Patent US6240396B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6240396B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conditional purchase offer management system for event tickets
Assignee: Priceline com LLC
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Filing: 1997-09-04
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Granted: 2001-05-29
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Expires: 2017-09-04
Abstract
Abstract A system for managing conditional purchase offers is disclosed where an individual searching for a ticket to a particular event may provide a guaranteed purchase offer to a plurality of potential sellers. Various methods and systems for completing such a transaction are also disclosed. An exemplary method includes: making available a guaranteed purchase offer to a plurality of potential sellers; potential sellers examining offers corresponding to a ticket they possess; and a potential seller providing an acceptance to the guaranteed purchase offer. The disclosure describes a method of payment whereby both the buyer and seller must provide credit card pre-authorization to ensure payment and delivery of the ticket. Also, one embodiment discloses a delivery of the ticket that includes the participation of the venue hosting the event. In this embodiment, the traditional practice of exchanging tickets for cash is replaced with an electronic serial number system. According to this system, the venue may be notified to cancel the serial number originally assigned to the ticket held by the seller, and re-assign a new serial number directly to the buyer. The buyer may then exchange this number for a ticket at the venue box office.
Inventors
- 👤 Jay S. Walker
- 👤 Robert R. Lech
- 👤 Andrew S. Van Luchene
- 👤 Thomas M. Sparico
- 👤 James A. Jorasch
- 👤 Bruce Schneier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 21:56
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/02; G06Q10/028; G06Q10/0281; G06Q20/02; G06Q20/04; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/12; G06Q20/22; G06Q20/24; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/40; G06Q20/403; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/06; G06Q30/08; G06Q40/00; G06Q40/04; G07; G07F; G07F9/00; G07F9/02; G07F9/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for electronically completing a transaction between a remote prospective event ticket buyer and a remote potential event ticket seller, comprising: electronically receiving from said buyer a purchase offer for an event ticket containing at least one condition, an account number from a general purpose financial account, and authorization to charge said general purpose financial account for a purchase meeting said at least one condition; electronically making available said purchase offer to a plurality of remote potential event ticket sellers; electronically receiving from at least one of said remote potential event ticket sellers an unconditional acceptance of said purchase offer; electronically transmitting a replacement ticket number associated with said event ticket to said buyer; and electronically receiving a second general purpose financial account number from said seller and authorization to charge an account identified by said second general purpose account number; and processing a charge applied to said account.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for electronically completing a transaction between a remote prospective event ticket buyer and a remote potential event ticket seller, comprising: electronically receiving from said buyer a purchase offer for an event ticket containing at least one condition, an account number from a general purpose financial account, and authorization to charge said general purpose financial account for a purchase meeting said at least one condition; electronically making available said purchase offer to a plurality of remote potential event ticket sellers; electronically receiving from at least one of said remote potential event ticket sellers an unconditional acceptance of said purchase offer; electronically transmitting a replacement ticket number associated with said event ticket to said buyer; and electronically receiving a second general purpose financial account number from said seller and authorization to charge an account identified by said second general purpose account number; and processing a charge applied to said account.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for electronically completing a transaction between a remote prospective event ticket buyer and a remote potential event ticket seller, comprising: electronically receiving from said buyer a purchase offer for an event ticket containing at least one condition, an account number from a general purpose financial account, and authorization to charge said general purpose financial account for a purchase meeting said at least one condition; electronically making available said purchase offer to a plurality of remote potential event ticket sellers; electronically receiving from at least one of said remote potential event ticket sellers an unconditional acceptance of said purchase offer; electronically receiving a signal representing a ticket number associated with said event ticket and processing a payment to said seller; and electronically transmitting a replacement ticket number associated with said event ticket to said buyer.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for electronically completing a transaction between a remote prospective event ticket buyer and a remote potential event ticket seller, comprising: electronically receiving from said buyer a purchase offer for an event ticket containing at least one condition, an account number from a general purpose financial account, and authorization to charge said general purpose financial account for a purchase meeting said at least one condition; electronically making available said purchase offer to a plurality of remote potential event ticket sellers; electronically receiving from at least one of said remote potential event ticket sellers an unconditional acceptance of said purchase offer; electronically receiving a signal representing a ticket number associated with said event ticket and processing a payment to said seller; and electronically transmitting a replacement ticket number associated with said event ticket to said buyer.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for electronically completing a transaction between a remote prospective event ticket buyer and a remote potential event ticket seller, comprising: electronically receiving from said buyer a purchase offer for an event ticket containing at least one condition, an account number from a general purpose financial account, and authorization to charge said general purpose financial account for a purchase meeting said at least one condition; electronically making available said purchase offer to a plurality of remote potential event ticket sellers; electronically receiving from at least one of said remote potential event ticket sellers an unconditional acceptance of said purchase offer; electronically transmitting a replacement ticket number associated with said event ticket to said buyer; and electronically storing data representing a cancellation of said event ticket.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for electronically completing a transaction between a remote prospective event ticket buyer and a remote potential event ticket seller, comprising: electronically receiving from said buyer a purchase offer for an event ticket containing at least one condition, an account number from a general purpose financial account, and authorization to charge said general purpose financial account for a purchase meeting said at least one condition; electronically making available said purchase offer to a plurality of remote potential event ticket sellers; electronically receiving from at least one of said remote potential event ticket sellers an unconditional acceptance of said purchase offer; electronically transmitting a replacement ticket number associated with said event ticket to said buyer; and electronically storing data representing a cancellation of said event ticket.