Method and apparatus for rewarding groups of communication service users
First Claim
1. A method for rewarding a group of communication service users, comprising:
- receiving an indication that communication services are to be provided to a caller so that the caller can communicate with a called party;
identifying a group, including at least two of the caller, the called party or an entity other than the caller and the called 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; and
advising at least one member of the group that the group has been determined to have won the lottery.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus can enter a call into a lottery, if the call is eligible. A group of individuals or other entities associated with the call for purposes of the lottery is identified; and if the call has won the lottery, at least one member of group is advised of the group'"'"'s winning status. The odds of winning a lottery for the call can be adjusted based on a participation history for at least one member of the group. The participation history can include a past number of calls made or total call time logged by the caller, etc. Thus, for example, groups of frequent users of a communication service can be rewarded with increased odds of winning a lottery each time a request for communication services is made and communication services are provided.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for rewarding a group of 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 communicate with a called party;
identifying a group, including at least two of the caller, the called party or an entity other than the caller and the called 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; and
advising at least one member of the group that the group has been determined to have won the lottery. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A communication system comprising:
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means for receiving an indication that communication services are to be provided to a caller so that the caller can communicate with a called party;
means for identifying a group of members, including at least two of the caller, the called party or an entity other than the caller and the called party, associated with the call for lottery purposes;
means for determining if the call is eligible for entry into a lottery;
means for determining if the call is a winner of the lottery; and
means for advising at least one member of the group that the group has been determined to have won the lottery. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A lottery device associated with a communication system that provides communication services so that a caller can communicate with 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 a party;
a lottery generator that determines if a call has won a lottery; and
a controller that identifies a group associated with the call for lottery purposes, determines if the call is eligible to enter the lottery, and notifies at least one member of the group if the call has won the lottery.- View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification