METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONDUCTING OR FACILITATING A PROMOTION
First Claim
1. A method for conducting a promotion, comprising:
- generating an outcome;
generating an unlock code capable of unlocking said outcome;
providing an indication of said outcome;
providing an indication of said unlock code; and
providing an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for conducting a promotion and for distributing promotions to potential users provide a merchant or promotion organizer flexibility in the way they conduct the promotion as well as an ability to change one or more aspects of the promotion during the operation of the promotion. One or more outcomes are generated by a controller and provided to a user. In addition, one or more codes which allow the outcomes to be revealed or unlocked are generated by the controller and provided to an intermediary. In exchange for completing or satisfying a qualifying action or criteria, the user may receive a code from the intermediary. The user can then unlock an outcome to reveal a prize, benefit, symbol, value, etc., associated with the unlocked outcome. The user may provide a redemption request to either the controller or the intermediary based on the unlocked outcome to receive a benefit or prize associated with the unlocked outcome.
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Citations
162 Claims
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1. A method for conducting a promotion, comprising:
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generating an outcome;
generating an unlock code capable of unlocking said outcome;
providing an indication of said outcome;
providing an indication of said unlock code; and
providing an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86)
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87. A method for conducting a promotion, implemented in a promotion control system, the method comprising:
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providing data representative of an outcome, said outcome associated with at least one unlock code;
providing data representative of said at least one unlock code;
receiving data representative of a redemption request associated with said outcome; and
providing data representative of a benefit associated with said outcome upon receiving said data representative of said redemption request.
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88. A method for conducting a promotion, comprising:
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determining at least one outcome;
determining at least one unlock code for at least one of said at least one outcome;
sending at least one indication of one of said at least one outcome;
sending an at least one indication of one of said at least one unlock code;
receiving a redemption request associated with at least one of said at least one outcome; and
sending at least one indication of at least one benefit associated with at least one of said at least one outcome. - View Dependent Claims (89, 90)
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91. A method for conducting a promotion, comprising:
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providing at least one indication of an outcome;
providing at least one indication of an unlock code capable of unlocking said outcome;
providing at least one indication of at least one benefit associated with said at least one outcome after said outcome is unlocked. - View Dependent Claims (92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98)
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99. A method for conducting a promotion, comprising:
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providing an indication of a promotion outcome to a user and an indication of an unlock code associated with said promotion outcome to an intermediary;
receiving a redemption request associated with said promotion outcome; and
providing an indication of a benefit associated with said promotion outcome. - View Dependent Claims (100, 101)
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102. A method for conducting a promotion, comprising:
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providing an indication of a promotion outcome to an intermediary and an indication of an unlock code associated with said promotion outcome to a user;
receiving a redemption request associated with said promotion outcome; and
providing an indication of a benefit associated with said promotion outcome. - View Dependent Claims (103, 104)
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105. A method of participating in a promotion, comprising:
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receiving an indication of an unlock code associated with at least one outcome;
associating a qualifying action with said unlock code;
providing an indication of said qualifying action; and
providing an indication of said unlock code upon a completion of said qualifying action. - View Dependent Claims (106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122)
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123. A method of participating in a promotion, comprising:
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receiving an indication of an outcome associated with at least one unlock code;
associating a qualifying action with said outcome;
providing an indication of said qualifying action; and
providing an indication of said outcome upon a completion of said qualifying action.
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124. A method of participating in a promotion, comprising:
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receiving an indication of an outcome, said outcome associated with at least one unlock code capable of unlocking said outcome;
identifying a qualifying action for at least one of said at least one unlock code;
distributing at least one indication of at said qualifying action; and
distributing at least one indication of at least one of said at least one unlock code upon receiving an indication of a completion of said one qualifying action.
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125. A method of participating in a promotion, comprising:
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receiving an indication of an outcome, said outcome associated with at least one unlock code capable of unlocking said outcome;
identifying a qualifying action for said outcome;
distributing at least one indication of at said qualifying action; and
distributing at least one indication of at least one of said outcome upon receiving an indication of a completion of said one qualifying action.
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126. A method for participating in a promotion, comprising:
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receiving an indication of an outcome;
receiving an indication of a qualifying action associated with an unlock code that can unlock said outcome;
receiving said unlock code;
unlocking said outcome; and
receiving an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome. - View Dependent Claims (127, 128, 129, 130)
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131. A method for participating in a promotion, comprising:
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receiving an indication of an unlock code;
receiving an indication of a qualifying action associated with an outcome that can be unlocked by said unlock code;
receiving said outcome;
unlocking said outcome; and
receiving an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome. - View Dependent Claims (132, 133)
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134. A method for participating in a promotion, comprising:
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receiving data representative of an unlock code;
receiving data representative of a qualifying action associated with an outcome that can be unlocked by said unlock code;
transmitting data representative of an indication of a completion of said qualifying action;
receiving data representative of said outcome;
unlocking said outcome; and
receiving data representative of a benefit associated with said outcome.
