EXHIBIT 1009
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`EXHIBIT 1009
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`(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. N0.: US 2003/0069764 A1
`Gathman ct al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Apr. 10, 2003
`
`US 20030069764A1
`
`(54) SELLING BEST AVAILABLE SEATS ATA
`PUBLIC FACILITY
`
`(52) US. Cl. ................................................................ .. 705/5
`
`(
`
`)
`
`_
`gzi‘rezggifiilgtilidggesisel
`Phil? S Electronics North America Cor oration
`580 gvhite Plains Road
`p
`Ta" town NY 10591 (Us)
`y
`’
`(73) Assigned KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELEC_
`' TRONICS N V
`'
`'
`09 /971 230
`’
`()CL 4, 2001
`
`(21) APPL N0.
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`(75) Inventors: Lauljle E'kGléi?lilmlin’ East glorwlch’ NY A virtual ticket control system that controls admission of
`Jae
`‘
`a en’ Dan ury’ CT
`customers to a public facility. The virtual ticket control
`system comprises: 1) a plurality of terminal devices dis
`posed at entry points to the public facility, a ?rst one of the
`terminal devices for establishing a communication link to a
`virtual ticket device used by a customer and receiving a
`virtual ticket transmitted by the virtual ticket device; and 2)
`a virtual ticket authentication controller for receiving the
`received virtual ticket from the ?rst terminal device and
`determining if a unique identi?er associated With the
`received virtual ticket matches one of a plurality of stored
`unique identi?ers associated With a plurality of authorized
`virtual ticket records stored in a memory associated With the
`virtual ticket authentication controller. In response to a
`determination that the unique identi?er associated With the
`received virtual ticket matches one of the plurality of stored
`unique identi?ers, the virtual ticket authentication controller
`transmits to the ?rst terminal device an authorization mes
`sa e indicatin that the received virtual ticket is valid.
`g
`g
`
`(22) Filed;
`
`Publication Classi?cation
`
`51
`
`Int. Cl.7 ................................................... .. G06F 17/60
`
`I
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`|
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`I
`I
`I
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`I
`|
`
`I
`‘
`
`.
`I
`
`E
`
`ETCs 40o RECEIVES A REQUEST FOR A VIRTUAL TICKET
`FROM VTD 200 AND TRANSMITS A VT TO VTD 200; OR
`ETCS 40o RECEIvEs A VT DATA RECORD FROM A
`REIvIoTE TICKET AGENCY vIA INTERNET
`
`I
`VTD 200 TRANSMITS VIRTUAL TICKET TO ETCS 400 VIA
`EPT AND ETCS 400 COMPARES VIRTUAL TICKET TO VT
`DATA RECORDS
`
`I.
`
`IF VIRTUAL TICKET IS AUTHENTICATED, ETCS 400
`
`TRANSMITS AUTHORIZATION MESSAGE TO EPT AND USER IS ADMITTED; OPTONALLY, SEAT LOCATION
`DATA FOR THE BEST AVAILABLE SEAT IS LOADED
`INTO VTD 200; OTHERWISE USER IS REJECTED
`
`l
`ETCS 400 TRACKS LOCATION OF VTD VIA ACCESS
`POINTS AND ENTRY POINT TERMINALS. IF USER
`ENTERS RESTRICTED AREA, EPT TRANSMITS VIRTUAL
`TICKET TO ETCS 400. ETCS 400 DETERMINES FROM
`PRIVILEGES DATA IF USER IS PERMITTED TO ENTER
`RESTRICTED AREA
`
`I
`LA I
`
`6-- 510
`
`Q- 515
`
`I
`
`,
`
`I
`I
`
`i
`
`I CONTINUE l
`
`500
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 10, 2003 Sheet 1 0f 5
`
`US 2003/0069764 A1
`
`SECURITY
`
`FIRST
`
`AID
`
`140
`
`150
`
`EPT3
`
`[E
`
`I RRZ I
`
`D2
`
`V82
`
`EPT1
`
`VS 1
`
`CS2
`
`C81
`
`D1
`
`I RR1 I
`
`MSD @ 1 2O
`
`1' 01
`
`107 é
`
`CS3
`
`@ 130
`EPT4
`
`TICKET
`
`OFFICE
`
`FIGURE 1
`
`D4
`
`D3
`
`RR4
`
`V84
`
`EPTZ
`
`V83
`
`RR3
`
`4 100
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 10, 2003 Sheet 2 of5
`
`US 2003/0069764 A1
`
`260
`
`IR
`IF
`
`RF
`270 -p [F
`
`vvIRELINE
`IF
`
`F280
`
`Y
`250
`
`205 +7
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`i
`DIsPLAY
`
`4‘
`220
`
`KEYPAD
`
`‘P
`230
`
`210
`i
`
`l
`MEMORY
`
`i
`
`BASIC O/S PROGRAM
`
`Q- 211
`
`GUI APPLICATION PROGRAM u- 212
`
`213
`PDA APPLICATIONS (E-IvIAIL,
`BROWSER, CALENDAR, ETC‘) f‘
`
`DOWNLOADED VENUE
`APPLICATIONS
`
`214
`F‘
`
`DOWNLOADED VENUE
`DATA FILES
`
`215
`
`?
`20o
`
`FIGURE 2
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 10, 2003 Sheet 3 0f 5
`
`US 2003/0069764 A1
`
`EVENT NAME
`
`352
`
`EVENT DATE q- 354
`
`VENUE NAME q- 356
`
`Q- 350
`
`I SECTION - ROW- SEAT NO.
`
`360
`é
`358
`TICKETSERIAL NO. 1
`
`|
`
`SCRATCH PAD
`
`305
`
`{5: i ii: i :1]
`
`FIGURE 3
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 10, 2003 Sheet 4 0f 5
`
`US 2003/0069764 A1
`
`@ g . . .
`
`Q
`
`TO/FROM
`INTERNET
`
`é
`
`l
`405 -p COMMUNICATION
`INTERFACE
`
`41o
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`430
`J
`ITE MAP FILE
`COMM. APPL.
`
`i
`
`43
`434
`
`420
`4
`
`MEMORY
`
`\rrREcoRDs
`VT1 DATA 441
`
`442
`VT3 DATA 443
`
`ACTIVE VT DEVICES FILE
`VT DEVICE 1
`
`
`
`VTID DATA PRIVILEGES -
`
`LOCAION
`
`461
`
`462
`
`463
`
`440
`
`VT DEVICE 2
`
`VT DEVICE 3
`
`‘ 452
`
`I 453
`
`FIGURE4
`
`

`
`Patent Application Publication Apr. 10, 2003 Sheet 5 0f 5
`
`US 2003/0069764 A1
`
`I
`
`I
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`I
`I
`
`I
`
`l
`
`I
`‘
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`I
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`'
`
`ETCS 40o RECEIVES A REQUEST FOR A VIRTUAL TICKET
`FROM WD 200 AND TRANSMITS A w TO vTD 200; OR
`ETCS 40o RECEIVES A w DATA RECORD FROM A
`REMOTE TICKET AGENCY vIA INTERNET
`
`‘I’ 505
`
`VTD 200 TRANSMITS VIRTUAL TICKET TO ETCS 400 VIA
`EPT AND ETCS 40o COMPAREs VIRTUAL TICKET TO vT @- 510
`DATA RECORDS
`
`IF VIRTUAL TICKET IS AUTHENTICATED, ETCS 400
`TRANSMITS AUTHORIZATION MESSAGE TO EPT AND
`USER IS ADMITTED; OPTONALLY, SEAT LOCATION
`DATA FOR THE BEST AVAILABLE SEAT IS LOADED
`INTO VTD 200; OTHERWISE USER IS REJECTED
`
`I
`ETCS 40o TRACKs LOCATION OF vTD vIA ACCEss
`POINTs AND ENTRY POINT TERMINALS. IF USER
`ENTERs RESTRICTED AREA, EPT TRANSMITS VIRTUAL
`TICKET TO ETCs 400. ETCs 40o DETERMINEs FROM
`PRIVILEGES DATA IF USER IS PERMITTED TO ENTER
`REsTRICTED AREA
`
`@- 515
`
`*‘520
`
`~
`
`I
`
`I
`
`I
`I
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`I
`
`I
`
`I
`‘
`
`I
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`I
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`500
`
`FIGURE 5
`
`

`
`US 2003/0069764 A1
`
`Apr. 10, 2003
`
`SELLING BEST AVAILABLE SEATS AT A PUBLIC
`FACILITY
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] The present invention is related to those disclosed
`in the following US. patent applications:
`
`[Docket No. US 010494],
`[0002] 1. Ser. No.
