Method and system to incorporate game play into product transactions

• US 20030054888A1
• Filed: 08/30/2002
• Published: 03/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Inventor Holdings LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Palmer, Timothy A., Golden, Andrew P., Fincham, Magdalena M., Bemer, Keith, Walker, Jay S., Talwalkar, Nandu A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,390,264 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0211 Determining the effectiveness of discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0212 Chance discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0219 based on funds or budget
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement

Abstract

A method for providing a product is described in which a selection of a product is received from a customer, a game is selected by the customer, the customer provides his credit card number, the customer plays the game and an outcome is determined. If the customer wins, the credit card is charged a game fee, if the customer loses, the credit card is charged the price of the product. In either case, the product is then provided to the customer.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving an online selection of a product from a customer;

receiving a fee to play a game;

determining an outcome of the game;

providing the product to the customer if the outcome is a winning outcome; and

crediting a portion of the fee to the customer if the outcome is a losing outcome.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected product is one of a plurality of selectable products.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an instruction from the customer to play the game.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining the fee.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the fee is determined based on the product.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the fee is determined based on the customer.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the fee credited is equal to the fee.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the credited portion is applicable only to a sale price of the product.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving an online selection comprises:

receiving a commitment from the customer to purchase the product

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the game reflects a probability that a winning outcome will result.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the probability is based on a customer profile.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the probability is a first probability if the selection was received from a first customer and is a second probability if the selection was received from a second customer.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving the probability from the customer.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

determining the fee based on the received probability.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

determining the probability based on the received fee.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the credited portion is applicable only to a sale price of the product.

17. A method comprising:

receiving an online selection of a plurality of products from a customer;

receiving a fee to play a game;

determining an outcome of the game;

providing one of the plurality of products to the customer if the outcome is a winning outcome; and

crediting a portion of the fee to a sale price of one of the plurality of products if the outcome is a losing outcome.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein a first portion of the fee is credited to a first sale price of a first one of the plurality of products or a second portion of the fee is credited to a second sale price of a second one of the plurality of products.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving an instruction from the customer to play the game.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

determining the fee.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the fee is determined based on the plurality of products.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the fee is determined based on the customer.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the portion of the fee credited is equal to the fee.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the credited portion is applicable only to a sale price of one of the plurality of products.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein receiving an online selection comprises:

receiving a commitment from the customer to purchase one of the plurality of products.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein the game reflects a probability that a winning outcome will result.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the probability is based on a customer profile.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the probability is a first probability if the selection was received from a first customer and is a second probability if the selection was received from a second customer.

29. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

receiving the probability from the customer.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

determining the fee based on the received probability.

31. The method of claim 26, further comprising:

determining the probability based on the received fee.

32. The method of claim 17, wherein the credited portion is applicable only to a sale price of one of the plurality of products.

33. The method of claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of products is associated with a respective winning outcome.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the product provided is associated with the winning outcome.

35. A method comprising:

identifying a desired product online;

determining whether a game outcome and a fee are associated with the product;

providing the product to a customer if the game outcome is a winning outcome; and

determining a sale price based on the fee and charging the customer the sale price for the product if the game outcome is a losing outcome.

36. A method comprising:

identifying a desired product online;

determining whether a game outcome is associated with the product;

providing the product to a customer if the game outcome is a winning outcome; and

determining a sale price and charging the customer the sale price for the product if the game outcome is a losing outcome.

37. A medium including processor executable instructions comprising:

at least one first receiving instruction operable to receive an online selection of a product from a customer;

at least one second receiving instruction operable to receive a fee to play a game;

at least one determining instruction operable to determine an outcome of the game;

at least one providing instruction operable to provide the product to the customer if the outcome is a winning outcome; and

at least one crediting instruction operable to credit a portion of the fee to the customer if the outcome is a losing outcome.

