System to provide game play for products

• US 6,443,843 B1
• Filed: 06/29/2000
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Inventor Holdings LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Bemer, Keith, Talwalkar, Nandu A., Palmer, Timothy A., Mik, Magdalena, Golden, Andrew P., Walker, Jay S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheng, Joe H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jones, Scott E.
• Application Number:
  US09/606,566
• Time in Patent Office: 796 Days
• Field of Search: 273/138.1, 273/138.2, 273/459, 273/460-461, 463/1, 463/16-22, 463/25-27, 463/40-43, 463/47, 463/30, 463/36-39, 705/14, 705/16, 705/21, 705/26-27, 395/762, 395/774, 395/155, 395/214, 395/216, 364/412, 364/405
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A method for providing a product is described in which a selection of a product is received from a customer, a fee to play a game is received, an outcome of the game is determined, the product is provided to the customer if the outcome is a winning outcome, and a portion of the fee is credited to the customer if the outcome is a losing outcome.

Claims

1. A method for providing a product, comprising:

receiving a selection of a product from a customer, the product being selected from a plurality of products that are brought to a POS terminal by the customer;

receiving a fee to play a game;

determining an outcome of the game;

providing the product to the customer if the outcome is a winning outcome; and

crediting a portion of the fee to the customer if the outcome is a losing outcome.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the selected product is one of a plurality of selectable products.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an instruction from the customer to play the game.

4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

determining the fee.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the fee is determined based on the product.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the fee is determined based on the customer.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the fee credited is equal to the fee.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the credited portion is applicable only to a sale price of the product.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein receiving a selection comprises:

receiving a commitment from the customer to purchase the product.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein the game reflects a probability that a winning outcome will result.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the probability is based on a customer profile.

12. A method according to claim 10, wherein the probability is a first probability if the selection was received from a first customer and is a second probability if the selection was received from a second customer.

13. A method according to claim 10, further comprising:

receiving the probability from the customer.

14. A method according to claim 13, further comprising:

determining the fee based on the received probability.

15. A method according to claim 10, further comprising:

determining the probability based on the received fee.

16. A method according to claim 1, wherein the credited portion is applicable only to a sale price of the product.

17. A method for providing a product, comprising:

receiving from a customer a selection of a plurality of products which are brought to a POS terminal by the customer;

receiving a fee to play a game;

determining an outcome of the game;

providing one of the plurality of products to the customer if the outcome is a winning outcome; and

crediting a portion of the fee to a sale price of one of the plurality of products if the outcome is a losing outcome.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein a first portion of the fee is credited to a first sale price of a first one of the plurality of products or a second portion of the fee is credited to a second sale price of a second one of the plurality of products.

19. A method according to claim 17, further comprising:

receiving an instruction from the customer to play the game.

20. A method according to claim 17, further comprising:

determining the fee.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the fee is determined based on the plurality of products.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein the fee is determined based on the customer.

23. A method according to claim 17, wherein the portion of the fee credited is equal to the fee.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the credited portion is applicable only to a sale price of one of the plurality of products.

25. A method according to claim 17, wherein the step of receiving a selection comprises:

receiving a commitment from the customer to purchase one of the plurality of products.

26. A method according to claim 17, wherein the game reflects a probability that a winning outcome will result.

27. A method according to claim 26, wherein the probability is based on a customer profile.

28. A method according to claim 26, wherein the probability is a first probability if the selection was received from a first customer and is a second probability if the selection was received from a second customer.

29. A method according to claim 26, further comprising:

receiving the probability from the customer.

30. A method according to claim 29, further comprising:

determining the fee based on the received probability.

31. A method according to claim 26, further comprising:

determining the probability based on the received fee.

32. A method according to claim 17, wherein the credited portion is applicable only to a sale price of one of the plurality of products.

33. A method according to claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of products is associated with a respective winning outcome.

