US2006229944A1PendingUtilityA1

Method and apparatus for conducting or facilitating a promotion

Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Feb 18, 2000Filed: Jun 19, 2006Published: Oct 12, 2006

Est. expiryFeb 18, 2020(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority

Inventors:Jay S. Walker Geoffrey M. Gelman James A. Jorasch Peter Kim Timothy A. Palmer Keith Bemer Andrew P. Golden Scott B. Allison

A63F 13/49G07F 17/3244G07F 17/323G07F 17/3206G07F 17/3241G06Q 30/0209G06Q 30/0242G06Q 30/02G06Q 30/0248G06Q 30/0211G06Q 30/0213G06Q 30/0207G06Q 30/0241G06Q 30/0235G06Q 30/0225A63F 13/50

PatentIndex Score

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References

Claims

Abstract

A method and apparatus for conducting a promotion and for distributing promotions to potential users provide a merchant or promotion organizer flexibility in the way they conduct the promotion as well as an ability to change one or more aspects of the promotion during the operation of the promotion. One or more outcomes are generated by a controller and provided to a user. In addition, one or more codes which allow the outcomes to be revealed or unlocked are generated by the controller and provided to an intermediary. In exchange for completing or satisfying a qualifying action or criteria, the user may receive a code from the intermediary. The user can then unlock an outcome to reveal a prize, benefit, symbol, value, etc., associated with the unlocked outcome. The user may provide a redemption request to either the controller or the intermediary based on the unlocked outcome to receive a benefit or prize associated with the unlocked outcome.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified

1 . A method for conducting a promotion, comprising:
generating an outcome; generating an unlock code capable of unlocking said outcome; providing an indication of said outcome; providing an indication of said unlock code; and providing an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a redemption request associated with said outcome.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein said redemption request is received from at least one of a user, user device, intermediary, or intermediary device.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
associating a qualifying action to said unlock code.

5 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising:
associating an expiration date with said qualifying action.

6 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising:
providing an indication of said qualifying action.

7 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising:
verifying a completion of said qualifying action.

8 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising:
receiving an indication of a completion of said qualifying action.

9 . The method of claim 4 , wherein said providing an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome is completed only after said qualifying action is completed.

10 . The method of claim 4 , wherein said unlock code can be provided to a user only after said user has completed said qualifying action.

11 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
associating a qualifying action with said benefit.

12 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
associating a qualifying action to said outcome.

13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
associating an expiration date with said qualifying action.

14 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
invalidating said qualifying action.

15 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
providing an indication of said qualifying action.

16 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
verifying a completion of said qualifying action.

17 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
receiving an indication of a completion of said qualifying action.

18 . The method of claim 12 , wherein said providing an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome is completed only after said qualifying action is completed.

19 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the following:
receiving an indication of a completion of a qualifying action associated with said unlock code; and receiving an indication of a completion of a qualifying action associated with said outcome.

20 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the following:
verifying a completion of a qualifying action associated with said unlock code; and verifying a completion of a qualifying action associated with said outcome.

21 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the following:
determining at least one intermediary device to which to provide said indication of said unlock code; and determining at least one intermediary device to which to provide said indication of said outcome.

22 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the following:
determining at least one intermediary to which to provide said indication of said unlock code; and determining at least one intermediary to which to provide said indication of said outcome.

23 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the following:
determining at least one user to whom to provide said indication of said outcome; and determining at least one user to whom to provide said indication of said unlock code.

24 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the following:
determining at least one user device to which to provide said indication of said outcome; and determining at least one user device to which to provide said indication of said unlock code.

25 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the following:
determining how many outcomes to provide to a user; and determining how many unlock codes to provide to a user.

26 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the following:
determining how many outcomes to provide to a user device; and determining how many unlock codes to provide to a user device.

27 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the following:
determining how many out comes to provide to an intermediary; and determining how many unlock codes to provide to an intermediary.

28 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the following:
determining how many outcomes to provide to an intermediary device; and determining how many unlock codes to provide to an intermediary device.

29 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the following:
receiving an indication of a behavior of a recipient of said indication of said outcome; characterizing a behavior of a recipient of said indication of said outcome; and comparing a behavior of a recipient of said indication of said outcome to a qualifying action indicated to said recipient.

30 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the following:
determining an expected value of said outcome; and determining a frequency distribution associated with said outcome.

31 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the following:
providing an indication of an expected value of said outcome; and providing an indication of a frequency distribution associated with said outcome.

32 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the following:
receiving an indication of an unlocking of said outcome; and receiving an indication of a selection of said outcome for unlocking.

33 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
associating said outcome with a benefit.

34 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the following:
populating an outcome database; maintaining an outcome database; updating an outcome database; accessing an outcome database; populating a transaction database; maintaining a transaction database; updating a transaction database; accessing a transaction database; populating a user database; maintaining a user database; updating a user database; accessing a user database; populating an intermediary database; maintaining an intermediary database; updating an intermediary database; and accessing an intermediary database.

35 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the following:
providing associated information with said outcome; determining a condition for display of information associated with said outcome; and providing an indication of an expected value of said outcome.

36 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the following:
receiving payment for said indication of said unlock code; and receiving payment for said indication of said outcome.

37 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
verifying a proper unlocking of said outcome.

38 . The method of claim 1 , further wherein said outcome is associated with at least one of a symbol, value, identifier, benefit or prize.

39 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said outcome is locked.

40 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said outcome can only be unlocked by said unlock code.

41 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said outcome can only be unlocked by said unlock code for a predetermined period of time.

42 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said outcome can be unlocked by only one unlock code.

43 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said outcome can be unlocked by at least two unlock codes.

44 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said unlock code can unlock only one outcome.

45 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said unlock code can unlock at least two outcomes.

46 . The method of claim 38 , wherein after being used to unlock a first outcome, said unlock code cannot be used to unlock any more outcomes.

47 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said unlock code is reusable.

48 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said providing said indication of said outcome comprises:
providing said indication of said outcome to at least one user.

49 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said providing said indication of said outcome comprises:
providing said indication of said outcome to at least one user device.

50 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said providing said indication of said outcome comprises:
providing said indication of said outcome to at least one intermediary.

51 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said providing said indication of said outcome comprises:
providing said indication of said outcome to at least one intermediary device.

52 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said providing said indication of said unlock code comprises:
providing said indication of said unlock code to at least one intermediary.

53 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said providing said indication of said unlock code comprises:
providing said indication of said unlock code to at least one intermediary device.

54 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said providing said indication of said unlock code comprises:
providing said indication of said unlock code to at least one user.

55 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said providing said indication of said unlock code comprises:
providing said indication of said unlock code to at least one user device.

56 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said outcome has an associated expiration date.

57 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said unlock code has an associated expiration date.

58 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said benefit has an associated expiration date.

59 . The method of claim 1 , wherein providing said indication of said outcome includes providing said indication of said outcome to a plurality of users.

60 . The method of claim 59 , wherein said benefit varies in relation to how many of said plurality of users unlock said outcome.

61 . The method of claim 59 , wherein said benefit varies in relation to how many of said plurality of users provide a redemption request associated with said outcome.

62 . The method of claim 59 , wherein said benefit varies in relation to how many of said plurality of users complete a qualifying action associated with said outcome.

63 . The method of claim 59 , wherein said benefit varies in relation to how many of said plurality of users complete a qualifying action associated with said unlock code.

64 . The method of claim 1 , wherein providing said indication of said unlock code includes providing said indication of said unlock code to a plurality of users.

65 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the following:
associating biometric information with said outcome; associating biometric information with said unlock code; and associating biometric information with said benefit.

66 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
associating said unlock code with a user device.

67 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
associating said outcome with a user device.

68 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving biometric information associated with a user.

69 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining a user device identifier.

70 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
associating said outcome with a user device identifier.

71 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
associating said unlock code with a user device identifier.

72 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
associating said benefit with a user device identifier.

73 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a user identifier.

74 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said providing an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome occurs before said providing an indication of said unlock code.

75 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said providing said indication of a benefit associated with said outcome occurs before said providing said indication of said unlock code.

76 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said providing said indication of a benefit associated with said outcome occurs before said generating an outcome.

77 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said providing said indication of a benefit associated with said outcome occurs before said generating an unlock code.

78 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said generating an outcome includes selecting an outcome from a plurality of predetermined outcomes.

79 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said generating an outcome includes identifying a predetermined outcome.

80 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said generating an outcome includes receiving an indication of a designated outcome to use.