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for electronically completing a transaction between a remote prospective event ticket buyer and a remote potential event ticket seller, comprising: electronically receiving from said buyer a purchase offer for an event ticket containing at least one condition, an account number from a general purpose financial account, and authorization to charge said general purpose financial account for a purchase meeting said at least one condition; receiving name data representing an identity of said buyer; storing said name data to associate said identity of said buyer with said event ticket; electronically making available said purchase offer to a plurality of remote potential event ticket sellers; electronically receiving from at least one of said remote potential event ticket sellers an unconditional acceptance of said purchase offer; and electronically transmitting a replacement ticket number associated with said event ticket to said buyer.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for electronically completing a transaction between a remote prospective event ticket buyer and a remote potential event ticket seller, comprising: electronically receiving from said buyer a purchase offer for an event ticket containing at least one condition, an account number from a general purpose financial account, and authorization to charge said general purpose financial account for a purchase meeting said at least one condition; receiving name data representing an identity of said buyer; storing said name data to associate said identity of said buyer with said event ticket; electronically making available said purchase offer to a plurality of remote potential event ticket sellers; electronically receiving from at least one of said remote potential event ticket sellers an unconditional acceptance of said purchase offer; and electronically transmitting a replacement ticket number associated with said event ticket to said buyer.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for electronically completing a transaction between a remote prospective event ticket buyer and a remote potential event ticket seller, comprising: electronically receiving from said buyer a purchase offer for an event ticket containing at least one condition, an account number from a general purpose financial account, and authorization to charge said general purpose financial account for a purchase meeting said at least one condition; electronically making available said purchase offer to a plurality of remote potential event ticket sellers; electronically receiving from at least one of said remote potential event ticket sellers an unconditional acceptance of said purchase offer; electronically transmitting a replacement ticket number associated with said event ticket to said buyer; and transmitting to a venue controller a ticket identifier associated with said event ticket.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for electronically completing a transaction between a remote prospective event ticket buyer and a remote potential event ticket seller, comprising: electronically receiving from said buyer a purchase offer for an event ticket containing at least one condition, an account number from a general purpose financial account, and authorization to charge said general purpose financial account for a purchase meeting said at least one condition; electronically making available said purchase offer to a plurality of remote potential event ticket sellers; electronically receiving from at least one of said remote potential event ticket sellers an unconditional acceptance of said purchase offer; electronically transmitting a replacement ticket number associated with said event ticket to said buyer; and transmitting to a venue controller a ticket identifier associated with said event ticket.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein the step of determining said replacement ticket identifier includes the step of receiving said replacement ticket identifier from said venue controller.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for electronically completing a transaction between a remote prospective event ticket buyer and a remote potential event ticket seller, comprising: electronically receiving from said buyer a purchase offer for an event ticket containing at least one condition, an account number from a general purpose financial account, and authorization to charge said general purpose financial account for a purchase meeting said at least one condition; electronically making available said purchase offer to a plurality of remote potential event ticket sellers; electronically receiving from at least one of said remote potential event ticket sellers an unconditional acceptance of said purchase offer; and electronically transmitting a replacement ticket number associated with said event ticket to said buyer, wherein said replacement ticket number includes an original ticket identifier.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for electronically completing a transaction between a remote prospective event ticket buyer and a remote potential event ticket seller, comprising: electronically receiving from said buyer a purchase offer for an event ticket containing at least one condition, an account number from a general purpose financial account, and authorization to charge said general purpose financial account for a purchase meeting said at least one condition; electronically making available said purchase offer to a plurality of remote potential event ticket sellers; electronically receiving from at least one of said remote potential event ticket sellers an unconditional acceptance of said purchase offer; and electronically transmitting a replacement ticket number associated with said event ticket to said buyer, wherein said replacement ticket number includes an original ticket identifier.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
170 words
A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for electronically completing a transaction between a remote prospective event ticket buyer and a remote potential event ticket seller, said processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of: electronically receiving from said buyer a purchase offer for an event ticket containing at least on condition, an account number from a general purpose financial account, and authorization to charge said general purpose financial account for a purchase meeting said at least one condition; electronically making available said purchase offer to a plurality of remote potential event ticket sellers; electronically receiving from at least one of said remote potential event ticket sellers an unconditional acceptance of said purchase offer; electronically transmitting a replacement ticket number associated with said event ticket to said buyer; electronically receiving a second general purpose financial account number from said seller and authorization to charge an account identified by said second general purpose account number; and processing a charge applied to said account.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
170 words
