Abstract:
A method and system of retail establishment excess capacity management and presentation are disclosed. In one embodiment, a computer implemented method includes creating a search result based on criteria of a patron user using a processor. The search result includes an excess capacity across any number of establishments matching the criteria. The method also includes identifying an establishment when a selection of the patron user is processed responsive to the search result. Further, the method includes confirming a reservation of the patron user at the establishment with a payment authority and the establishment, and adjusting the excess capacity based on the reservation.

Description:
FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates generally to the field of database technology, and in particular, to a method and system of retail establishment excess capacity management and presentation. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A retail establishment (e.g., a restaurant, a spa, a health club, etc.) may have excess capacity. For example, the excess capacity may be in the form of empty dining tables, unsold perishable items such as food, unused space, and/or overstaffed employee shifts. To reduce the excess capacity, the retail establishment may advertise specials/sales through media channels (e.g., on websites such as Yelp® and OpenTable®, through the newspaper, etc.). However, a consumer response to such specials/sales may be unpredictable. 
         [0003]    For example, the consumer response to the specials/sales may unpredictably exceed the excess capacity of the retail establishment. Conversely, the consumer response to the specials/sales may be negligible. It may not be possible for the retail establishment to update the specials/sales through the media channels before a time window in which the excess capacity is marketable expires (e.g., time of day, etc.). As a result, the retail establishment may incur significant financial losses related to the excess capacity (e.g., spoilage, salaries, facility rents, etc.). 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A method and system of retail establishment excess capacity management and presentation are disclosed. In one aspect, a computer implemented method includes creating a search result based on criteria of a patron user using a processor. The search result includes an excess capacity across any number of establishments matching the criteria. The method also includes identifying an establishment when a selection of the patron user is processed responsive to the search result. Further, the method includes confirming a reservation of the patron user at the establishment with a payment authority and the establishment, and adjusting the excess capacity based on the reservation. 
         [0005]    In another aspect, a system includes an excess capacity server having a processor to determine that a region of an establishment is an excess capacity, to present the region to a provider user, and to assign to the excess capacity, a pricing table of the provider user. The pricing table is a function of a time of day variable, a meal plan variable, and a location in the region of the establishment. The system also includes a network, and a client device communicatively coupled with the excess capacity server through the network to create a search result based on a criterion of a patron user. The search result includes the excess capacity across any number of establishments matching the criteria, to identify the establishment when a selection of the patron user is processed responsive to the search result, to confirm a reservation of the patron user at establishment with a payment authority and the establishment, and to adjust the excess capacity based on the reservation. 
         [0006]    In yet another aspect, an excess capacity server includes an inventory module, an analysis module, a reservation module, and a promotion module. The inventory module associates an input of a provider user with a time of day variable, a meal plan variable, and a location in a region of an establishment, a price variable, a sale variable, and an auction status selection using a processor. The analysis module aggregates input from two or more provider users, and compiles an availability of an excess capacity of the establishment based on the aggregate input. Further, the analysis module recalculates the excess capacity after a reservation is made by a patron user, provides information to the provider user regarding the reservation of the patron user. The analysis module also blocks other reservations for the excess capacity that has been reserved. In addition the analysis module makes the excess capacity available once a patron user cancels the reservation, and notifies the provider user regarding cancellation. 
         [0007]    The reservation module identifies a status of the patron user. The reservation module also selects the excess capacity of the establishment based on the time of day variable, the meal plan variable, and the location in the region of the establishment, the price variable, the sale variable, and the auction status selection, and verifies the selection. The reservation module also verifies the availability of the excess capacity of the establishment, authenticates a financial payment provided by the patron user, accepts the financial payment for the reservation, updates a confirmation of the reservation, and provides notification of the confirmation to the patron user and the provider user. 
         [0008]    The promotion module offers a special sale, a group discount, and a seasonal discount provided by the provider user, and notifies the patron user of the special sale, the group discount and the seasonal discount. 
