EXHIBIT 1001
`
`EXHIBIT 1001
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`I lllll llllllll Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111111111111111111
`US008121872B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Bowman et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,121,872 B2
`Feb.21,2012
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ALLOCATING
`SEATS FOR A TICKETED EVENT
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Robert A. Bowman, Westport, CT (US);
`Heather L. Benz, Kinnelon, NJ (US);
`Mark Plutzer, Great Neck, NY (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: MLBAdvanced Media, L.P., New York,
`NY(US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 2360 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/998,834
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Nov. 29, 2004
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2006/0116916Al
`
`Jun. 1, 2006
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`G06Q 10100
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................................................... 705/5
`(58) Field of Classification Search ........................ None
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2,542,890 A
`2/1951 Basu et al.
`5,239,480 A *
`8/1993 Huegel .............................. 705/5
`10/1993 Hornick et al.
`5,255,184 A
`5,270,921 A
`12/1993 Hornick
`2002/0023041 Al *
`212002 Brett ............................... 705/37
`8/2002 Tolis et al.
`2002/0103681 Al
`4/2003 Gathman et al.
`2003/0069764 Al
`2004/0181438 Al
`912004 Hoene et al.
`2004/0205006 Al *
`10/2004 Kanai
`............................. 705/26
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner - Shannon Campbell
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Foley & Lardner LLP
`
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A system and method relates to allocating seats to a ticketed
`event. The method can include receiving a request for a num(cid:173)
`ber of seats at a ticketed event, selecting a first seat wherein
`the first seat is determined to be a best unassigned seat at the
`ticketed event, and determining a best grouping of seats
`wherein the best grouping of seats includes the number of
`seats requested and further wherein the best grouping of seats
`comprises the best unassigned seat at the ticketed event.
`
`22 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`RECEIVE REQUEST FOR
`NUMBER OF TICKETS
`
`, r
`
`IDENTIFY BEST SEAT
`AVAILABLE AT TICKETED EVENT
`
`, r
`
`IDENTIFY GROUPING OF
`AVAILABLE SEATS INCLUDING
`THE IDENTIFIED BEST SEAT AND
`THE REQUESTED NUMBER OF SEATS
`
`v2s
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.21,2012
`
`Sheet 1of3
`
`US 8,121,872 B2
`
`12
`
`14
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`INTERFACE
`
`16
`
`DATABASE
`
`FIG. 1
`
`RECEIVE REQUEST FOR
`NUMBER OF TICKETS
`
`v22
`
`'
`
`v24
`
`IDENTIFY BEST SEAT
`AVAILABLE AT TICKETED EVENT
`
`ir.
`
`IDENTIFY GROUPING OF
`AVAILABLE SEATS INCLUDING
`THE IDENTIFIED BEST SEAT AND
`THE REQUESTED NUMBER OF SEATS
`
`/ 26
`
`FIG. 2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.21,2012
`
`Sheet 2 of 3
`
`US 8,121,872 B2
`
`RECEIVE REQUEST FOR GROUP
`OF SEATS FROM PURCHASER
`
`DETERMINE A BEST GROUPING OF
`SEATS BASED ON THE NUMBER
`OF SEATS SELECTED BY PURCHASER
`
`PRESENT BEST GROUPING OF
`SEATS TO PURCHASER
`
`32
`
`36
`
`34
`
`YES
`
`NO
`
`IDENTIFY DIFFERENT BEST GROUPING
`OF SEATS BASED ON NUMBER OF SEATS
`SELECTED BY PURCHASER
`
`42
`
`40
`
`PROCESS
`SELECTED
`GROUPING
`OF SEATS
`
`FIG. 3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb.21,2012
`
`Sheet 3 of 3
`
`US 8,121,872 B2
`
`1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
`x x x x x 0 x x x x x x
`x x x 0 0 x x x x x x x
`x x 0 0 0 x x x x x x x
`x x x 0 x 0 x x x x x x
`x x x x x x x x x x x x
`x x x x x x x x x x x x
`
`A
`B
`c
`D
`E
`F
`
`FIG. 4
`
`1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
`x 0 x x x x x x x x x x
`x x 0 x x x x 0 x 0 x x
`0 x x x x 0 0 x x x 0 0
`x x x x x 0 0 x x 0 x x
`x 0 0 x 0 0 x 0 x x 0 0
`0 x x 0 x x x 0 x x x x
`
`A
`B
`c
`D
`E
`F
`
`FIG. 5
`
`

`
`US 8,121,872 B2
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ALLOCATING
`SEATS FORA TICKETED EVENT
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates generally to systems and
`techniques for selecting seats for a ticketed event, such as
`sporting events (e.g., baseball, basketball, football, hockey,
`auto racing), a concert, movie or theatrical performance, tele(cid:173)
`vision talk shows, award shows, speeches, religious ceremo(cid:173)
`nies, graduations or an airplane, boat, train or bus trip. More
`particularly, the present invention relates to a system and
`method for allocating seats for a ticketed event.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`This section is intended to provide a background or con(cid:173)
`text. The description herein may include concepts that could
`be pursued, but are not necessarily ones that have been pre(cid:173)
`viously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise
`indicated herein, what is described in this section is not prior
`art to the claims in this application and is not admitted to be
`prior art by inclusion in this section.
`A variety of different ticket reservation systems have been
`used to reserve and/or sell tickets for events, such as sporting 25
`events (e.g., baseball, basketball, football, hockey, auto rac(cid:173)
`ing), concerts, movie or theatrical performance, television
`talk shows, award shows, speeches, religious ceremonies,
`graduations or an airplane, boat, train or bus trip or any other
`event. Some reservation systems allow the purchaser to select
`the exact seat at the event. Other reservation systems select
`the purchased seats in the next available seats for a particular
`seating area or seating category, such as balcony seats, floor
`seats, or in the case of a baseball game, for example, seats
`behind home plate. Some events may have designated sec- 35
`tions of seats which form different areas or categories of
`pricing for tickets. However, existing reservation systems can
`result in fragmented seating as reserved seats may surround a
`small number of unsold seats. Such isolated seats may be
`difficult to sell or reserve. This process potentially reduces the 40
`total number of seats that may be sold for the event. Further,
`the isolated seats may be close to other unsold seats and
`several such open seats could be sold to a group wanting to sit
`near each other. Current ticket reservation systems cannot
`identify such arrangements and potentially do not maximize 45
`ticket sales as a result.
`In some situations, ticketed events are attended by larger
`groups of people wanting to sit near each other. However, due
`to the fragmentation of reserved seats, it can be difficult to
`identify groupings of multiple seats that are available for 50
`reservation. As such, larger groups of people either must
`purchase tickets for seats in less desirable, and thus more
`available seating areas or, alternatively, the groups must break
`up into smaller groups of people, or alternatively, not pur(cid:173)
`chase tickets.
`U.S. Patent Application No. 2004/0181438 entitled "Sys(cid:173)
`tem and Method for Dynamic Seat Allocation" describes a
`system and method for dynamic seat allocation. The system
`dynamically allocates seat assignments using a matrix having
`a plurality of available seats, a first seating arrangement using 60
`fewer than the entire plurality of available seats, the first
`seating arrangement based on a first seating request, a subse(cid:173)
`quent seating request, and logic for revising the first seating
`arrangement to develop a proposed seating arrangement to
`accommodate the first seating request and the second seating 65
`request. Nevertheless, this system and method may cause
`confusion because seat assignments are changing up until the
`
`2
`event or a short time before the event begins, and potentially
`will not maximize ticket sales as a result.
`U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0069764 entitled "Sell(cid:173)
`ing Best Available Seats at a Public Facility" describes a
`virtual ticket control system that controls admission of cus(cid:173)
`tomers to a public facility. The virtual ticket control system
`includes 1) a plurality of terminal devices disposed at entry
`points to the public facility, a first one of the terminal devices
`for establishing a communication link to a virtual ticket
`device used by a customer and receiving a virtual ticket trans-
`lO mitted by the virtual ticket device; and 2) a virtual ticket
`authentication controller for receiving the received virtual
`ticket from the first terminal device and determining if a
`unique identifier associated with the received virtual ticket
`matches one of a plurality of stored unique identifiers asso-
`15 ciated with a plurality of authorized virtual ticket records
`stored in a memory associated with the virtual ticket authen(cid:173)
`tication controller. This system includes an option to purchase
`the best seat in the facility that remains unsold and available
`when the customer arrives at the event. However, this system
`20 also potentially will not maximize ticket sales because the
`customer does not know where his/her or seat will be until
`entering the event. Further, there is nothing that accounts for
`multiple seats for groups where the seats are proximate to
`each other but not necessarily in the same row.
