Abstract: A mobile terminal is used to assist individuals with disabilities. A mobile terminal such as a “smartphone” or other commercially available wireless handheld device may be loaded with software. The software may be configured to: (i) store criteria for managing communications between a disabled user of the mobile terminal and a remote caregiver, (ii) determine whether a criterion is satisfied, and if so (iii) initiate a communication from the mobile terminal to the remote caregiver, and (iv) receive a response from the remote caregiver. Thus, through this software, the mobile terminal may dynamically facilitate communications with specific remote caregivers based on specific situations that may confront disabled individuals.

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: A gaming establishment may determine the existence of problem gamblers within its halls by monitoring player behavior with one or more sensors from an array of sensors. The player's behavior is then compared to normal behavior and/or problem gambling behavior to determine if the player is potentially a problem gambler. Behavior patterns that may be tracked are player movement, player betting patterns, facial expressions, physical clues, nonverbal clues, and the like.

Abstract: Products and processes are disclosed for defining at least one inventory group. This at least one inventory group includes at least two products that are available for sale by a vending machine. The vending machine outputs an indication of products that the at least one inventory group includes. The vending machine receiving, from a customer, a selection of a first product that the at least one inventory group includes. The vending machine processes a sale of a unit of the first product and a respective unit of at least one additional product for a single price.

Abstract: In accordance with some described embodiments, a keno game is tied to video content such that events in the video content determine the outcome of the keno game. In one example, outcome determinative events are selected from a set of potential outcome determinative events and marked with cues when the video content is displayed to the keno players and other video content watchers. The cues may be audible or visual and accentuate the fact that an outcome determinative event has occurred.

Abstract: A method enabling a frequent shopper reward system capable of tracking performance data of a plurality of members or account holders linked to a single frequent shopper account.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, products and processes are disclosed for receiving, via a point-of-sale terminal that is not a vending machine, an indication of a set of products which a customer desires to purchase. At least one product is offered to the customer via the point-of-sale terminal, and an acceptance of the offer is received. Thereafter a request to receive the product is received. A unit of the product is dispensed via the vending machine.

Abstract: A method for selling a product which allows a customer to comparison search for, and obtain as a part of a purchase transaction, the competitive terms for a product following product acquisition. The method includes conveying the product to the customer prior to at least one transaction term of the sale being finalized, determining a final value of the transaction term, and completing the sale using the final value of the transaction term as a term of the sale.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided wherein a security deposit is used to facilitate a transaction with a customer. It is arranged for a benefit to be applied to the transaction in exchange for a future performance of a task by the customer. For example, a subsidy provider may offer to apply a subsidy amount to the transaction in exchange for a future performance of the task by the customer. It is also arranged for the customer to provide a security deposit. Based on the performance of the task by the customer, it is arranged for the security deposit to be returned to the customer.

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.

Abstract: A point of sale system or other computer system stores a product pricing database in which a full price and discount prices corresponding to one or more discount pricing tiers are stored for each product available for sale. Each of the discount prices for a given product has an associated threshold purchase total that has to be satisfied before the discount price is applied to a transaction. When a transaction occurs, the purchase total for the transaction is first calculated on the basis of full retail prices for the products and the purchase total for the transaction is compared with one or more threshold purchase totals which correspond to the discount pricing tiers. If a discount pricing tier is applicable (e.g. the calculated purchase total for the transaction is at least equal to a threshold purchase total), the appropriate discount prices for each product in the transaction are retrieved and used to calculate a reduced purchase total for the transaction.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the disclosed invention, an apparatus determines a current price of a product for sale by the vending machine. It then determines, for the product, a price increment, a predetermined price, and a demand threshold, that are defined by data stored in at least one data table. A rate of units of the product that are sold are determined. The rate is compared with the demand threshold. Based on the comparison of the rate with the demand data, it is determined whether the new price should be greater than or less than the current price. The new price is set to the predetermined price if the new price should be greater than the current price. If the new price should be less than the current price, a price increment amount is subtracted from the current price to yield the new price. The determined new price is displayed.

Abstract: Purchasing, redemption and settlement 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: 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.

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.

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.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, systems, methods, and/or articles of manufacture are associated with determining an identifier associated with a player of a gaming device, determining information indicative of historical game play of the player, and determining, based at least upon the information indicative of the historical game play of the player and the identifier associated with the player, whether the player qualifies for a benefit pursuant to a gaming contract. Some embodiments are directed to receiving an indication of a gaming contract insurance claim associated with a gaming contract of a player, determining information indicative of a subset of historical game play of the player, and determining whether to provide a benefit to the player pursuant to the gaming contract.

Abstract: Products and processes are disclosed for defining at least one inventory group. This at least one inventory group includes at least two products that are available for sale by a vending machine. The vending machine outputs an indication of products that the at least one inventory group includes. The vending machine receiving, from a customer, a selection of a first product that the at least one inventory group includes. The vending machine processes a sale of a unit of the first product and a respective unit of at least one additional product for a single price.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of operating a gaming device includes the steps of (1) receiving an indication of an occurrence of a game initiation trigger associated with audio/video programming being provided to a player of the gaming device; and (2) in response to the occurrence of the game initiation trigger, initiating game play at the gaming device. The audio/video programming may comprise, for example, a television show, a movie, an animated show, a live event, or the like. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A network of vending machines is interfaced via a controller to a network of devices installed at retail establishments. When a customer goes to a vending machine and requests a transaction such as dispensing a product from the vending machine, the vending machines outputs an offer to the customer in response to the received request and based on a condition that has been identified at one of the retail establishments. The identified condition may be a lack of customer traffic at the retail establishment. The offer outputted at the vending machine may be a discount coupon to induce the customer to visit the retail establishment. Preferably, the retail establishment is nearby to the vending machine which outputted the offer. The vending machine may also output offers when the vending machine is out of stock of the item requested by the customer.