A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any one of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
Many businesses and organizations purchase and use event tickets for the purpose of client and business development. These events tickets include, for example, sporting events, plays and shows, concerts and orchestras, and any other event(s) suitable for client and/or business development. Hence, within a business or organization, there exists a need to efficiently administer the function of event tickets.
In one embodiment, a system and method manages the event ticket function. The system and methods can be web-based via an intranet or Internet, or standalone. Event data such as, for example, a calendar of events, the name of the event, time of the event, and ticket information are stored and tracked. Each event ticket requester can have a profile for ranking the requestor among a plurality of requesters to prioritize event ticket administration. A requester's profile can also be used to track the requester's number of granted, denied and total requests, and other associated data. Requests for event tickets generate messages, alerts and/or reminders to administrators and/or requesters. Decisions by administrators to grant or deny requests generate associated messages to the requestors informing them that a decision has been made on their requests.
In another embodiment, the system and method includes auto-allocation. Auto-allocation logic monitors the event ticket data for events where no requests have been made. In this case, the auto-allocation automatically allocates or grants those tickets to the administrators in order to find an appropriate use for the event tickets. Upon auto-allocation, messages are generated to the administrators and the event ticket data is updated to reflect those tickets have been auto-allocated or granted to the administrators. The administrators may then subsequently adjust the data to indicate if any requesters have been found for the auto-allocated tickets
In yet another embodiment, a event ticket usage logic can be included. The usage logic can track planned event ticket usage and/or subsequent event ticket usage. This includes the requestor information (e.g., requester profile and associated data), event information, client or prospect entertained, topics discussed, expenses, etc. Any usage data relative to the event it be tracked.
In the accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, embodiments of the invention are illustrated, which, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below, serve to example the embodiments of this invention.
The following includes exemplary definitions of exemplary terms used throughout the disclosure. Both singular and plural forms of all terms fall within each meaning:
“Software”, as used herein, includes but is not limited to one or more computer readable and/or executable instructions that cause a computer or other electronic device to perform functions, actions, and/or behave in a desire manner. The instructions may be embodied in various forms such as routines, algorithms, modules or programs including separate applications or code from dynamically linked libraries. Software may also be implemented in various forms such as a stand-alone program, a function call, a servlet, an applet, instructions stored in a memory, part of an operating system or other type of executable instructions. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the form of software is dependent on, for example, requirements of a desired application, the environment it runs on, and/or the desires of a designer/programmer or the like.
“Logic,” synonymous with “circuit” as used herein, includes but is not limited to hardware, firmware, software and/or combinations of each to perform a function(s) or an action(s). For example, based on a desired application or needs, logic may include a software controlled microprocessor, discrete logic such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other programmed logic device. Logic may also be fully embodied as software.
“Browser” as used herein includes, but is not limited to, any computer program used for accessing sites, data or information on a network (as the World Wide Web) including, for example, toolbars and application programs. The browser may be configured to access, download, and/or execute logic and/or software located remote computers. Examples of browsers include Internet Explorer by Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Washington and Safari by Apple Corp. of Cupertino, California. Other browser programs are also applicable.
While the above exemplary definitions have been provided, it is Applicant's intention that the broadest reasonable interpretation consistent with this specification be used for these and other terms.
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Server 102 also reads and stores event data 106. Event data 106 can include any data associated with an event. It can include, for example, the name of the event, the time of the event, the type of tickets for the event, event usage data (e.g., requester information, client or prospect information, expenses, etc.) This list is not intended to be exhaustive but merely illustrative of data that can be associated with events and event usage. Event data 106 can include, for example, data regarding a plurality of events 108-112. Events can include sporting events, plays and shows, concerts and orchestras, and any other event(s) suitable for client and/or business development and/or entertainment.
Server 102 also interacts with an admin 122. Server 102 sends and receives information from admin 122. In one embodiment, admin 122 provides the inputs necessary to make decisions regarding the grant, denial, or other actions regarding requests for event tickets. In other embodiments, admin 122 provides for other administrative functions such as, for example, the input of requester and event profiles and their management. In another embodiment, admin 122 provides for the modification of event request data, usage data, and/or other data from an administrative perspective.
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In the figures, the elements denote “processing blocks” and represent computer software instructions or groups of instructions. The diamond shaped elements denote “decision blocks” and represent computer software instructions or groups of instructions which affect the execution of the computer software instructions represented by the processing blocks. Alternatively, the processing and decision blocks represent steps performed by functionally equivalent circuits such as a digital signal processor circuit or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The flow diagram does not depict syntax of any particular programming language. Rather, the flow diagram illustrates the functional information one skilled in the art may use to fabricate circuits or to generate computer software to perform the processing of the system. It should be noted that many routine program elements, such as initialization of loops and variables and the use of temporary variables are not shown.
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In block 406, if the request is granted, the logic advances to block 408 and generates messages indicating the request has been granted. In one embodiment, these messages can take the form of an e-mail to the requester indicating that the request has been granted and can include detailed information regarding the nature of the event. In block 406, if the request is denied or not granted, logic advances to block 410 and generates messages indicating the request has not been granted. Again, these messages can take the form of an e-mail to the requester indicating that the request is not been granted and can include detailed information regarding the nature of the event. Optionally, the same or similar type messages can be sent to the administrators. In this manner, the requester and administrators have a record of the grant or denial of event requests. In one embodiment, when the request has been granted, the message to the requester includes an “add appointment” function that allows the requester to add the event to the requester's appointment calendar.
