Computer-implemented systems and methods for resource allocation

• US 7,949,595 B2
• Filed: 02/06/2007
• Issued: 05/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Live Nation Entertainment Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ticketmaster (Live Nation Entertainment Incorporated)
• Inventors: Denker, Dennis, Sussman, Adam, Bennett, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Akintola; Olabode
• Assistant Examiner(s): TINKLER, MURIEL S
• Application Number:
  US11/702,993
• Publication Number:
  US 20070143157A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,568 Days
• Field of Search: 705/5, 705/6, 705/14.23, 705/28, 705/35, 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 10/025 Coordination of plural reservations, e.g. plural trip segments, transportation combined with accommodation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0203 Market surveys; Market polls
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0217 involving input on products or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/08 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange

Abstract

Systems and methods are described for processing queue data and for providing queue messaging over a network. An illustrative queuing system includes a first queue configured to hold resource requests from a plurality of users, and program code stored in computer readable memory configured to determine or estimate whether a resource requested by a first resource request submitted by a first requester will be available when the first resource request will be serviced, and to transmit a message over a network to the first requester indicating that the requested resource will not be available when the queued request is serviced if it is estimated or determined that the requested resource will not be available when the first request is serviced.

Claims

1. A method of setting initial minimum bids for tickets in a ticket auction using a computing device, the method comprising:

setting, at least in part by the computing device, an initial minimum bid for a first set of seat tickets for a first event based at least in part on historical data including one or more of sold tickets, concessions, merchandise, or event parking;

setting, at least in part by the computing device, an initial minimum bid for a second set of seat tickets for the first event based at least in part on bid information for the first event,

wherein the second set of seat tickets are auctioned after the first set of seat tickets, and

wherein the bid information, used to set the initial minimum bid for the second set of seat tickets for the first event, includes information related to bid values of bids received for one or more tickets for the first set of seat tickets;

determining, using the computing device, winning bids for tickets for a first set of seats,

wherein the winning bids include a highest winning bid from a first bidder and a lowest winning bid from a second bidder;

calculating, using the computing device, a first ticket price lower than the highest winning bids and higher than the lowest winning bid;

charging the first bidder the first ticket price for at least one ticket; and

charging the second bidder the first ticket price for at least one ticket.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the bid information includes information related to the number of bids received for tickets for the first event.

3. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the bid information includes information related to the rate of bids for tickets for the first event.

4. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the historical sales data includes historical parking revenues.

5. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the historical sales data includes historical concession revenues.

6. The method as defined in claim 1, the method further comprising reading from computer readable memory a minimum bid adjustment limit.

7. The method as defined in claim 1, the method further comprising:

reading from computer readable memory a first minimum bid adjustment limit, wherein the setting of the initial minimum bid for a the second set of seat tickets is constrained by the first minimum bid adjustment limit.

8. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the setting of the initial minimum bid for the second set of seat tickets is based at least in part on unsold seat inventory.

9. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the timing of offering at auction seat tickets associated with the initial minimum bid for the second set of seat tickets is based at least on the time period remaining prior to the event.

10. The method as defined in claim 1, the method further comprising:

releasing additional seat tickets at a time after the beginning of the event ticket auction and before the event occurring;

determining that at least one user requested that a notification be provided when additional seats are released for auction; and

causing a notification related the release of additional seats to be transmitted to the at least one user.

11. The method as defined in claim 1, the method further comprising storing in computer readable memory a reserve price associated with at least one seat ticket being auctioned, wherein the reserve price is not disclosed to bidders prior to the close of the auction for the at least one seat ticket.

12. The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising charging the first bidder a delivery and/or service fee in addition to the first ticket price.