Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for providing game-based incentives to users of online games as a reward for performing actions at physical locations.

Abstract: A method of integrating business-related content into the execution of a game application is disclosed. A player of the game application is exposed to the business-related content within the context of the game. User actions within the game cause the game application to transparently re-direct the user to a customized corporate web site containing selected information from a business sponsor. Game-related user actions performed while the player is at the customized corporate web site cause the player to be exposed to additional business-related content from the business sponsor. The player may earn benefits while at the customized corporate web site. Some of the player benefits are real-life benefits external to the game application which may be utilized by the player after finishing the game. A record of external benefits is kept by the business sponsor. Other benefits may be immediately available to the player by pausing the game, thereby allowing the player to access the sponsor's reward program.

Abstract: A system and method for rewarding and providing real world rewards for online game participation is provided. The system allows a user to access an online website having a plurality of different games to play or other activities to participate in, whereby the online website is able to track and monitor online participation and award points that may be redeemed for physical prizes that may be sent to the individual participating in the online activity. Additionally, the system allows the user to accumulate a sufficient amount of points which may be redeemed for better prizes after prolonged play and utilization of the online activity. Moreover, the system may reward the individual for specific contributions or reward for superior activity or play within the participation activity.

Abstract: Players in a player loyalty scheme are awarded points based on their point-generating activity and are then ranked in order of generated points. Rank-based points are then associated with each rank according to a predefined mapping scheme. The rank-based point totals may be updated periodically. Rank-based points may also be used in tournament play.

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 provides a mobile electronic device interactive application method and a mobile electronic device interactive application system. The mobile electronic device interactive application method comprises: broadcasting at least an information on a display device; utilizing a mobile electronic device to generate at least a signal according to the at least an information, wherein the mobile electronic device at least has a telecommunication function or a wireless network function; and utilizing an interactive device to receive the at least a signal and to perform an interactive operation according to the at least a signal via a network. The mobile electronic device interactive application system comprises: a display device, a mobile electronic device, and an interactive device, wherein the interactive device comprises: a broadcasting module and an interactive module.

Abstract: A game system and method of providing information within a game. An advertising medium is provided that has indicia that is related to a product or a service and also includes a QR code that can be scanned by a computing device. The computing device then accesses a website that has a program where the retrieved information from the QR code is inputted so that a predetermined message such as a clue can be provided to a game player in order to determine a correct predetermined response in order to win a prize at the game.

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 for dynamically reassigning in-game advertisements within a video game in order to maximize impression counts for the advertisements includes the steps of: determining when an advertisement at a first view location qualifies as on screen and incrementing an elapsed time for the advertisement while it qualifies as on screen. The method also includes the steps of calculating a current impression count for the advertisement and determining whether a maximum impression count for the advertisement has been reached or is within a prescribed value of being reached. If so, another advertisement is dynamically assigned to the first view location by removing the initial advertisement therefrom in order to maximize the cumulative impression counts for the advertisements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing game-based incentives to users of online games as a reward for performing actions at physical locations are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for providing game-based incentives to users of online games as a reward for performing actions at physical locations.

Abstract: A customer loyalty and gifting service may reward customers who show or are expected to show frequent patronage to a provider of a good or service. A vendor of a good or service may create and provide an offer to one or more existing customers who may choose to purchase, redeem, and/or recommend the offer to other users in the network. The customer may also gift the purchased offer. A reward, such as loyalty points or stars, may then be awarded to the customer to encourage the customer for continued support and patronage. A reward may be redeemed for one or more prizes including gift cards, discounts, or other promotions and deals.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for sweepstakes awards in a gaming environment. Certain embodiments provide a method including accumulating sweepstakes entries for a player based on at least one sweepstakes entry criterion and randomly selecting a winner from the pool of sweepstakes entries. The sweepstakes entries are associated with the player and incorporated in a pool of sweepstakes entries. In certain embodiments, the at least one sweepstakes entry criterion comprises at least one of one entry per player, accumulating points based on play, accumulating points based on machine outcome, and coin in. In certain embodiments, the method further includes determining eligibility of a player for the sweepstakes. In certain embodiments, eligibility is determined based on at least one of a player group, a machine group, a machine denomination, a machine type, a machine manufacturer, a game manufacturer, a game theme and a game title, for example.

