System and method for reallocating and/or upgrading and/or selling tickets, other event admittance means, goods and/or services

• US 7,415,424 B1
• Filed: 12/14/2006
• Issued: 08/19/2008
• 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): ELISCA, PIERRE E
• Application Number:
  US11/639,041
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 705/10, 705/14, 705/26, 705/27, 705/37, 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 10/06316 Sequencing of tasks or work
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/045 using payment protocols involving tickets
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/367 involving electronic purses or money safes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3674 involving authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/387 Payment using discounts or coupons relating to marketing G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0201 Market modelling; Market analysis; Collecting market data
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0204 Market segmentation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0226 Incentive systems for frequent usage, e.g. frequent flyer miles programs or point systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0268 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/00 : Arrangements or apparatus for collecting fares, tolls or entrance fees at one or more control points handling coins or valuable papers, e.g. banknotes, G07D; apparatus for vending or hiring articles or services activated by coins, credit cards, paper currency or the like G07F7/00, G07F17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/42 : for ticket printing or like apparatus , e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0036 : Checkout procedures
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 : for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32

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 computer implemented and automated method of dynamically at least one of allocating, upgrading and awarding admittance to events 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 transmitting and receiving means and transceiver means for receiving and transmitting signals, said method comprising the at least one of the sequential, non-sequential and sequence independent steps of:

automatically providing the at least one of allocating, upgrading and awarding to the customer, without human intervention, and permitting human intervention for the at least one of allocating, upgrading, communicating and awarding to the customer that cannot be processed automatically, and determining the at least one of allocating, upgrading, communicating and awarding to the customer using the computer implemented method;

at least one of receiving a communication from and transmitting the communication to the customer, the communication including a request to obtain admittance to at least one event, the communication optionally including an identifier associated with the communication;

at least one of updating and creating an account associated with the request;

at least one of accessing and verifying the account, when the account exists, 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;

determining whether a profile exists associated with at least one of the request and the customer and when the profile exists, applying the profile of the at least one of the request and the customer to determine whether the determining the at least one of allocating, upgrading, communicating and awarding to the customer satisfies the profile;

when the profile is not satisfied when the profile exists, then the determining the at least one of allocating, upgrading, communicating and awarding to the customer satisfies the profile is implemented by the computer to determine another of the at least one of allocating, upgrading, communicating and awarding to the customer that may satisfy the profile associated with the at least one of the request and the customer;

admitting the customer at the point of sale system after verification of the request;

determining an available allocation associated with the event and notifying at least one of the 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;

receiving from at least one of the customers said at least one of allocating, provisioning, upgrading and awarding in accordance with predetermined criteria;

transmitting a confirmation to the at least one wireless device confirming to the at least one customer the at least one of said at least one of;

allocating, provisioning, upgrading and awarding;

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

receiving from the at least one wireless device to at least one of respond and accept the at least one of;

the communication and said at least one of;

allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding and optionally utilizing printed indicia responsive thereto;

at least one of storing and receiving from the customer information regarding the at least one of the communication and said at least one of;

allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding, and optionally utilizing at least one of new information and the information to obtain the at least one of;

the communication and said at least one of;

allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding;

transmitting 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 communications, additional entertainment services and additional merchandise; and

charging the at least one of the customers in at least one of real-time or at a later time for said at least one of allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding in accordance with the second predetermined criteria.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication includes at least one of payment information, an event selection, a venue selection, a concession selection, and a merchandise selection.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the account includes a list of purchased items.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the request comprises at least one of a movie ticket, a sporting event ticket, a concession, or merchandise.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving demographic information from the event customer.

8. 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.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of 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, and the at least one of the physical receipt, the confirmation, and the electronic confirmation comprises at least one of reserved seating and purchase information.

10. A computer implemented and automated method of dynamically at least one of allocating, upgrading, communicating and awarding admittance to events 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 transmitting and receiving means and transceiver means for receiving and transmitting signals, said method comprising the at least one of the sequential, non-sequential and sequence independent steps of:

automatically providing the at least one of allocating, upgrading, communicating and awarding to the customer, without human intervention, and permitting human intervention for the at least one of allocating, upgrading, communicating and awarding to the customer that cannot be processed automatically, and determining the at least one of allocating, upgrading, communicating and awarding to the customer using the computer implemented method;

at least one of receiving a communication from and transmitting the communication to the customer, the communication including a request for at least one of a movie ticket, a sporting event ticket, a concession, or merchandise, the communication also including an identifier associated with an identification device;

updating an account associated with said identifier to reflect the request;

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;

determining whether a profile exists associated with at least one of the request and the customer and when the profile exists, applying the profile of the at least one of the request and the customer to determine whether the determining the at least one of allocating, upgrading, communicating and awarding to the customer satisfies the profile;

determining at least one of a communication and an available allocation associated with the event and notifying at least one of the customers that are at least one of currently attending the event, and registered for at least one of allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding responsive to said determining the available allocation;

receiving from at least one of the customers said at least one of allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding in accordance with predetermined criteria;

transmitting a confirmation to the at least one wireless device confirming to the at least one customer the at least one of said at least one of;

allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding;

determining customers to be notified, and notifying the 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

optionally 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.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said transmitting the wireless devices of a plurality of users for additional communications further comprises transmitting the wireless devices of a plurality of users for additional communications upon receiving at least one of permission and acquiescence from the customer including additional requests for at least one of additional movie tickets, additional sporting event tickets, additional concessions, additional services, additional offers, additional entertainment services, additional information and additional merchandise.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said transmitting to the wireless device further comprises transmitting to the wireless device using a unique address including a username and domain associated with at least one of the customer and the wireless device.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the customer is registered by at least one of receiving from the customer a message and receiving an automatic response to the communication, and the method further includes parsing the received information including an address for communication with the customer.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the customer uses at least one of the wireless device, wireless pagers, personal digital assistants, or Internet-ready watches as an alternative or in addition to an original or new printed ticket.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of at least one of:

storing at least one of the communication and the up-graded ticket on the wireless device for admission to an event, using the original ticket that is now re-allocated to a better seat, and using a new ticket to be received by the customer via at least one of the wireless device and manually.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of provisioning of demographic information to program sponsors by receiving from each user demographic information such as age and interests.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of compiling information for advertising and marketing use to allow sponsors to create custom offerings to users for creating targeted programs that address user needs and for targeting potential new customers.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of running different applications by complying with core and profile specifications, thereby achieving interoperability among applications.

19. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of communicating using at least one of a variety of different methods for information exchange over at least one network.

20. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of communicating using at least one of the following methods:

(1) one-to-one messaging;

(2) one-to-many messaging;

(3) distributed message databases;

(4) real time communication;

(5) real time remote computer utilization; and

(6) remote information retrieval.

21. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of communicating using at least one mobile network carrier using a communications technology and uniform interface standard for presenting and delivering wireless services on mobile devices.

22. A computer implemented system of automatically and dynamically at least one of allocating, upgrading, communicating and awarding 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 transmitting and receiving means and transceiver means for receiving and transmitting signals, said system comprising:

means for automatically providing the at least one of allocating, upgrading, communicating and awarding to the customer, without human intervention, and permitting human intervention for the at least one of allocating, upgrading, communicating and awarding to the customer that cannot be processed automatically, and determining the at least one of allocating, upgrading, communicating and awarding to the customer using the computer implemented method;

means for at least one of receiving a communication from and transmitting the communication to the customer, the communication including a request for at least one of a movie ticket, a sporting event ticket, a concession, or merchandise, the communication also including an identifier associated with an identification device, and said means for receiving step further including equivalents thereof;

means for at least one of updating and creating an account associated with the request;

means for 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;

means for determining at least one of a communication and an available allocation associated with the event and notifying at least one of the customers that are at least one of currently attending the event, and registered for at least one of allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding responsive to said determining the available allocation;

means for receiving from at least one of the customers said at least one of the communication and the at least one allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding in accordance with predetermined criteria;

means for transmitting a confirmation to the at least one wireless device confirming to the at least one customer the at least one of said at least one of;

allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding;

means for at least one of storing and receiving information regarding the at least one of the communication and said at least one of;

allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding, and optionally utilizing at least one of new information and the information to obtain the at least one of;

the communication and said at least one of;

allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding;

means for determining customers to be notified, and notifying the 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

means for optionally 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. A computer implemented system to at least one of upgrade and award to a customer, said system comprising:

a server comprising a processor and a memory medium, said server connected to a data communication network, said memory medium containing instructions for controlling said processor, wherein said processor receives a communication from the customer, the communication including at least one of a communication and a request to obtain admittance to at least one event, the communication also optionally including an identifier associated with the customer, automatically provides the at least one of allocating, upgrading, communicating and awarding to the customer, without human intervention, and permitting human intervention for the at least one of allocating, upgrading, communicating and awarding to the customer that cannot be processed automatically, and determining the at least one of allocating, upgrading, communicating and awarding to the customer using the computer implemented method, updates a database indicating that the request was processed, determines first predetermined criteria associated with the event indicative of at least one other customer not attending the event, releases an allocation associated with the at least one other customer responsive to said determining step, and notifies at least another of the customers to at least one of upgrade and award the at least another of the customers with the allocation, transmits a confirmation to the at least one wireless device confirming to the at least one customer the at least one of said at least one of;

allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding, determines customers to be notified via the at least one wireless device, notifies the 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 polls 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; and

a plurality of wireless devices operably connectable to said server, said wireless devices including at least one of a smart card, a personal digital assistant, a mobile telephone, and a mobile data device, said wireless device comprising at least one of transmitting and receiving means and transceiver means for receiving and transmitting signals to and from said server, including receiving from the at least another of the customers said at least one of the upgrade, communication and award for the reallocation via at least one of said wireless devices, and at least one of storing and receiving information regarding the at least one of the communication and said at least one of;

allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding, and optionally utilizing at least one of new information and the information to obtain the at least one of;

the communication and said at least one of;

allocating, provisioning, upgrading, communicating and awarding.