Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080305862 | Facilitating a Flat Rate Play Session with a Parallel Game - A gaming device adapted to operate in a flat rate play mode has two credit meters. The first credit meter shows a credit balance associated with the flat rate play session. The second credit meter shows a concurrent credit balance associated with a parallel transactional play session. The player may cash out the balance of one, but not both credit meters. | 12-11-2008 |
20090216754 | System and method of distribution for geospatial data - In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method comprises receiving a query comprising geospatial attributes, displaying at least one image indicative of at least one geospatial data set matching the query, receiving a request for the at least one geospatial data set, and transmitting the at least geospatial data set. | 08-27-2009 |
20100023463 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING AND MARKETING SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION - The invention includes a process for providing incentives to sources to participate in interviews. Transcripts of interviews conducted according to a protocol are created that are saleable via, for example, the Internet. The protocol includes inserting tags into the recording to identify characteristics of the content of the recording. Further, the invention provides a method for redacting the recording using the inserted tags to generate a saleable version of the recording. The tags are used to exclude certain inappropriate content and to generate meta-data regarding the recording for marketing the recording. In some embodiments, interview participants may be compensated based upon sales of the recordings. Some embodiments of the invention include a recording device, a controller, and a user device. The recording device may be used to record an interview session between an interviewer and an interviewee. The recording device may communicate with the controller to convey the raw transcript of the interview session. The controller may include redacting software for modifying the interview transcript, and a voice recognition module for assisting in the redaction process. The voice recognition module may also assist in the creation of meta-tags describing the modified recording of the interview. The controller may further comprise a server for hosting Web pages. A user device in communication with the controller via the Internet may allow a user to peruse Web pages displaying the meta-tags and links that allow purchase of copies of associated interesting portions of the redacted interview transcripts as hosted by the controller. | 01-28-2010 |
20100094751 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR ENFORCING PURCHASE AGREEMENTS - Systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture and methods are provided for establishing (e.g., online) a buyer price for a first plurality of products. In one embodiment, the buyer price is lower than a retail price of the first plurality of products. A second plurality of products that the buyer has actually received during the subsequent transaction is determined. A penalty may be assessed if the first plurality of products does not correspond to the second plurality of products. | 04-15-2010 |
20100167824 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AWARDING PRIZES IN A LOCAL EDITION OF AN ONLINE GAME - According to some embodiments of the present invention a system and method are provided that allow a player of a game to receive at least one prize. The method may include receiving information about at least one merchant, enabling play of a game by a player, determining merchant information to communicate to the player, and providing at least one prize to the player. In some embodiments, the prizes made available to a player (e.g., for selection) may be based on the location of the player, a merchant, or both. | 07-01-2010 |
20120022923 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR ENFORCING PURCHASE AGREEMENTS - Systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture and methods are provided for establishing (e.g., online) a buyer price for a first plurality of products. In one embodiment, the buyer price is lower than a retail price of the first plurality of products. A second plurality of products that the buyer has actually received during the subsequent transaction is determined. A penalty may be assessed if the first plurality of products does not correspond to the second plurality of products. | 01-26-2012 |
20120129592 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A TIME BASED AWARD - A method is provided for providing payments at a gaming device, where the payments may occur at predictable times and are of predictable amounts. In one or more embodiments, a gaming device may provide a guaranteed payment every hour on the hour, so long as a player meets one or more criteria. Criteria may include a total amount wagered, a total number of handle pulls completed, or a total amount of time spent at a gaming device. One or more embodiments provide a method for withholding value from a player in order that the value may delivered later in the form of a guaranteed payment. One or more embodiments provide a method whereby multiple gaming devices may provide payments simultaneously, thereby creating mutually reinforcing sounds and visual displays. | 05-24-2012 |
20130095912 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A TIME BASED AWARD - A method is provided for providing payments at a gaming device, where the payments may occur at predictable times and are of predictable amounts. In one or more embodiments, a gaming device may provide a guaranteed payment every hour on the hour, so long as a player meets one or more criteria. Criteria may include a total amount wagered, a total number of handle pulls completed, or a total amount of time spent at a gaming device. One or more embodiments provide a method for withholding value from a player in order that the value may delivered later in the form of a guaranteed payment. One or more embodiments provide a method whereby multiple gaming devices may provide payments simultaneously, thereby creating mutually reinforcing sounds and visual displays. | 04-18-2013 |
20130211961 | SYSTEM FOR UTILIZING REDEMPTION INFORMATION - A system to determine offers and/or to determine the acceptability of offers based on received information relating to product redemption at a third party. According to one embodiment, the system includes arrangement for a customer to redeem a product from a third party, reception of information relating to a redemption of the product by the customer, reception of an offer to purchase a product for an offer price, determination to accept the offer based on the received information relating to the redemption, determination of an assigned third party at which the offer product may be redeemed based on the received information, and transmission of an acceptance of the offer and an indication of the assigned third party. | 08-15-2013 |
20130226735 | SYSTEM FOR UTILIZING REDEMPTION INFORMATION - A system to determine offers and/or to determine the acceptability of offers based on received information relating to product redemption at a third party. According to one embodiment, the system includes arrangement for a customer to redeem a product from a third party, reception of information relating to a redemption of the product by the customer, reception of an offer to purchase a product for an offer price, determination to accept the offer based on the received information relating to the redemption, determination of an assigned third party at which the offer product may be redeemed based on the received information, and transmission of an acceptance of the offer and an indication of the assigned third party. | 08-29-2013 |
20140141873 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A TIME BASED AWARD - A method is provided for providing payments at a gaming device, where the payments may occur at predictable times and are of predictable amounts. In one or more embodiments, a gaming device may provide a guaranteed payment every hour on the hour, so long as a player meets one or more criteria. Criteria may include a total amount wagered, a total number of handle pulls completed, or a total amount of time spent at a gaming device. One or more embodiments provide a method for withholding value from a player in order that the value may delivered later in the form of a guaranteed payment. One or more embodiments provide a method whereby multiple gaming devices may provide payments simultaneously, thereby creating mutually reinforcing sounds and visual displays. | 05-22-2014 |
20140329574 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING A PAYOUT OF A GAMING DEVICE - In accordance with some embodiments, a method provides for determining that a qualifying outcome has been obtained as a result of a game play conducted on a gaming device and determining a buy-in amount for a current play session in which the game play is included. The method further provides for setting, in response to the obtainment of the qualifying outcome, a credit meter balance to the buy-in amount, thereby providing a payout for the qualifying outcome. | 11-06-2014 |
20140342804 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPTIMIZING THE RATE OF PLAY OF A GAMING DEVICE - The invention includes a system and method for determining and achieving an optimized rate of play of a gaming device for a given player. The system monitors play at a gaming device, determines whether adjustments to parameters that effect the potential maximum rate of play should be made, and makes the appropriate adjustments. Monitoring play includes measuring such things as force applied to input buttons and tracking unnecessary button presses at inappropriate times (i.e., while the reels are still spinning). Parameters that effect the potential maximum rate of play include reel resolution time, length of bonus displays, payout rate, and the like. | 11-20-2014 |