`There is a need to have improved systems for determining
`the best group of seats available at a ticketed event. Further,
`there is a need to identify ticketing opportunities where tick(cid:173)
`eted seats are contiguous but not necessarily in the same row.
`Even further, there is a need to expedite the ticket purchasing
`30 process to quickly assure customers buying groups of tickets
`that seats are located near each other and informing them of
`the location of their seats.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`One exemplary embodiment relates to a method of allocat(cid:173)
`ing seats to a ticketed event. The method can include receiv(cid:173)
`ing a request for a number of seats at a ticketed event, select(cid:173)
`ing a first seat wherein the first seat is determined to be a best
`unassigned seat at the ticketed event, and determining a best
`grouping of seats wherein the best grouping of seats includes
`the number of seats requested and further wherein the best
`grouping of seats comprises the best unassigned seat at the
`ticketed event.
`Another exemplary embodiment relates to a system that
`identifies groupings of available seats to be allocated for a
`ticketed event. The system can include a communication
`interface and a progranmied processor. The communication
`interface receives a request for a number of seats at a ticketed
`event. The programmed processor determines a best grouping
`of seats wherein the best grouping of seats includes the num-
`ber of seats requested and further wherein the best grouping
`of seats comprises a best unassigned seat at the ticketed event.
`Another exemplary embodiment relates to a system that
`55 allocates seats for a ticketed event. The system includes
`means for receiving a request for a number of seats at a
`ticketed event and means for determining a best grouping of
`seats wherein the best grouping of seats includes the number
`of seats requested and further wherein the best grouping of
`seats comprises a best unassigned seat at the ticketed event.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a general diagram depicting a system enabling a
`ticket purchaser to obtain tickets for groupings of seats to a
`ticketed event via a network in accordance with an exemplary
`embodiment.
`
`

`
`US 8,121,872 B2
`
`3
`FIG. 2 is a flow diagram depicting operations performed in
`a process of allocating seats for a ticketed event in accordance
`with an exemplary embodiment.
`FIG. 3 is a flow diagram depicting operations performed in
`a process of presenting groups of available seats for a ticketed
`event in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
`FIG. 4 is a diagram of a section of seats for a ticketed event
`with a certain number of seats being available for reservation
`or purchase for the ticketed event in accordance with an
`exemplary embodiment.
`FIG. 5 is a diagram of a section of seats for a ticketed event
`with a certain number of seats being available for reservation
`or purchase for the ticketed event in accordance with yet
`another exemplary embodiment.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates a system including a processor 12
`coupled to an interface 14 and a database 16. The processor
`12, interface 14, and database 16 can be part of a computer
`server system. The interface 14 is coupled to a network 18.
`The network 18 can be the Internet or any other network. The
`database 16 preferably contains seating charts for a plurality
`of venues where ticketed events occur, such as sporting
`events, musical concerts, entertainment presentations, reli(cid:173)
`gious gatherings, and other events where attendees to the
`event are assigned to selected seats in the venue. The interface
`14 can be computer software, hardware, or a combination of
`software and hardware.
`In at least one embodiment, a person desiring to purchase
`tickets to a ticketed event selects an event using a computer by
`means of an Internet web site or using a telephone service.
`The Internet web site, telephone service, or other input sys(cid:173)
`tem is coupled to the network 18 for communication of infor(cid:173)
`mation relating to the selection of tickets. For example, the
`ticket purchaser uses the network 18 to communicate the
`number of tickets he or she desires to purchase. The ticketing
`service presents the ticket purchaser with an option of a
`grouping of seats based on the number of tickets indicated by
`the purchaser and a best grouping selection made by the
`processor 12. If the purchaser selects the proposed grouping
`of seats, the ticketing transaction process proceeds. If the
`purchaser does not select the proposed grouping of seats,
`another grouping of seats can be identified and presented or
`the purchaser can end the ticketing session without purchas(cid:173)
`ing tickets.
`A wide range of implementations may be used to present
`the seating information. For example, a graphical represen(cid:173)
`tation of the seats at a ticketed event can be presented with
`some indication of available and unavailable seats, such as
`different coloring or shading or a textual indication such as an
`"X" in the representations of seats that are not available.
`Alternatively, the seating information can be presented by
`seat section and number. For example, available seats may be
`communicated as seats A4, B4, and BS in section 104 of an
`arena. Other presentation techniques can also be used.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram depicting operations in a
`process of allocating seats for a ticketed event. Additional,
`fewer, or different operations may be performed depending
`on the embodiment. In an operation 22, a ticket servicing
`computer receives a request for a number of tickets to a
`specified ticketed event. By way of example, the ticket ser(cid:173)
`vicing computer can be a server computer coupled to a net(cid:173)
`work of computers, such as the Internet. In an operation 24,
`the ticket servicing computer identifies a best seat available at
`a ticketed event. Generally, the best seat available is the seat
`
`4
`that is closest to the stage, playing field, or court. Best seat
`definitions can be changed based on the ticketed event. Some
`events may have different locations for the best seats. The best
`seat for a movie performance may not be the best seat for a
`rock concert. Further, the best seat definition can be set or
`adjusted by the ticket purchaser. Different purchasers may
`have different opinions as to the location of the best seats at
`the ticketed event. Some purchasers may prefer balcony seats
`over floor seats. Similarly, some baseball fans may prefer
`10 seats along the first or third base lines instead of behind home
`plate.
`In an operation 26, the ticket servicing computer identifies
`a grouping of available seats at the ticketed event where the
`grouping includes the identified best seat and the requested
`15 number of seats. In an exemplary embodiment, a grouping of
`seats is considered a number of seats where each seat shares
`a common boundary with at least one other seat in the group,
`meaning the seats are next to each other in the same row (to
`the left or right), next to each other in adjacent rows (behind
`20 or in front), or diagonally next to each other in different rows
`but adjacent rows. If there is not a grouping of seats with the
`identified best seat and the requested number of seats, the
`ticket servicing computer identifies a next best seat and a
`grouping of seats including this next best seat. Such process-
`25 ing continues until a grouping of seats including the number
`of seats requested is found.
`By way of further illustration, FIG. 3 depicts a flow dia(cid:173)
`gram of operations performed in a process of presenting
`groups of available seats for a ticketed event. Additional,
`30 fewer, or different operations may be performed depending
`on the embodiment. In an operation 32, a request for a group
`of seats is received from a purchaser. This request can be
`communicated in many different ways. For example, the
`request can be input into an Internet web site. The request can
`35 also be entered into a computer system by a ticket agent or
`box office employee. In an operation 34, a best grouping of
`seats based on the number of seats selected by the purchaser
`is determined. Seats are grouped based on availability and
`proximity. That is, only seats that are still available for pur-
`40 chase can be grouped and seats are only grouped if they are
`near each other. In an exemplary embodiment, proximity is
`determined by determining if seats share a boundary or are in
`any way contiguous. A seat shares a boundary with another
`seat, or is contiguous, ifthe seat is immediately adjacent (left,
`45 right, back, or front) or adjacent diagonally (back left, back
`right, front left, front right). The best seat definition can be set
`by the ticket purchaser or the ticker seller. Different ticket
`purchasers may consider different types of seats better than
`others. Further, the type of seats considered "best" by the
`50 purchaser may change depending on the event. For example,
`best seats for one ticket purchaser may be third base line seats
`for one baseball game and seats behind home plate for another
`baseball game.
`In an operation 36, the determined best grouping of seats is
`55 presented to the purchaser. This presentation can be done
`graphically using a graphical user interface in the case of an
`Internet application. The presentation can also be done using
`textual symbols communicated to a computer, cell phone,
`personal digital assistant (PDA), or other device. Alterna-
`60 tively, the presentation can be done by automated process
`over the telephone or by a live operator or ticket agent. Other
`presentation techniques may also be used.
