System and method for determining and/or transmitting and/or establishing communication with a mobile device user for providing, for example, concessions, tournaments, competitions, matching, reallocating, upgrading, selling tickets, other event admittance means, goods and/or services

• US 7,386,517 B1
• Filed: 12/14/2006
• Issued: 06/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fintegraph, LLC (Ascend Innovation Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Irah H. Donner
• Inventors: Donner, Irah H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elisca; Pierre E.
• Application Number:
  US11/639,077
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 705/75, 705/64, 705/72, 705/65, 705/14
• US Class Current: 705/75
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/367 involving electronic purses or money safes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3674 involving authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/401 Transaction verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4012 Verifying personal identification numbers [PIN]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0212 Chance discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0218 based on score
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0273 Determination of fees for advertising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement

Abstract

A method, system, server architecture and/or tangible medium determines and/or transmits and/or establishes communication with a mobile device user. The method includes, for example, receiving a communication from and/or transmitting a communication to, an event customer, and optionally updating a database to reflect the communication. The method also includes obtaining at least one mobile address, e.g., a telephone number and a communication network used thereon by the event user and building a data address therefrom to establish the communication with the event user. In one embodiment, the method does not require the event user to provide a bbnetwork address associated with the mobile contact address. Various optional embodiments are disclosed.

Claims

1. A computer implemented and automated method of dynamically at least one of allocating at least one of:

goods or services to a customer;

establishing communication with a mobile device user; and

providing entertainment to a customer via a data communication network, said data communication network optionally comprising a server, workstations operably connectable to said server, one or more databases operably connectable to said server and said workstations, said workstations optionally including a web browser interface facilitating communication with said server, a point of sale server operably connectable to the server, a point of sale system operably connectable to the point of sale server, and wireless devices operably connectable to said server, said wireless devices including at least one of a smart card, a personal digital assistant, a mobile telephones, and a mobile data device, said wireless device comprising at least one of a transmitter and receiver and a transceiver for receiving and transmitting signals, said method comprising the at least one of the sequential, non-sequential and sequence independent steps of;

automatically providing the at least one of allocating, upgrading, communicating and awarding to the customer, without human intervention, and permitting human intervention for the at least one of allocating, upgrading, communicating and awarding to the customer that cannot be processed automatically, and determining the at least one of allocating, upgrading, communicating and awarding to the customer using the computer implemented method;

at least one of receiving a communication from and transmitting the communication to the customer, the communication including a request to at least one of obtain admittance to at least one event, establish communication, and obtain at least one of goods and services, the communication optionally also including an identifier associated with an identification device;

optionally updating an account associated with said identifier to reflect the request;

at least one of accessing and verifying the account, when the account exists, optionally by utilizing the identifier associated with the identification device at a registration system to verify the request;

determining whether a profile exists associated with at least one of the request and the customer and when the profile exists, applying the profile of the at least one of the request and the customer to determine whether the determining the at least one of allocating, upgrading, communicating and awarding to the customer satisfies the profile;

when the profile is not satisfied when the profile exists, then the determining the at least one of allocating, upgrading, communicating and awarding to the customer satisfies the profile is implemented by the computer to determine another of the at least one of allocating, upgrading, communicating and awarding to the customer that may satisfy the profile associated with the at least one of the request and the customer;

at least one of admitting the customer to a venue optionally after verification of the request, entering the customer in a communication database, and entering the customer to obtain the at least one of goods and services;

at least one of determining an available allocation associated with the event, establishing communication with the customer, and notifying at least one of the customers that are at least one of currently attending the event and registered for at least one of allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding responsive to said determining the available allocation, and determining the at least one of the goods and services to be provisioned for the at least one customer;

receiving from at least one of the customers at least one of said at least one of;

allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding in accordance with predetermined criteria, said communication, and said at least one of goods and services communication;

determining at least one mobile contact address used by the user to establish said communication with the user;

transmitting a confirmation to the at least one wireless device confirming to the at least one customer the at least one of said at least one of;

allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding;

determining customers to be notified via the at least one wireless device, and notifying the customers responsive to customer profiles comprising at least one of communication, patron satisfaction communication, additional revenue, additional advertising, and advertising sponsorship for advertising on the wireless device;

receiving from the at least one wireless device to at least one of respond and accept the at least one of;

the communication and said at least one of;

allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding and optionally utilizing printed indicia responsive thereto;

at least one of storing and receiving from the customer information regarding the at least one of the communication and said at least one of;

allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding, and optionally utilizing at least one of new information and the information to obtain the at least one of;

the communication and said at least one of;

allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding;

transmitting a plurality of users of the wireless devices for additional communications including additional requests for at least one of additional movie tickets, additional sporting event tickets, additional concessions, additional services, additional offers, additional communications, additional entertainment services and additional merchandise;

optionally, when said communication is unsuccessful or potentially unsuccessful with the even user, transmitting another communication to at least another communication network using at least a portion of the at least one mobile contact address provided by the user and at least one network address in combination, and the user optionally confirming receipt of said another communication;

optionally billing the at least one of the customers in at least one of real-time or at a later time for at least one of said at least one of allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding and said at least one of goods and services in accordance with the second predetermined criteria; and

optionally receiving payment from the at least one of the customers responsive to said billing step.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said identification device comprises a memory medium for storing the identifier, and wherein said accessing step further comprises reading said identifier from said identification device with a reading device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the account is stored in at least one of the server, the identification device, and the point of sale server.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving demographic information from the customer.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating at least one of a physical receipt, a confirmation, and an electronic confirmation with at least one of the identification device and the point of sale server.

