| Patent Number |
Title Of Patent |
Date Issued |
| 8271327 |
Method and apparatus for identifying potential buyers |
September 18, 2012 |
| A method by which potential buyers are identified includes receiving a description of an item a potential buyer intends to purchase within a particular time, determining a reward for the potential buyer based on intent data, providing the reward to the potential buyer and applying a |
| 8150735 |
Retail system for selling products based on a flexible product description |
April 3, 2012 |
| According to one described embodiment, a method is provided in which transaction information is determined. The transaction information is associated with (i) a buyer who has arranged to purchase a product from a central controller at a first price established between the buyer and the |
| 7885726 |
Vending machine system and method for encouraging the purchase of profitable items |
February 8, 2011 |
| This invention relates generally to systems and methods for delivering products-on-demand to individuals and, more particularly, to delivery via vending machines. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the method of the instant invention is initiated when a customer makes an initial |
| 7827057 |
Method and apparatus for providing cross-benefits based on a customer activity |
November 2, 2010 |
| In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, a controller receives information relating to customer activity with a first vendor (e.g., via a Web page that a customer accesses). The controller further receives an indication of items the customer desires to purchase, the |
| 7818284 |
Method and apparatus for providing cross-benefits via a central authority |
October 19, 2010 |
| A controller is in communication with a plurality of vendors that are servicing customers, as well as with a plurality of "subsidizing" vendors seeking access to those customers. The controller receives from a first vendor an indication of one or more items that a customer is to purchase |
| 7769612 |
System and method for facilitating the sale of a travel product |
August 3, 2010 |
| A system and method for facilitating the sale of travel products is disclosed. The system receives travel inquiries from requesters for preferred travel products (905). The system in turn selects and offers the requester an alternate travel product which has a greater value to the se |
| 7722455 |
Systems and methods wherein a lottery number combination is associated with a limited number of |
May 25, 2010 |
| Systems and methods are provided to facilitate lottery ticket transactions. A request to purchase a lottery ticket is received, the lottery ticket being associated with a lottery number combination, such as a limited number of lottery tickets or a limited number of players. An indica |
| 7711604 |
Retail system for selling products based on a flexible product description |
May 4, 2010 |
| A system is provided in which a sale price is determined based on a product description, and the sale price is transmitted to a customer. The customer is not guaranteed what specific product will be sold to the customer before an agreement to purchase a product for the sale price is |
| 7704139 |
Systems and methods wherein a lottery number combination is associated with a limited number of |
April 27, 2010 |
| Systems and methods are provided to facilitate lottery ticket transactions. A request to purchase a lottery ticket is received, the lottery ticket being associated with a lottery number combination, such as a limited number of lottery tickets or a limited number of players. An indica |
| 7690980 |
Systems and methods wherein a lottery number combination is associated with a limited number of |
April 6, 2010 |
| Systems and methods are provided to facilitate lottery ticket transactions. A request to purchase a lottery ticket is received, the lottery ticket being associated with a lottery number combination, such as a limited number of lottery tickets or a limited number of players. An indica |
| 7682240 |
Systems and methods wherein a lottery number combination is associated with a limited number of |
March 23, 2010 |
| Systems and methods are provided to facilitate lottery ticket transactions. A request to purchase a lottery ticket is received, the lottery ticket being associated with a lottery number combination, such as a limited number of lottery tickets or a limited number of players. An indica |
| 7451892 |
Vending machine system and method for encouraging the purchase of profitable items |
November 18, 2008 |
| This invention relates generally to systems and methods for delivering products-on-demand to individuals and, more particularly, to delivery via vending machines. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the method of the instant invention is initiated when a customer makes an initial |
| 7376580 |
Method and apparatus for providing a benefit during a transaction for use during a later transac |
May 20, 2008 |
| A method and apparatus for allowing a customer to purchase or otherwise receive a benefit during a first transaction that will be redeemed by the customer or provided to the customer at a later time or during a future transaction for the purchase, rental, lease, etc. of one or more produ |
| 7249050 |
Vending machine system and method for encouraging the purchase of profitable items |
July 24, 2007 |
| This invention relates generally to systems and methods for delivering products-on-demand to individuals and, more particularly, to delivery via vending machines. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the method of the instant invention is initiated when a customer makes an initial |
| 7006983 |
Method and system for processing a rebate |
February 28, 2006 |
| A point of sale (POS) rebate method and system allows a consumer purchasing a product having an associated manufacturer's mail-in rebate to redeem the rebate at the POS. Products that have associated manufacturer rebates are recognized when the products are purchased, e.g., based on |
| 6970837 |
Methods and apparatus wherein a buyer arranges to purchase a first product using a communication |
November 29, 2005 |
| Purchasing system methods and apparatus are provided wherein a buyer purchases a first product through a purchasing system, such as by submitting a buyer offer. A retailer receives product redemption information from a buyer, the product redemption information enabling the buyer to t |
| 6839683 |
Systems and methods using a representation of a stored benefit to facilitate a transaction |
January 4, 2005 |
| Systems and methods are provided using a stored benefit to facilitate a transaction in which a buyer offers to purchase a product. According to one embodiment, offer information, including an offer amount, is received from a buyer. The offer information may be received, for example, via |
| 6634550 |
Game presentation in a retail establishment |
October 21, 2003 |
| A game presentation such as a virtual slot machine is displayed by a display device associated with a point of sale (POS) terminal. The game presentation includes images of products for which product identifying codes are entered at the POS terminal. The game presentation indicates to |
| 6443843 |
System to provide game play for products |
September 3, 2002 |
| 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 cr |
| 6341268 |
System and method providing a restaurant menu dynamically generated based on revenue management |
January 22, 2002 |
| A price associated with a menu item is automatically determined based at least partly on revenue management information. A request for a menu is received and a menu, including the automatically determined price, is generated in response to the request. |
