Abstract: An electronic gaming device and method for operating the same is disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention, the device is a video poker machine that displays an initial hand of cards to a player. The player considers the initial hand and executes a game strategy by selecting certain of the cards to hold and others to discard, if any. A player's selection of cards causes a signal to be received by the device. The signal indicates which of the of the cards in the initial hand are to be held and which are to be dicarded. Based on the signal, the device determines a number of cards to be drawn. For each discard card, the device displays an additional draw card in place thereof and determines a payout based on a ranking of the final hand and the number of cards drawn.

Abstract: A gaming device, such as a slot machine, determines a balance and a “dispensed amount” that is less than the balance. The dispensed amount may be determined by, for example, receiving signals from one or more key presses that specify the dispensed amount. Alternatively, the dispensed amount may be determined in accordance with one or more “balance management rules”. The gaming device in turn dispenses the dispensed amount, for example, by dispensing an amount of currency, transferring the dispensed amount to an account or adjusting a balance of a remote gaming device. The balance is adjusted by the dispensed amount, and this adjusted balance is available for initiating a subsequent play of the gaming device.

Abstract: A system and method is provided by which players participating in a primary lottery drawing may elect to participate in a second, or derivative lottery drawing (a “meta-game”). In one embodiment, a meta-game is conducted by first registering a plurality of lottery entries to define a group. The group wins an award in the meta-game if the plurality of lottery entries of the group fail to win an award above a predetermined threshold in the primary lottery drawing.

Abstract: A gaming device such as a video based slot machine provides a player the ability to modify at least one parameter of the slot machine. The slot machine then modifies other parameters to ensure a desired house advantage. Odds, payout schedules and wager amounts may be customized by a player, and the slot machine automatically determines changes in other parameters which were not customized to maintain a constant house advantage. Software running on the slot machine uses an equation that takes into account pertinent parameters or variables such as size of jackpot, amount wagered taken in at each pull, and probability of hitting the jackpot at each pull. Based on the equation, the software adjusts parameters other than the one(s) specified by the player so that the outcome (the house advantage) remains constant with each pull. A player interface provides an easy to use method of modifying selected parameters.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a controller such as a cable television company receives a survey including survey questions from a client desiring to have a survey conducted. The controller creates respondent questions based on the survey questions. The controller also selects one or more respondents from a group of respondents requesting to participate in a survey. The respondent questions are transmitted to the selected respondents via a television transmission network, e.g., a cable television transmission network. Responses corresponding to the respondent questions are received. The controller applies an inconsistency test to the responses to generate an inconsistency test result. The inconsistency test determines if the responses originate from computers or humans not paying attention to the questions. Based on the inconsistency test result, a fraud signal may be generated.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for facilitating group play by a team of members associated with a casino slot club. The method includes the steps of identifying the team members, identifying a set of rules designated by the team for rewarding the team members when a payout is due to one of the team members, detecting a payout due to one of the team members, and rewarding the team members in accordance with the set of rules.

Abstract: A system and method is provided by which players participating in a primary lottery drawing may elect to participate in a second, or derivative lottery drawing (a “meta-game”). In one embodiment, a meta-game is conducted by first registering a plurality of lottery entries to define a group. The group wins an award in the meta-game if the plurality of lottery entries of the group fail to win an award above a predetermined threshold in the primary lottery drawing.

Abstract: Settlement systems and methods are provided wherein a buyer takes possession of a product at a retailer. In one embodiment, a purchasing system arranges through a communication network for a buyer to purchase a product from a seller at a first price. The purchasing system also arranges for the buyer to take possession of the product at a retailer that offers the product for sale at a second price. Payment of an amount based on the first price is received from the buyer, and the purchasing system arranges for the retailer to receive payment of an amount based on a settlement price in exchange for providing the product to the buyer.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for facilitating group play by a team of members associated with a casino slot club. The method includes the steps of identifying the team members, identifying a set of rules designated by the team for rewarding the team members when a payout is due to one of the team members, detecting a payout due to one of the team members, and rewarding the team members in accordance with the set of rules.

Abstract: An electronic gaming device, such as a slot machine, is provided which initiates a game without input from a player. After initiating the game, the device may present one or more active game elements, such as rotating slot reels, to the player. The device determines an outcome of the game corresponding to a final position of the active game elements. The device further provides an interval to the player to make payment before the final outcome of the game is displayed. Payouts to the player are based on the final outcome and whether the player has made payment. Payouts may be increased based on a measurement of the player's participation rate in a series of games and the frequency of the games played, as measured by the device.

Abstract: A system and method for rewarding a customer's loyalty to a retail establishment and encouraging regular customer visits by offering a progressive discount on their purchases includes a point of sale (POS) controller that determines a loyal customer's discount. The value of the discount is dependent upon the customer visiting the retail establishment on a regular basis. A customer's visits are tracked, and the customer is provided with a discount that is incremented by a pre-defined value if the customer visits at least once every pre-defined period. The discount may only be incremented once in every pre-defined time period and may be negated if the customer did not visit at all during the pre-defined time period. Coupons that are representative of the discount earned by the customer may also be offered. If the coupon is redeemed within the pre-defined time period, a new coupon is issued having a higher discount value of a pre-defined value.

Abstract: A method for providing a product is described in which a selection of a product is received from a customer, a fee to play a game is received, an outcome of the game is determined, the product is provided to the customer if the outcome is a winning outcome, and a portion of the fee is credited to the customer if the outcome is a losing outcome.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for facilitating group play by a team of members associated with a casino slot club. The method includes the steps of identifying the team members, identifying a set of rules designated by the team for rewarding the team members when a payout is due to one of the team members, detecting a payout due to one of the team members, and rewarding the team members in accordance with the set of rules.

Abstract: A server or Internet service provider computer selects a soliciting merchant and an outputting merchant based on various factors. In one embodiment, the soliciting merchant is selected is its activity rate (e.g. sales rate) is low. The outputting merchant provides offers for bonuses to customers on behalf of the soliciting merchant. The bonus is provided to the customer in exchange for consummating a transaction with the soliciting merchant. Thus, the soliciting merchant benefits from the increased patronage such offers encourage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for managing a request queue for a jukebox system. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is disclosed for managing a queue of a jukebox. The method includes the step of arranging a set of service identifiers in a queue based upon a time of receipt corresponding to each service identifier. The method also includes the step of receiving a request to expedite an identified service corresponding to one service identifier in the queue. According to the method, payment is then received for the request to expedite the identified service. The method further includes the steps of rearranging the plurality of service identifiers in the queue, thereby causing the identified service to be expedited, and performing the service.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a gaming device generates an initial hand of five cards. The first hand defines thirty-two draw strategies (each card held or not held), and at least one draw strategy is an optimum draw strategy having the maximum expected value of all draw strategies. The gaming device then selects a hand grouping that cannot result from the optimum draw strategy. For example, for an initial hand “10-clubs, 10-spades, 5-diamonds, 2-diamonds, 4-diamonds”, the hand grouping “Flush” cannot result from a draw strategy that results in holding two or more cards with different suits. The payout ratio of the selected hand grouping is increased by adding a bonus amount thereto. The gaming device thus provides an incentive for a player to select a suboptimum draw strategy, yet the expected value of the optimum strategy is unaffected by the increased payout.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for managing a request queue for a jukebox system. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is disclosed for managing a queue of a jukebox. The method includes the step of arranging a set of service identifiers in a queue based upon a time of receipt corresponding to each service identifier. The method also includes the step of receiving a request to expedite an identified service corresponding to one service identifier in the queue. According to the method, payment is then received for the request to expedite the identified service. The method further includes the steps of rearranging the plurality of service identifiers in the queue, thereby causing the identified service to be expedited, and performing the service.

Abstract: An electronic amusement device and a method for operating the device are disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, a slot machine server controls a secondary game of chance played at a client slot machine. The server receives a player identifier corresponding to a player and a client identifier corresponding to a client slot machine. The server retrieves registration data relating to a secondary game of chance corresponding to the player identifier and the client identifier. The server further receives an outcome from the client slot machine and analyzes the outcome based on game requirements associated with the secondary game of chance, thereby determining whether the outcome satisfies at least one of the game requirements. Once all of the game requirements have been satisfied, the server updates a session status indicating the completion of the game requirements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a subscription to a product in a retail environment, wherein the product for which a subscription is offered is selected based on the customer's historical purchases. The subscription defines a price for the selected product, wherein the subscription price is lower than the retail price of the product. The subscription specifies conditions which the customer has to meet in order to remain entitled to receive the subscription price for purchases of the product. Such conditions typically include a required frequency of purchases for a required period of time. The conditions of the subscription are selected so as to maximize the customer's visits to the business offering the subscription without unnecessarily eroding the profits of the business.

Abstract: A server or Internet service provider computer selects a soliciting merchant and an outputting merchant based on various factors. In one embodiment, the soliciting merchant is selected if its activity rate (e.g. sales rate) is low. The outputting merchant provides offers for bonuses to customers on behalf of the soliciting merchant. The bonus is provided to the customer in exchange for consummating a transaction with the soliciting merchant. Thus, the soliciting merchant benefits from the increased patronage such offers encourage.