`In an operation 38, the purchaser communicates whether
`he or she selects the presented grouping of seats for purchase
`65 for the ticketed event. If the purchaser indicates that the
`grouping of seats will be purchased, an operation 40 is per(cid:173)
`formed in which the selected grouping of seats are marked as
`
`

`
`US 8,121,872 B2
`
`5
`unavailable and a purchase transaction is processed. If the
`purchaser indicates that the grouping of seats will not be
`purchased, an operation 42 is performed in which a different
`grouping of best seats is identified based on the number of
`seats selected by the purchaser. The process of finding a
`grouping of seats continues until the purchaser makes a pur(cid:173)
`chase, the purchaser ends the session, or all grouping options
`have been presented for the ticketed event. In alternative
`embodiments, more than one groupings of seats can be pre(cid:173)
`sented to the purchaser at once from which the purchaser can 10
`select the grouping he or she wants.
`FIG. 4 illustrates a section 46 of seats for a ticketed event
`with a certain number of seats being available for reservation
`or purchase for the ticketed event. For illustration purposes,
`unavailable seats are depicted with an "X" and available seats 15
`are depicted with an "O". In section 46, seats A6, B4, BS, C3,
`C4, CS, D4, and D6 are part of the same grouping of seats
`because each one shares at least one common boundary with
`another seat in the grouping. Seats A6 and BS, for example,
`share a diagonal boundary. As such, these seats are available 20
`for a grouping of eight ticketed persons.
`FIG. S illustrates a section S4 of seats for a ticketed event
`with a certain number of seats being available for reservation
`or purchase for the ticketed event. As with FIG. 4, for illus(cid:173)
`tration purposes, unavailable seats are depicted with an "X" 25
`and available seats are depicted with an "O". In section S4,
`seat Cl is available but does not share a boundary with
`another available seat and, therefore, cannot be included in a
`grouping of more than one seat. In contrast, seats E2 and E3
`share boundaries with seats Fl and F4, respectively. Seat F4
`shares a boundary with seat ES. Accordingly, a grouping of
`thirteen seats is available-seats Fl, E2, E3, F4, ES, E6, D6,
`D7, C6, C7, BS, ES, and FS. This grouping of thirteen seats
`can be presented to a purchasers desiring to purchase thirteen
`tickets as a group or the grouping can be divided into sub(cid:173)
`groups for purchaser seeking groups of six and seven tickets
`or other various combinations.
`While several embodiments of the invention have been
`described, it is to be understood that modifications and
`changes will occur to those skilled in the art to which the
`invention pertains. For example, a computer system has been
`described that identifies seats that are adjoining or sharing a
`common boundary. The computer system can also identify
`seats meeting other selection criteria to form a grouping of
`seats that may not be adjoining or sharing a common bound(cid:173)
`ary (e.g., same section of a stadium, same priced tickets).
`Accordingly, the claims appended to this specification are
`intended to define the invention precisely.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method for allocating ticketed event seats, the method 50
`comprising:
`receiving, at a device, a request for a number of seats at a
`ticketed event;
`the device selecting a first seat wherein the first seat is
`determined to be a best unassigned seat at the ticketed 55
`event; and
`the device determining a best grouping of seats wherein the
`best grouping of seats includes the number of seats
`requested and further wherein the best grouping of seats
`comprises the best unassigned seat at the ticketed event.
`2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a best
`grouping of seats comprises identifying unassigned seats at
`the ticketed events that are adjoining each other and total the
`number of seats requested.
`3. The method of claim 2, wherein adjoining seats in a
`group are seats sharing a boundary with at least one other seat
`in the group.
`
`6
`4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a best
`grouping of seats comprises identifying unassigned seats at
`the ticketed events that are adjoining each other, are located in
`more than one row, and total the number of seats requested.
`S. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting
`the determined best grouping of seats.
`6. The method of claim S, further comprising receiving a
`communication to reserve the determined best grouping of
`seats.
`7. The method of claim S, further comprising receiving a
`communication to identify a next best grouping of seats,
`wherein a next best grouping of seats includes the number of
`seats requested and further wherein the next best grouping of
`seats comprises the next best unassigned seat at the ticketed
`event.
`S. The method of claim S, further comprising receiving a
`definition of best seat from a ticket purchaser.
