Abstract: A game provided to users of a game space may include a task to be performed by the users. A plurality of virtual chance items may be composed. Individual ones of the virtual chance items may be configured to be activated by the users in the game space to obtain virtual awards in the game space. The virtual awards may include one or more primary awards and one or more secondary awards. Composing the virtual chance items may include determining probabilities that the individual virtual chance items will provide a primary award and/or a secondary award upon activation. The virtual chance items may be distributed to the users that complete the task responsive to these users completing the task. The virtual awards may be provided to the users in accordance with the probabilities assigned to the virtual chance items in response to the users activating the virtual chance items.

Abstract: The current method allows for the operator of an online site or an actual store to profit by means of determining a using a sale-price determining mechanism. This mechanism utilizes concepts of a base price, a market price, and a sale price. If the sale price is below the base price, the purchaser is credited this amount. If the sale price is above the market price, the user is debited for the amount, which is then credited towards future purchases.

Abstract: A money transfer system provided in connection with a loyalty program where the loyalty program members are assigned a loyalty identifier. The system includes point of entry ports to communicate transaction information with points of entry; a promotion database, a customer database, a pricing database, an analytics port to communicate marketing information with a marketing analytics system and a transaction processing system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are concerned with a method and a system for distributing mobile applications, in particular to aspects of receiving, processing and displaying advertisements on mobile terminals. In one aspect, embodiments provide a software component for controlling movement for an advertisement image on a mobile terminal, the mobile terminal comprising a display area and a processor, the software component comprising processable instructions defining movement of the advertisement image relative to the display area, wherein the instructions are wirelessly transmissible to the mobile terminal and the processor is arranged to process said instructions in order to more the advertisement image.

Abstract: The invention allows a casino, or other entity, via a game machine, to provide relevant information at appropriate times, and/or in response to appropriate events, to players using the game machine. A dynamic and flexible system adapted to interact with players on an individual basis by aiding in the management, determination, distribution, and delivery of promotional, inspirational, instructive, informational, communicative, incentive, and other types of messages, is provided. Various methods are provided to ensure that receiving messages at a game machine enhances a player's overall gaming experience by selectively outputting helpful and desirable messages to players while minimizing interference with the players' gaming and to avoid overwhelming players with unsolicited, unwanted, and/or irrelevant messages.

Abstract: Systems and methods configured to award achievement designations to users connected by a network are described, wherein users are automatically granted these achievement designations based on their user profiles and activity. An achievement creation module formulates a plurality of achievement designations based on predefined criteria and a user profile creation/retrieval module obtains one or more user profiles for users of the network. A user activity determination module is configured to determine user activities relating to the one or more user profiles and an achievement designation module awards an appropriate one of the plurality of achievement designations to a particular user based on the particular user's activities. A notification module is configured to notify the one or more user profiles of the achievement designations and a user interface module of the system is configured to provide the achievement designations to a user interface associated with the users for display.

Abstract: A hospitality establishment includes guest rooms having media devices installed therein. Each guest room has one or more in-room media devices for providing a pay-per-use media function. A media system controller dynamically associates a credit corresponding to a monetary value with a particular guest room in response to an occurrence of a first event, configures an in-room media device of the particular guest room to indicate the credit associated with the particular guest room and allow a guest of the particular guest room to utilize at least an amount of the credit toward an order of the pay-per-use media function, activates the pay-per-use media function on at least one of the in-room media devices of the particular guest room in response to a received order, and decreases the credit associated with the particular guest room according to the amount of the credit utilized toward the received order.

Abstract: A gamer engagement platform within games and social networks to engage gamers in novel ways during the game play and during interstitial periods between game level transitions to promote loyalty to games while exposing them gracefully the rewards and advertisements of brands and location based service providers with whom they are likely to have high affinity on just-in-time and just-in-location basis, whether the games are being played online or offline. Gamer can invite friends in platform and social networks for social game challenge across heterogeneous games. Brands, location based service providers, and game developers can conduct and track campaigns using the optimized points conversion engine and offer recommendation engine of the platform. Software code embedded in the games conducts campaigns during game play and interstitial times during game level transitions to convert game points earned into platform points that can be exchanged by gamer to redeem rewards in-game or later.

Abstract: A method of voting with your feet is disclosed. A performance of a location-based action by a player of a computer-implemented game is associated with a vote on a matter. The performance of the location-based action by the player is detected. A count of votes corresponding to the vote on the matter is incremented based on the detecting of the performance of the location-based action by the player.