Abstract: In some implementations, techniques are described for customer lead generation and fulfillment through viewer participation in television, cellular or mobile telephone, and Internet-enabled computer or computing device platforms. Participation television may be leveraged to identify potential consumers and advertising leads may be selected for the potential consumers. An exchange of information related to an advertisement, offer, or gift may be facilitated between an advertiser and a participant in a participation television segment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for e-commerce promotional activities are provided via an analytics server, which provides real-time information concerning customer visits to an e-commerce Website to a merchant that operates the Website, for example via a dashboard or other user interface. The real-time information allows the merchant to monitor and optionally interact with customers visiting the Website, for example by offering customized promotions designed to influence purchasing decisions. Real-time telemetry concerning the customer visits is provided to the analytics server, which then presents the information in meaningful fashions via the dashboard or user interfaces for review by the merchant. Merchant responses to the information is facilitated via deal engines, recommendation engines, and other components, which may operate according to customized rule sets to implement merchant-desired promotions or policies.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing game-based incentives to users of online games as a reward for performing actions at physical locations are provided.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for enabling a location-aware mobile game reward system for encouraging real-world activity. The method includes sending an electronic notice of a reward available in a physical location to a mobile application operating on a mobile device, the mobile application having enhanced functionality available to be enabled by the reward and receiving location data indicating that the mobile application is operating online and currently at the physical location. The method further includes receiving interaction data indicating that a user of the mobile application has interacted with the mobile application in the physical location so as to obtain the reward and crediting the mobile application with the reward thereby enabling the enhanced functionality of the mobile application.

Abstract: An automated bidding system accepts offers for an advertising opportunity within a computer-implemented game. The advertising opportunity may indicate an opportunity to place a branded virtual object in a virtual environment of the computer-implemented game. This bidding system may receive advertising offers for the advertising opportunity from multiple entities, where an advertising offer may include offer attributes that indicate at least a virtual object for the advertising opportunity. The bidding system may also determine opportunity constraints of the advertising opportunity, which are used to select an advertising offer that is appropriate for the advertising opportunity. The bidding system may then selectively accept an advertising offer from an advertising entity based on the offer attributes and the opportunity constraints.

Abstract: A method of providing rewards to users based on their levels of influence over other users is disclosed. A level of influence of a user of a system over other users of the system is determined. An incentive reward that is to be provided to the user based on a success of the user at influencing the other users to perform a location-based action within a time period is determined. The determining of the incentive reward is based on the level of influence of the user. A success of the user at influencing the other users to perform the location-based action is determined. A reward is provided to the user based on the determining of the success of the user at influencing the other users to perform the location-based action.

Abstract: Methods for operating a reward program are provided. The method allows rewarding members of social media sites based on their online or offline activities, based on such activities of members connected to them. The disclosed method encourages Internet users to spread commerce-related content via social media sites to connected members for a reward. The method may comprise receiving a log file of a user activity at a reward program site, the user being a member of one or more social media sites, ascertaining one or more connected members who are connected to the user within the one or more social media sites, determining whether the one or more connected members triggered the user activity, and providing a reward to the one or more connected members who triggered the user activity and/or to the user based on predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A method of incentivizing flash sales is disclosed. It is detected that a group of users are within a proximity to a location. The group of users is notified of an incentive reward to be provided based on a number of users from the group performing a location-based action at the location within a time period transgressing a threshold value. It is detected that the number of users from the group that have performed the location-based action at the location within the time period has transgressed the threshold value. The incentive reward is provided based on the detecting that the number of users from the group that have performed the location-based action at the location within the time period has transgressed the threshold value.

Abstract: A method of rewarding a game player of a game can target particular types of offers to a player. A usage profile is determined for the player, which can be based on interaction between the player and items or goals in a game. Player information is identified, such as player statistics or categorization of the player. A category is selected for the player, based on the usage profile and the player information for the player. An offer is then selected from a group of offers, wherein the offer is for a real world object, service or event.

Abstract: A method for providing personalized rewards to slot machine players may involve defining multiple player categories. The method may also involve providing player category rules. The method may also involve assigning slot machine players to the player categories based on the player category rules. During a gaming session on a slot machine, the method may involve identifying a current player on the slot machine and identifying a player category to which the current player is assigned. In response to detecting a triggering event involving the current player's activity on the slot machine, bonus credits may be awarded to the current player based on the player category that is assigned to the current player.

Abstract: The present invention is to be capable of inhibiting the occurrence of an instance where the enjoyment of a player who plays with the game apparatus by the total event is decreased when a single total event is carried out among two or more game apparatuses. The present game system includes: two or more game apparatuses, each of which comprises a game progress control unit for performing game progress control; and an event processing apparatus for performing a process for carrying out a single total event at the same timing by the plurality of game apparatuses. The event processing apparatus and each game apparatus are connected in a manner to enable communication.

