Computer implemented methods for providing options on products

Abstract

A computer-implemented system and method to provide options on products to enhance customers' experience. A computer-implemented system is operated that delivers to a customer an option to utilize up to n of m selected products, where n is less than or equal to 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 utilize said chosen product. The information pertaining to said defined products is recorded in a data store.

1 . A computer-implemented method to provide options on flights, comprising:
 operating a data processor configured by stored programmed instructions to receive at least one input and in response, to deliver a first option to at least a first passenger to utilize up to n of m selected flights, where n is less than or equal to m;   operating a data processor configured by stored programmed instructions to receive at least one input and in response, to deliver a second option to at least a second passenger to utilize up to k of p selected flights, where k is less than or equal to p;   recording the information pertaining to said options in a computer readable data store;   operating a data processor configured by stored programmed instructions to receive at least one input to define each of said k chosen flights, whereby after each of said k chosen flights is defined, said second passenger can utilize said chosen flight;   operating a data processor configured by stored programmed instructions to receive at least one input wherein the airline defines t chosen flight(s) for said first passenger after each of the said k chosen flights is defined, whereby after each of said t flights is defined, said first passenger can utilize said defined flight, where t is less than or equal to n; and   recording the information pertaining to said chosen or defined flights in a computer readable data store.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said data processors for delivering said first and second options operate independently of each other. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein multiplicity of at least one of said first or second customers are combining together to formulate at least one group with at least one complementary set of options. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein operating the data processor to define said k chosen flights includes said airline defining, at one or more times, at least one of said k chosen flights. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein operating the data processor to define said chosen k flights includes said second passenger defining, at one or more times, at least one of said k chosen flights. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said airline receives from at least one of said first or second passengers, at one or more times, an indication of one or more terms and conditions associated with said first or second options, respectively. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said airline delivers to at least one of said first or second passengers, at one or more times, one or more terms and conditions associated with said first or second options, respectively. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said airline allocates at least one flight to at least one entity other than said airline, and said entity delivers at least one of said first or second options on at least one of said allocated flights. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said p flight is a higher ranked flight on which the second customer can be upgraded. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further including receiving input from the second passenger with respect to selection of a higher ranked flight, and wherein in response to the passengers' input selecting said higher ranked flight a right is conferred upon the airline to enforce a payment obligation on the passenger if said higher ranked product becomes available for utilization. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the payment obligation is priced dynamically. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the payment obligation is determined by bidding from passengers. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  further including receiving input from the second passenger with respect to selection of a higher ranked flight, and requiring the passenger to indicate, as part of said input, the price the passenger is willing to pay for the utilization of said higher ranked flight. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further including providing to the passenger an opportunity to modify the price before a specified notification date. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said flights include at least one practically constrained flight. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said practically constrained flight cannot be fully utilized. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein inability to fully utilize the chosen or selected flights due to at least one practical constraint increases value for at least one of the passenger and at least the provider of said option. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein inability to fully utilize the chosen or selected flights due to at least one practical constraint increases value for at least one of the passenger, the provider of said option and at least an entity other than the provider of said option. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least two of the data processors are a same processor. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1  wherein both said data stores are a same data store. 
     
     
         21 . A computer-implemented system to provide options on flights, comprising:
 a data processor being adapted to receive at least one input and in response, to deliver a first option to at least a first passenger to utilize up to n of m selected flights, where n is less than or equal to m;   a data processor being adapted to receive at least one input and in response, to deliver a second option to at least a second passenger to utilize up to k of p selected flights, where k is less than or equal to p;   a data processor being adapted to record the information pertaining to said options in a computer readable data store;   a data processor being adapted to receive at least one input to define each of said k chosen flights, whereby after each of said k chosen flights is defined, said second passenger can utilize said chosen flight;   a data processor being adapted to receive at least one input wherein the airline defines t chosen flight(s) for said first passenger after each of the said k chosen flights is defined, whereby after each of said t flights is defined, said first passenger can utilize said defined flight, where t is less than or equal to n; and   a data processor being adapted to record the information pertaining to said chosen or defined flights in a computer readable data store.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein at least two of the data processors are a same processor. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21  wherein both said data stores are a same data store. 
     
     
         24 . A computer-implemented system to provide options on products, comprising:
 a data processor being adapted to receive at least one input and in response, to deliver a first option to at least a first customer to utilize up to n of m selected products, where n is less than or equal to m;   a data processor being adapted to receive at least one input and in response, to deliver a second option to at least a second customer to utilize up to k of p selected products, where k is less than or equal to p;   a data processor being adapted to record the information pertaining to said options in a computer readable data store;   a data processor being adapted to receive at least one input to define each of said k chosen products, whereby after each of said k chosen products is defined, said second customer can utilize said chosen product;   a data processor being adapted to receive at least one input wherein the company defines t chosen product(s) for said first customer after each of the said k chosen products is defined, whereby after each of said t products is defined, said first customer can utilize said defined product, where t is less than or equal to n; and   a data processor being adapted to record the information pertaining to said chosen or defined products in a computer readable data store.   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24  wherein at least two of the data processors are a same processor. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 24  wherein both said data stores are a same data store.