`?led concurrently herewith, entitled “SYSTEM FOR
`DISPLAYING PERSONAL MESSAGES AT A
`PUBLIC FACILITY AND METHOD OF DOING
`BUSINESS USING SAME”;
`
`[Docket No. US 010495],
`[0003] 2. Ser. No.
`?led concurrently hereWith, entitled “SYSTEM
`AND BUSINESS METHOD FOR OFFERING
`SEAT UPGRADES TO PATRONS AT A PUBLIC
`FACILITY”;
`[Docket No. US 010496],
`[0004] 3. Ser. No.
`?led concurrently hereWith, entitled “BUSINESS
`METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICAT
`ING PUBLIC-FACILITY STATUS INFORMA
`TION THROUGH A VIRTUAL TICKET
`DEVICE”;
`[Docket No. US 010497),
`[0005] 4. Ser. No.
`?led concurrently hereWith, entitled “TICKET
`EXCHANGE SYSTEM AND METHOD OF
`OPERATION”;
`[Docket No. US 010498],
`[0006] 5. Ser. No.
`?led concurrently hereWith, entitled “PUBLIC
`VENUE AUCTION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF
`OPERATION”;
`[Docket No. US 010499],
`[0007] 6. Ser. No.
`?led concurrently hereWith, entitled “SYSTEM
`AND METHOD FOR SELLING GOODS TO CUS
`TOMERS OF A PUBLIC FACILITY”; and
`
`[Docket No. US 010500],
`[0008] 7. Ser. No.
`?led concurrently hereWith, entitled “SYSTEM
`AND METHOD FOR SELLING IMAGE-DIS
`PLAY TIME TO CUSTOMERS OF A PUBLIC
`FACILITY”.
`
`[0009] The above applications are commonly assigned to
`the assignee of the present invention. The disclosures of
`these related patent applications are hereby incorporated by
`reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0010] The present invention is directed to electronic
`ticket control systems and, more speci?cally, to a system and
`method for selling and controlling admission to a large
`public
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0011] Large public entertainment facilities, such as con
`vention centers, concert halls, stadiums, sports arenas, and
`the like, are the civic centers of many communities and are
`important sources of revenue and employment. Quite often,
`public facilities are funded by taXpayers in order to attract or
`at least retain sports franchises, and to attract tourists and
`conventions. The large sums invested in public entertain
`
`ment facilities make it essential to maXimiZe the revenue
`derived from such facilities and to minimiZe their operating
`costs.
`
`[0012] HoWever, large public facilities tend to be labor
`intensive operations. Atypical sports facility requires a large
`number of gate attendants, ticket agents, ushers, concession
`stand operators, shop vendors, and security of?cers, and the
`like. Many neW sports facilities also employ Waiters and
`Waitresses Who take orders from, and serve food and drink
`to, customers at their seats. Facility operators use labor
`saving technology Wherever possible in order to offset the
`high labor costs associated With large public facilities.
`
`[0013] There is therefore a need in the art for technical
`improvements that reduce the costs of operating large public
`entertainment facilities. In particular, there is a need for neW
`technologies that help to reduce labor costs associated With
`a operating large public facilities. Additionally, there is a
`need for technical improvements that enhance the revenues
`of large public facilities. More particularly, there is a need
`for neW technologies that provide useful and enjoyable
`services to the patrons of large public facilities.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0014] To address the above-discussed de?ciencies of the
`prior art, it is a primary object of the present invention to
`provide a method and system Which alloWs a facility opera
`tor to increase revenue by selling customers optional guar
`anteed advance admission to the best seat in the facility
`Which remains available at the time of a future event. The
`method and system make advantageous use of a virtual
`ticket device.
