Systems and methods for providing a player's ticket

• US 7,637,809 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2005
• Issued: 12/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sportware LLC
• Original Assignee: Sharad A. Ghosh
• Inventors: Ghosh, Sharad A
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Peter Dungba
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hall, Arthur O.
• Application Number:
  US11/101,950
• Publication Number:
  US 20060229749A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,726 Days
• Field of Search: 463/23, 463 25- 27, 463/29, 463 40- 42, 273/138.1, 273/138.2, 273/141.A, 273/269, 273454-456, 273/460, 283/49, 700 91- 93, 705/14
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0221 Re-usable coupons
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament

Abstract

Ticketing systems and methods are provided specifically relating to a player'"'"'s ticket. A player'"'"'s ticket references at least one player and allows the player'"'"'s ticket holder to attend all sporting events played in by the at least one player referenced on the player'"'"'s ticket. Information about a tournament, including the players, the tournament draw, and historical data, is acquired and used to determine the probabilities of players winning matches in the tournament. Different possible allocations of admissions (e.g., seats) for player'"'"'s tickets to matches of the tournament are determined based on the tournament draw and how many player'"'"'s tickets are provided for the matches. One of the allocations of seats of the possible allocations is chosen based on the probabilities of players winning matches in the tournament which aids in determining the likelihood of accommodating all player'"'"'s ticket holders for each match.

Claims

1. A method for providing player'"'"'s tickets and determining event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets, the method comprising:

providing player'"'"'s tickets that;

(a) reference at least one player, and (b) allow player'"'"'s ticket holders admission to events in which the at least one player is playing;

acquiring, using a ticketing server, information about a tournament, including information selected from the group consisting of players, a tournament draw, and historical data;

determining, at the ticketing server, and for at least one match of the tournament, probabilities of players winning based on the tournament information, wherein the determining probabilities of players winning comprises simulating the outcome of the at least one match by assigning a score to each player of the at least one match and comparing the assigned scores;

determining, at the ticketing server, at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets for the at least one match based on the player'"'"'s tickets provided and the tournament draw, wherein determining the at least one possible allocation comprises determining the likelihood that the at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets will accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders; and

allocating, using the ticketing server, event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets for the at least one match based on the at least one possible allocation of event admissions and on the probabilities of players winning the at least one match.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining probabilities of players winning further comprises determining probabilities of players winning the at least one match of the tournament independent of the players'"'"' identities.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining probabilities of players winning further comprises determining probabilities of players winning the at least one match of the tournament based on attributes of the players when the players'"'"' identities become known.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining probabilities of players winning further comprises determining probabilities of players winning the at least one match of the tournament based on attributes of the players.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein one of the attributes of the players is the players'"'"' skill levels.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein one of the attributes of the players is previous meetings between players.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining probabilities of players winning further comprises determining probabilities of players winning the at least one match when new information about the at least one match becomes available.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein:

of the player'"'"'s tickets, at least one player'"'"'s ticket is a multiple-players'"'"' ticket which references at least two players;

of the at least two players referenced on the multiple-players'"'"' ticket, at least one player is playing in a match; and

the multiple-players'"'"' ticket provides the at least one player'"'"'s ticket holder one event admission to the match.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein:

of the player'"'"'s tickets, at least one player'"'"'s ticket is a multiple-players'"'"' ticket which references at least two players;

of the at least two players referenced on the multiple-players'"'"' ticket, at least two players are playing in a match; and

