System for concurrent optimization of business economics and customer value

Abstract

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 fly on up to n of m selected flights, where m and n are whole numbers and n<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 flights, whereby after each of the n chosen flights is defined, the customer can fly on said chosen flight. The information pertaining to said defined flights is recorded in a data store.

1 . A computer-implemented system to provide options on products, comprising:
 a. a data processor adapted to store in a computer-readable data store data representing, with respect to a product offering by a company, at least one option for said product offering and a price for each said option;   b. an interactive system which selectively presents to the customer a display of each of said options and receives decisions of the customer about said presented options including an indication of price the customer is willing to pay for said options;   c. a data processor which records information pertaining to said selection by the customer in a computer-readable data store;   d. a data processor which receives operational data pertaining to the operation of said company, has access to a plurality of event response algorithms and in response to the received operational data indicating the occurrence of at least one event selected from a group of predetermined potential events, in accordance with the customer's said selection and operational data of company, executing a corresponding event response algorithm to optimize together values for at least the customer and the company.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising
 e. a data processor adapted to deliver at least said option to the customer on execution of said event response algorithm, whereby after said delivery, said product is available for utilization; and   f. a data processor adapted to record information pertaining to said delivery in a computer-readable data store.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein each said option includes a listing of one or more optional components of said product offering. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said interactive system is configured to receive decisions of the customer about one or more optional components of said product offering including an indication of price the customer is willing to pay for said optional components. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the system is configured to provide to the customer an opportunity to modify the price before a specified notification date. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least two of said data processors are a same processor. 
     
     
         7 . A computer-implemented method to provide options on products, comprising:
 a. operating a computer-readable data store containing data representing, with respect to a product offering by a company, at least one option for said product offering and a price for each said option;   b. operating a data processor configured for interaction with the customer to selectively present each of said options to the customer and to receive decisions of the customer about said presented options including an indication of price the customer is willing to pay for said options;   c. recording information pertaining to said selection by the customer in a computer-readable data store   d. operating a data processor having an event optimizer module whereby said event optimizer module receives operational data pertaining to the operation of said company, and have access to a plurality of event response algorithms; and   e. operating a data processor which, in response to the occurrence of at least one event selected from a group of predetermined potential events, executes a corresponding event response algorithm in accordance with the customer's said selection and operational data of company, to optimize a respective value for each of at least the customer and the company.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the steps of
 f. operating a data processor to deliver at least said option on said product to the customer on execution of said event response algorithm, whereby after said delivery, said product is available for utilization; and 
 g. recording information pertaining to said delivery in a computer-readable data store. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein each said option includes a listing of one or more optional components of said product offering. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the data processor configured for interaction receives decisions of the customer about one or more optional components of said product offering including an indication of price the customer is willing to pay for said optional components. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the customer is given the opportunity modify the price before a specified notification date. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said option includes a right to upgrade to a higher ranked product. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7  wherein at least two of said data processors are a same processor. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7  wherein a value is optimized also for an entity other than the company and the customer. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the selected option or options satisfy at least a preference expressed by the customer or a utility expressed by the customer. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 7  further including a terminal for customer input and for presentation of information to the customer. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said selection confers a right upon the company to enforce a payment obligation on said customer if said option is delivered to the customer. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said payment includes a payment made to the company at a time the company delivers said option. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the company may not exercise its right of enforcing the payment obligation upon the customer. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said option confers on an entity other than said company the right to enforce the payment. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the customer becomes entitled to utilize said option by making said payment, at least in part, when purchasing said option. 
     
     
         22 . A computer-implemented method to provide options on flights, comprising:
 a. operating a computer-readable data store containing data representing, with respect to a flight offering by an airline, at least one option for said flight offering and a price for each said option;   b. operating an interactive system enabling interaction with a passenger to selectively present each of said options to the passenger and to receive decisions of the passenger about said presented options including an indication of price the passenger is willing to pay for said options;   c. recording information pertaining to said selection by the passenger in a computer-readable data store   d. operating a data processor executing an event optimizer module whereby said event optimizer module receives operational data pertaining to the operation of said airline, and has access to a plurality of event response algorithms; and   e. operating a data processor which, in response to the occurrence of at least one event selected from a group of predetermined potential events, executes a corresponding event response algorithm in accordance with the passenger's said selection and operational data of the airline, to optimize together values for at least the passenger and the airline.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising the steps of
 f. operating a data processor to deliver at least said option on said flight to the passenger on execution of said event response algorithm, whereby after said delivery, said flight is available for utilization; and 
 g. recording information pertaining to said delivery in a computer-readable data store. 
 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22  wherein said option is to upgrade to a higher ranked cabin.