         [0009]    Other features will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Example embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating excess capacity management of an establishment, according to one embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a system view that illustrates communication between a patron user, a provider user and an exec capacity server through a network, according to one embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of an excess capacity server, according to one embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is diagrammatic view illustrating generation of an inventory module by a provider user, according to one embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates reservation of an excess capacity of an establishment by a patron user, according to one embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a flow diagram illustrating promotion module, according to one embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is diagrammatic view illustrating analysis of a patron user request against availability of provider user, according to one embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating excess capacity management of an establishment, according to one embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a user interface view illustrating inventory of a restaurant having excess capacity, according to one embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a graphical user interface view illustrating a patron user&#39;s reservation, according to one embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11A  is a user interface view illustrating the available tables at a particular time in a restaurant, according to one embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11B  is a user interface view illustrating the layout of table arrangement in a restaurant, according to one embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a graphical user interface illustrating a search view, according to one embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a graphical user interface view illustrating a search result, according to one embodiment. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a graphical user interface view illustrating an establishment page, according to one embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is graphical user interface view illustrating a configuration view, according to one embodiment. 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is a graphical user interface view illustrating configuration of available tables, according toe embodiment. 
       
    
    
       [0028]    Other features of the present embodiments will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    A method and system of retail establishment excess capacity management and presentation are disclosed. Although the present embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating excess capacity management of an establishment, according to one embodiment. Particularly,  FIG. 1  illustrates a provider user  102  (e.g., retail manager), an excess capacity of an establishment  104  (e.g., retail business), a patron user  106 , an excess capacity server  108 , and an absence of excess capacity  110 , according to one embodiment. 
         [0031]    According to one embodiment, the provider user  102  of an establishment having an excess capacity may be associated with the excess capacity server  108 . The provider user  102  (e.g., retail manager) may store the details regarding the excess capacity in the excess capacity sever  108 . The establishment may be a restaurant, a bar, a diner, a spa, a cafeteria, a health resort, a retail service organization, etc. that may provide service to a consumer. The excess capacity of an establishment  104  (e.g., retail business) may be reduced and/or eliminated through the various embodiment disclosed herein. The excess capacity of an establishment  104  may include meals, beverages, eatables, perishable and consumable goods, dinner, etc. The excess capacity of an establishment  104  (e.g., retail business) may be assigned a pricing table provided by the provider user  102 . The prices for an excess capacity may be assigned based on a meal plan, a day variable, a time variable, a location in the region of the establishment, etc. 
         [0032]    Further, the patron user  106  may utilize the excess capacity of the provider user  102  by communicating with the excess capacity server  108  through a network  202  (as illustrated in  FIG. 2 ). The patron user  106  may be an individual patron user, a representative of a group of patrons, an agent for the patron user, a group patron user, etc. For example, the patron may be a customer of the retail establishment or a concierge representing a group of potential customers. The excess capacity server  108  may enable the provider user  102  to customize various settings related to managing excess capacity, and may provide an interface in which the patron user  106  can access the excess capacity server  108 . If a patron user is determined as an agent of an actual patron user, a referral incentive may be paid to the agent when the reservation is confirmed. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  is a system view that illustrates communication between a patron user and a provider user of an establishment through a network, according to one embodiment. In particular,  FIG. 2  illustrates a network  202 , a client device  204 , an administrator device  206 , the provider user  102 , the patron user  106 , and the excess capacity server  108 , according to one embodiment. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment, the patron user  106  may communicate with the provider user  102  (e.g., retail manager) through the network  202  to obtain the services of the excess capacity associated with an establishment (e.g., a restaurant, a spa, a movie theater, a hair cut salon, any retail service organization, etc.). The network  202  (e.g., WAN, mobile, telecommunications, internet, intranet, WiFi and/or ZigBee network, etc.) may enable communication between the administrator device  206 , the client device  204 , and the excess capacity server  108 . The administrator device  206  and the client device  204  may request a service function from the excess capacity server  108 . The client device  204  may be associated with the patron user  106  and the administrator device  206  (e.g.., a computer, a Point of Sale system such as the Micros® or Aloha® point of sale terminal, etc.) may be associated with the provider user  102  (e.g., retail manager). 
