Set-Top Box Event Ticketing With Preference-Based Search
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often lack awareness of when their preferred artists or events are participating in events and face inconvenient or inaccessible ticketing mechanisms, making it difficult to obtain tickets automatically or semi-automatically.
Innovation Solution
An automatic event ticketing system comprising a user device, set-top box, and event server that utilizes user preference data to search for matching events and facilitate ticket procurement, with components like content monitoring, user preferencing, and event search engines to identify and obtain tickets based on user preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual ticketing processes are used, then users have control over ticket acquisition, but users experience inconvenience and lack of awareness of event availability
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic ticketing where the system monitors events and purchases tickets autonomously based on user preferences stored in the data store, eliminating the need for manual user intervention while maintaining user control through preference configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors event availability and user preferences, providing automated feedback loops where the ticketing system detects when tickets become available and automatically purchases them, ensuring users are informed and engaged without manual checking
2Productivity
If automated ticketing systems are implemented, then ticket acquisition becomes efficient and automatic, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The set-top box serves multiple functions including event monitoring, user preference storage, ticket search, and ticket acquisition, consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate systems into a single integrated device
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediaries such as event servers and ticketing engines that mediate between user preferences and actual ticket acquisition, breaking down the complex automated process into manageable components that communicate through standardized interfaces
3Adaptability or versatility
If ticketing mechanisms are made accessible to all users, then more users can obtain tickets, but access may be blocked by firewalls on company networks
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its operation mode based on network conditions, switching between automated and manual ticketing modes depending on whether the user's network allows external access, ensuring continuous functionality regardless of firewall restrictions
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses intermediaries to route ticketing requests through alternative paths that may bypass corporate firewalls, such as using local network resources or cached preference data to enable ticketing without direct external connectivity
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems and process for automated event ticketing are disclosed. A system includes: a user device having a data store and a processor coupled to the data store; a set top box (“STB”), coupled to the user device, having an STB data store and an STB processor; and at least one event server, coupled to the STB providing event data and event ticketing data for a plurality of events. Based on user preference data received from the user device, the STB processor searches the plurality of events for a given event which matches, at least in part, the user preference data, and when instructed by the STB, the event ticketing engine facilitates ticketing of the given user to the given event. When executed, first computer instructions instantiate a content application that performs content monitoring and user preferencing, and based on the foregoing generates user preference data.