Abstract: A method of operating slot machines permits a machine to be identified as available for team play. Upon being identified for team play, the machine is grouped with other slot machines and subject to bonus conditions dependent on the team play. Bonus conditions typically including selected bonus outcomes and a bonus time period, during which bonus time period all outcomes of the grouped machines are monitored to determine the total bonus outcomes. If the total bonus outcomes of the team meet the bonus conditions within the bonus time period, then a bonus payout is awarded to all of the players. Players are thus encouraged to participate in a social, team environment with others of the team to win the group bonus. The invention is applicable to all slot machines, including video poker machines wherein the bonus outcomes include selected video poker hand ranks, and reeled slot machines wherein the bonus outcomes include selected reel outcomes.

Abstract: The call handling system incorporating the invention is directed at: queuing a call when no agent is available to service the call; giving the caller an option to monitor (but not participate in) other caller conversations with similar queries, or to listen to recorded calls involving similar queries; querying a database using collected initial information as a search key(s) to retrieve a similar call currently being serviced or a recorded call; and connecting the caller to a communication channel to allow the monitoring of a call while not losing place in the queue for a next available agent. In a further embodiment of the invention, the caller is given a further option to enter a “chat room” where callers having like problems can converse until an agent becomes available.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating a gaming system. In one embodiment, a player establishes at least one event parameter, such as a total wager amount, a total number of events, or an event wager amount. The total number of events may be based on, for example, a total playing time requested by the player. Each of the total number of events is associated with an event outcome to be indicated to the player, such as an event payout amount that is revealed while he or she plays the game. Based on the player-established event parameter or parameters, at least one other event parameter is determined by the gaming system.

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.

Abstract: A method for team play of slot machines, including determining a first result corresponding to a first player on a team, determining a second result corresponding to a second player, determining whether the second player is on the team, and determining a result based on the first result and the second result if the second player is on the team.

Abstract: In a gambling game a collateral gambling game which can be won by players on at least one specific event occurring in the principal game, the collateral game being separate from the principal game but one when any of the possible winning events occur in the principal game, the payment to the player being calculated from the total value available for the game divided by the total number of players who bet on the specific winning event.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a gaming device such as a slot machine calculates a speed of game play, and in turn determines a pay schedule based on the speed of game play. The pay schedule for higher speeds of game play typically provides a higher payout percentage, which attracts players and provides an incentive to play faster and for longer periods of time. The greater speed of play and time period of playing may actually increase revenues derived from the gaming device, even though the payout percentage is higher. Speed of game play may be calculated by measuring the number of games played in a predetermined time period, or the time elapsed between games. The gaming device may select a payout table from a plurality of payout tables based on this speed. Alternatively, the gaming device may determine a multiplier based on the speed of game play, and adjust a base payout table in accordance with the multiplier.

Abstract: A system for providing supplementary product sales is provided in which a central controller, which may be operated by a credit card issuer, receives a purchase from a card authorization terminal. The purchase includes at least one purchase parameter, such as a customer account identifier, product identifiers for specifying items purchased or product price. The central controller determines a supplementary product to offer that is based on the at least one purchase parameter. A product identifier for specifying the supplementary product is transmitted to the card authorization terminal, where the customer chooses whether to accept the offered supplementary product. The card authorization terminal generates and transmits to the central controller a selection signal indicative of whether the supplementary product is accepted.

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 to facilitate lottery ticket transactions. A request to purchase a lottery ticket is received, the lottery ticket being associated with a lottery number combination, such as a limited number of lottery tickets or a limited number of players. An indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with a limited number of occurrences is also received. For example, an indication that the lottery number combination is to be associated with only a single lottery ticket may be received. A price associated with the lottery ticket is determined based on the received indication. According to one embodiment, the price is increased by a predetermined amount based on the received indication.

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: A system and method are disclosed for determining and applying a discount to a customer's transaction. The discount is of a progressive nature, wherein the value of a customer's discount increases if the customer meets the conditions associated with the discount. The system rewards more frequent or profitable customers with benefits such as larger increases in the discount or higher maximum discount than those awarded to less frequent or profitable customers. The discount is decreased or eliminated if the customer fails to meet the conditions associated with the discount.

