System and Method For Allocating Inventory to Satisfy Online Demand and Demand At Physical Locations

Abstract

A system and method for allocating inventory to satisfy online demand and demand at physical locations includes allocating a first portion of media rental inventory for online fulfillment and a second portion for fulfillment at physical rental locations. The method further includes making a determination of in-store rental activity for the second portion of inventory, and reallocating the first and second portions of inventory based on that determination.

1 . A method performed on a computer for allocating inventory, comprising:
 allocating a first portion of inventory to a particular inventory location for online fulfillment;   allocating a second portion of inventory to the particular inventory location for fulfillment at physical locations;   determining physical location rental activity of the second portion of inventory, wherein determining physical location rental activity comprises:
 determining a projected physical location rental activity of the second portion of inventory based on past physical location rental activity; 
 determining an actual physical location rental activity of the second portion of inventory; and 
 comparing the projected physical location rental activity and the actual physical location rental activity to determine whether to reallocate the first and second portions of inventory; and 
   reallocating the first and second portions of inventory in accordance with the determined physical location rental activity.   
     
     
         2 . Method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, at a computer, a media request associated with a subscriber account; and   selecting, by the computer, one of a plurality of inventory locations to fulfill the media request, wherein at least one of the inventory locations accommodates on-site media rental requests.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising increasing the first portion of inventory in accordance with the determined physical location rental activity. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein selecting one of a plurality of inventory locations comprises determining performance data associated with inventory locations that are stores. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein selecting one of a plurality of inventory locations comprises determining performance data associated with inventory locations that are rental kiosks. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein selecting one of a plurality of inventory locations comprises selecting one of a plurality of inventory locations based on classification of available inventory, wherein the available inventory comprises physical location inventory, on-line inventory, and visiting inventory. 
     
     
         7 . A system for allocating inventory in response to media requests, comprising:
 a plurality of computers operable to make media requests associated with subscriber accounts; and   a controller operable to:
 allocate a first portion of inventory to a particular inventory location for on-line fulfillment and allocate a second portion of inventory to the particular inventory location for fulfillment at physical locations; 
 determine physical location rental activity of the second portion of inventory; 
 determine a projected physical location rental activity of the second portion of inventory based on past in-store rental activity; 
 determine an actual physical location rental activity of the second portion of inventory; 
 compare the projected physical location rental activity and the actual physical location rental activity to determine whether to reallocate the first and second portions of inventory; 
 reallocate the first and second portions of inventory in accordance with the determined physical location rental activity. 
   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , where the controller is further operable to select a plurality of inventory locations to fulfill the media requests, wherein at least one of the inventory locations accommodates on-site media rental requests. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of inventory locations comprise:
 a plurality of stores to accommodate on-site media requests; and   a plurality of fulfillment centers to accommodate on-line media requests.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of inventory locations comprise:
 a plurality of rental kiosks to accommodate on-site media requests; and   a plurality of fulfillment centers to accommodate on-line media requests.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the controller is operable to determine performance data associated with inventory locations that accommodate on-site media rental requests. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the controller is operable to determine a geographic location of a customer associated with the media request, and determine performance data associated with inventory locations that accommodate on-site media rental requests. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the controller is operable to select one of a plurality of inventory locations based on classification of available inventory, wherein the available inventory comprises physical location inventory, on-line inventory, and visiting inventory. 
     
     
         14 . A controller, comprising:
 a memory operable to store inventory information and account information, the inventory information indicating an allocation of media at a plurality of inventory locations, wherein at least one of the locations accommodates physical location media rental requests, the account information indicating a plurality of subscriber accounts;   a processor operable to:
 allocate a first portion of inventory for on-line fulfillment to a particular inventory location; 
 allocate a second portion of inventory for physical location fulfillment to the particular inventory location; 
 determine physical location rental activity of the second portion of inventory; 
 determine a projected physical location rental activity of the second portion of inventory based on past physical location rental activity; 
 determine an actual physical location rental activity of the second portion of inventory; 
 compare the projected physical location rental activity and the actual physical location rental activity to determine whether to reallocate the first and second portions of inventory; and 
 reallocate the first and second portions of inventory in accordance with the determined physical location rental activity. 
   
     
     
         15 . The controller of  claim 14 , further comprising a network interface operable to receive a media request from a subscriber. 
     
     
         16 . The controller of  claim 15 , wherein the processor is further operable to associate the media request with a particular subscriber account using the account information, and select one of a plurality of inventory locations to fulfill the request using the inventory information. 
     
     
         17 . The controller of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is operable to determine a geographic location of a customer associated with the media request, and determine performance data associated with inventory locations that accommodate on-site media rentals. 
     
     
         18 . The controller of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is operable to select an inventory location based on classification of available inventory, wherein the available inventory comprises physical location inventory, on-line inventory, and visiting inventory. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of inventory locations comprise:
 a plurality of rental kiosks to accommodate on-site media requests; and   a plurality of fulfillment centers to accommodate on-line media requests.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of inventory locations comprise:
 a plurality of stores to accommodate on-site media requests; and   a plurality of fulfillment centers to accommodate on-line media requests.