Abstract: A method for providing a personalized rewards program for slot machine players may involve monitoring activity of slot machine players on one or more slot machines during a reward event. The method may also involve determining reward credits to be provided to the slot machine players. The reward credits that are provided to a player may depend on that player's level of play during the reward event. The method may also involve distributing the reward credits to the slot machine players.

Abstract: The present invention is to be capable of carrying out an unusual performance beyond type of machine. The present game apparatus includes: two or more types of game apparatuses having hardware configurations different from each other, each of the game apparatuses including a performance unit for carrying out a performance visually and audibly appealing to a player, and a game progress control unit for controlling game progress and performing game performance control according to the game progress by controlling the performance unit; and a total performance processing apparatus for executing a process for carrying out a total performance in the two or more types of game apparatuses by using the performance unit provided in each of the two or more types of game apparatuses. The total performance processing apparatus and the two or more types of game apparatuses are connected and capable of communicating with each other.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for providing game-based incentives to users of online games as a reward for performing actions at physical locations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing game-based incentives to users of online games as a reward for performing actions at physical locations are provided.

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: A location based marketing method includes steps for receiving a participating customer location, comparing that customer location to a list of participating vendor locations, initiating a vendor check-in procedure if the customer location corresponds to a participating vendor location and initiating a map displaying participating vendor locations within a predetermined distance of the customer location if the participating customer location does not correspond to a participating vendor location.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamically incorporating advertising content into multimedia environments, such as games, are provided. Example embodiments include a dynamic inserter, which selects content, based upon a set of criteria, to deliver to a receiving client system, such as a game client. The receiving client system typically dynamically determines locations within the game where advertisements are desirably inserted. Associated with these locations are ad tags that specify criteria for the ads including, for example ad type, ad genre, and scheduling information, which are sent by the client system to the dynamic inserter to select appropriate ads. The dynamic inserter selects ads based upon the criteria and sends them to the client system, which selects them for ad tags with conforming criteria. The client system then renders the selected ad in the appropriate location.

Abstract: A method for providing a customizable reward service may include monitoring user activity associated with a web site relative to an operator defined lexicon of activities, comparing user activity to conditional rules defining multidimensional behaviors and corresponding rewards associated with satisfaction of the conditional rules, and determining whether to generate a reward from an operator defined lexicon of rewards based on satisfaction of the conditional rules. A corresponding apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A gaming device includes a game module for presenting instances of a game title and a game transaction module for interfacing with a system controller of a game entertainment center. The gaming device further includes a printer for printing various items such as tickets, coupons, vouchers, and other promotional material. The gaming device further includes a printer manager for arbitrating print job conflicts.

Abstract: A watch and win or read and win system in which the user receives information about a subject being advertised, watches or reads it, and then answers questions. If the questions are answered properly, then the user gets a virtual item that can be used in the virtual world. In one embodiment, the virtual item is related to the item being viewed. This can be used to create a more effective form of advertising.

Abstract: Gaming rewards are provided as an incentive for performing business goals. A business goal can be comprised of one or more tasks and a threshold for each task. When one or more participants perform tasks which satisfies the corresponding thresholds, a corresponding gaming reward is awarded to the participants. A business goal may require a single participant to satisfy a single task threshold, multiple participants to satisfy a threshold for one or more tasks, or a single participant to satisfy one or more thresholds for several tasks.

Abstract: A donation aspect for a website is provided. Amounts of donations are limited and users are given awards based on their donations.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of computer and network software, and more particularly it 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 give-aways, 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: A method, system and computer program product for increasing popularity of a website including making agreements with vendors of product for distribution through the website; periodically making available the products on the website to all visitors of the website; and delivering the products to all visitors of the website. Visitors to the website can vote on selection of the product. The products can be made available as a daily reward. The products can be available for installation only for a limited period of time, and can include an installation wrapper with an unlocker that permits installation only for the limited period of time. The unlocker verifies with the server whether the product can be installed and activated, and can be a DLL, an executable file, an ACTIVE-X component, a registry settings file, and a cryptographic key.

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.

Abstract: A system and method for servicing at least one lottery player while protecting an identity of the at least one lottery player. The system includes a server platform of a third party organization that facilitates the method. The method includes receiving a client request at the server platform via a communications network. The method further includes the third party organization obtaining at least one lottery ticket in response to the client request, and securely holding the at least one lottery ticket for the at least one lottery player specified in the client request. The method also includes the third party organization determining a status of the at least one lottery ticket via the server platform and the communications network. The method further includes the third party organization transforming the at least one lottery ticket into a monetary amount if a status of the at least one lottery ticket is or changes to a winning status.