the multiple-players'"'"' ticket provides the at least one player'"'"'s ticket holder one event admission to the match.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising providing the at least one player'"'"'s ticket holder with compensation.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the player'"'"'s tickets allow a player'"'"'s ticket holder admission to fewer than all events in which the at least one player is playing.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the event admission entitles a player'"'"'s ticket holder to a seat for the at least one match.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein determining at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets further comprises determining the likelihood that the at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets will maximize profit associated with player'"'"'s ticket sales.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein allocating event admissions further comprises allocating event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets for the at least one match based on the likelihood that the at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets will accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising allocating event admissions for ordinary tickets from the event admissions originally allocated for player'"'"'s tickets for the at least one match if event admissions for originally allocated player'"'"'s tickets exceed what is required to accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising allocating event admissions for new player'"'"'s tickets from the event admissions originally allocated for player'"'"'s tickets for the at least one match if event admissions for originally allocated player'"'"'s tickets exceed what is required to accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising allocating event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets from the event admissions originally allocated for ordinary tickets for the at least one match if event admissions for originally allocated player'"'"'s tickets are less than what is required to accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising providing an ordinary ticket holder with compensation in exchange for the ordinary ticket holder'"'"'s event admission.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing player'"'"'s tickets that guarantee event admissions for the at least one match and player'"'"'s tickets that do not guarantee event admissions for the at least one match;

determining at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets that do not guarantee event admissions based on probabilities of players winning the at least one match;

determining an allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets that guarantee event admissions that will accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders based on the probabilities of players winning the at least one match;

allocating event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets that do not guarantee event admissions for the at least one match based on the at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets that do not guarantee event admissions; and

allocating event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets that guarantee event admissions for the at least one match based on the allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets that guarantee event admissions that will accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising reducing the at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets for the at least one match when an external event indicates that fewer player'"'"'s tickets holders will attend the at least one match.

21. A system for providing player'"'"'s tickets and determining event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets, comprising:

means for providing player'"'"'s tickets that;

(a) reference at least one player, and (b) allow player'"'"'s ticket holders admission to events in which the at least one player is playing;

means for acquiring information about a tournament, including information selected from the group consisting of players, a tournament draw, and historical data;

means for determining, for at least one match of the tournament, probabilities of players winning based on the tournament information, wherein the means for determining probabilities of players winning comprises means for simulating the outcome of the at least one match by assigning a score to each player of the at least one match and comparing the assigned scores;

means for determining at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets for the at least one match based on the player'"'"'s tickets provided and the tournament draw, wherein the means for determining the at least one possible allocation comprises means for determining the likelihood that the at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets will accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders; and

means for allocating event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets for the at least one match based on the at least one possible allocation of event admissions and on the probabilities of players winning the at least one match.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the means for determining probabilities of players winning further comprises means for determining probabilities of players winning the at least one match of the tournament independent of the players'"'"' identities.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the means for determining probabilities of players winning further comprises means for determining probabilities of players winning the at least one match of the tournament based on attributes of the players when the players'"'"' identities become known.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the means for determining probabilities of players winning further comprises means for determining probabilities of players winning the at least one match of the tournament based on attributes of the players.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein one of the attributes of the players is the players'"'"' skill levels.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein one of the attributes of the players is previous meetings between players.

27. The system of claim 21, wherein the means for determining probabilities of players winning further comprises means for determining probabilities of players winning the at least one match when new information about the at least one match becomes available.

28. The system of claim 21, wherein:

of the player'"'"'s tickets, at least one player'"'"'s ticket is a multiple-players'"'"' ticket which references at least two players;

of the at least two players referenced on the multiple-players'"'"' ticket, at least one player is playing in a match; and

the multiple-players'"'"' ticket provides the at least one player'"'"'s ticket holder one event admission to the match.

29. The system of claim 21, wherein:

of the player'"'"'s tickets, at least one player'"'"'s ticket is a multiple-players'"'"' ticket which references at least two players;

of the at least two players referenced on the multiple-players'"'"' ticket, at least two players are playing in a match; and

the multiple-players'"'"' ticket provides the at least one player'"'"'s ticket holder one event admission to the match.

30. The system of claim 28, further comprising means for providing the at least one player'"'"'s ticket holder with compensation.

31. The system of claim 21, wherein the player'"'"'s tickets allow a player'"'"'s ticket holder admission to fewer than all events in which the at least one player is playing.

