Lottery method and apparatus having a tiered prize scheme
First Claim
1. A method for rewarding communication service users, comprising:
- receiving an indication that communication services are to be provided to a caller so that the caller can at least receive information from a called party during a call;
identifying a party associated with the call for lottery purposes;
determining if the call is eligible for entry into a lottery;
determining if the call is a winner of the lottery;
advising the associated party that the associated party is a lottery winner while providing communication services to the caller and the called party; and
providing the lottery winner with an option to refuse a prize offered as a result of winning the lottery in exchange for a chance to win a better prize during a subsequent lottery.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for rewarding communication service users can enter a call into a lottery, if the call is eligible. A party associated with the call for purposes of the lottery is identified; and if the call has won the lottery, the lottery winner is advised of the winning status. The odds of winning a lottery for the call can be adjusted based on a participation history for the associated party including a history of past lottery prizes won and refused. Thus, a lottery winner can be given the opportunity to refuse a lottery prize won in return for a chance to win a better prize in a future lottery. Prizes won by the lottery winner can also be matched to the lottery winner'"'"'s preferences and/or the lottery winning call.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for rewarding communication service users, comprising:
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receiving an indication that communication services are to be provided to a caller so that the caller can at least receive information from a called party during a call; identifying a party associated with the call for lottery purposes; determining if the call is eligible for entry into a lottery; determining if the call is a winner of the lottery; advising the associated party that the associated party is a lottery winner while providing communication services to the caller and the called party; and providing the lottery winner with an option to refuse a prize offered as a result of winning the lottery in exchange for a chance to win a better prize during a subsequent lottery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A lottery device associated with a communication system that provides communication services so that a caller can at least receive information from a called party during a call, the lottery device comprising:
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a memory that stores information regarding at least a participation history for an associated party that is not the caller; a lottery generator that determines if a call has won a lottery; and a controller that identifies the associated party for lottery purposes, determines if the call is eligible to enter the lottery, and advises the associated party that the associated party has won the lottery. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for rewarding communication service users, comprising:
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receiving an indication that communication services are to be provided to a caller so that the caller can at least receive information from a called party during a call; identifying a party that is not the caller as a party associated with the call for lottery purposes; determining if the associated party is eligible for entry into a lottery; determining if the associated party is a winner of the lottery; and advising the associated party that the associated party is a lottery winner. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification