Patents Assigned to Walker Digital, LLC
  • Patent number: 7605840
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for a central server to manage remote monitoring tasks performed by users of a data network. An exemplary method comprises: receiving a request from a user of a user device to monitor a remote location; determining a remote location to be monitored; enabling communication between a sensor at the remote location and the user device; and crediting value to the user in accordance with an amount of time the user device has been in communication with the remote sensor for remote monitoring purposes. An alternate exemplary method includes measuring user attentiveness while the user device is in communication with the remote sensor. Thus, the disclosed system and method provide a way for users of a data network such as the Internet to log on at any time and perform remote monitoring tasks for value. Idle time can now be turned into value using the disclosed system and method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Daniel E. Tedesco, Dean P. Alderucci, Magdalena M. Fincham
  • Patent number: 7606729
    Abstract: A store controller determines a monetary value, such as an amount of spare change due to a customer, and allocates a portion of a lottery ticket for the customer. The portion is based on the monetary value, and may be, for example, equal to the monetary value, or may be the monetary value rounded to the nearest nickel. The store controller outputs a ticket identifier that identifies the lottery ticket (e.g. a serial number) and a portion identifier that identifies the allocated portion of the lottery ticket (e.g. $0.34 of a $2.00 lottery ticket). Typically, the store controller outputs the identifiers to a POS terminal, which prints a fractional lottery ticket redeemable for a portion of the lottery ticket's prize. The store controller also stores the ticket identifier and the portion identifier, to assure that fraudulent tickets will be detected. After a drawing date of the lottery ticket, the customer redeems the fractional lottery ticket, typically at a POS terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Andrew S. Van Luchene
  • Patent number: 7602414
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for a central server to manage remote monitoring tasks performed by users of a data network. An exemplary method comprises: receiving a request from a user of a user device to monitor a remote location; determining a remote location to be monitored; enabling communication between a sensor at the remote location and the user device; and crediting value to the user in accordance with an amount of time the user device has been in communication with the remote sensor for remote monitoring purposes. An alternate exemplary method includes measuring user attentiveness while the user device is in communication with the remote sensor. Thus, the disclosed system and method provide a way for users of a data network such as the Internet to log on at any time and perform remote monitoring tasks for value. Idle time can now be turned into value using the disclosed system and method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Daniel E. Tedesco, Dean P. Alderucci, Magdalena M. Fincham
  • Patent number: 7596260
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for facilitating the usage of an online workforce to remotely monitor security-sensitive sites and report potential security breaches. In some embodiments, cameras are configured to monitor critical civilian infrastructure, such as water supplies and nuclear reactors. The cameras are operatively connected to a central computer or series of computers, and images captured by the cameras are transmitted to the central computer. After initially registering with the central computer, Guardians “log on” to a central website hosted by the central computer and monitor the images, thereby earning compensation. In one embodiment, images of “no-man” zones—areas where no humans or vehicles should be present or monitored—are sent to Guardians for a simple determination of whether or not a human exists in the picture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel E. Tedesco, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Jay S. Walker, Stephen C. Tulley, Vincent M. O'Neil, Dean P. Alderucci
  • Patent number: 7593033
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for a central server to manage remote monitoring tasks performed by users of a data network. An exemplary method comprises: receiving a request from a user of a user device to monitor a remote location; determining a remote location to be monitored; enabling communication between a sensor at the remote location and the user device; and crediting value to the user in accordance with an amount of time the user device has been in communication with the remote sensor for remote monitoring purposes. An alternate exemplary method includes measuring user attentiveness while the user device is in communication with the remote sensor. Thus, the disclosed system and method provide a way for users of a data network such as the Internet to log on at any time and perform remote monitoring tasks for value. Idle time can now be turned into value using the disclosed system and method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Daniel E. Tedesco, Dean P. Alderucci, Magdalena M. Fincham
  • Patent number: 7588495
    Abstract: A method according to at least one embodiment of the present invention comprises receiving an indication of play of a slot machine associated with a remote player. At least one handheld device that is associated with the remote player is determined, and a signal is transmitted to the at least one handheld device, in which the signal represents the at least one outcome of the play of the slot machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Thomas M. Sparico
  • Patent number: 7587334
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Andrew S. Van Luchene
  • Patent number: 7587333
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for advancing the sale of vending machine products. The invention enables selling products without revealing the identity of the product. By concealing the identity of the products from a consumer prior to receiving payment, the present invention promotes the automated sale of perishable, slow-selling and/or less profitable products, to increase the overall profitability of a vending machine. Various embodiments are disclosed, including: predetermined price embodiments in which a vending machine sells one or more mystery products for a predetermined price; consumer-specified price embodiments in which a consumer is allowed to specify a price for one or more mystery products; and upsell embodiments in which a vending machine offers one or more upsell mystery products in exchange for the amount of change owed to a consumer, or in exchange for an amount of change owed to a consumer plus an additional monetary value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Daniel E. Tedesco, John M. Packes, Jr., Charles A. Rattner, Magdalena Mik, Andrew S. Van Luchene
  • Patent number: 7582012
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a player may accumulate occurrences of a bonus symbol over at least two outcomes. The player may be allowed a bonus if a running count of the occurrences is at least equal to a predetermined number. According to another embodiment, a player may accumulate occurrences of matched lottery numbers over a plurality of lottery outcomes (e.g., lottery number drawings) and/or a plurality of lottery entries. The player may be allowed a bonus if a running count of occurrences of matched numbers is at least equal to a predetermined number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Magdalena M. Fincham, Stephen C. Tulley, John M. Packes
  • Patent number: 7577496
    Abstract: A vending machine handles a purchase transaction by receiving a payment, receiving a product selection from the customer, and dispensing the product indicated by the product selection. As part of the same transaction, the vending machine offers an information item such as an audio recording or a video recording. The vending machine also receives from the customer a destination address, which may be an e-mail address. The vending machine or a system of which it is part transmits the information item to the received destination address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Daniel E. Tedesco
  • Patent number: 7563167
    Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for a gaming device to determine when to offer a player an opportunity to play using a “jackpot only” pay table. The player may choose to accept the gaming device's offer to switch from using a conventional pay table to using a pay table that only pays top payout amounts. Play with a jackpot only pay table may only require a small wager amount as compared to play with a conventional pay table. Play with a jackpot only pay table may be automated to generate outcomes quickly to allow a player to relatively inexpensively avoid spending time playing a gaming device perceived to be in a “cold period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Scott T. Friesen, Steven M. Santisi
  • Patent number: 7559838
    Abstract: A gaming device such as a video based gaming device provides a player the ability to modify at least one element of the gaming device. The gaming device may then modify other elements to ensure a desired house advantage. The probability of occurrence for one or more outcomes, the payout corresponding to one or more outcomes, and the wager amount required to play a game, may be modified by a player. The gaming device may then automatically determine changes in the values of other elements in order to maintain a constant house advantage. The player may also impose constraints on the value of one or more elements so that the gaming device cannot change the constrained elements in maintaining the house advantage. Software running on the gaming device may use an equation that takes into account pertinent elements such as the size of the jackpot, the size of the wager needed to play each game, and probability of hitting the jackpot during a game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Magdalena M. Fincham, Geoffrey M. Gelman
  • Patent number: 7553234
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that documents and authenticates cap removal data. According to a first aspect of the present invention, the apparatus measures a parameter indicative of the number of times that a cap has been removed by a user. The apparatus also encodes at least the parameter indicative of the cap removal data, thereby deriving encoded cap removal data. The apparatus outputs the encoded cap removal data to a user. According to a second aspect of the present invention, another apparatus receives the encoded cap removal data and decodes it to authenticate the cap removal data. According to a third aspect of the present invention, a medicine container is operable to output a result of a game based on cap removal data associated with the medicine container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, John M. Packes, Jr., Robert C. Tedesco
  • Patent number: 7553235
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that documents and authenticates cap removal data. According to a first aspect of the present invention, the apparatus measures a parameter indicative of the number of times that a cap has been removed by a user. The apparatus also encodes at least the parameter indicative of the cap removal data, thereby deriving encoded cap removal data. The apparatus outputs the encoded cap removal data to a user. According to a second aspect of the present invention, another apparatus receives the encoded cap removal data and decodes it to authenticate the cap removal data. According to a third aspect of the present invention, a medicine container is operable to output a result of a game based on cap removal data associated with the medicine container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, John M. Packes, Jr., Robert C. Tedesco
  • Patent number: 7549920
    Abstract: A system installed in a casino allows gambling chips in the casino to have variable values. Each chip has an electronic circuit installed in it to store a chip identifier and data indicative of a value currently associated with the chip. Slot machines and other devices are arranged to interact with the gambling chips to read and write data from and into the chips. A central controller is connected to the slot machines and other devices that interact with the chips. The chips carry a display and/or an audio device to apprise players of the value currently associated with the chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: James A. Jorasch, Magdalena Mik, Scott Wolinsky, William B. Van Vooren, Nathaniel Levin, Andrew P. Golden
  • Patent number: 7547251
    Abstract: A system and method for performing integrated lottery ticket and merchandise transactions using a point-of-sale terminal that generates a single sales receipt containing all pertinent lottery ticket and merchandise transaction information. The lottery tickets generated include fractional value and “quick-pick” lottery tickets. A group of point-of-sale terminals are connected to a POS controller which communicates with a lottery data processing system. An encrypted authentication code also printed on the sales receipt allows the lottery player to verify all lottery ticket transaction information, as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Sanjay K. Jindal
  • Patent number: 7546277
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for automatically managing a price of a product in a vending machine. The method and apparatus is disclosed for implementing dynamic price adjustments at various times including after stocking, after a sale of a product and at periodic intervals. The method generally includes the steps of updating inventory data, including a quantity of a product, accessing price management data associated with the product, and determining the price of the product. According to the method and apparatus of the present invention, the determined price of the product is based on the price management data and the inventory data. The determined price is then stored in a memory of the apparatus and displayed for customers. The apparatus may be a vending machine, a processing module within the vending machine, or an external module remotely transmitting the dynamically adjusted price to a vending machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel E. Tedesco, James A. Jorasch, Robert R. Lech
  • Patent number: 7542919
    Abstract: A method and apparatus a user or other customer, controller, point-of-sale terminal, etc. to conduct a transaction for the purchase of one or more products and/or services, during which a supplemental product or service to offer a user during a transaction, either in addition to the products and/or services the user is purchasing or as a replacement to one or more of the products and/or services that the user is purchasing. The method may be implemented in retail embodiment where a user is purchasing products and/or services at a cash register or other point-of-sale terminal. The method may also be implemented in a online embodiment where a user is purchasing products and/or services using a computer, terminal, telephone or other client or user device and accessing a World Wide Web site, online catalog, interactive voice response unit or system, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond J. Mueller, David H. Douglas, Andrew S. Van Luchene, George M. Marrazzo, Shane J. Wahlquist
  • Patent number: 7536349
    Abstract: A billing server receives charge data from a card authorization terminal. The charge data indicates a transaction amount, such as a purchase price, and a first financial account, such as a credit card account. The billing server determines a second financial account that corresponds to the first financial account. For example, the second financial account may be the financial account of an insurance company or other reimbursing party. The billing server also determines a reimbursement amount that corresponds to the first financial account. The second financial account is charged the reimbursement amount. Thus, a portion or all of the transaction amount is paid by a reimbursing party. The second financial account is only charged if a reimbursement rule is satisfied. For example, only purchases made at certain types of merchants may be reimbursed. In addition, the billing server may first request approval before charging the second financial account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Magdalena Mik, Jay S. Walker, Daniel E. Tedesco, Andrew S. Van Luchene, James A. Jorasch
  • Patent number: 7533810
    Abstract: A game presentation such as a virtual slot machine is displayed by a display device associated with a point of sale (POS) terminal. The game presentation includes images of products for which product identifying codes are entered at the POS terminal. The game presentation indicates to a customer an outcome of a random process pursuant to which the customer may be awarded a benefit such as a free product, a discount on a product selected for purchase, a coupon or an upsell offer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Walker Digital, LLC
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, Norman C. Gilman, Magdalena M. Fincham, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Keith Bemer, Andrew P. Golden, Dean P. Alderucci