38. The medium of claim 37, wherein the portion of the fee credited is equal to the fee.

39. The medium of claim 38, wherein the credited portion is applicable only to a sale price of the product.

40. The medium of claim 37, wherein receiving an online selection comprises:

at least one third receiving instruction operable to receive a commitment from the customer to purchase the product.

41. The medium of claim 37, wherein the game reflects a probability that a winning outcome will result.

42. The medium of claim 41, wherein the probability is based on a customer profile.

43. The medium of claim 41, wherein the probability is a first probability if the selection was received from a first customer and is a second probability if the selection was received from a second customer.

44. Processor-executable process steps embodied in a computer-readable medium, the process steps comprising:

a receiving step to receive an online selection of a plurality of products from a customer;

a receiving step to receive a fee to play a game;

a determining step to determine an outcome of the game;

a providing step to provide one of the plurality of products to the customer if the outcome is a winning outcome; and

a crediting step to credit a portion of the fee to a sale price of one of the plurality of products if the outcome is a losing outcome.

45. The medium of claim 44, wherein a first portion of the fee is credited to a first sale price of a first one of the plurality of products or a second portion of the fee is credited to a second sale price of a second one of the plurality of products.

46. The medium of claim 44, wherein the portion of the fee credited is equal to the fee.

47. The medium of claim 46, wherein the credited portion is applicable only to a sale price of one of the plurality of products.

48. The medium of claim 44, wherein the step of receiving a selection comprises:

a receiving step to receive a commitment from the customer to purchase one of the plurality of products.

49. The medium of claim 44, wherein the game reflects a probability that a winning outcome will result.

50. The medium of claim 49, wherein the probability is based on a customer profile.

51. The medium of claim 49, wherein the probability is a first probability if the selection was received from a first customer and is a second probability if the selection was received from a second customer.

52. The medium of claim 44, wherein each of the plurality of products is associated with a respective winning outcome.

53. The medium of claim 52, wherein the product provided is associated with the winning outcome.

54. Processor-executable process steps embodied in a computer-readable medium, the process steps comprising:

an identifying step to identify a desired product online;

a determining step to determine whether a game outcome and a fee are associated with the product;

a providing step to provide the product to a customer if the game outcome is a winning outcome; and

a determining step to determine a sale price based on the fee and charging the customer the sale price for the product if the game outcome is a losing outcome.

55. Processor-executable process steps embodied in a computer-readable medium, the process steps comprising:

an identifying step to identify a desired product online;

a determining step to determine whether a game outcome is associated with the product;

a providing step to provide the product to a customer if the game outcome is a winning outcome; and

a determining step to determine a sale price and charging the customer the sale price for the product if the game outcome is a losing outcome.

56. A device comprising:

a memory storing processor-executable process steps; and

a processor,

wherein the processor is operative with the process steps to;

i) receive an online selection of a product from a customer;

ii) receive a fee to play a game;

iii) determine an outcome of the game;

iv) provide the product to the customer if the outcome is a winning outcome; and

v) credit a portion of the fee to the customer if the outcome is a losing outcome.

57. A device according to claim 56, wherein the portion of the fee credited is equal to the fee.

58. A device according to claim 57, wherein the credited portion is applicable only to a sale price of the product.

59. A device according to claim 56, wherein, in the step of receiving an online selection, the processor is further operative with the process steps to receive a commitment from the customer to purchase the product.

60. A device according to claim 56, wherein the game reflects a probability that a winning outcome will result.

61. A device according to claim 60, wherein the probability is based on a customer profile.

62. A device according to claim 60, wherein the probability is a first probability if the selection was received from a first customer and is a second probability if the selection was received from a second customer.

63. A device comprising:

a memory storing processor-executable process steps; and

a processor,

wherein the processor is operative with the process steps to;

i) receive an online selection of a plurality of products from a customer;

ii) receive a fee to play a game;

iii) determine an outcome of the game;

iv) provide one of the plurality of products to the customer if the outcome is a winning outcome; and

v) credit a portion of the fee to a sale price of one of the plurality of products if the outcome is a losing outcome.