Abstract: An Interactive Tracking Virtual World (ITVW) system, may be utilized with other systems accessible through the Internet and/or a communications network. The ITVW system may be operable as an online game and/or to provide a virtual environment. ITVW system users (i.e., ITVW users) may be individuals or groups, such as parents and/or their children, which utilize the ITVW system for tracking an identity within the ITVW system. The ITVW system may also include ITVW system participants (i.e., ITVW participants), such as commercial business establishments, individuals and/or other entities associated with the ITVW system. The ITVW system collects an ITVW user's location information and location history.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing and authenticating usage of features of gaming devices is presented. The methods include tracking and/or accumulating usage data relating to gaming device features, determining an authentication code based on the usage data, outputting the authentication code to an operator for transmission to an interested party, and verifying the authentication code. The present invention allows regulatory agencies and manufacturers of gaming devices to reliably verify the usage of individual features of gaming devices without having to rely upon a casino to report the usage data.

Abstract: A search engine, system and method for locating and rating a plurality of electronic mentions of respective ones of a plurality of brands.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide apparatuses, computer media, and methods for supporting lifestyle-reward health games, in which execution is altered based on health behavior of the participant. Input data indicative of the health behavior is obtained and converted into a gaming parameter. The gaming parameter is applied to the lifestyle-reward health game in order to alter the execution of the lifestyle-reward health game. A reward parameter for the participant may be determined based on a utility function, and the reward parameter is invoked when the participant is playing the life-reward health game. Feedback to the participant may be incorporated during the execution of the lifestyle-reward health game, where the feedback is indicative of the participant's health behavior. An avatar may be depicted during execution of the lifestyle-reward health game to illustrate a predicted health condition, in which the depiction is altered by changing the timeframe of the predicted health condition.

Abstract: External-signal influence on content item performance is determined. Content item performance data is received that reflects historic performance of a content item for multiple presentations of the content item. Signal data is received that corresponds to at least one signal that is temporally correlated with the content item performance data and that is external to each user, publisher and content provider involved in any of the presentations. Using the content item performance data and the signal data, an influence value for the signal with regard to the content item is determined. A content item prediction model is modified based on the influence value.

Abstract: An interactive privilege supply system in which a user terminal device, a privilege supply device, and a product supply device are connected via a network, wherein the product supply device generates privilege data in which a privilege is interlocked with time; the user terminal device generates entry data within a predetermined period of time in accordance with the privilege data and with contingency data, which is contained in program data transmitted from the privilege supply device; and the privilege supply device generates result data, which contains validity period information about product privilege purchase, in accordance with the relationship between the contingency data and the entry data.

Abstract: An uploadable advertisement rating and response game which utilizes an onsite tournament structure wherein advertisers upload advertisements into a hardware and software platform. Users access the advertisements through a portal (such as website, desktop application, or mobile application) and review and respond to the advertisements in exchange for prizes.

Abstract: An Internet marketing venue focused around a Web-based casual game. The game is an entertainment site designed for simplicity of play with low commitment. Sponsors provide prizes and rewards, which are made available to the highest-scoring players. These winners select the prizes they most prefer, while non-winners earn points to be “spent” on rewards they choose. In this way, sponsors are connected to customers with both a proven interest and emotional investment in their products.

Abstract: An example game system (100) includes full version game terminals (10A, 10B) and a limited version game terminal (10C), where the full version game terminals (10A, 10B) include a function of creating coordinated pieces (10AC, 10BC) based on instructions from users, a function of uploading data of the created coordinated pieces (10AC, 10BC) to a piece exhibition server (20), and a function of viewing coordinated pieces (211, 221) whose data have been uploaded by other full version game terminals, and where the limited version game terminal (10C) includes a function of creating a piece (10CC) based on an instruction from a user, and a function of viewing pieces (211, 221) whose data have been uploaded by the full version game terminals (10A, 10B), but does not include a function of uploading the created piece (10CC).

Abstract: In various embodiments, promotions are featured on mobile gaming devices.

Abstract: From within an application other than a web browser running on a mobile device: a user is presented with the opportunity to receive a benefit and payment options for the benefit. The payment options includes offers, where completing any of the collection of offers entitles the user to receive the benefit. The collection of offers is loaded from a source outside the mobile device. An indication of interest in a selected offer is received, and the user is presented with first content describing the selected offer in a first collapsible pane. Simultaneously with presenting the first content, the user is presented with second content describing the selected offer in a second collapsible pane. Information sufficient to complete the selected offer is received and sent to an offer platform. A notification that the selected offer has been completed is received from the platform, the benefit is provided to the user.

