Abstract: The invention relates devices and methods for creating a cryptographically assured timestamp that can be verified by a party that was not present during the creation of the timestamp. The timestamp is applied to physical documents, and other substrates capable of receiving an optically detectable mark, that are to be transmitted to temporally or spatially distant recipients.

Abstract: A ticket for an instant lottery game and method for playing the same is disclosed. As described in one aspect of the disclosure, a ticket for an instant lottery game simulates computerized video poker. The ticket comprises an initial hand of cards imprinted on the ticket, wherein the initial hand is normally hidden under a corresponding alterable area so that when the alterable area corresponding to the initial hand is altered, the initial hand is revealed. The ticket also includes a plurality of strategies for the game each imprinted on the ticket, wherein each strategy is related to the initial hand, wherein the strategies are those that are most likely to result in a player achieving a favorable outcome for the game, and wherein each strategy is normally hidden under a corresponding alterable area so that when an alterable area corresponding to one of the plurality of strategies is altered, the strategy corresponding thereto is revealed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided wherein a buyer purchases a product at a first price and acquires the product from a merchant that offers the product for sale at a second price, the second price being different from the first price. Transaction information associated with the buyer and the merchant is received. Information that allows the buyer to acquire the product from the merchant in exchange for providing payment of an amount based on the first price, such as by providing payment to a central controller, is transmitted. According to one embodiment, the central controller provides payment of an amount based on the second price to the merchant.

Abstract: A method and a system for a distributed electronic tournament system in which many remotely located players participate in a tournament through input/output devices connected to a central controller which manages the tournament. The method includes the steps of (a) uniquely identifying a player communicating with the central controller via an associated input/output device; (b) responding to payment of an entry fee by the player for allowing the player to participate in a tournament occurring within a fixed time window via an associated input/output device; (c) accessing a database to store in the database player information that is generated as the player participates in the tournament, such information being available for use in a subsequent tournament, which is administered by said controller and in which the player participates; and (d) awarding the player a prize for achieving a pre-established performance level in the tournament.

Abstract: A gaming machine such as a slot machine is provided having a payout proportional to a wager value. The gaming machine provides a player with the ability to flexibly and automatically increase and decrease wagers, thereby allowing the player to press his bets when he feels lucky, and to decrease his bets when he feels unlucky. Different proportional payout tables are provided for different levels of wagers.

Abstract: A system and process for issuing a security deposit guarantee includes and involves a data storage system storing information about a credit card account having an account owner, and an agreement between the account owner and another party. Also included and involved is a data processing system coupled to the data storage system that is operative to receive a request to issue a security deposit guarantee of a specified value, to issue the security deposit guarantee in accordance with agreement between the account owner and the other party, and to update the credit card account based on the security deposit guarantee. The system and process also manage a claim that subsequently may be made against the security deposit guarantee by the other party.

Abstract: A system is described for facilitating an Internet-based game of chance, particularly a computer-based version of a punchboard game having a grid with prizes associated with the various grid locations. The user can pay a central controller for each selection by providing a credit card number, or through other Internet transaction means. The central controller sends the user a fresh virtual punchboard (i.e. a game in which no selections have yet been made). The user selects a grid location, encrypts it, and then transmits it to the central controller. The central controller then generates prize values for the grid that it sent to the player. The user's computer stores the locations of each prize and determines whether the player's selection was a winner. If he has won, the player sends the decryption key to the central controller to decrypt his grid selection and authenticate his selection. The central controller then initiates a payment to the user.

Abstract: A central controller such as one operating for a credit card account issuer receives one or more billing items which are to be printed on an account holder's billing statement. The central controller determines if the billing items, which typically specify purchases, satisfy any merchant-specified upsell offer conditions. Some upsell offer conditions include the purchase of a predetermined product, or a purchase which exceeds a predefined price. Such upsell offer conditions, when satisfied, direct the central controller to offer an upsell on the billing statement. If any of the upsell offer conditions are satisfied, the central controller determines one or more upsells that correspond to the upsell offer condition. The upsells may be, for example, products complementary to previously-purchased products. The upsells are offered to the account holder by printing onto the billing statement indicia that specifies the upsells.

Abstract: An electronic gaming system is disclosed that allows a player to play a game of knowledge, such as a trivia game, while playing a slot machine. The player can preferably use successful trivia game results to access higher reward levels with the slot machine, with each reward level having progressively higher payouts for a given winning combination or a higher probability of a winning result or both. The trivia questions are preferably stored in a question database after being obtained from a remote source, in order to ensure an adequate supply of accurate and sufficiently challenging trivia questions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for issuing and redeeming a gift certificate drawn on a credit card or other financial account. The present invention includes a first aspect directed to a merchant card authorization terminal and a second aspect directed to a credit card issuer central controller. According to the first aspect, a method for redeeming a gift certificate drawn on a financial account is disclosed including the steps of receiving a gift certificate for payment of an identified value, transmitting a request for authorization to a central server, receiving an authorization signal, representing an indication that redemption of the gift certificate is authorized, from said central server and receiving a payment from the account issuer based on said identified value. A system is also disclosed for implementing the methods in all aspects of the present invention.

