Abstract: A method and apparatus for executing electronic transactions using cryptographically-enabled accounts stores cryptographically-enabled account information and instructions, receives a cryptographically-encoded permission certificate, and processes the received permission certificate to execute the transactions.

Abstract: A system comprises a point-of-sale (POS) terminal, a POS controller, a retail subscription system. The POS terminal allows a cashier to enter subscription sales data into the POS controller. The POS controller maintains databases on available subscriptions and produces databases containing data relating to subscriptions sold to customers. The retail subscription system verifies the subscriptions by reference to its own databases and transmits the subscriptions to a fulfillment house for distribution.

Abstract: A method for readers of standard-length articles in magazines, newspapers, or similar printed media to purchase supplemental information on portions of information in the articles from publishers that print the articles, operators of electronic databases containing the supplemental information, or third party intermediaries handling requests for supplemental information. Embedded in the midst of the printed articles is a code that is physically positioned to identify a limited portion of information in the printed article. A reader may use the code to indicate further interest in supplemental information located in an electronic database, and to select a method of delivery whereby the supplemental information in the database can be delivered the reader.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for dispensing a product at a toll station. In accordance with the present invention, a first method is disclosed for distributing a product at a toll station. The method includes receiving an account identifier to identify an account. The method further includes outputting an offer to distribute a product. The offer may include offer criteria such as price in the case of a sale, or rental period, rental fee and extra fees such as late fees in the case of a rental. The method further includes detecting acceptance of the offer and dispensing the product. The method also includes processing a transaction based on the account identifier and the offer criteria.

Abstract: The present invention is a method is for providing and managing a customized reward offer to a holder of a financial account. The method includes the step of accessing historical account data associated with the financial account. The method further includes the step of determining a first performance target associated with the financial account. The method also includes the steps of selecting a reward offer having an associated reward description and transmitting the first performance target and the reward description to the account holder. The method continues with the steps of collecting transaction data associated with the financial account and evaluating the collected transaction data to determine a second performance target associated with the financial account. The collected transaction data is then compared to said first performance target. If the collected transaction data exceeds the first performance target, the financial account is updated to reflect the reward.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for managing a request queue for a jukebox system. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is disclosed for managing a queue of a jukebox. The method includes the step of arranging a set of service identifiers in a queue based upon a time of receipt corresponding to each service identifier. The method also includes the step of receiving a request to expedite an identified service corresponding to one service identifier in the queue. According to the method, payment is then received for the request to expedite the identified service. The method further includes the steps of rearranging the plurality of service identifiers in the queue, thereby causing the identified service to be expedited, and performing the service.

Abstract: A method and a system for a distributed electronic tournament system in which many remotely located players participate in a tournament through input/output devices connected to a central controller which manages the tournament. The method includes the steps of (a) uniquely identifying a player communicating with the central controller via an associated input/output device; (b) responding to payment of an entry fee by the player for allowing the player to participate in a tournament occurring within a fixed time window via an associated input/output device; (c) accessing a database to store in the database player information that is generated as the player participates in the tournament, such information being available for use in a subsequent tournament, which is administered by said controller and in which the player participates; and (d) awarding the player a prize for achieving a preestablished performance level in the tournament.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a gaming device generates an initial hand of five cards. The first hand defines thirty-two draw strategies (each card held or not held), and at least one draw strategy is an optimum draw strategy having the maximum expected value of all draw strategies. The gaming device then selects a hand grouping that cannot result from the optimum draw strategy. For example, for an initial hand “10-clubs, 10-spades, 5-diamonds, 2-diamonds, 4-diamonds”, the hand grouping “Flush” cannot result from a draw strategy that results in holding two or more cards with different suits. The payout ratio of the selected hand grouping is increased by adding a bonus amount thereto. The gaming device thus provides an incentive for a player to select a suboptimum draw strategy, yet the expected value of the optimum strategy is unaffected by the increased payout.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for managing a request queue for a jukebox system. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is disclosed for managing a queue of a jukebox. The method includes the step of arranging a set of service identifiers in a queue based upon a time of receipt corresponding to each service identifier. The method also includes the step of receiving a request to expedite an identified service corresponding to one service identifier in the queue. According to the method, payment is then received for the request to expedite the identified service. The method further includes the steps of rearranging the plurality of service identifiers in the queue, thereby causing the identified service to be expedited, and performing the service.

Abstract: Information is received about a post for an item to be sold. The information may include, for example, the class and type of item being sold, the reputation of a seller, a floor price below which the item will not be sold, a condition of the item and peripherals included with the item. Based on the received information, a posting payment amount is determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a subscription to a product in a retail environment, wherein the product for which a subscription is offered is selected based on the customer's historical purchases. The subscription defines a price for the selected product, wherein the subscription price is lower than the retail price of the product. The subscription specifies conditions which the customer has to meet in order to remain entitled to receive the subscription price for purchases of the product. Such conditions typically include a required frequency of purchases for a required period of time. The conditions of the subscription are selected so as to maximize the customer's visits to the business offering the subscription without unnecessarily eroding the profits of the business.

Abstract: An off-line remote lottery system which enables players to purchase instant-type lottery game outcomes from a randomized prize data stream in a central computer, and view the outcomes on remotely disposed gaming computers which do not require an on-line connection during play.

Abstract: A server or Internet service provider computer selects a soliciting merchant and an outputting merchant based on various factors. In one embodiment, the soliciting merchant is selected if its activity rate (e.g. sales rate) is low. The outputting merchant provides offers for bonuses to customers on behalf of the soliciting merchant. The bonus is provided to the customer in exchange for consummating a transaction with the soliciting merchant. Thus, the soliciting merchant benefits from the increased patronage such offers encourage.

Abstract: A network server provides control functions for gambling devices of the type which provide intermittent monetary payments to players at a point-of-play. The point-of-play includes an interactive display device for displaying messages to the player and for receiving player responses which are then transmitted to a network server. Memory at the network server stores product and product purchase information and customer profile data. The network server causes transmission of product and product purchase information to the interactive display device and monitors each of the gambling devices to detect an occurrence of a player win that requires a monetary payout. The network server is responsive to the detection of the player win and to an entry from the player which indicates the purchase of a product (as offered by a locally displayed advertisement), to credit the purchase price of the product against the anticipated monetary payout.

Abstract: A method and system for rewarding complimentary rewards, such as frequent flyer miles, are disclosed. The system includes a plurality of reward counters and a controller coupled thereto. Each reward counter includes an input device capable of receiving input from the dealer to register the complimentary reward. The controller, which is coupled to the reward counters, includes a memory device for storing reward information received from the reward counters. Such reward information includes, in alternate embodiments, the number of the gaming table where the reward is made, the dealer identification number, the date of the reward, the player's player identification number, and the quantity of reward points, such as the number of frequent flyer miles. A method for receiving complimentary rewards and an apparatus for tracking such rewards are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention solves the problems of the prior art by providing customized content-sensitive indexes, created for each reader from previously supplied user profiles. Information is provided in advance by the user for the creation of a sophisticated index scanning all articles in a given publication. User supplied factors and relationships between factors, as well as scanning criteria, identify the specific information most useful to the reader. For example, the customer may provide a request to have all articles relating to “n”, where “n” is a key phrase or word relating to some area of interest. The system would then scan the content of a magazine and retrieve all articles where that key phrase or word appears “x” times and at least one of those times is “y” words away from “z”. The indexes themselves are attached or otherwise provided, via fax, Internet, etc.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for generating an image of a license plate and determining license plate characters from the image. Then, a database is searched to determine if there is a customer record that corresponds to the license plate characters. If so, the customer record is retrieved and information about the customer is available. Otherwise, a customer record is created. The created customer record corresponds to the license plate characters and stores transaction data that represents a transaction.

Abstract: A slot card issued by a slot club, or a membership card in another incentive award program, that is also capable of being used as phone calling card is provided. Free calling time is credited to the member's card account in response to the playing of the slot machine or utilizing the respective service. After incentive points are awarded, the member may use the membership card as a prepaid phone calling card, whereby the member's account is debited for the cost of the call.

Abstract: An electronic amusement device and a method for operating the device are disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, a slot machine server controls a secondary game of chance played at a client slot machine. The server receives a player identifier corresponding to a player and a client identifier corresponding to a client slot machine. The server retrieves registration data relating to a secondary game of chance corresponding to the player identifier and the client identifier. The server further receives an outcome from the client slot machine and analyzes the outcome based on game requirements associated with the secondary game of chance, thereby determining whether the outcome satisfies at least one of the game requirements. Once all of the game requirements have been satisfied, the server updates a session status indicating the completion of the game requirements.

Abstract: A method and system for remote play of a gaming device, such as a slot machine. A player enters play preferences at a remote wagering terminal. The remote wagering terminal transmits the play preferences to a slot network server that stores the play preferences. Based upon the play preferences, the slot network server identifies one or more slot machines and transmits outcome data from those slot machines to the remote wagering terminal. The outcome data may be live or historical. In one embodiment of the present invention, the slot network service generates simulated outcome data to the remote wagering terminal. The slot network server keeps track of the player's wins and losses based upon the outcome data.