Method and apparatus for awarding and redeeming prepaid telephone time
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for awarding telephone time for using a service and for redeeming the telephone time, said system comprising:
- a controller for receiving a number that identifies a user of the service;
a memory connected to said controller and containing a data record associated with the user identifier in which is stored and accumulated telephone time allocated by the controller based on the amount of usage of the service;
a first communication port for receiving a telephone call from the user;
a second communication port for establishing a telephone connection to a party to be called from the user;
a telephone switch coupled to said first and second communication ports; and
a caller interface connected to said first communication port and said telephone switch for requesting and receiving the user identifier and a telephone number of the party to be called from the user,whereinthe service includes a slot machine for allowing the user to bet on random events,said controller is adapted to configure said telephone switch to establish the telephone connection between the user and the party to be called from the user based on the received user identifier and telephone number, and to debit the data record associated with the received user identifier by an amount based on the cost of the telephone call, andthe awarded telephone time is based on at least one of the group consisting of (1) an amount of currency played by the user of said slot machine, (2) an amount of currency the user has won from said slot machine, (3) an amount of time the user has played said slot machine, and (4) an amount of currency with which the user started playing said slot machine.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A slot card issued by a slot club, or a membership card in another incentive award program, that is also capable of being used as phone calling card is provided. Free calling time is credited to the member'"'"'s card account in response to the playing of the slot machine or utilizing the respective service. After incentive points are awarded, the member may use the membership card as a prepaid phone calling card, whereby the member'"'"'s account is debited for the cost of the call.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A system for awarding telephone time for using a service and for redeeming the telephone time, said system comprising:
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a controller for receiving a number that identifies a user of the service; a memory connected to said controller and containing a data record associated with the user identifier in which is stored and accumulated telephone time allocated by the controller based on the amount of usage of the service; a first communication port for receiving a telephone call from the user; a second communication port for establishing a telephone connection to a party to be called from the user; a telephone switch coupled to said first and second communication ports; and a caller interface connected to said first communication port and said telephone switch for requesting and receiving the user identifier and a telephone number of the party to be called from the user, wherein the service includes a slot machine for allowing the user to bet on random events, said controller is adapted to configure said telephone switch to establish the telephone connection between the user and the party to be called from the user based on the received user identifier and telephone number, and to debit the data record associated with the received user identifier by an amount based on the cost of the telephone call, and the awarded telephone time is based on at least one of the group consisting of (1) an amount of currency played by the user of said slot machine, (2) an amount of currency the user has won from said slot machine, (3) an amount of time the user has played said slot machine, and (4) an amount of currency with which the user started playing said slot machine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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6. A system according to claim, wherein said interactive voice response unit is adapted to announce a current amount balance of the data record associated with the user identifier.
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7. A system according to claim, wherein said interactive voice response unit is adapted to announce a maximum duration of the telephone connection between the user and the called party.
Specification