Abstract: A promotional couponing system for the creation and management of promotional coupons, coupon templates, promotions, promotional campaigns, and triggers using a host system and a graphical front-end for use in a gaming, vending, or other business environment. A promotional couponing system runs on its own network though can connect to other host systems, and directly or indirectly to games such as slot machines and game tables and a printer of a game using a third port or interface. The promotional couponing system monitors play and other metrics to use triggers based on game and other data. The printer connection to a game only receives information which can be sent to the promotional couponing system.

Abstract: Provided are a computer program product, system, and method promoting products in a virtual world. An association of product information for a product with a texture of an object assigned to the advertising user is provided for an advertising user. The product information with the texture of the object is rendered to be observable by interacting users in the virtual world when the texture of the object presenting the product information is within an observable range of avatars of the interacting users. Tracking information is updated for the advertising user in response to the texture of the object presenting the product information being within the observable range of the avatars of the interacting users. The tracking information generated for the advertising user is provided for use in determining rewards to assign to the advertising user for promoting the product.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a method for managing tasks comprises assigning a task to an individual, associating the task with a points value, receiving an indication that a task is completed, grading the completed task, and awarding points for a completed task to an individual. In other embodiments of the present invention, a method of rewarding individuals for completing assigned tasks may comprise providing a collecting, matching, and trading game facility, wherein the facility provides collectables and collectable packs for collecting, matching, and trading as a reward for having reached a level of task completion; and allowing the individual access to the collecting, matching, and trading game facility, wherein access is based on at least one of permission, a task completed, a number of tasks completed, and a value associated with task completion.

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: An apparatus of playing casino game has presentation means for presenting an affiliate advertisement, control means for transmitting personal information of users to a sever of the affiliate advertisement and obtaining a point which is compensation, execution means for getting a user to execute a casino game with the point as stakes, means for searching and extracting an advertisement to which a user can respond out of the affiliate advertisements when the point becomes a predetermined value or lower during execution of the game, and means for instructing to collectively transmit personal information of a user regarding all extracted affiliate advertisements.

Abstract: A virtual-world benefit may be used to motivate a physical-world purchase. A game machine presents a suggestion that a user (e.g., a player of a game hosted by the game machine) make a purchase of physical-world item, and the suggestion includes an indication that the purchase entitles the user to the virtual-world benefit, thus providing the user with an incentive to make the purchase of the physical-world item. The virtual-world benefit may include a virtual world item, an amount of virtual-world currency, or both. Supposing that the user makes the purchase, the game machine accesses purchase data of the physical-world item. The purchase data indicates that the user has made the purchase. Based on the purchase data, the game machine changes a data structure of the user. The data structure is accessible by a process that configures the virtual environment as including the virtual-world benefit.

Abstract: Provided is a method for advertising and retailing products and services in cloud gaming environments. A game provider may configure its cloud gaming environment to display third party advertisement before, during, or after the game. The advertisement may be in the form of timeout screens, banners, gaming objects, prizes, and other forms associated with typical cloud gaming environments. Third party advertisers benefit from additional advertisement exposure in these cloud gaming environments, which tend to be dynamic and interactive, and target new audience. Advertisement interaction levels may be measure to determine effectiveness and, for example, to collect certain fees from advertisers. An interaction level of interaction may be determined based on a number of clicks on advertisement objects, duration of exposure to the advertisement, a number of players, and various other factors. Game providers may modify their cloud gaming environments to improve these interaction levels and, as a result, collect more.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for compensating participants of events or activities of virtual environments, such as on-line games, digital or virtual worlds, and virtual universes are disclosed. One or more embodiments may comprise conducting an event, measuring event participation by the participant, and compensating the participant based upon the measured participation. Various embodiments may compensate the participant based upon the amount of time the participant spends at the event, while other embodiments may compensate the participant based upon amounts or types of activity of the participant while attending the event. Some embodiments may compensate the participant based upon such activity as chat activity, keyboard activity, and mouse activity. Some embodiments may compensate the participant based upon one or more referrals that the participant makes other participants.

Abstract: A wireless communication device declares one of a plurality of extended instant messaging states and transmits the declared states to a presence information server. Declared extended instant messaging states for destination devices are received, and an enhanced instant message based on declared extended instant messaging states is generated.

Abstract: A method includes associating a user with a primary value identifier that, in turn, is associated with a primary value. Optionally, the primary value identifier is inactive until activated. Optionally, the user is also associated with a secondary value identifier. Upon redeeming at least a portion of the primary value for goods or services, a secondary value is presented to the user, optionally by association with the secondary value identifier. A system includes a database of primary value identifiers communicating directly or indirectly with an activation terminal and a redemption terminal and a gaming device receiving at least a portion of a secondary value for wagers in a game of chance.