Abstract: A method for generating on-line sales leads in an on-line auction. The method determines when a prospective bidder for an on-line auction of a specific item by a seller accesses the on-line screen for the item. The method obtains the e-mail address of the prospective bidder and either correlates the e-mail address of the prospective bidder with the item by seller or with a classification for the item. The correlated e-mail address is then delivered to the seller or to a purchaser and may be accompanied with information identifying the specific item, the classification, whether a bid was made or not, etc. Furthermore, the delivery occurs at periodic fixed time intervals or when a fixed number of e-mail addresses are obtained.

Abstract: A method is disclosed herein for displaying time lapse for an on-line auction for an item in a computer. According to the method, the processor time in the computer is obtained and compared to the official auction time for the items being auctioned in the on-line auction which is obtained from the on-line auction service. The users computer compares the obtained processor time to the obtained official auction time and correlates the end of time from the on-line auction service to a processor end of time which corresponds to the user's time. The computer then displays the time left correlated to the processor's time preferably in a visual countdown graphical icon.

Abstract: A method for generating on-line sales leads in an on-line auction. The method determines when a prospective bidder for an on-line auction of a specific item by a seller accesses the on-line screen for the item. The method obtains the e-mail address of the prospective bidder and either correlates the e-mail address of the prospective bidder with the item by seller or with a classification for the item. The correlated e-mail address is then delivered to the seller or to a purchaser and may be accompanied with information identifying the specific item, the classification, whether a bid was made or not, etc. Furthermore, the delivery occurs at periodic fixed time intervals or when a fixed number of e-mail addresses are obtained.

Abstract: A method of Internet bidding wherein a plurality of bidders bid on the item in a first episode of bidding until a deadline occurs. Within a time frame at the deadline, actual bidders from the plurality of bidders are identified and are displayed in a second continued episode of bidding. The time frame is such to identify serious bidders near the deadline and to compensate for Internet communication delays. The second episode of continued bidding is a bidding war among the identified bidders. In a first embodiment, bidding rounds, TBID, occur wherein the current high bidder's bid is displayed and the other identified bidders bid against it. In a second embodiment, bidding continues among the identified bidders with the current high bid being displayed.

Abstract: A method for generating on-line sales leads in an on-line auction. The method determines when a prospective bidder for an on-line auction of a specific item by a seller accesses the on-line screen for the item. The method obtains the e-mail address of the prospective bidder and either correlates the e-mail address of the prospective bidder with the item by seller or with a classification for the item. The correlated e-mail address is then delivered to the seller or to a purchaser and may be accompanied with information identifying the specific item, the classification, whether a bid was made or not, etc. Furthermore, the delivery occurs at periodic fixed time intervals or when a fixed number of e-mail addresses are obtained.

Abstract: A method for receiving messages in an appliance such as a clock radio modified to retrieve messages from a remote computer, converting the retrieved messages into corresponding audio messages, generating a wake up signal to the user at a selected time in the radio appliance, starting the delivery of the audio messages from a speaker in the radio appliance in response to the generated wake up signal, and receiving audible commands in the radio from the user to control delivery of the messages. In a first embodiment, these method steps are performed in the radio appliance and, in a second embodiment, a remote computer performs all of the messages except delivery of the audio messages and receiving audible commands which occur at the appliance. Where two or more appliances are used, audio commands can cause the delivery of messages to stop in one appliance and resume in another appliance.

Abstract: A method of Internet bidding wherein a plurality of bidders bid on the item in a first episode of bidding until a deadline occurs. Within a time frame at the deadline, actual bidders from the plurality of bidders are identified and are displayed in a second continued episode of bidding. The time frame is such to identify serious bidders near the deadline and to compensate for Internet communication delays. The second episode of continued bidding is a bidding war among the identified bidders. In a first embodiment, bidding rounds, TBID, occur wherein the current high bidder's bid is displayed and the other identified bidders bid against it. In a second embodiment, bidding continues among the identified bidders with the current high bid being displayed.

Abstract: An attraction game commencing play for a number of successive wagers in a leased gaming machine. For leased gaming machines, the attraction game provides trial game play based on actual wagers with information on each outcome, but with all wagers returned to the player. For idle gaming machines, the attraction game is hidden from the player and the owner of the gaming machine may invest a fixed amount of money so that the player receives all money wagered plus the invested amount. Each attraction game outcome corresponds to a base game outcome having a low value base game award.

Abstract: An attraction game commencing play for a number of successive wagers in a leased gaming machine. For leased gaming machines, the attraction game provides trial game play based on actual wagers with information on each outcome, but with all wagers returned to the player. For idle gaming machines, the attraction game is hidden from the player and the owner of the gaming machine may invest a fixed amount of money so that the player receives all money wagered plus the invested amount. Each attraction game outcome corresponds to a base game outcome having a low value base game award.

Abstract: A hidden attraction game commences play for a number of successive wagers after a gaming machine is idle for a time followed by a wager-in. For each successive wager, the attraction game provides an attraction game outcome with a low value award. Each attraction game outcome corresponds to a base game outcome having a low value base game award. If a base game outcome for a successive wager results in a higher win, the base game controls and the attraction game ends. The player, not aware of the hidden attraction game, believes the attraction game wins are base game wins.

