Method and system for performing affinity transactions

• US 8,416,087 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2012
• Issued: 04/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Original Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Inventors: Canora, David, Worrall, David, Schwalb, Andy, Padgett, John, Jacobson, Eric, MacPhee, Jim, Rice, Kevin, Soto, Dan
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehmood, Jennifer
• Assistant Examiner(s): BEE, ANDREW W.
• Application Number:
  US13/402,669
• Publication Number:
  US 20120154125A1
• Time in Patent Office: 412 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/573.1, 340/5.2, 340/10.1, 340/10.41, 340/323.R, 235/375, 235/382
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 11/00 Arrangements, systems or apparatus for checking, e.g. the occurrence of a condition, not provided for elsewhere
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2011/02 related to amusement parks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Abstract

There is provided a physical token for use in a defined venue with a server having communication with the physical token. The physical token may comprise an identification data and a transmitter configured to transmit the identification data. The physical token is configured to transmit the identification data to the server to cause the server to initiate a sensory interaction with a user possessing the physical token. The sensory interaction may comprise a character in the defined venue interacting with the user possessing the physical token. The sensory interaction may also comprise a display screen in the defined venue displaying information to the user possessing the physical token. The sensory interaction may further comprise an audio speaker in the defined venue announcing information to the user possessing the physical token. The physical token may represent an affinity comprising an experience, entitlement, or characteristic of the user possessing the physical token.

Claims

1. A system for use in a defined venue, the system comprising:

a server having a database;

a first physical token possessed by a user, the first physical token the including;

a first identification data;

a second physical token possessed by the user, the second physical token the including;

a second identification data;

a third physical token possessed by the user, the third physical token including;

a third identification data;

wherein, the server is configured to;

receive the first identification data from the first physical token;

receive the second identification data from the second physical token;

receive the third identification data from the third physical token; and

initiate a sensory action with the user in response to associating the first identification data with at least one of the second identification data and the third identification data;

wherein at least one of the second physical token and the third physical token is attachable to the first physical token, and wherein the first physical token is configured to be worn by the user.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensory interaction comprises a movie character in the defined venue interacting with the user.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensory interaction comprises a display screen in the defined venue displaying information to the user.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensory interaction comprises an audio speaker in the defined venue announcing information to the user.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the server is further configured to perform the sensory interaction utilizing a venue operator.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first physical token comprises an RFID device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first identification data comprises a unique serial number.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first physical token is a band.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first physical token is a wristband.

10. A method for use by a server for a defined venue, the method comprising:

receiving a first identification data from a first physical token possessed by a user;

receiving a second identification data from a second physical token possessed by the user;

receiving a third identification data from a third physical token possessed by the user;

initiating a sensory action with the user in response to associating the first identification data with at least one of the second identification data and the third identification data;

wherein at least one of the second physical token and the third physical token is attachable to the first physical token, and wherein the first physical token is configured to be worn by the user.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the sensory interaction comprises a movie character in the defined venue interacting with the user.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the sensory interaction comprises a display screen in the defined venue displaying information to the user.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the sensory interaction comprises an audio speaker in the defined venue announcing information to the user.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the sensory interaction utilizes a venue operator.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the first physical token comprises an RFID device.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the first identification data comprises a unique serial number.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the first physical token is a band.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the first physical token is a wristband.