32. The system of claim 21, wherein the event admission entitles a player'"'"'s ticket holder to a seat for the at least one match.

33. The system of claim 21, wherein the means for determining at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets further comprises means for determining the likelihood that the at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets will maximize profit associated with player'"'"'s ticket sales.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the means for allocating event admissions further comprises means for allocating event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets for the at least one match based on the likelihood that the at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets will accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders.

35. The system of claim 21, further comprising means for allocating event admissions for ordinary tickets from the event admissions originally allocated for player'"'"'s tickets for the at least one match if event admissions for originally allocated player'"'"'s tickets exceed what is required to accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders.

36. The system of claim 21, further comprising means for allocating event admissions for new player'"'"'s tickets from the event admissions originally allocated for player'"'"'s tickets for the at least one match if event admissions for originally allocated player'"'"'s tickets exceed what is required to accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders.

37. The system of claim 21, further comprising means for allocating event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets from the event admissions originally allocated for ordinary tickets for the at least one match if event admissions for originally allocated player'"'"'s tickets are less than what is required to accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders.

38. The system of claim 37, further comprising means for providing an ordinary ticket holder with compensation in exchange for the ordinary ticket holder'"'"'s event admission.

39. The system of claim 21, further comprising:

means for providing player'"'"'s tickets that guarantee event admissions for the at least one match and player'"'"'s tickets that do not guarantee event admissions for the at least one match;

means for determining at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets that do not guarantee event admissions based on probabilities of players winning the at least one match;

means for determining an allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets that guarantee event admissions that will accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders based on the probabilities of players winning the at least one match;

means for allocating event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets that do not guarantee event admissions for the at least one match based on the at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets that do not guarantee event admissions; and

means for allocating event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets that guarantee event admissions for the at least one match based on the allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets that guarantee event admissions that will accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders.

40. The system of claim 21, further comprising means for reducing the at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets for the at least one match when an external event indicates that fewer player'"'"'s tickets holders will attend the at least one match.

41. A system for providing player'"'"'s tickets and determining event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets, comprising a server at which a ticketing application has been implemented to configure the server to:

provide player'"'"'s tickets that;

(a) reference at least one player, and (b) allow player'"'"'s ticket holders admission to events in which the at least one player is playing;

acquire, using the server, information about a tournament, including information selected from the group consisting of players, a tournament draw, and historical data;

determine, at the server, and for at least one match of the tournament, probabilities of players winning based on the tournament information, wherein the server is configured to determine probabilities of players winning by simulating the outcome of the at least one match by assigning a score to each player of the at least one match and comparing the assigned scores;

determine, at the server, at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets for the at least one match based on the player'"'"'s tickets provided and the tournament draw, wherein the server is configured to determine the at least one possible allocation by determining the likelihood that the at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets will accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders; and

allocate, using the server, event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets for the at least one match based on the at least one possible allocation of event admissions and on the probabilities of players winning the at least one match.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the ticketing application is further configured to determine probabilities of players winning the at least one match of the tournament independent of the players identities.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the ticketing application is further configured to determine probabilities of players winning the at least one match of the tournament based on attributes of the players when the players'"'"' identities become known.

44. The system of claim 41, wherein the ticketing application is further configured to determine probabilities of players winning the at least one match of the tournament based on attributes of the players.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein one of the attributes of the players is the players'"'"' skill levels.

46. The system of claim 44, wherein one of the attributes of the players is previous meetings between players.

47. The system of claim 41, wherein the ticketing application is further configured to determine probabilities of players winning the at least one match when new information about the at least one match becomes available.

48. The system of claim 41, wherein:

of the player'"'"'s tickets, at least one player'"'"'s ticket is a multiple-players'"'"' ticket which references at least two players;

of the at least two players referenced on the multiple-players'"'"' ticket, at least one player is playing in a match; and

the multiple-players'"'"' ticket provides the at least one player'"'"'s ticket holder one event admission to the match.

49. The system of claim 41, wherein:

of the player'"'"'s tickets, at least one player'"'"'s ticket is a multiple-players'"'"' ticket which references at least two players;

of the at least two players referenced on the multiple-players'"'"' ticket, at least two players are playing in a match; and

the multiple-players'"'"' ticket provides the at least one player'"'"'s ticket holder one event admission to the match.

50. The system of claim 48, wherein the ticketing application is further configured to provide the at least one player'"'"'s ticket holder with compensation.

51. The system of claim 41, wherein the player'"'"'s tickets allow a player'"'"'s ticket holder admission to fewer than all events in which the at least one player is playing.

52. The system of claim 41, wherein the event admission entitles a player'"'"'s ticket holder to a seat for the at least one match.

53. The system of claim 41, wherein the ticketing application is further configured to determine the likelihood that the at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets will maximize profit associated with player'"'"'s ticket sales.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the ticketing application is further configured to allocate event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets for the at least one match based on the likelihood that the at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets will accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders.

55. The system of claim 41, wherein the ticketing application is further configured to allocate event admissions for ordinary tickets from the event admissions originally allocated for player'"'"'s tickets for the at least one match if event admissions for originally allocated player'"'"'s tickets exceed what is required to accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders.

56. The system of claim 41, wherein the ticketing application is further configured to allocate event admissions for new player'"'"'s tickets from the event admissions originally allocated for player'"'"'s tickets for the at least one match if event admissions for originally allocated player'"'"'s tickets exceed what is required to accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders.

57. The system of claim 41, wherein the ticketing application is further configured to allocate event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets from the event admissions originally allocated for ordinary tickets for the at least one match if event admissions for originally allocated player'"'"'s tickets are less than what is required to accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders.

58. The system of claim 57, wherein the ticketing application is further configured to provide an ordinary ticket holder with compensation in exchange for the ordinary ticket holder'"'"'s event admission.

59. The system of claim 41, wherein the ticketing application is further configured to:

provide player'"'"'s tickets that guarantee event admissions for the at least one match and player'"'"'s tickets that do not guarantee event admissions for the at least one match;

determine at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets that do not guarantee event admissions based on probabilities of players winning the at least one match;

determine an allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets that guarantee event admissions that will accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders based on the probabilities of players winning the at least one match;

allocate event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets that do not guarantee event admissions for the at least one match based on the at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets that do not guarantee event admissions; and

allocate event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets that guarantee event admissions for the at least one match based on the allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets that guarantee event admissions that will accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders.

60. The system of claim 41, wherein the ticketing application is further configured to reduce the at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets for the at least one match when an external event indicates that fewer player'"'"'s tickets holders will attend the at least one match.

61. A computer-readable storage medium encoded with a set of computer executable instructions for using a server to perform a method for providing player'"'"'s tickets and determining event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets, comprising:

providing player'"'"'s tickets that;

(a) reference at least one player, and (b) allow player'"'"'s ticket holders admission to events in which the at least one player is playing;

acquiring, using a ticketing server, information about a tournament, including information selected from the group consisting of players, a tournament draw, and historical data;

determining, at the ticketing server, and for at least one match of the tournament, probabilities of players winning based on the tournament information, wherein the determining probabilities of players winning comprises simulating the outcome of the at least one match by assigning a score to each player of the at least one match and comparing the assigned scores;

determining, at the ticketing server, at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets for the at least one match based on the player'"'"'s tickets provided and the tournament draw, wherein determining the at least one possible allocation comprises determining the likelihood that the at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets will accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders; and

allocating, using the ticketing server, event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets for the at least one match based on the at least one possible allocation of event admissions and on the probabilities of players winning the at least one match.

62. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 61, wherein determining probabilities of players winning further comprises determining probabilities of players winning the at least one match of the tournament independent of the players identities.

63. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 62, wherein determining probabilities of players winning further comprises determining probabilities of players winning the at least one match of the tournament based on attributes of the players when the players'"'"' identities become known.

64. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 61, wherein determining probabilities of players winning further comprises determining probabilities of players winning the at least one match of the tournament based on attributes of the players.

65. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 64, wherein one of the attributes of the players is the players'"'"' skill levels.

66. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 64, wherein one of the attributes of the players is previous meetings between players.

67. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 61, wherein determining probabilities of players winning further comprises determining probabilities of players winning the at least one match when new information about the at least one match becomes available.

68. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 61, wherein:

of the player'"'"'s tickets, at least one player'"'"'s ticket is a multiple-players'"'"' ticket which references at least two players;

of the at least two players referenced on the multiple-players'"'"' ticket, at least one player is playing in a match; and

the multiple players'"'"' ticket provides the at least one player'"'"'s ticket holder one event admission to the match.

69. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 61, wherein:

of the player'"'"'s tickets, at least one player'"'"'s ticket is a multiple-player'"'"'s ticket which references at least two players;

of the at least two players referenced on the multiple-players'"'"' ticket, at least two players are playing in a match; and

the multiple players'"'"' ticket provides the at least one player'"'"'s ticket holder one event admission to the match.

70. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 68, wherein said method further comprises providing the at least one player'"'"'s ticket holder with compensation.

71. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 61, wherein the player'"'"'s tickets allow a player'"'"'s ticket holder admission to fewer than all events in which the at least one player is playing.

72. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 61, wherein the event admission entitles a player'"'"'s ticket holder to a seat for the at least one match.

73. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 61, wherein determining at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets further comprises determining the likelihood that the at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets will accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders.

74. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 73, wherein allocating event admissions further comprises allocating event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets for the at least one match based on the likelihood that the at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets will maximize profit associated with player'"'"'s ticket sales.

75. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 61, wherein the method further comprises allocating event admissions for ordinary tickets from the event admissions originally allocated for player'"'"'s tickets for the at least one match if event admissions for originally allocated player'"'"'s tickets exceed what is required to accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders.

76. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 61, wherein the method further comprises allocating event admissions for new player'"'"'s tickets from the event admissions originally allocated for player'"'"'s tickets for the at least one match if event admissions for originally allocated player'"'"'s tickets exceed what is required to accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders.

77. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 61, wherein the method further comprises allocating event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets from the event admissions originally allocated for ordinary tickets for the at least one match if event admissions for originally allocated player'"'"'s tickets are less than what is required to accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders.

78. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 77, wherein the method further comprises providing an ordinary ticket holder with compensation in exchange for the ordinary ticket holder'"'"'s event admission.

79. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 61, wherein the method further comprises:

providing player'"'"'s tickets that guarantee event admissions for the at least one match and player'"'"'s tickets that do not guarantee event admissions for the at least one match;

determining at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets that do not guarantee event admissions based on probabilities of players winning the at least one match;

determining an allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets that guarantee event admissions that will accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders based on the probabilities of players winning the at least one match;

allocating event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets that do not guarantee event admissions for the at least one match based on the at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets that do not guarantee event admissions; and

allocating event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets that guarantee event admissions for the at least one match based on the allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets that guarantee event admissions that will accommodate all player'"'"'s ticket holders.

80. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 61, wherein the method further comprises reducing the at least one possible allocation of event admissions for player'"'"'s tickets for the at least one match when an external event indicates that fewer player'"'"'s tickets holders will attend the at least one match.

81. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 61, wherein the storage medium is magnetic.

82. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 81, wherein the storage medium is a floppy diskette.

83. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 81, wherein the storage medium is a hard disk.

84. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 61, wherein the storage medium is optically readable.

85. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 84, wherein the storage medium is one of (a) a CD-ROM, (b) a CD-R, (c) a CD-RW, (d) a DVD-ROM, (e) a DVD-R, (f) DVD-RW, and (g) a DVD-RAM.

86. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 84, wherein the storage medium is a magneto-optical disk.