Inventor Holdings, LLC Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140309018 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTHENTICATING DATA RELATING TO PARTICIPATION IN AN ELECTRONIC GAME - Methods and apparatus for managing and authenticating usage of features of gaming devices are presented. In accordance with some embodiments, the methods and apparatus may facilitate an offer engine for providing one or more offers to a user of the gaming device, wherein an offer comprises an offer for a payment to be made to the user in exchange for an action by the user, wherein the one or more offers are distinct from indications of awards the user may qualify for during play of a game playable via the gaming device. In one embodiment the methods and apparatus may provide for determining whether to adjust the first feature based on the measure of performance. | 10-16-2014 |
20140282639 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SUPPLYING SUPPLEMENTAL AUDIO INFORMATION FOR BROADCAST TELEVISION PROGRAMS - A method, computer readable medium and an apparatus for providing supplemental information related to a character featured on a broadcast television program, wherein the supplemental information is not broadcast along with the broadcast television program. A viewer can request specific supplemental information associated with the broadcast television program through a telephone or electronic network interface. In some embodiments, a service controller transmits the requested supplemental information such that an audio component of the supplemental information does not conflict with the audio component of the broadcast television program. | 09-18-2014 |
20140256397 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONDUCTING LOTTERY GAMES - Described are methods, systems and apparatus for enabling a lottery player to receive information corresponding to a lottery outcome in association with receipt of an incoming communication. In an implementation, the method includes receiving an indication of an incoming communication, determining a lottery entry outcome, and determining an audible output based on the lottery entry outcome and on the indication of the incoming communication. The method also includes outputting the audible output via a player device to indicate both the incoming communication and the lottery entry outcome. | 09-11-2014 |
20140232753 | SOCIAL AND RETAIL HOTSPOTS - Systems, methods, and apparatus for social and retail hotspots are provided. | 08-21-2014 |
20140222609 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING CROSS-BENEFITS BASED ON A CUSTOMER ACTIVITY - In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a controller receives an indication of acceptance by a customer of an offer for a subsidy from a second vendor (e.g., a subsidizing vendor). The offer may define, for example, a reduction in the price charged for an item purchased from a first vendor and an obligation for the customer to fulfill in exchange for the subsidy. The customer is charged a second price for the items, which is less than the total price, and may even be zero. | 08-07-2014 |
20140180927 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING ACCOUNT-BASED TRANSACTIONS - Systems, methods and apparatus are presented for facilitating account-based transactions. In an embodiment, the method includes associating a first person with an account, associating a second person with the account, receiving a request from a third party to authorize a transaction between the second person and the third party, determining a first communication address of the first party, and contacting the first party. The process also includes determining that the first person desires to communicate with the second person, determining a second communication address of the second person, initiating a communication between the first person and the second person, and receiving a signal from the first person that authorizes the transaction or declines the transaction. | 06-26-2014 |
20140141856 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPERATING LOTTERY GAMES INCLUDING PLAYER-DESIGNATED BENEFICIARIES AND CONDITIONAL PAYOUT DISTRIBUTION - Systems, apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture provide for the distribution of a payout amount associated with a lottery ticket being conditioned or otherwise based on the payout amount. Some embodiments provide for determining a positive payout amount associated with a lottery ticket and determining at least one recipient and/or beneficiary of the positive payout amount based on (i) the positive payout amount and/or (ii) a recipient or beneficiary associated with the lottery ticket and/or the payout amount. In one embodiment, larger prizes (e.g., a jackpot prize, a prize greater than a predetermined threshold payout amount) are awarded to the player(s) of a virtual lottery ticket (e.g., shared by the players), and smaller prizes are distributed to a charitable organization (e.g., other than any of the players) selected by one or more players of the lottery ticket. | 05-22-2014 |
20140129384 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS WHEREIN A SECURITY DEPOSIT FACILITATES A TRANSACTION IN WHICH A BENEFIT IS APPLIED IN EXCHANGE FOR PERFORMANCE OF A TASK - Methods, computer readable media and systems are described wherein a security deposit is used to facilitate a transaction with a customer. In an embodiment, a process includes receiving an indication that a customer is interested in making a purchase during a transaction from a merchant, and transmitting an offer for a benefit to be applied to the transaction in exchange for a future performance of a task by the customer and a security deposit. The task is associated with a subsidy provider other than the merchant. The method also includes providing the offer to the customer, receiving the security deposit, applying the benefit to the transaction before performance of the task, and returning at least a portion of the security deposit to the customer based on the performance of the task. For example, a subsidy provider may offer to apply a subsidy amount to a transaction involving the purchase of a lawn mower in exchange for a future performance of a task by the customer such as test driving a new car. It is also arranged for the customer to provide a security deposit. When the customer performs the task by test driving the car, arrangements are then made to return at least a portion of the security deposit to the customer. | 05-08-2014 |
20140122303 | ENTERTAINMENT LAYER OVERLAID ON ONLINE TRANSACTIONS - A method and apparatus for allowing a customer to conduct or initiate a transaction for purchasing, renting, leasing, etc. a product or a service during which the customer will provide one or more transaction inputs. One or more transaction outcomes or outputs will be determined, based at least in part on or using one or more transaction inputs. The transaction outcomes are provided to the customer via an entertainment interface into which one or more of the transaction outputs are integrated. | 05-01-2014 |
20140114791 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENCOURAGING COMPETITIVE PARTICIPATION IN AN AUCTION - In both an on-line and a conventional auction, an auctioneer may encourage competitive bidding behavior through the provision of rewards to those bidders whose bids meet predetermined criteria. For example, a bidder may be rewarded if her bid exceeds a prior bid by a threshold value. An auctioneer may further discourage non-competitive bidding behavior by penalizing those bidders whose bids fall below predetermined standards. | 04-24-2014 |
20140108186 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS WHEREIN A BUYER PURCHASES PRODUCTS IN A PLURALITY OF PRODUCT CATEGORIES - 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. | 04-17-2014 |
20140106873 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SECURING ELECTRONIC GAMES - According to some embodiments, a method, apparatus and computer readable medium are provided for facilitating play of a game utilizing an encoded player number and a decoding key for decoding the encoded player number. | 04-17-2014 |
20140081806 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING COMMERCE - According to one or more embodiments, apparatus, systems and methods are provided for facilitating commerce. In some embodiments, an apparatus (e.g., a central computer) facilitates posting of an item for sale by receiving a digital image of an item for sale, receiving an audio description (e.g., included in an audio file) of the item, and providing an indication of the description to at least one potential buyer. In one embodiment, the digital image and the audio description are received from a mobile phone. | 03-20-2014 |
20140081730 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A BENEFIT DURING A TRANSACTION FOR USE DURING A LATER TRANSACTION - A method and apparatus for allowing a customer to purchase or otherwise receive a benefit during a first transaction that will be redeemed by the customer or provided to the customer at a later time or during a future transaction for the purchase, rental, lease, etc. of one or more products and/or services. The price to the customer for the benefit may be a monetary amount, a non-monetary amount, a commitment by the customer to complete or perform some obligation or qualifying action. The value of the benefit to the customer may be based on one or more aspects or characteristics of the first transaction. | 03-20-2014 |
20140046781 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING AND PROCESSING INSTALLMENT PLANS AT A TERMINAL - According to some embodiments, a central controller receives a selection signal indicative of acceptance of an installment plan option for a transaction. The central controller determines an installment charge amount to include in at least two bills for a financial account. Thereafter, bills may be generated that reflect installment charges to be paid. | 02-13-2014 |
20140040002 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING TRANSFERABLE ITEM PRICES - 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. | 02-06-2014 |