System and method for ticket validation

Abstract

A method and system is provided for facilitating ticket exchange by validating ticket authenticity. Images of the barcodes of tickets are captured and decoded so that the encoded ticket information may be analyzed. Encoded ticket information is compared to event ticket information stored in a ticketing database, and the result is transmitted to prospective buyers to ensure authenticity and establish confidence in the sale. Tickets may also be pre-validated by ticket, holders or designated sellers of ticketing companies, who are located near the event venue. Buyers interested in purchasing tickets may locate pre-validated tickets using GPS.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer implemented method comprising: receiving a captured barcode image of a ticket from an
 inquirer;   decoding the barcode image;   extracting ticket information from the decoded barcode;   retrieving valid ticket information associated, with the ticket from a database;   determining whether the ticket is valid at least partially based on the extracted ticket information and the retrieved valid ticket information;   transmitting a validation fail message responsive to a determination that the ticket is not valid; and   transmitting event ticket information associated with the ticket.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising receiving a captured image of the ticket from the inquirer; and wherein receiving the captured barcode image comprises receiving the captured image of the ticket including the barcode image. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 receiving a captured image of the ticket from the inquirer; and 
 receiving ticket information associated with the ticket, wherein the ticket information was automatically determined, based on the captured image of the ticket; 
 wherein determining whether a ticket is valid is at least partially based on the received ticket information. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising receiving ticket information associated with the ticket, wherein the ticket information was automatically determined by the inquirer using NFC, and wherein determining whether a ticket is valid is at least partially based on the received ticket information. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising transmitting a validation success message responsive to a determination that the ticket is valid. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein event ticket information comprises at least one of an image of a view from a ticket seat associated with the ticket, a retail value of the ticket, one or more links to information, whether the ticket has already been transferred to another buyer, or one or more reviews related to a seller of the ticket. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein determining whether the ticket is valid is based on criteria provided by the user. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising transmitting an insurance purchase option associated with the ticket. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising:
 automatically determining a cost of insurance based on one or more risk factors associated with the ticket; and 
 transmitting the determined cost. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 receiving a captured image of the ticket from a first inquirer; and 
 transmitting the captured image of the ticket to a second inquirer; 
 wherein the validation fail message is transmitted to the second inquirer responsive to a determination that the ticket is not valid. 
 
     
     
         11 . A computerized method comprising:
 receiving a captured barcode image of a ticket from a first inquirer;   decoding the barcode image;   extracting ticket information from the decoded barcode;   retrieving valid ticket information associated with the ticket from a database;   determining whether the ticket is valid at least partially based on the extracted ticket information and the retrieved valid ticket information;   transmitting a validation success message to a second inquirer responsive to a determination that the ticket is valid; and   transmitting location information associated, with the first inquirer to the second inquirer.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising transmitting a validation failure message to the second inquirer responsive to a determination that the ticket is not valid. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising:
 receiving ticket holder information; and 
 determining location information associated with the first, inquirer based at least partially on the ticket holder information. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein retrieving valid ticket information comprises communicating with a third party service to request and receive valid ticket information. 
     
     
         15 . The method, of  claim 11  further comprising:
 receiving a request from the second inquirer for available tickets; 
 retrieving ticket information for one or more tickets available for purchase; and 
 wherein the received captured image of the ticket comprises at least one of the tickets available for purchase. 
 
     
     
         16 . A computer implemented method comprising:
 receiving one or more captured barcode images of one or more tickets from an inquirer;   decoding one or more barcode images;   extracting ticket information from one or more of the decoded barcode images;   retrieving valid ticket information associated, with one or more of the tickets from a database;   determining whether one or more of the tickets are valid at least partially based on the extracted ticket- information and the retrieved valid ticket information;   transmitting one or more validation success message associated with one or more of the tickets responsive to a determination that one or more of the tickets are valid;   transmitting one or more validation failure messages associated with one or more of the tickets responsive to a determination that one or more of the tickets are not valid; and   transmitting a list of websites where the seller may list one or more of the tickets for sale.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising:
 determining one or more pricing suggestions for one or more of the tickets; and 
 transmitting one or more of the pricing suggestions to the inquirer. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising automatically listing one or more of the tickets for sale on one or more of the websites of the list of websites. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising automatically removing one or more of the tickets for sale from a listing on a website when one or more of the tickets are sold. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising generating a dashboard for presentation on the inquirer, wherein the dashboard comprises listing status for one or more of the tickets.