Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for managing a rental vehicle reservation based at least in part on automated processing of vehicle repair data corresponding to a disabled vehicle that is related to the rental vehicle reservation. For example, a preferred method and system can automatically compute from the vehicle repair data an amount of time that is likely to be needed by a repair facility to complete repairs to the disabled vehicle, which in turn can drive more accurate management of an authorization period for the rental vehicle reservation.

Abstract: An architecture and system allows for collaborative control and viewing of like multimedia content that is loaded in a number of distributed network-based appliances. A collaboration server in the data network is used to store and retrieve information regarding each collaboration session and serves as a clearing house to forward control commands (“play”, “pause”, etc.) from one participant to the other participants during a session. The arrangement is particularly well-suited to a distance learning environment, where an instructor may be given “override” commands to control the various events in the collaboration session.

Abstract: An event management system is disclosed. The event management system includes a memory, a computer display, an event creation component, a conversion mapping component that maps passenger data from a user format into an application specific format; a group scheduling component that categorizes passengers into groups, a passenger management component, a vehicle management component, a staff management component, a versioning component, an invoicing component, and a data visualization component. Also disclosed is a computerized method for event planning.

Abstract: An electronic account links an electronic address to a physical address of a customer. Services provided to the customer using the electronic account can be delivered to the physical address or the electronic address of the customer. If the customer requests to receive only physical mail, the link between the addresses can be used to deliver any electronic mail to the physical address of the customer.

Abstract: A system and method comprising: receiving itinerary data from at least two sources; identifying a traveler associated with the itinerary data; and adding information about the identified traveler to the itinerary data.

Abstract: Techniques are described for accounting for travel time in scheduling appointments in an electronic calendar. For example, a travel time between appointments may be identified and a time block may be reserved on a calendar application to account for such travel time. Geographic locations of adjacent appointments in a calendar may be determined and a route between the geographic locations also may be determined. A travel time associated with traveling the route between the geographic locations may be computed and the computed travel time may be compared to unscheduled time between the adjacent appointments in the calendar to determine whether the unscheduled time exceeds the travel time. If it is determined that the unscheduled time exceeds the travel time, a time block may be reserved on the calendar application to account for the travel time.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling multi-node services. There is described a process broker for controlling a process between two or more clients and service registry comprising; a plurality of process templates, each process template representing a process to co-ordinate a service on nodes and comprising one or more steps for coordinating such a service with each node; means for receiving a message from a first node; means for selecting a process template and participating node/s in response to the message; means for envoking the process steps as defined in the selected process template on the selected nodes; and means for responding to the first node with a response of the type defined in the selected process template and based on the response from the participating node/s.

Abstract: There is provided a method and system of determining efficient routing of a mail piece in a delivery system for delivering mail pieces. The system determines whether or not the mail piece requires urgent delivery. The system determines a weight of the mail piece. Also, the system determines, based on the urgency determination and the weight determination, a most cost-effective place in which to introduce the mail piece into the delivery system.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods for designing certain aspects of an event venue and for communicating information regarding the event and the event venue to others. Certain embodiments provide a dynamic seat map via which an operator can assign certain characteristics to specific seats and/or seating sections. Certain embodiments generate interactive maps for users, via which information from a plurality of sources may be integrated and visually displayed. The user may specify certain criteria, and the interactive map may identify to the user seats and/or sections that match such criteria. Certain embodiments provide an interactive seat map via which users can select seats and share information.

Abstract: A movie theatre shows a barcode on an electronic screen separate from the projection screen, on a side wall of the movie room. The barcode lets a patron buy tickets to movies shown in trailers on the projection screen. The patron uses a mobile device, like a cellphone, to image the barcode and decode an URL to a web page. The electronic screen also shows a table of ticket purchases, with thresholds allowing for discounted prices. The purchases are mostly from patrons in the theatre, but could also include from patrons at other theatres seeing the same trailers. This allows dynamic group purchasing of tickets in an interactive feedback loop.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer-implemented method and system to perform a travel-related Availability Computation. The method includes, at an Inventory System, initiating an Availability Computation by retrieving information relevant to a received availability computation inquiry; determining that portion of a travel solution that corresponds to a reference carrier and a context to be prorated; making a call to a Proration Service and providing the Proration Service with applicable context information; receiving from the Proration Service proration information comprised of a calculated adjusted Yield or a calculated adjustment factor to be applied to the Yield, the Proration Service using proration data that is maintained by a Revenue Accounting System to make the calculation; and completing the Availability Computation using the adjusted Yield or the adjustment factor to be applied to the Yield.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying seat inventory at a venue and facilitating planning of ticket prices for events at the venue is presented. Methods to predict total revenue for an event are described. Also presented are systems and methods for determining at what price and when to release so-called ‘flex’ price tickets during an on-sale using the sales velocity and sales/inquiry ratios. Determining demand of seats from secondary markets is also described with methods to use the demand for either repricing the seats in the primary market or presenting ‘best value’ seats to a prospective purchaser.

Abstract: Providing a market design for a peer-to-peer resource exchange system. Prices for a plurality of resources such as storage space, upload bandwidth, and download bandwidth are calculated and balanced based on previous resource prices, a supply of the resources, and a demand for the resources. Further, prices for operations such as storage and retrieval are determined such that a total of the payments to resource suppliers equals a total of the payments received from the resource consumers. In some embodiments, incoming data operation requests are allocated to the peers such that equilibrium among the peers is achieved.

Abstract: Methods and systems to store event information and corresponding event availability information. An event record and a corresponding availability count record may be stored together in a hash table, at an index computed from event information. Alternatively, event records may be stored in a first hash table at indexes computed from corresponding event information, and availability count records may be stored in a second hash table, at indexes computed from contents of the availability count records. Event records in the first hash table may include pointers to availability count records in the second hash table. To retrieve an availability count record for an event, the event information may be hashed with the first hash function to determine an index of the first hash table at which the event record and associated pointer are stored. From the pointer, the associated availability count record may be retrieved from the second hash table.

Abstract: A system for organizing ground transportation of airline passengers arriving for an event is disclosed. The event management system includes a memory, a computer display; a data entry component that receives passenger data including names of passengers and flight information and stores the passenger data in an application specific format; and a group scheduling component that allows a user to set parameters including VIP status, time windows, vehicle types, and number of passengers allocated for vehicle type, and provides passenger groupings based on flight information and on user-set parameters. Also disclosed is a computerized method for organizing ground transportation of airline passengers arriving for an event.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating over a telecommunications network between a service provider and one or more users, wherein the service provider can have access to multiple distinct addresses in the telecommunications network and each user is identified by an address, more specifically, where a first message can be sent over at least a portion of the telecommunications network to a user's address and based on a response from the user determining the message to which the response is a reply.

Abstract: Pricing of a sequence of transportation units includes receiving a set of sellable-units, encoding the set of sellable-units into a context-free grammar that represents possible ways that the sellable-units can be combined to produce valid tickets and producing a ticket from the encoded set of sellable units.

Abstract: An automated self-storage reservation and management system is disclosed. The system enables customers to make a reservation for a self-storage unit, view a map for a storage facility, enter or update customer information, make a payment, view payment history and print receipts. Facility personnel can utilize the system to manage inventory and client accounts, generate reports, track sales, vacancies and delinquencies. The automated system preferably includes a communications feature that enables facility personnel to communicate with each other or with customers regarding customer accounts. Upon the occurrence of a predetermined event, the system automatically generates notices to customers or facility personnel.

Abstract: The electronic realty transaction system (ERTS) automates real estate processes and provides web-based accessibility to residential, commercial, and land markets. The system will provide a “one-stop-shop” for all real estate related transactions and will include a detailed tracking and history of customer transactions for the realtors. The system will provide the ability to charge, collect, and track payments for real estate related transactions. ERTS includes an electronic contract generator (ECG) that pulls information from multiple sources and automatically identifies end-user requests for services and ultimately enables a property request (i.e. contract) to be developed using auto populating techniques.

Abstract: An integrated computerized sales system for destination events includes a member user interface (MUI) hosted by an application service provider (ASP) and accessible to a plurality of independent service providers that are members of a convention visitor bureau (CVB) organization. Members periodically log into the MUI to review information on a request for proposal (RFP) from a potential destination event organizer. The MUI includes a tentative response booking agreement (TRBA) electronic form to be completed by a member for any services responsive to the RFP that the member is willing to make available. A projected service availability database automatically incorporates information from the TRBA and is accessible only by the CVB. The projected service availability database is reviewed by the CVB in order to prepare a response to the RFP that includes information about services from members of the CVB that is then communicated to the potential destination event organizer.