# US 10,769,604 B2 · System and method for ecommerce ticket sales based on seat occupancy

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 10,769,604 B2
- Document ID: US10769604B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/860,419
- Filed: 2018-01-02
- Published: 2019-07-04
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2018-01-02
- Assignees: Mastercard International Incorporated
- Applicants: Mastercard International Incorporated
- Inventors: Richard B. Unnerstall
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10769604B2

## CPC

- G06Q 20/12: specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
- G06Q 10/02: Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
- G06Q 10/028: {for seating or spaces in a venue}
- G06Q 20/045: {using payment protocols involving tickets}
- G06Q 20/18: involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals
- G06Q 20/3223: {Realising banking transactions through M-devices}
- G06Q 20/3224: {Transactions dependent on location of M-devices}
- G06Q 20/4014: {Identity check for transactions}
- G06Q 10/043: {Optimisation of two dimensional placement, e.g. cutting of clothes or wood}
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A system and method for sensing a seat occupancy by an individual and executing an ecommerce transaction via the individual's mobile device for the cost of a ticket based on the occupied seat. For example, an attendee enters a multiplex and chooses a theater and a seat from which to watch a movie, or a passenger enters a station and chooses a train and a seat in which to travel. In both cases, the occupancy of the seat is detected, an amount owed is determined based on the occupancy of the seat, and an ecommerce transaction is initiated via the mobile device to pay the amount. The determination of the amount may be delayed for a period after the individual has stopped moving to ensure they have made their final choice. The individual may be required to verify a relevant characteristic, such as age or membership in a discounted group.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for facilitating an ecommerce sale of a ticket to an individual based on a seat occupancy by the individual, the system comprising:
a software application for downloading onto a mobile communications device, with the software application allowing the individual to specify an ecommerce payment method;
an initiation mechanism configured to detect a presence of the mobile communications device;
a seat occupancy determining mechanism configured to determine whether the individual has occupied a seat among a plurality of seats; and
a computing device configured to—
determine an amount owed by the individual based at least in part on the occupancy of the seat by the individual, and
execute the ecommerce sale of the ticket via the software application using the ecommerce payment method to pay the amount owed.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the initiation mechanism includes a gate configured to initiate an authentication process, and if the authentication process is successfully completed, allow the individual to proceed to the seat.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the seat occupancy determining mechanism is configured to determine a seat location of the seat occupied by the individual, and the computing device is configured to determine the amount owed by the individual based at least in part on the seat location.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further including a point-of-sale transaction system configured to allow the individual to use the mobile communications device to purchase concessions.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the computing device is further configured to require the individual to verify a relevant characteristic of the individual.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein the relevant characteristic is an age of the individual.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein the relevant characteristic is a membership of the individual in a particular group.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the computing device is further configured to delay determining the occupancy of the seat for a delay period after the individual has stopped moving.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, wherein the delay period is between one minute and five minutes.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the computing device is further configured to account for an applicable discount when determining the amount owed.

### Claim 11

A system for facilitating an ecommerce sale of a ticket to an individual based on a seat occupancy by the individual, the system broadly comprising:
a software application for downloading onto a mobile communications device, with the software application allowing the individual to specify an ecommerce payment method;
a point-of-sale transaction system configured to allow the individual to use the mobile communications device to purchase concessions;
an initiation mechanism configured to detect a presence of the mobile communications device, the initiation mechanism including a gate configured to initiate an authentication process, and if the authentication process is successfully completed, allow the individual to proceed;
a seat occupancy determining mechanism configured to determine whether the individual has occupied a seat among a plurality of seats; and
a computing device configured to—
wait for a delay period after the individual has stopped moving, wherein the delay period is between one minute and five minutes,
require the individual to verify a relevant characteristic of the individual,
determine an amount owed by the individual based at least in part on the occupancy of the seat by the individual, and
execute the ecommerce sale of the ticket via the software application using the ecommerce payment method to pay the amount owed.

### Claim 12

A method for facilitating an ecommerce sale of a ticket to an individual based on a seat occupancy by the individual, the method broadly comprising:
(a) providing a software application for downloading onto a mobile communications device, with the software application allowing the individual to specify an ecommerce payment method;
(b) performing an initiation process when the individual attempts to use the software application, the initiation process including establishing communication with the software application;
(c) electronically determining whether the individual has occupied a seat among a plurality of seats;
(d) determining an amount owed by the individual based at least in part on the occupancy of the seat by the individual; and
(e) executing the ecommerce sale of the ticket via the software application using the payment method to pay the amount owed.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein step (b) includes the step of performing an authentication process, and if the authentication process is successfully completed, allowing the individual to proceed to the seat.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein step (c) includes the step of electronically determining a seat location of the seat occupied by the individual, and step (d) includes the step of determining the amount owed by the individual based at least in part on the seat location.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further including allowing the individual to use the mobile communications device to purchase concessions.

### Claim 16 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further including requiring the individual to verify a relevant characteristic of the individual.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the relevant characteristic is an age of the individual and/or a membership of the individual in a particular group.

### Claim 18 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further including delaying determining the occupancy of the seat for a delay period after the individual has stopped moving.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18, wherein the delay period is between one minute and five minutes.

### Claim 20 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further including accounting for an applicable discount when determining the amount owed.