Fraud-proof internet ticketing system and method
First Claim
1. A system for issuing a ticket for admission to a venue, comprising:
- a) an Internet server capable of selling a ticket to a user, wherein the user can print the ticket directly from the Internet server;
b) an Internet connection between the user and the Internet server;
c) a venue computer system equipped to validate the ticket;
d) an Internet connection between the venue computer system and the Internet server.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An Internet-based, print-at-home, ticketing technology that allows customers to purchase tickets for an event date and show time, if applicable, print the tickets on standard paper using their own printer, and bypass the box office lines at the venue. Customers can proceed directly to the ticket-taker at the venue, present their tickets, and gain admission. The ticket is validated using fraud-proof ticketing software that scans the bar code or other electronic insignia on the printed ticket and ensures that the ticket can never be used twice, thereby preventing fraud through photocopying, double use, etc. For further security, continuous data synchronization with the Internet server guarantees that any attempts at forgery are immediately detected. Customers may also purchase concession stand items as part of their on-line transaction, a certificate for which is printed as part of the ticket. Once validated, this certificate can be exchanged at the concession stand for the appropriate items.
129 Citations
27 Claims
-
1. A system for issuing a ticket for admission to a venue, comprising:
-
a) an Internet server capable of selling a ticket to a user, wherein the user can print the ticket directly from the Internet server;
b) an Internet connection between the user and the Internet server;
c) a venue computer system equipped to validate the ticket;
d) an Internet connection between the venue computer system and the Internet server. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 27)
-
-
13. A method for issuing a ticket for admission to a venue, comprising:
-
a) accessing an Internet web browser;
b) communicating with an Internet-based server to select an event and time desired;
c) comparing a total number of tickets already sold to a threshold set by the venue;
d) collecting and processing payment information through a checkout process;
e) generating a ticket identification number;
f) coupling the ticket identification number with a venue identification number for the venue for which the user is purchasing a ticket, thereby generating a ticket key;
g) generating an image encoded with the ticket key;
h) converting the image to a format that can be displayed by HTML rendering engines; and
i) printing the ticket.
-
-
19. A system for notifying a venue that a bar coded Internet ticket has been sold, comprising:
-
a) a venue computer;
b) an Internet server that provides bar coded Internet tickets, the Internet server in communication with the venue computer;
wherein data that a ticket has been sold is transmitted between the Internet server and the venue computer.
-
-
24. A method for communicating information between a venue computer and a bar coded Internet ticket server, comprising:
-
a) transmitting data from the venue computer to the Internet server;
b) transmitting data from the Internet server to the venue computer;
wherein the data transmitted between the venue computer and the Internet server include information about new tickets sold, summaries of total tickets sold, tickets scanned, updates regarding available tickets, and/or changes to dates and times of events.
-
-
26. A method for providing access to a venue by transmitting a bar coded ticket for the venue from a ticket provider to a customer over a public communication interconnection comprising:
-
a) transmitting a bar coded ticket from the ticket provider to the customer over the interconnection upon the request of the customer;
b) printing the unique bar coded ticket into a format that can be presented to obtain access to the venue;
c) presenting the printed ticket to access the venue.
-
Specification