Abstract: A computer program product, method and system for producing seat availability information for a mode of travel such as airline travel produce a prediction of availability of a seat in accordance with an availability query. The prediction is used in place of making an actual query to an airline or other travel mode availability system.

Abstract: A competitive, availability prediction system for predicting relative, competitive availability of seating on an airline flight is described. The system includes an availability predictor that predicts seating availability on a competitive flight, an availability system that produces an actual availability response for a flight and decision logic that compares the predicted answer from the availability predictor and the potential answer from the availability system to establish a decision with respect to actual availability.

Abstract: A system and method for real-time revenue management is provided. Data is received from a scheduling system pertaining to a network comprising a plurality of legs. A sub-network within the network may be identified, and optimization of the sub-network is triggered. A current inventory information value attributable to the identified sub-network is pro-rated, and an expected traffic value for the identified sub-network is calculated using a forecast of the expected demand, a standard deviation of the demand, a gamma distribution equation, and an unsatisfied demand value. An updated inventory information value for the identified sub-network is generated using the pro-rated inventory information value and an optimization equation, wherein the optimization equation generates a maximum revenue value by adjusting the expected traffic, and the updated inventory information value is transmitted to the scheduling system.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides apparatus and methods for queuing access by large numbers of Internet or other network-based users to networked systems and resources with limited capacity. In one example embodiment, a queuing system provides user access to network resources, such as that of a ticketing system. A ticket queue queues a request received from a client system. A request processing module causes the client system to repeatedly transmit messages to the system during a first period, and in response to determining that the client system has ceased transmitting messages during the first period, the request is remove from the queue and/or cause the request goes unfulfilled.

Abstract: A system and method of analyzing transportation data includes receiving a transportation data set including transportation data corresponding to at least one item. A portion of the transportation data is converted into an event string, which includes a plurality of event symbols corresponding to a plurality of transportation events. The event string is selectively filtered according to a query to produce a filtered event string, and transportation data associated with the filtered event string may be reported.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device alerting to the expiration of tariffs for a franking system, comprising a random access memory (RAM) for recording postal data including a first table of postal tariffs relative to postal products and services and a processing unit for updating these postal tariffs, this RAM further comprising a second table of postal tariffs and the processing unit comprising means for comparing the postal tariffs of the first and second tables and for emitting a message alerting to the expiration of tariffs when a date of application of the postal tariffs of said second table is identical to or earlier than a desired date of franking and when one of these compared postal tariffs has been changed.

Abstract: A network system for serving digital content to a graphical user interface of a user device is provided. The system includes a database storing user data including user preferences and events in a calendar of a system user; a processor configured to automatically scan the database to determine an event scheduled for a predetermined window of time; to automatically determine the event is associated with entertainment of the user and access one or more entertainment services, and to prepare content conveying an entertainment package customized to the event of the user; and a server to serve the content for presentation by the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A network system for serving digital content to a graphical user interface of a user device is provided. The system includes a database storing user data including user preferences and events in a calendar of a system user; a processor configured to automatically scan the database to determine an event scheduled for a predetermined window of time; to automatically determine the event is associated with travel by the user and access one or more travel services, and to prepare content conveying a travel package customized to the event of the user; and a server to serve the content for presentation by the graphical user interface.

Abstract: An Expense Verification System (EVS) checks for fraud and errors in reimbursement requests. The EVS stores requests including reference numbers, and receives travel reservation records from a payment clearinghouse system. Each record includes a reference number and associated reservation data. The EVS selectively denies stored reimbursement requests as a function of data contained in the travel reservation record. Alternatively, the EVS selectively issues an alert as a function of data contained in the travel reservation record. Further, the EVS may parse a received reimbursement request to identify a respective reference number, compare the parsed reference number to the stored reimbursement requests to determine whether the parsed reference number matches a stored reference number, and deny the received reimbursement request if the parsed reference number matches a stored reference number.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides apparatus and methods for queuing access by large numbers of Internet or other network-based users to networked systems and resources with limited capacity. In one example embodiment, a queuing system provides user access to network resources, such as that of a ticketing system. A computer system receives a first request for a first resource The first request is queued in computer readable memory. A determination is made that the first request for the first resource has been abandoned. A queued second request is identified, wherein the second request is similar to the first request. The second request is associated with the abandoned first resource.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides apparatus and methods for queuing access by large numbers of Internet or other network-based users to networked systems and resources with limited capacity. In one example embodiment, a queuing system provides user access to network resources, such as that of a ticketing system. A ticket queue queues a request received from a client system. A request processing module causes the client system to repeatedly transmit messages to the system during a first period, and in response to determining that the client system has ceased transmitting messages during the first period, the request is remove from the queue and/or cause the request goes unfulfilled.

