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(19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2012/0022900 A1 THAKKAR (54)
(43) Pub. Date:
RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT EXCESS CAPACITY MANAGEMENT AND PRESENTATION SYSTEM AND METHOD
(51)
Publication Classi?cation Int_ CL G06Q 10/00 (2006.01)
(52)
US. Cl. .......................................................... .. 705/5
G06Q 30/00 (75) Inventor:
RAKESH P. THAKKAR,
(2006.01)
(57)
Chlcago’ IL (Us)
Jan. 26, 2012
ABSTRACT
A method and system of retail establishment excess capacity management and presentation are disclosed. In one embodi
_
(73)
_
Asslgneer
ment, a computer implemented method includes creating a
FiIleDiIleDeal, LLC, ChICagO, IL
search result based on criteria of a patron user using a pro
(US)
cessor. 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
_
(21)
Appl' NO"
12/832’169
search result. Further, the method includes con?rming a res ervation of the patron user at the establishment With a pay
ment authority and the establishment, and adjusting the (22)
Filed:
Jul. 23, 2010
702A
excess capacity based on the reservation.
PATRON USER LIST
704A
CHOICE 1
PROVIDER USER LIST
CHOICE 2
RESTAURANT 1
RESTAURANT 2
TIME DAY MENU ADDRESS BEVERAGE PAIRING
3.00PM SATURDAY LOBSTER SAN FRANCISCO WINE
4.00PM SATURDAY LOBSTER FISHER MAN CONE BEER
TIME DAY MENU ADDRESS BEVERAGE PAIRING
4.00PM SATURDAY LOBSTER SAN FRANCISCO WINE
4.00PM SATURDAY LOBSTER FISHER MAN CONE BEER
PRICE
$50
$40
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$40
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US 2012/0022900 A1
RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT EXCESS CAPACITY MANAGEMENT AND PRESENTATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to the ?eld of data base technology, and in particular, to a method and system of retail establishment excess capacity management and presen tation. BACKGROUND [0002]
A retail establishment (e.g., a restaurant, a spa, a
Jan. 26, 2012
tion 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 aggre gates 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 recalcu lates the excess capacity after a reservation is made by a
patron user, provides information to the provider user regard ing 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
health club, etc.) may have excess capacity. For example, the excess capacity may be in the form of empty dining tables,
excess capacity available once a patron user cancels the res
unsold perishable items such as food, unused space, and/or overstaffed employee shifts. To reduce the excess capacity,
tion. [0007]
the retail establishment may advertise specials/ sales through media channels (e.g., on Websites such as Yelp® and OpenT able®, 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
ervation, and noti?es the provider user regarding cancella The reservation module identi?es a status of the patron user. The reservation module also selects the excess
capacity of the establishment based on the time of day vari
able, 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 veri?es the selection. The reser vation module also veri?es the availability of the excess capacity of the establishment, authenticates a ?nancial pay
the specials/ sales may be negligible. It may not be possible for the retail establishment to update the specials/ sales
ment provided by the patron user, accepts the ?nancial pay
through the media channels before a time WindoW in Which
vation, and provides noti?cation of the con?rmation to the
the excess capacity is marketable expires (e.g., time of day, etc.). As a result, the retail establishment may incur signi?
patron user and the provider user.
cant ?nancial losses related to the excess capacity (e.g., spoil
age, salaries, facility rents, etc.). SUMMARY
ment for the reservation, updates a con?rmation of the reser
[0008] The promotion module offers a special sale, a group discount, and a seasonal discount provided by the provider user, and noti?es the patron user of the special sale, the group discount and the seasonal discount. [0009] Other features Will be apparent from the accompa
[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
nying draWings and from the detailed description that fol
search result based on criteria of a patron user using a pro cessor. The search result includes an excess capacity across
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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 con?rming a res ervation of the patron user at the establishment With a pay
ment 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 func tion 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
loWs.
[0010] Example embodiments are illustrated by Way of example and not limitation in the ?gures of the accompanying draWings, in Which like references indicate similar elements and in Which: [0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic vieW illustrating excess capac ity management of an establishment, according to one embodiment. [0012] FIG. 2 is a system vieW that illustrates communica tion betWeen a patron user, a provider user and an exec capac
ity 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.
number of establishments matching the criteria, to identify
[0016]
the establishment When a selection of the patron user is pro cessed responsive to the search result, to con?rm a reservation of the patron user at establishment With a payment authority
ule, according to one embodiment.
and the establishment, and to adjust the excess capacity based
according to one embodiment.
on the reservation.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a How chart illustrating excess capacity management of an establishment, according to one embodi
[0006] In yet another aspect, an excess capacity server includes an inventory module, an analysis module, a reserva
[0017]
FIG. 6 is a How diagram illustrating promotion mod
FIG. 7 is diagrammatic vieW illustrating analysis of
a patron user request against availability of provider user,
ment.