Abstract: A hidden attraction game commences play for a number of successive wagers after a gaming machine is idle for a time followed by a wager-in. For each successive wager, the attraction game provides an attraction game outcome with a low value award. Each attraction game outcome corresponds to a base game outcome having a low value base game award. If a base game outcome for a successive wager results in a higher win, the base game controls and the attraction game ends. The player, not aware of the hidden attraction game, believes the attraction game wins are base game wins.

Abstract: A base game in a gaming machine that plays only one game symbol in a display in response to a wager. The wagered-on game symbol is transformed to reveal a random game play result picked by a processor from a number of symbol types. One type is a player action type symbol that can statistically extend base game play through player input in further rounds of base game play. As further rounds of extended base game play occur, the expected player payoff grows in value. Base game play ends whenever an award symbol type (value or null) is displayed.

Abstract: A base game in a gaming machine that plays only one game symbol in a display in response to a wager. The wagered-on game symbol is transformed to reveal a random game play result picked by a processor from a number of symbol types. One type is a player action type symbol that can statistically extend base game play through player input in further rounds of base game play. As further rounds of extended base game play occur, the expected player payoff grows in value. Base game play ends whenever an award symbol type (value or null) is displayed.

Abstract: A wagering base game controlled by a processor in a gaming machine playing only one game symbol for game play in a display in response to a wager. The processor transforms the wagered-on only one game symbol to reveal only one random game result in the display. The revealed game result corresponds to a random one of a number of different game results for the wagered-on only one game symbol. The processor provides a credit in the wagering game when the revealed game result for the wagered-on only one game symbol provides an award other than a null award.

Abstract: A method for receiving messages in an appliance such as a clock radio modified to retrieve messages from a remote computer, converting the retrieved messages into corresponding audio messages, generating a wake up signal to the user at a selected time in the radio appliance, starting the delivery of the audio messages from a speaker in the radio appliance in response to the generated wake up signal, and receiving audible commands in the radio from the user to control delivery of the messages. In a first embodiment, these method steps are performed in the radio appliance and, in a second embodiment, a remote computer performs all of the messages except delivery of the audio messages and receiving audible commands which occur at the appliance. Where two or more appliances are used, audio commands can cause the delivery of messages to stop in one appliance and resume in another appliance.

Abstract: A method for receiving messages in an appliance such as a clock radio modified to retrieve messages from a remote computer, converting the retrieved messages into corresponding audio messages, generating a wake up signal to the user at a selected time in the radio appliance, starting the delivery of the audio messages from a speaker in the radio appliance in response to the generated wake up signal, and receiving audible commands in the radio from the user to control delivery of the messages. In a first embodiment, these method steps are performed in the radio appliance and, in a second embodiment, a remote computer performs all of the messages except delivery of the audio messages and receiving audible commands which occur at the appliance. Where two or more appliances are used, audio commands can cause the delivery of messages to stop in one appliance and resume in another appliance.

Abstract: A method is disclosed herein for displaying time lapse for an on-line auction for an item in a computer. According to the method, the processor time in the computer is obtained and compared to the official auction time for the items being auctioned in the on-line auction which is obtained from the on-line auction service. The users computer compares the obtained processor time to the obtained official auction time and correlates the end of time from the on-line auction service to a processor end of time which corresponds to the user's time. The computer then displays the time left correlated to the processor's time preferably in a visual countdown graphical icon.

Abstract: A method for receiving messages in an appliance such as a clock radio modified to retrieve messages from a remote computer, converting the retrieved messages into corresponding audio messages, generating a wake up signal to the user at a selected time in the radio appliance, starting the delivery of the audio messages from a speaker in the radio appliance in response to the generated wake up signal, and receiving audible commands in the radio from the user to control delivery of the messages. In a first embodiment, these method steps are performed in the radio appliance and, in a second embodiment, a remote computer performs all of the messages except delivery of the audio messages and receiving audible commands which occur at the appliance. Where two or more appliances are used, audio commands can cause the delivery of messages to stop in one appliance and resume in another appliance.

Abstract: A method for receiving messages in an appliance such as a clock radio modified to retrieve messages from a remote computer, converting the retrieved messages into corresponding audio messages, generating a wake up signal to the user at a selected time in the radio appliance, starting the delivery of the audio messages from a speaker in the radio appliance in response to the generated wake up signal, and receiving audible commands in the radio from the user to control delivery of the messages. In a first embodiment, these method steps are performed in the radio appliance and, in a second embodiment, a remote computer performs all of the messages except delivery of the audio messages and receiving audible commands which occur at the appliance. Where two or more appliances are used, audio commands can cause the delivery of messages to stop in one appliance and resume in another appliance.

Abstract: A method is disclosed herein for displaying time lapse for an on-line auction for an item in a computer. According to the method, the processor time in the computer is obtained and compared to the official auction time for the items being auctioned in the on-line auction which is obtained from the on-line auction service. The users computer compares the obtained processor time to the obtained official auction time and correlates the end of time from the on-line auction service to a processor end of time which corresponds to the user's time. The computer then displays the time left correlated to the processor's time preferably in a visual countdown graphical icon.