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.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides for receiving an indication of a wager, displaying a set of spinning reels, receiving a response to a game of knowledge while the reels are spinning, determining a score based on the response, and determining a winner of a tournament based on the score.

Abstract: A game to be modified in accordance with the invention involves a first random outcome and a second random outcome that are combined according to game rules to produce a game outcome. The game is administered by receiving a player request for a specific entry, the specific entry replacing one of the random outcomes and being selected from a finite set of possibilities not determined by chance. The requested specific entry affects the probable outcome of the game. The specific entry is combined with the remaining one of the random outcomes according to the game rules to determine the game outcome. According to one embodiment, the specific entry may be a score such as 18 which replaces the player's hand in the game of blackjack.

Abstract: A POS terminal generates a purchase price of a purchase, and generates a rounded price. The rounded price may be, for example, the lowest whole number greater than the purchase price. The POS terminal then calculates a round-up amount (change due the customer) as the difference between the purchase price and the rounded price. The coupon value is set based on the round-up amount. For example, the coupon may be redeemable for triple the amount of change due. The POS terminal prints on the coupon an identifier, such as a bar code, that is based on the coupon value. The bar code allows the coupon to be read by a POS terminal when the coupon is redeemed.

Abstract: A method according to some embodiments of the present invention provides for a game server to receive policy requirements of a user for a gambling loss insurance policy from a terminal. The game server determines a premium amount based on the policy requirements of the user and transmits information concerning the premium amount to the user.

Abstract: A point-of-sale terminal initiates a transaction and provides a prompt to be spoken to an operator (e.g. a cashier) of the POS terminal. The prompt indicates a verbal message that is to be spoken by the operator. The POS terminal then receives an audio signal via a microphone or similar device to record what the operator has spoken. Using speech recognition, the POS terminal determines whether the audio signal corresponds to the prompt, and thus whether the operator spoke the prompt properly. In one embodiment, the transaction is paused until the operator properly speaks the prompt. In another embodiment, the POS terminal stores an indication of whether the operator has properly spoken the prompt, thereby allowing the performance of the operator to be measured.

Abstract: A system to determine a product to be offered to a casino player based on player data and on an approximate maximum price for which the product may be sold through a retail channel. Advantageously, a potential increase in a casino's profit due to a product offer can be determined using the player data, and an approximate maximum profit attainable through sale of the product through a retail channel can be determined based on the determined price. As a result, a product to offer can be determined in a manner which maximizes casino profit.

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: 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: Systems and methods are provided using a stored benefit to facilitate a transaction in which a buyer offers to purchase a product. According to one embodiment, offer information, including an offer amount, is received from a buyer. The offer information may be received, for example, via a Web page. An indication that the buyer is willing to redeem one or more stored benefits is also received. A stored benefit may be, for example, a token associated with the buyer when he or she applies for a service. A value associated with the stored benefit is determined, and the offer information is evaluated based on the offer amount, the value associated with the stored benefit, and an amount associated with a product. According to one embodiment, the offer information includes a product category, and the product provided to the buyer is determined based on the product category.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for establishing online a buyer price for a first plurality of products. The buyer price being lower than a retail price of the first plurality of products, the first plurality of products to be picked up during a subsequent transaction at a retailer. Thereafter, a second plurality of products which the buyer has actually received during the subsequent transaction is determined. A penalty may be assessed if the first and second plurality of products do not correspond.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to conduct a game associated with a physics simulation, the physics simulation being adapted to generate a game result based on a set of input parameters. According to one embodiment, a game condition associated with a game to be played by a player is established. For example, a three-dimensional terrain associated with a golf putting green may be established. It is then determined that at least one set of possible input parameters to the physics simulation will produce a successful game result given the established game condition. For example, it may be determined that a player can use his or her mouse to provide a set of inputs parameters to the physics simulation such that a simulated golf ball will reach a simulated golf hole based on the three-dimensional golf putting green terrain.

Abstract: A system is described for facilitating an Internet-based game of chance, particularly a computer-based version of a punchboard game having a grid with prizes associated with the various grid locations. The user can pay a central controller for each selection by providing a credit card number, or through other Internet transaction means. The central controller sends the user a fresh virtual punchboard (i.e. a game in which no selections have yet been made). The user selects a grid location, encrypts it, and then transmits it to the central controller. The central controller then generates prize values for the grid that it sent to the player. The user's computer stores the locations of each prize and determines whether the player's selection was a winner. If he has won, the player sends the decryption key to the central controller to decrypt his grid selection and authenticate his selection. The central controller then initiates a payment to the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating a lottery gaming system. In one embodiment, a player playing an electronic instant lottery game on a player device accumulates occurrences of a bonus symbol during a duration comprising at least two outcomes. The occurrences of the bonus symbol may be tracked by means of a running count. The running count may be increased with each occurrence of a tracked bonus symbol and the player provided with a bonus if the running count is at least equal to a predetermined number. The accumulated occurrences of the bonus symbol may also expire in some embodiments of the present invention. Expiration of an occurrence of a bonus symbol may occur, for example, after a predetermined time period or a predetermined number of outcomes from the time of the occurrence of the bonus symbol.

Abstract: Purchasing systems and methods are provided wherein a buyer takes possession of a product at a retailer. A purchasing system may communicate with a buyer through a communication network to establish a first price for a product between the buyer and a seller. The purchasing system may also arrange for the buyer to take possession of the product at a retailer, different from the seller, that offers the product for sale at a second price. Verification information, which enables the retailer to authorize the buyer to take possession of the product, is transmitted to the retailer. The buyer provides a payment, based on the first price, to the purchasing system in exchange for the right to take possession of the product at the retailer. In one embodiment, the purchasing system receives a buyer offer, including an offer price, related to the product. In another embodiment, the purchasing system transmits redemption information, including a redemption code, to the buyer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate game play. According to one embodiment, game information associated with a game to be played by a player is determined. For example, a putting green contour may be determined for a computer-based golf game. It is the arranged for altered game information to be indicated to the player and for the player to play the game in accordance with the game information, wherein the altered game information alters game play by an automated game playing device more than game play by a human player. For example, the contour of the putting green may be altered before being transmitted to a remote player device.

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.

Abstract: A gaming device, such as a slot machine, determines a balance and a “dispensed amount” that is less than the balance. The dispensed amount may be determined by, for example, receiving signals from one or more key presses that specify the dispensed amount. Alternatively, the dispensed amount may be determined in accordance with one or more “balance management rules”. The gaming device in turn dispenses the dispensed amount, for example, by dispensing an amount of currency, transferring the dispensed amount to an account or adjusting a balance of a remote gaming device. The balance is adjusted by the dispensed amount, and this adjusted balance is available for initiating a subsequent play of the gaming device.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides for sensing a physical change at a transaction card, such as a credit card, and providing content, such as information or entertainment information, in response to sensing the physical change.

Abstract: A conditional lottery ticket system is disclosed to process conditional lottery ticket transactions, including the acceptance and validation of play entries. The conditional lottery ticket system preferably includes a central lottery server and one or more remote lottery terminals. The conditional lottery ticket system permits a player to purchase conditional lottery tickets that are not activated until one or more player-defined activation conditions are satisfied. The player-defined activation conditions may include a minimum lottery jackpot, a particular future date of activation, or the occurrence of a particular external event. Conditional lottery tickets may be purchased (i) individually and activated the next time the player-specified activation conditions are satisfied; (ii) on a subscription basis for a predefined number of times when the player-specified activation conditions are satisfied; or (iii) on a perpetual subscription basis, until the subscription is cancelled.