US 2012/0022900 A1
[0019]
Jan. 26, 2012
FIG. 9 is a user interface vieW illustrating inventory
patron may be a customer of the retail establishment or a
of a restaurant having excess capacity, according to one embodiment.
excess capacity server 108 may enable the provider user 102
[0020] FIG. 10 is a graphical user interface vieW illustrating a patron user’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 con?guration vieW, according to one embodiment. [0027] FIG. 16 is a graphical user interface vieW illustrating
con?guration 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 speci?c example embodiments, it Will be evident that various modi?cations 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 capac ity 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 establish ment 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
concierge representing a group of potential customers. The 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 reserva tion is con?rmed. [0033] FIG. 2 is a system vieW that illustrates communica tion betWeen a patron user and a provider user of an estab
lishment 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, accord ing to one embodiment. [0034] In one embodiment, the patron user 106 may com
municate 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, intemet, 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 establish
ment (e.g., a restaurant, bar, spa, etc.) may include meal
option, day, time, geographical location, table siZe, special siZe offers, promotions, discounts, food combination, bever age 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 inven tory) as illustrated in FIG. 9. The generated search result may include the list of establishments With excess capacity that matches With patron user’s criteria. The criteria of the patron
include meals, beverages, eatables, perishable and consum
user 106 may include a date selection, a time selection, a meal
able goods, dinner, etc. The excess capacity of an establish
plan selection, a location selection, a cuisine selection, etc.
ment 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 estab lishment, etc. [0032] Further, the patron user 106 may utiliZe the excess
[0037]
While an example of a restaurant retail establish
ment 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,
capacity of the provider user 102 by communicating With the
and/or civic meeting spaces. In a restaurant retail establish ment example, the patron user 106 may select a restaurant
excess capacity server 108 through a netWork 202 (as illus trated 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
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.
With excess capacity that may provide Wine paring, beverage
(19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2012/0022900 A1 THAKKAR (54)
(43) Pub. Date:
RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT EXCESS CAPACITY MANAGEMENT AND PRESENTATION SYSTEM AND METHOD
(51)
Publication Classi?cation Int_ CL G06Q 10/00 (2006.01)
(52)
US. Cl. .......................................................... .. 705/5
G06Q 30/00 (75) Inventor:
RAKESH P. THAKKAR,
(2006.01)
(57)
Chlcago’ IL (Us)
Jan. 26, 2012
ABSTRACT
A method and system of retail establishment excess capacity management and presentation are disclosed. In one embodi
_
(73)
_
Asslgneer
ment, a computer implemented method includes creating a
FiIleDiIleDeal, LLC, ChICagO, IL
search result based on criteria of a patron user using a pro
(US)
cessor. 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
_
(21)
Appl' NO"
12/832’169
search result. Further, the method includes con?rming a res ervation of the patron user at the establishment With a pay
ment authority and the establishment, and adjusting the (22)
Filed:
Jul. 23, 2010
702A
excess capacity based on the reservation.
