Data processing: financial – business practice – management – or co – Automated electrical financial or business practice or... – Discount or incentive
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-30
2004-05-25
Rice, Kenneth R. (Department: 3627)
Data processing: financial, business practice, management, or co
Automated electrical financial or business practice or...
Discount or incentive
C705S001100, C705S014270, C705S015000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06741969
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to systems and methods for reducing excess capacity for restaurants and other industries during off-peak and other times.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Among the many challenges that restaurants face are the challenges of reducing excess capacity during off-peak times and the general lack of customer level information. Restaurants typically have a fixed number of seats. During certain periods there is greater demand for those seats than others. At some times there are people waiting to get seated (for example, on weekend evenings during dinnertime) and at other times there are unused seats (for example, 4-7 p.m. during the week). Typically unused seats translate to lost sales for a restaurant.
Many restaurants do not have detailed information about their customers. This lack of information is a lost opportunity. Typically, restaurants advertise through mass market media (TV, radio, newspapers, etc.). However, this is not the most efficient way to advertise.
These and other drawbacks and challenges face the restaurant industry. Similar problems are faced by other industries that have excess capacity issues.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to overcome these and other drawbacks and challenges facing the restaurant and other industries.
Another object of the invention is to provide a website that enables a restaurant to offer (e.g., auction) gift certificates usable during a predetermined period of time (for example, corresponding to a known off-peak period) to enable customers or potential customers to obtain (e.g., bid on) these certificates. According to one embodiment, a minimum price is set for a certificate having a predetermined face value and it is awarded to the highest bidder.
According to another aspect of the invention, a user must register with the website and provide certain identification and demographic information during a registration process before being able to obtain a certificate. This enables restaurants to obtain more information about customers or potential customers who are likely to be influenced by marketing campaigns.
According to other features of the invention, the website may further comprise an interactive restaurant guide, a recipe center, a chat/message board, a gifts center, and an award and referral center. Other features and functions may also be included.
According to one embodiment, the web site enables a user to participate in an auction for one or more gift certificates or merchandise. To facilitate the ability of a user to find an auction of interest, various search tools may be provided. For example, a user may be able to search for auctions for a particular restaurant, for a desired cuisine in a desired city, by zip code or other geographic area, or other search parameters. Additionally, or alternatively, the web site may include a listing of types of cuisine, cities, etc., that a user may select (e.g., by clicking on an icon) to view a listing of auctions relevant to that user. Thus, with these or other tools, a user may browse and select an auction of interest and then participate in one or more desired auctions.
According to one aspect of the invention, auctions may be arranged in various ways. For example, there may be a featured auction area that highlights certain auctions. Various organizational techniques can be used for listing and displaying auctions.
Typically, an auction display will include the name of the restaurant, a description of the certificate being auctioned (for example, promotional material regarding the restaurant or a specific feature of the restaurant), the time period for which the certificate is valid (e.g., Monday only, Monday-Thursday, Monday-Thursday 4-7 p.m., etc.), the value of the certificate (for example, $50.00), any minimum bid, the status of the auction, and other desired information. For example, the status may include the current bid and the time left to bid. Multiple certificates may be auctioned with the same or similar parameters. Also, a user may obtain additional information relating to an auction of interest.
According to another aspect of the invention, a comprehensive interactive restaurant guide is provided. Users may browse by area, cuisine or other parameters when looking for a place to eat. The restaurant guide listings may offer a brief description of restaurants, a community rating (described below), the number and details of current auctions, and other pertinent information.
Preferably, the auction system may be set up with affiliate members, for example, restaurants. According to one embodiment, only affiliate member restaurants are listed in the restaurant guide. According to another embodiment, a broader range of restaurants (or other establishments) may be included.
For example, the guide listing may include the current number of auctions, the name of the restaurant, address, phone number and other information about the restaurant, a description of the restaurant food and other characteristics, and a community rating (such as a star system and/or relative cost index). If a listed restaurant has its own web site, a hyper-link between the restaurant listing and that restaurant's web site may also be provided. If the restaurant is part of a chain or related organizations, the link may be to the chain's home page or one of the related organization's home page.
Alternatively, or in addition thereto, each restaurant in the guide may have a link to a detailed page on the restaurant auction web site described herein. By clicking on the restaurant or the link, a user may read about the restaurant and contribute to restaurant ratings and reviews, based on their own experiences with the restaurant. They can also check for other detailed information such as parking availability, payment types accepted, handicap accessibility, hours of operation, reservation information, menu information, etc. By enabling users to contribute restaurant ratings and reviews, the rating system becomes interactive and adds significant value.
By maintaining a listing of individuals who provide rating and reviews and tracking demographic profile information based on the user, a database may be created to enable the web site to suggest to users other restaurants they may like based on similarity of preferences with other users who have provided reviews.
To participate in an auction, the user may click on an auction icon from a restaurant listing or a restaurant detailed page. The user can bid in a variety of ways. For example, the user can monitor the bids and periodically revise the bid the user is willing to make. Preferably, any user placing a bid first registers and provides payment information, demographics, contact information and other information that may be desirable.
An auto bid feature, also referred to as proxy bidding, may be used to enable the user to submit a maximum bid. The system then bids for the user in small increments (preferably specified by the user) starting with the bid minimum.
According to another embodiment of the invention, if multiple certificates are awarded from one auction, a dutch auction technique may be used so that the closing price is equal to the lowest winning bid.
As an enticement for, users to provide demographic and other information, a personalized page feature may be used for each registered individual. For example, registered users may set up personalized auction lists, check on their rewards, access member support services and other services and features. For example, a “my auctions” portion of the personalized pages may enable the user to monitor his or her current bids or create and browse through custom auction lists.
A “my rewards portion” may be provided to facilitate a loyalty or affinity program for repeat users. This aspect of the invention may enable points or other benefits to be accumulated by users. For example, in addition to providing points for users who participate in auctions, points or other credits may be provided to users who are responsible for having restaurants joi
Berean Elayna
Chen Dazhi
Harle Jennifer I.
Huneke Murray
Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo PC
Rice Kenneth R.
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