System and method employing capacity/demand management in prepared food service industry

• US 20030083919A1
• Filed: 10/31/2001
• Published: 05/01/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Goalassist Corporation
• Original Assignee: Goalassist Corporation
• Inventors: Hammann, Jerald A.
• Application Number:
  US09/999,378
• Publication Number:
  US 20030083919A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/8
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06315 Needs-based resource requirements planning or analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions

Abstract

A computer-based method and system for capacity/demand management in restaurant and other prepared-food service industries accepts transaction parameter values for composite resources. At least a portion of the transaction parameter values for at least one composite resource are communicated to at least one potential user of the composite resource. The transaction parameter values for composite resources can be determined using at least one yield-management method and/or by at least one resource network manager.

Claims

1. A computer-based method for capacity/demand management in restaurant and other prepared-food service industries, comprising:

accepting transaction parameter values for composite resources; and

communicating at least a portion of the transaction parameter values for at least one composite resource to at least one potential user of the composite resource.

2. The method of claim 1:

wherein transaction parameter values for composite resources are determined using at least one yield-management method.

3. The method of claim 1:

wherein transaction parameter values for composite resources are determined by at least one resource network manager.

4. The method of claim 1:

wherein the communication of at least a portion of the transaction parameter values for at least one composite resource to at least one potential user of the composite resource employs a transaction invitation management method.

5. The method of claim 1:

wherein the communication of at least a portion of the transaction parameter values for at least one composite resource to at least one potential user of the composite resource employs a list bid price management method.

6. A computer based system for capacity/demand management in restaurant and other prepared-food service industries, comprising:

means for accepting transaction parameter values for composite resources; and

means for communicating at least a portion of the transaction parameter values for at least one composite resource to at least one user.

7. The system of claim 6:

wherein transaction parameter values for composite resources are determined using at least one yield-management method.

8. The system of claim 6:

wherein transaction parameter values for composite resources are determined by at least one resource network manager.

9. The system of claim 6:

wherein the communication of at least a portion of the transaction parameter values for at least one composite resource to at least one potential user of the composite resource employs a transaction invitation management method.

10. The system of claim 6:

wherein the communication of at least a portion of the transaction parameter values for at least one composite resource to at least one potential user of the composite resource employs a list bid price management method.

11. A capacity/demand management system comprising:

a storage device storing a program; and

a processor connected to the storage device and controlled by the program, the processor operative with the program to accept transaction parameter values for composite resources in prepared-food service industries, and to communicate at least a portion of the transaction parameter values for at least one composite resource to at least one user.

12. The system of claim 11:

wherein transaction parameter values for composite resources are determined using at least one yield-management method.

13. The system of claim 11:

wherein transaction parameter values for composite resources are determined by at least one resource network manager.

14. The system of claim 11:

wherein the communication of at least a portion of the transaction parameter values for at least one composite resource to at least one potential user of the composite resource employs a transaction invitation management method.

15. The system of claim 11:

wherein the communication of at least a portion of the transaction parameter values for at least one composite resource to at least one potential user of the composite resource employs a list bid price management method.

16. A computer-readable medium containing program instructions for controlling a computer to perform a method comprising:

accepting transaction parameter values related to individual resources and associated composite resources, wherein the associated composite resources each include a collection of at least two of the individual resources, and wherein the composite resources are in prepared-food service industries;

storing the data related to the individual resources and the associated composite resources; and

constructing internal data structures which link each of the individual resources to their associated composite resources and link each of the composite resources to their associated individual resources.

17. The medium of claim 16:

wherein transaction parameter values for composite resources are determined using at least one yield-management method.

18. The medium of claim 16:

wherein transaction parameter values for composite resources are determined by at least one resource network manager.

19. The medium of claim 16:

wherein the communication of at least a portion of the transaction parameter values for at least one composite resource to at least one potential user of the composite resource employs a transaction invitation management method.

20. The medium of claim 16:

wherein the communication of at least a portion of the transaction parameter values for at least one composite resource to at least one potential user of the composite resource employs a list bid price management method.

21. A computer-based method for producing composite resource transactions, the method comprising:

accepting transaction parameter values for composite resources in prepared-food service industries;

communicating at least a portion of the transaction parameter values for at least one composite resource to at least one potential user; and

receiving a responding communication from at least one user binding at least one composite resource with specified transaction parameter values.

22. The method of claim 21:

wherein transaction parameter values for composite resources are determined using at least one yield-management method.

23. The method of claim 21:

wherein transaction parameter values for composite resources are determined by at least one resource network manager.

24. The method of claim 21:

wherein the communication of at least a portion of the transaction parameter values for at least one composite resource to at least one potential user of the composite resource employs a transaction invitation management method.

25. The method of claim 21:

wherein the communication of at least a portion of the transaction parameter values for at least one composite resource to at least one potential user of the composite resource employs a list bid price management method.

26. A computer-based method for transaction invitation management, comprising:

accepting a list array of at least one potential concurrent user of a selected non-computer composite resource;

communicating to a list array of at least one potential concurrent user of at least one selected composite resource, an invitation to participate in the use of at least one selected composite resource; and

accepting a responding communication from any accepting concurrent users reserving at least one composite resource.

27. The method of claim 26:

wherein at least one selected non-computer composite resource is employed in prepared food industries.

28. A computer based system for transaction invitation management, comprising:

means for accepting a list array of at least one potential concurrent user of a selected non-computer composite resource;

means for communicating to a list array of at least one potential concurrent user of a selected composite resource, an invitation to participate in the use of at least one selected composite resource; and

means for accepting a responding communication from any accepting concurrent users reserving at least one composite resource.

29. The system of claim 28:

wherein at least one selected non-computer composite resource is employed in prepared food industries.

30. A capacity/demand management system comprising:

a storage device storing a program; and

a processor connected to the storage device and controlled by the program, the processor operative with the program to accept a list array of at least one potential concurrent user of at least one selected non-computer composite resource, to communicate to a list array of at least one potential concurrent user of a selected composite resource specified by the user, an invitation to participate in the use of at least one selected composite resource and to accept a responding communication from any accepting concurrent users reserving at least one composite resource.

31. The system of claim 30:

wherein at least one selected non-computer composite resource is employed in prepared food industries.

32. A computer-readable medium containing program instructions for controlling a computer to perform a method comprising:

accepting data related to individual resources and associated non-computer composite resources, wherein the associated composite resources each include a collection of at least two of the individual resources;

storing the data related to the individual resources and the associated composite resources;

constructing internal data structures which link each of the individual resources to their associated composite resources and link each of the composite resources to their associated individual resources;

accepting a list array of at least one potential concurrent user of at least one selected composite resource;

communicating to a list array of at least one potential concurrent user of a selected composite resource, an invitation to participate in the use of at least one composite resource;

accepting a responding communication from any accepting concurrent users reserving at least one composite resource; and

storing any accepting concurrent user reservations using the internal data structures for at least one composite resource.

33. The medium of claim 32:

wherein at least one selected non-computer composite resource is employed in prepared food industries.

34. A computer-based method for producing composite resource transactions, the method comprising:

accepting a list array of potential concurrent users of at least one selected non-computer composite resource;

communicating to a list array of at least one potential concurrent user of at least one composite resource, an invitation to participate in the use of at least one composite resource; and

accepting a responding communication from any accepting concurrent users binding at least one composite resource.

35. The method of claim 34:

wherein at least one selected non-computer composite resource is employed in prepared food industries.

36. A computer-based method for list bid price management, comprising:

storing transaction parameter values for composite resources;

accepting at least one list bid price for the stored transaction parameter values of at least one composite resource or transaction parameter value type;

accepting transaction parameter values or value ranges from a prospective user of the composite resources comprised of the stored transaction parameter values;

determining which stored transaction parameter values for composite resources have reservable quantities which most closely match the accepted user transaction parameter values or value ranges;

placing in a list array transaction parameter values for reservable composite resources most closely matching the prospective user'"'"'s transaction parameter values or value ranges;

ordering reservable composite resources within the list array based on an algorithm which assigns the first list position to the composite resource with associated stored transaction parameter values possessing the highest list bid price, with subsequent positions on the list being assigned to subsequent highest list bid prices exclusive of already-positioned composite resources and their associated stored transaction parameter values; and

determining a list acceptance price for at least one selected composite resource with associated stored transaction parameter values within the list array.