34. A method according to claim 33, wherein the product provided is associated with the winning outcome.

35. A method for providing a product, comprising:

identifying a desired product, the desired product being from a plurality of products that are brought to a POS terminal by a customer;

determining whether a game outcome and a fee are associated with the product;

providing the product to the customer if the game outcome is a winning outcome;

determining a sale price based on the fee; and

charging the customer the sale price for the product if the game outcome is a losing outcome.

36. A method for providing a product, comprising:

identifying a desired product, the desired product being from a plurality of products that are brought to a POS terminal by a customer;

determining whether a game outcome is associated with the product;

providing the product to the customer if the game outcome is a winning outcome;

determining a sale price; and

charging the customer the sale price for the product if the game outcome is a losing outcome.

37. Processor-executable process steps embodied in a computer-readable medium, the process steps comprising:

a receiving step to receive a selection of a product from a customer, the product being selected from a plurality of products that are brought to a POS terminal by the customer;

a receiving step to receive a fee to play a game;

a determining step to determine an outcome of the game;

a providing step to provide the product to the customer if the outcome is a winning outcome; and

a crediting step to credit a portion of the fee to the customer if the outcome is a losing outcome.

38. Processor-executable process steps according to claim 37, wherein the portion of the fee credited is equal to the fee.

39. Processor-executable process steps according to claim 38, wherein the credited portion is applicable only to a sale price of the product.

40. Processor-executable process steps according to claim 37, wherein the step of receiving a selection comprises:

a receiving step to receive a commitment from the customer to purchase the product.

41. Processor-executable process steps according to claim 37, wherein the game reflects a probability that a winning outcome will result.

42. Processor-executable process steps according to claim 41, wherein the probability is based on a customer profile.

43. Processor-executable process steps according to claim 41, wherein the probability is a first probability if the selection was received from a first customer and is a second probability if the selection was received from a second customer.

44. Processor-executable process steps embodied in a computer-readable medium, the process steps comprising:

a receiving step to receive from a customer a selection of a plurality of products which are brought to a POS terminal by the customer;

a receiving step to receive a fee to play a game;

a determining step to determine an outcome of the game;

a providing step to provide one of the plurality of products to the customer if the outcome is a winning outcome; and

a crediting step to credit a portion of the fee to a sale price of one of the plurality of products if the outcome is a losing outcome.

45. Processor-executable process steps according to claim 44, wherein a first portion of the fee is credited to a first sale price of a first one of the plurality of products or a second portion of the fee is credited to a second sale price of a second one of the plurality of products.

46. Processor-executable process steps according to claim 44, wherein the portion of the fee credited is equal to the fee.

47. Processor-executable process steps according to claim 46, wherein the credited portion is applicable only to a sale price of one of the plurality of products.

48. Processor-executable process steps according to claim 44, wherein the step of receiving a selection comprises:

a receiving step to receive a commitment from the customer to purchase one of the plurality of products.

49. Processor-executable process steps according to claim 44, wherein the game reflects a probability that a winning outcome will result.

50. Processor-executable process steps according to claim 49, wherein the probability is based on a customer profile.

51. Processor-executable process steps according to claim 49, wherein the probability is a first probability if the selection was received from a first customer and is a second probability if the selection was received from a second customer.

52. Processor-executable process steps according to claim 44, wherein each of the plurality of products is associated with a respective winning outcome.

53. Processor-executable process steps according to claim 52, wherein the product provided is associated with the winning outcome.

54. Processor-executable process steps embodied in a computer-readable medium, the process steps comprising:

an identifying step to identify a desired product, the desired product being from a plurality of products that are brought to a POS terminal by the customer;

a determining step to determine whether a game outcome and a fee are associated with the product;

a providing step to provide the product to a customer if the game outcome is a winning outcome;

a determining step to determine a sale price based on the fee; and

a charging step to charge the customer the sale price for the product if the game outcome is a losing outcome.