Abstract: A gaming device and method of operation thereof are provided in which the gaming device receives a loan request, which includes a loan amount, to establish a balance without having received payment therefor. The device sends a request signal to a controller of the gaming device communicating the loan request, and a balance is established with the gaming device. The gaming device in turn receives an approval signal from the controller of the gaming device regarding approval of the loan request. The loan amount may be less than or equal to the requested amount. A cash-out mechanism of the gaming device is enabled in accordance with the approval signal before the approval signal is received.

Abstract: A network server provides control functions for gambling devices of the type which provide intermittent monetary payments to players at a point-of-play. The point-of-play includes an interactive display device for displaying messages to the player and for receiving player responses which are then transmitted to a network server. Memory at the network server stores product and product purchase information and customer profile data. The network server causes transmission of product and product purchase information to the interactive display device and monitors each of the gambling devices to detect an occurrence of a player win that requires a monetary payout. The network server is responsive to the detection of the player win and to an entry from the player which indicates the purchase of a product (as offered by a locally displayed advertisement), to credit the purchase price of the product against the anticipated monetary payout.

Abstract: An electronic amusement device and a method for operating the device are disclosed. The device conducts a game of chance that preferably incorporates game elements that change and expire during the game. The device performs the steps of generating and displaying a subject game element having a first class. The step of displaying includes displaying an indicia of the first class. The device further assigns a second class to the subject game element, and displays the subject game element, thereby displaying an indicia of the second class.

Abstract: A device for facilitating financial account transactions is described which includes a processing unit including a cryptographic processor. The device also includes an input unit, a display unit and a memory device connected to the processing unit. The memory device contains a private cryptographic key, a first data element and a second data element. The processing unit encrypts the first data element using the private cryptographic key and the second data element, modifies the second data element, combines the encrypted first data element and the second data element to generate a single-use financial account identifier, and displays the single-use financial account identifier. This identifier is then transmitted to a central processor for authorization of the transaction.

Abstract: A vending machine method and apparatus are disclosed for encouraging vending machine customers to review a marketing promotion or to participate in a survey while making a purchase. Customers are immediately rewarded for providing responses about about the marketing promotion that was previously presented or their preferences or opinions. The reward may be, for example, a supplementary product, a discount on the customer's current purchase or a subsequent purchase, or a rebate. The vending machine ensures that it contains sufficient currency and products to meet the requirements of all active reward offers. The vending machine ensures that buyers are committed to making a purchase, before offering a reward to a customer. Unscrupulous customers are discouraged from using repeatedly participating in a marketing promotion, merely to collect rewards or influence the results of a survey.

Abstract: A conditional lottery ticket system is disclosed to process conditional lottery ticket transactions, including the acceptance and validation of play entries. The conditional lottery ticket system preferably includes a central lottery server and one or more remote lottery terminals. The conditional lottery ticket system permits a player to purchase conditional lottery tickets that are not activated until one or more player-defined activation conditions are satisfied. The player-defined activation conditions may include a minimum lottery jackpot, a particular future date of activation, or the occurrence of a particular external event. Conditional lottery tickets may be purchased (i) individually and activated the next time the player-specified activation conditions are satisfied; (ii) on a subscription basis for a predefined number of times when the player-specified activation conditions are satisfied; or (iii) on a perpetual subscription basis, until the subscription is cancelled.

Abstract: A system and method uses customer information collected by a sponsoring organization, such as a hotel, to request and pre-approve a line of credit for a customer with an issuing bank prior to the anticipated arrival of the customer at the facilities of the sponsoring organization. In one embodiment, the anticipated arrival of a potential customer is identified when the customer makes a reservation for future services or registers for attendance at a future event. Preferably, the credit card is instantly issued to the customer and activated by the sponsoring organization on behalf of the customer as part of a chargeable event while the customer is at the facilities of the sponsoring organization. The sponsoring organization may opt to offer the issuing bank a guarantee of coverage over the line of credit extended by the issuing bank. Also, customers may choose the incentive benefits they wish to receive from using the line of credit.

Abstract: Slot machines for enabling team play by a plurality of slot machine players are disclosed. The game results of each team player are combined in a predefined manner to obtain a team game result. The game results of each player may be combined on a "per-spin" basis, or collected for each team player over an entire play session, with the net result of each team player combined on a "per-session" basis. In a "per-spin" embodiment, each team player initiates play, and the individual game results of each team player are combined in a predefined manner to obtain the best team game result, with the highest resulting payout, for each spin. In a "per-session" embodiment each team player continues play for an entire play session, and the net result of each team player is analyzed in a predefined manner on a "per-session" basis to obtain the team session result.

Abstract: A gaming machine that provides free long distance telephone calls, or audio entertainment, as a reward for the continued playing of the gaming machine. The player may continue the free long distance phone call, or continue receiving the audio entertainment, as long his play meets a predetermined level of usage criteria.

Abstract: A system and method for managing the sale of a group of products at a single price based on sales performance data of the products is presented. The method and apparatus include offering a plurality of products by identifying products that are complementary, verifying acceptable sales performance for the complementary products, identifying a package including the complementary products having acceptable sales performance, determining a package price for the products included in the package, and offering the products included in the package at the package price. The status of the package is set to invalid when a time interval in which the package is available has expired.