         [0035]    According to one embodiment, the provider user  102  may input the details of the excess capacity in the excess capacity server  108  through the administrator device  206 . The details associated with the excess capacity of an establishment (e.g., a restaurant, bar, spa, etc.) may include meal option, day, time, geographical location, table size, special size offers, promotions, discounts, food combination, beverage pairings with or without meal combinations, periodical sales, special occasion sales, auction etc. The excess capacity may be assigned a pricing table based on a meal plan, time of a day, and a location in the region of the establishment. 
         [0036]    The aforementioned details of the excess capacity may be retried by the patron user  106  through an online website such as the FineDineDeal.com website. For example, a search criteria and a reservation may be made by selecting from a retail establishment inventory (e.g., a restaurant inventory) as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . The generated search result may include the list of establishments with excess capacity that matches with patron user&#39;s criteria. The criteria of the patron user  106  may include a date selection, a time selection, a meal plan selection, a location selection, a cuisine selection, etc. 
         [0037]    While an example of a restaurant retail establishment will be described, it will be appreciated by those with skill in the art that the following analogy can apply to any form of retail establishment which services patrons including spas, movie theaters, nightclubs, bars, gyms, auditoriums, and/or civic meeting spaces. In a restaurant retail establishment example, the patron user  106  may select a restaurant with excess capacity that may provide wine paring, beverage pairing and/or a dessert. Further, the selection of an excess capacity may also be based on the party size of the patron user  106 . 
         [0038]    In another embodiment, the provider user  102  (e.g., retail manager, an establishment manager, etc.) may create a set of meal plans based on the modeling of the establishment and the seasonal availability and offer a set of meal plans as an option to the patron user  106 . In an example embodiment, the provider user  102  may provide restaurant guide, chat/message board, a referral center to enable the patron user  106  to interact with the provider. 
         [0039]    In yet another embodiment, the patron user  106  can make a reservation based on the availability of the excess capacity and confirm the reservation to the provider user  102  by making a financial payment. 
         [0040]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the excess capacity server, according to one embodiment. In particular,  FIG. 3  illustrates an inventory module  302 , an analysis module  304 , a reservation module  306 , a promotion module  308 , and a processor  310 , according to one embodiment. 
         [0041]    In an example embodiment, the excess capacity server  108  may include the inventory module  302 , the analysis module  304 , the reservation module  306  the promotion module  308  and the processor  310 . In another example embodiment, the inventory module  302 , the analysis module  304 , the reservation module  306 , the promotion module  308  and the processor  310  may be communicatively couple to each other as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0042]    According to one embodiment, the inventory module  302  may associate the inputs of the provider users and store as an inventory (e.g., catalog, register, etc). The contents of the inventory module  302  may be provided in the search result when the patron user  106  searches for a restaurant, meal plan, etc in the example embodiment described in detail herein. Again, it is noted that the claims are not limited to the restaurant example disclosed herein and can be applied to any form of retail establishment in which there is excess capacity, according to one embodiment. The analysis module  304  may compile the availability of an excess capacity of the establishment based on the inputs of the provider users and provide the information to the patron user  106 . 
         [0043]    The analysis module  304  may inform the provider user  102  (e.g., retail manager) regarding the reservations made by the patron user  106 . Once a reservation is made by the patron user  106 , the analysis module  304  may recalculate the excess capacity. In addition, the analysis module  304  may block the excess capacity that are reserved by the patron user  106  and make the excess capacity available to the other patron users once the patron user  106  cancels the reservation. Further, the cancellation of the reservation may be informed to the provider user  102 . 
         [0044]    The reservation module  306  may verify the availability of the excess capacity of the establishment (e.g., seating and meal package of a restaurant, wine pairing, etc.) that is preferred by the patron user  106 , and allocate the excess capacity. At the time of multiple selection orders for the excess capacity, the reservation module  306  may assign a priority number based on the selection criteria. If the first selection of reservation is unavailable because of allocation of excess capacity to a first priority patron user, then a subsequent selection of reservation may be allocated to the patron user. Also, when a reservation is cancelled the offer may be allocated to a next priority user. The patron user  106  may himself/herself cancel the reservation or the reservation may be cancelled due to an unacceptable financial payment. The reservation module  306  may accept the financial payment for a reservation and also authenticate the financial payment provided by the patron user  106 . In addition the reservation module  306  may update a confirmation of the reservation and provide a notification of the confirmation to the patron user  106  and the establishment (e.g., a restaurant, bar, etc.) associated with the reservation. 
         [0045]    The promotion module  308  may include the promotions offered by the provider user  102  of the excess capacity of an establishment  104 . The establishment may provide sponsorship, discounts, and/or special offers to promote the sales of the excess capacity of an entity. The promotions may include a seasonal discount, a group discount, instant discount, an anniversary sale, a special sale, auction, gifts, and/or vouchers. The processor  310  may process the requests for an excess capacity based on search criteria of the patron user  106  and provide the processed results to the patron user  106 . The criteria of a patron user may be a date selection, time selection, a location selection, a cuisine selection, etc. 
         [0046]      FIG. 4  is diagrammatic view illustrating generation of an inventory module by a provider user, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the provider user  102  (e.g., retail manager) may be enabled to input excess capacity to the inventory module  302 . The input may include the details of excess capacity and the establishment of the provider user  102 . For example, the input may include a meal option, food combination, a beverage pairing with meal or without meal combination, a sale during predetermined period of a year, seasonal sale and/or an auction. The details provided by the provider user  102  may be stored in the inventory module  302  as an inventory along with their name and address. The address may include name, city, state, and/or zip code of the provider user. The aforementioned details of the excess capacity that are stored in a list of excess capacity  416  may be provided to the patron user  106 . 
         [0047]    Based on the match between the selection criteria of the patron user  106  and the availability of the excess capacity of an establishment  104 , the excess capacity may be allocated to the patron user  106 . The matching between the selection criteria and the availability of an excess capacity of an establishment  104  (e.g., retail business) may be performed by the analysis module  304 . The provided inventory may be categorized and listed separately to provide as an option to the patron user  106 . The option may include a geographical location (e.g., state, city, area, etc.), the feature of an excess capacity, the promotions provided by the provider user  102 , the type of cuisines, etc. The excess capacity  416  may include an address of the establishment, meal plan, price of an excess capacity, time and day on which the excess capacity is available, beverage pairing, promotion, etc. as illustrated in the  FIG. 4 . 
         [0048]    In another embodiment, the meal plan  418  may include breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc. A list, menu  426  may include fixed menu or flexible menu. For example, a list of a fixed menu  434  may include salad and soup, bread and soup, chicken and salad, and so on. A flexible menu  436  may include soup, salad, entree, etc. The price of the meal plan may be set by the provider user  102  according to the meal shifts (e.g., breakfast, lunch, supper, dinner, etc). For example, the price of a meal plan available in the afternoon may be costlier than the price of same meal plan at different timings of the day. Also, the meal plan may be selected by the patron user  106  based on the pricings of the meal packages. Further, the price packages may also be set based upon a day of a weak, meal shift, and/or other time slots. The patron user may choose a meal plan based on the prices listed in a list  420 . 
         [0049]    A list of breakfast  428  of the meal plan  418  may include omelet, muffin, toast, and others that are available in the list of excess capacity  416 . A list of lunch  430  may include salad and bread, noodles, pasta, etc that may be provided by the provider user  102 . A list of dinner  432  of the meal plan  418  may include chicken, steak, sandwich, burger, etc. The meal plan  418  may also be paired with beverages. A list of beverage pairing  438  may include beer, wine, soda, latte, etc. According to one embodiment, a price of a beverage may be listed in a price list  420 , but the actual brand of the selected beverage may be not provided to the patron user. For example, the price of wine may be provided in the price list  420  but, the type of wine served may not be provided to the patron user  106 . 
         [0050]    The options of the excess capacity  416  provided to the inventory module  302  may be analyzed by the analysis module  304  to allocate the excess capacity to the patron user  106 . The excess capacity  416  may also provide an option of promotion, in which the promotion may be an offer provided by the provider user  102 . For example, the list of promotion  402  may include some special sales, discounts, coupons, auction offers, gifts, bid, etc. 
         [0051]    According to one embodiment, the establishment (e.g., restaurant, bar, etc) may be enabled to collect historical data and contemporaneous data and statistically calculate excess capacity of an establishment  104  (e.g., retail business), and generate data for the inventory module  302 . This data may be updated regularly and synchronized with the updates of the provider user  102  and the reservation module  306 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 5  illustrates reservation of an excess capacity of an establishment by a patron user, according to one embodiment. In particular, reservation of a meal by the patron user  106  is illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In one embodiment, the reservation module  306  may identify the requisites of the patron user  106  which are based on the time of day variable, the meal plan variable, the location in the region of the establishment, the price variable, and/or the promotion variable. The availability of the requisites of the patron user  106  may be verified against the excess capacity provided by the provider users. If the excess capacity is matched with the criteria of the patron user  106 , the reservation can be made by making a financial payment to the provider user  102  (e.g., retail manager). When the provider user  102  will accept the financial payment for the reservation, the reservation module  306  may be updated with the confirmation of the reservation and further, the patron user  106  may be informed regarding the confirmation of the reservation. 
         [0053]    In another embodiment, the reservation may be cancelled by the patron user  106  and a refund may be provided to the provider user  102  for the cancellation. The freed excess capacity may be allocated to another patron user. 
         [0054]      FIG. 6  is a flow diagram illustrating promotion module, according to one embodiment. According to one embodiment, a provider user  102  of an establishment (e.g., a diner, restaurant, etc.) may offer promotions on the excess capacity to reduce the excess capacity. For example, the promotion  402  offered by the provider user  102  of the establishment may include special sale, instant discount on online booking, offers to the frequent visitors, anniversary sale, auctions, etc. 
         [0055]    In another embodiment, the patron user  106  may be allowed to participate in an online auction for one or more gift certificates. To enable a patron user to find an auction of interest, various search options may be provided. For example, the patron user  106  may be able to search auctions based on a restaurant, cuisine, city, etc. Further, the patron user  106  may also obtain additional information relating to the auction of the excess capacity through the promotion module  308 . 
         [0056]    In yet another embodiment, the promotion  402  may be offered to frequent registered visitors. For examples, an establishment may register a user who may be visiting frequently and depending upon the number of visits, the user may be offered various types of promotions by the establishment. In one or more embodiments, the promotion  402  may include instant discount  610 , a frequent user  612 , an anniversary sale  614 , a special sale  616 , etc. 
         [0057]      FIG. 7  is diagrammatic view illustrating analysis of a patron user request against availability of provider user, according to one embodiment. In an embodiment, the choices made by the patron user  106  may be analyzed against the options provided by the provider user  102 . The analysis may be made through the analysis module  304 . The analysis module  304  may analyze a patron user list  702  against the provider user list. Based on the result of the analysis the reservation can be made by the reservation module  306  to manage the excess capacity of an establishment. 
         [0058]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart illustrating excess capacity management of an establishment, according to one embodiment. In operation  802 , a provider user (e.g., the provider user  102 ) data is provided to the excess capacity server  108  by the provider user  102 . For example, the provider user  102  data may include a meal plan variable, a day and time variable, a price variable, special occasion sales and auction, etc. In operation  804 , the patron user  106  may request the excess capacity server  108 , for the details of an establishment availing excess capacity. For example, the patron user  106  may request for a restaurant with a particular cuisine, meal package, location, etc. 
         [0059]    In operation  806 , the excess capacity server  108  may receive the inputs from the provider user  102  (e.g., retail manager) and the patron user  106 . In operation  808 , the requisites of the patron user  106  may be statistically analyzed against the provider user data to allocate the excess capacity and the reservations may be reconciled based on the patron user&#39;s criteria. In operation  810 , the analysis made in the operation  808  may be informed to the patron user  106 . In operation  812 , a confirmation regarding the acceptance of the reservation of an excess capacity may be received by the patron user  106 . 
         [0060]    In operation  814 , the reservation allocated in operation  812  may be used by the patron user  106 . In operation  816 , the provider user  102  of an establishment may be updated regarding the requisites submitted by the patron user  106 . In operation  818 , the reserved slots may be planned by the provider user  102  after receiving the financial payment from the patron user  106 . In operation  820 , the reserved slots may be served to the provider user  102 . In operation  822 , the excess capacity of an establishment  104  is reduced through the operations  802 - 820 . 
         [0061]      FIG. 9  is a user interface view illustrating inventory of a restaurant having excess capacity, according to one embodiment. In one or more embodiments, the patron user may be provided various options to reserve a restaurant. The restaurant may be selected on the basis of location, cuisine, date, time, party size, etc. Further, the restaurants may also be chosen on the basis of meal plans, wine pairing, table location etc as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0062]    In an example embodiment, a restaurant inventory  950  may provide users options to select from the available excess capacity of a restaurant. The inventory options may include a fixed meal plan  932  which may include salad, fish, wine  1  and soup, pasta, wine  2  as options of fixed meal (e.g.,  914  and  916  as illustrated in  FIG. 9 ). The restaurant inventory  950  may also include a meal plan seasonal  934  which may provide the meal options with seasonal fruits/vegetables and a meal plan with wine pairing  936 . The options day of the week  938 , month  940  and time of the day  942  may allow a user to select a period and timings to dine in a restaurant. The user may select a day or a month available in the lists  926  and  928 . 
         [0063]    In addition, the restaurant inventory  950  may also provide a location  902  of an available restaurant  904  and also a table location  906  in the available restaurant. The inventory of the restaurant may also provide an option price range  908 , from which the meal of a required price range may be chosen by the patron user  106 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 10  is a graphical user interface view illustrating a patron user&#39;s reservation, according to one embodiment. In an example embodiment, the graphical user interface view of  FIG. 10  may enable the patron user  106  to make a reservation by filling a patron reservation  1002  chart. The patron reservation  1002  chart may include name option (e.g., may include first name and last name), password and number of people option. The patron user  106  may make a reservation by selecting a type of restaurant, meal, cuisine, wine pairing, from the dropdown list available against each of the options (e.g.,  1010 ,  1012 ,  1014 , and  1020 ). Also, the patron reservation  1002  may provide time preference, table preference (e.g., individual, communal, window other, etc.  1022 ). The patron user  106  may select an option to choose the mode of receiving confirmation of the reservation (e.g.,  1026 ). The confirmation of the reservation from the provider user  102  may be received through phone, e-mail, SMS text message, etc. Also, the user may select from the option  1028  the mode in which the reservation details may be reminded. For example, the user may be reminded of the reservation before a day, or few hours before the timings of reservation through phone call, text message, etc. 
         [0065]      FIG. 11A  is a user interface view illustrating the available tables at a particular time in a restaurant, according to one embodiment. In one or more embodiments, the available tables of a restaurant may be reserved on a particular time. The tables of restaurant that are available on a particular time may be listed in the table  1104  as illustrated in  FIG. 11A . 
         [0066]      FIG. 11B  is a user interface view illustrating the layout of table arrangement in a restaurant, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the user may make a reservation of table based on the location of a table presented in the restaurant layout  1112  as illustrated in  FIG. 11B . For example, the user may select any unreserved table based on the size of the table and/or shape of the table (e.g., round table, square table). Even the user may reserve the table on a window side, bar side, etc through the restaurant layout. 
         [0067]      FIG. 12  is a graphical user interface illustrating a search view, according to one embodiment. 
