Advertising and shopping contest

Abstract

An advertising and shopping contest whereby a contestant ( 1 ) enters a valid designated character string from an advertisement ( 10 ) and a valid designated character string from a sales transaction record ( 20 ) into a preset algorithm ( 40 ). The preset algorithm ( 40 ) processes the information supplied by the contestant ( 1 ) and derives a new character string ( 50 ). If the new character string ( 50 ) matches ( 80 ) the pre-selected winning character string ( 60 ), the contestant ( 1 ) is deemed a winner ( 100 ), otherwise the contestant is not a winner ( 90 ). However, in order to receive a reward, it will be necessary to authenticate the character strings ( 110 ) the winner ( 100 ) entered, as being genuine ( 110 ), to prevent fraud. If they are genuine ( 120 ), then a reward is granted ( 130 ). If said character strings are not genuine, the contestant is not a winner ( 90 ).

1 . A method of determining a winner of a contest, comprising of: 
 (a) a predetermined winning character string,    (b) a designated character string found in a sales transaction record,    (c) a designated character string found in an advertisement,    (d) providing a means of controllably generating a new character string by using said designated character string found in said sales transaction record and said designated character string found in said advertisement,    whereby a contestant will be deemed a winner if said new character string controllably generated for him/her matches said predetermined winning character string.    
   
   
       2 . The designated character string found in said sales transaction record in  claim 1 , may be substituted by a designated character string found in an item of commerce.  
   
   
       3 . The designated character string found in said sales transaction record in  claim 1  and the designated character string found in said advertisement in  claim 1  and the designated character string found in an item of commerce in  claim 2 , may not be usable in the contest after a specified set time period after first being issued or released for use.  
   
   
       4 . The designated character string found in said sales transaction record in  claim 1  or the designated character string found in an item of commerce in  claim 2  and the designated character string found in said advertisement in  claim 1  must be authenticated as genuine before a contest winner can receive a reward.  
   
   
       5 . The use of designated character strings contained in sales transaction records as a means of winning a contest.  
   
   
       6 . The use of designated character strings contained in advertisements as a means of winning a contest.