apparatus . In particular, once the stake has been prepared and after the player has performed the connection with the Service Center, by putting the device near the microphone of the telephone apparatus and pushing a press button, a unique sequence of DTMF tones, which comprises both the stake and the safety codes associated to the "totocard" and the stake itself, will be transmitted. This device could also replace the totocard while containing all safety codes, including one or more recognition (identification) keys. Moreover, it could be recharged an infinite number of times by a predetermined or variable amount, by purchasing a "recharge means", for instance at a lottery office, and by calling the Service Center. The use of this device: - increases the safety of the whole system, since the transmitted codes are partially or totally unknown to the owner (the sending of the codes and the sending of the stake data could be effected by mean of an encryption; - it instructs the user during preparation of the stake off-line, thereby decreasing the number of accidental keying in errors ; - it reduces the connection time with the Service Center; - it allows every stake to be "signed" by means of an "electronic signature" which is identified only by the Service Center through an appropriate algorithm. Industrial Applicability The service of the present invention allows to participate till the last minute, when the lottery offices are closed; it is also possible to stake with a few columns or to use complex integral systems . This service is also very useful for persons having problems in displacing themselves, like handicapped people, for those having not much time available, or for those who prefer their comfort. The features of this service, besides that of offering a typical national game to people living abroad, may undoubtedly contribute in increasing the number of stakes and in facilitating the introduction of other games.

Claims: Claims 1. An interactive and telematic system for the automatization of the stakes in games based on forecasts, characterized in that it comprises: I) a Service Center; II) a public wide area network to interconnect the user to the Service Center; and in that it uses prepaid cards as a payment means; said Service Center being provided with software means in order to: A) manage the access requests of the users; B) instruct the user during the whole procedural path which is foreseen for the stake; B-l) identify the card and check its validity for staking; B-2) ask the user which type of game he intends to select; B-3) list all possible variants for a specific game and ask the user to select one stake; B-4) end the stake procedure with a confirmation, B-5) transmit to the user the "receipt" of the stake through a communication of the identification number of the stake itself; C) store all information related to the stakes on unerasable storage media; wherein each of said prepaid cards is marked by an univocal identification number obtained by a specific algorithm from the progressive number of the card, and by a set of secret codes for security and confirmation, which are to be communicated to the Service Center in order to participate to a single stake and for the validation of the card, wherein said cards are further provided with at least a hidden code which is uncovered at the time the winnings are collected. 2. An interactive and telematic system for the automatization of the stakes in games based on forecasts, according to claim 1, characterized in that for each stake there occurs an interactive dialogue with the user, involving a sequence of steps in which: I) the user, who is connected to the Service Center, is enabled to the stake, through the transmission of the univocal identification number to the Service Center. II) the user is interactively instructed until he communicates the kind of stake he is interested in, and further, until he performs the stake itself; III) for the validation of the stake, the service Center asks for the secret code contained in the matrix (mxn) of the prepaid card, IV) the Service Center communicates to the user an identification number associated to the stake, which forms the receipt . 3. An interactive and telematic system for the automatization of the stakes in games based on forecasts, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it uses prepaid cards as payment means, each being identified by an univocal identification number which is obtained with a specific algorithm from the progressive number associated to the card itself, and further identified by at least a hidden code which is uncovered only at the time the winning is collected, wherein the Service Center requests for the validation of the already compiled stake, a stake pin which is furnished by the player and which is univocal and easily verifiable, due to the fact that it is associated to any kind of external means or document put in circulation and whose validity and safety is guaranteed by a public authority. 4. An interactive and telematic system for the automatization of the stakes in games based on forecasts, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the interactive dialogue between the Service Center and the user through the telephone apparatus, occurs by keying in specific charaters or combinations of digits, by the user. 5. An interactive and telematic system for the automatization of the stakes in games based on forecasts, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the interactive telephonic dialogue between the Service Center and the user, occurs through the exchange of voice messages between the user and a voice recognition system of the Service Center. 