PATRON USER LIST
704A
CHOICE 1
PROVIDER USER LIST
CHOICE 2
RESTAURANT 1
RESTAURANT 2
TIME DAY MENU ADDRESS BEVERAGE PAIRING
3.00PM SATURDAY LOBSTER SAN FRANCISCO WINE
4.00PM SATURDAY LOBSTER FISHER MAN CONE BEER
TIME DAY MENU ADDRESS BEVERAGE PAIRING
4.00PM SATURDAY LOBSTER SAN FRANCISCO WINE
4.00PM SATURDAY LOBSTER FISHER MAN CONE BEER
PRICE
$50
$40
PRICE
$100
$40
5
P_ROMOTION
P:ROMOTION
4514
F-INPUT
USER ID PATRON USER
—> PROVIDER USER
4316
=
INPUT'1 ANALYSIS MODULE
CHOICE 1 AND RESTAURANT I TIME DAY
—-304
CHOICE 2 AND RESTAURANT 2
X /
\/ J
MENU / ADDRESS ./ BEVERAGE PAIRING \/
/ \/ \/
P:RICE I;
X
\/
PROMOTION
X
\/
INVENTORY MODULE =
PROMOTION
PROMOTION MODULE ~ 308
P:ROMOTION
3?2 _
INVENTORY
'
MODULE
Patent Application Publication
Jan. 26, 2012 Sheet 1 0f 17
US 2012/0022900 A1
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08 08 08
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Patent Application Publication
Jan. 26, 2012 Sheet 3 0f 17
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Patent Application Publication
Jan. 26, 2012 Sheet 4 0f 17
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Patent Application Publication
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Jan. 26, 2012 Sheet 7 0f 17
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Patent Application Publication
Jan. 26, 2012 Sheet 8 0f 17
PROVIDER USER DATA
US 2012/0022900 A1
~802
I EXCESS CAPACITYSERVER
806~
PATRON USER REQUIREMENTS
‘
I 808*»
ANALYSIS SERVERALLOCATION 4 AND RECONCILIATION
H QTT 810'”
UPDATE TO
UPDATE TO
PATRON UsER
PROVIDER USER
I 812~
814~
P" UPDATE
I 838
CONFIRMATION
PLANNING FOR
RECEIVED
REsERvED SLOTS
BY PATRON UsER
BY PROVIDER USER
USE OF RESERVATION BY PATRON USER
RESERVATION sERvED BY PROVIDER USER
QTH EXCESS CAPACITY REDUCED
~ 822
FIGURE 8
—
~s20
N804
Patent Application Publication
Jan. 26, 2012 Sheet 9 0f 17
US 2012/0022900 A1
MmED-2“
Patent Application Publication
Jan. 26, 2012 Sheet 10 0f 17
US 2012/0022900 A1
mavEDQE
Patent Application Publication
Jan. 26, 2012 Sheet 11 0f 17
US 2012/0022900 A1
m4D:QE
Patent Application Publication
Jan. 26, 2012 Sheet 12 0f 17
US 2012/0022900 A1
MmI‘EDUE
Patent Application Publication
Jan. 26, 2012 Sheet 13 0f 17
US 2012/0022900 A1
MNFED-0E
Patent Application Publication
Jan. 26, 2012 Sheet 14 0f 17
US 2012/0022900 A1
mMPEDQE
Patent Application Publication
Jan. 26, 2012 Sheet 15 0f 17
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US 2012/0022900 A1
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[
FEATURED MENU~14O2 ]
I’ ____ _ _FI_R_ST EO_UT2S_E_____ _ _ \I
: I
CHOICE OF BOAL LOPS
I :
I
SWEET POTATO PUREE, BACON CANDY
I
1404 "*‘l
l
I
BURS CHEETAH
|
I
ROASTED BEETS, GOAT CHEESE, BASIL
:
I
| '\ I
P.E.I MUSSELS JALAPENO AND CHIvE BROTH
: [I
1406 3-»! ———— — —S_EE6N_D—C—OUR—S—E ———— — _ ‘I
RESTAURANT
l
‘
I
DESCRIPTION
CHOICE OF
I
l "CASUAL ELEGANCE AND A
ARUGULA SALAD
| —
GLEEFULLY LOCAL AND GLOBAL
I —
I
SERRANO HAM, ROASTED TOMATOES,
MENU ALIGN WITH THE
I
SHAvED MANTENO, SMOKED PAPRIKA
:
PICTURESQUE SETTING IN THIS
:
COST'NG
I
I
CASER SALAD
RIvER NORTH SPOT To CREATE A
>
I
I
TRULY UNIQUE DINING EXPERIENCE SITUATED ATAPOINT JUST
l—
I
I
I —
BELOW THE CLARK STREET BRIDGE AND ACROSS FROM THE LOOP.
I
ROMA'NEI SHAVED PARMESAN- BR'OCHE
:
FLATWATER OFFERS CASUAL GLOBAL FARE BY EXECUTIVE CHEF
l
SPINACH SALAD
I
DANNY SALSADO AND IMAGINATIVE COCKTAILS IN AN EASY URBAN SETTING. WARMER MONTHS SEE BOATERS COME ASHORE ALONG 400 FEET OF COOKING SPACE AND A BREEZY LANDSCAPED PATIO TO DINE IN
OR CARRY OUT A CATERED PARTY ABOARD THEIR CRAFT.