`
`[0015] In its simplest form, the virtual ticket device is an
`eXisting smart telephone or cellular communication-enabled
`personal digital assistant (PDA), such as a PALM PILOTTM
`or a VISORTM electronic organiZer, a portable video game
`controller or a portable personal computer. A dedicated
`virtual ticket device could also be used. A customer Who
`Wishes to attend an event purchases admission in any
`conventional manner (e.g., by telephone from a ticket ser
`vice, in person at a boX of?ce, via the Internet). The ticket
`vendor sends an encrypted admission authoriZation record
`over a Wireless channel or a Wireline channel to the virtual
`ticket device, Where it is stored as a virtual electronic ticket.
`
`[0016] The encrypted admission authoriZation record may
`include, for eXample, information Which identi?es the date
`and location of the event, the seat number, price paid, and
`the like. The encrypted admission authoriZation record also
`may include uniquely encrypted information Which may be
`used in a conventional manner to authenticate that the record
`is genuine. The same information is preferably stored in a
`central database Which is accessible by the event operator
`and/or his service provider. The record in the database
`should preferably also include the telephone number or
`Wireless address of the virtual ticket device so that contact
`With the virtual ticket device may be established at a later
`time.
`
`[0017] Entry point terminals are provided at the entrances
`of the public entertainment facility Which read at least the
`encrypted authentication information from the virtual ticket
`device and authoriZe the customer to enter the event. The
`entry point terminals read the authentication information
`
`

`
`US 2003/0069764 A1
`
`Apr. 10, 2003
`
`over a very short range Wireless (RF) channel or infrared
`(IR) channel, or via a dedicated interface slot coupled to a
`Wireline channel to prevent eavesdropping and spoo?ng of
`the process. For example, the virtual ticket device may be
`programmed to display the data either as a string of char
`acters (e.g., serial number) or a bar code on its LCD display
`and the displayed information can be optically scanned in a
`chamber of the entry point terminal.
`[0018] Preferably both the virtual ticket device and the
`arena or theater is also equipped With hardWare and softWare
`Which can track the location of the virtual ticket device in
`and around the entertainment facility With a precision of
`perhaps a feW meters. Once the customer has purchased a
`virtual ticket, the virtual ticket device can be used, in
`conjunction With information stored in the database to
`provide a number of distinct information and marketing
`services to the customer.
`[0019] A virtual ticket control system interoperates With
`the above-described virtual ticket devices. The virtual ticket
`control system controls admission of customers to a public
`facility. According to an advantageous embodiment of the
`present invention, the virtual ticket control system com
`prises: 1) a plurality of terminal devices capable of being
`disposed at entry points to the public facility, a ?rst one of
`the terminal devices capable of establishing a communica
`tion link to a virtual ticket device used by a customer and
`receiving a virtual ticket transmitted by the virtual ticket
`device; and 2) a virtual ticket authentication controller
`capable of receiving the received virtual ticket from the ?rst
`terminal device and determining if a unique identi?er asso
`ciated With the received virtual ticket matches one of a
`plurality of stored unique identi?ers associated With a plu
`rality of authoriZed virtual ticket records stored in a memory
`associated With the virtual ticket authentication controller. In
`response to a determination that the unique identi?er asso
`ciated With the received virtual ticket matches one of the
`plurality of stored unique identi?ers, the virtual ticket
`authentication controller transmits to the ?rst terminal
`device an authoriZation message indicating that the received
`virtual ticket is valid.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`[0020] FIG. 1 is a plan diagram of an entertainment venue
`in Which an electronic ticket control system according to the
`principles of the present invention may be deployed;
`[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a virtual ticket device Which is
`capable of interacting With an electronic ticket control
`system according to the principles of the present invention;
`[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a virtual electronic ticket dis
`played on the virtual ticket device in FIG. 2 according to one
`embodiment of the present invention;
`[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates an electronic ticket control sys
`tem according to one embodiment of the present invention;
`and
`[0024] FIG. 5 is a How diagram illustrating the operation
`of the electronic ticket control system and the virtual ticket
`device according to one embodiment of the present inven
`tion.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`[0025] FIGS. 1 through 5, discussed beloW, and the
`various embodiments used to describe the principles of the
`
`present invention in this patent document are by Way of
`illustration only and should not be construed in any Way to
`limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art Will
`understand that the principles of the present invention may
`be implemented in any suitably arranged communications
`netWork capable of communicating With virtual ticket
`devices.
