What is US Patent No. 8,321,286 for Delta Hotels By Marriott related to?

According to Delta Hotels By Marriott's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, US Patent No. 8,321,286 pertains to "Methods and apparatuses for calculating an optimal revenue total yield for both sleeping and function space in a hospitality establishment for a set of demands that includes both group and transient demands." This patent relates to yield management methods and apparatuses. The application for this patent was initially filed on February 29, 2004, and it was officially granted on November 27, 2012.

In simpler terms, this patent covers the systems and processes Delta Hotels By Marriott uses to maximize revenue from both room bookings and event spaces within their hotels. This involves analyzing demand from different types of customers, such as individual travelers and large groups, to optimize pricing and availability.

For a prospective franchisee, this means that Delta Hotels By Marriott employs a patented, sophisticated approach to revenue management. Franchisees will be required to use these systems as part of their operations. While the franchisee doesn't own the patent or the system, they benefit from its use in optimizing revenue. It also implies that franchisees must adhere to Delta Hotels By Marriott's standards and guidelines regarding revenue management, and cannot implement their own independent systems in this area.