WO2002041961A1

WO2002041961A1 - Game system, gaming method and suitable games terminals

Info

Publication number: WO2002041961A1
Application number: PCT/CH2000/000624
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rudolf Ritter
Original assignee: Rudolf Ritter
Priority date: 2000-11-22
Filing date: 2000-11-22
Publication date: 2002-05-30
Also published as: AU2001212635A1

Abstract

A game system (1) and a gaming method are disclosed, whereby a number of portable, mobile games terminal (8) each transmit user game data over a mobile radio network, by means of a communication module (88), to a computer-based games centre (4), which determines the game winner and the winnings due to said game winner, based on pre-defined games rules and accepted user gaming data. Said game system (1) comprises at least one broadcast transmitter (2), for the broadcast of radio and/or television programmes and programme-accompanying data (PAD and/or NPAD), whereby the broadcast transmitter (2) comprises means for the addition of game user programme modules to the programme-accompanying data (PAD and/or NPAD). The games terminals (8) each comprise a receiver (82), for receiving the radio and/or television programme and programme-accompanying data (PAD and/or NPAD), filters (84) for the extraction of game user programme modules added to the received programme-accompanying data (PAD and/or NPAD) and a processor (87) for carrying out the extracted game user programme modules. The game user programme modules accept gaming instructions from users by means of an input device (81, 83) on the games terminal (8) and generates corresponding user gaming data for transmission to the games centre (4).

Description

Game system, game process and suitable game devices

The present invention relates to a game system, a game method and game devices suitable therefor. In particular, the present invention relates to a game system and a game method in which participant game data are transmitted via a mobile radio network to a computer-based game center by means of suitable game terminals, which game center determines game winners and winnings due to these game winners based on predefined game rules and accepted participant game data.

Patent application DE 195 02 613 A1 describes a game system in which several game devices, in particular also mobile radio telephones, can be connected to a central computer via remote data transmission. According to patent application DE 195 02 613 A1, a random generator is assigned to the central computer, which determines winning symbol combinations that are displayed in the gaming devices. To participate in a betting game, the gaming devices according to DE 195 02 613 A1 comprise a coupling device with a special registration number, for example a card reader for receiving a personal identification card with a PIN number stored thereon, the registration number also being able to form the winning number, for example the end numbers of the PIN number stored on the identification card can be used to determine a possible win. According to patent application DE 195 02 613, game fees and game winnings can also be booked online via the card reader if a prepaid card is inserted into the card reader. The game system proposed in DE 195 02 613 A1 is limited in particular with regard to the available and / or possible betting games and also does not offer any flexibility for the dynamic addition of new or changing existing betting games. The game system according to DE 195 02 613 A1 also has no mechanisms that would make it possible to coordinate the participation of several participants in a common betting game, for example a roulette betting game.

It is an object of this invention, a new game system, a new game method, and suitable portable, mobile game devices propose which in particular do not have the disadvantages of the prior art.

According to the present invention, this goal is achieved in particular by the elements of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments also emerge from the dependent claims and the description.

This aim is achieved in particular by the present invention in that the game system comprises at least one radio transmitter for the dissemination of radio and / or television programs and program-related data, the radio transmitter comprising means for inserting game participation program modules into the program-accompanying data that the portable , mobile game terminals each comprise a receiver for receiving the program-related data, the receiver preferably being set up in such a way that it can also receive the radio and / or television programs, and that the game terminals each comprise filter means for extracting data received in the program inserted game participation program modules and a processor for executing the removed game participation program modules, game instructions from participants being accepted by the game participation program modules via input means of the game terminals and corresponding parts Participant game data are generated for transmission to the computer-based game center. The advantage of transmitting game participation program modules to the mobile game end devices by means of a radio transmitter is, in particular, that a large number of participants, or rather their game end devices, can simultaneously be provided with current software program modules for participating in games of the game center, without the need for network capacities for individual users Connections to the game terminals are used or the various connections have to be created and coordinated. The game participation program modules can be in program-accompanying data without connection to the content of the radio and / or television programs, or audio and / or audiovisual programs, as so-called non-program associated data (NPAD), or in connection with the content of the radio and / or Television programs, or audio and / or audiovisual programs, are distributed as so-called program associated data (PAD). The term "program accompanying data" is used here Text used for both "Non Program Associated Data (NPAD)" and "Program Associated Data (PAD)". The latter variant, to transmit the game participation program modules as PAD data, has the advantage that in the radio and / or television program in question, or in the audio and / or audiovisual program, the games for which the (s) Game participation program modules are / are provided, can be pointed out and the participants can be given explanations and instructions in this regard, for example. The filter means of the game terminals also have the advantage that they also enable user-specific filtering of received program-related data (PAD and / or NPAD), so that, for example, only those game participation program modules are accepted which correspond to the relevant interest parameters of a user profile of the participant concerned.