81 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said generating an unlock code includes selecting an unlock code from a plurality of predetermined unlock codes.

82 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said generating an unlock code includes identifying a predetermined unlock code.

83 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said generating an unlock code includes receiving an indication of a designated unlock code to use.

84 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
invalidating said outcome.

85 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
invalidating said unlock code.

86 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
invalidating said benefit.

87 . A method for conducting a promotion, implemented in a promotion control system, the method comprising:
providing data representative of an outcome, said outcome associated with at least one unlock code; providing data representative of said at least one unlock code; receiving data representative of a redemption request associated with said outcome; and providing data representative of a benefit associated with said outcome upon receiving said data representative of said redemption request.

88 . A method for conducting a promotion, comprising:
determining at least one outcome; determining at least one unlock code for at least one of said at least one outcome; sending at least one indication of one of said at least one outcome; sending an at least one indication of one of said at least one unlock code; receiving a redemption request associated with at least one of said at least one outcome; and sending at least one indication of at least one benefit associated with at least one of said at least one outcome.

89 . The method of claim 88 , wherein said unlock code has an associated qualifying action.

90 . The method of claim 88 , wherein said outcome has an associated qualifying action.

91 . A method for conducting a promotion, comprising:
providing at least one indication of an outcome; providing at least one indication of an unlock code capable of unlocking said outcome; providing at least one indication of at least one benefit associated with said at least one outcome after said outcome is unlocked.

92 . The method of claim 91 , further comprising:
receiving an indication that said outcome has been unlocked.

93 . The method of claim 91 , further comprising:
associating a qualifying action with said outcome.

94 . The method of claim 93 , further comprising:
receiving an indication of a completion of said qualifying action.

95 . The method of claim 91 , wherein said outcome has an associated qualifying action.

96 . The method of claim 91 further comprising:
associating a qualifying action with said unlock code.

97 . The method of claim 96 , further comprising:
receiving an indication of a completion of said qualifying action.

98 . The method of claim 91 , wherein said unlock code has an associated qualifying action.

99 . A method for conducting a promotion, comprising:
providing an indication of a promotion outcome to a user and an indication of an unlock code associated with said promotion outcome to an intermediary; receiving a redemption request associated with said promotion outcome; and providing an indication of a benefit associated with said promotion outcome.

100 . The method of claim 99 , further comprising:
identifying said promotion outcome.

101 . The method of claim 100 , further comprising:
identifying said unlock code associated with said promotion outcome.

102 . A method for conducting a promotion, comprising:
providing an indication of a promotion outcome to an intermediary and an indication of an unlock code associated with said promotion outcome to a user; receiving a redemption request associated with said promotion outcome; and providing an indication of a benefit associated with said promotion outcome.

103 . The method of claim 102 , further comprising:
identifying said promotion outcome.

104 . The method of claim 103 , further comprising:
identifying said unlock code associated with said promotion outcome.

105 . A method of participating in a promotion, comprising:
receiving an indication of an unlock code associated with at least one outcome; associating a qualifying action with said unlock code; providing an indication of said qualifying action; and providing an indication of said unlock code upon a completion of said qualifying action.

106 . The method of claim 105 , further comprising at least one of the following:
receiving an indication of a completion of said qualifying action; and verifying a completion of said qualifying action.

107 . The method of claim 105 , further comprising at least one of the following:
determining at least one user to whom to provide an indication of said qualifying action; and determining at least one user device to which to provide an indication of said unlock code.

108 . The method of claim 105 , further comprising:
determining how many unlock codes to provide to a user.

109 . The method of claim 105 , further comprising at least one of the following:
receiving an indication of a behavior of a recipient of said indication of said qualifying action; characterizing a behavior of a recipient of said indication of said qualifying action; and comparing a behavior of a recipient of said indication of said qualifying action to said qualifying action.

110 . The method of claim 105 , further comprising at least one of the following:
assigning an identifier to said unlock code; and recording a user associated with said indication of said qualifying action.

111 . The method of claim 105 , further comprising at least one of the following:
receiving an indication that an outcome has been unlocked; and receiving an indication of a selection of an outcome for unlocking.

112 . The method of claim 105 , further comprising at least one of the following:
providing associated information with said unlock code; providing associated information with said qualifying action; determining a condition for display of information associated with said outcome; and providing a payment for receipt of said unlock code.

113 . The method of claim 105 , further comprising:
receiving a redemption request.

114 . The method of claim 105 , further comprising:
providing a benefit associated with an unlocked outcome.

115 . The method of claim 105 , further comprising at least one of the following:
receiving reimbursement for a benefit; receiving payment for said indication of said qualifying action; and receiving payment for said indication of said unlock code.

116 . The method of claim 105 , further comprising:
verifying a proper unlocking of an outcome.

117 . The method of claim 105 , wherein said providing an indication of said qualifying action comprises at least one of the following:
sending said indication of said qualifying action to at least one user device; and providing said indication of said qualifying action to at least one user.

118 . The method of claim 105 , wherein said providing an indication of said unlock code comprises at least one of the following:
providing said indication of said unlock code to at least one user; and sending said indication of said unlock code to at least one user device.

119 . The method of claim 105 , wherein said indication of an unlock code is received from a controller.

120 . The method of claim 105 , further comprising:
associating an expiration date with at least one of said outcome, said unlock code, and said qualifying action.

121 . The method of claim 105 , further comprising:
invalidating at least one of said outcome, said unlock code, and said qualifying action.

122 . The method of claim 105 , further comprising:
modifying at least one of said outcome, said unlock code, and said qualifying action.

123 . A method of participating in a promotion, comprising:
receiving an indication of an outcome associated with at least one unlock code; associating a qualifying action with said outcome; providing an indication of said qualifying action; and providing an indication of said outcome upon a completion of said qualifying action.

124 . A method of participating in a promotion, comprising:
receiving an indication of an outcome, said outcome associated with at least one unlock code capable of unlocking said outcome; identifying a qualifying action for at least one of said at least one unlock code; distributing at least one indication of at said qualifying action; and distributing at least one indication of at least one of said at least one unlock code upon receiving an indication of a completion of said one qualifying action.

125 . A method of participating in a promotion, comprising:
receiving an indication of an outcome, said outcome associated with at least one unlock code capable of unlocking said outcome; identifying a qualifying action for said outcome; distributing at least one indication of at said qualifying action; and distributing at least one indication of at least one of said outcome upon receiving an indication of a completion of said one qualifying action.

126 . A method for participating in a promotion, comprising:
receiving an indication of an outcome; receiving an indication of a qualifying action associated with an unlock code that can unlock said outcome; receiving said unlock code; unlocking said outcome; and receiving an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.

127 . The method of claim 126 , further comprising:
providing an indication of a completion of said qualifying action.

128 . The method of claim 126 , further comprising:
providing a redemption request associated with said outcome.

129 . The method of claim 126 , further comprising:
providing information regarding behavior characteristics.

130 . The method of claim 126 , further comprising at least one of the following:
receiving information associated with said outcome; receiving information associated with said unlock code; receiving information associated with said qualifying action; and receiving information associated with said benefit.

131 . A method for participating in a promotion, comprising:
receiving an indication of an unlock code; receiving an indication of a qualifying action associated with an outcome that can be unlocked by said unlock code; receiving said outcome; unlocking said outcome; and receiving an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.

132 . The method of claim 131 , further comprising:
providing a redemption request associated with said outcome.

133 . The method of claim 131 , further comprising:
providing an indication of a completion of said qualifying action.

134 . A method for participating in a promotion, comprising:
receiving data representative of an unlock code; receiving data representative of a qualifying action associated with an outcome that can be unlocked by said unlock code; transmitting data representative of an indication of a completion of said qualifying action; receiving data representative of said outcome; unlocking said outcome; and receiving data representative of a benefit associated with said outcome.

135 . A method for participating in a promotion, comprising:
receiving data representative of an outcome; receiving data representative of a qualifying action associated with an unlock code that can unlock said outcome; transmitting data representative of an indication of a completion of said qualifying action; receiving data representative of said unlock code; unlocking said outcome; and receiving data representative of a benefit associated with said outcome.

136 . A method for participating in a promotion, comprising:
receiving an indication of at least one outcome; receiving an indication of at least one qualifying action, said at least one qualifying action associated with at least one unlock code; receiving at least one unlock code upon satisfying at least one of said at least one qualifying action; using at least one unlock code to unlock at least one of said at least one outcome; sending at least one redemption request upon unlocking of one at least one of said at least one outcome; and receiving a benefit associated with an unlocked outcome.

137 . A method for participating in a promotion, comprising:
receiving an indication of at least one outcome; receiving an indication of at least one qualifying action, each of said at least one qualifying action associated with at least one unlock code; receiving at least one unlock code upon satisfying at least one of said at least one qualifying actions; unlocking at least one of said at least one outcome; and receiving a benefit associated with an unlocked outcome.

138 . A method for participating in a promotion, comprising:
receiving an indication of at least one unlock code; receiving an indication of at least one qualifying action, said at least one qualifying action associated with at least one outcome; receiving at least one outcome upon satisfying at least one of said at least one qualifying actions; unlocking at least one of said at least one outcome; and receiving a benefit associated with an unlocked outcome.

139 . A system for conducting a promotion, comprising:
a memory; a communication port; and a processor connected to said memory and said communication port, said processor being operative to:
generate an outcome;
generate an unlock code associated with said outcome;
provide an indication of said outcome;
provide an indication of said unlock code; and
provide an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.

140 . A computer readable medium for use in a promotion system, the computer readable medium storing a computer program comprising:
computer readable means for producing an outcome; computer readable means for producing a reveal code associated with said outcome; computer readable means for sending an indication of said outcome; computer readable means for sending an indication of said reveal code; and computer readable means for sending an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.

141 . An article of manufacture, comprising:
a computer usable medium having a computer readable program means embodied therein for operating an information system, the computer readable program means in said article of manufacture operable to:
generate an outcome;
generate an unlock code associated with said outcome;
provide an indication of said outcome;
provide an indication of said unlock code; and
provide an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.

142 . An apparatus for conducting a promotion, comprising:
means for producing an outcome; means for producing a reveal code associated with said outcome; means for sending an indication of said outcome; means for sending an indication of said reveal code; and means for sending an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.

143 . A system for conducting a promotion, comprising:
a memory; a communication port; and a processor connected to said memory and said communication port, said processor being operative to:
provide data representative of an outcome, said outcome associated with at least one unlock code;
provide data representative of said at least one unlock code;
receive data representative of a redemption request associated with said outcome; and
provide data representative of a benefit associated with said outcome upon receiving said data representative of said redemption request.

144 . A computer readable medium for use in a promotion system, the computer readable medium storing a computer program comprising:
computer readable means for transmitting data representative of an outcome, said outcome associated with at least one reveal code; computer readable means for transmitting data representative of said at least one reveal code; computer readable means for obtaining data representative of a redemption request associated with said outcome; and computer readable means for transmitting data representative of a benefit associated with said outcome upon receiving said data representative of said redemption request.

145 . An article of manufacture, comprising:
a computer usable medium having a computer readable program means embodied therein for operating an information system, the computer readable program means in said article of manufacture operable to:
provide data representative of an outcome, said outcome associated with at least one unlock code;
provide data representative of said at least one unlock code;
receive data representative of a redemption request associated with said outcome; and
provide data representative of a benefit associated with said outcome upon receiving said data representative of said redemption request.

146 . An apparatus for conducting a promotion, comprising:
means for transmitting data representative of an outcome, said outcome associated with at least one reveal code; means for transmitting data representative of said at least one reveal code; means for obtaining data representative of a redemption request associated with said outcome; and means for transmitting data representative of a benefit associated with said outcome upon receiving said data representative of said redemption request.

147 . A system for conducting a promotion, comprising:
a memory; a communication port; and a processor connected to said memory and said communication port, said processor being operative to:
receive an indication of an unlock code associated with at least one outcome;
associate a qualifying action with said unlock code;
provide an indication of said qualifying action; and
provide an indication of said unlock code upon a completion of said qualifying action.

148 . A computer readable medium for use in a promotion system, the computer readable medium storing a computer program comprising:
computer readable means for obtaining an indication of an unlock code associated with at least one outcome; computer readable means for establishing a qualifying action for said unlock code; computer readable means for sending an indication of said qualifying action; and computer readable means for sending an indication of said unlock code upon a completion of said qualifying action.

