Did You Know...
...that when IBM conducted a market study of Chester Carlson's invention in 1959, the company concluded that it would take only 5000 units of his new product to saturate the market? IBM therefore declined to be part of the new product introduction. Too bad for IBM. Carlson's invention was the xerography process, and his new product was the beginning of the Xerox Corporation. It is estimated that every day, worldwide, 3,000,000,000 copies are made!!
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8175963 | Methods and systems for accepting offers via checks In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method and system are provided for facilitating the processing of at least one check in accordance with an offer which the account holder may accept, in one example, via a check being presented by the account holder as p... | 05/08/2012 |
| 8172671 | Method and apparatus for facilitating play of a gaming device Systems and methods are provided allowing a player to play a gaming device and receive a predetermined number of outcomes in exchange for a payment. The gaming device generates at least the predetermined number of outcomes, and adjusts a balance of the player device... | 05/08/2012 |
| 8147322 | Multiplayer gaming device and methods A plurality of gaming devices is linked so as to effectuate multiplayer game play. Multiplayer game play may cost more than single player game play, but may provide bonus payouts in the multiplayer game play. Various embodiments disclose symbol swapping, best ball, ... | 04/03/2012 |
| 8136133 | Methods and systems for broadcasting modified live media Methods and systems are presented for broadcasting a modified live media feed of an event. In an embodiment, the method includes receiving a live media feed at a broadcast computer from one or more recording devices, wherein the live media feed includes real time oc... | 03/13/2012 |
| 8133112 | Gaming device for a flat rate play session and method of operating same The present invention is directed generally to a method and apparatus for operating a gaming device having a flat rate play session costing a flat rate price. The flat rate play session spans multiple plays on the gaming device over a pre-established duration. The g... | 03/13/2012 |
| 8131595 | Products and processes for a membership for a customer of a vending machine In a disclosed embodiment of the invention, a customer of a vending machine is provided with an offer to establish a membership at a vending machine. After receiving an acceptance of the offer, a membership identifier is determined. The membership identifier is stor... | 03/06/2012 |
| 8131588 | Systems and methods wherein a security deposit facilitates a transaction in which a benefit is applied in exchange for performance of a task Methods, computer readable media and systems are described wherein a security deposit is used to facilitate a transaction with a customer. In an embodiment, a process includes receiving an indication that a customer is interested in making a purchase during a transa... | 03/06/2012 |
| 8126771 | System and method for managing customized reward offers In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided for managing reward offers. A first performance target that is associated with a financial account is determined. Transaction data that is associated with the financial account is rec... | 02/28/2012 |
| 8121922 | Method and apparatus for providing and processing installment plans at a terminal According to some embodiments, a central controller receives a selection signal. If the selection signal indicates acceptance of any installment plan, use of the accepted installment plan for the financial account is authorized. Thereafter, bills may be generated th... | 02/21/2012 |
| 8121899 | Method and apparatus for managing subscriptions A subscription system allows a customer to establish a subscription to a product with one or more retailers (e.g., by establishing the subscription through a controller or central system). In one embodiment, a subscription may be established after receiving informat... | 02/21/2012 |
| 8112359 | Pre-sale data broadcast system and method In one embodiment, a method for promoting the sale of a substitute product at the point of sale (POS). Upon the presentation of an original product for purchase by a consumer at a POS terminal, various manufacturers may decide to offer a substitute product to the co... | 02/07/2012 |
| 8103520 | Method and apparatus for selecting a supplemental product to offer for sale during a transaction According to some embodiments, a supplemental product or service may be offered to a user during a transaction, either in addition to products and/or services the user is purchasing, or as a replacement to one or more of the products and/or services that the user is... | 01/24/2012 |
| 8100749 | System and method for conducting and playing a supplemental lottery game A system and method is provided by which players participating in a primary lottery drawing may elect to participate in a second, or derivative lottery drawing (a “meta-game”). In one embodiment, a meta-game is conducted by first registering a plurality of lotte... | 01/24/2012 |
| 8099360 | Method and apparatus for issuing and managing gift certificates The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for issuing and redeeming a gift certificate drawn on a credit card or other financial account. In some aspects, issuing a gift certificate may comprise receiving a request for a gift certificate, determining a... | 01/17/2012 |
| 8086167 | Method and apparatus for educational testing Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for computer-based evaluation of a test-taker's performance with respect to a reward threshold. A performance assessment of the test taker can be standardized or customized, as well as relative or absolute. The system allows a p... | 12/27/2011 |
| 8069056 | Methods and apparatus for increasing and/or for monitoring a party's compliance with a schedule for taking medicines Methods and apparatus are provided for increasing and/or monitoring a party's compliance with a schedule for taking medicines. In a first embodiment, a method is provided for use by a first container that is adapted to store a first medicine. The method includes sto... | 11/29/2011 |
| 8068933 | Products and processes for vending a plurality of products via defined groups Products and processes are disclosed for defining at least one inventory group. This at least one inventory group includes at least two products that are available for sale by a vending machine. The vending machine outputs an indication of products that the at least... | 11/29/2011 |
| 8055509 | Methods and apparatus for increasing and/or for monitoring a party's compliance with a schedule for taking medicines Methods and apparatus are provided for increasing and/or monitoring a party's compliance with a schedule for taking medicines. In a first embodiment, a method is provided for use by a first container that is adapted to store a first medicine. The method includes sto... | 11/08/2011 |
| 8052053 | Apparatus and methods for enforcing purchase agreements Systems, apparatus, articles of manufacture and methods are provided for establishing (e.g., online) a buyer price for a first plurality of products. In one embodiment, the buyer price is lower than a retail price of the first plurality of products. A second plurali... | 11/08/2011 |
