Method and system for a hospitality entity to communicate goods and services to a guest

• US 8,107,934 B1
• Filed: 04/01/2011
• Issued: 01/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SkyWire Media LLC
• Original Assignee: SkyWire Media, Inc.
• Inventors: Harris, Shawn Dirk, Cerna, Juan Manuel
• Primary Examiner(s): Brandt, Christopher M
• Application Number:
  US13/078,912
• Time in Patent Office: 305 Days
• Field of Search: 455/466, 455/414.1, 455/414.2, 455/414.3, 705/14.1, 705/14.11, 705/14.26, 705/14.34, 705/14.37, 705/14.38, 705/14.4, 705/14.43, 705/14.47, 705/14.49, 705/14.5, 705/14.57, 705/14.58, 705/14.61, 705/14.64, 705/14.65, 705/14.66, 705/14.67
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0234 Rebates after completed purchase
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1895 for short real-time information, e.g. alarms, notifications, alerts, updates
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/609 Secret communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks

Abstract

A system and method for a hospitality entity to communicate goods and services to a guest based on events occurring at a facility of the hospitality entity is disclosed herein. The method includes establishing a unique identifier with a mobile phone of a guest and then sending executable offers to the guest which upon acceptance triggers another offer based on the first offer acceptance and events occurring at the time and location of the guest.

Claims

1. A method for an entity to communicate goods and services to a customer based on events occurring at a facility of the entity, the method comprising:

recognizing a first event from a customer participating in a program of an entity that offers goods and services to the customer through SMS texts transmitted to a mobile communication device of the customer, wherein the first event is opting-in to the program by the customer;

transmitting a first executable offer to the mobile communication device through a first SMS text sent to the mobile communication device, the first executable offer based on the first event and comprising a discount for at least a good or service provided by the entity, the first SMS text comprising the unique identifier;

determining that the first executable offer has been accepted by the customer by recognizing the unique identifier prior to conveyance of the good or service of the first executable offer to the customer, the acceptance of the first executable offer representing a second event;

transmitting a second executable offer to the mobile communication device through a second SMS text sent to the mobile communication device, the second SMS text comprising the unique identifier, the second executable offer transmitted subsequent to a time period associated with the second event, a content of the second executable offer based on at least the acceptance of the first executable offer and a time of day, a current date, a current entertainment event, and a current activity of the customer.

2. A system for a hospitality entity to communicate goods and services to a guest based on events occurring at a facility of the hospitality entity, the system comprising:

a facility of the hospitality entity that offers goods and services to a plurality of guests through SMS texts transmitted to a mobile phone of each of the guests;

an opt-in kiosk for a guest of the plurality of guest to opt-in to a program that offers goods and services to a plurality of guests through SMS texts transmitted to a mobile phone of each of the guests;

a database for maintaining information on the plurality of guests;

a software engine configured to recognizing a first event from a guest, transmit a first executable offer to the mobile phone of the guest through a first SMS text sent to the mobile phone, the first executable offer based on the first event and comprising a discount for at least a good or service provided by the hospitality entity, the first SMS text comprising an unique identifier, determine that the first executable offer has been accepted by the guest by recognizing the unique identifier prior to conveyance of the good or service of the first executable offer to the guest, the acceptance of the first executable offer representing a second event, and transmit a second executable offer to the mobile phone through a second SMS text sent to the mobile phone, the second SMS text comprising the unique identifier, the second executable offer transmitted subsequent to a time period associated with the second event, a content of the second executable offer based on at least the acceptance of the first executable offer and a time of day, a current date, a current entertainment event, and a current activity of the guest.