Abstract: An interactive consumer product promotion method and match game includes a database which is accessed for an information screen displayed on an interactive electronic terminal, such as a personal computer, interactive television, in-store kiosk, etc. The displayed information screen typically includes a listing of popular consumer product categories, such as "Detergents"; "Cereals"; "Motor Oil"; "Cookies"; "Crackers"; etc. along with a matrix of spaces representing a match game such as Bingo or Keno. In each space in the displayed matrix a symbol is displayed. The game is played by comparing selected consumer product categories with preselected spaces on the matrix to detect matches and corresponding prizes. Coupons and/or rebate offers for products with the selected categories are downloaded for printing by the consumer.

Abstract: A vending machine which allows a customer to design and personalize a greeting card also allows the customer to integrate an electronically vendable gift along with or directly onto the card. A stand-alone kiosk includes a credit card verifier, an alphanumeric keyboard, a video screen, a color printer printing on blank or partially printed card stock, and a gift calculator and vender, all controlled by a CPU. In an alternative system and method, a central terminal downloads card and gift selection data to PC's or interactive television via a modem and a user of the PC or interactive television remotely personalizes the card and selects a gift and amount. The card is then printed and physically mailed or sent to the recipient via electronic mail by the central terminal. Examples of gifts available through either system include prepaid long distance telephone calling cards and any other gift accessible via long distance carriers.

Abstract: A vending machine which allows a customer to design and personalize a greeting card also allows the customer to integrate an electronically vendable gift along with or directly onto the card. A stand-alone kiosk includes a credit card verifier, an alphanumeric keyboard, a video screen, a color printer printing on blank or partially printed card stock, and a gift calculator and vender, all controlled by a CPU. Examples of gifts available through the machine include chances at telephone games, such as SPELLIT, gift certificates, long distance toll free return telephone calls, lottery tickets, and, where sports gaming is legal, bets on the gift recipient's favorite sports team. Any or all of these gifts can be printed directly onto the personalized card.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for playing a spelling game, wherein a player enters a telephone number to obtain access to a specially programmed audiotex voice communication device which enables the user to interact with the device by attempting to spell a sequence of words which are automatically pronounced for the player. Spelling is accomplished by player responses which are stored and reviewed by the audiotex device which determines whether the player has met predetermined criteria to be a game winner. Such criteria is preferably a combination of correct words spelled in less than a predetermined time period.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for playing a spelling game, wherein a player enters a telephone number to obtain access to a specially programmed audiotex voice communication device which enables the user to interact with the device by attempting to spell, under supervision, a sequence of words which are automatically pronounced or defined for the player. Spelling is accomplished, in one form, by sequentially pressing common telephone pad keys, the keys being selected by the alphabetic letter associated therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automated marketing and gaming wherein a player inserts an identification card into an automated remote interface device and accesses an account at a subject financial institution. The user identifier provides access to the financial account, and a user indicia is compared to a game indicia. In one form a sweepstakes processor compares the user and game indicia to determine whether a selected winning correlation is present between the game indicia and user indicia. The appartus is adapted to be used with a network of data processing machines and a transmission facilities device, which provides data processing communication among the data processing machines. The processor can alternatively be in electronic communication with a government-associated lottery system to purchase lottery chances for distribution to users of the remote interface device.

Abstract: A game for a plurality of players wherein each player is provided with a playing card, said playing card being presented to the players by means of a mass distribution publication. The playing card comprises a matrix of delineated areas, such as squares, in rows and columns, each square bearing a certain indicia which is to be matched with a corresponding indicia found in a plurality of promotional coupons present in the same publication or in a publication provided with the playing card. The player matches such indicia and continues to do so until he has satisfied any one of several particular combinations of matched indicia. The player also may be any one of several required to ascertain the correct total number of coupons having appropriate indicia that appear in the publication in order to win the game or become eligible to progress toward winning a prize.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for playing a sweepstakes-type game wherein a player inserts an identification card into an automated remote computer terminal and accesses an account at a subject financial institution. The user identifier provides access to the financial account, and user indicia is compared to a game indicia. A sweepstakes processor compares the user and game indicia to determine whether a selected winning correlation is present between the game indicia and user indicia. The sweepstakes processor communicates with the remote computer terminal to notify the user of the presence or absence of a selected winning correlation, and upon the presence of the winning correlation, the user is notified of the prize awarded to him. The game apparatus is adapted to be used with a network of data processing machines and a transmission facilities device, which provides data processing communication among the data processing machines.

Abstract: A game for a plurality of players wherein each player is provided with a playing card, said playing card being presented to the players by means of a mass distribution publication. The playing card comprises a matrix of deliniated areas, such a squares, in rows and columns, each square bearing a certain indicia which is to be matched with a corresponding indicia found in a plurality of promotional coupons present in the same publication or in a publication provided with the playing card. The player matches such indicia and continues to do so until he has satisfied any one of several particular combinations of matched indicia. The player also may be any one of several required to ascertain the correct total number of coupons having appropriate indicia that appear in the publication in order to win the game or become eligible to progress toward winning a prize.

Abstract: A game for a plurality of players wherein each player is provided with a playing card, said playing card being presented to the players by means of a mass distribution publication. The playiing card comprises a matrix of deliniated areas, such as squares, in rows and columns, each square bearing a certain indicia which is to be matched with a corresponding indicia found in a plurality of promotional coupons present in the same publication. The player matches such indicia and continues to do so until he has satisfied any one of several particular combinations of matched indicia. The player also may be any one of several required to ascertain the correct total number of coupons having appropriate indicia that appear in the publication in order to win the game or become eligible to progress toward winning a prize.

Abstract: A game for a plurality of players wherein each player is provided with a playing card that is common to all, said playing card being presented to the players by means of a mass distribution publication. The playing card comprises a matrix of delineated areas, such a squares, in rows and columns, each square bearing a certain indicia which is to be matched with a corresponding indicia found in a plurality of promotional coupons present in the same publication. The player matches such indicia and continues to do so until he has satisfied any one of several particular combinations of matched indicia. The player also may be any one of several required to ascertain the correct total number of coupons having appropriate indicia that appear in the publication in order to win the game or become eligible to progress toward winning a prize.

Abstract: A game for a plurality of players wherein each player is provided with a playing card that is common to all, said playing card being presented to the players by means of a mass distribution publication. The playing card comprises a matrix of delineated areas, such as squares, in rows and columns, each square bearing a certain indicia which is to be matched with a corresponding indicia found in a plurality of promotional coupons present in the same publication. The player matches such indicia and continues to do so until he has satisfied any one of several particular combinations of matched indicia. The player also may be any one of several required to ascertain the correct total number of coupons having appropriate indicia that appear in the publication in order to win the game or become eligible to progress toward winning a prize.