Method and system for performing affinity transactions

• US 20100052858A1
• Filed: 09/04/2008
• Published: 03/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Original Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Inventors: Jacobson, Eric, Canora, David, Soto, Dan, Worrall, David, Rice, Kevin, Padgett, John, MacPhee, Jim, Schwalb, Andy
• Granted Patent: US 8,253,542 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 11/00 Arrangements, systems or apparatus for checking, e.g. the occurrence of a condition, not provided for elsewhere
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2011/02 related to amusement parks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Abstract

There is provided a physical token for use in a defined venue with a server having communication with the physical token. The physical token may comprise an identification data and a transmitter configured to transmit the identification data. The physical token is configured to transmit the identification data to the server to cause the server to initiate a sensory interaction with a user possessing the physical token. The sensory interaction may comprise a character in the defined venue interacting with the user possessing the physical token. The sensory interaction may also comprise a display screen in the defined venue displaying information to the user possessing the physical token. The sensory interaction may further comprise an audio speaker in the defined venue announcing information to the user possessing the physical token. The physical token may represent an affinity comprising an experience, entitlement, or characteristic of the user possessing the physical token.

Claims

1. A physical token for use in a defined venue with a server having communication with the physical token, the physical token comprising:

an identification data;

a transmitter configured to transmit the identification data;

wherein the physical token is configured to transmit the identification data to the server to cause the server to initiate a sensory interaction with a user possessing the physical token.

2. The physical token of claim 1, wherein the sensory interaction comprises a character in the defined venue interacting with the user possessing the physical token.

3. The physical token of claim 1, wherein the sensory interaction comprises a display screen in the defined venue displaying information to the user possessing the physical token.

4. The physical token of claim 1, wherein the sensory interaction comprises an audio speaker in the defined venue announcing information to the user possessing the physical token.

5. The physical token of claim 1, wherein the server is further configured to perform the sensory interaction utilizing a venue operator.

6. The physical token of claim 1, wherein the physical token represents an affinity comprising an experience, entitlement, accomplishment, or characteristic of the user possessing the physical token.

7. The physical token of claim 1, wherein the transmitter comprises an RFID device.

8. The physical token of claim 1, wherein the identification data comprises a unique serial number.

9. A method for use with a physical token for use in a defined venue with a server having communication with the physical token, the method comprising:

transmitting an identification data of the physical token to a transceiver;

communicating the identification data of the physical token from the transceiver to the server;

retrieving an affinity represented by the physical token; and

initiating a sensory interaction with a user possessing the physical token.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the sensory interaction comprises a character in the defined venue interacting with the user possessing the physical token.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the sensory interaction comprises a display screen in the defined venue displaying information to the user possessing the physical token.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the sensory interaction comprises an audio speaker in the defined venue announcing information to the user possessing the physical token.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the server is further configured to perform the sensory interaction utilizing a venue operator.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the physical token represents an affinity comprising an experience, entitlement, accomplishment, or characteristic of the user possessing the physical token.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the physical token comprises an RFID device.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the identification data comprises a unique serial number.

17. A method for use in a defined venue with a server having communication with a physical token and with a user possessing the physical token, the method comprising:

providing the physical token to the user at a first point of interest;

detecting presence of the physical token at a second point of interest;

receiving an identification data of the physical token by the server;

retrieving an affinity represented by the physical token; and

initiating a sensory interaction with the user possessing the physical token at the second point of interest.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the affinity comprises an experience, entitlement, accomplishment, or characteristic of the user possessing the physical token.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the physical token comprises an RFID device.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the identification data comprises a unique serial number.