System for concurrent optimization of business economics and customer value
View Patent ↗A computer-implemented system and method for an airline to enhance customers' experience. A computer-implemented service is operated that delivers to a customer an option to upgrade on up to n of m selected products, where n is less than m. Information is recorded in a data store, pertaining to said option. In addition, a system is operated to define each of the n chosen products, whereby after each of the n chosen products is defined, the customer can be upgraded to said chosen product. The information pertaining to said defined products is recorded in a data store.
1. A computer-implemented system to provide options on products, comprising:
a. a data processor being adapted to receive at least one input from a customer for an option to upgrade and in response to receiving that input, to deliver to a customer a conditional option for an upgrade of a product from a company wherein the customer is required to relinquish at least one right in order to receive the upgrade;
b. a data processor being adapted to record said option and its relinquishment in a computer readable data store;
c. a data processor being adapted to receive at least one other input and in response to said other input automatically upgrading the customer if conditions on said option are satisfied, wherein the customer's acceptance of said option includes acceptance of conditions and confers upon the company a right to enforce said relinquishment on the customer and to provide the upgrade; and
d. a data processor being adapted to record said upgrade in a computer readable data store.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein at least two of said data processors are a same processor.
3. A computer-implemented method to provide options on products, comprising:
a. operating a computer system to receive at least on input from a customer defining a request for an option for an upgrade for a product;
b. operating a computer system to provide to a customer an option for a product upgrade upon occurrence of specified conditions accepted by the customer and further on condition that the customer relinquish at least one right and a company has the right to enforce said relinquishment upon occurrence of the specified conditions and to provide the upgrade;
c. recording in a computer readable data store the option, the specified conditions and relinquishment terms;
d. operating a computer system to process the information in the computer readable data store and automatically provide the upgrade to the customer when conditions on the upgrade opportunity are satisfied; and
e. recording the provision of the upgrade in a computer readable data store.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein at least two of said data processors are a same processor.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein the upgrade is conditioned on a payment condition apart from relinquishment of said right.
6. The method of claim 3 further including the company requiring the customer to choose a specified number of presented rights in connection with product purchase and then to relinquish said rights to receive(s) the upgrade.
7. The method of claim 3 wherein said company is not the seller of said product.
8. The method of claim 3 wherein said company is not the seller of said option.
9. The method of claim 3 wherein the relinquishment increases value for at least one of the customer, the provider of said option and at least an entity other than the provider of said option.
10. The method of claim 3 wherein said products are related to the products of the company.
11. The method of claim 3 wherein said products are not related to the products of the company.
12. The method of claim 3 wherein said specified conditions include at least one condition in addition to the availability of a higher ranked product.
13. The method of claim 3 wherein the upgrade is an upgrade to more than one product.
14. The method of claim 3 wherein the upgrade is an upgrade to at least one constrained product.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein said constrained product cannot be utilized fully upon utilization of the option.
16. The method of claim 3 wherein said company allocates at least one product to at least one entity other than said company, and said entity delivers said option on at least one of said allocated products.
17. The method of claim 3 wherein said relinquishment includes relinquishment of one or more rights.
18. The method of claim 3 wherein said company is an airline.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein said product is the ticket of an airline and said relinquishment includes relinquishment of at least one facility associated with said ticket.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein said upgrade includes an upgrade to a higher ranked cabin on a different flight.
21. The method of claim 3 wherein the specified conditions accepted by the customer include an indication of price the customer will pay for said options.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the price is modifiable before an indicated notification date.