6. An interactive and telematic system for the automatization of the stakes in games based on forecast, according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the stake is prepared and transmitted through a transmitting device which includes a keyboard and a display, and which comprises firmware means suited to the specific game, thereby helping the player in the off-line preparation of the stake; wherein said device, after the connection with the Service Center is established, will be put in proximity with the microphone of the telephone apparatus, and transmits, after a pressure is exerted on a push button, a unique DTMF sequence which comprises both the stake and the safety codes associated with the prepaid card and with the stake. 7. An interactive and telematic system for the automatization of the stakes in games based on forecast, according to claims 1, 2, 3 and 6, characterized in that the transmission device constitutes by itself the payment means allowing the access to the game, due to the fact that the device has stored all safety codes, including one or more identification keys for accessing to the game. 8. An interactive and telematic system for the automatization of the stakes in games based on forecast, according to claims 1, 2, 3 and 6, characterized in that the transmission device is of a rechargeable kind, according to a predetermined or variable amount of money. 9. An interactive and telematic system for the automatization of the stakes in games based on forecast, according to claims 1, 2, 3 and 6, characterized in that the transmission device performs the transfer of information related to the stake, according to encrypted codes, wherein the access and utilization keys are totally unknown to the owner. 10. An interactive and telematic system for the automation of the stakes in games based on forecasts, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the public wide area network for interconnecting the user to the Service Center is realized on a fixed telephone line. 11. An interactive and telematic system for the automatization of the stakes in games based on forecasts, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the public wide area network for interconnecting the user to the service Center, is realized by wireless communication. 12. An interactive and telematic system for the automatization of the stakes in games based on forecasts, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that following the confirmation of each stake, the data related to the stake itself are stored together with those associated to the prepaid card and the value of the prepaid card is correspondingly reduced. 13. An interactive and telematic system for the automatization of the stakes in games based on forecasts, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that by means of the identification number which is associated to the stake itself, the user can check at any time his stake, by calling again the Service Center. 14. An interactive and telematic system for the automatization of the stakes in games based on forecasts, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification number which is associated to the stake, the prepaid card, and the hidden code of the latter, are used as security and validation means in order to collect the winnings . 15. An interactive and telematic system for the automatization of the stakes in games based on forecast, according to claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the external means wherefrom the stake PIN furnished by the player to the Service Center is obtained, at the time the stake is validated, is used together with the prepaid card and the related hidden code in order to claim the win and the collection of the winnings . 16. An interactive and telematic system for the automatization of the stakes in games based on forecasts, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the identification number associated to the stake, coincides with the secret code which is read on one of the cells of the (mxn) matrix of the prepaid card and which is communicated to the Service center at the time the stake is performed. 17. An interactive and telematic system for the automatization of the stakes in games based on forecasts, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the information associated to the single stake and which is stored for the scrutiny, comprises the univocal card identification number, the number of stakes and their contents, the secret code, the stake identification number and the hidden code, the game number and the hour and date of the stake . 18. An interactive and telematic system for the automatization of the stakes in games based on forecasts, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that during the collection of the winnings in any office which serves for that purpose, where the user produces his card, the operator is able to check without assistance and in real time, that the identification data correspond to those communicated to him by the Service center, in order to be able also to register the payment operation. 19. A prepaid card for an interactive and telematic system for the automatization of the stakes in games based on forecasts, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that with a uniqi'e format different types of stakes and stake numbers or combinations can be provided. 20. A prepaid card for a system according to any of the preceding claims, which is in general realized according to the foregoing description and drawing.

Inventors: GIOVANNELLA FABIO, GIOVANNELLA, FABIO
Applicants: GIOVANNELLA FABIO, TELECOM ITALIA SPA, GIOVANNELLA, FABIO, TELECOM ITALIA S.P.A.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: H04M3
IPC codes: G07F7, G07F17, H04M3, H04M17