US5007641A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gaming method
Assignee: Catalina Marketing Corp
•
Filing: 1989-09-20
•
Granted: 1991-04-16
•
Expires: 2009-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A promotional game wherein prizes are automatically awarded upon presentation of tokens bearing machine readable codes. The tokens may be identical to tokens bearing a common code, and the prizes may be awarded at random to patrons who present an appropriate token bearing this common code. Desirably, the prizes are awarded substantially immediately upon presentation of the tokens. The tokens may be product identification code symbols on packages of goods.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles B. Seidman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 16:55
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F7/00; G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; A63F3/00; A63F3/08; A63F3/081; G07C; G07C15/00; G07C15/005; A63F9/00; A63F9/24; A63F2009/2401; A63F2009/2411; A63F2009/2419; A63F2009/242; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S283/00; Y10S283/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A promotional gaming method comprising the steps of: (a) distributing tokens to patrons; (b) automatically reading a code on each of said tokens at a redemption location within an establishment upon presentation of said tokens by patrons and automatically comparing the code on each presented token with one or more predetermined winning codes; (c) awarding prizes to only some of the patrons who present tokens bearing said code matching said one or more predetermined winning codes; (d) said tokens including a multiplicity of tokens bearing a common machine readable code which common code matches said one or more predetermined winning codes, said step of awarding prizes including the step of randomly assigning prizes to patrons who present tokens bearing said common code, said step of randomly assigning said prizes being performed upon presentation of said tokens, said step of randomly assigning said prizes including the step of actuating a random selection process in response to presentation of a token bearing said common code.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A promotional gaming method comprising the steps of: (a) distributing tokens to patrons; (b) automatically reading a code on each of said tokens at a redemption location within an establishment upon presentation of said tokens by patrons and automatically comparing the code on each presented token with one or more predetermined winning codes; (c) awarding prizes to only some of the patrons who present tokens bearing said code matching said one or more predetermined winning codes; (d) said tokens including a multiplicity of tokens bearing a common machine readable code which common code matches said one or more predetermined winning codes, said step of awarding prizes including the step of randomly assigning prizes to patrons who present tokens bearing said common code, said step of randomly assigning said prizes being performed upon presentation of said tokens, said step of randomly assigning said prizes including the step of actuating a random selection process in response to presentation of a token bearing said common code.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of randomly assigning prizes is performed so as to award prizes of different values to different ones of the patrons who present a token bearing said common code.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tokens include a plurality of classes of tokens, each such class including a multiplicity of tokens bearing one of a plurality of common codes, the common code for at least one of said classes being different from the common code for other ones of said classes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein there are a plurality of winning codes such that each common code for each of said plural classes of tokens matches one of said winning codes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said tokens include tokens which are parts of packages of goods, said step of distributing said tokens including the step of selling said packages of goods to patrons.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said steps of automatically reading codes on said tokens and awarding prizes are performed concomitantly with the sale of the packages of goods to patrons.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said step of automatically reading said codes is performed by automatic data processing equipment and the same automatic data processing equipment is employed to complete sale transactions by which patrons purchase said packages go goods.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said codes on said tokens which are part of packages of goods are machine readable product identification codes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein each said token is a universal product code symbol.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein all of said tokens are parts of packages of goods.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein all of said packages of goods are substantially identical to one another.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of awarding prizes is performed substantially immediately upon presentation of the token.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of awarding prizes includes the step of awarding prizes only to those patrons who meet one or more predetermined additional qualifications.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said step of automatically reading said code and awarding said prizes is performed by data processing apparatus at said redemption location, the method further comprising the step of testing for said additional qualifications using said data processing apparatus.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said additional qualifications include presentation of data identifying the patron, the method further comprising the step of recording the identities of qualifying patrons.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said additional qualifications include time since last play by the same patron, the method further comprising the step of recording times of presentations by particular patrons.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of recording times of play by individual patrons.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least some of said tokens are unique tokens, each said unique token bearing an identifying indicia identifying a particular patron.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 18, further comprising the step of automatically recording times of presentation of a unique token assigned to a particular patron by automatically reading the identifying indicia thereon.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising the step of awarding items of value to particular patrons based on the frequency of presentation of that patron's token.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said step of distributing tokens to patrons includes the step of distributing said tokens to prospective patrons of said establishment at locations outside of the establishment.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-04-15 | 1994-10-15 | 1995-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-15 | 1998-10-15 | 1999-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-15 | 2002-10-15 | 2003-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |