SYSTEM FOR CONCURRENT OPTIMIZATION OF BUSINESS ECONOMICS AND CUSTOMER VALUE

• US 20120197697A1
• Filed: 03/22/2012
• Published: 08/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tenon & Groove LLC
• Original Assignee: Tenon & Groove LLC
• Inventors: Goel, Sachin
• Application Number:
  US13/426,779
• Publication Number:
  US 20120197697A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/025 Coordination of plural reservations, e.g. plural trip segments, transportation combined with accommodation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0244 Optimization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0617 Representative agent
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0631 Item recommendations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

A computer-implemented system and method to provide options on products to enhance customers'"'"' experience. A computer-implemented system is operated that delivers to a customer an option to utilize up to n of m selected products, where m and n are whole numbers and n is less than or equal to m. Information is recorded in a data store, pertaining to said option. In addition, a system is operated to define each of the n chosen products, whereby after each of the n chosen products is defined, the customer can utilize said chosen product. The information pertaining to said defined products is recorded in a data store.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented system to provide options on products, comprising:

a. a data processor being adapted to deliver at least one conditional option to at least one customer that provides benefits to the company and to the customer upon the occurrence of at least one predetermined option-related contingent events;

b. a data processor being adapted to receive inputs from the customer regarding said option; and

c. a data processor being adapted to monitor post-sale occurrence of said option-related events and to automatically fulfilling the conditions of any related said option upon noting the occurrence of such an event.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein at least two of said data processors are a same processor.

3. A computer-implemented method to provide options on products, comprising:

a. delivering at least one conditional option to at least one customer that provides benefits to the company and to the customer upon the occurrence of at least one predetermined option-related contingent events;

b. the company interacting with the customer to offer at least said option and obtain customer purchase decisions for said offered option; and

c. monitoring for post-sale occurrence of said option-related events and upon noting the occurrence of such an event, automatically fulfilling the conditions of any related option purchased by the customer.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein at least two of said data processors are a same processor.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein at least one value option framework is created by collecting data on customer preferences and then assigning prices based on company business factors.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the price of an option is assigned when the option is offered to the customer.

7. The method of claim 3 wherein offering the value options includes selectively offering value options after taking into account company business conditions.

8. The method of claim 3 wherein said option offers a customer multiple options from which to select for personalized in the event of a disruption.

9. The method of claim 3 wherein said options includes at least one practically constrained product.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said practically constrained product cannot be utilized fully.

11. The method of claim 3 wherein said option includes upgrading from at least one pre-existing product to at least one higher ranked product.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the customer'"'"'s selection of said higher ranked product confers upon the company a right to enforce a payment obligation on the customer if said higher ranked product becomes available for utilization.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the payment obligation is priced dynamically.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the payment obligation is determined by bidding from customers.

15. The method of claim 14 further including providing to the customer an opportunity to modify the price before a specified notification date.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein the customer'"'"'s selection of said higher ranked product requires the customer to indicate the price the customer is willing to pay for the utilization of said higher ranked product.

17. The method of claim 16 further including providing to the customer an opportunity to modify the price before a specified notification date

18. The method of claim 12 wherein said payment includes a payment made to the company at a time the company delivers said option.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein whole or part payment is not be refundable even if said higher ranked product is not available for utilization.

20. The method of claim 12 wherein the company may not exercise its right of enforcing the payment obligation upon the customer.

21. The method of claim 11 wherein said product is a flight and includes at least one lower ranked cabin and at least one higher ranked cabin, said company is an airline and said upgrade is an upgrade from a lower ranked cabin to a higher ranked cabin.