Abstract: A service to manage sweepstakes, games, contests, loyalty programs and scavenger hunts is disclosed. The user of an end user device moves to different locations and sends back information regarding the user's location to the service. The service can be updated/adjusted real time to automatically track users, points, entries, location, and multiple step scavenger hunts. The service may send the user to different locations where the user can obtain prizes. Companies can engage with their customers in new ways by leveraging and modifying mobile technology. In one implementation locations, address book, on device animations, randomized unique ID generated by a device during the contest can be modified in real time during operation of the service.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and rewarding a user's participation in an incentivized activity is constructed and arranged to verify that the user is engaging in the incentivized activity as a condition for awarding an incentive. The system may be configured to verify whether the user is engaging in the incentivized activity at all, or to monitor the quality of the user's participation in the incentivized activity. The incentivized activity could be any online activity, activity that occurs on an interactive television system or activity that occurs on a mobile device such as a smart phone or tablet computer.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for advertising through a social network by immersion of participants in a sponsored mobile game. A game application for the sponsored game is developed on a server and deployed on consumer devices connected to the server. The game application, operating on a smart phone, utilizes onboard GPS and camera subsystems to carry out and facilitate the game functions. A dashboard is provided for designing the game around an advertising campaign. The game application is syndicated and shared through a consumer's social media community. The game is tracked by the server. Game information and rewards are delivered to participants during and after the game. In one aspect, the game involves a participant gathering digital permits prior to and during the game which are used to complete a tagging event with other participants. Rewards such as redeemable coupons are based on actions at sponsor locations.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided herein for an interactive mobile advertisement, which incentivizes the user to interact with the advertisement. The interactive mobile advertisement may have a game-like format suitable for mobile platforms. The interactive mobile advertisement has a game-like format wherein a user is prompted to find a specified object within the advertisement/game environment. The specified object may be a special coupon or promotion offered by the advertiser. The object is hidden within the game and the user is prompted to find it.

Abstract: In embodiments, the present invention provides a method and system for associating an interactive element with a sponsored content, presenting the sponsored content to a mobile communication facility based at least in part on a relevancy to a mobile subscriber characteristic associated with the mobile communication facility, and allowing a user of the mobile communication facility to engage the interactive element within the sponsored content.

Abstract: An inter-application redemption platform may provide a normalized measure of player achievement across multiple games/applications, which need not share a common scoring system, to facilitate the presentation of relevant promotional offers to application users, and to facilitate the redemption of such promotional offers in exchange for the normalized inter-application player achievements.

Abstract: This is a pre-paid card system used to store monetary value and subsequently for making payment to merchants through the telephone system or through a data network. Unlike static credit card numbers, this invention employs the generation of encrypted dynamic codes for each transaction, which must be verified within a specific time, for payment initiation. Codes are send by merchant when a purchase is agreed upon and each codes have a time limit to be used. Customers need to accept this codes and present them to the host computer to complete the payment process. Codes from both merchant and customer are decrypted at the host computer to produce the authenticated instructions for the payment. This invention also employs a unique formula to calculate stored value including in foreign currencies.

Abstract: A game server device used in a ticket issuing system for issuing identification information or a ticket based on the identification information and connected, via a network, to a portable terminal for providing a user with a game in which an item is acquired. The game server device generates identification information in accordance with a seed value assigned to a predetermined specific item, and transmits, in association with the specific item, the identification information generated in accordance with the seed value of the specific item to the terminal of the user who has acquired the specific item.

Abstract: Systems and methods for exchanging virtual rewards for computing resources are provided herein. Exemplary methods may include receiving access to a portion of computing resources of an end user computing system and providing a virtual reward within a networked gaming environment to an end user in exchange for utilizing an amount of the portion of the computing resources of the end user computing system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a server that hosts webpages facilitating user interaction between multiple endpoints. The system monitors for a user input requesting initiation of a happy hour, and when the input is detected, modifies the webpages to alert users of the happy hour. The users are notified of which user initiated the happy hour, and are also notified that interaction incentives accumulate at an increased rate during the happy hour. The system also tracks user scorings that accumulate based on the user interaction, and enables certain website features based on these user scorings. The system also tracks ratings for user-uploaded objects and identifies top rated objects for displaying on webpages viewable by other users.

Abstract: A system and method for execution on a computer network such that upon sale of a product or service of a qualifying product or service from a network accessible e-commerce site, the purchaser is provided credits or a code redeemable for credits. The purchaser provides payment for the goods or services and a portion of the payment is provided to a game/promotion provider. The system sends purchase data including data regarding the credits or code to a game server associated with a game or promotion. The promotion includes a game playable with the credits or code redeemable for credits. Monitoring of game play occurs and responsive to the purchaser meeting one or more predetermine criteria the system presents an award to the purchaser based on the number of credits remaining after meeting the one or more predetermined criteria.

Abstract: Disclosed are computer-implemented methods and systems for advertisement of products or services within electronic games, such as brain fitness games, games of skill, or development games. In general, these methods and systems enable incorporation of advertisement images or videos as a background and/or as a major subject of the electronic games. In an example, the method may comprise receiving a user request to initiate the electronic game for a user, providing a graphical interface of the electronic game, and providing, within the graphical interface, one or more graphical objects representing the product. The graphical objects may constitute at least one subject of the electronic game or be a background image or video.

Abstract: This is the invention of the system and method for on-line advertisement involving easy, friendly and non-professional social commerce games such as ‘Rock-Scissors-Paper’, ‘Ladder Game’ or Dice Game’ by which users get interested in, in promotion of participation, and granted incentives according to the performance in the game. In other words, this invention is about favoring both users and advertisers by way of incentivizing participation and offering cost-efficient, methodical and ‘targeted’ means of on-line, real-time advertisement and service thereof. In establishment thereof, this invention is to establish, in offering the on-line advertisement system and service thereof, an Advertisement Registry, Social Advertisement Server (1) comprising Game Program Operator, Data Collator and Standings Manager, Advertiser's Server and User Server administering users being the subject of advertisement.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for dynamic integration and non-linear presentation of advertising content and media content. The method includes receiving a request for media content; combining the requested media content and advertising content to provide an interactive advertising unit; and transmitting the interactive advertising unit for presentation on the remote computing device, wherein the advertising content and media content are presented concurrently. The interactive advertising unit includes a first content layer including the requested media content and a media player, a second content layer including the advertising content, and an integration module for coordinating interaction between the layers.

Abstract: A computer system and computer-implemented method present a suite of challenging and entertaining mobile games, obstacles, or tasks (“challenges”) within a navigable virtual environment simulating a real world venue. Businesses may reach consumers in a targeted, non-invasive, and integrated way with promotions, coupons, merchandise, affinity points or other prizes presented within the virtual environment. Certain advertising and promotions may be sent to particular users based upon user preferences, past user activity, user location, and/or other factors. The rewards (such as points or prizes) offered may also be targeted and selected based upon user preferences, past user activity, user location, and/or other factors. The rewards may be redeemable and transferrable.

Abstract: A hospitality establishment includes guest rooms having media devices installed therein. Each guest room has one or more in-room media devices for providing a pay-per-use media function. A media system controller dynamically associates a credit corresponding to a monetary value with a particular guest room in response to an occurrence of a first event, configures an in-room media device of the particular guest room to indicate the credit associated with the particular guest room and allow a guest of the particular guest room to utilize at least an amount of the credit toward an order of the pay-per-use media function, activates the pay-per-use media function on at least one of the in-room media devices of the particular guest room in response to a received order, and decreases the credit associated with the particular guest room according to the amount of the credit utilized toward the received order.

Abstract: An online domino tournament system with prize incentives, including the steps of surfing the Internet with a computer to identify a website of a desired vendor; identifying a desired product to play for in the website; obtaining relevant information pertaining to the desired vendor and the desired product; logging into a server of an administrator; providing the relevant information to the server; categorizing a player according to the desired product by the administrator; accepting playing category and paying ticket price by the player to proceed, otherwise starting over; playing an online domino tournament and proceeding to end if the player loses, otherwise the player becomes a winner; ordering the desired product from the desired vendor by the administrator on behalf of the winner; sending the desired product to the winner; and paying the vendor.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing functionality and information to users, including providing promotional information and opportunities to users of mobile devices in manners that are based at least in part on activities and locations of the users (e.g., based on games played by the users on their mobile devices and/or based on user satisfaction of system-directed tasks associated with offers or other activities). At least some of the promotional information and opportunities may be made available by various companies or entities that provide products and/or services (e.g., retailers, merchants, wholesalers, distributors, etc.) and/or by various companies or entities that provide advertising for available products and/or services. Various types of activities may be defined and used to provide promotional information and opportunities to users of mobile devices in particular embodiments and situations.

Abstract: A method of providing a personalized experience on a wireless communication device corresponding to the contents of a package, the package containing a product may include the steps of reading a unique code on a package, the package containing a product, displaying a personalized illusory images on the wireless communication device, and altering the personalized illusory images in response to relative movement between the package and the camera.