37. The method of claim 36:

wherein at least one selected composite resource is employed in prepared food industries.

38. A computer based system for list bid price management, comprising:

means for storing transaction parameter values for composite resources;

means for accepting at least one list bid price for the stored transaction parameter values of at least one composite resource or transaction parameter value type;

means for accepting transaction parameter values or value ranges from a prospective user of the composite resources comprised of the stored transaction parameter values;

means for determining which stored transaction parameter values for composite resources have reservable quantities which most closely match the accepted user transaction parameter values or value ranges;

means for placing in a list array transaction parameter values for reservable composite resources most closely matching the prospective user'"'"'s transaction parameter values or value ranges;

means for ordering reservable composite resources within the list array based on an algorithm which assigns the first list position to the composite resource with associated stored transaction parameter values possessing the highest list bid price, with subsequent positions on the list being assigned to subsequent highest list bid prices exclusive of already-positioned composite resources and their associated stored transaction parameter values; and

means for determining a list acceptance price for at least one selected composite resource with associated stored transaction parameter values within the list array.

39. The system of claim 38:

wherein at least one selected composite resource is employed in prepared food industries.

40. A capacity/demand management system comprising:

a storage device storing a program; and

a processor connected to the storage device and controlled by the program, the processor operative with the program to store transaction parameter values for composite resources, to accept at least one list bid price for the stored transaction parameter values of at least one composite resource or transaction parameter value type, to accept transaction parameter values or value ranges from a prospective user of the composite resources comprised of the stored transaction parameter values, to determine which stored transaction parameter values for composite resources have reservable quantities which most closely match the accepted user transaction parameter values or value ranges, to place in a list array transaction parameter values for reservable composite resources most closely matching the prospective user'"'"'s transaction parameter values or value ranges, to order reservable composite resources within the list array based on an algorithm which assigns the first list position to the composite resource with associated stored transaction parameter values possessing the highest list bid price, with subsequent positions on the list being assigned to subsequent highest list bid prices exclusive of already-positioned composite resources and their associated stored transaction parameter values, to determine a list acceptance price for at least one selected composite resource with associated stored transaction parameter values within the list array.

41. The system of claim 40:

wherein at least one selected composite resource is employed in prepared food industries.

42. A computer-readable medium containing program instructions for controlling a computer to perform a method comprising:

storing transaction parameter values for composite resources;

accepting at least one list bid price for the stored transaction parameter values of at least one composite resource or transaction parameter value type;

accepting transaction parameter values or value ranges from a prospective user of the composite resources comprised of the stored transaction parameter values;

determining which stored transaction parameter values for composite resources have reservable quantities which most closely match the accepted user transaction parameter values or value ranges;

placing in a list array transaction parameter values for reservable composite resources most closely matching the prospective user'"'"'s transaction parameter values or value ranges;

ordering reservable composite resources within the list array based on an algorithm which assigns the first list position to the composite resource with associated stored transaction parameter values possessing the highest list bid price, with subsequent positions on the list being assigned to subsequent highest list bid prices exclusive of already-positioned composite resources and their associated stored transaction parameter values; and

determining a list acceptance price for at least one selected composite resource with associated stored transaction parameter values within the list array.

43. The medium of claim 42:

wherein at least one selected composite resource is employed in prepared food industries.

44. A computer-based method for producing composite resource transactions, the method comprising:

storing transaction parameter values for composite resources;

accepting at least one list bid price for the stored transaction parameter values of at least one composite resource or transaction parameter value type;

accepting transaction parameter values or value ranges from a prospective user of the composite resources comprised of the stored transaction parameter values;

determining which stored transaction parameter values for composite resources have reservable quantities which most closely match the accepted user transaction parameter values or value ranges;

placing in a list array transaction parameter values for reservable composite resources most closely matching the prospective user'"'"'s transaction parameter values or value ranges;

ordering reservable composite resources within the list array based on an algorithm which assigns the first list position to the composite resource with associated stored transaction parameter values possessing the highest list bid price, with subsequent positions on the list being assigned to subsequent highest list bid prices exclusive of already-positioned composite resources and their associated stored transaction parameter values; and

determining a list acceptance price for at least one selected composite resource with associated stored transaction parameter values within the list array.