| 8047909 | Method and apparatus for linked play gaming with combined outcomes and shared indicia The invention includes a system and method for providing linked play via gaming and other devices wherein players may share and combine outcomes or parts thereof. In some embodiments, a casino server registers a group for linked play and a group objective and format... | 11/01/2011 |
| RE42893 | Method and apparatus for verifying secure document timestamping According to one embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for receiving a timestamp from a caller via a telephone connection; receiving a device identifier from the caller, in which the device identifier identifies a device; determining a cryptographic key ... | 11/01/2011 |
| 8046265 | Systems and methods for facilitating a transaction by matching seller information and buyer information A method is provided to facilitate a transaction between a seller and a buyer. Buyer information regarding a desired product is received. A controller then searches through a plurality of seller database records associated with products offered for sale by sellers, ... | 10/25/2011 |
| 8046247 | System and method for reselling a previously sold product A seller, having previously sold a product to an original purchaser subject to a buyout-provision condition, determines if the buyout-provision condition is satisfied. If the buy-out provision condition is satisfied, the seller retakes the product from the original ... | 10/25/2011 |
| 8042809 | Lottery game card and method for conducting a lottery game A lottery game incorporates player direction in determining the outcome of the game and allows a player to reveal one or more elements in a lottery game area according to rules associated with the lottery game. According to one embodiment of the invention, the playe... | 10/25/2011 |
| 8041711 | Method and system for providing a link in an electronic file being presented to a user A method for providing a link in an electronic file being presented to a user which includes defining a customized viewpoint for the user. The viewpoint includes a preference for the user that provides an association between a data pattern and a computer network res... | 10/18/2011 |
| 8041453 | Method and apparatus for defining and utilizing product location in a vending machine In accordance with one embodiment, a vending machine comprises a plurality of receptacles for holding units of products, each receptacle operable to hold a respective plurality of units in a series. The vending machine further comprises a dispensing mechanism operab... | 10/18/2011 |
| 8038527 | Method and system for managing game confirmations In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method for outputting a confirmation message at a gaming device is presented. The method comprises determining whether a trigger condition has occurred, outputting a confirmation message at a gaming device, determining a... | 10/18/2011 |
| 8037321 | Method and apparatus for the secure storage of audio signals In one embodiment, a method, system and apparatus for recording audio is provided so that the recording can be authenticated. The system may be implemented as a central server that is accessed via one or more lines for audio communication, or as a stand-alone unit. ... | 10/11/2011 |
| 8036943 | Systems and methods for providing transferable item prices Systems and methods are provided to associate a transferable item price with a first consumer and to determine that a second consumer is entitled to purchase an item in exchange for payment of an amount based on the transferable item price. In one embodiment, the fi... | 10/11/2011 |
| 8021231 | Problem gambling detection in tabletop games A gaming establishment may determine the existence of problem gamblers within its halls by monitoring player behavior with one or more sensors from an array of sensors. The player's behavior is then compared to normal behavior and/or problem gambling behavior to det... | 09/20/2011 |
| 8016658 | Method and apparatus for enhanced play of a gaming device An electronic amusement device and a method for operating the device are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a slot machine identifies a tracked symbol and initializes a running count representing active occurrences of the tracked symbol generated during a... | 09/13/2011 |
| 8015059 | Method and apparatus for facilitating the sale of subscriptions to periodicals A POS terminal receives a signal that indicates an item, for example, via a bar code scanner. The POS terminal ascertains whether the item is associated with an offer for a rebate. If so, a code is generated and output to the customer, such as on a printed receipt. ... | 09/06/2011 |
| 8010417 | System and process for local acquisition of products priced online A system and process for establishing prices for products on line and for allowing acquisition of those products from retailers that honor such prices. The system and process involve a customer having a credit card account, a computer terminal configured to access a... | 08/30/2011 |
| 8007361 | Facilitating a flat rate play session with a parallel game A gaming device adapted to operate in a flat rate play mode has two credit meters. The first credit meter shows a credit balance associated with the flat rate play session. The second credit meter shows a concurrent credit balance associated with a parallel transact... | 08/30/2011 |
| 8001043 | Method, apparatus, and program for customizing credit accounts An apparatus, method, and program for customizing credit accounts and calculating an appropriate price for this customization. Customers with existing credit accounts and customers applying for new accounts can customize various parameters of their accounts, in exch... | 08/16/2011 |
| 7991698 | Method and apparatus for executing cryptographically-enabled letters of credit A method and apparatus for executing electronic transactions using cryptographically-enabled accounts stores cryptographically-enabled account information and instructions, receives a cryptographically-encoded permission certificate, and processes the received permi... | 08/02/2011 |
| 7988044 | Method and apparatus for promoting the selection and use of a transaction card One embodiment of the present invention provides for detecting a physical change at a transaction card, and, in response to detecting the physical change outputting content to attract the attention of a user. ... | 08/02/2011 |
| 7985132 | System and method for facilitating play of a video game via a web site A method and system for operating a video game or video game tournament (e.g., via a Web site) is disclosed. In accordance with the method and system a bonus is provided to a player playing the video game or participating in the video game tournament. In some embodi... | 07/26/2011 |
| 7949558 | Method and apparatus for selling subscriptions to periodicals in a retail environment A system comprises a point-of-sale (POS) terminal, a POS controller, a retail subscription system. The POS terminal allows a cashier to enter subscription sales data into the POS controller. The POS controller maintains databases on available subscriptions and produ... | 05/24/2011 |
| 7933893 | Method and system for providing a link in an electronic file being presented to a user A method for providing a link in an electronic file being presented to a user which includes defining a customized viewpoint for the user. The viewpoint includes a preference for the user that provides an association between a data pattern and a computer network res... | 04/26/2011 |