55. Processor-executable process steps embodied in a computer-readable medium, the process steps comprising:

an identifying step to identify a desired product, the desired product being from a plurality of products that are brought to a POS terminal by the customer;

a determining step to determine whether a game outcome is associated with the product;

a providing step to provide the product to a customer if the game outcome is a winning outcome;

a determining step to determine a sale price; and

a charging step to charge the customer the sale price for the product if the game outcome is a losing outcome.

56. A device comprising:

a memory storing processor-executable process steps; and

a processor,

wherein the processor is operative with the process steps to;

i) receive a selection of a product from a customer, the product being selected from a plurality of products that are brought to a POS terminal by the customer;

ii) receive a fee to play a game;

iii) determine an outcome of the game;

iv) provide the product to the customer if the outcome is a winning outcome; and

v) credit a portion of the fee to the customer if the outcome is a losing outcome.

57. A device according to claim 56, wherein the portion of the fee credited is equal to the fee.

58. A device according to claim 57, wherein the credited portion is applicable only to a sale price of the product.

59. A device according to claim 56, wherein, in the step of receiving a selection, the processor is further operative with the process steps to receive a commitment from the customer to purchase the product.

60. A device according to claim 56, wherein the game reflects a probability that a winning outcome will result.

61. A device according to claim 60, wherein the probability is based on a customer profile.

62. A device according to claim 60, wherein the probability is a first probability if the selection was received from a first customer and is a second probability if the selection was received from a second customer.

63. A device comprising:

a memory storing processor-executable process steps; and

a processor,

wherein the processor is operative with the process steps to;

i) receive from a customer a selection of a plurality of products which are brought to a POS terminal by the customer;

ii) receive a fee to play a game;

iii) determine an outcome of the game;

iv) provide one of the plurality of products to the customer if the outcome is a winning outcome; and

v) credit a portion of the fee to a sale price of one of the plurality of products if the outcome is a losing outcome.

64. A device according to claim 63, wherein a first portion of the fee is credited to a first sale price of a first one of the plurality of products or a second portion of the fee is credited to a second sale price of a second one of the plurality of products.

65. A device according to claim 63, wherein the portion of the fee credited is equal to the fee.

66. A device according to claim 65, wherein the credited portion is applicable only to a sale price of one of the plurality of products.

67. A device according to claim 63, wherein, in the step of receiving a selection, the processor is further operative with the process steps to receive a commitment from the customer to purchase one of the plurality of products.

68. A device according to claim 63, wherein the game reflects a probability that a winning outcome will result.

69. A device according to claim 68, wherein the probability is based on a customer profile.

70. A device according to claim 68, wherein the probability is a first probability if the selection was received from a first customer and is a second probability if the selection was received from a second customer.

71. A device according to claim 63, wherein each of the plurality of products is associated with a respective winning outcome.

72. A device according to claim 71, wherein the product provided is associated with the winning outcome.

73. A device comprising:

a memory storing processor-executable process steps; and

a processor,

wherein the processor is operative with the process steps to;

i) identify a desired product, the desired product being from a plurality of products that are brought to a POS terminal by the customer;

ii) determine whether a game outcome and a fee are associated with the product;

iii) provide the product to a customer if the game outcome is a winning outcome; and

iv) determine a sale price based on the fee and charging the customer the sale price for the product if the game outcome is a losing outcome.

74. A device comprising:

a memory storing processor-executable process steps; and

a processor,

wherein the processor is operative with the process steps to;

i) identify a desired product, the desired product being from a plurality of products that are brought to a POS terminal by the customer;

ii) determine whether a game outcome is associated with the product;

iii) provide the product to a customer if the game outcome is a winning outcome;

iv) determine a sale price; and

v) charge the customer the sale price for the product if the game outcome is a losing outcome.

75. An apparatus comprising:

means for obtaining a selection of a product from a customer, the product being selected from a plurality of products that are brought to a POS terminal by the customer;

means for obtaining a fee to play a game;

means for deciding an outcome of the game;

means for transmitting the product to the customer if the outcome is a winning outcome; and

means for providing the fee to the customer if the outcome is a losing outcome.

76. An apparatus according to claim 75, wherein the provided portion of the fee is equal to the fee.

77. An apparatus according to claim 76, wherein the provided portion is applicable only to a sale price of the product.

78. An apparatus according to claim 75, wherein the means for obtaining a selection comprises:

means for obtaining a commitment from the customer to purchase the product.

79. An apparatus according to claim 75, wherein the game reflects a probability that a winning outcome will result.

80. An apparatus according to claim 79, wherein the probability is based on a customer profile.

81. An apparatus according to claim 79, wherein the probability is a first probability if the selection was obtained from a first customer and is a second probability if the selection was obtained from a second customer.

82. An apparatus comprising:

means for obtaining from a customer a selection of a plurality of products which are brought to a POS terminal by the customer;

means for obtaining a fee to play a game;

means for deciding an outcome of the game;

means for transmitting one of the plurality of products to the customer if the outcome is a winning outcome; and

means for providing a portion of the fee to a sale price of one of the plurality of products if the outcome is a losing outcome.

83. An apparatus according to claim 82, wherein a first portion of the fee is credited to a first sale price of a first one of the plurality of products or a second portion of the fee is credited to a second sale price of a second one of the plurality of products.

84. An apparatus according to claim 82, wherein the provided portion of the fee is equal to the fee.

85. An apparatus according to claim 84, wherein the provided portion of the fee is applicable only to a sale price of one of the plurality of products.

86. An apparatus according to claim 82, wherein the means for obtaining a selection comprises:

means for obtaining a commitment from the customer to purchase one of the plurality of products.

87. An apparatus according to claim 82, wherein the game reflects a probability that a winning outcome will result.

88. An apparatus according to claim 87, wherein the probability is based on a customer profile.

89. An apparatus according to claim 87, wherein the probability is a first probability if the selection was obtained from a first customer and is a second probability if the selection was obtained from a second customer.

90. An apparatus according to claim 82, wherein each of the plurality of products is associated with a respective winning outcome.

91. An apparatus according to claim 90, wherein the product provided is associated with the winning outcome.

92. An apparatus comprising:

means for determining a desired product, the desired product being from a plurality of products that are brought to a POS terminal by the customer;

means for deciding whether a game outcome and a fee are associated with the product;

means for transmitting the product to a customer if the game outcome is a winning outcome;

means for deciding a sale price based on the fee; and

means for billing the customer the sale price for the product if the game outcome is a losing outcome.

93. An apparatus comprising:

means for determining a desired product, the desired product being from a plurality of products that are brought to a POS terminal by the customer;

means for deciding whether a game outcome is associated with the product;

means for transmitting the product to a customer if the game outcome is a winning outcome;

means for deciding a sale price; and

means for billing the customer the sale price for the product if the game outcome is a losing outcome.

94. A system for providing game play for products, comprising:

a customer device comprising;

a customer memory storing processor-executable process steps; and

a customer processor,

wherein the customer processor is operative with the processor-executable process steps to;

i) select a product from a plurality of products, the product being selected from a plurality of products that are brought to a POS terminal by the customer;

ii) transmit a fee to play a game;

iii) present an indication that the customer has won the product if the outcome is a winning outcome; and

iv) receive credit for a portion of the fee if the outcome is a losing outcome; and

a retailer device comprising;

a retailer memory storing retailer processor-executable process steps; and

a retailer processor,

wherein the retailer processor is operative with the retailer processor-executable process steps to;

i) receive a selection of the product;

ii) receive the fee;

iii) determine the outcome;

iv) transmit the indication that the customer has won the product if the outcome is a winning outcome; and

v) transmit the credit for the portion of the fee if the outcome is a losing outcome.