45. The method of claim 44:

wherein at least one selected composite resource is employed in prepared food industries.

46. A computer-based method for composite resource utilization, comprising:

accepting transaction parameter values for composite resources from a list array of concurrent users, the array including only one initiating user; and

associating each of the selected transaction parameter values to a concurrent user from the array of concurrent users.

47. The method for claim 46:

wherein the transaction price parameters for the composite resources utilized are remunerated by at least two users from the list array of concurrent users.

48. A computer-based system for composite resource utilization, comprising:

means for accepting transaction parameter values for composite resources from a list array of concurrent users, the array including only one initiating user; and

,

means for associating each of the selected transaction parameter values to a concurrent user from the array of concurrent users.

49. The system for claim 48:

wherein the transaction price parameters for the composite resources utilized are remunerated by at least two users from the list array of concurrent users.

50. A transaction split-order system comprising:

a storage device storing a program; and

a processor connected to the storage device and controlled by the program, the processor operative with the program to accept transaction parameter values for composite resources from a list array of concurrent users, the array including only one initiating user and to associate each of the selected transaction parameter values to a concurrent user from the array of concurrent users

51. The system for claim 50:

wherein the transaction price parameters for the composite resources utilized are remunerated by at least two users from the list array of concurrent users.

52. A computer-readable medium containing program instructions for controlling a computer to perform a method comprising:

accepting transaction parameter values for composite resources from a list array of concurrent users, the array including only one initiating user; and

associating each of the selected transaction parameter values to a concurrent user from the array of concurrent users.

53. The medium for claim 52:

wherein the transaction price parameters for the composite resources utilized are remunerated by at least two users from the list array of concurrent users.

54. A computer-based method for producing composite resource transactions, the method comprising:

accepting transaction parameter values for composite resources from a list array of concurrent users, the array including only one initiating user; and

,

associating each of the selected transaction parameter values to a concurrent user from the array of concurrent users.

55. The method for claim 54:

wherein the transaction price parameters for the composite resources utilized are remunerated by at least two users from the list array of concurrent users.

56. A computer-based method for displaying composite resources, comprising:

accepting transaction parameter value types for at least one composite resource;

constructing at least one array of at least two composite resources possessing at least one identical transaction parameter value type;

generating at least one array label for each constructed array; and

displaying at least one generated array label to potential users of at least one composite resource.

57. A computer-based system for displaying composite resources, comprising:

means for accepting transaction parameter value types for at least one composite resource;

means for constructing at least one array of at least two composite resources possessing at least one identical transaction parameter value type;

means for generating at least one array label for each constructed array; and

means for displaying at least one generated array label to potential users of at least one composite resource.

58. A composite resource list label generation system comprising:

a storage device storing a program; and

a processor connected to the storage device and controlled by the program, the processor operative with the program to accept transaction parameter value types for at least one composite resource, to construct at least one array of at least two composite resources possessing at least one identical transaction parameter value type, to generate at least one array label for each constructed array and to display at least one generated array label to potential users of at least one composite resource.

59. A computer-readable medium containing program instructions for controlling a computer to perform a method comprising:

accepting transaction parameter value types for at least one composite resource;

constructing at least one array of at least two composite resources possessing at least one identical transaction parameter value type;

generating at least one array label for each constructed array; and

displaying at least one generated array label to potential users of at least one composite resource.

60. A computer-based method for producing composite resource transactions, the method comprising:

accepting transaction parameter value types for at least one composite resource;

constructing at least one array of at least two composite resources possessing at least one identical transaction parameter value type;

generating at least one array label for each constructed array; and

displaying at least one generated array label to potential users of at least one composite resource.