64. A device according to claim 63, wherein a first portion of the fee is credited to a first sale price of a first one of the plurality of products or a second portion of the fee is credited to a second sale price of a second one of the plurality of products.

65. A device according to claim 63, wherein the portion of the fee credited is equal to the fee.

66. A device according to claim 65, wherein the credited portion is applicable only to a sale price of one of the plurality of products.

67. A device according to claim 63, wherein, in the step of receiving an online selection, the processor is further operative with the process steps to receive a commitment from the customer to purchase one of the plurality of products.

68. A device according to claim 63, wherein the game reflects a probability that a winning outcome will result.

69. A device according to claim 68, wherein the probability is based on a customer profile.

70. A device according to claim 68, wherein the probability is a first probability if the selection was received from a first customer and is a second probability if the selection was received from a second customer.

71. A device according to claim 63, wherein each of the plurality of products is associated with a respective winning outcome.

72. A device according to claim 71, wherein the product provided is associated with the winning outcome.

73. A device comprising:

a memory storing processor-executable process steps; and

a processor,

wherein the processor is operative with the process steps to;

i) identify a desired product online;

ii) determine whether a game outcome and a fee are associated with the product;

iii) provide the product to a customer if the game outcome is a winning outcome; and

iv) determine a sale price based on the fee and charging the customer the sale price for the product if the game outcome is a losing outcome.

74. A device comprising:

a memory storing processor-executable process steps; and

a processor,

wherein the processor is operative with the process steps to;

i) identify a desired product online;

ii) determine whether a game outcome is associated with the product;

iii) provide the product to a customer if the game outcome is a winning outcome; and

iv) determine a sale price and charging the customer the sale price for the product if the game outcome is a losing outcome.

75. An apparatus comprising:

means for obtaining an online selection of a product from a customer;

means for obtaining a fee to play a game;

means for deciding an outcome of the game;

means for transmitting the product to the customer if the outcome is a winning outcome; and

means for providing the fee to the customer if the outcome is a losing outcome.

76. An apparatus according to claim 75, wherein the provided portion of the fee is equal to the fee.

77. An apparatus according to claim 76, wherein the provided portion is applicable only to a sale price of the product.

78. An apparatus according to claim 75, wherein the means for obtaining a selection comprises:

means for obtaining a commitment from the customer to purchase the product.

79. An apparatus according to claim 75, wherein the game reflects a probability that a winning outcome will result.

80. An apparatus according to claim 79, wherein the probability is based on a customer profile.

81. An apparatus according to claim 79, wherein the probability is a first probability if the selection was obtained from a first customer and is a second probability if the selection was obtained from a second customer.

82. An apparatus comprising:

means for obtaining an online selection of a plurality of products from a customer;

means for obtaining a fee to play a game;

means for deciding an outcome of the game;

means for transmitting one of the plurality of products to the customer if the outcome is a winning outcome; and

means for providing a portion of the fee to a sale price of one of the plurality of products if the outcome is a losing outcome.

83. An apparatus according to claim 82, wherein a first portion of the fee is credited to a first sale price of a first one of the plurality of products or a second portion of the fee is credited to a second sale price of a second one of the plurality of products.

84. An apparatus according to claim 82, wherein the provided portion of the fee is equal to the fee.

85. An apparatus according to claim 84, wherein the provided portion of the fee is applicable only to a sale price of one of the plurality of products.

86. An apparatus according to claim 82, wherein the means for obtaining an online selection comprises:

means for obtaining a commitment from the customer to purchase one of the plurality of products.

87. An apparatus according to claim 82, wherein the game reflects a probability that a winning outcome will result.

88. An apparatus according to claim 87, wherein the probability is based on a customer profile.

89. An apparatus according to claim 87, wherein the probability is a first probability if the selection was obtained from a first customer and is a second probability if the selection was obtained from a second customer.

