Abstract: A parking system may register a parking spot to a user account in response to a registration request from a first user device. The parking spot may be associated with parking descriptors such as, for example, GPS location, an address, and/or other attributes of the parking spot. The system may receive a street address data and associate the street address data with the parking spot, wherein the association is a one-to-many association with each of a plurality of parking spots associated with the street address data. The system may receive a query along with search criteria from a second user device. The parking spot may be selected by matching the search criteria to the parking descriptor, for example, using a database query. The system may return the parking spot to the second user device and/or display a search result interface on the second user device. The search result interface may include a parking icon associated with the parking spot and located on a map based on the location of the parking spot.

Abstract: A parking system may register a parking spot to a user account in response to a registration request from a first user device. The parking spot may be associated with parking descriptors such as, for example, GPS location, an address, and/or other attributes of the parking spot. The system may receive a query along with search criteria from a second user device. The parking spot may be selected by matching the search criteria to the parking descriptor, for example, using a database query. The system may return the parking spot to the second user device and/or display a search result interface on the second user device. The search result interface may include a parking icon associated with the parking spot and located on a map based on the location of the parking spot.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for determining the geographic location of a user communicating on a communications network such as the Internet. In one embodiment, a provider of a product or service: (a) receives the user's phone number (or other identification for contacting the user's station), and (b) supplies the user's station with a distinctive identifier. The provider then supplies a location determining service with the user's phone number (or other identification). A phone call is made to the phone number by the location determining service for retrieving the distinctive identifier from the network station having the phone number. If the distinctive identifier is retrieved, and the location determining service determines that the user's station is within an appropriate geographical area (or not within an inappropriate area), then the provider can provide the requested product or service to the user.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for determining the geographic location of a user communicating on a communications network such as the Internet. In one embodiment, a provider of a product or service: (a) receives the user's phone number (or other identification for contacting the user's station), and (b) supplies the user's station with a distinctive identifier. The provider then supplies a location determining service with the user's phone number (or other identification). A phone call is made to the phone number by the location determining service for retrieving the distinctive identifier from the network station having the phone number. If the distinctive identifier is retrieved, and the location determining service determines that the user's station is within an appropriate geographical area (or not within an inappropriate area), then the provider can provide the requested product or service to the user.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for collecting information about network (internet) users for determining advertising to be presented to the users. In one embodiment, user profiles are determined, and advertising is selectively provided by comparing user personal information in such profiles with a desired demographic profile. User responses to advertising are used for evaluating advertising effectiveness. The invention is useful for test marketing of products, advertisements, and reduces advertising costs.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for assuring that networked communications between parties playing a game on a network (e.g., the Internet) are not tampered with by either of the parties for illicitly gaining an advantage over the other party. An initial sequence of tokens (e.g., card representations) for playing the game are doubly encrypted using an encryption key from each of the parties. Accordingly, during play of the game neither party can modify the initial sequence of game tokens during the game. At termination of the game, at least one of the parties can fully decrypt the initial sequence of tokens, and thereby, if desired, compare the played token sequence with the corresponding the initial token sequence.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for assuring that networked communications between parties playing a game on a network (e.g., the Internet) are not tampered with by either of the parties for illicitly gaining an advantage over the other party. An initial sequence of tokens (e.g., card representations) for playing the game are doubly encrypted using an encryption key from each of the parties. Accordingly, during play of the game neither party can modify the initial sequence of game tokens during the game. At termination of the game, at least one of the parties can fully decrypt the initial sequence of tokens, and thereby, if desired, compare the played token sequence with the corresponding the initial token sequence.

Abstract: The present invention is a game playing method and apparatus for automating games such as blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, baccarat and pai gow, wherein players may play continuously and asynchronously, and information related to advertised items can be exchanged between players and advertisers. In one embodiment, each instance of a game is likely unique from all other current game instances. The games do not require a manual dealer and in one embodiment, played in a gaming establishment using low cost gaming stations. The present invention may also be used to play such games on the Internet or an interactive cable television network wherein a game controller communicates with players at network nodes in their homes and at their leisure since there is no game tempo requirement. During a game, advertising is selectively provided by comparing player personal information with a desired demographic profile. Player responses to advertising are used for evaluating advertising effectiveness.

Abstract: A toy coin bank that directs a user to launch a coin at a target portion is disclosed. The toy coin bank includes an adjustable launching platform or tray to permit the user to decide the appropriate launch position. The toy bank also includes an audio signal to alert the user of his or her success in hitting the target.