Patents Represented by Attorney Michael D. Downs
-
Patent number: 6969318Abstract: A system, method, and ticket for a lottery player to increase a payout received for winning a lottery game is disclosed. A request to purchase a set of play indicia (e.g. lottery numbers) and to associate the play indicia with a multiplier is received from a player. Data relating to the set of play indicia and data identifying the multiplier are stored in a memory where they are logically associated with each other. A purchase price is determined for the multiplier based upon various factors including the expected value of the multiplier as applied to a lottery ticket. The set of play indicia may be for a drawing-type lottery game and/or an instant-type lottery game and may be defined by characters and/or other representations. The magnitude of the multiplier may be determined at random.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2000Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: John M. Packes, Jr., Stephen C. Tulley, James A. Jorasch, Daniel E. Tedesco, Magdalena Mik, Jay S. Walker, Steven M. Santisi
-
Patent number: 6964611Abstract: A method according to one embodiment of the present invention provides for receiving data indicating a request by a player for an automated session, in which the automated session comprises a plurality of lottery outcomes. The method further provides for determining at least one parameter associated with the automated session and for determining at least one lottery outcome. The method also includes providing the at least one lottery outcome based on the at least one parameter.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2001Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: John M. Packes, Jr., Michael F. Steib, Andrew P. Golden, James A. Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Thomas M. Sparico
-
Patent number: 6959387Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for receiving a timestamp from a caller via a telephone connection; receiving a device identifier from the caller, in which the device identifier identifies a device; determining a cryptographic key based on the device identifier; determining an indication of a time based on the timestamp and the cryptographic key; providing the indication of the time to the caller; determining an account; and charging a fee to the account.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2001Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, Bruce Schneier, James A. Jorasch, Dean P. Alderucci
-
Patent number: 6942570Abstract: An off-line remote lottery system which enables players to purchase instant-type lottery game outcomes from a randomized prize data stream in a central computer, and view the outcomes on remotely disposed gaming computers which do not require an on-line connection during play.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2003Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Bruce Schneier, Jay S. Walker, James Jorasch
-
Patent number: 6935952Abstract: A remote gaming system whereby a player can gamble against a wagering establishment or state-run lottery from a remote location on a personal computer or portable computer device where it is unnecessary to establish an on-line connection with a host computer associated with the wagering establishment, the gaming computer having associated gaming software for providing at least one wagering opportunity and enabling the player to obtain gambling credit and cash-out any resulting winnings, the host computer enabling the player to purchase and redeem gambling credit at the remote location in one embodiment of the invention using cryptographic protocols such as through a series of authenticatable message exchanges between the player and the wagering establishment, the gaming computer and the host computer directly on-line, or the gaming computer having a detachable tamper-resistant or tamper-evident credit module associated therewith or for use with a personal computer being provided to the player with preinstalleType: GrantFiled: October 17, 2002Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay Walker, Bruce Schneier
-
Patent number: 6937990Abstract: A system is described for facilitating a syndicated sale of an insurance policy. The system employs a processor and a storage device connected to the processor, and a data receiving device and data output device connected to the processor. The processor executes a program to receive information relating to the insurance policy, and to transmit for electronic viewing by a potential buyer an invitation to offer to buy a share in the underwriting of the insurance policy. The share has associated therewith a risk cost assessable to the buyer if payment is made on a claim under the insurance policy. The processor receives offers to underwrite the share of the insurance policy; each offer includes information identifying collateral against which the risk cost may be charged in the event of payment on a claim. The transmission of the invitation and the offer to buy a share may advantageously be made on the Internet.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1999Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, Thomas M. Sparico
-
Patent number: 6904418Abstract: A method and apparatus for executing electronic transactions using cryptographically-enabled accounts stores cryptographically-enabled account information and instructions, receives a cryptographically-encoded permission certificate, and processes the received permission certificate to execute the transactions.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, Bruce Schneier
-
Patent number: 6890256Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method provides for determining data associated with a gaming device; determining whether the data meets at least one established criterion; and providing an offer to a player if the data meets the at least one established criterion, the offer including a condition and an amount of credit to be provided to the player in exchange for the player agreeing to the condition.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2002Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Thomas M. Sparico, Stephen C. Tulley, Michael D. Downs
-
Patent number: 6887153Abstract: A system and method for performing integrated lottery ticket and merchandise transactions using a point-of-sale terminal that generates a single sales receipt containing all pertinent lottery ticket and merchandise transaction information. The lottery tickets generated include fractional value and “quick-pick” lottery tickets. A group of point-of-sale terminals are connected to a POS controller which communicates with a lottery data processing system. An encrypted authentication code also printed on the sales receipt allows the lottery player to verify all lottery ticket transaction information, as needed.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2003Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Sanjay K. Jindal
-
Patent number: 6884167Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides for receiving an indication of a wager, displaying a set of spinning reels, receiving a response to a game of knowledge while the reels are spinning, determining a score based on the response, and determining a winner of a tournament based on the score.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2001Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Thomas M. Sparico