`
`[0026] FIG. 1 is a plan vieW of public facility 100 in
`Which an electronic ticket control system according to the
`principles of the present invention may be deployed. Public
`facility 100 is representative of any public venue that is
`capable of holding a large audience. Thus, public facility
`100 may include a football or baseball stadium, a basketball
`or hockey arena, a large concert hall, a convention center,
`and the like. As used herein and for the purpose of deter
`mining the scope of the claims of the present invention, the
`term “public facility” may include any controlled-access
`location to Which people may be admitted by means of an
`electronic ticket control system and should not be construed
`to exclude facilities that are privately oWned or that are open
`only to selected portions of the general public. In fact, public
`facility 100 may include controlled-access private clubs and
`private buildings, and even controlled-access forms of trans
`portation, such as trains, planes, cruise ships, and the like.
`HoWever, for the purpose of simplicity in explaining the
`principles of the present invention, it shall be assumed that
`public facility 100 is a sports facility.
`
`[0027] Public facility 100 comprises a plurality of seating
`areas, including exemplary seat sections 101-110, that sur
`round a playing area (e.g, hockey rink, basketball court,
`indoor track, or the like). Suspended over the playing area is
`multi-sided display (MSD) 120, Which has large display
`screens on four sides. The seating areas are surrounded by an
`exterior promenade area that contains a plurality of conces
`sion stands (CS), including four exemplary concession
`stands labeled CS1, CS2, CS3 and CS4. The promenade area
`also includes a number of rest rooms (RR), including
`exemplary rest rooms labeled RR1, RR2, RR3 and RR4, and
`numerous vendor shops (VS), including exemplary vendor
`shops labeled VS1, VS2, VS3 and VS4. Finally, the prom
`enade area contains ticket of?ce 130, security of?ce 140, and
`?rst aid station 150.
`
`[0028] Electronic displays of various types are positioned
`throughout public facility 100. In the promenade area,
`displays D1, D2, D3 and D4 enable patrons at the concession
`stands or vendor shops, or Waiting in rest room lines, to vieW
`the sporting event that is ongoing in the playing area. In the
`seating area, patrons can vieW displays D5, D6, D7 and D8,
`Which typically display advertisements, scores of other
`sporting events, player statistics, audience greetings, and the
`like
`
`[0029] Each of entry point terminals EPT1, EPT2, EPT3
`and EPT4 is disposed next to one of four entrances to public
`facility 100. EPT1, EPT2, EPT3 and EPT4 are capable of
`detecting and registering the virtual electronic tickets used
`by customers of public facility 100. EPT1-EPT4 read at least
`the encrypted authentication information from the virtual
`ticket device and authoriZe the customer to enter public
`facility 100. Each one of EPT1, EPT2, EPT3 and EPT4
`registers the admission of each virtual electronic ticket by
`any one of several conventional technologies. For example,
`one or more of EPT1, EPT2, EPT3 and EPT4 may comprise
`
`

`
`US 2003/0069764 A1
`
`Apr. 10, 2003
`
`an optical scanner that scans a bar code or a serial number
`displayed on the display of a virtual ticket device that stores
`each virtual electronic ticket. Alternatively, one or more of
`EPTl, EPT2, EPT3 and EPT4 may comprise a radio fre
`quency transceiver that establishes an RF link (such as a
`Bluetooth connection), or an infrared (IR) transceiver that
`establishes an IR link, that transfers the virtual electronic
`ticket information from the virtual ticket device used by the
`customer to the entry point terminal. In still another embodi
`ment, one or more of EPTl, EPT2, EPT3 and EPT4 may
`contain a slot or a similar hardWare interface into Which a
`virtual ticket device may be inserted or engaged in order to
`transfer the virtual electronic ticket information via a Wire
`line connection.
