Abstract: A method and apparatus allows a customer to indicate his or her brand indifference within a product category, and then receive a benefit for purchasing a product chosen by a third party from within this product category. This method and apparatus is particularly useful in differentiating between brand-loyal or brand-sensitive customers and brand-indifferent customers, and allows manufacturers to price-discriminate between these two types of customers.

Abstract: In accordance with some described embodiments, methods and apparatus are provided for determining a food product and determining a price range defining a maximum price and a minimum price. An indication is stored that the food product may be offered, as a set of one or more food products, in exchange for a round-up amount associated with a purchase, if the round-up amount is in the price range.

Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems for obtaining funding for developing game environments. Methods and systems include a variety of funding sources including taxes, fees, licenses, bond issuance, loans, investors, commercial paper, convertible debt, bills, notes, debt issuance, promissory notes, venture capital, the issuance of private shares, transforming the game environment into a public company through an initial public offering, or through a follow on offering such as the issuance of common stock, preferred stock, or treasury stock.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides various novel concepts to a video game environment. The disclosure describes video game environments that include a method and system for controlling the quantity and distribution of virtual natural resources, raw materials, skills and NPCs in and between games, where player characters may acquire, use and modify such virtual resources within the physical limits of the games.

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: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems for obtaining funding for developing game environments. Methods and systems include a variety of funding sources including taxes, fees, licenses, bond issuance, loans, investors, commercial paper, convertible debt, bills, notes, debt issuance, promissory notes, venture capital, the issuance of private shares, transforming the game environment into a public company through an initial public offering, or through a follow on offering such as the issuance of common stock, preferred stock, or treasury stock. In one embodiment the disclosure provides methods and systems for allowing members of a Venture Capital entity to vote on whether or not to fund a given venture.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides various novel concepts to a video game environment. The disclosure describes video game environments that include a method and system for controlling the quantity and distribution of virtual natural resources, raw materials, skills and NPCs in and between games, where player characters may acquire, use and modify such virtual resources within the physical limits of the games.

Abstract: In accordance with one described embodiment, methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for determining a progressive discount for a customer. In one example, a customer is provided with a discount that is incremented if the customer visits at least once in a pre-defined period.

Abstract: Improved methods for drafting, preparing, and submitting a patent application are described. The system incorporates a web-based tool in which applications are drafted. The web-based tool allows for real time analysis of the application as it is being drafted. Automated suggestions, prior art searching, researcher and attorney recommendations are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems. The disclosure provides a video game in which a new character can be created using attributes from multiple parent characters. Each character may contribute genetic material in the form of character attributes, which are then passed on to a child character.

Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems for obtaining funding for developing game environments. Methods and systems include a variety of funding sources including taxes, fees, licenses, bond issuance, loans, investors, commercial paper, convertible debt, bills, notes, debt issuance, promissory notes, venture capital, the issuance of private shares, transforming the game environment into a public company through an initial public offering, or through a follow on offering such as the issuance of common stock, preferred stock, or treasury stock. In one embodiment the disclosure provides methods and systems that monitor compliance with the terms of a venture capital fund agreement; identify any parties that are in non-complance; and penalize any non-compliant parties.

Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems for enforcing contracts within video game environments. Methods and systems of the invention include virtual and real world penalties and remedies for entities that breach contracts or other obligations undertaken in the virtual world.

Abstract: A POS terminal receives a signal that indicates an item, for example, via a bar code scanner. The POS terminal ascertains whether the item is associated with an offer for a rebate. If so, a code is generated and output to the customer, such as on a printed receipt. The code is associated with an offer for a rebate in exchange for establishing a subscription to a periodical. If the customer subscribes to a required periodical, he will be credited the amount he paid for the item. Subsequently, the customer requests a subscription to a periodical from a subscription fulfillment house, and provides his code in conjunction with the request. If the code is valid, the customer is provided with a rebate. The rebate may be provided directly by the subscription fulfillment house (e.g. a credit to a credit card account) or may be provided by a merchant (e.g. a discount on a future purchase).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems for allowing players to make purchases including goods, services and financial instruments in a virtual environment. Methods and systems include means for trade within and between game environments, virtual environments and games.

Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems. The disclosure includes methods and systems that determine if a player character and/or game parameter is qualified to use a reverse outcome attribute and, if any qualifications are met, possibly reverses the outcome of one or more game parameters.

Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems. The disclosure includes methods and systems for allowing game players to secure in-game contracts using credit systems such as credit cards or other financial instruments. The disclosure further provides methods and systems for providing virtual and/or real world financial penalties to game players and/or player characters who default on in-game agreements.

Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems for allowing players to acquire ownership of game environments. Methods and systems additionally include means for buying and selling ownership or fractions of ownership in a particular game environment.

Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems for allowing players to purchase virtual goods and services using a variety of purchasing options. Methods and systems include virtual barter systems and means for financing purchases using real and virtual credit and financing mechanisms.

Abstract: The disclosure provides novel video game methods and systems. The disclosure includes methods and systems: for forming relationships between player characters, to allow for karma points, death, and reincarnation of player characters, for inheritance between player characters, to allow a game that progresses in eras, that allow reverse outcomes of game parameters, to create in-game objects from digital images of real life objects, to provide inventory management of in-game items and attributes, to facilitate favors between player characters, and to allow for genetic crossbreeding of parents to form children.

Abstract: A system and method to allow players of a video game to perform financial transactions in a virtual environment. According to some embodiments, real world financial instruments such as a credit card or other financial instrument may guarantee some or all of the virtual financial operations.