After either the grant or denial of a request, the event data is updated and stored with this information in block 412. This information can include the requester's identity/profile and the associated data indicating the grant or denial of the request. In one embodiment, this event data can be used by the usage and or reporting logic to keep track of how many grants and/or denials have been associated with a particular requester. This information can be subsequently used to assist the administrators in the decision-making process of granting and denying requests where multiple requests a been made for a subsequent particular event. The event data can also include the date and time of each grant or denial of a request for each requester. In block 414, the event tickets are delivered to the granted requester(s). This delivery can be either electronic via a code (e.g., bar coded ticket) or via a physical ticket medium.
In block 502, the logic reads event data to determine the time remaining to the event. In block 504, the logic determines if the time to the event is less than a threshold time (e.g., “X” days). If the time to the event is less than this threshold, the logic advances to block 506 where it reads event data to determine if tickets are available for request. If tickets are available for request, the logic advances to block 508 where the available tickets are automatically allocated (i.e. granted) to the administrators. In block 510, updates and stores the event data to indicate that an auto allocation to the administrators has occurred. This information can be used for subsequent event reporting and usage analysis. If in either block 504 or 506 the condition listed is not met, the logic loops back to read the event data for the next event.
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In block 602, the logic reads event data which includes the date of the event and whether any tickets remain available. In block 604, the logic determines whether the remaining time to the event is less than a threshold value (e.g., 30 days). If the time remaining to the event is not less than 30 days, the logic loops back up to block 602 and reads event data for the next event. If the time remaining to the event is less than 30 days, the logic continues to block 606 where it determination is made whether any tickets remain available. If tickets are available, the logic advances to block 608 and generates one or more messages to requesters and/or administrators regarding the availability of event tickets. If tickets are not available in block 606, the logic loops back to block 602 and reads the event data for the next event.
In one embodiment, the message(s) generated in block 608 can include a listing of all (or total) available event tickets with associated event data such as, for example, the name of the event, the number of tickets available, the time and date of the event, etc. The message can also include interactive links allowing the requesters to directly link to the event to make a request. In other embodiments, the message(s) in a threshold value (e.g. 30 days) may be tiered. For example, based on the profile of certain requesters, a larger window of time or threshold value such as, for example, 45 days may be used. In addition, or alternatively, based on the profile of certain other requesters, a smaller window of time or threshold value such as, for example, 14 days may be used. In this manner, any appropriate window of time or threshold value may be selected and tied to requester profiles. Also in this manner, the automatic messaging logic 600 may be run at different times for different requester profiles.
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Event listing display 1206 also includes further display of event data including the event type 1212, start time 1214, event name 1216, number of tickets 1218, number of tickets available 1220, and the number of pending ticket requests. In other embodiments, less event data fields can be displayed or fields in addition to those listed herein may be displayed. Event listing display 1206 also includes a “Show Requests” button 1224 and a delete event “X” button 1226. Selection of the “Show Requests” button 1224 generates a display showing all the requests that have been made for the event (e.g., see
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Display 1300 further includes an interactive button to “Add New Seat Type” 1316 and/or modify seat type 1318. If either of these are selected a display 1320 is generated where data associated with the new or modified seat type can be input. These data includes “Event Type,” “Seat Type Description,” “Ticket Value,” “Number of Tickets,” “Minimum Request” and “Maximum Request” ticket values, and “Request Block” values. In other embodiments, additional or fewer of these data fields may be employed. For example, inputs for food service, club service, etc., can additionally included. In this manner, administrators can define and/or update seat/ticket profiles associated with an event.
Display 1400 also includes grant button 1404, deny button 1406, and delete button 1408. These buttons are used by, for example, administrators to grant, deny and/or delete pending requests. When a decision regarding a request is made, the messaging logic generates message(s) to, for example, the requestor(s), informing them of the decision. Administrators may also be sent the same or similar message(s).
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The system and method of the present invention can be implemented on a variety of platforms including, for example, networked computer systems and stand-alone computer systems. Additionally, the logic and databases shown and described herein preferably reside in or on a computer readable medium such as, for example, a Read-Only Memory (ROM), Random-Access Memory (RAM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disk or tape, and optically readable mediums including CD-ROM and DVD-ROM. Still further, the processes and logic described herein can be merged into one large process flow or divided into many sub-process flows. The order in which the process flows herein have been described is not critical and can be rearranged while still accomplishing the same results. Indeed, the process flows described herein may be rearranged, consolidated, and/or re-organized in their implementation as warranted or desired.
While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. For example, the displays and inputs of the present invention can be in any form suitable for obtaining the requested information. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the displays, logic, data, and inputs do not need to have the exact form, number or type as described herein, but can include less than that described herein. Alternatively, additional displays, logic, data and inputs can also be utilized that are consistent with managing a plurality of events. In addition, the invention may be a part of a larger business development activity tracking and/or management system, wherein event ticket management is one of many business development activities. For example, the business development system and method of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/021,943, which is incorporated by reference herein in full.
Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative apparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.
This application claims priority to, and the benefits of, U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/912,362, filed on Dec. 5, 2013, which is incorporated by reference herein in full.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61912362 | Dec 2013 | US |