Abstract: The invention provides a prize redemption system for use with one or more game apparatuses. A game is provided on a game apparatus for a player to play in exchange for monetary input, and prize credits are credited to the player based on the game outcome. A prize selection menu is then displayed by the game apparatus, the menu including one or more prizes, where the player may select a prize that has a prize cost within the player's prize credit amount. The player is dispensed a specific prize ticket that is redeemable for the selected prize. The game apparatus can also provide specific prizes and tournament games played for a tournament prize contributed to by multiple players. An operator can adjust prizes and payout percentages of the system to achieve a desired profitability for game apparatuses.

Abstract: The invention provides a prize redemption system for use with one or more game apparatuses. A game is provided on a game apparatus for a player to play in exchange for monetary input, and prize credits are credited to the player based on the game outcome. A prize selection menu is then displayed by the game apparatus, the menu including one or more prizes, where the player may select a prize that has a prize cost within the player's prize credit amount. The player is dispensed a specific prize ticket that is redeemable for the selected prize. The game apparatus can also provide specific prizes and tournament games played for a tournament prize contributed to by multiple players. An operator can adjust prizes and payout percentages of the system to achieve a desired profitability for game apparatuses.

Abstract: The invention provides a prize redemption system for use with one or more game apparatuses. A game is provided on a game apparatus for a player to play in exchange for monetary input, and prize credits are credited to the player based on the game outcome. A prize selection menu is then displayed by the game apparatus, the menu including one or more prizes, where the player may select a prize that has a prize cost within the player's prize credit amount. The player is dispensed a specific prize ticket that is redeemable for the selected prize. The game apparatus can also provide specific prizes and tournament games played for a tournament prize contributed to by multiple players. An operator can adjust prizes and payout percentages of the system to achieve a desired profitability for game apparatuses.

Abstract: The invention provides a prize redemption system for use with one or more game apparatuses. A game is provided on a game apparatus for a player to play in exchange for monetary input, and prize credits are credited to the player based on the game outcome. A prize selection menu is then displayed by the game apparatus, the menu including one or more prizes, where the player may select a prize that has a prize cost within the player's prize credit amount. The player is dispensed a specific prize ticket that is redeemable for the selected prize. The game apparatus can also provide specific prizes and tournament games played for a tournament prize contributed to by multiple players. An operator can adjust prizes and payout percentages of the system to achieve a desired profitability for game apparatuses.

Abstract: The invention provides a prize redemption system for use with one or more game apparatuses. A game is provided on a game apparatus for a player to play in exchange for monetary input, and prize credits are credited to the player based on the game outcome. A prize selection menu is then displayed by the game apparatus, the menu including one or more prizes, where the player may select a prize that has a prize cost within the player's prize credit amount. The player is dispensed a specific prize ticket that is redeemable for the selected prize. The game apparatus can also provide specific prizes and tournament games played for a tournament prize contributed to by multiple players. An operator can adjust prizes and payout percentages of the system to achieve a desired profitability for game apparatuses.

Abstract: The invention provides a prize redemption system for use with one or more game apparatuses. A game is provided on a game apparatus for a player to play in exchange for monetary input, and prize credits are credited to the player based on the game outcome. A prize selection menu is then displayed by the game apparatus, the menu including one or more prizes, where the player may select a prize that has a prize cost within the player's prize credit amount. The player is dispensed a specific prize ticket that is redeemable for the selected prize. The game apparatus can also provide specific prizes and tournament games played for a tournament prize contributed to by multiple players. An operator can adjust prizes and payout percentages of the system to achieve a desired profitability for game apparatuses.

Abstract: A browser manager server is able to initialize and configure one or more browser windows on a gaming device display screen. The browser manager has the ability to configure specific URLs for each browser window, configure and Z-order depth for each window, set window size and position, and call functions on the browser pages. A browser client side application on a gaming device is capable of creating multiple windows on an electronic gaming device and responding to said server configuration or browser message commands.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for allowing redemption of prizes resulting from playing games on a plurality of game apparatuses. The system includes a plurality of game apparatuses each adapted for displaying a user interface for allowing a user to play a plurality of games. Also included is a prize database server adapted for connecting to the game apparatuses via a wide area network. In use, a user identification code is received from the game apparatuses that corresponds to the user. Also received is an indication of an outcome of the game upon the user playing the game via the corresponding user interface. The prize database server also tracks a number of prize credits awarded the user based on the outcome of the game in addition to allowing redemption of the prize credits for a prize.