`
`[0030] Additionally, a number of Wireless or Wireline
`access points (APs) are distributed throughout the seating
`area and the promenade area of public facility 100. Exem
`plary access points labeled AP1-AP8 are shoWn in FIG. 1.
`According to an advantageous embodiment of the present
`invention, EPT1-EPT4 may function both as access points
`and as entry point terminals. AP1-AP8 provide communi
`cation channels that permit the virtual ticket devices used by
`customers to communicate With the electronic ticket control
`system associated With public facility 100. According to an
`advantageous embodiment of the present invention, AP1
`AP8 are radio frequency transceivers similar to the base
`stations of a cellular telephone system that provide tWo-Way
`radio frequency (RF) communication links With virtual
`ticket devices Within public facility 100. Preferably, AP1
`AP8 have a hand-off capability that alloWs a customer to
`roam throughout public facility 100 Without losing commu
`nication With the electronic ticket control system. Advanta
`geously, this alloWs the electronic ticket control system to
`continually track the location of each virtual ticket device in
`public facility 100.
`[0031] Customers can use their virtual ticket devices to
`signal their present location Within public facility 100 to
`friends and to locate lost family members. A netWork of
`entry point terminals may be used Within public facility 100
`to authoriZe admission to various areas such as preferred
`seating sections, clubs, luxury boxes, reserved rest rooms,
`priority parking lots, and the like.
`[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates virtual ticket device 200, Which
`is capable of interacting With an electronic ticket control
`system according to the principles of the present invention.
`Virtual ticket device 200 comprises processor 205, memory
`210, display 220, keypad 230, and one or more communi
`cation interfaces, including infrared (IR) interface (IF) 260,
`radio frequency (RF) interface (IF) 270, and Wireline inter
`face (IF) 280. Processor 205, memory 210, display 220, and
`keypad 230 are coupled to, and communicate via, system
`bus 240. Processor 205, memory 210, display 220, and
`keypad 230 are coupled to, and communicate via, input/
`output (I/O) bus 250.
`[0033] Processor 205 controls the overall operation of
`virtual ticket device 200 by executing basic operating sys
`tem (O/S) program 211 in memory 210. Memory 210 also
`stores graphical user interface (GUI) application program
`212, a plurality of personal digital assistant (PDA) applica
`tions 213, doWnloaded venue applications 214, and doWn
`loaded venue data ?les 215. PDA applications 213 may
`include, for example, an e-mail application, a broWser
`application, a calendar application, and the like.
`
`[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, virtual ticket device
`200 contains three external communication interfaces,
`namely, infrared interface 260, radio frequency interface
`270, and Wireline interface 280. HoWever, not all of these
`external communication interfaces are necessary to the
`operation of the invention. For example, in an advantageous
`embodiment of the present invention, virtual ticket device
`200 may only contain Wireline interface 280 and RF inter
`face 270. Virtual ticket device 200 may be adapted for
`insertion into a cradle device that plugs into Wireline inter
`face 280 and provides virtual ticket device 200 With elec
`trical poWer for recharging a battery (not shoWn) in virtual
`ticket device 200. When virtual ticket device 200 is plugged
`into a cradle device, applications and data may be doWn
`loaded or uploaded via Wireline interface 280.
`
`[0035] For example, in an advantageous embodiment of
`the present invention, virtual ticket device 200 may be a
`Wireless enabled electronic organiZer, such as a Palm VIITM
`organiZer. As those skilled in the art are aWare, a Palm VIITM
`organiZer (or an equivalent appliance) is capable of com
`municating via a Wireless interface (such as RF interface
`270) and may be mounted in a cradle device that provides
`Wireline communication and poWer supply voltages to the
`organiZer.
