Logistics Platform for Secure Event Ticket Transactions

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Solution Overview

Problem

The secondary ticket market for events lacks an efficient mechanism for buyers and sellers to transact securely and timely, with current systems failing to provide infrastructure for remote transactions, leading to inefficiencies and lost revenue for venues and sellers.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that enables secure, geography-based, and time-based logistics for the sale of event tickets, allowing sellers to advertise and ship tickets to remote buyers without direct interaction, using a 'double-blind' platform for payment and shipping, integrated with a global computer network for efficient transaction management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If traditional ticket brokers and scalpers operate within a single metropolitan area or specific geographic region, then they can provide local service, but they cannot efficiently serve a wide base of consumers and lack the infrastructure for remote transactions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice coverage areaVSAvoidtransaction infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an online platform as an intermediary that connects buyers and sellers remotely. The platform handles ticket listings, buyer inquiries, secure payment processing, and shipping coordination, eliminating the need for traditional local broker infrastructure while expanding service coverage to a nationwide or global audience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of in-person local transactions with an electronic/digital system. Online listings, electronic communications, digital payment processing, and automated shipping arrangements substitute for the physical presence and manual coordination required by traditional ticket brokers, enabling remote transactions without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If ticket transactions require direct interaction between buyers and sellers, then parties can negotiate and verify details, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires coordination logistics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction verificationVSAvoidtransaction coordination time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary actions by requiring sellers to create detailed listings with ticket information, pricing, and shipping preferences before buyers contact them. Buyers can review all necessary information in advance, and the platform pre-coordinates shipping arrangements, reducing the need for back-and-forth communication during the actual transaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables self-service through automated platform features including instant messaging systems for communication, automated payment processing that secures funds before transfer, and automated shipping coordination. These self-service mechanisms maintain verification reliability while minimizing the time parties need to spend coordinating, as the system handles routine verification and coordination tasks automatically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If sellers ship tickets to remote buyers without a secure system, then transactions can be completed quickly, but sellers face payment risk and buyers face shipping risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction completion speedVSAvoidpayment and shipping security

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning through its escrow payment system, where buyer payments are secured and held in trust by the platform before being released to the seller. This pre-arranged security mechanism protects both parties: the seller is guaranteed payment upon successful delivery, and the buyer is protected against non-delivery or fraudulent tickets, enabling quick transactions with built-in security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Loss of substance

If the secondary ticket market lacks an efficient transaction mechanism, then tickets can be sold privately, but many tickets expire unused causing loss of revenue to venues and sellers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunused ticket valueVSAvoidtransaction system infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal online platform that serves multiple functions: ticket listings, buyer-seller matching, secure payment processing, shipping coordination, and communication facilitation. This multi-functional system efficiently captures the secondary market for event tickets across various venues and events, converting previously lost unused ticket value into recoverable revenue through a single integrated infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8032442B2System and method for providing logistics for a sale of goods

Publication Date: 2011.10.04 EBAY INC

AI summary

A system 10 for providing logistics for a sale of goods. The system 10 may be implemented over a global computer network 20, and is effective to provide financial logistics for a sale of goods between a seller and a remote buyer, in a manner that does not require interaction between the seller and buyer. The system 10 further implements a geography-based and time-based strategy for executing the logistics of shipping time-sensitive goods from the seller to the buyer.