Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Dean Alderucci
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Patent number: 6128599Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for providing and managing a customized reward offer to an affinity group sponsor based on the aggregate performance of members of the group. The apparatus includes a processor configured to accesses historical aggregate data associated with the affinity group. The processor is further configured to determine a performance target associated with the affinity group. The processor is also configured to determine aggregate performance data based on the historical data and determine a performance target based on the aggregate performance data.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 1997Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Assignee: Walker Asset Management Limited PartnershipInventors: Jay S. Walker, Sanjay K. Jindal, Toby Weir-Jones
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Patent number: 6119099Abstract: A POS terminal determines an upsell to offer in exchange for the change due to a customer in connection with a purchase. The point-of-sale terminal preferably maintains a database of at least one upsell price and a corresponding upsell to offer a customer in exchange for the change due to him. If the customer accepts the upsell, the cashier so indicates by pressing a selection button on the POS terminal. The required payment amount for the customer to pay is then set equal to the rounded price, rather than the purchase price. Thus, the customer receives the upsell in exchange for the coins due to him, and the coins need not be exchanged between the customer and the POS terminal.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1997Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: Walker Asset Management Limited PartnershipInventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Andrew S. Van Luchene
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Patent number: 6119093Abstract: 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: July 1, 1997Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: Walker Asset Management Limited PartnershipInventors: Jay S. Walker, Thomas M. Sparico
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Patent number: 6119100Abstract: A store controller stores a series of prices for a product and respective effective periods during which the prices are effective. A customer submits an offer to buy the product at an "offer price" that is one of the series of prices. The offer also has an offer period that elapses when the respective effective period of the product price elapses. The offer period thereby defines a period during which the offer is effective and after which the offer cannot be accepted. Each offer further specifies (i) a customer identifier for identifying the customer, and (ii) funds or a payment identifier for specifying an account from which funds (typically the offer price) may be collected if the offer is accepted. The store controller then determines whether to accept the offer. If the offer is accepted, the store controller (i) initiates use of the payment identifier, if any, to collect the funds, and (ii) uses the customer identifier to identify the customer as having paid for the product.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1997Date of Patent: September 12, 2000Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC.Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Andrew S. Van Luchene
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Patent number: 6113492Abstract: A gaming device of the type wherein a play generates one of multiple possible outcomes having reverse payout information. The gaming device comprises a memory device containing a first set of data correlating possible outcomes to a first set of payouts and a second set of data correlating possible outcomes to a second set of payouts second set of data correlates a majority of outcomes to positive payouts and the first set of data correlates a majority of outcomes to other than positive payouts. The gaming device also includes a payout selector indicating which of the first set of data and the second set of data the gaming device is to access. In an alternate embodiment, the gaming device includes a memory having only the second set of data.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1997Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Thomas M. Sparico
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Patent number: 6113495Abstract: An electronic gaming system is disclosed that allows a player of an electronic gaming device, such as a slot machine or an arcade video game, to access premium entertainment services, such as premium web sites, pay-per-view services and shared-revenue telephone services, such as 900 or 976 services, for enhanced player retention. When play is initiated, a predefined establishment-specific criteria is evaluated to determine whether the player should be offered access to premium content entertainment services. A player entitled to access such services is preferably presented with a list of available premium entertainment services. Upon receipt of the player's selection, a connection is established between the electronic gaming device and the provider of the selected premium entertainment service. The player's level of play is preferably monitored to ensure that the establishment-specific criteria for maintaining access to such services is being met.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1997Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Thomas M. Sparico
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Patent number: 6113493Abstract: A system and method for providing a gambling loss insurance policy automatically computes insurance premiums and processes gambling sessions covered by the gambling loss insurance policies. The players may purchase the insurance policies using various means such as coins, earned winnings, or credit cards. The gambling loss insurance system provides a high level of flexibility for the players to define specific parameters of the insurance policy. Additionally, the players may purchase the insurance policies directly from the gaming machine, a custom terminal on casino floor, or cage personnel having access to a centralized network server.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1997Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch
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Patent number: 6110041Abstract: A slot machine networked to a central server receives preference data corresponding to a player from the central server and configures the game to match the received preference data. The player inserts his player tracking card into the slot machine, which transmits player identification data to the central server. The central server transmits player preference data and casino preference data for that player to the slot machine for configuration. While the player plays the slot machine, the slot machine transmits data about the player's performance to the central server. The central server determines appropriate casino preference values based upon the player's performance and transmits those values to the slot machine for configuration.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1996Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Thomas M. Sparico
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Patent number: 6112185Abstract: An automated service upgrade offer acceptance system is provided for receiving (i) reservations for a selected category of assigned services, such as seating, and (ii) offers for upgraded services, such as an upgrade of an initially selected category of seating to a preferred seating category, from confirmed customers. The automated service upgrade acceptance system permits customers to submit offers for a number of upgraded services or upgrade offer items, including offers for an upgrade of an initial category of seating to a different seating category, including premium seats within a given category of seating, as well as other premium services, such as priority for special meals or drinks, priority for receipt of luggage upon deplaning, and discount companion tickets. The automated service upgrade acceptance system allows a customer to place a binding offer for an upgraded offer item, should the item become available.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1997Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, Sanjay K. Jindal
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Patent number: 6111953Abstract: A system is described whereby a document may be authenticated by an issuer thereof and verified by a recipient. Data from the document, at least a portion of which is specific to the document and identifies the document, is input to an authenticating device using an input device. A computing device, including a cryptographic processor and a memory, is coupled to said input device and receives a signal representing the data. The computing device performs a cryptographic operation based on the data to produce encrypted authentication data unique to the document. An output device is coupled to the computing device and affixes a representation of the authentication data on the document. A similar device, including a display device, is used to input the encrypted data, perform a cryptographic operation to decrypt the data, and compare the decrypted data with document identification data to verify the document. Encryption and decryption are performed using a private key/public key pair.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1997Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, Bruce Schneier, James A. Jorasch
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Patent number: 6110042Abstract: A system and method enabling a casino to issue chips or credits to customers whose redemption and face value is set at some future date. In one embodiment, a controller and disburser is disclosed which receives as inputs financial data, data as to how the amount of money the player wants to spend, and the future redemption date. The controller then calculates the chips or credits and controls the disburser to issue the appropriate amount of chips or credits. A method is also disclosed describing the steps performed by the system.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1997Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch
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Patent number: 6107932Abstract: An alterable ticket and a system and method for controlling access to and within a venue using the alterable ticket. As described in one aspect of the disclosure, a ticket holder purchases such a ticket that conveys a right to access the venue. The ticket is altered in order to modify that right. Because the ticket is altered, it cannot be used by the ticket holder to gain access to the venue. A computer system tracks that the ticket has been altered and enables a refund to be provided to the ticket holder. In this way, a second ticket, conveying the same right as the altered ticket, may be sold to a second ticket holder. According to another aspect of the disclosure, a ticket holder purchases a ticket that conveys a right to occupy a first seat in a venue. The ticket is physically altered in order to upgrade the first seat to a second seat.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 1997Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, Daniel E. Tedesco, James A. Jorasch
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Patent number: 6099408Abstract: A system for playing electronic games includes a game server and one or more player terminals. Game results are based on a random number generated in each of the game server and the player terminals. The game server and the player terminals cooperate to ensure that the random numbers are generated independently. As a result, game players and the game host, such as a casino, can be confident that play results are not fraudulent. In one embodiment, the random numbers are transmitted between the game server and the player terminals at substantially the same time. In other embodiments, the random numbers are encoded and exchanged between the game server and the player terminals. Then, keys to decode the random numbers are exchanged.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 1996Date of Patent: August 8, 2000Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Bruce Schneier, Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch
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Patent number: 6095921Abstract: A gaming device and method for controlling operating the gaming device is disclosed. The gaming device initiates a paid play, and determines an outcome of the play. The outcome is visually displayed using at least two graphical displays. The graphical displays comprise a first and second visual continuum, without discrete reel stops. The outcome is represented by the relative positions of the first and second visual continuums. The outcome may also be based on the relative position of the first and second continuums to a payline. A payout corresponding to the outcome is determined by the device, and is awarded to the player.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1998Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch
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Patent number: 6093026Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a controller such as an online service provider computer or an ISP computer receives a survey including survey questions from a client desiring to have a survey conducted. The controller creates respondent questions based on the survey questions. The controller also selects one or more respondents from a list of possible respondents, such as a list of customer accounts. The respondent questions are transmitted to the selected respondents. Responses corresponding to the respondent questions are received. The controller applies an inconsistency test to the responses to generate an inconsistency test result. The inconsistency test determines if the responses originate from computers or humans not paying attention to the questions. Based on the inconsistency test result, a fraud signal may be generated.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1998Date of Patent: July 25, 2000Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Magdalena Mik
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Patent number: 6088444Abstract: A priority call queuing system allows the called site to exercise control over the position in a phone queue of an incoming call, based upon an economic value assigned to the incoming call. When the incoming call is received, an interactive voice response unit interrogates the caller and determines information such as, identity of the caller, quantity of items to be ordered, item numbers, catalog numbers and other data from which an economic value of the call can be determined. Thereafter, the call information is used, in conjunction with pricing and other economic data, present in a database at the called site, to assign an economic value to the call. The call's position in the queue is then adjusted in manner that is hidden from the caller, in accordance with the determined economic value. The rank positions of other calls within the queue are adjusted, accordingly.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 1997Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Assignee: Walker Asset Management Limited PartnershipInventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Thomas M. Sparico
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Patent number: 6077163Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to a method and apparatus for operating a gaming device having a flat rate play session costing a flat rate price. The flat rate play session spans multiple plays on the gaming device over a pre-established duration. The gaming device identifies price parameters and determines the flat rate price of playing the gaming device based on those price parameters. In one embodiment, identifying price parameters includes receiving player selected price parameters. In another embodiment, price parameters further incorporate operator selected price parameters. Should the player decide to pay the flat rate price, the player simply deposits the necessary funds into the gaming device or makes a credit account available for the gaming device to debit. Once the player initiates play, the gaming device tracks the duration remaining in the flat rate play session and stops the play when the given period has elapsed.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1997Date of Patent: June 20, 2000Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, Thomas M. Sparico, James A. Jorasch
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Patent number: 6068552Abstract: A gaming device such as a video based slot machine provides a player the ability to modify at least one parameter of the slot machine. The slot machine then modifies other parameters to ensure a desired house advantage. Odds, payout schedules and wager amounts may be customized by a player, and the slot machine automatically determines changes in other parameters which were not customized to maintain a constant house advantage. Software running on the slot machine uses an equation that takes into account pertinent parameters or variables such as size of jackpot, amount wagered taken in at each pull, and probability of hitting the jackpot at each pull. Based on the equation, the software adjusts parameters other than the one(s) specified by the player so that the outcome (the house advantage) remains constant with each pull. A player interface provides an easy to use method of modifying selected parameters.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 1998Date of Patent: May 30, 2000Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Magdalena Mik
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Patent number: 6064987Abstract: A central controller receives from a POS terminal a purchase price and a financial account identifier. The financial account identifier specifies a financial account, such as a credit card account. The central controller, in turn, generates one or more installment plan identifiers defining installment plans for payment of the purchase price. The installment plan identifiers are based on the purchase price and/or the financial account identifier. For example, certain accounts or certain high purchase prices may merit preferred installment plans. The installment plan identifiers are transmitted to the POS terminal. A purchaser at the POS terminal selects whether he would like to pay for his purchase in installments and, if so, using which installment plan. The POS terminal generates a selection signal indicative of whether to accept any of the installment plans, and transmits the selection signal to the central controller. The central controller receives the selection signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1997Date of Patent: May 16, 2000Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Andrew S. Van Luchene
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Patent number: 6052667Abstract: A POS terminal receives an order for a food product. The POS terminal in turn selects a complementary product based on the food product. The selected complementary product has an age within a predetermined age range, such as between seven and ten minutes since the product was assembled. The POS terminal outputs an offer to substitute the complementary product for the food product. In one embodiment, the substitution is performed with no additional charge, so the customer will pay the price of the food product for the complementary product if he accepts the offer. The customer's response to the offer is received. If the response indicates acceptance of the offer, then the complementary product is sold in place of the food product.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1998Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: Walker Digital, LLCInventors: Jay S. Walker, Andrew S. Van Luchene, Joshua D. Rogers