-
Patent number: 6877745Abstract: A game to be modified in accordance with the invention involves a first random outcome and a second random outcome that are combined according to game rules to produce a game outcome. The game is administered by receiving a player request for a specific entry, the specific entry replacing one of the random outcomes and being selected from a finite set of possibilities not determined by chance. The requested specific entry affects the probable outcome of the game. The specific entry is combined with the remaining one of the random outcomes according to the game rules to determine the game outcome. According to one embodiment, the specific entry may be a score such as 18 which replaces the player's hand in the game of blackjack.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2000Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Peter Kim, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Andrew P. Golden, Russell Pratt Sammon, Norman C. Gilman
-
Patent number: 6876978Abstract: A POS terminal generates a purchase price of a purchase, and generates a rounded price. The rounded price may be, for example, the lowest whole number greater than the purchase price. The POS terminal then calculates a round-up amount (change due the customer) as the difference between the purchase price and the rounded price. The coupon value is set based on the round-up amount. For example, the coupon may be redeemable for triple the amount of change due. The POS terminal prints on the coupon an identifier, such as a bar code, that is based on the coupon value. The bar code allows the coupon to be read by a POS terminal when the coupon is redeemed.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2000Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, Andrew S. Van Luchene, Dean Alderucci
-
Patent number: 6869362Abstract: A method according to some embodiments of the present invention provides for a game server to receive policy requirements of a user for a gambling loss insurance policy from a terminal. The game server determines a premium amount based on the policy requirements of the user and transmits information concerning the premium amount to the user.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2003Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Stephen C. Tulley, Michael D. Downs
-
Patent number: 6848995Abstract: A system to determine a product to be offered to a casino player based on player data and on an approximate maximum price for which the product may be sold through a retail channel. Advantageously, a potential increase in a casino's profit due to a product offer can be determined using the player data, and an approximate maximum profit attainable through sale of the product through a retail channel can be determined based on the determined price. As a result, a product to offer can be determined in a manner which maximizes casino profit.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2000Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Russell Pratt Sammon, Magdalena Mik, Nandu A. Talwalkar
-
Patent number: 6839683Abstract: Systems and methods are provided using a stored benefit to facilitate a transaction in which a buyer offers to purchase a product. According to one embodiment, offer information, including an offer amount, is received from a buyer. The offer information may be received, for example, via a Web page. An indication that the buyer is willing to redeem one or more stored benefits is also received. A stored benefit may be, for example, a token associated with the buyer when he or she applies for a service. A value associated with the stored benefit is determined, and the offer information is evaluated based on the offer amount, the value associated with the stored benefit, and an amount associated with a product. According to one embodiment, the offer information includes a product category, and the product provided to the buyer is determined based on the product category.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2000Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, Wen Yan Lin, James A. Jorasch, Magdalena Mik, Keith Bemer, Timothy A. Palmer, Joseph R. Rutledge, Marisa S. Doré
-
Patent number: 6790139Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2001Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, Bruce Schneier, James A. Jorasch, Andrew S. Van Luchene
-
Patent number: 6773345Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating a lottery gaming system. In one embodiment, a player playing an electronic instant lottery game on a player device accumulates occurrences of a bonus symbol during a duration comprising at least two outcomes. The occurrences of the bonus symbol may be tracked by means of a running count. The running count may be increased with each occurrence of a tracked bonus symbol and the player provided with a bonus if the running count is at least equal to a predetermined number. The accumulated occurrences of the bonus symbol may also expire in some embodiments of the present invention. Expiration of an occurrence of a bonus symbol may occur, for example, after a predetermined time period or a predetermined number of outcomes from the time of the occurrence of the bonus symbol.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2001Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Magdalena M. Fincham, Stephen C. Tulley, John M. Packes, Jr.
-
Patent number: 6739505Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides for sensing a physical change at a transaction card, such as a credit card, and providing content, such as information or entertainment information, in response to sensing the physical change.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2001Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, Bruce Schneier, Magdalena M. Fincham
-
Patent number: 6735300Abstract: The call handling system incorporating the invention is directed at: queuing a call when no agent is available to service the call; giving the caller an option to monitor (but not participate in) other caller conversations with similar queries, or to listen to recorded calls involving similar queries; querying a database using collected initial information as a search key(s) to retrieve a similar call currently being serviced or a recorded call; and connecting the caller to a communication channel to allow the monitoring of a call while not losing place in the queue for a next available agent. In a further embodiment of the invention, the caller is given a further option to enter a “chat room” where callers having like problems can converse until an agent becomes available.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2001Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Thomas M. Sparico
-
Patent number: 6712699Abstract: A method for team play of slot machines, including determining a first result corresponding to a first player on a team, determining a second result corresponding to a second player, determining whether the second player is on the team, and determining a result based on the first result and the second result if the second player is on the team.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2002Date of Patent: March 30, 2004Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Magdalena M. Fincham, Geoffrey M. Gelman