In a preferred embodiment variant, the game center and the radio transmitter can be connected to one another via a communication network. The game center has at least one game execution program module which determines game winners and the winnings due to these game winners based on predefined game rules and accepted participant game data and is set up in such a way that it can transmit central game data relating to a running game to the radio station via the communication network. The radio transmitter comprises means for inserting the central game data into the program-accompanying data (PAD and / or NPAD) and the game terminals each include further filter means for extracting central game data inserted in received program-related data and for forwarding the central game data extracted to the corresponding game participation program modules, the in relevant game terminal are executed. The advantage of this embodiment variant is, in particular, that central game data, that is to say game data from the game center, which relate to a specific game, can be transmitted simultaneously to all participants, or rather their game terminals and the game participation program modules running therein, as a result of which in particular games with several simultaneous games Participants are coordinated and synchronized and the participants concerned can be supplied with status information and / or game results of the game in question, without the need for network capacities for individual connections to the game terminals used or the various connections must be created and coordinated.

In an embodiment variant, the game terminals each comprise a cost recording module for determining the game costs that a relevant participant incurs for the purchase of fee-based game participation program modules and / or for participation in fee-based games, and for generating corresponding game cost documents, the cost amounts and / or cost parameters Calculation of the cost amounts included. The advantage of determining the gaming costs directly in the gaming device is, in particular, that the particular gaming costs can either be charged to the participant concerned directly in the gaming device, for example a prepaid amount of money that is stored in the gaming device, and / or that the purchase and / or or the execution of game participation program modules is only possible on the condition that the previously determined game costs do not exceed a credit limit stored in the game device.

In a further embodiment variant, the mobile radio network is connected to the game center via a transaction server. The transaction server comprises a game transaction module for forwarding participant game data received from the game terminals to the game center and for receiving information from the game center about the game winners determined by the game center and the winnings due to these game winners. The transaction server also includes a settlement module, which generates settlement documents based on the information about game winners and amounts of winnings and on game cost receipts received from the game terminals, and transmits the generated settlement documents to a clearing unit. The advantage of this embodiment variant is, in particular, that the settlement of the game costs and amounts of winnings, which takes place in a game-specific and participant-specific manner, can be carried out in a separate device provided for this purpose, which can perform this function for several game centers and games and, for example, from a separate service provider can be operated.

In a preferred embodiment variant, the game terminals each comprise an identification module, which has a memory with one therein stored unique subscriber identification includes, for example, a subscriber identification for the mobile network. The game terminals are set up accordingly so that they insert the participant identification into the participant game data and / or play cost receipts. The advantage of this embodiment variant is in particular that already defined internationally valid participant identifications can be used for identifying the participants in the games, the identification module advantageously being removably connected to the game terminal and being designed, for example, as a chip card, for example a so-called SIM card ( Subscriber Identification Module) that can be used in mobile phones.

An embodiment of the present invention is described below using an example. The example of the execution is illustrated by the following enclosed figures:

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram which schematically represents a game system which comprises a plurality of game centers, radio transmitters, game terminals and transaction servers and is connected to one or more clearing units.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram which schematically represents the data flow between the game center, the radio transmitter, a game terminal, the transaction server and a clearing unit outside the game system.

In FIG. 1, reference number 1 relates to the proposed game system, which comprises at least one game center 4, at least one radio transmitter 2, a plurality of game terminals 8 and at least one transaction server 6.

The game center 4 and the transaction server 6 each comprise several programmed software modules and are executed on a common or several computers. If the game center 4 and the transaction server 6 are executed on a common computer, the data exchange between the transaction server 6 and the game center 4 takes place, for example, via a software interface. If the toy trale 4 and the transaction server 6 are executed on different computers, the data exchange between the transaction server 6 and the game center 4 takes place via the communication network 5, for example a fixed network, for example the public switched telephone network, an ISDN network (Integrated Services Digital Network) ), an IP network (Internet Protocol) or a LAN (Local Area Network) or another communication connection. Corresponding communication functions are combined in the game center 4 in the communication module 41, and in the transaction server 6 in the game transaction module 61, these modules comprising software protocols and / or hardware components for communication via the relevant communication network 5.

The communication module 41 of the game center 4 also includes the necessary software-implemented communication protocols and / or hardware components for the communication with the radio transmitter 2 via a communication connection, for example the communication network 3, for example a fixed network as mentioned above for the communication network 5, the Radio transmitter 2 is in turn equipped with a corresponding communication module 24.

As is shown schematically in FIG. 1, the game center 4 comprises at least one or more, namely a number s of game execution program modules 42 which are based on predefined game rules, which are stored as rules or program instructions in the game center 4, and on Participant game data received from participants in the game in question, the game winner (s) of the game in question, and winnings due to those game winners that correspond to an amount of money or a number of bonus points. Examples of games that are carried out by the game execution program modules 42 are traditional simple betting games, such as betting on sporting events (for example horse races or boxing competitions) or drawing of numbers (for example number lottery or lot numbers), or more complex betting games with multiple game states, for example Roulette, blackjack or bingo can be mentioned.

At this point it should be mentioned that, for example, individual games are outsourced from the game center 4 to the radio transmitter 2 (Outsourcing), for which the software modules required for this, in particular the associated game execution program modules 42 and game participation program modules, are carried out in the radio transmitter 2, so that corresponding participant game data from the game terminals 8 via the transaction server 6 directly to the radio transmitter 2, or to the game execution program modules 42 in question Broadcast transmitter 2 are directed. If components of the game center 4 are executed on the radio transmitter 2, the above-mentioned communication link between components of the game center 4 and components of the radio transmitter 2 can also be implemented as a local software interface.

The radio transmitter 2 comprises a transmitter system 22 which generates radio (audio) and / or television programs (audiovisual programs) and program-accompanying data, for example NPAD (Non Program Associated Data) or PAD (Program Associated Data) data, and via the antenna 21 can spread. In addition to the signal generation electronics and the power amplifiers, the transmitter system 22 also comprises one or more computers and several programmed software modules. The radio transmitter 2, or the transmitter 22, is designed, for example, for the generation of DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) and / or DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) programs. Standards for a DAB system that was developed for the transmission of high-quality digital audio programs and / or data services for reception by means of mobile, portable and permanently installed receivers 82 from terrestrial or satellite-based transmitters 2 or from broadcast cable networks were developed, for example, by the European Tele-Communications Standards Institute (ETSl), F-06921 Sophia Antipolis Cedex, France, in the standard ETS 300 401, “Radio broadcasting Systems; Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) to mobile, portable and fixed receivers ". The radio transmitter 2 can also all infrastructure parts of a modern digital broadcast system, such as the technical components for content acquisition and preparation (content provider), the technical components Generation and provision of the broadcasting service (service provider), the technical components for the network services (network provider) or the technical components of the multiplex and switching services (MUX provider). The radio transmitter 2, or rather the transmitter 22, comprises insertion means 23, which are preferably designed as a programmed software module and which are set up in such a way that they can insert data received by the game center 4 into program-accompanying data (PAD and / or NPAD) in order for them to be received by the game terminals 8 via the antenna 21 by means of radio signals. The insertion means 23 are used by the radio broadcaster 2 in particular to transmit game participation program modules and central game data from the game center 4 to the game terminals 8.

The radio and / or television programs, respectively audio and / or audiovisual programs (video programs) and program-accompanying data (PAD and / or NPAD) distributed by the radio transmitter 2 can be transmitted from a plurality of game terminals 8 by means of the receiver 82 for radio and / or television programs, respectively audio and / or audiovisual programs (video programs), and program-related data (PAD and / or NPAD) are received. The game terminals 8, or their receivers 82, also include access control modules (not shown) which provide access to access-controlled and / or paid radio and / or television programs, or audio and / or audiovisual programs (video programs), and program-related data (PAD and / or NPAD) regulate and mechanisms for the handling of authorizations (Entitlement) and the decryption (Descrambling) of so-called Conditional Access radio and / or television programs, respectively audio and / or audiovisual programs (video programs), and program accompanying data - include (PAD and / or NPAD).

As is shown schematically in FIG. 1, the game terminals 8 each comprise a cost recording module 86, which is preferably designed as a programmed software module. The cost recording module 86 is used to determine the gaming costs that a respective participant incurs for the purchase of paid game participation program modules and / or for the participation in paid games. The cost recording module 86 determines the costs based on cost parameters, each of which is assigned to a radio or television program or data accompanying the program (PAD and / or NPAD) and is received by the radio transmitter 2 by the receiver 82. The cost entry Module 86 is set up in such a way that it generates gaming cost receipts that contain certain cost amounts and / or cost parameters for calculating the cost amounts. The cost recording module 86 can be set up in such a way that it charges the determined game costs directly in the game terminal 8 to the relevant participant, for example to a prepaid monetary value that is stored in the game terminal 8, for example on a chip card that is removably connected to the game terminal 8, for example a generic chip card for payment transactions or a specific game chip card, which is designed, for example, as a so-called "electronic wallet" and which is, for example, removably connected to the game terminal 8 via a second chip card receiving point. The direct burden on the game costs in the game terminal 8 can be carried out, for example, if a corresponding option is set by the participant in the game terminal 8. However, the function of the cost recording module 86 can also be coupled to the access control module mentioned above, so that the purchase and / or execution of game participation program modules is only possible on the condition that the determined game costs do not exceed a credit limit stored in the game terminal 8, for example on a chip card removably connected to the game terminal 8. A credit card can also be introduced in the above-mentioned receiving point for the removable connection of chip cards to the game terminal 8, the validity of which can be checked online, for example, which credit card includes information about an account with a financial service provider, on which the gaming costs are charged and amounts of winnings should be credited, whereby this information can be introduced, for example, in the cost documents. For the billing of game costs and amounts of winnings, the participants can also create game accounts in the game center 4 or in the clearing module 62, or specify an account with a financial service provider.

As is shown schematically in FIG. 1, the game terminals 8 each comprise a communication module 88 for communication via the mobile radio network 7, for example a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) or UMTS mobile radio network (Universal Mobile Telephone System) or another mobile radio network , for example a satellite-based cellular network. For the data exchange between the game terminals 8 and the transaction server 6, the communication modules 88, respectively tive the corresponding communication functions of the game transaction module 61, data services that are available in the relevant cellular network 7, for example SMS (Short Message Services) or USSD messages (Unstructured Supplementary Services Data), GPRS (General Package Radio Services), HSCSD data services ( High Speed Circuit Switched Data) or other data services.

The game terminals 8 also preferably have electro-acoustic playback and recording modules, on the one hand to be able to play received radio programs or audio programs, via loudspeakers or headphones, and on the other hand (in connection with the communication modules 88) to use the game terminal 8 as a fully functional mobile radio telephone to be able to. The game terminals 8 also have input means, in particular control elements 83 and a display 81, on the one hand to input and display data and instructions, and on the other hand to operate the game terminal 8 and to receive received television programs, or respectively audio-visual programs or video programs, and data.

The game terminals 8 comprise various filter means 84, 85, which are preferably designed as programmed software modules and which are set up in such a way that they include game participation program modules and central game data, from program-accompanying data (NPAD and / or PAD) that were received by the receiver 82 from the radio transmitter 2 , remove and save in the game device 8. The filtering means 84, 85 can also be implemented in connection with a user profile in which user profile user-specific interest parameters of the participant in question are stored, so that, for example, only those game participation program modules are accepted and stored in the game terminal 8 that match those stored in the user profile Show interest parameters.

Received game participation program modules are executed on a processor 87 of the game terminal 8, for example after prior confirmation by the participant concerned. Game participation program modules are preferably carried out in a portable programming language, for example in Java (Java is a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems) or a similar programming language, which makes it possible to execute game participation program modules independently of the hardware, for example on a virtual platform of the game terminal 8. Game participation program modules which are executed in the game terminal 8 act as a user interface to a corresponding game execution program module 42 which is executed in the game center 4. The user interface can be text or graphically designed, for example a roulette table, a betting slip or a lottery form can be displayed on the display 81 as a graphic user interface by a game participation program module and conventional functions such as help services or file services or storage service can be built into the user interface his. Via the user interface represented by the game participation program module to a running game execution program module 42 of the game center 4, game instructions are entered by the participant concerned using the input means 81, 83 mentioned above, for example, monetary amounts are determined as wagering and, in the example of the roulette game, the possible ones Numbers and / or combinations of numbers set. The game instructions are received by the game execution program module 42 and inserted into corresponding participant game data that are generated for the transmission of the game instructions to the game center 4.

The central game data is game data relating to a specific game, for example status information and / or game results of the relevant game, which is executed by a game execution program module 42 in the game center 4. The central game data contain, for example, game results, for example winning numbers and amounts, or timing information, for example the information that no numbers can be set in the current roulette game (“rien ne va plus”), or that the game in question begins. In the game device 8 central game data received and taken from the program-accompanying data (PAD and / or NPAD) are forwarded, for example by the filter means 85, to the corresponding running game participation program module and taken into account by the latter for the continuation or respectively the completion of the game in question contained game results are displayed by the relevant game participation program module on the display 81 of the game terminal 8. In particular for the identification of the participants, the game terminals 8 comprise an identification module 89 which comprises a memory 891 with a unique participant identification stored therein. The identification module 89 is designed, for example, as a chip card which is connected to the game terminal 8 such that it can be removed, for example a SIM card (Subscriber Identification Module) which is used in mobile radio telephones. The subscriber identification is, for example, a subscriber identification for the mobile radio network 7, for example a so-called IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identification), which is internationally defined and can be used. The game participation program modules described above are preferably set up in such a way that they each take the participant identification from the identification module 89 and insert it into the participant game data.

The various modules and components of the game terminals 8, in particular the receiver 82 for the radio and / or television programs (audio and / or audiovisual programs) and program-accompanying data (PAD and / or NPAD) and the communication module 88 for communicating, are preferably the mobile network 7, executed in a common housing. However, embodiments are also possible in which individual modules and components are designed in separate housings which can be connected to one another. The components of the game terminals 8 described above can also be implemented with so-called laptop computers, palm top computers or PDAs (Personal Digital Assistant) as connectable components or in a common housing. From a purely external point of view, the game terminals 8 can thus look like conventional mobile telephones, radio and / or television receivers, palmtop computers, laptop computers or PDAs.

As shown in FIG. 1, the transaction server 6 includes, in addition to the game transaction module 61 already mentioned above, a clearing module 62, which is preferably designed as a programmed software module. In addition to the communication functions described above, the game transaction module 61 has the function of forwarding participant game data received from the game terminals 8 to the game execution program module 42 of the responsible game center 4, and information about game winners and amounts of winnings due to these game winners, which are generated by the game execution program modules 42 of the game center 4 loading were agreed to accept from the game center 4. The clearing module 62 generates clearing receipts based on game cost receipts received from the game terminals 8 via the game transaction module 61 and on the basis of the mentioned information about game winners and amounts due to these game winners. In an embodiment variant, the accounting module 62 can be implemented in the game center 4.

As indicated schematically in FIG. 1, the game system 1 can include a number 1 to k of game centers 4, a number 1 to n of radio transmitters 2, a plurality 1 to m of game terminals 8 and a number 1 to r of transaction servers 6. In addition, the game system 1 can be connected via the transaction server 6 to a number 1 to t of clearing units 9. The game system 1 proposed here thus enables highly flexible cooperation between several different service providers who operate game centers 4, radio transmitters 2, transaction servers 6 or clearing units 9. For example, different operators of different game centers 4 can supply a radio transmitter 2 with game participation program modules and associated central game data, and an operator of a radio transmitter 2 can obtain game participation program modules and associated central game data from different game centers 4, for example. In addition, participant game data and game cost receipts can be routed from the game terminals 8 via various transaction servers, for example depending on the game in question, that is, the game participation program module and the associated game execution program module 42, or the responsible game center 4.

FIG. 2 shows the data flow between the game center 4, the radio transmitter 2, a game terminal 8, the transaction server 6 and a clearing unit 9 outside the game system 1. Files A with participation game program modules are transmitted from the game center 4 to the radio transmitter 2. Data elements that identify the game in question, consisting of the game execution program module 42 and the associated game participation program module, and the responsible game center 4, for example a game number and a game execution number, or a unique network address of the game center (for example the game center 4 or the radio transmitter 2) into a concern of the game participation program module or are assigned to the relevant game participation program module and transferred in the file A. As a further data element, an identification, for example a network address, of the transaction server 4, which is to be used for the data exchange between game participation program module and game execution program module 42, in file A, for example inserted in the game participation program module, can be transmitted to the radio transmitter 2. It is also possible to transmit different game parameters for different radio stations 2 in the file A, for example country-specific game parameters, for example different legally permissible maximum bets, can be transmitted to the radio stations 2. Further data elements with information on the identification of the operator of the game center 4, or the radio station 2, and / or with information on any copyrights and identifications of holders of these copyrights, can also be inserted into a respective game participation program module or assigned to the relevant game participation program module in the file A be transmitted.

From the radio transmitter 2, the game participation program modules and the associated further data elements and game parameters are transmitted as program-accompanying data A '(PAD and / or NPAD) to the game terminals 8, where the game participation program modules can be executed. Preferably, the program-accompanying data A 'with the game participation program modules additionally include a data element for identifying the radio broadcaster 2 concerned. At this point it should also be mentioned that the radio broadcaster 2 has software-based configuration modules which make it possible to configure game parameters of certain games, in particular then It makes sense if the games in question have been outsourced to the radio transmitter 2, as described above.

Participant game data C, which are generated by the game participation program module in accordance with the participant's game instructions, are transmitted to the responsible transaction server 6. In addition to the game instructions and the aforementioned participant identification, the participant game data C also include an identification of the responsible game center 4 (or the radio transmitter 2) and the game in question, for example the game number and game execution number mentioned. The participants Game data C can also contain information about the settlement of game costs and amounts of game winnings desired by the participant concerned.

From the transaction server 6, the participant game data C are each transmitted to the responsible game center 4, where they are transferred to the game execution program module 42 concerned for processing. Information about the billing of game costs and amounts of game winnings desired by the relevant participant is passed to the billing module 62.