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135. A method for participating in a promotion, comprising:
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receiving data representative of an outcome;
receiving data representative of a qualifying action associated with an unlock code that can unlock said outcome;
transmitting data representative of an indication of a completion of said qualifying action;
receiving data representative of said unlock code;
unlocking said outcome; and
receiving data representative of a benefit associated with said outcome.
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136. A method for participating in a promotion, comprising:
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receiving an indication of at least one outcome;
receiving an indication of at least one qualifying action, said at least one qualifying action associated with at least one unlock code;
receiving at least one unlock code upon satisfying at least one of said at least one qualifying action;
using at least one unlock code to unlock at least one of said at least one outcome;
sending at least one redemption request upon unlocking of one at least one of said at least one outcome; and
receiving a benefit associated with an unlocked outcome.
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137. A method for participating in a promotion, comprising:
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receiving an indication of at least one outcome;
receiving an indication of at least one qualifying action, each of said at least one qualifying action associated with at least one unlock code;
receiving at least one unlock code upon satisfying at least one of said at least one qualifying actions;
unlocking at least one of said at least one outcome; and
receiving a benefit associated with an unlocked outcome.
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138. A method for participating in a promotion, comprising:
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receiving an indication of at least one unlock code;
receiving an indication of at least one qualifying action, said at least one qualifying action associated with at least one outcome;
receiving at least one outcome upon satisfying at least one of said at least one qualifying actions;
unlocking at least one of said at least one outcome; and
receiving a benefit associated with an unlocked outcome.
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139. A system for conducting a promotion, comprising:
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a memory;
a communication port; and
a processor connected to said memory and said communication port, said processor being operative to;
generate an outcome;
generate an unlock code associated with said outcome;
provide an indication of said outcome;
provide an indication of said unlock code; and
provide an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.
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140. A computer readable medium for use in a promotion system, the computer readable medium storing a computer program comprising:
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computer readable means for producing an outcome;
computer readable means for producing a reveal code associated with said outcome;
computer readable means for sending an indication of said outcome;
computer readable means for sending an indication of said reveal code; and
computer readable means for sending an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.
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141. An article of manufacture, comprising:
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a computer usable medium having a computer readable program means embodied therein for operating an information system, the computer readable program means in said article of manufacture operable to;
generate an outcome;
generate an unlock code associated with said outcome;
provide an indication of said outcome;
provide an indication of said unlock code; and
provide an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.
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142. An apparatus for conducting a promotion, comprising:
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means for producing an outcome;
means for producing a reveal code associated with said outcome;
means for sending an indication of said outcome;
means for sending an indication of said reveal code; and
means for sending an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.
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143. A system for conducting a promotion, comprising:
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a memory;
a communication port; and
a processor connected to said memory and said communication port, said processor being operative to;
provide data representative of an outcome, said outcome associated with at least one unlock code;
provide data representative of said at least one unlock code;
receive data representative of a redemption request associated with said outcome; and
provide data representative of a benefit associated with said outcome upon receiving said data representative of said redemption request.
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144. A computer readable medium for use in a promotion system, the computer readable medium storing a computer program comprising:
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computer readable means for transmitting data representative of an outcome, said outcome associated with at least one reveal code;
computer readable means for transmitting data representative of said at least one reveal code;
computer readable means for obtaining data representative of a redemption request associated with said outcome; and
computer readable means for transmitting data representative of a benefit associated with said outcome upon receiving said data representative of said redemption request.
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145. An article of manufacture, comprising:
a computer usable medium having a computer readable program means embodied therein for operating an information system, the computer readable program means in said article of manufacture operable to;
provide data representative of an outcome, said outcome associated with at least one unlock code;
provide data representative of said at least one unlock code;
receive data representative of a redemption request associated with said outcome; and
provide data representative of a benefit associated with said outcome upon receiving said data representative of said redemption request.
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146. An apparatus for conducting a promotion, comprising:
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means for transmitting data representative of an outcome, said outcome associated with at least one reveal code;
means for transmitting data representative of said at least one reveal code;
means for obtaining data representative of a redemption request associated with said outcome; and
means for transmitting data representative of a benefit associated with said outcome upon receiving said data representative of said redemption request.
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147. A system for conducting a promotion, comprising:
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a memory;
a communication port; and
a processor connected to said memory and said communication port, said processor being operative to;
receive an indication of an unlock code associated with at least one outcome;
associate a qualifying action with said unlock code;
provide an indication of said qualifying action; and
provide an indication of said unlock code upon a completion of said qualifying action.
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148. A computer readable medium for use in a promotion system, the computer readable medium storing a computer program comprising:
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computer readable means for obtaining an indication of an unlock code associated with at least one outcome;
computer readable means for establishing a qualifying action for said unlock code;
computer readable means for sending an indication of said qualifying action; and
computer readable means for sending an indication of said unlock code upon a completion of said qualifying action.
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149. An article of manufacture, comprising:
a computer usable medium having a computer readable program means embodied therein for operating an information system, the computer readable program means in said article of manufacture operable to;
receive an indication of an unlock code associated with at least one outcome;
associate a qualifying action with said unlock code;
provide an indication of said qualifying action; and
provide an indication of said unlock code upon a completion of said qualifying action.
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150. An apparatus for conducting a promotion, comprising:
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means for obtaining an indication of an unlock code associated with at least one outcome;
means for establishing a qualifying action for said unlock code;
means for sending an indication of said qualifying action; and
means for sending an indication of said unlock code upon a completion of said qualifying action.
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151. A system for conducting a promotion, comprising:
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a memory;
a communication port; and
a processor connected to said memory and said communication port, said processor being operative to;
receive an indication of an outcome associated with at least one unlock code;
associate a qualifying action with said outcome;
provide an indication of said qualifying action; and
provide an indication of said outcome upon a completion of said qualifying action.
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152. A computer readable medium for use in a promotion system, the computer readable medium storing a computer program comprising:
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computer readable means for obtaining an indication of an outcome associated with at least one unlock code;
computer readable means for establishing a qualifying action for said outcome;
computer readable means for sending an indication of said qualifying action; and
computer readable means for sending an indication of said outcome upon a completion of said qualifying action.
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153. An article of manufacture, comprising:
a computer usable medium having a computer readable program means embodied therein for operating an information system, the computer readable program means in said article of manufacture operable to;
receive an indication of an outcome associated with at least one unlock code;
associate a qualifying action with said outcome;
provide an indication of said qualifying action; and
provide an indication of said outcome upon a completion of said qualifying action.
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154. An apparatus for conducting a promotion, comprising:
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means for obtaining an indication of an outcome associated with at least one unlock code;
means for establishing a qualifying action for said outcome;
means for sending an indication of said qualifying action;
means for sending an indication of said outcome upon a completion of said qualifying action.
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155. A system for conducting a promotion, comprising:
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a memory;
a communication port; and
a processor connected to said memory and said communication port, said processor being operative to;
receive an indication of an outcome;
receive an indication of a qualifying action associated with an unlock code that can unlock said outcome;
receive said unlock code;
unlock said outcome; and
receive an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.
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156. A computer readable medium for use in a promotion system, the computer readable medium storing a computer program comprising:
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computer readable means for obtaining an indication of an outcome;
computer readable means for obtaining an indication of a qualifying action associated with an unlock code that can unlock said outcome;
computer readable means for obtaining said unlock code;
computer readable means for revealing said outcome; and
computer readable means for obtaining an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.
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157. An article of manufacture, comprising:
a computer usable medium having a computer readable program means embodied therein for operating an information system, the computer readable program means in said article of manufacture operable to;
receive an indication of an outcome;
receive an indication of a qualifying action associated with an unlock code that can unlock said outcome;
receive said unlock code;
unlock said outcome; and
receive an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.
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158. An apparatus for conducting a promotion, comprising:
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means for obtaining an indication of an outcome;
means for obtaining an indication of a qualifying action associated with an unlock code that can unlock said outcome;
means for obtaining said unlock code;
means for revealing said outcome; and
means for receiving an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.
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159. A system for conducting a promotion, comprising:
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a memory;
a communication port; and
a processor connected to said memory and said communication port, said processor being operative to;
receive an indication of an unlock code;
receive an indication of a qualifying action associated with an outcome that can be unlocked by said unlock code;
receive said outcome;
unlock said outcome; and
receive an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.
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160. A computer readable medium for use in a promotion system, the computer readable medium storing a computer program comprising:
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computer readable means for obtaining an indication of an unlock code;
computer readable means for obtaining an indication of a qualifying action associated with an outcome that can be unlocked by said unlock code;
computer readable means for obtaining said outcome;
computer readable means for revealing said outcome; and
computer readable means for obtaining an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.
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161. An article of manufacture, comprising:
a computer usable medium having a computer readable program means embodied therein for operating an information system, the computer readable program means in said article of manufacture operable to;
receive an indication of an unlock code;
receive an indication of a qualifying action associated with an outcome that can be unlocked by said unlock code;
receive said outcome;
unlock said outcome; and
receive an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.
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162. An apparatus for conducting a promotion, comprising:
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means for obtaining an indication of an unlock code;
means for obtaining an indication of a qualifying action associated with an outcome that can be unlocked by said unlock code;
means for obtaining said outcome;
means for revealing said outcome; and
means for obtaining an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.
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Specification