`9. A system that identifies groupings of available seats to be
`allocated for a ticketed event, the system comprising:
`a communication interface that receives a request for a
`number of seats at a ticketed event; and
`a progrannned processor that determines a best unassigned
`seat at the ticketed event and a best grouping of seats
`wherein the best grouping of seats includes the number
`of seats requested and further wherein the best grouping
`of seats comprises the best unassigned seat at the tick-
`eted event.
`10. The system of claim 9, wherein the best grouping of
`seats comprises seats in a group where the seats in the group
`30 share a boundary with at least one other seat in the group.
`11. The system of claim 9, further comprising a database
`containing seating information for the ticketed event.
`12. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor deter(cid:173)
`mines a next best grouping of seats ifthe best seat unassigned
`35 at the ticketed event does not have a grouping of proximate
`seats totaling the number of seats requested.
`13. The system of claim 9, wherein the progrannned pro(cid:173)
`cessor determines more than one grouping of seats wherein
`each of the more than one grouping of seats includes the
`40 number of seats requested.
`14. The system of claim 13, wherein the communication
`interface receives a selection of the more than one grouping of
`seats.
`lS. The system of claim 9, wherein the communication
`45 interface is coupled to the Internet.
`16. The system of claim 9, wherein the best unassigned seat
`is selected from a section of seats identified by a ticket pur(cid:173)
`chaser.
`17. A system that allocates seats for a ticketed event, the
`system comprising:
`means for receiving a request for a number of seats at a
`ticketed event;
`means for determining a best unassigned seat at the tick(cid:173)
`eted event; and
`means for determining a best grouping of seats wherein the
`best grouping of seats includes the number of seats
`requested and further wherein the best grouping of seats
`comprises the best unassigned seat at the ticketed event.
`lS. The system of claim 17, wherein the best grouping of
`60 seats comprises seats in a group where the seats in the group
`share a boundary with at least one other seat in the group.
`19. The system of claim 17, further comprising means for
`determining more than one grouping of seats wherein each of
`the more than one grouping of seats includes the number of
`65 seats requested.
`20. The system of claim 17, further comprising means for
`identifying sub-grouping of seats wherein the sub-grouping
`
`

`
`US 8,121,872 B2
`
`7
`of seats includes the number of seats requested and further
`wherein the sub-grouping of seats comprises a best unas(cid:173)
`signed seat at the ticketed event.
`21. The system of claim 20, wherein the sub-grouping of
`seats comprises two sub-groups.
`
`8
`22. The system of claim 17, wherein criteria for seats in a
`group is adjustable by selection from a ticket purchaser.
`
`* * * * *
`
`

`
`I lllll llllllll Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111111111111111111
`US008121872Cl
`c12) EX PARTE REEXAMINATION CERTIFICATE (9931st)
`United States Patent
`US 8,121,872 Cl
`c10) Number:
`Bowman et al.
`(45) Certificate Issued:
`Nov. 8, 2013
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ALLOCATING
`SEATS FOR A TICKETED EVENT
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Robert A. Bowman, Westport, CT (US);
`Heather L. Benz, Kinnelon, NJ (US);
`Mark Plutzer, Great Neck, NY (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: MLBAdvanced Media, L.P., New York,
`NY(US)
`
`Reexamination Request:
`No. 90/012,432, Aug. 14, 2012
`
`Reexamination Certificate for:
`Patent No.:
`8,121,872
`Feb. 21, 2012
`Issued:
`Appl. No.:
`10/998,834
`Filed:
`Nov. 29, 2004
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G06Q 10100
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`USPC .............................................................. 705/5
`
`(2012.01)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`None
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`To view the complete listing of prior art documents cited
`during the proceeding for Reexamination Control Number
`90/012,432, please refer to the USPTO's public Patent
`Application Information Retrieval (PAIR) system under the
`Display References tab.
`
`Primary Examiner - Cameron Saadat
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A system and method relates to allocating seats to a ticketed
`event. The method can include receiving a request for a num(cid:173)
`ber of seats at a ticketed event, selecting a first seat wherein
`the first seat is determined to be a best unassigned seat at the
`ticketed event, and determining a best grouping of seats
`wherein the best grouping of seats includes the number of
`seats requested and further wherein the best grouping of seats
`comprises the best unassigned seat at the ticketed event.