Central game data B generated by the game execution program module 42 and comprising the above-mentioned data elements for the identification of the game in question, the responsible game center 4 (or radio transmitter 2) and the responsible transaction server 6 are transmitted from the game center 4 to the radio transmitter 2. It is also possible to insert a participant identification into the central game data as a further data element if games are carried out with participant-specific central game data, for example information about the next drawn game card in a blackjack game or a winning amount to be paid out, which is credited directly to an account in the game terminal 8 is, for example an account on a chip card, for example a generic chip card for payment transactions or a specific game chip card, which is designed, for example, as a so-called "electronic wallet" and which is, for example, removably connected to the game terminal 8 via a second chip card receiving point are.

The broadcasting station 2 transmits the central game data as program-accompanying data B '(PAD and / or NPAD) to the game terminals 8, where they are handed over to the responsible game participation program modules for processing.

The generated gaming cost receipts D are also transmitted from the game terminals 8 to the transaction server 6. In addition to the above-mentioned cost amounts and / or cost parameters for calculating the cost amounts and the participant identification, the game cost receipts D preferably include further data elements for identifying the game in question, the responsible game center 4 and the run radio transmitter 2 via the the game was played. The game cost receipts D can also contain information about the offsetting of game costs and amounts of game winnings desired by the participant concerned.

After the end of a game in question, the game center 4 transmits to the transaction server 6 information E about the game winners determined by the game execution program module 42 in question, for example the participant identification of the game winners, and the amounts of winnings due to these game winners which were determined by the game execution program module 42 concerned.

The clearing documents F generated by the clearing module 62 described above are transmitted from the transaction server 6 to the clearing unit 9. The clearing documents F are generated and transmitted, for example, after the end of a game or preferably periodically. The clearing documents preferably comprise identifications and / or account numbers of all parties involved, that is to say the operator of the game center 4 concerned, the operator of the radio broadcaster 2 concerned, the participant concerned and the operator of the transaction server 6 concerned, and credits assigned to these identifications and / or account numbers, respectively burdens. Depending on the game participation and game execution program modules 42 and other software programs used, copyrights and license fees to be settled can also be recorded in the transaction server 6 and charged to the authors and property right holders concerned.

On the basis of the clearing documents F received in the clearing unit 9, the corresponding financial transactions can be carried out via the relevant accounts of the various financial institutions connected to the clearing unit 9. List of reference numbers

1 game system

2 radio stations

3, 5 communication network

4 game center

6 transaction servers

7 cellular network

8 game terminal

9 clearing unit

21 antenna

22 transmitter system

23 insertion means

24, 41 communication module

42 Game execution program module

61 game transaction module

62 accounting module

81 display

82 receivers for radio and / or television programs and accompanying data (PAD and / or NPAD)

83 Controls

84, 85 filter media

86 Cost recording module

87 processor

88 communication module

89 Identification module

891 memory with subscriber identification

A, A ¹ file with game participation program module

B, B 'central game data

C, C participant game data

D proof of expenditure

E Information about game winners and amounts won

F Proof of clearing k Number of gaming centers m Number of gaming devices r Number of transaction servers n Number of broadcasters s Number of clearing units

Claims

claims

1. Game system (1) comprising at least one computer-based game center (4) and a large number of portable, mobile game terminals (8), which game terminals (8) each comprise a communication module (88) for transmitting participant game data via a mobile radio network (7) the game center (4), which game center (4) comprises at least one game execution program module (42) for determining game winnings and winnings due to these game winners based on predefined game rules and accepted participant game data, characterized in that

that the game system (1) comprises at least one radio transmitter (2) for the dissemination of radio and / or television programs and program-related data, which radio transmitter (2) comprises means for inserting game participation program modules into the program-related data,

that the game terminals (8) each include a receiver (82) for receiving the program-accompanying data, and

that the game terminals (8) each comprise filter means (84) for removing game participation program modules inserted in received program-accompanying data, and a processor (87) for executing the removed game participation program modules, game instructions from participants being entered by the game participation program modules via input means (81, 83) of the game terminals (8) and corresponding participant game data are generated for transmission to the game center (4).

2. Game system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the game center (4) and the radio transmitter (2) can be connected to one another via a communication network (3) such that the game execution program module (42) is set up in such a way that it relates to central game data current game via the communication network (3) to the radio transmitter (2) that the radio transmitter (2) comprises means (23) for insertion the central game data into the program-accompanying data, and that the game terminals (8) each comprise further filter means (85) for extracting central game data inserted into received program-related data and for forwarding the central game data extracted to the relevant game participation program modules, which are in the relevant game terminal (8) be carried out.

3. Game system (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the game terminals (8) each comprise a cost recording module (86) for determining the game costs that a participant concerned for the purchase of fee-based game participation program modules and / or participation arise on chargeable games, and for the generation of corresponding game cost receipts, which contain cost amounts and / or cost parameters for calculating the cost amounts.