`[0036] Processor 205 executes GUI application program
`212 in order to interact With the operator of virtual ticket
`device 200 via keypad 230 and display 220. Normally, GUI
`application program 212 enables processor 205 to execute
`PDA applications 213 stored in memory 210. One of these
`applications may include a broWser application that alloWs
`virtual ticket device 200 to access via RF interface 270 or
`Wireline interface 280 a Website for a ticket agency in order
`to purchase a virtual electronic ticket to an event at public
`facility 100. When a virtual electronic ticket is purchased in
`this manner, the virtual electronic ticket and other useful
`applications and data ?les may be doWnloaded from the
`ticket agency Website to virtual ticket device 200 and stored
`in doWnloaded venue applications 214 and doWnloaded
`venue data ?le 215.
`
`[0037] In accordance With the method of the invention the
`facility operator offers his customers an option to purchase
`in advance admission to the best seat in the facility that
`remains unsold and available When the customer arrives at
`a future event and charges the customer a small premium for
`this option. If the customer elects to pay for the best
`available seat option, then partial admission data is loaded
`into the virtual ticket device at the time of purchase and this
`data is supplemented and completed at the time of the event
`in a manner described beloW. The premium, together With
`the price of a general admission ticket may be charged to the
`customer at the time of advance purchase. When the cus
`tomer enters the facility he may be charged an additional fee
`Which depends upon the grade and location of the best
`available seat. Typically, the additional fee Will be someWhat
`discounted from the price the customer Would have been
`charged had he purchased a guaranteed ticket in advance for
`the same seat. As an optional feature, the customer may also
`specify in advance the a maximum additional amount he is
`Willing to pay at the time of admission and the operator
`determines the best available seat by taking this maximum
`price into account. Thus, as used herein, the term “best seat
`available may mean the best seat Within a particular price
`range.
`
`

`
`US 2003/0069764 A1
`
`Apr. 10, 2003
`
`[0038] Downloaded venue data ?le 215 may be used to
`store such information as the virtual electronic ticket, elec
`tronic maps of public facility 100, text information related to
`concession stands and vendor shops, and text information
`related to security and ?rst aid at public facility 100.
`DoWnloaded venue applications 214 may include one or
`more applications executed by processor 205 When the
`customer is at public facility 100. In particular, doWnloaded
`venue applications 214 may include a communication appli
`cation that enables processor 205 to control the operation of
`RF interface 270 and Wireline interface 280 such that virtual
`ticket device 200 is capable of communicating With access
`points AP1-AP8 and entry point terminals EPT1-EPT4 at
`public facility 100. For example, the communication appli
`cation may con?gure RF interface 270 in virtual ticket
`device 200 to use the operating frequency channels and
`medium access control (MAC) layer protocols used by
`AP1-AP8 and EPT1-EPT4.
`
`[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates virtual electronic ticket 350 dis
`played on virtual ticket device 200 according to one embodi
`ment of the present invention. Virtual ticket device 200
`comprises display 220, and keypad 230. The loWer portion
`of display 220 contains scratch pad 305 and a plurality of
`icons, namely icons 11, 12, 13, and 14. The upper portion of
`display 220 contains virtual electronic ticket 350. Virtual
`electronic ticket 350 comprises event name ?eld 352, event
`date ?eld 354, venue name ?eld 356, seating information
`?eld 358, ticket serial number ?eld 360, and bar code ?eld
`362.
`
`[0040] The operator of virtual ticket device 200 may use
`a stylus or a similar device to select icons I1, I2, I3 or I4 and
`thereby launch one or more of FDA applications 213 in
`memory 210. Additionally, the operator may use the stylus
`to enter text or numbers in scratch pad area 305 When
`executing one of FDA applications 213 that permits the
`entry of text data. Additionally, the buttons in keypad 230
`may be used to select icons or to perform functions such as
`scroll up, scroll doWn, scroll left, scroll right and the like.
`
`[0041] When the customer approaches or enters public
`facility 100, the customer turns on virtual ticket device 200
`and launches the communication application in doWnloaded
`venue applications 214 that alloWs virtual ticket device 200
`to communicate With entry point terminals EPT1-EPT4 and
`access points AP1-AP8 in public facility 100. The commu
`nication application may be launched automatically simply
`by selecting virtual electronic ticket 350 that has been
`doWnloaded and stored in doWnloaded venue data ?les 215.
`Event name ?eld 352 contains the name of the event
`occurring in public facility 100, such as “New York Knicks
`vs. Indiana Pacers.” Event date ?eld 354 contains the date on
`Which the event is occurring, such as “Nov. 13, 2001.”
`
`[0042] Venue name ?eld 356 contains the name of public
`facility 100, such as “Madison Square Garden.” Seating
`information ?eld 358 contains the section, roW and seat
`number information associated With virtual electronic ticket
`350.
`
`[0043] According to the present invention, seating infor
`mation ?eld 358 may contain a generic “best available” code
`or similar indicate instead of the section, roW and seat
`number information. According to such an embodiment,
`When a customer initially purchases his or her ticket, the
`customer has the option of paying a small premium to get a
`
`virtual ticket for the best available seat. The doWnloaded
`virtual ticket stored in virtual ticket device 200 is equivalent
`to a general admission seat and may not contain a speci?c
`seat assignment. When the customer enters public facility
`100, if a seat better than the general admission seat is
`available, the location of the best available seat may be
`transmitted to virtual ticket device 200 an inserted into the
`appropriate ?elds in virtual electronic ticket 350. The cus
`tomer may then be charged an additional amount according
`to the price difference betWeen the original general admis
`sion seat and the best available seat.
`
`[0044] If the entry point terminal contains an optical
`scanner, the optical scanner may scan one or both of ticket
`serial number ?eld 360 and bar code ?eld 362. An optical
`character recognition application may be used to read the
`serial number appearing in ticket serial number ?eld 360. A
`conventional bar code scanner device may read the bar code
`in bar code ?eld 362. In either event, When virtual electronic
`ticket 350 is identi?ed, the entry point terminal accesses the
`data base associated With the electronic ticket control system
`associated With public facility 100 and, if virtual electronic
`ticket 350 is properly authenticated, permits the customer to
`enter public facility 100. The entry point terminal may
`produce a visible or audible signal approving entry by the
`customer. Alternatively, if virtual electronic ticket 350 is not
`authenticated, the entry point terminal may generate an
`audible or visual alarm alerting a nearby gate attendant that
`the customer should not be admitted to public facility 100.
`
`[0045] FIG. 4 illustrates electronic ticket control system
`400 according to one embodiment of the present invention.
`Electronic ticket control system 400 comprises communi
`cation interface 405, processor 410, database (DB) 415, and
`memory 430. Processor 410, database (DB) 415, and
`memory 430 are coupled to, and communicate via system
`bus 420. Communication interface 405 has an external
`netWork connection that interfaces With netWork bus 490.
`Communication interface 405 enables processor 410 to
`communicate With exemplary access points AP1-AP8 and
`exemplary entry point terminals EPT1-EPT4. Communica
`tion interface 405 also enables processor 410 to communi
`cate With remote servers and other devices via the Internet.
`
`[0046] Memory 430 stores site map ?le 432, communica
`tion application program 434, virtual ticket records 440, and
`active virtual ticket devices ?le 450. Virtual ticket records
`440 contains a plurality of virtual ticket data records 441
`443, Which are arbitrarily labeled VT1 DATA, VT2 DATA
`and VT3 DATA, respectively. Site map ?le 432 may com
`prise, among other things, a master seat list of every seat in
`public facility 100, including a ?ag indicator for each seat
`indicating Whether or not the seat has been sold or is still
`available. Virtual ticket records 440 comprises a master list
`of all virtual tickets that Were sold to the particular event
`occurring at public facility 100. Each virtual ticket data
`record 441-443 contains the serial number or bar code of
`each virtual ticket, the section and seat number information
`associated With each virtual ticket (or a code indicating that
`the virtual ticket is for a “best available” seat), payment
`information (optionally), the privileges associated With each
`virtual ticket, and the like. The virtual tickets that are
`received from the virtual ticket devices are compared to the
`virtual ticket data in virtual ticket records 440 before admit
`ting each customer to public facility 100. If a customer has
`purchased a best available virtual ticket, electronic ticket
`
`

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`US 2003/0069764 A1
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`Apr. 10, 2003
`
`control system 400 can determine from the master seat list
`stored in site map ?le 432