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: 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: Systems and methods are provided wherein an indication of a plurality of product categories is received, each product category being associated with a plurality of products. For example, the indication of the plurality of product categories may be received from a buyer. Buyer offer information, including an indication of an offer amount associated with the plurality of product categories, is also received. A subset of the plurality of products is selected for each of the product categories, and an indication of the selected products is provided. The buyer's offer may then be evaluated. If the buyer's offer is accepted, the selected products may be provided to the buyer in exchange for payment of the offer amount.

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 billing statement according to one aspect of the invention includes a description of a transaction and an offer pointer associated with the transaction, wherein the offer pointer includes information that may be used to review an offer. In one example of this aspect, the offer pointer is a telephone number printed adjacent to a description of a transaction on a credit card billing statement. The telephone number accesses a voice response system presenting conditional branches through which a consumer can navigate to review an offer. In another example, a hyperlink is positioned adjacent to a total amount owed listed on an electronically-displayed billing statement. The hyperlink may be selected to access a website presenting offers for review by the consumer. The offers reviewed in each of these examples may be customized based on details of the transaction such as the product purchased or the amount of the purchase, the identity of the consumer, and/or on other data.

Abstract: A billing statement according to one aspect of the invention includes a description of a transaction and an offer pointer associated with the transaction, wherein the offer pointer includes information that may be used to review an offer. In one example of this aspect, the offer pointer is a telephone number printed adjacent to a description of a transaction on a credit card billing statement. The telephone number accesses a voice response system presenting conditional branches through which a consumer can navigate to review an offer. In another example, a hyperlink is positioned adjacent to a total amount owed listed on an electronically-displayed billing statement. The hyperlink may be selected to access a website presenting offers for review by the consumer. The offers reviewed in each of these examples may be customized based on details of the transaction such as the product purchased or the amount of the purchase, the identity of the consumer, and/or on other data.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment of the present invention provides for: receiving data indicating a request by a player for an automated session, in which the automated session comprises a plurality of lottery outcomes; determining at least one parameter associated with the automated session; determining at least one lottery outcome; and providing the at least one lottery outcome based on the at least one parameter.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment of the present invention provides for: receiving data indicating a request by a player for an automated session, in which the automated session comprises a plurality of lottery outcomes; determining at least one parameter associated with the automated session; determining at least one lottery outcome; and providing the at least one lottery outcome based on the at least one parameter.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment of the present invention provides for: receiving data indicating a request by a player for an automated session, in which the automated session comprises a plurality of lottery outcomes; determining at least one parameter associated with the automated session; determining at least one lottery outcome; and providing the at least one lottery outcome based on the at least one parameter

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention are directed to providing lottery outcomes and other types of lottery information to a player (e.g., in accordance with one or more preferences of a player). In some embodiments, lottery information may be provided over a network, via postal mail, via CD-ROM, and/or via a set-top device.

Abstract: A system, method, and ticket for a lottery player to increase a payout received for winning a lottery game is disclosed. A request to purchase a set of play indicia (e.g. lottery numbers) and to associate the play indicia with a multiplier is received from a player. Data relating to the set of play indicia and data identifying the multiplier are stored in a memory where they are logically associated with each other. A purchase price is determined for the multiplier based upon various factors including the expected value of the multiplier as applied to a lottery ticket. The set of play indicia may be for a drawing-type lottery game and/or an instant-type lottery game and may be defined by characters and/or other representations. An embodiment of the present invention also includes a computer system having a memory for storing data related to the lottery game and having a processor in communication with the memory.

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 system for establishing anonymous communications includes a plurality of party terminals, a plurality of requester terminals, and a central controller. The system receives and stores party data about respective parties. In some embodiments, a party may be a homeowner. Upon receiving criteria for parties of interest from a requester terminal and authorization from respective parties, the central controller releases to the requester party associated with the parties. The system also establishes communications channels between parties and the requestor, while maintaining their anonymity.

Abstract: A system, method, and ticket for a lottery player to increase a payout received for winning a lottery game is disclosed. A request to purchase a set of play indicia (e.g. lottery numbers) and to associate the play indicia with a multiplier is received from a player. Data relating to the set of play indicia and data identifying the multiplier are stored in a memory where they are logically associated with each other. A purchase price is determined for the multiplier based upon various factors including the expected value of the multiplier as applied to a lottery ticket. The set of play indicia may be for a drawing-type lottery game and/or an instant-type lottery game and may be defined by characters and/or other representations. An embodiment of the present invention also includes a computer system having a memory for storing data related to the lottery game and having a processor in communication with the memory.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a player may accumulate occurrences of a bonus symbol over at least two outcomes. The player may be allowed a bonus if a running count of the occurrences is at least equal to a predetermined number. According to another embodiment, a player may accumulate occurrences of matched lottery numbers over a plurality of lottery outcomes (e.g., lottery number drawings) and/or a plurality of lottery entries. The player may be allowed a bonus if a running count of occurrences of matched numbers is at least equal to a predetermined number.

Abstract: A system, method, and ticket for a lottery player to increase a payout received for winning a lottery game is disclosed. A request to purchase a set of play indicia (e.g. lottery numbers) and to associate the play indicia with a multiplier is received from a player. Data relating to the set of play indicia and data identifying the multiplier are stored in a memory where they are logically associated with each other. A purchase price is determined for the multiplier based upon various factors including the expected value of the multiplier as applied to a lottery ticket. The set of play indicia may be for a drawing-type lottery game and/or an instant-type lottery game and may be defined by characters and/or other representations. An embodiment of the present invention also includes a computer system having a memory for storing data related to the lottery game and having a processor in communication with the memory.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a player may accumulate occurrences of a bonus symbol over at least two outcomes. The player may be allowed a bonus if a running count of the occurrences is at least equal to a predetermined number. According to another embodiment, a player may accumulate occurrences of matched lottery numbers over a plurality of lottery outcomes (e.g., lottery number drawings) and/or a plurality of lottery entries. The player may be allowed a bonus if a running count of occurrences of matched numbers is at least equal to a predetermined number.

Abstract: A system for establishing anonymous communications includes a plurality of party terminals, a plurality of requester terminals, and a central controller. The system receives and stores party data about respective parties. In some embodiments, a party may be a homeowner. Upon receiving criteria for parties of interest from a requester terminal and authorization from respective parties, the central controller releases to the requester party associated with the parties. The system also establishes communications channels between parties and the requestor, while maintaining their anonymity.

Abstract: A system for establishing anonymous communications includes a plurality of party terminals, a plurality of requester terminals, and a central controller. The system receives and stores party data about respective parties. In some embodiments, a party may be a homeowner. Upon receiving criteria for parties of interest from a requester terminal and authorization from respective parties, the central controller releases to the requester party associated with the parties. The system also establishes communications channels between parties and the requestor, while maintaining their anonymity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that documents and authenticates cap removal data. According to a first aspect of the present invention, the apparatus measures a parameter indicative of the number of times that a cap has been removed by a user. The apparatus also encodes at least the parameter indicative of the cap removal data, thereby deriving encoded cap removal data. The apparatus outputs the encoded cap removal data to a user. According to a second aspect of the present invention, another apparatus receives the encoded cap removal data and decodes it to authenticate the cap removal data. According to a third aspect of the present invention, a medicine container is operable to output a result of a game based on cap removal data associated with the medicine container.