Abstract: A system and method for assigning and managing patron reservations to one or more of a plurality of attractions receive reservation requests at personal communication devices (PCDs). Reservation requests are transmitted to a computer associated with the selected attraction, which determines a proposed reservation time based on information describing the attraction, the patron, previously-made reservations maintained in a virtual queue, and the current state of a physical queue associated with the attraction. Proposed reservation time is transmitted to the PCD for confirmation or rejection by the patron. Confirmed reservations are entered in the virtual queue. Patrons are alerted by the PCD when their reservation time is approaching.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electronic means by which people can select the exact seat or seats they want for any type of event or reserve an appointment for any activity. More specifically, a customer or a ticket re-seller or a venue operator can go, for example, to the internet and select the event or activity for which he wants a ticket or tickets or reserve a time and reserve and order the exact seat or seats or the time of his choosing directly online. The seat or seats or reserved time he selects is then removed from the inventory for that activity or event and made not available for any other buyer and such is so indicated by a graphical representation or other such indicator on the online map or picture representing availability of seating or time for that event.

Abstract: A system is provided for the collective transport of people using a plurality of vehicles within a urban territory equipped with parking structures near transfer stations. Each parking structure comprises boxes for parking available vehicles in rows that provide a handling platform comprising a return area in front of a first row and a pick-up area in front of a second row. A mechanism displaces the boxes and brings, at the level of the handling platform, an empty box and an occupied box. The vehicle is thereafter advanced from the occupied box onto the pick-up area and taken therefrom. The vehicle is thereafter brought to the return area of a second parking structure, advanced and introduced in the empty box thereof. The empty box thereafter containing the vehicle is raised by the mechanism and replaced by a second empty box ready to receive a further vehicle.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of offering shipment options for selection is disclosed. The method includes receiving shipment-related criteria from a user and defining at one or more one shipment options that meet the shipment-related criteria. Environmental data corresponding to the shipment options are received and an corresponding environmental impacts, based on the environmental data, are determined. The method further includes displaying the shipment option with the corresponding environmental impact to the user and storing a selection by the user of one shipment option of the one or more shipment options.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electronic means by which people can select the exact seat or seats they want for any type of event or reserve an appointment for any activity. More specifically, a customer or a ticket re-seller or a venue operator can go, for example, to the internet and select the event or activity for which he wants a ticket or tickets or reserve a time and reserve and order the exact seat or seats or the time of his choosing directly online. The seat or seats may be displayed on a personal computing device, and additional information about the seat or seats may be displayed in response to the customer or ticket re-seller or venue operator placing a location indicator over a portion of the interactive seating display.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electronic means by which people can select the exact seat or seats they want for any type of event or reserve an appointment for any activity. More specifically, a customer or a ticket re-seller or a venue operator can go, for example, to the internet and select the event or activity for which he wants a ticket or tickets or reserve a time and reserve and order the exact seat or seats or the time of his choosing directly online. The seat or seats or reserved time he selects is then paid for using payment information that is verified with a payment verification server.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electronic means by which people can select the exact seat or seats they want for any type of event or reserve an appointment for any activity. More specifically, a customer or a ticket re-seller or a venue operator can go, for example, to the internet and select the event or activity for which he wants a ticket or tickets or reserve a time and reserve and order the exact seat or seats or the time of his choosing directly online. The seat or seats or reserved time he selects is then removed from the inventory for that activity or event and made not available for any other buyer and such is so indicated by a graphical representation or other such indicator on the online map or picture representing availability of seating or time for that event.

Abstract: An unspecified-time airline ticket representing a purchased seat on a flight to be selected later, by the airlines, for a traveler-specified itinerary (e.g., NY to LA on March 3rd) is disclosed. Various methods and systems for matching an unspecified-time ticket with a flight are also disclosed. An exemplary method includes: (1) making available an unspecified-time ticket; (2) examining a plurality of flights which would fulfill the terms of the unspecified-time ticket to determine which flight to select; and (3) providing notification of the selected flight prior to departure. The disclosed embodiments provide travelers with reduced airfare in return for flight-time flexibility and, in turn, permits airlines to fill seats that would have otherwise gone unbooked.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electronic means by which people can select the exact seat or seats they want for any type of event or reserve an appointment for any activity. More specifically, a customer or a ticket re-seller or a venue operator can go, for example, to the internet and select the event or activity for which he wants a ticket or tickets or reserve a time and reserve and order the exact seat or seats or the time of his choosing directly online. The seat or seats or reserved time he selects is then removed from the inventory for that activity or event and made not available for any other buyer and such is so indicated by a graphical representation or other such indicator on the online map or picture representing availability of seating or time for that event.