A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for electronically completing a transaction between a remote prospective event ticket buyer and a remote potential event ticket seller, said processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of: electronically receiving from said buyer a purchase offer for an event ticket containing at least on condition, an account number from a general purpose financial account, and authorization to charge said general purpose financial account for a purchase meeting said at least one condition; electronically making available said purchase offer to a plurality of remote potential event ticket sellers; electronically receiving from at least one of said remote potential event ticket sellers an unconditional acceptance of said purchase offer; electronically transmitting a replacement ticket number associated with said event ticket to said buyer; electronically receiving a second general purpose financial account number from said seller and authorization to charge an account identified by said second general purpose account number; and processing a charge applied to said account.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
161 words
A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for electronically completing a transaction between a remote prospective event ticket buyer and a remote potential event ticket seller, said processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of: electronically receiving from said buyer a purchase offer for an event ticket containing at least on condition, an account number from a general purpose financial account, and authorization to charge said general purpose financial account for a purchase meeting said at least one condition; receiving name data representing an identity of said buyer; storing said name data to associate said identity of said buyer with said event ticket; electronically making available said purchase offer to a plurality of remote potential event ticket sellers; electronically receiving from at least one of said remote potential event ticket sellers an unconditional acceptance of said purchase offer; and electronically transmitting a replacement ticket number associated with said event ticket to said buyer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
161 words
A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for electronically completing a transaction between a remote prospective event ticket buyer and a remote potential event ticket seller, said processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of: electronically receiving from said buyer a purchase offer for an event ticket containing at least on condition, an account number from a general purpose financial account, and authorization to charge said general purpose financial account for a purchase meeting said at least one condition; receiving name data representing an identity of said buyer; storing said name data to associate said identity of said buyer with said event ticket; electronically making available said purchase offer to a plurality of remote potential event ticket sellers; electronically receiving from at least one of said remote potential event ticket sellers an unconditional acceptance of said purchase offer; and electronically transmitting a replacement ticket number associated with said event ticket to said buyer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
151 words
A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for electronically completing a transaction between a remote prospective event ticket buyer and a remote potential event ticket seller, said processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of: electronically receiving from said buyer a purchase offer for an event ticket containing at least on condition, an account number from a general purpose financial account, and authorization to charge said general purpose financial account for a purchase meeting said at least one condition; electronically making available said purchase offer to a plurality of remote potential event ticket sellers; electronically receiving from at least one of said remote potential event ticket sellers an unconditional acceptance of said purchase offer; and electronically transmitting a replacement ticket number associated with said event ticket to said buyer; and transmitting to a venue controller a ticket identifier associated with said event ticket.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
151 words
A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for electronically completing a transaction between a remote prospective event ticket buyer and a remote potential event ticket seller, said processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of: electronically receiving from said buyer a purchase offer for an event ticket containing at least on condition, an account number from a general purpose financial account, and authorization to charge said general purpose financial account for a purchase meeting said at least one condition; electronically making available said purchase offer to a plurality of remote potential event ticket sellers; electronically receiving from at least one of said remote potential event ticket sellers an unconditional acceptance of said purchase offer; and electronically transmitting a replacement ticket number associated with said event ticket to said buyer; and transmitting to a venue controller a ticket identifier associated with said event ticket.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The article of manufacture of claim 10 wherein the step of determining said replacement ticket identifier includes the step of receiving said replacement ticket identifier from said venue controller.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
147 words
A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for electronically completing a transaction between a remote prospective event ticket buyer and a remote potential event ticket seller, said processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of: electronically receiving from said buyer a purchase offer for an event ticket containing at least on condition, an account number from a general purpose financial account, and authorization to charge said general purpose financial account for a purchase meeting said at least one condition; electronically making available said purchase offer to a plurality of remote potential event ticket sellers; electronically receiving from at least one of said remote potential event ticket sellers an unconditional acceptance of said purchase offer; and electronically transmitting a replacement ticket number associated with said event ticket to said buyer, wherein said replacement ticket number includes an original ticket identifier.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
147 words
A computer-readable storage medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing a method for electronically completing a transaction between a remote prospective event ticket buyer and a remote potential event ticket seller, said processing instructions for directing a computer to perform the steps of: electronically receiving from said buyer a purchase offer for an event ticket containing at least on condition, an account number from a general purpose financial account, and authorization to charge said general purpose financial account for a purchase meeting said at least one condition; electronically making available said purchase offer to a plurality of remote potential event ticket sellers; electronically receiving from at least one of said remote potential event ticket sellers an unconditional acceptance of said purchase offer; and electronically transmitting a replacement ticket number associated with said event ticket to said buyer, wherein said replacement ticket number includes an original ticket identifier.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-05-28 | 2004-11-27 | 2005-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-28 | 2008-11-27 | 2009-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-28 | 2012-11-27 | 2013-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |