Abstract:
A networked server system which can be organized in both a centralized and decentralized fashion that prevents ticket scalping, uses multi-use auxiliary devices instead of tickets allowing tickets to be transferred between individuals and resold within the system, eliminates the need for paper tickets, and provides greater anti-fraud and anti-counterfeiting security.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a re-usable auxiliary device connected to a networked server system that can be used to gain entrance to multiple events and is used in a method to prevent ticket scalping. 
         [0002]    In the live entertainment industry, an issue that plagues event promoters, performers, and event attendees is ticket scalping. Ticket scalping creates a secondary market for interested event attendees to acquire tickets. Ticket scalpers will buy tickets directly from a promoter or a ticket broker at a set price and resell them at a higher value, keeping the premium for themselves. By profiting off the premium, ticket scalpers are adding to the face value of a ticket, ticket scalping reduces the net profit that a promoter could have made from ticket purchases. Event attendees ultimately have to pay extra for a ticket. Although ticket scalping is illegal in most states and local governments, it is difficult to enforce the laws that prohibit the act. 
         [0003]    When there is a famous act and it is getting closer to the day of the show, these prices become extremely exorbitant. This is an issue for performers who care about their fans because they want them to have a good chance of retrieving tickets at a fair price. 
         [0004]    Few companies have tried to mitigate ticket scalping. Methods put in place to prevent scalping are usually set up between the promoter, performer, and the entity who is selling tickets. Methods used today are: limiting the amount of tickets an individual can buy; paperless ticketing which includes presenting and swiping the credit card that was used to purchase the tickets; including a picture of the attendee on the actual ticket for identification of the individual at the entrance of the event; will-call only tickets so the event attendee has to pick up their ticket(s) when they arrive at the venue and provide adequate identification. 
         [0005]    While the ahovementioned methods are useful for aiding in the prevention of ticket scalping, some of them are illegal in some local governments and others are too troublesome to manage effectively. Limiting the amount of tickets still does not prevent the act of scalping as an individual can still acquire tickets to a popular event and directly resell them above face value or through a third party. Paperless ticketing can be troublesome as credit cards can wear out and become demagnetized prior to the event. Also, if this individual purchased multiple tickets for other attendees, all attendees must arrive at the event together to gain access as there is no ticket that can be left in will-call to be retrieved later if an individual is running late. This method has received several negative criticisms and has been banned in New York. Having identification information on an individual&#39;s ticket is an effective method for limiting ticket scalping, but issues arise when the individual can no longer attend the event as that ticket is not transferable. There are no measures for returning or selling the ticket in this case. Will-call only events also help to limit ticket scalping, but does not prevent it. A ticket scalper can acquire extra tickets and sell them right after they receive them at the venue. In most cases the ticket scalper has already made prior arrangements to resell the tickets to an interested party. 
         [0006]    It is desirable to provide a system for promoters and performers which address the “loopholes” and pitfalls with the current methods for limiting and preventing ticket scalping. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a method for preventing ticket scalping is provided. It has been determined that for the purpose of the present invention, paper tickets will not prevent ticket scalping while avoiding the pitfalls in current method for preventing ticket scalping. The method includes the steps of purchasing a ticket on the system for oneself and/or for others. If a ticket is purchased for the individual that is making the purchase, the ticket is assigned to the individual automatically. If tickets are purchased for other individuals, the individuals must be a member of the system and the tickets must be assigned to those individuals at the time of purchase. The method also provides for a way to assign tickets to individuals without them knowing for the purpose of a gift. 
         [0008]    It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a method for assigning auxiliary devices to individuals who purchase them. The system uses an auxiliary device which includes but is not limited to devices that can transmit and/or receive wireless signals including but not limited to radio frequencies, microwave, and bluetooth technologies; devices with a magnetic stripe; a barcode unique to individual members of the system. These devices have unique identifiers that are associated with individual members of the system within the systems database. When a ticket is purchased, the ticket is assigned to the member who is associated with a device that the member previously had in their possession or is issued by the system. 
         [0009]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for individuals to forfeit their ticket to be absorbed back into the ticketing pool within the system if one is not able to attend an event. The ticket will be sold at face value on the system to other individuals. If the ticket is for general admission, forfeited tickets receive priority over unsold tickets in the pool when an individual is making a purchase. The individual who originally purchased the ticket is refunded their money after their ticket is purchased. 
         [0010]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for verifying the validity and authenticity of the auxiliary devices being presented for entrance into an event. An auxiliary device is presented to be scanned for validity. The scanner scans information on the device and sends it to the system to verify its authenticity and validity. if the system determines the device is not valid or authentic, it returns an error to the scanner. If the system determines the device is authentic and valid, it then checks to see if a ticket for the event was assigned to the member. Where identification verification is enforced, if the attendee cannot provide proof of identification then they are denied entrance into the event. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from the subsequent description of the preferred embodiments and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a flow diagram of the ticket purchase process. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of the auxiliary device assignment process. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of the ticket forfeiture process. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of the ticket verification and authentication process. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a diagram showing how members and auxiliary devices interface with the system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth, such as particular techniques and applications in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods and apparatuses are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary details. 
         [0018]    Embodiments of the invention provide a method for preventing ticket scalping by using an auxiliary device that is specifically assigned to an individual; a method for transferring a purchased ticket to an individual; a method for forfeiting a purchased ticket that the ticket pool absorbs to be resold at face value; a method for verifying the auxiliary device when an attendee is seeking entrance to an event. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a flow chart of the ticket purchase process. As a purchaser purchases tickets  100 , the system determines whether the purchaser is purchasing multiple tickets or not  101 . Upon determining that the purchaser is purchasing multiple tickets, the purchaser is prompted to select who the additional tickets will be assigned to  102 . The purchaser cannot complete the purchase process without selecting Who the additional tickets are for  102 . In order to assign a ticket to another member, the purchaser must be linked to the member within the system  105 . Upon successful assignment of the ticket, the purchaser must decide whether the ticket is a gift, meaning they don&#39;t want the member to know about the ticket  106 . If the ticket is a gift, then the member will not be notified about the new ticket  107 . The system will determine if the member has an existing auxiliary device  108 . If an auxiliary device has not been issued to the member yet, a device for the member will be sent to the purchaser  109  and subsequently, the process is completed  113 . If the member has an existing auxiliary device recorded in the system database, the process is completed  113  without the member knowing. If the ticket is not a gift, the system will notify the member  110  and determine whether the member has an existing auxiliary device  111 . If the member does not have an existing auxiliary device then one is issued directly to the member  112  and the process is completed  113 . If the member does have an existing auxiliary device, then the process is completed  113 . If the purchaser is purchasing a single ticket for themselves, the ticket is assigned to the purchaser  117 . The system determines whether the purchaser has an auxiliary device  114 . If the purchaser has an auxiliary device, then the process is completed  116 . If the purchaser does not have an auxiliary device, then a device is provisioned in the system and sent to the purchaser  115  which completes the process  116 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart of the auxiliary device assignment process. As the auxiliary device assignment process begins  200 , the system database is checked to determine whether a temporary or a permanent auxiliary device is to be issued to the member  201 . if a temporary auxiliary device is being used, it is provisioned. The member ID, event ID, and ticket ID are associated to the new device within the system database  202 . The temporary auxiliary device is issued to the member  203  and the process is completed  206 . If it is determined that a permanent auxiliary device should be used, the system database is checked to determine if the member has an existing permanent auxiliary device  204 . If the member possesses an auxiliary device, the process is completed  206 . If it is determined that the member does not possess an auxiliary device, a new one is provisioned and the member ID is associated with it in the system database  207  and it is sent to the member  205  and the process is completed  206 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart of the ticket forfeiture process which happens when a member with a ticket will not attend. an event for any reason  300 . Once the member has determined, that they are no longer able to attend an event  300 , they have the option to choose who their ticket is sold to  301 . If the member decides to use this option then they must choose the new purchaser  310 , and the assigned new purchaser purchases the ticket  303 . If the member does not choose the new purchaser, the ticket is submitted back into the available ticket pool where it is sold at face value  311 . When a new purchaser who was not chosen wants to purchase a ticket  302 , any forfeited tickets that have been submitted back into the pool will be sold before any unsold tickets and the new purchaser purchases the ticket and it is assigned to them  303 . After the forfeited ticket has been purchased and assigned, the original purchaser is refunded. their money for the ticket  307 . The system determines if the new purchaser possesses an auxiliary device  304 . If the new purchaser does not possess an auxiliary device, they are issued a new one  305  and the ticket forfeiture process is completed. If the purchaser already possesses an auxiliary device then the ticket forfeiture process is completed  308 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart depicting the ticket verification process that takes place at the venue. When the auxiliary device is presented to a scanner  400  it is scanned  401 . The auxiliary device is searched for in the system&#39;s database to determine if a ticket for that event has been assigned to the auxiliary device  402 . The system determines if there is a ticket assigned to the device being scanned  403 . If there is no ticket assigned to the auxiliary device, that individual is denied access  410 . If there is a ticket assigned to that device, the system checks to see if re-entry is allowed  404 . “Re-entry” is defined as a feature which allows attendees to enter and exit the venue as many times as possible for whatever reason using the same ticket. If “re-entries” are not allowed, the system checks to see if the ticket assigned to the auxiliary device has been scanned in already  405 . If the ticket has already been scanned and used, the individual is denied access  410 . If the ticket has not been used or if re-entry is allowed, the system then determines if photo/ID verification will be used  406 . If there is no photo/ID verification, the ticket is marked as “checked-in”  408  and the individual is granted access to the event  409 . If there is photo/ID verification, the information of the individual will appear on the auxiliary device scanner and the individual will have to provide photo/ID verification  407 . If the photo/ID cannot be verified, the individual is denied access to the event  410 . If the photo/ID is verified, the ticket is marked as “checked-in”  408  and the individual is granted access to the event  409 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a diagram depicting how members  500  and auxiliary device scanners  513  interact with the system  504  whenever a transaction occurs. A member  500  or auxiliary device scanner  513  can communicate and interact with a system  504  directly by sending requests through  501  a network  502  where the system  504  is on the other side of the network  503 . The system  504  is comprised of several servers  509  and databases  510  that interact with each other to process requests made from members  500  and auxiliary device scanners  513 . These requests include, but are not limited to the processes described in  FIGS. 1-4 . When the system  504  is done servicing a request, it sends its response back to its originator. Alternately, a member  500  or auxiliary device scanner  513  can make a request to a subsystem  506 . Similar to the system  504 , the subsystem  506  is comprised of multiple servers  511  and databases  512  that interact with each other to either process requests directly or to make requests to the system  504 . Subsystems  506  can be permanent or temporary installations. Subsystem  506  installs will take place at locations that request or need to be directly connected to the system  504 . A member  500  or auxiliary device scanner  513  makes a request  501  to the subsystem  506  through a network  502  which is often local to the subsystem  506 . The subsystem  506  can process the request itself and send the response back to the originator or it can act as a proxy for the system  504 , and send the request  507  through a network  502  which has the appearance of the subsystem  506  communicating directly  508  with the system  504 . The system  504  can then process the request and send the response directly to the originator or send it to the subsystem  504  and the subsystem  504  can send the response directly to the originator.