`
`RECEIVE REQUEST FOR
`NUMBER OF TICKETS
`
`v22
`
`1 ,
`
`IDENTIFY BEST SEAT
`AVAILABLE AT TICKETED EVENT
`
`1 ,
`
`IDENTIFY GROUPING OF
`AVAILABLE SEATS INCLUDING
`THE IDENTIFIED BEST SEAT AND
`THE REQUESTED NUMBER OF SEATS
`
`

`
`US 8,121,872 Cl
`
`1
`EXPARTE
`REEXAMINATION CERTIFICATE
`ISSUED UNDER 35 U.S.C. 307
`
`THE PATENT IS HEREBY AMENDED AS
`INDICATED BELOW.
`
`Matter enclosed in heavy brackets [ ] appeared in the
`patent, but has been deleted and is no longer a part of the 10
`patent; matter printed in italics indicates additions made
`to the patent.
`
`2
`8. T~~ method of claim [5] J, further comprising receiving
`a defimt10n of best seat from a ticket purchaser.
`9. A system that identifies groupings of available seats to be
`allocated for a ticketed event, the system comprising:
`a database containing seating information for the ticketed
`event;
`a communication interface that receives a request for a
`number of seats at a ticketed event; and
`a [programmed] processor [that determines] programmed
`to:
`present a purchaser with an option of grouping of seats
`based on a number of tickets indicated by the purchaser
`and a best grouping selection made by the processor;
`select a first seat wherein the first seat is determined to be
`a best unassigned seat at the ticketed event [and];
`determine a best grouping of seats wherein the best group(cid:173)
`ing of seats includes the number of seats requested and
`further wherein the best grouping of seats comprises the
`best unassigned seat at the ticketed event; and
`present said best grouping of seats to the purchaser for
`selection by the purchaser,
`wherein the first seat is determined to be a best unassigned
`seat at the ticketed event according to a definition based
`on the ticketed event, wherein the definition is set by a
`ticket seller.
`10. The system of claim 9, wherein each seat in the best
`grouping of seats [comprises seats in a group where the seats
`in the group] share a boundary with at least one other seat in
`the [group] grouping so that the grouping of seats is contigu-
`30 ous.
`17. A system that allocates seats for a ticketed event the
`system comprising:
`'
`means for presenting a purchaser with an option of group(cid:173)
`ing of seats based on a number of tickets indicated by the
`purchaser and a best grouping selection made by the
`processor;
`means for receiving a request for a number of seats at a
`ticketed event;
`means for determining a best unassigned seat at the tick(cid:173)
`eted event, said best unassigned seat being determined
`by the device according to a definition based on the
`ticketed event; [and]
`means for determining a best grouping of seats wherein the
`best grouping of seats includes the number of seats
`requested and further wherein the best grouping of seats
`comprises the best unassigned seat at the ticketed event;
`and
`means for presenting said best grouping of seats to the
`purchaser for selection by the purchaser,
`wherein the definition is set by a ticket seller.
`18. The system of claim 17, wherein each seat in the best
`grouping of seats [comprises seats in a group where the seats
`in the group] share a boundary with at least one other seat in
`the [group] grouping, so that the grouping of seats is contigu-
`ous.
`20. The system of claim 17, further comprising means for
`[identifying sub-grouping of seats wherein the sub-grouping
`of seats includes the number of seats requested and further
`wherein the sub-grouping of seats comprises a best unas-
`signed seat at the ticketed event] dividing said best grouping
`of seats into sub-groups.
`* * * * *
`
`AS A RESULT OF REEXAMINATION, IT HAS BEEN
`DETERMINED THAT:
`
`15
`
`Claims 2, 5, 11, 16 and 19 are cancelled.
`Claims 1, 3-4, 6-10, 17-18 and 20 are determined to be
`patentable as amended.
`Claims 12-15 and 21-22, dependent on an amended claim, 20
`are determined to be patentable.
`1. A method for allocating ticketed event seats with a
`device having a processor coupled to an interface and a
`database, the method comprising:
`the device presenting a purchaser with an option of group- 25
`