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 7,280,975 B1
• Filed: 01/05/2005
• Issued: 10/09/2007
• 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): Backer; Firmin
• Application Number:
  US11/028,827
• Time in Patent Office: 1,007 Days
• Field of Search: 705/5, 705/10, 705/26, 705/27, 705/37, 705/64, 705/67, 340/825, 235/382, 235/384
• US Class Current: 705/5
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3674 involving authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0205 Location or geographical consideration
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks

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 method of dynamically at least one of allocating at least one of:

goods or services to an event 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;

(a) at least one of receiving a communication from and transmitting the communication to the event 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;

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

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

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

(e) at least one of determining an available allocation associated with the event, establishing communication with the event customer, and notifying at least one of the event customers that are at least one of currently attending the event and registered for at least one of allocating, provisioning, upgrading 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 event customer;

(f) accepting by at least one of the event customers at least one of said at least one of;

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

(g) obtaining at least one mobile contact address and a communication network used thereon by the event user and building a data address therefrom to establish said communication with the event user;

(h) transmitting a confirmation to the at least one wireless device confirming to the at least one event customer the at least one of said at least one of;

allocating, provisioning, upgrading and awarding;

(i) determining event customers to be notified via the at least one wireless device, and notifying the event 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;

(j) 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 services additional offers, additional entertainment services and additional merchandise;

(k) optionally, when said communication is unsuccessful or potentially unsuccessful with the event 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 event user and at least one network address in combination, and the event user optionally confirming receipt of said another communication;

(l) optionally billing the at least one of the event 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 and awarding and said at least one of goods and services in accordance with the second predetermined criteria; and

(m) optionally paying by the at least one of the event customers responsive to said billing step (l).

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 event 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 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:

(a) at least one of receiving a communication from and transmitting the communication to the event 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;

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

(c) 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;

(d) entering the event customer to participate in the obtaining of the at least one of the goods and services;

(e) determining a concessions communication for the at least one event customer,

(f) transmitting a confirmation to the at least one wireless device confirming to the at least one event customer the at least one of said concessions;

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

(h) 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 services additional offers, additional entertainment services and additional merchandise;

(i) accepting by at least one of the event customers said concessions communication;

(j) optionally billing the at least one of the event 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

(k) optionally paying by the at least one of the event customers responsive to said billing step (j).

7. A method according to claim 6, further comprising the step of requesting the event 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 systems, kiosk where the event customer enters the location information and a point of sales system by an attendant selling seating information.

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 event 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, when 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 event 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:

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

(b) updating a database to reflect said communication;

(c) 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;

(d) entering the event customer in a communication database;

(e) obtaining at least one mobile telephone number and a communication network used thereon by the event user and building a data address therefrom to establish said communication with the event user, said obtaining step (e) not requiring the event user to provide a network address associated with the at least one mobile contact address;

(f) establishing communication with the event customer;

(g) receiving by at least one of the event customer said communication;

(h) optionally when said communication is unsuccessful or potentially unsuccessful with the event 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 event user and at least one network address in combination, and the event user optionally confirming receipt of said another communication;

(i) transmitting a confirmation to the at least one event customer;

(j) determining event customers to be notified, and notifying the event 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; and

(k) polling a plurality of users of the wireless devices fox 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.

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

transmitting to and receiving from, the at least one wireless device of the event 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,

registering by the event customer, processing customer profiles in accordance with predetermined criteria, and determining responsive to the processing of the customer profiles event customers to be notified via the at least one wireless device, and notifying the event 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

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 event customers to be notified via the at least one wireless device, and notifying the event customers responsive to the customer profiles comprising advertising sponsorship for advertising on the wireless device.

21. A method of dynamically at least one of:

allocating goods or services to an event 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;

(a) at least one of receiving a first communication from and transmitting the first communication to a first event customer, the communication including a first request to at least one of obtain admittance to at least one event, establish communication, and obtain at least one of goods and services;

(b) at least one of accessing and verifying an account associated with the first communication;

(c) at least one of receiving a second communication from and transmitting the second communication to a second event customer, the second communication including a second request to at least one of obtain admittance to at least one event, establish communication, and obtain at least one of goods and services;

(d) at least one of accessing and verifying an account associated with the second communication;

(e) at least one of admitting the first and second event customers to a venue optionally after verification of the first and second requests, entering the first and second event customers in a communication database, and entering the first and second event customers to obtain the at least one of goods and services;

(f) at least one of determining an available allocation associated with the event, establishing communication with the first and second event customers, and notifying at least one of the first and second event customers that are at least one of currently attending the event and registered for at least one of allocating, provisioning, upgrading 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 of the first and second event customers;

(g) accepting by the at least one of the first and second event customers at least one of said at least one of;

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

(h) transmitting a confirmation to at least one wireless device confirming to the at least one of the first and second event customers the at least one of said at least one of;

allocating, provisioning, upgrading and awarding;

(i) determining event customers to be notified via the at least one wireless device, and notifying the event 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;

(j) polling 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.

22. A method of dynamically at least one of:

allocating goods or services to an event 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;

(a) at least one of receiving a first communication from and transmitting the first communication to a first event customer, the communication including a first request to at least one of obtain admittance to at least one event, establish communication, and obtain at least one of goods and services;

(b) at least one of accessing and verifying an account associated with the first communication;

(c) at least one of receiving a second communication from and transmitting the second communication to a second event customer, the second communication including a second request to at least one of obtain admittance to at least one event, establish communication, and obtain at least one of goods and services;

(d) at least one of accessing and verifying an account associated with the second communication;

(e) admitting the first and second event customers to a venue optionally after verification of the first and second requests, entering the first and second event customers in a database;

(f) determining a predetermined time period associated with the event indicative of event customers not attending the event in accordance with first predetermined criteria including at least one of agreement with one or more of the event customers, the event customer not providing notice of non-attendance a first predetermined time period prior to the event, the event customer not providing notice of non-attendance a second predetermined time period after start of the event, the event customer leaving the event early, and other predetermined criteria;

(g) polling the wireless devices of a plurality of users to determine whether additional seats have been made available, and if additional seats have been made available, then adding the additional seats to a list of available seats for said method of dynamically at least one of allocating, upgrading and awarding admittance to the events to the event customer;

(h) releasing an allocation associated with the another event customer and notifying at least one of the first and second event customers that are at least one of currently attending the event and registered for said at least one of reallocating, reprovisioning, upgrading and awarding responsive to said releasing the allocation; and

(i) accepting by at least one of the first and second event customers said at least one of reallocating, reprovisioning, upgrading and awarding in accordance with second predetermined criteria;

(j) transmitting a confirmation to at least one wireless device confirming to the at least one of the first and second event customers the at least one of said at least one of;

allocating, provisioning, upgrading and awarding;

(k) determining event customers to be notified via the at least one wireless device, and noting the event 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;

(l) polling 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.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of processing customer profiles in accordance with predetermined criteria, and determining responsive to the processing of the customer profiles the at least one of the first and second event customers to be notified via the at least one wireless device, and notifying the at least one of the first and second event customers responsive to the customer profiles comprising seating the first and second event customers in adjacent seats for a date.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of processing customer profiles in accordance with predetermined criteria, and determining responsive to the processing of the customer profiles the at least one of the first and second event customers to be notified via the at least one wireless device, and notifying the at least one of the first and second event customers responsive to the customer profiles comprising modifying the seating of the first and second event customers to adjacent seats for a date in accordance with a predetermined time period.