6. A computer implemented and automated method of dynamically providing at least one of goods and services to a customer via a data communication network, said data communication network optionally comprising a server, workstations operably connectable to said server, one or more databases operably connectable to said server and said workstations, said workstations optionally including a web browser interface facilitating communication with said server, a point of sale server operably connectable to the server, a point of sale system operably connectable to the point of sale server, and wireless devices operably connectable to said server, said wireless devices including at least one of a smart card, a personal digital assistant, a mobile telephones, and a mobile data device, said wireless device comprising at least one of a transmitter and receiver and a transceiver for receiving and transmitting signals, said method comprising the at least one of the sequential, non-sequential and sequence independent steps of:

automatically providing the at least one of allocating upgrading, communicating and awarding to the customer, without human intervention, and permitting human intervention for the at least one of allocating, upgrading, communicating and awarding to the customer that cannot be processed automatically, and determining the at least one of allocating, upgrading, communicating and awarding to the customer using the computer implemented method;

at least one of receiving a communication from and transmitting the communication to a customer, the communication including a request to obtain the at least one of goods and services, the communication optionally also including an identifier associated with an identification device;

optionally updating an account associated with said identifier to reflect the request;

at least one of accessing and verifying the account optionally by utilizing the identifier stored on the identification device at the point of sale system upon presentation of the identification device to verify the request;

entering the customer to participate in the obtaining of the at least one of the goods and services;

determining a communication for the at least one customer;

transmitting a confirmation to the at least one wireless device confirming to the at least one customer the at least one of said communication;

at least one of storing and receiving information regarding the at least one of the communication and said at least one of;

allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding, and optionally utilizing at least one of new information and the information to obtain the at least one of;

the communication and said at least one of;

allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding;

determining customers to be notified via the at least one wireless device, and notifying the customers responsive to customer profiles comprising at least one of communication, patron satisfaction communication, additional revenue, additional advertising, and advertising sponsorship for advertising on the wireless device;

optionally polling a plurality of users of the wireless devices for additional communications including additional requests for at least one of additional movie tickets, additional sporting event tickets, additional concessions, additional communications, additional services, additional offers, additional entertainment services and additional merchandise;

receiving from at least one of the customers said concessions communication;

optionally billing the at least one of the customers in at least one of real-time or at a later time for said at least one of goods and services in accordance with the second predetermined criteria; and

optionally receiving payment from the at least one of the customers responsive to said billing step.

7. A method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of requesting the customer to input location information.

8. A method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of obtaining location information from at least one of a venue database system, kiosk where the location information and a point of sales system is received from the customer.

9. A method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of targeting sections of the venue to provide at least one other service offering to the customers seated in various of the sections of the venue.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the sections that can be separately or substantially targeted include at least one of:

behind first base line;

behind home plate;

first base line;

lower deck;

upper deck;

bleachers;

in the venue;

outside the venue; and

a predetermined geographic location.

11. A method according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the sections that can be separately or substantially targeted are awarded at least one winner representative therefor.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein at least another of the sections that can be separately or substantially targeted are awarded at least another winner representative therefor, and the winner representative and the another winner representative compete against each other in additional entertainment programs.

13. A method according to claim 9, wherein the sections are at least one of separately and substantially targeted, and wherein said method further includes the step of targeting the different sections over different periods of time, thereby preventing a long delay to receive answers once the question is transmitted, and to optionally minimize collusion among customers.

14. A method according to claim 9, wherein the sections are at least one of separately and substantially targeted, and wherein said method further includes the step of transmitting the entertainment program to customers located in different sections over a predetermined time interval.

15. A method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting an entertainment program to first customers located in different sections over a first predetermined time interval in a first round; and

transmitting the entertainment program to second customers located in different sections over a second predetermined time interval in a second round, wherein the second customers are a smaller set of participants in the entertainment program than the first customers.

16. A method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting a first portion of the entertainment program to first customers over a first predetermined time interval in a first round requesting that the first customers respond with at least one first response; and

transmitting a second portion of the entertainment program to second customers over a second predetermined time interval in a second round requesting that the second customers respond with at least one second response, wherein the first and second responses are unique with respect to each other.

17. A method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting a first portion of the entertainment program to first customers over a first predetermined time interval in a first round requesting that the first customers respond with at least one first response from a first set of responses; and

transmitting a second portion of the entertainment program to second customers over a second predetermined time interval in a second round requesting that the second customers respond with at least one second response from a second set of responses, wherein the first and second set of responses are all unique with respect to each other.

