METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR MONETIZING EMPTY SPACE INVENTORY AS EMPTY ADJACENT SPACE
First Claim
1. A method, comprising following expiration of a time period for guests to purchase assigned space for an event, determining whether or not any unsold space for the event exists, and, if so, offering the unsold space as empty adjacent space (EAS) for purchase by one or more guests holding assigned space for the event so as to guarantee that the EAS remains unoccupied during at least a portion of the event.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for facilitating the sale, lease, rental, or other monetization of unsold space inventory (e.g., seats, berths, cabins, rooms, etc.) to customers or passengers as guaranteed, empty adjacent space, after the passenger has already purchased a reservation and check-in has commenced. The empty adjacent space (EAS) may be sold as an upgrade when a guest checks-in at an event (e.g., an airline flight, theater performance, train trip, bus trip, hotel stay, day at the beach, parking space lease, etc.) or some time thereafter.
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Citations
18 Claims
- 1. A method, comprising following expiration of a time period for guests to purchase assigned space for an event, determining whether or not any unsold space for the event exists, and, if so, offering the unsold space as empty adjacent space (EAS) for purchase by one or more guests holding assigned space for the event so as to guarantee that the EAS remains unoccupied during at least a portion of the event.
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13. A system, comprising
means for determining, following expiration of a time period for guests to purchase assigned space for an event, whether or not any unsold space for the event exists, and means for offering the unsold space for purchase as empty adjacent space (EAS) by one or more guests holding assigned space for the event so as to guarantee that the EAS remains unoccupied during at least a portion of the event.
Specification