Abstract: A billing and collection system comprising an access management computer for enabling payment for a service provided over a data network to be made for a telephone connection to a shared revenue billing network where the telephone connection to the billing network regulates access to the service provided over the data network, the data network including at least one information provider presenting at least one service for on-line access by a user with a user computer through the data network, the billing network and access management computer adapted for controlling access to the information provider and billing the user for access to the information provider, the access management computer communicating with the data network to enable and terminate access to the information provider through the user computer with the billing network sharing revenues for the telephone connection with the information provider.

Abstract: A gaming device and method of operation thereof are provided in which the gaming device receives a loan request, which includes a loan amount, to establish a balance without having received payment therefor. The device sends a request signal to a controller of the gaming device communicating the loan request, and a balance is established with the gaming device. The gaming device in turn receives an approval signal from the controller of the gaming device regarding approval of the loan request. The loan amount may be less than or equal to the requested amount. A cash-out mechanism of the gaming device is enabled in accordance with the approval signal before the approval signal is received.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of playing a card game such as Blackjack provides a player with at least one additional option for playing the card game. For example, a Blackjack player who has made an initial bet and was dealt an unfavorable starting hand may be provided with at least one additional option, such as making a bust insurance bet or mortgaging a round of play. If the player makes a bust insurance bet, he will receive a payout if he then busts upon drawing an additional card. If the player selects a mortgaging option, he agrees to play the current round of play or at least one future round of play in accordance with a revised rule that is unfavorable for the player in exchange for receiving an advantage during the current round of play.

Abstract: A lottery game card incorporates player direction in determining the outcome of the game and allows a player to reveal one or more elements on the card according to rules associated with the lottery game. According to one embodiment of the invention, all of the possible combinations of playable elements on the card may be known or knowable in advance to the player before the player begins to expose elements on the card and some or all of possible elements on the card that the player may expose may be known to the player before the player begins to expose elements on the card. The player's progression through a card is not predetermined such that the player has significant ability or flexibility to control or direct the play of the lottery game embodied by the card and to influence or direct the outcome of the lottery game embodied by the card.

Abstract: A central controller such as one operating for a credit card account issuer receives one or more billing items which are to be printed on an account holder's billing statement. The central controller determines if the billing items, which typically specify purchases, satisfy any merchant-specified upsell offer conditions. Some upsell offer conditions include the purchase of a predetermined product, or a purchase which exceeds a predefined price. Such upsell offer conditions, when satisfied, direct the central controller to offer an upsell on the billing statement. If any of the upsell offer conditions are satisfied, the central controller determines one or more upsells that correspond to the upsell offer condition. The upsells may be, for example, products complementary to previously-purchased products. The upsells are offered to the account holder by printing onto the billing statement indicia that specifies the upsells.

Abstract: A seller, having previously sold a product to an original purchaser subject to a buyout-provision condition, determines if the buyout-provision condition is satisfied. If the buy-out provision condition is satisfied, the seller retakes the product from the original purchaser and resells the product to a subsequent purchaser.

Abstract: A vending machine method and apparatus are disclosed for encouraging vending machine customers to review a marketing promotion or to participate in a survey while making a purchase. Customers are immediately rewarded for providing responses about the marketing promotion that was previously presented or their preferences or opinions. The reward may be, for example, a supplementary product, a discount on the customer's current purchase or a subsequent purchase, or a rebate. The vending machine ensures that it contains sufficient currency and products to meet the requirements of all active reward offers. The vending machine ensures that buyers are committed to making a purchase, before offering a reward to a customer. Unscrupulous customers are discouraged from using repeatedly participating in a marketing promotion, merely to collect rewards or influence the results of a survey.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to ensure that a threshold game result is possible. According to one embodiment, a game condition associated with a game of skill is established. The game of skill may be, for example, a puzzle game (e.g., a word puzzle game or a graphical puzzle game) or an arcade-style game. It is determined that at least one set of possible player inputs during game play will produce at least a threshold game result given the established game condition. The threshold game result may be associated with, for example, prizes provided to players based on game results.