18. A method of dynamically establishing communication with a mobile device user via a data communication network, said data communication network optionally comprising a server, workstations operably connectable to said server, one or more databases operably connectable to said server and said workstations, said workstations optionally including a web browser interface facilitating communication with said server, a point of sale server operably connectable to the server, a point of sale system operably connectable to the point of sale server, and wireless devices operably connectable to said server, said wireless devices including at least one of a smart card, a personal digital assistant, a mobile telephones, and a mobile data device, said wireless device comprising at least one of a transmitter and receiver and a transceiver for receiving and transmitting signals, said method comprising the at least one of the sequential, non-sequential and sequence independent steps of:

automatically providing the at least one communication to the customer, without human intervention, and permitting human intervention for the at least one communication to the customer that cannot be processed automatically, and determining the at least one of communication the customer using the computer implemented method;

at least one of receiving a communication from and transmitting a communication to, an customer, the communication including a request to establish communication, the communication also including an identifier associated with an identification device;

updating a database to reflect said communication;

at least one of accessing and verifying said updating step (b) optionally by utilizing the identifier associated with the identification device at a registration system;

entering the customer in a communication database;

obtaining at least one address used thereon by the user to establish said communication with the user;

establishing communication with the customer;

receiving from at least one of the customer a communication;

optionally when said communication is unsuccessful or potentially unsuccessful with the user, transmitting another communication to at least another communication network using at least a portion of the at least one mobile contact address provided by the user and at least one network address in combination, and the user optionally confirming receipt of said another communication;

transmitting a confirmation to the at least one customer;

at least one of storing and receiving information regarding the at least one of the communication and said at least one of;

allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding, and optionally utilizing at least one of new information and the information to obtain the at least one of;

the communication and said at least one of;

allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding;

determining customers to be notified, and notifying the customers responsive to customer profiles comprising at least one of communication, patron satisfaction communication, additional revenue, additional communication, additional advertising, and advertising sponsorship for advertising on the wireless device; and

optionally polling a plurality of users of the wireless devices for additional communications including additional requests for at least one of additional movie tickets, additional sporting event tickets, additional concessions, additional communications, additional services, additional offers, additional entertainment services and additional merchandise.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting to and receiving from, the at least one wireless device of the customer the communication including the request for at least one of the movie ticket, the sporting event ticket, the concession, the service, the offer, the entertainment service and the merchandise, via at least one of a short message text service (SMS) communication, bluetooth and a wireless communication comprising an identifier associated with the wireless device and an Internet Protocol (IP) address that at least one of are displayed on and notify the wireless device upon receipt from the wireless device,

receiving a registration from the customer, processing customer profiles in accordance with predetermined criteria, and determining responsive to the processing of the customer profiles customers to be notified via the at least one wireless device, and notifying the customers responsive to the customer profiles comprising at least one of patron satisfaction communication, additional revenue, additional advertising, and advertising sponsorship for advertising on the wireless device; and

optionally polling the wireless devices of a plurality of users for additional communications including additional requests for at least one of additional movie tickets, additional sporting event tickets, additional concessions, additional services, additional offers, additional entertainment services and additional merchandise.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of processing customer profiles in accordance with predetermined criteria, and determining responsive to the processing of the customer profiles customers to be notified via the at least one wireless device, and notifying the customers responsive to the customer profiles comprising advertising sponsorship for advertising on the wireless device.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein said transmitting the wireless devices of a plurality of users for additional communications further comprises transmitting the wireless devices of a plurality of users for additional communications upon receiving at least one of permission and acquiescence from the customer including additional requests for at least one of additional movie tickets, additional sporting event tickets, additional concessions, additional services, additional offers, additional entertainment services, additional information and additional merchandise.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein said transmitting to the wireless device further comprises transmitting to the wireless device using a unique address including a username and domain associated with at least one of the customer and the wireless device.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the customer is registered by at least one of receiving from the customer sending a message and automatically responding to the communication, and the method further includes parsing the received information including an address for communication with the customer.

24. The method of claim 18, transmitting a ticket to at least one of the wireless device, wireless pagers, personal digital assistants, or Internet-ready watches as an alternative or in addition to an original or new printed ticket.

25. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of at least one of:

transmitting a message for storing at least one of the communication and the up-graded ticket on the wireless device for admission to an event, using the original ticket that is now re-allocated to a better seat, and transmitting a new ticket to be received by the customer via at least one of the wireless device and manually.

26. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of provisioning of demographic information to program sponsors by receiving from the user register demographic information such as age and interests.

27. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of compiling information for advertising and marketing use to allow sponsors to create custom offerings to users for creating targeted programs that address user needs and for targeting potential new customers.

28. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of running different applications by complying with core and profile specifications, thereby achieving interoperability among applications.

29. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of communicating using at least one of a variety of different methods for information exchange over at least one network.

30. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of communicating using at least one of the following methods:

(1) one-to-one messaging;

(2) one-to-many messaging;

(3) distributed message databases;

(4) real time communication;

(5) real time remote computer utilization; and

(6) remote information retrieval.

31. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of communicating using at least one mobile network carrier using a communications technology and uniform interface standard for presenting and delivering wireless services on mobile devices.