Abstract: A method and apparatus allows a customer to indicate his or her brand indifference within a product category, and then receive a benefit for purchasing a product chosen by a third party from within this product category. This method and apparatus is particularly useful in differentiating between brand-loyal or brand-sensitive customers and brand-indifferent customers, and allows manufacturers to price-discriminate between these two types of customers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of automatically determining a filing convention is provided. The method includes receiving a computer file path. The file path is associated with a digital media file. The method includes separating the file path into a plurality of fields. The separating is carried out using a field-separation module. The method further includes determining a filing convention based on the fields. The determining is carried out using a filing-convention-determination module. The method also includes storing the filing convention in a database.

Abstract: A gaming establishment may determine the existence of problem gamblers within its halls by monitoring player behavior with one or more sensors from an array of sensors. The player's behavior is then compared to normal behavior and/or problem gambling behavior to determine if the player is potentially a problem gambler. Behavior patterns that may be tracked are player movement, player betting patterns, facial expressions, physical clues, nonverbal clues, and the like.

Abstract: In accordance with some described embodiments, a keno game is tied to video content such that events in the video content determine the outcome of the keno game. In one example, outcome determinative events are selected from a set of potential outcome determinative events and marked with cues when the video content is displayed to the keno players and other video content watchers. The cues may be audible or visual and accentuate the fact that an outcome determinative event has occurred.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method for outputting an outcome for a game of a gaming device is presented, wherein the method comprises first outputting an apparent outcome for the game and then outputting an actual outcome for the game. In one or more embodiments, a benefit corresponding to the apparent outcome may not be provided to the player playing the gaming device. For example, a hopper may be prevented from dispensing a payout associated with the apparent outcome. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a character (e.g., an animated character) may be displayed as changing the apparent outcome into the actual outcome.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to associate a transferable item price with a first consumer and to determine that a second consumer is entitled to purchase an item in exchange for payment of an amount based on the transferable item price. In one embodiment, the first consumer arranges to purchase an item at a first price. The merchant transmits a transferable item price code to the first consumer. The first consumer sends the transferable item price code to the second consumer, such as by including the transferable item price code in an e-mail message. The second consumer transmits the transferable item price code to the merchant to establish that he or she is entitled to purchase the item at the first price.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating an agreement to purchase multiple units of a product are presented herein. The agreement may specify, for example, a period of time during which purchases of the multiple units of the product are to be made and a minimum and/or maximum number of transactions in which the purchases of the multiple units of the product are to be made. In some embodiments a unit of a product may be purchased by a customer in a brick-and-mortar retail establishment, wherein the customer takes possession of the product at the retail establishment. In other embodiments a unit of a product may be purchased remotely and delivered to a customer associated with the agreement in response to a request by the customer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating an agreement to purchase multiple units of a product are presented herein. The agreement may specify, for example, a period of time during which purchases of the multiple units of the product are to be made and a minimum and/or maximum number of transactions in which the purchases of the multiple units of the product are to be made. In some embodiments a unit of a product may be purchased by a customer in a brick-and-mortar retail establishment, wherein the customer takes possession of the product at the retail establishment. In other embodiments a unit of a product may be purchased remotely and delivered to a customer associated with the agreement in response to a request by the customer.

Abstract: Some embodiments are associated with gaming dongles. Some gaming dongles may store value that is utilized to play a video game and/or to participate in a video game tournament. Some gaming dongles may determine and/or store gaming signatures, biometric information, and/or Global Positioning System (GPS) information. Some gaming dongles may be removably coupled. Some gaming dongles may have two or more portions that may be substantially irreversibly separated, such as by snapping-off one portion from the other.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method includes providing an offer to enter into a forward commitment agreement, and then receiving an acceptance of the offer. A code is made available after receiving the acceptance. It is determined whether the code has been presented to a vending machine after the step of making the code available. A product is dispensed from a vending machine after the step of determination.

Abstract: A subscription system allows a customer to establish a subscription to a product with one or more retailers (e.g., by establishing the subscription through a controller or central system). In one embodiment, a subscription is established by receiving a request to establish a subscription and receiving information that identifies a product. Terms of a subscription for the product are established. The established subscription is identified by a redemption identifier which is communicated to the customer. It is also determined whether the customer is complying with a frequency of the subscription.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system determines an image, selects a panel of participants, and outputs the image to each of the participants of the panel of participants. The image may be an image of a garment a shopper is considering purchasing, an image of the shopper wearing the garment, or an image of a virtual model of the shopper combined with an image of the garment. The panel of participants may be selected based on a characteristic associated with the shopper. The image may be output to the panel of participants along with a request for an opinion regarding the garment (e.g., “Buy It” or “Don't Buy It”). The responses may be collected from the participants and an indication of the results may be output to the shopper.

Abstract: According to one described embodiment, a method is provided in which transaction information is determined. The transaction information is associated with (i) a buyer who has arranged to purchase a product from a central controller at a first price established between the buyer and the central controller and (ii) a merchant that offers the product for sale at a second price, different from the first price, without offering the product for sale to buyers at the first price. Information is transmitted that facilitates the acquisition of the product by the buyer, in exchange for payment provided by the buyer to the central controller. An amount based on the second price is provided to the merchant.

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: A method and apparatus allows a customer to indicate his or her brand indifference within a product category, and then receive a benefit for purchasing a product chosen by a third party from within this product category. This method and apparatus is particularly useful in differentiating between brand-loyal or brand-sensitive customers and brand-indifferent customers, and allows manufacturers to price-discriminate between these two types of customers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus allows a customer to indicate his or her brand indifference within a product category, and then receive a benefit for purchasing a product chosen by a third party from within this product category. This method and apparatus is particularly useful in differentiating between brand-loyal or brand-sensitive customers and brand-indifferent customers, and allows manufacturers to price-discriminate between these two types of customers.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a video game or video game tournament (e.g., via a Web site) is disclosed. In accordance with the method and system a bonus is provided to a player playing the video game or participating in the video game tournament. In some embodiments a bonus is provided to the player if a rating associated with the player is worse than a threshold rating. In some embodiments a bonus is provided to the player if the occurrence of at least one predetermined condition is identified. Such a condition may be, for example, a condition that indicates the player will soon cease playing the video game or participating in the tournament.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a video game or video game tournament (e.g., via a Web site) is disclosed. In accordance with the method and system a bonus is provided to a player playing the video game or participating in the video game tournament. In some embodiments a bonus is provided to the player if a rating associated with the player is worse than a threshold rating. In some embodiments a bonus is provided to the player if the occurrence of at least one predetermined condition is identified. Such a condition may be, for example, a condition that indicates the player will soon cease playing the video game or participating in the tournament.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a video game or video game tournament (e.g., via a Web site) is disclosed. In accordance with the method and system a bonus is provided to a player playing the video game or participating in the video game tournament. In some embodiments a bonus is provided to the player if a rating associated with the player is worse than a threshold rating. In some embodiments a bonus is provided to the player if the occurrence of at least one predetermined condition is identified. Such a condition may be, for example, a condition that indicates the player will soon cease playing the video game or participating in the tournament.