149 . An article of manufacture, comprising:
a computer usable medium having a computer readable program means embodied therein for operating an information system, the computer readable program means in said article of manufacture operable to:
receive an indication of an unlock code associated with at least one outcome;
associate a qualifying action with said unlock code;
provide an indication of said qualifying action; and
provide an indication of said unlock code upon a completion of said qualifying action.

150 . An apparatus for conducting a promotion, comprising:
means for obtaining an indication of an unlock code associated with at least one outcome; means for establishing a qualifying action for said unlock code; means for sending an indication of said qualifying action; and means for sending an indication of said unlock code upon a completion of said qualifying action.

151 . A system for conducting a promotion, comprising:
a memory; a communication port; and a processor connected to said memory and said communication port, said processor being operative to:
receive an indication of an outcome associated with at least one unlock code;
associate a qualifying action with said outcome;
provide an indication of said qualifying action; and
provide an indication of said outcome upon a completion of said qualifying action.

152 . A computer readable medium for use in a promotion system, the computer readable medium storing a computer program comprising:
computer readable means for obtaining an indication of an outcome associated with at least one unlock code; computer readable means for establishing a qualifying action for said outcome; computer readable means for sending an indication of said qualifying action; and computer readable means for sending an indication of said outcome upon a completion of said qualifying action.

153 . An article of manufacture, comprising:
a computer usable medium having a computer readable program means embodied therein for operating an information system, the computer readable program means in said article of manufacture operable to:
receive an indication of an outcome associated with at least one unlock code;
associate a qualifying action with said outcome;
provide an indication of said qualifying action; and
provide an indication of said outcome upon a completion of said qualifying action.

154 . An apparatus for conducting a promotion, comprising:
means for obtaining an indication of an outcome associated with at least one unlock code; means for establishing a qualifying action for said outcome; means for sending an indication of said qualifying action; means for sending an indication of said outcome upon a completion of said qualifying action.

155 . A system for conducting a promotion, comprising:
a memory; a communication port; and a processor connected to said memory and said communication port, said processor being operative to:
receive an indication of an outcome;
receive an indication of a qualifying action associated with an unlock code that can unlock said outcome;
receive said unlock code;
unlock said outcome; and
receive an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.

156 . A computer readable medium for use in a promotion system, the computer readable medium storing a computer program comprising:
computer readable means for obtaining an indication of an outcome; computer readable means for obtaining an indication of a qualifying action associated with an unlock code that can unlock said outcome; computer readable means for obtaining said unlock code; computer readable means for revealing said outcome; and computer readable means for obtaining an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.

157 . An article of manufacture, comprising:
a computer usable medium having a computer readable program means embodied therein for operating an information system, the computer readable program means in said article of manufacture operable to:
receive an indication of an outcome;
receive an indication of a qualifying action associated with an unlock code that can unlock said outcome;
receive said unlock code;
unlock said outcome; and
receive an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.

158 . An apparatus for conducting a promotion, comprising:
means for obtaining an indication of an outcome; means for obtaining an indication of a qualifying action associated with an unlock code that can unlock said outcome; means for obtaining said unlock code; means for revealing said outcome; and means for receiving an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.

159 . A system for conducting a promotion, comprising:
a memory; a communication port; and a processor connected to said memory and said communication port, said processor being operative to:
receive an indication of an unlock code;
receive an indication of a qualifying action associated with an outcome that can be unlocked by said unlock code;
receive said outcome;
unlock said outcome; and
receive an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.

160 . A computer readable medium for use in a promotion system, the computer readable medium storing a computer program comprising:
computer readable means for obtaining an indication of an unlock code; computer readable means for obtaining an indication of a qualifying action associated with an outcome that can be unlocked by said unlock code; computer readable means for obtaining said outcome; computer readable means for revealing said outcome; and computer readable means for obtaining an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.

161 . An article of manufacture, comprising:
a computer usable medium having a computer readable program means embodied therein for operating an information system, the computer readable program means in said article of manufacture operable to:
receive an indication of an unlock code;
receive an indication of a qualifying action associated with an outcome that can be unlocked by said unlock code;
receive said outcome;
unlock said outcome; and
receive an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.

162 . An apparatus for conducting a promotion, comprising:
means for obtaining an indication of an unlock code; means for obtaining an indication of a qualifying action associated with an outcome that can be unlocked by said unlock code; means for obtaining said outcome; means for revealing said outcome; and means for obtaining an indication of a benefit associated with said outcome.

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