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture are provided for implementing a user profile-driven gaming and prize redeeming system. The user profile-driven gaming and prize redemption system allows for the tailoring of a user's experience of playing a computer implemented game on a network gaming system by first receiving an identifier selected from a group of identifiers including a user identifier relating to the user (i.e., player) of the network gaming system, a game identifier relating to a particular game played by the user of the network gaming system, and a site identifier relating to the location (i.e. web site) from which the game is being played. The network gaming system then alters the computer-implemented game played by the user in a manner based upon the selected identifier. The foregoing technique may also be applied to a prize redemption system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method, and article of manufacture for providing a progressive prize awarding and redeeming scheme in an intermittently accessed network gaming system. A host server of a network system transmits a beginning prize credit value and an increment rate which are received by a game apparatus connected to the network system. Periodically, a current progressive prize credit value is calculated based on the beginning prize credit value and the increment rate and is displayed to the user. At the end of the game, the current progressive prize credit value is transmitted from the game apparatus of the user to the host server for redemption purposes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method, and article of manufacture for providing a progressive prize awarding and redeeming scheme in an intermittently accessed network gaming system. A host server of a network system transmits a beginning prize credit value and an increment rate which are received by a game apparatus connected to the network system. Periodically, a current progressive prize credit value is calculated based on the beginning prize credit value and the increment rate and is displayed to the user. At the end of the game, the current progressive prize credit value is transmitted from the game apparatus of the user to the host server for redemption purposes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for allowing redemption of prizes resulting from playing games on a plurality of game apparatuses. The system includes a plurality of game apparatuses each adapted for displaying a user interface for allowing a user to play a plurality of games. Also included is a prize database server adapted for connecting to the game apparatuses via a wide area network. In use, a user identification code is received from the game apparatuses that corresponds to the user. Also received is an indication of an outcome of the game upon the user playing the game via the corresponding user interface. The prize database server also tracks a number of prize credits awarded the user based on the outcome of the game in addition to allowing redemption of the prize credits for a prize.

Abstract: The present invention provides a graphical user interface for providing gaming and prize awarding and redeeming capabilities to a computer network system in a manner that lets a provider of the network system present and display information to a user of the network system. The graphical user interface allows for the showing of a frame, or screen/display, to the user while also allowing a game to be executed in the frame. Indicated on the frame are prize credits awarded based on an outcome of playing the game. Additionally, a link is displayed on the frame for depicting a prize redemption interface designed to allow use of the prize credits to obtain a prize offered on the network system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and article of manufacture for determining payment for participating in a network gaming tournament. First, a plurality of networked game apparatuses are provided for allowing games to be played by a plurality of players in a tournament. An indication of an outcome of at least one game played by each of the players is then received. Based on a sum of the outcomes of the games of all of the players, a total amount of prize credits or prizes is determined. Subsequently, a first portion of the total amount of prize credits or prizes is partitioned for payment for participation in the tournament, and a second portion of the total amount of prize credits or prizes is awarded to at least one winning player based on the outcome of the at least one game thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a graphical user interface for providing gaming and prize awarding and redeeming capabilities to a computer network system in a manner that lets a provider of the network system present and display information to a user of the network system. The graphical user interface allows for the showing of a frame, or screen/display, to the user while also allowing a game to be executed in the frame. Indicated on the frame are prize credits awarded based on an outcome of playing the game. Additionally, a link is displayed on the frame for depicting a prize redemption interface designed to allow use of the prize credits to obtain a prize offered on the network system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and article of manufacture for determining payment for participating in a network gaming tournament. First, a plurality of networked game apparatuses are provided for allowing games to be played by a plurality of players in a tournament. An indication of an outcome of at least one game played by each of the players is then received. Based on a sum of the outcomes of the games of all of the players, a total amount of prize credits or prizes is determined. Subsequently, a first portion of the total amount of prize credits or prizes is partitioned for payment for participation in the tournament, and a second portion of the total amount of prize credits or prizes is awarded to at least one winning player based on the outcome of the at least one game thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prize redemption system for use with one or more game apparatuses. A game is provided on a game apparatus for a player to play in exchange for monetary input, and prize credits are credited to the player based on the game. A prize selection menu is displayed by the game apparatus, the menu including one or more prizes, where the player may select a prize having a prize cost within the player's prize credit amount. The player can be dispensed a specific prize ticket from the game apparatus or other unit that is redeemable for the selected prize. The game apparatus can also provide specific prizes and tournament games played for a tournament prize. An operator can adjust prizes and payout percentages of the system to achieve a desired profitability for game apparatuses. Prize input is entered into a prize table describing multiple available prizes and payout information that indicates a desired amount of payout that the operator wishes to provide back to players.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prize redemption system for use with one or more game apparatuses. The prize redemption system includes a server in communication with the game apparatuses to form a wide area network that may include the Internet. A game is provided on a game apparatus for a player to play in exchange for monetary input, and prize credits are credited to the player based on the game outcome. A prize selection menu is then displayed by the game apparatus, the menu including one or more prizes, where the player may select a prize that has a prize cost within the player's prize credit amount. The player is dispensed a specific prize ticket that is redeemable for the selected prize. The game apparatus can also provide specific prizes and tournament games played for a tournament prize contributed to by multiple players. An operator can adjust prizes and payout percentages of the system to achieve a desired profitability for game apparatuses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prize redemption system for use with one or more game apparatuses. A game is provided on a game apparatus for a player to play in exchange for monetary input, and prize credits are credited to the player based on the game outcome. A prize selection menu is then displayed by the game apparatus, the menu including one or more prizes, where the player may select a prize that has a prize cost within the player's prize credit amount. The player is dispensed a specific prize ticket that is redeemable for the selected prize. The game apparatus can also provide specific prizes and tournament games played for a tournament prize contributed to by multiple players. An operator can adjust prizes and payout percentages of the system to achieve a desired profitability for game apparatuses.