         [0068]    In one embodiment, a search view  1250  may facilitate a user (e.g., John smith) to find a deal for reservation. The deal may be a combination of selections which may include reservation date  1204 , a reservation time  1206 , number of guest  1210 , a restaurant name  1216 . Also, a restaurant may be selected based on the availability of a restaurant within a specified distance (e.g., within one mile, within five miles, etc) by selecting from an option (e.g., within  1214  as illustrated in  FIG. 12 ). 
         [0069]      FIG. 13  is a graphical user interface view illustrating a search result, according to one embodiment. 
         [0070]    In one or more embodiment, based on a search performed by the user (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 12 ) a search result  1350  may be generated. The search result  1350  may include a list of restaurant name  1308  generated based on the criteria (e.g., within one mile, restaurants in Palo Alto, etc) of the user. The search result  1350  may also include available time  1302  (e.g., before, after, and/or an exact time), a neighborhood  1304 , cuisine available in a restaurant  1306 , and menu price  1310 . Also, an option may be provided to the user to see the menu of the restaurant at a particular available time (e.g., before, after, exact). 
         [0071]    For example, the search result may include a BIN/ 36  restaurant in the neighborhood of River North. The restaurant BIN/ 36  may provide American cuisine and/or American traditional cuisine for which the menu price may be $23.00. The available time  1302  of the restaurant for providing the service to the user may be before 8.00 PM, after 9.00 PM, and/or exactly at 8.30 PM. 
         [0072]      FIG. 14  is a graphical user interface view illustrating an establishment page, according to one embodiment. 
         [0073]    In one embodiment, an establishment page  1150  illustrated in  FIG. 14  may include a restaurant description  1410  that may provide the description of the establishment. The establishment page  1150  may also include featured menu  1402  list of the establishment which includes different courses (e.g., first course  1404 , second course  1406 , and third course  1408 ) of the menu. The courses may have various meal options and the user may choose from the list and book the reservation by selecting the button book it  1414  as illustrated in the  FIG. 14 . The establishment page may also provide details of the user reviews (e.g., user reviews  1416 ) provided by the other users who may have visited the establishment. The details and remarks of the user review may be included in a section, detail  1412 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 15  is graphical user interface view illustrating a configuration view, according to one embodiment. 
         [0075]    In one embodiment, an establishment manager (e.g., the provider user  102 ) may set up restaurant&#39;s available/open days and time range in table  1502  and available meals and time range in table  1504 . The available tables in the restaurant may be configured in the table available table (general)  1506 . The table available/open days and time range  1502  may allow setting of the available days of the restaurant and the time range on which the restaurant may be available to provide service to users (e.g., the patron user  106 ). Further, the table available meals and time range  1504  may allow setting of the available meals (e.g., break fast, brunch, lunch, etc.) in the restaurant at a particular time range and day. The table available tables  1506  may allow setting up of the available tables (e.g., unreserved tables) of the restaurant. 
         [0076]      FIG. 16  is a graphical user interface view illustrating configuration of available tables, according to one embodiment. Various table sizes are illustrated in the figure denoted with a ‘T’. These table sizes are configurable by the provider user  102 , according to one embodiment during the set up of the retail establishment in the excess capacity system, according to one embodiment. In addition, a patron user  106  may select and reserve a particular table as shown in  FIG. 16 , according to one embodiment. For example, according to one embodiment, available table configurator  1650  may allow the manager of an establishment (e.g., the provider user  102 ) to set up the tables per slot available on each day of a week when the restaurant is open. 
         [0077]    Although the present embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and/or changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and/or scope of the various embodiments. For example, a combination of software and/or hardware may be used to enable the viral growth extension through recommendation optimization in online communities disclosed herein to further optimize function. 
         [0078]    It will be appreciated that the various operations, processes, and methods disclosed herein may be embodied in a machine-readable medium and/or a machine accessible medium compatible with a data processing system (e.g., a computer system), and may be performed in any order. 
         [0079]    The structures and/or modules in the figures are shown as distinct and communicating with only a few specific structures and not others. The structures may be merged with each other, may perform overlapping functions, and may communicate with other structures not shown to be connected in the Figures. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.