Abstract: A data output device according to the present invention comprises: an output device capable of outputting an image and/or a sound; a memory which stores a plurality of types of output data for outputting the image and/or the sound; a receiver for receiving, from a slot machine, a trigger signal including specification information for specifying the output data; and a controller, the controller programmed to conduct the processes of: (A) receiving the trigger signal from the slot machine through the receiver; and (B) extracting, from the memory, an output data corresponding to the specification information included in the trigger signal and causing the output device to output the image and/or the sound based on the extracted output data.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for interacting with a virtual world being displayed on a video display are described. The virtual world includes user selectable tagged images. The tagged images are related to an asset and can include a redemption feature that can be used when acquiring the asset. A user interacting with a game console can select the tagged images. Upon selection of the tagged image the game console can communicate information related to the tagged image, the related asset and/or the redemption feature to a mobile device. The tagged images can also be associated with distribution rules that can be evaluated to determine when and to whom to distribute digital coupons associated with the tagged images.

Abstract: A method of implementing clan wars is disclosed. An incentive reward is generated that is to be provided to at least one member of a group of users of a game networking system based on the group exercising a level of influence over a location during a time period that is greater than a level of influence of an additional group of users over the location during the time period. It is determined that the group exercised the level of influence over the location during the time period. The incentive reward is provided to the at least one member of the group based on the determining that the level of influence exercised by the group is greater than the level of influence of the additional group over the location during the time period.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer system and method for promoting on-line activities on desired sites via a virtual entertainment system that provides games, interactions or activities that take place either partially or fully on the partner's website or within the virtual space associated with the partner's website. According to one aspect, the invention drives on-line traffic to partner sites using Virtual Collectibles and other prizes rewarded for participation in Internet-based games. The games are designed to promote users to visit and/or perform other activities on the partner sites, and can include giveaways, special offers, treasure hunts, combo puzzles, among many other types of games. According to other aspects, the games can be played by users in the course of, or with very little effort in addition to casually surfing the web.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for dynamically creating and integrating advertisements into video games based at least in part on user interests. Techniques are provided in which user interest information may be obtained substantially in real time. The user interest information and video game information may then be used to generate or select advertisements that may be relevant to the users and still be consistent with the theme of the video game. The advertisements may be dynamically integrated substantially in real time into the video game for presentation to the user.

Abstract: A method of implementing clan wars is disclosed. A first group of a plurality of players of a computer-implemented game is notified that each member of the first group is to receive an incentive reward based on a level of influence of the first group over a location being greater than a level of influence of a second group of the plurality of players over the location. The level of influence of the first group over the location is determined to be greater than the level of influence of the second group over the location. The incentive reward is provided to the first group based on the determined level of influence of the first group over the location being greater than the level of influence of the second group over the location.

Abstract: One variation of a method for incentivizing financial saving includes: monitoring multiple financial accounts of a user; identifying a monetary transfer within the financial accounts that increases net user worth within the financial accounts; awarding a nonmonetary credit to the user based upon the monetary transfer; exchanging the credit for a user game play within a game; and issuing a prize associated with the game to the user in response to a user game play win.

Abstract: In a method and system of providing in-game assets for location-based actions, an indication of a performance of a location-based action by a player of a computer-implemented game is received. A virtual item is provided based on the receiving of the indication of the performance of the location-based action by the player of the computer-implemented game, the virtual item being usable within the computer-implemented game.

Abstract: A text communication, such as an email or blog posting from a user, is monitored to identify an issue. A score(s) of the text communication is determined by analyzing words/phrases in the text communication. A score can be based on various factors such as annoyance, language precision, help-ability, a communication length, and the like. A range for the score(s) is determined. When a response to the text communication is generated, a score(s) of the response to the text communication is determined. If one or more of the score(s) of the response is outside the range for the score(s), the response is rejected. Words/phrases are identified in the response to the text communication that can be changed in order to get the score(s) of the response within the range of the score(s) of the text communication. This information is displayed to an agent so an appropriate response can be formulated.

Abstract: A method of providing a game and one or more benefits to one or more attendees of a sporting venue is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises, (a) receiving a first piece of information from the input device of one or more attendees located at a sporting venue, (b) sending information to the input device of the one or more attendees located at the sporting venue, (c) receiving a second piece information from the input device of the one or more attendees located at the sporting venue, (d) providing one or more benefits to attendees located at the sporting venue and (e) providing one or more prizes to one or more attendees located at the sporting event.

Abstract: An on-line computer activity is provided to users who generate points through participation. Promotional and incentive offers are displayed simultaneously with the activity to encourage participating users to select and enjoy the offers. Accumulated points may be applied to activate displayed offers to thereby allow participating users to be eligible for offers as sufficient points are accrued. Users are thereby filtered based on interest and willingness to participate.