System for automatic check-in and check-out for space occupancy

• US 7,364,069 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2005
• Issued: 04/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Douglas G. Chase
• Original Assignee: Douglas G. Chase
• Inventors: Chase, Douglas G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech; Karl D.
• Application Number:
  US11/168,942
• Publication Number:
  US 20050236477A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,037 Days
• Field of Search: 235/380, 235/384, 235/381, 235/375, 705/5, 715/700
• US Class Current: 235/380
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0237 at kiosk

Abstract

In one aspect of the invention, a novel method of purchasing commodities associated with a golf course at least includes: a) providing at least one kiosk under the dominion of a golf course operator; b) via the kiosk, providing to a prospective golfer, available tee times at the golf course; c) via the kiosk, allowing the prospective golfer to reserve one or more tee times; and d) at least partially via the kiosk, processing payment for the selected tee times. In another aspect of the invention, a novel method of purchasing commodities associate with a ski resort at least includes: a) providing at least one kiosk under the dominion of a ski resort operator; b) via the kiosk, providing to a prospective skier, ski lift information at the ski resort; c) via the kiosk, allowing the prospective skier to reserve one or more ski lift tickets; and d) at least partially via the kiosk, processing payment for the ski lift tickets.

Claims

1. A method of purchasing commodities associated with a golf course, said method comprising:

a) providing at least one kiosk under the dominion of a golf course operator;

b) via said kiosk, providing to a prospective golfer, available tee times at said golf course;

c) via said kiosk, allowing said prospective golfer to reserve one or more tee times;

d) at least partially via said kiosk, processing payment for the selected tee times;

e) providing a plurality of portable wireless communication devices to golfers playing a golf round on a golf course, said communication devices adapted to electronically record golf round scores and communicate said scores to a centralized database; and

f) communicating said golf round scores to a prospective golfer via a kiosk.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

f) allowing a prospective golfer to present credentials entitling said prospective golfer to more favorable financial treatment than otherwise; and

g) on account of element f), reducing the payment in element d).

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said credentials comprise membership in a club affiliated with said golf club.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said credentials comprise said prospective golfer having previously visited said golf course.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein said credentials comprise accumulating a threshold amount of points awarded for previous patronage.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein element d) is at least partially carried out via said prospective golfer submitting a credit card to said kiosk.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein element d) is at least partially carried out via said prospective golfer submitting currency to said kiosk.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

electronically networking kiosks from a plurality of golf courses;

providing tee times for the plurality of golf courses; and

allowing said prospective golfer to reserve a tee time associated with a golf course remote from the kiosk being used by said prospective golfer.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

via a communication device, notifying a prospective golfer of tee time cancellations or no-shows.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein pricing information is stored in a non-reprogrammable form.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable wireless communication devices are configured to inform prospective golfers that reserved tee times are drawing near.

12. A method of purchasing commodities associated with a ski resort, said method comprising:

a) providing at least one kiosk under the dominion of a ski resort operator;

b) via said kiosk, providing to a prospective skier, ski lift information at said ski resort;

c) via said kiosk, allowing said prospective skier to reserve one or more ski lift tickets; and

d) at least partially via said kiosk, processing payment for the ski lift tickets;

e) allowing a prospective skier to present credentials entitling said prospective skier to more favorable financial treatment than otherwise; and

f) on account of element e), reducing the payment in element d).

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said credentials comprise membership in a club affiliated with said ski resort.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said credentials comprise said prospective skier having previously visited said ski resort.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said credentials comprise accumulating a threshold amount of points awarded for previous patronage.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein element d) is at least partially carried out via said prospective skier submitting a credit card to said kiosk.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein clement d) is at least partially carried out via said prospective skier submitting currency to said kiosk.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

electronically networking kiosks from a plurality of ski resort;

providing access to ski lift information for a plurality of ski resort; and

allowing said prospective skier to reserve a ski lift ticket associated with a ski resort remote from the kiosk being used by said prospective skier.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing a plurality of portable wireless communication devices on the premises of said ski resort, said communication devices adapted to electronically record condition information regarding conditions at said ski resort and communication said condition information to a centralized database; and

communicating said condition information to a prospective skier via a kiosk.

20. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

via a communication device, notifying a prospective skier of ski lift user cancellations or no-shows.