Computer implemented methods for providing options on products

• US 8,145,535 B2
• Filed: 08/17/2007
• Issued: 03/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tenon & Groove LLC
• Original Assignee: Tenon & Groove LLC
• Inventors: Goel, Sachin
• Primary Examiner(s): Allen, Will
• Application Number:
  US11/893,914
• Publication Number:
  US 20080052185A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,684 Days
• Field of Search: 705 5- 6, 705 26- 272
• US Class Current: 705/26.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/025 Coordination of plural reservations, e.g. plural trip segments, transportation combined with accommodation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions

Abstract

A computer-implemented system and method to provide options on products to enhance customers'"'"' experience. A computer-implemented system is operated that delivers to a customer an option to utilize up to n of m selected products, where n is less than or equal to m. Information is recorded in a data store, pertaining to said option. In addition, a system is operated to define each of the n chosen products, whereby after each of the n chosen products is defined, the customer can utilize said chosen product. The information pertaining to said defined products is recorded in a data store.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented system to provide options on products, comprising:

a. a data processor being adapted to receive at least one input and in response, to deliver to a customer an option to select and utilize each of m products selected at the time the option is received and including at least one practically constrained product, wherein

i. m is greater than or equal to 2,

ii. said m products are selected in the course of related transaction(s), and

iii. it will not be possible for the customer to fully utilize all said m products due to said at least one practical constraint; and

b. a data processor being adapted to record the information pertaining to said option in a computer readable data store.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein at least two of said data processors are a same processor.

3. A computer-implemented method to provide options on products, comprising:

a. via a data processor configured by stored program instructions, providing to a customer an option to select and utilize each of m selected products selected at the time the option is received and including at least one practically constrained product, wherein

i. m is greater than or equal to 2,

ii. said products are selected in the course of related transaction(s), and

iii. it will not be possible for the customer to fully utilize all said m products due to said at least one practical constraint; and

b. recording the information pertaining to said option in a computer readable data store.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said customer is not able to fully utilize at least one product due to at least one practical constraint.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein at least two of said data processors are a same processor.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein said at least one practical constraint includes at least one time constraint.

7. The method of claim 3 wherein said at least one practical constraint includes at least one location constraint.

8. The method of claim 3 wherein said related transaction is at least one transaction.

9. The method of claim 3 wherein said related transaction includes a monetary value transaction.

10. The method of claim 3 wherein said customer is able to only partially utilize at least one product due to at least one practical constraint.

11. The method of claim 3 wherein impossibility of fully utilizing the m products due to at least one practical constraint increases value for at least one of the customer and the provider of said option.

12. The method of claim 3 wherein inability to fully utilize the m products due to at least one practical constraint increases value for at least one of the customer, the provider of said option and an entity other than the provider of said option.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said value includes cost saving for the provider of said option.

14. The method of claim 3 wherein said selected products include at least one product belonging to the provider of said option.

15. The method of claim 3 wherein said selected products include at least one product belonging to an entity other than the provider of said option.

16. The method of claim 3 wherein said selected products include a higher ranked product and a lower ranked product, where both cannot be utilized simultaneously.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the provider of said option is an entity in the travel industry.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the provider of said option is an airline.

19. The method of claim 3 wherein said selected products include at least one higher ranked product.

20. The method of claim 19 further including receiving input from the customer with respect to selection of a higher ranked product, and wherein in response to the customer'"'"'s input selecting said higher ranked product a right is conferred upon the company to enforce a payment obligation on the customer if said higher ranked product becomes available for utilization.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the payment obligation is priced dynamically.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the amount for the payment obligation is determined by bidding from customers.

23. The method of claim 19 further including receiving input from the customer with respect to selection of a higher ranked product, and requiring the customer to indicate, as part of said input, the price the customer is willing to pay for the utilization of said higher ranked product.

24. The method of claim 23 further including providing to the customer an opportunity to modify the price before a specified notification date.