Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for offering a benefit to a player of a first electronic game device. In an embodiment, the method includes determining if a player of a first electronic game device qualifies to receive at least one benefit associated with an award value, and then outputting an offer to provide the at least one benefit. In some embodiments, the offer requires use of a second electronic game device. The method may also include receiving a request for the benefit at the second electronic game device, and then providing at least one benefit to the player. In some embodiments, the offer includes such benefits as additional game play, one or more bonus-round game outcomes, a monetary payout, a game play modification, additional comp points, loss insurance, a multimedia option, and acquisition of at least one unit of media content.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are provided for facilitating commerce. Audio information describing an item for purchase is received and analyzed to at least one corresponding item category related to the item for purchase. At least one selected from the group of a picture, audio data, and textual information of at least one item for sale associated with the identified at least one corresponding item category is transmitted to be provided for display to a buyer on a display of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are provided for facilitating commerce. A set of images of a first item and information associated with the first item is received and analyzed to determine at least one corresponding item category for the first item. A query for a second item is further received. The second item is determined to correspond to one of the at least one item category. In response to determining that the second item corresponds to the one of the determined at least one item category, at least one of the set of images of the first item and at least a portion of the information associated with the first item is transmitted to be presented to the second user on a display of the second device.

Abstract: A gaming system and method which includes enabling a player to initiate a play of a game, for the initiated play of the game: (i) randomly generating a game outcome, (ii) displaying to the player the randomly generated game outcome, (iii) determining any award associated with the displayed game outcome, and (iv) displaying to the player any determined award, enabling the player to invite a quantity of other players to each initiate a play of at least one game, the quantity of other players being greater than zero, and if the player invited the quantity of other players, providing the player a benefit, an amount of the benefit being based on the quantity of other players invited.

Abstract: Some embodiments are associated with wireless payment or account verification or authorization for purchases made from a vending machine via a customer's mobile device.

Abstract: A wagering method is provided that allows players or gaming establishments to specify conditions which when satisfied, reconfigure the gaming device to change game play from a first game to a second game. The condition may depend upon the value of a parameter—generally related to game play—to determine if the condition is valid and triggers the reconfiguration. The second game may be selected from a game on the same gaming device, from a game on a different gaming device, or a game played by a specific player.

Abstract: A method for facilitating asynchronous group play of an online casino game is provided. A group session is initiated over the Internet, including a plurality of players. A group objective defines a requirement of two or more of the plurality of players achieving winning outcomes that result from initiation of player decisions occurring in relative proximity to each other. For each player, outcomes of player decisions occurring during a period of gameplay are stored to a current session database defined in a storage device, wherein the periods of gameplay of at least two of the plurality of players are asynchronous. The current session database is analyzed to identify outcomes of two or more of the plurality of players occurring within a predefined number of player decisions of each other. The identified outcomes are combined and compared against the group objective.

Abstract: Some embodiments are associated with wireless payment or account verification or authorization for purchases made from a vending machine via a customer's mobile device.

Abstract: A method in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is provided, the method comprising the steps of generating a first outcome of a game of chance, determining a target outcome, receiving a first wager, generating a second outcome based on the first outcome, and repeating the step of generating the second outcome until the second outcome matches the target outcome, before receiving any second wager.

Abstract: Methods, computer readable media and systems related to wagering games, and in particular those that concern providing and redeeming partial game outcomes. One example method includes receiving a completion request from a player who is operating a gaming device to complete at least one partial game outcome. The partial game outcome was previously provided to the player, who used a first device that is different than the gaming device. This example method includes determining that the player is entitled to a complete game outcome, displaying the partial game outcome on the gaming device, determining the complete game outcome, and then displaying the complete game outcome.

Abstract: Some embodiments are associated with receiving, by a vending machine, a request from a customer to initiate a communication session, establishing a first communication link between the vending machine and a device associated with the customer, and establishing a second communication link between the vending machine and a remote network device, such that a communication session is established between the device associated with the customer and the remote network device. Some embodiments are associated with receiving, by a vending machine, an indication of a selection of a product sold by the vending machine, receiving, from a customer, payment for the selected product, dispensing the product to the customer, the product comprising an indication of a communication session activation code, receiving, by the vending machine, an indication of the communication session activation code, and establishing a communication session between a device associated with the customer and a remote network device.

Abstract: A gaming system and method which includes enabling a player to initiate a play of a game, for the initiated play of the game: (i) randomly generating a game outcome, (ii) displaying to the player the randomly generated game outcome, (iii) determining any award associated with the displayed game outcome, and (iv) displaying to the player any determined award, enabling the player to invite a quantity of other players to each initiate a play of at least one game, the quantity of other players being greater than zero, and if the player invited the quantity of other players, providing the player a benefit, an amount of the benefit being based on the quantity of other players invited.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving an indication of a triggering event at a gaming device, determining a gaming content associated with the gaming device, identifying a public display on which is displayed non-gaming media content, and outputting the gaming content on the public display wherein the gaming content supersedes at least a portion of the non-gaming media content.

Abstract: A gaming system and method which includes enabling a player to initiate a play of a game, for the initiated play of the game: (i) randomly generating a game outcome, (ii) displaying to the player the randomly generated game outcome, (iii) determining any award associated with the displayed game outcome, and (iv) displaying to the player any determined award, enabling the player to invite a quantity of other players to each initiate a play of at least one game, the quantity of other players being greater than zero, and if the player invited the quantity of other players, providing the player a benefit, an amount of the benefit being based on the quantity of other players invited.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for conducting a secondary game at a gaming device. In various embodiments, a player may acquire equity in the secondary game in such forms as a location of a game character, a number of symbols aggregated, a degree of completion of a puzzle, or a defensive provision. Certain symbols or outcomes in a primary game, however, may cause the player to lose equity in the secondary game.

Abstract: According to one described embodiment, a method is provided in which transaction information is determined. The transaction information is associated with (i) a buyer who has arranged to purchase a product from a central controller at a first price established between the buyer and the central controller and (ii) a merchant that offers the product for sale at a second price, different from the first price, without offering the product for sale to buyers at the first price. Information is transmitted that facilitates the acquisition of the product by the buyer, in exchange for payment provided by the buyer to the central controller. An amount based on the second price is provided to the merchant.

Abstract: Portable wagering media may be utilized to alter play of wagering games.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a controller receives an indication of acceptance by a customer of an offer for a subsidy from a second vendor (e.g., a subsidizing vendor). The offer may define, for example, a reduction in the price charged for an item purchased from a first vendor and an obligation for the customer to fulfill in exchange for the subsidy. The customer is charged a second price for the items, which is less than the total price, and may even be zero.

Abstract: According to one described embodiment, a method is provided in which transaction information is determined. The transaction information is associated with (i) a buyer who has arranged to purchase a product from a central controller at a first price established between the buyer and the central controller and (ii) a merchant that offers the product for sale at a second price, different from the first price, without offering the product for sale to buyers at the first price. Information is transmitted that facilitates the acquisition of the product by the buyer, in exchange for payment provided by the buyer to the central controller. An amount based on the second price is provided to the merchant.

Abstract: A gaming device incentivizes additional game play by combining payouts with conditional payouts. During game play, players are informed of the conditions, which must be satisfied so as to vest the conditional payouts. Subsequent game play is monitored to see if the player has satisfied the conditions. If the player has satisfied the conditions, then the conditional payout vests. If the condition is not met, then the conditional payout terminates.