4. Game system (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the mobile radio network (7) is connected via a transaction server (6) to the game center (4), that the transaction server (6) comprises a game transaction module (61) for forwarding participant game data received by the game terminals (8) to the game center (4) and to receive information from the game center (4) about the game winners determined by the game center (4) and the winnings due to these game winners, and that the transaction server (6 ) comprises a billing module (62) for generating billing documents based on the information about game winners and amounts of winnings and on game cost receipts received from the game terminals (8) and for transmitting the generated billing documents to a clearing unit (9).

5. Game system (1) according to one of claims 3 to 4, characterized in that the game terminals (8) each comprise an identification module (89), which identification module (89) comprises a memory (891) with a unique subscriber identification stored therein, and that the game terminals (8) are set up in such a way that they insert the participant identification into the participant game data and / or play cost receipts.

6. Game terminal (8), which is designed as a portable, mobile device, comprising a communication module (88) for transmitting participant game data via a mobile radio network (7) to a game center (4), which game center (4) has at least one game execution program module (42) includes for determining game winners and the winnings due to these game winners based on predefined game rules and accepted participant game data, characterized in that

that the game terminal (8) comprises a receiver (82) for receiving program-related data, which program-related data are broadcast by a radio transmitter (2) for the distribution of radio and / or television programs and program-related data, and

that the game terminal (8) comprises filtering means (84) for extracting game participation program modules inserted into received program-accompanying data, and a processor (87) for executing the removed game participation program modules, game instructions from participants being entered by the game participation program modules via input means (81, 83) Game terminals (8) are received and corresponding participant game data are generated for transmission to the game center (4).

7. Game terminal (8) according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises further filter means (85) for extracting central game data inserted in received program-accompanying data, which is transmitted from the game center (4) via a communication network (3) to the radio transmitter (2). are transmitted, and for forwarding the extracted central game data to the game participation program modules, which are executed in the game terminal (8).

8. Game terminal (8) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that it comprises a cost recording module (86) for determining the game costs incurred by the participant concerned for the purchase of fee-based game participation program modules and / or participation in fee-based games, and to generate corresponding ones Game expense receipts that contain cost amounts and / or cost parameters for calculating the cost amounts.

9. Game terminal (8) according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises an identification module (89), which identification module (89) comprises a memory (891) with a unique subscriber identification stored therein, and that the game terminal (8) is set up in this way that it inserts the participant identification in the participant game data and / or play cost receipts.

10.Game method in which a plurality of portable, mobile game terminals (8) each transmit participant game data via a mobile radio network (7) to a computer-based game center (4), which game center (4) is entitled to game winners and these game winners based on predefined game rules and accepted participant game data Amounts of winnings determined, characterized,

that game participation program modules through a radio broadcaster

(2) for the distribution of radio and / or television programs and program-related data are inserted and distributed in the program-related data,

that the data accompanying the program are received by a receiver (82) of the game terminals (8),

that the game participation program modules inserted in received program-accompanying data are removed by filter means (84) from the game terminals (8) and each are executed on a processor (87) of the game terminals (8), game instructions from participants being input by the game participation program modules via input means (81, 83 ) the game terminals (8) and corresponding participant game data for transmission to the game center (4) are generated.

11. Game method according to claim 10, characterized in that the game center (4) and the radio transmitter (2) via a communica- tion network (3) are connected to one another so that central game data relating to a running game is transmitted by the game center (4) via the communication network (3) to the radio transmitter (2), that the central game data is transmitted to the program by the radio transmitter (2) Data are inserted, and that the central game data inserted in received program-accompanying data are each extracted from the game terminals (8) by further filter means (85) and the central game data removed are forwarded to the relevant game participation program modules, which are executed in the relevant game terminal (8).

12. Game method according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that game costs incurred by a respective participant for the purchase of fee-based game participation program modules and / or the participation in fee-based games are each determined by the game terminals (8) and that corresponding Game cost receipts, which contain cost amounts and / or cost parameters for calculating the cost amounts, are generated by the game terminals (8).

13. Game method according to claim 12, characterized in that the mobile radio network (7) is connected via a transaction server (6) to the game center (4), that participant game data received in the transaction server (6) by the game terminals (8) , are forwarded to the game center (4) by the transaction server (6) that information about the game winners determined by the game center (4) and amounts of winnings due to these game winners is received by the game center (4) by the transaction server (6), and that Settlement documents are generated by the transaction server (6) based on the information about game winners and amounts of winnings and on game cost receipts received from the game terminals (8) and transmitted to a clearing unit (9).

14. Game method according to one of claims 12 to 13, characterized in that in each case a unique subscriber identification is stored in an identification module (89) of the game terminals (8), and that the participant identifications are inserted into the participant game data and / or game cost receipts by the game terminals (8).

CHANGED REQUIREMENTS

[Received at the International Office on March 18, 2002 (March 18, 2002); original claims 1, 6 and 10 amended; all other claims unchanged (5 pages)]

1. Game system (1) comprising at least one radio transmitter (2) for the distribution of radio and / or television programs and program-related data, at least one computer-based game center (4) and a large number of portable, mobile game terminals (8), which game terminals (8 ) each include a receiver (82) for receiving the data accompanying the program, which game terminals (8) each comprise a communication module (88) for transmitting participant game data via a mobile radio network (7) to the game center (4), which game center (4) has at least one Game execution program module (42) comprises for determining game winners and winnings due to these game winners, based on predefined game rules and accepted participant game data, characterized in that

that the radio transmitter (2) means for inserting

Game participation program modules included in the program accompanying data, and

2. Game system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the game center (4) and the radio transmitter (2) can be connected to one another via a communication network (3) such that the game execution program module (42) is set up in such a way that it relates to central game data current game via the communication network (3) to the radio transmitter (2) that the radio transmitter (2) comprises means (23) for inserting the central game data in the program-accompanying data, and that the Game terminals (8) each include further filter means (85) for removing central game data inserted in received program-accompanying data and for forwarding the central game data removed to the relevant game participation program modules, which are executed in the relevant game terminal (8).

3. Game system (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the game terminals (8) each comprise a cost recording module (86) for determining the game costs that a participant concerned for the purchase of fee-based game participation program modules and / or Participation in chargeable games arises, and for the generation of corresponding game cost documents, which contain cost amounts and / or cost parameters for calculating the cost amounts.

4. Game system (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the mobile radio network (7) is connected via a transaction server (6) to the game center (4), that the transaction server (6) comprises a game transaction module (61) for forwarding of participant game data received from the game terminals (8) to the game center (4) and for receiving information from the game center (4) about the game winners determined by the game center (4) and amounts due to these game winners, and that The transaction server (6) comprises a clearing module (62) for generating clearing documents based on the information about game winners and amounts of winnings and on the costs of the game costs received from the game terminals (8), and for transmitting the generated clearing documents to a clearing unit (9 ).

6. Game terminal (8), which is designed as a portable, mobile device, comprising a receiver (82) for receiving program-related data, which program-related data from a radio broadcaster (2) for the distribution of radio and / or television programs and program-related data be a

Communication module (88) for transmitting participant game data via a mobile radio network (7) to a game center (4), which game center (4) comprises at least one game execution program module (42) for determining game winners and amounts due to these game winners based on predefined game rules and accepted participant game data, characterized,

8. Game terminal (8) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that it comprises a cost recording module (86) for determining the game costs incurred by the participant concerned for the purchase of fee-based game participation program modules and / or participation in fee-based games, and for the generation of corresponding game cost documents which contain cost amounts and / or cost parameters for calculating the cost amounts.

that game participation program modules are inserted and distributed in the program-accompanying data by a radio broadcaster (2) for the dissemination of radio and / or television programs and program-accompanying data,

that the program-accompanying data and the game participation program modules inserted therein are each received by a receiver (82) of the game terminals (8),

that the data accompanying program received is inserted

Game participation program modules are removed from the game terminals (8) by filter means (84) and are each executed on a processor (87) of the game terminals (8), the game participation program modules accepting game instructions from participants via input means (81, 83) from the game terminals (8) and corresponding participant game data for transmission to the game center (4) are generated.

1 1. Game method according to claim 10, characterized in that the game center (4) and the radio transmitter (2) are connected to one another via a communication network (3) that central game data relating to a running game by the game center (4) via the communication onsnetz (3) are transmitted to the radio transmitter (2) that the central game data are inserted into the program-accompanying data by the radio transmitter (2) and that the central game data inserted in received program-related data are each added by further filter means (85) of the game terminals (8) withdrawn and the extracted central game data are forwarded to the relevant game participation program modules, which are executed in the relevant game terminal (8).

13. Game method according to claim 12, characterized in that the mobile radio network (7) is connected via a transaction server (6) to the game center (4), that participant game data received in the transaction server (6) by the game terminals (8) the transaction server (6) is forwarded to the game center (4), that information about the game winners determined by the game center (4) and amounts of winnings due to these game winners is received by the game center (4) by the transaction server (6) and that billing documents are provided by the transaction server (6) is generated based on the information about game winners and amounts of winnings and on game cost bets received by the game terminals (8) and transmitted to a clearing unit (9).

14. Game method according to one of claims 12 to 13, characterized in that in each case a unique participant identification is stored in an identification module (89) of the game terminals (8), and that the participant identifications by the game terminals (8) each in the participant game data and / or Game cost receipts are inserted.