90. An apparatus according to claim 82, wherein each of the plurality of products is associated with a respective winning outcome.

91. An apparatus according to claim 90, wherein the product provided is associated with the winning outcome.

92. An apparatus comprising:

means for determining a desired product online;

means for deciding whether a game outcome and a fee are associated with the product;

means for transmitting the product to a customer if the game outcome is a winning outcome; and

means for deciding a sale price based on the fee and for billing the customer the sale price for the product if the game outcome is a losing outcome.

93. An apparatus comprising:

means for determining a desired product online;

means for deciding whether a game outcome is associated with the product;

means for transmitting the product to a customer if the game outcome is a winning outcome; and

means for deciding a sale price and for billing the customer the sale price for the product if the game outcome is a losing outcome.

94. A system comprising:

a customer device comprising;

a customer memory storing processor-executable process steps; and

a customer processor,

wherein the customer processor is operative with the processor-executable process steps to;

i) select a product from a plurality of products;

ii) transmit a fee to play a game;

iii) present an indication that the customer has won the product if the outcome is a winning outcome; and

iv) receive credit for a portion of the fee if the outcome is a losing outcome; and

a retailer device comprising;

a retailer memory storing retailer processor-executable process steps; and

a retailer processor,

wherein the retailer processor is operative with the retailer processor-executable process steps to;

i) receive an online selection of the product;

ii) receive the fee;

iii) determine the outcome;

iv) transmit the indication that the customer has won the product if the outcome is a winning outcome; and

v) transmit the credit for the portion of the fee if the outcome is a losing outcome.

95. A method comprising:

receiving a payment from a customer for a product;

generating an outcome in response to receiving payment for the product; and

returning the payment to the customer if the outcome is a winning outcome.

96. A method comprising:

adjusting prices of a plurality of products;

receiving a payment from a customer for at least one of the products;

generating at least one outcome in response to receiving the payment for the product; and

awarding an amount to the customer if the outcome is a winning outcome,

wherein the amount is based on the adjusted price of the product, and

wherein the amount is funded from revenue resulting from the adjusted prices.

97. The method of claim 96 wherein adjusting prices of a plurality of products includes adjusting prices to a degree that a price increase will result in sufficient revenue to fund a desired rate of winning outcomes.

98. The method of claim 96 wherein generating an outcome includes generating outcomes with a desired frequency of winning outcomes such that a desired number of customers witness a winning outcome during the customers'"'"' own transaction.

99. A method comprising:

receiving a payment from a customer for a product;

providing a play at a game of skill to the customer;

determining an outcome in response to the play; and

returning the payment to the customer if the outcome is a winning outcome.

100. A method comprising:

receiving a first payment from a customer for a product;

receiving a second payment from the customer in the form of award points;

generating an outcome in response to receiving the second payment; and

returning the first payment to the customer if the outcome is a winning outcome.

101. A method comprising:

receiving identification information and a payment from a customer for a product;

debiting a number of award points from an account of the customer based on the identification information;

generating an outcome in response to debiting the award points; and

returning the payment to the customer if the outcome is a winning outcome.

102. A method comprising:

receiving a first payment from a customer for a product;

receiving a second payment from the customer in the form of award points;

providing a play at a game of skill to the customer in response to receiving the second payment;

determining an outcome in response to the play; and

returning the first payment to the customer if the outcome is a winning outcome.

103. A method comprising:

receiving a first payment from a customer for a first product;

receiving a second payment from the customer in the form of award points;

providing a play at a game of skill to the customer in response to receiving the second payment;

determining an outcome in response to the play; and

providing a second product to the customer if the outcome is a winning outcome.

104. A method comprising:

receiving a product selection;

receiving a request to play a game for the product;

defining the game;

receiving a financial account identifier;

determining an outcome of the game;

charging the financial account a price based on the product if the outcome is a losing outcome;

charging the financial account a fee based on the game if the outcome is a winning outcome; and

providing the product.