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Jan. 26, 2012 Sheet 17 0f 17
US 2012/0022900 Al
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US 2012/0022900 A1
RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT EXCESS CAPACITY MANAGEMENT AND PRESENTATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to the ?eld of data base technology, and in particular, to a method and system of retail establishment excess capacity management and presen tation. BACKGROUND [0002]
A retail establishment (e.g., a restaurant, a spa, a
Jan. 26, 2012
tion 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 aggre gates 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 recalcu lates the excess capacity after a reservation is made by a
patron user, provides information to the provider user regard ing 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
health club, etc.) may have excess capacity. For example, the excess capacity may be in the form of empty dining tables,
excess capacity available once a patron user cancels the res
unsold perishable items such as food, unused space, and/or overstaffed employee shifts. To reduce the excess capacity,
tion. [0007]
the retail establishment may advertise specials/ sales through media channels (e.g., on Websites such as Yelp® and OpenT able®, 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
ervation, and noti?es the provider user regarding cancella The reservation module identi?es a status of the patron user. The reservation module also selects the excess
capacity of the establishment based on the time of day vari
able, 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 veri?es the selection. The reser vation module also veri?es the availability of the excess capacity of the establishment, authenticates a ?nancial pay
the specials/ sales may be negligible. It may not be possible for the retail establishment to update the specials/ sales
ment provided by the patron user, accepts the ?nancial pay
through the media channels before a time WindoW in Which
vation, and provides noti?cation of the con?rmation to the
the excess capacity is marketable expires (e.g., time of day, etc.). As a result, the retail establishment may incur signi?
patron user and the provider user.
cant ?nancial losses related to the excess capacity (e.g., spoil
age, salaries, facility rents, etc.). SUMMARY
ment for the reservation, updates a con?rmation of the reser
[0008] The promotion module offers a special sale, a group discount, and a seasonal discount provided by the provider user, and noti?es the patron user of the special sale, the group discount and the seasonal discount. [0009] Other features Will be apparent from the accompa
[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
nying draWings and from the detailed description that fol
search result based on criteria of a patron user using a pro cessor. The search result includes an excess capacity across
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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 con?rming a res ervation of the patron user at the establishment With a pay
ment 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 func tion 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
loWs.
[0010] Example embodiments are illustrated by Way of example and not limitation in the ?gures of the accompanying draWings, in Which like references indicate similar elements and in Which: [0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic vieW illustrating excess capac ity management of an establishment, according to one embodiment. [0012] FIG. 2 is a system vieW that illustrates communica tion betWeen a patron user, a provider user and an exec capac
ity 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.
number of establishments matching the criteria, to identify
[0016]
the establishment When a selection of the patron user is pro cessed responsive to the search result, to con?rm a reservation of the patron user at establishment With a payment authority
ule, according to one embodiment.
and the establishment, and to adjust the excess capacity based
according to one embodiment.
on the reservation.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a How chart illustrating excess capacity management of an establishment, according to one embodi
[0006] In yet another aspect, an excess capacity server includes an inventory module, an analysis module, a reserva
[0017]
FIG. 6 is a How diagram illustrating promotion mod
FIG. 7 is diagrammatic vieW illustrating analysis of
a patron user request against availability of provider user,
ment.
US 2012/0022900 A1
[0019]
Jan. 26, 2012
FIG. 9 is a user interface vieW illustrating inventory
patron may be a customer of the retail establishment or a
of a restaurant having excess capacity, according to one embodiment.
excess capacity server 108 may enable the provider user 102
[0020] FIG. 10 is a graphical user interface vieW illustrating a patron user’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 con?guration vieW, according to one embodiment. [0027] FIG. 16 is a graphical user interface vieW illustrating
con?guration 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 speci?c example embodiments, it Will be evident that various modi?cations 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 capac ity 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 establish ment 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
concierge representing a group of potential customers. The 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 reserva tion is con?rmed. [0033] FIG. 2 is a system vieW that illustrates communica tion betWeen a patron user and a provider user of an estab
lishment 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, accord ing to one embodiment. [0034] In one embodiment, the patron user 106 may com
municate 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, intemet, 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 establish
ment (e.g., a restaurant, bar, spa, etc.) may include meal
option, day, time, geographical location, table siZe, special siZe offers, promotions, discounts, food combination, bever age 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 inven tory) as illustrated in FIG. 9. The generated search result may include the list of establishments With excess capacity that matches With patron user’s criteria. The criteria of the patron
include meals, beverages, eatables, perishable and consum
user 106 may include a date selection, a time selection, a meal
able goods, dinner, etc. The excess capacity of an establish
plan selection, a location selection, a cuisine selection, etc.
ment 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 estab lishment, etc. [0032] Further, the patron user 106 may utiliZe the excess
[0037]
While an example of a restaurant retail establish
ment 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,
capacity of the provider user 102 by communicating With the
and/or civic meeting spaces. In a restaurant retail establish ment example, the patron user 106 may select a restaurant
excess capacity server 108 through a netWork 202 (as illus trated 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
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.
With excess capacity that may provide Wine paring, beverage
