Method and apparatus for awarding and redeeming promotional points at an electronic game
First Claim
19. An electronic game including at least one display configured for simultaneously displaying at least a promotional point total and an electronic game.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic game including at least one display exhibiting a plurality of windows or segments each displaying a different subject matter is disclosed. The different subject matter in each of the plurality of windows preferably includes a real time promotional points total, an awards display, a sponsor advertising material display, an Internet display and an electronic game. The electronic game, which may include a wagering game, may be played by tendering money or tendering promotional points instead of money. Promotional points may be awarded instead of a portion of a money award, or supplemental to it. Promotional points may be accumulated by players through both gaming and non-gaming activities, including activities not involving a commercial transaction. An electronic gaming apparatus is described which also serves as an Internet portal.
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Citations
100 Claims
- 19. An electronic game including at least one display configured for simultaneously displaying at least a promotional point total and an electronic game.
- 24. An electronic game configured for simultaneously displaying an award for which promotional points may be redeemed at the electronic game.
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27. An electronic game system for awarding promotional points, the system comprising:
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a central controller;
at least one electronic game in communication with the central controller, wherein the at least one electronic game is configured to retrieve and display a promotional points total of a player accessing the at least one electronic game. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 96)
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33. A method of awarding promotional points comprising:
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assigning at least one person a unique identifier;
awarding promotional points redeemable for goods or services to the at least one person for predetermined activities involving commercial transactions; and
awarding promotional points redeemable for goods or services to the at least one person for predetermined activities other than commercial transactions. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of redeeming promotional points, the method comprising:
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retrieving a number of promotional points associated with a unique identifier;
displaying the number of promotional points on at least one of an electronic game display and other element associated with the electronic game display;
displaying an award, having a promotional points exchange value, on at least one of the electronic game display and a display associated with the electronic game display, substantially simultaneous to displaying the number of promotional points; and
receiving an indication from a player of the electronic game to redeem promotional points for the award displayed. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 97)
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46. A method of awarding and redeeming promotional points, the method comprising:
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awarding promotional gaming points for activities associated with at least one casino property;
visiting a business location of at least one sponsor separate from the at least one casino property; and
exchanging at least a portion of the promotional points for discounts on goods or services associated with the at least one sponsor. - View Dependent Claims (98)
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47. A method of advertising using an electronic game, the method comprising:
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providing at least one electronic game display having a plurality of windows;
displaying an electronic game in a first of the plurality of windows; and
displaying advertising material for a sponsor in a second of the plurality of windows, simultaneous to displaying the electronic game in the first of the plurality of windows.
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48. A method of gaming using promotional points, the method comprising:
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accumulating a number of promotional points; and
tendering promotional points to play one of a game of chance, a game of skill, and a game of skill and chance. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50)
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51. A method of awarding and redeeming promotional points, the method comprising:
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awarding promotional points to customers allowing themselves to be exposed to sponsor advertising material; and
enabling customers to redeem promotional points in exchange for opportunities to play electronic games. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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- 57. A method of providing incentive to a player of an electronic game to continue playing the electronic game, the method comprising displaying at least one award for which promotional points may be redeemed on a game display substantially simultaneously with displaying an electronic game.
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62. A method of awarding promotional points, the method comprising:
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awarding a first portion of a player'"'"'s winnings at an electronic game in at least one of money or money credits; and
awarding a second portion of the player'"'"'s winnings at the electronic game in promotional points. - View Dependent Claims (63, 64)
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65. A method of awarding promotional points, the method comprising:
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initiating a promotional points game upon completion of an electronic game; and
awarding promotional points in response to at least one aspect of a player'"'"'s activity in the promotional point game. - View Dependent Claims (66, 67)
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68. An apparatus for communicating with a remote site through the Internet, comprising a device configured as a gaming machine interactive with a player at the gaming machine and including at least one portion of at least one display having associated therewith hardware for accessing a site remote from the gaming machine site through the Internet.
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69. A method of accessing the Internet, comprising:
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playing a game of skill or chance interactively on-site with an apparatus specifically configured for playing the game; and
communicating through the Internet with a site remote from the site of the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (70)
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71. A method of award redemption including communications through the Internet, comprising:
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accessing an electronic game at a selected site;
selecting an award at the selected site through the Internet for redemption in exchange for a number of promotional points;
initiating redemption of the award; and
receiving the award from a sponsor of the electronic game. - View Dependent Claims (72, 73, 74, 75)
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76. A method of award redemption including communications through the Internet, comprising:
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accessing a display of promotional points at a selected site;
selecting an award at the selected site through the Internet for redemption in exchange for a number of promotional points;
initiating redemption of the award; and
receiving the award from a sponsor of a game by which the promotional points at least in part may be accumulated. - View Dependent Claims (77, 78, 79, 80)
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81. A method of encouraging participation by an individual in selected activities, comprising:
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assigning a trackable identifier to the individual;
referencing the identifier in conjunction with a plurality of selected, different activities by the individual; and
awarding promotional points to the individual responsive to at least one aspect of each of the selected, different activities. - View Dependent Claims (82, 83, 84, 85)
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86. A method of structuring promotional point awards responsive to gaming activity, comprising:
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selecting a first set of criteria for awarding promotional points responsive to gaming activity; and
selecting a second set of criteria for enhancing the value of the promotional points awarded during the gaming activity based upon at least one of frequency of gaming, duration of gaming, the amount of money wagered per game, the amount of money wagered during a selected time period, the amount of money won during a selected time period, and the amount of money lost during a selected time period.
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87. A method of modifying an individual'"'"'s behavior through a promotional points system, comprising:
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awarding promotional points responsive to selected activities of the individual at sites affiliated with sponsors of the system; and
selectively enhancing a value of the promotional points awarded responsive to selected criteria assigned to activities conducted at a plurality of sites. - View Dependent Claims (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 88, 89, 94)
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88-1. The method of claim 87, wherein the selected activities of the individual are conducted, at least in part, remotely through the Internet.
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90. A method of training an individual to initiate commercial transactions through at least one website, comprising:
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awarding promotional points redeemable for goods or services responsive to a plurality of activities of at least one individual;
providing a redemption process for the goods or services through the Internet requiring a sequence of steps substantially the same as that required to purchase at least one good or service from a merchant using legal tender, but for the use at least in part of promotional points in lieu of legal tender.
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- 91. An electronic game comprising at least one display configured to display a promotional points total.
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99. A method of awarding promotional points, the method comprising:
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initiating a promotional points game upon completion of an electronic game wherein legal tender is wagered; and
awarding promotional points in response to at least one aspect of a player'"'"'s activity in the promotional point game.
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100. A method of awarding and redeeming promotional points, the method comprising:
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initiating a promotional points game upon completion of an electronic game wherein legal tender is wagered;
awarding promotional points in response to at least one aspect of a player'"'"'s activity in the promotional point game; and
redeeming the promotional points for an award at the location of the electronic game and promotional points game.
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Specification