Methods and systems for dynamic determination of the number of tickets available for purchase
First Claim
1. A system for providing ticket information to a plurality of client computers via a network connection, comprising:
- (a) a database containing the ticket information for at least restricted tickets different from unrestricted tickets, wherein both the restricted tickets and the unrestricted tickets provide access to an event and wherein the restricted tickets carry a restriction not imposed on the unrestricted tickets, and wherein the ticket information comprises at least ticket availability information and ticket price information and wherein ticket availability information comprises a number of the restricted tickets available for purchase; and
(b) an event server configured to execute instructions for;
(i) accessing the ticket information in the database;
(ii) dynamically adjusting the number of the restricted tickets to make available for purchase in response to purchase orders received for both restricted tickets and unrestricted tickets, wherein the number of the restricted tickets available for purchase is adjusted without adjusting a price of the restricted tickets; and
(iii) sending responses to the plurality of client computers for the purchase orders for the restricted tickets received from the plurality of client computers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for determining the availability of a restricted class of tickets is provided. In one embodiment, an initial number of restricted tickets are made available for purchase. Purchase orders are received and processed by an event server. The event server is configured to assess the volume of sales and determine whether sales meet expectations. If expectations are not met, the server takes steps to change the availability of restricted tickets. Further, embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems for determining the optimal selling price and availability of restricted tickets based on revenue goals, supply/demand, event capacity, and other factors.
27 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A system for providing ticket information to a plurality of client computers via a network connection, comprising:
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(a) a database containing the ticket information for at least restricted tickets different from unrestricted tickets, wherein both the restricted tickets and the unrestricted tickets provide access to an event and wherein the restricted tickets carry a restriction not imposed on the unrestricted tickets, and wherein the ticket information comprises at least ticket availability information and ticket price information and wherein ticket availability information comprises a number of the restricted tickets available for purchase; and (b) an event server configured to execute instructions for; (i) accessing the ticket information in the database; (ii) dynamically adjusting the number of the restricted tickets to make available for purchase in response to purchase orders received for both restricted tickets and unrestricted tickets, wherein the number of the restricted tickets available for purchase is adjusted without adjusting a price of the restricted tickets; and (iii) sending responses to the plurality of client computers for the purchase orders for the restricted tickets received from the plurality of client computers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A computer-readable storage medium containing a program which, when executed by a processor, performs a method to determine availability of a restricted class of tickets for advance purchase to gain access to an event, the restricted class of tickets being different from an unrestricted class of tickets for the event, wherein holders of either class of tickets are permitted access to the event, the method comprising:
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processing advance purchase orders for the restricted class of tickets received from a plurality of client computers; assessing, after processing at least one of the purchase orders, whether a remaining number of the restricted class of tickets available for purchase meets a predetermined condition; and when the predetermined condition is not met, changing the remaining number of the restricted class of tickets available for advance purchase to an adjusted number without changing a price of the restricted class of tickets. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for operating a server computer connected to a plurality of client computers via a network, wherein the server computer is configured to determine advance purchase availability of at least a restricted class of tickets for an event accessible to holders of either of the restricted class of tickets and an unrestricted class of tickets, wherein the restricted class of tickets have at least one limitation not associated with the unrestricted class of tickets, the method comprising:
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determining an initial number of the restricted class of tickets to make available for advance purchase prior to the event taking place; receiving advance purchase orders for the restricted class of tickets from the plurality of client computers; assessing, after processing at least one purchase order, whether a number of remaining tickets of the restricted class of tickets meets predetermined conditions; and changing the initial number of the restricted class of tickets to an adjusted number without changing a price of the restricted class of tickets when the predetermined condition is not met. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification