Computer-based right distribution system

• US 7,698,210 B2
• Filed: 06/14/2006
• Issued: 04/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Live Nation Entertainment Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ticketmaster LLC (Live Nation Entertainment Incorporated)
• Inventors: Brett, Kenton F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kazimi; Hani
• Assistant Examiner(s): Akintola; Olabode
• Application Number:
  US11/453,286
• Publication Number:
  US 20070033131A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,399 Days
• Field of Search: 705/37
• US Class Current: 705/37
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/367 involving electronic purses or money safes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1809 for auctioneering devices

Abstract

An automated ticket auctioning system receives and evaluates bid information records received from a plurality of remote terminals. Each bid information record corresponds to at least one bid for one or more desired seats at a venue. Each bid information record may also include a plurality of additional bids identified for different seats in the venue. The separate bids in each bid information record are prioritized. The automated ticket auctioning system includes a central controlling computer operable to receive the bid information records and determine, in order of priority, whether any of the bids in a bid information record is accepted. If one bid in a bid information record is accepted, all lower priority bids in that bid information record are dismissed.

Claims

1. A method of allocating tickets via an auction, comprising

transmitting from a computer over a network an auction start date to one or more user terminals before the start date;

transmitting from the computer to at least one user terminal a graphical representation of seating for a first venue at which an event is to take place for which tickets are being auctioned, wherein the first venue includes a plurality of seating sections;

transmitting to at least one user terminal minimum bid information for the auction;

receiving at the computer bid information from at least one user terminal, the bid information including bid price information;

determining, via the computer, for at least one bidder, if the at least one bidder provided at least a first type of payment information, and if not, inhibiting the at least one bidder'"'"'s participation in the ticket auction; and

determining, via the computer, if the bid price is unacceptable or acceptable based at least in part on the minimum bid; and

identifying via the computer a successful bidder,

wherein a ticket is delivered to the successful bidder.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one venue seating section includes a plurality of seats.

3. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein only one seat is available at a first bid level.

4. The method as defined in claim 1, the method further comprising transmitting over the network a bid web page form to at least one user terminal.

5. The method as defined in claim 1, the method further comprising initiating an auction site in advance of open bidding.

6. The method as defined in claim 1, the method further comprising receiving over a network user registration information.

7. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the bid information includes section identification information.

8. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the bid information includes seat quantity information.

9. The method as defined in claim 1, the method further comprising receiving credit card information over the network from at least one auction participant prior to accepting a first bid from the at least one auction participant.

10. The method as defined in claim 1, the method further comprising transmitting a message over the network to a first user indicating that the first user needs to register in order to bid.

11. The method as defined in claim 1, the method further comprising transmitting a message over the network to a first user indicating that a bid from the first user is too low to be a winning bid.

12. The method as defined in claim 1, the method further comprising transmitting a message over the network to a first user indicating that a bid from the first user is accepted.

13. The method as defined in claim 1, the method further comprising transmitting information regarding a current standing bid for at least one seat over the network to a first user.

14. The method as defined in claim 1, the method further comprising transmitting updated information regarding a standing bid for at least one seat over the network to a first user.

15. The method as defined in claim 1, the method further comprising transmitting a performer name, a performance date, and a performance time to at least one user terminal.

16. The method as defined in claim 1, the method further comprising transmitting an auction start time to at least one user terminal prior to the start of the auction.

17. The method as defined in claim 1, the method further comprising transmitting an indication to at least one user terminal that bids must be in whole dollars.

18. The method as defined in claim 1, the method further comprising storing in a computer database name, address information, and credit card information for a plurality of ticket auction participants.

19. A method of auctioning tickets via a computer implemented auction system, the method comprising:

transmitting from a computer system over a network a ticket auction start date to one or more user terminals, the ticket auction start state being prior to an event date associated with tickets being auctioned;

transmitting over the network minimum bid information to one or more user terminals;

determining via the computer system, for at least one bidder, if the at least one bidder provided at least a first type of payment information, and if not, inhibiting the at least one bidder'"'"'s participation in the ticket auction;

receiving, at the computer system, over the network a plurality of ticket bids from a plurality of user terminals, including a first bid, the first bid associated with section identification information corresponding to a venue seating section having more seats than are being bid on via the first bid;

transmitting, via the computer system, information regarding a current standing bid associated with at least one seat over the network to a first user;

identifying, via the computer system, at least a first successful ticket auction bidder; and

transmitting, from the computer system, a notification over the network to a terminal associated with the first successful auction bidder.

20. The method as defined in claim 19, transmitting to at least one user terminal a graphical representation of seating for a venue, wherein tickets are being auctioned for an event at the venue.

21. The method as defined in claim 19, wherein only one seat is available at a first bid level.

22. The method as defined in claim 19, the method further comprising transmitting over the network a bid web page form to at least one user terminal.

23. The method as defined in claim 19, the method further comprising initiating an auction site for the auction in advance of open bidding for the auction.

24. The method as defined in claim 19, the method further comprising receiving over a network user registration information.

25. The method as defined in claim 19, wherein at least one bid includes section identification information.

26. The method as defined in claim 19, wherein at least one bid includes seat quantity information.

27. The method as defined in claim 19, the method further comprising receiving credit card information over the network from at least one auction participant prior to accepting a first bid from the at least one auction participant.

28. The method as defined in claim 19, the method further comprising transmitting a message over the network to a first user indicating that the first user needs to register in order to bid.

29. The method as defined in claim 19, the method further comprising transmitting a message over the network to a first user indicating that a bid from the first user is too low to be a winning bid.

30. The method as defined in claim 19, the method further comprising transmitting a message over the network to a first user indicating that a bid from the first user is accepted.

31. The method as defined in claim 19, the method further comprising transmitting information regarding a current standing bid for at least one seat over the network to a first user.

32. The method as defined in claim 19, the method further comprising transmitting updated information regarding a standing bid for at least one seat over the network to a first user.

33. The method as defined in claim 19, the method further comprising transmitting a performer name, a performance date, and a performance time to at least one user terminal.

34. The method as defined in claim 19, the method further comprising transmitting an indication to at least one user terminal that bids must be in whole dollars.

35. The method as defined in claim 19, the method further comprising storing seat section data.

36. The method as defined in claim 19, the method further comprising storing in a computer database name, address information, and credit card information for a plurality of ticket auction participants.