Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080268958 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TEAM PLAY OF SLOT MACHINES - A method of operating slot machines permits a machine to be identified as available for team play. Upon being identified for team play, the machine is grouped with other slot machines and subject to bonus conditions dependent on the team play. Bonus conditions typically including selected bonus outcomes and a bonus time period, during which bonus time period all outcomes of the grouped machines are monitored to determine the total bonus outcomes. If the total bonus outcomes of the team meet the bonus conditions within the bonus time period, then a bonus payout is awarded to all of the players. Players are thus encouraged to participate in a social, team environment with others of the team to win the group bonus. The invention is applicable to all slot machines, including video poker machines wherein the bonus outcomes include selected video poker hand ranks, and reeled slot machines wherein the bonus outcomes include selected reel outcomes. | 10-30-2008 |
20090003584 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CALL ROUTING AND ENABLING INTERACTION BETWEEN CALLERS WITH CALLS POSITIONED IN A QUEUE - Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for processing telephone calls from a plurality of customers directed to a call center. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving a telephone call at a call center from a first customer, determining that all agents of the call center are unavailable, placing the telephone call in a queue, obtaining first customer information, and matching the first customer information to second customer information associated with an ongoing communication between a second customer and an agent. The first customer is then offered an opportunity to monitor the ongoing communication, and in some embodiments is connected to the ongoing communication. | 01-01-2009 |
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 |
20100167802 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TEAM PLAY OF SLOT MACHINES - A method of operating slot machines permits a machine to be identified as available for team play. Upon being identified for team play, the machine is grouped with other slot machines and subject to bonus conditions dependent on the team play. Bonus conditions typically including selected bonus outcomes and a bonus time period, during which bonus time period all outcomes of the grouped machines are monitored to determine the total bonus outcomes. If the total bonus outcomes of the team meet the bonus conditions within the bonus time period, then a bonus payout is awarded to all of the players. Players are thus encouraged to participate in a social, team environment with others of the team to win the group bonus. The invention is applicable to all slot machines, including video poker machines wherein the bonus outcomes include selected video poker hand ranks, and reeled slot machines wherein the bonus outcomes include selected reel outcomes. | 07-01-2010 |
20110017837 | Method And Apparatus For Promoting The Selection And Use Of A Transaction Card - One embodiment of the present invention provides for detecting a physical change at a transaction card, and, in response to detecting the physical change outputting content to attract the attention of a user. | 01-27-2011 |
20120302328 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING NETWORK LINKED GAMBLING VIDEO GAMES - Methods and apparatus for team play in video games is provided. One method includes receiving a request to initiate a gambling game for a player of a first networked machine and joining a second player of a second networked machine to a team. The method further enables transfer of currency between the first and second players of the team using the networked machines during play of the gambling game. The method debits an account of a player using the networked machine that transferred the currency and credits an account of a player that that received the currency. The method further enables wagers in the gambling game using the credited currency, and the method is executed by at least one processor. | 11-29-2012 |
20130324224 | Methods and Apparatus for Managing Network Linked Gambling Video Games - Methods and apparatus for team play in video games is provided. One method includes receiving a request to initiate a gambling game for a player of a first network connected device, and joining a second player from a second networked connected device to a team. The method enables transfer of currency between the first and second players of the team using the networked during play of the gambling game. The method enables debiting an account of a player that transferred the currency and crediting an account of a player that that received the currency, and enabling wagers in the gambling game using the credited currency. The method enables displaying an avatar of the first player on a display of the second networked connected device; and displaying an avatar of the second player on a display of the first networked connected device, the method being executed by at least one processor. | 12-05-2013 |
20140148233 | Methods and Apparatus for Managing Network Linked Gambling Video Games - Methods and apparatus for playing video games in a network environment are provided. One method includes receiving a request to initiate a game for a player of a first network connected device and enabling a second player from a second networked connected device to play the game. The method also enables transfer of currency between the first and second players using the network for playing the game. The method debits an account of a player that transferred the currency and credits an account of a player that that received the currency. The method then enables purchases in the game using the credited currency and displays an avatar of the first player on a display of the second networked connected device, and displays an avatar of the second player on a display of the first networked connected device. | 05-29-2014 |