Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a subscription travel service. The systems and methods include operations for determining a geographical location of a user of a subscription-based travel service; searching a list of travel services that are available for the user to consume on a travel date to identify candidate travel services; computing a likelihood of consumption value for the user based on transportation criteria associated with arriving at a given travel service in the list of travel services from the geographical location of the user; determining that the likelihood of consumption value for the user is less than a threshold; increasing a travel cost value associated with the given travel service in response to determining that the likelihood of consumption value is less than the threshold; and generating, for display in a graphical user interface to the user, an interactive visual representation of the given travel service.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a subscription travel service. The systems and methods include operations for receiving travel information with a travel date for a user; computing a subscription value as a function of a booking date and the travel date; determining a minimum travel value and a maximum purchase amount based on the computed subscription value; searching a list of travel services that are available on the travel date to identify candidate travel services each having a first cost that exceeds the minimum travel value; selecting a subset of the candidate travel services that each have a second cost that is less than the maximum purchase amount; and generating for display to a user, in a graphical user interface, one or more interactive visual representations of the selected subset of the candidate travel services.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for conducting a two-stage live auction for on-site and on-line bidders, the two stages including a live, in-person auction component and a real-time online bidding environment component. Bidding information associated with an item in the online bidding environment is updated to reflect a current bid associated with the item in the live, in-person auction. During the live, in-person auction, a bid is be accepted from an online bidder in the online environment that reflects the online bidder's bid price for the item. Subsequently, the system bids on behalf of the online bidder against other online bidders as well as one or more live bidders that are participating in the live, in-person. As such, the live auction enables real-time online bidding in a live, in-person auction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a credit applicant and user authentication solution for authenticating the identity of a credit applicant or a credit user. In particular, a user of the authentication system establishes a user account and obtains authentication information. The user then provides the authentication information during a subsequent credit application or credit transaction to authenticate the user's identity. Authentication information may be renewed after each application or transaction at specified time intervals, based on monetary thresholds, specific geographic limitations, or any other methodology specified by the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a credit applicant and user authentication solution for authenticating the identity of a credit applicant or a credit user. In particular, a user of the authentication system establishes a user account and obtains authentication information. The user then provides the authentication information during a subsequent credit application or credit transaction to authenticate the user's identity. Authentication information may be renewed after each application or transaction at specified time intervals, based on monetary thresholds, specific geographic limitations, or any other methodology specified by the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a credit applicant and user authentication solution for authenticating the identity of a credit applicant or a credit user. In particular, a user of the authentication system establishes a user account and obtains authentication information. The user then provides the authentication information during a subsequent credit application or credit transaction to authenticate the user's identity. Authentication information may be renewed after each application or transaction at specified time intervals, based on monetary thresholds, specific geographic limitations, or any other methodology specified by the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for conducting a live auction that combines various features of traditional and online auctions. According to one aspect of the present invention, the live auction includes a live, in-person auction component and a real-time online bidding environment component. Bidding information associated with an item in the online bidding environment is updated to reflect a current bid associated with the item in the live, in-person auction. During the live, in-person auction, a bid is be accepted from an online bidder in the online environment that reflects the online bidder's bid price for the item. Subsequently, the system bids on behalf of the online bidder against other online bidders as well as one or more live bidders that are participating in the live, in-person. As such, the live auction enables real-time online bidding in a live, in-person auction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for conducting a live auction that combines various features of traditional and online auctions. According to one aspect of the present invention, the live auction includes a live, in-person auction component and a real-time online bidding environment component. Bidding information associated with an item in the online bidding environment is updated to reflect a current bid associated with the item in the live, in-person auction. During the live, in-person auction, a bid is be accepted from an online bidder in the online environment that reflects the online bidder's bid price for the item. Subsequently, the system bids on behalf of the online bidder against other online bidders as well as one or more live bidders that are participating in the live, in-person. As such, the live auction enables real-time online bidding in a live, in-person auction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for conducting a live auction that combines various features of traditional and online auctions. According to one aspect of the present invention, the live auction includes a live, in-person auction component and a real-time online bidding environment component. Bidding information associated with an item in the online bidding environment is updated to reflect a current bid associated with the item in the live, in-person auction. During the live, in-person auction, a bid is be accepted from an online bidder in the online environment that reflects the online bidder's bid price for the item. Subsequently, the system bids on behalf of the online bidder against other online bidders as well as one or more live bidders that are participating in the live, in-person. As such, the live auction enables real-time online bidding in a live, in-person auction.

Abstract: The invention provides a residence management solution for offering, reserving and managing accommodations. The invention further provides a system and methods for providing various member services to members of a Destination Club. The invention also provides an integrated on-line system for carrying out functions associated with such a residence management solution, including the application process and the reservation process. The invention further provides a system and methods for determining the availability of properties based upon parameters selected by a member and displaying properties that exactly match and closely match the selected parameters.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for the equitable and efficient allocation of residences and properties. In accordance with the invention, individuals seeking to reserve high demand properties can first view and select properties and submit a reservation request. The reservation request may include a group of properties by name, preferred reservation dates, as well as a ranking of the individual's highest through lowest property preference.

Abstract: The present invention provides a credit applicant and user authentication solution for authenticating the identity of a credit applicant or a credit user. In particular, a user of the authentication system establishes a user account and obtains authentication information. The user then provides the authentication information during a subsequent credit application or credit transaction to authenticate the user's identity. Authentication information may be renewed after each application or transaction at specified time intervals, based on monetary thresholds, specific geographic limitations, or any other methodology specified by the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for conducting an integrated auction that incorporates various features of traditional and online auctions. According to one aspect of the present invention, the integrated auction includes a live, in-person auction component and an online bidding environment component. Bidding information associated with an item in the online bidding environment is updated to reflect a current bid associated with the item in the live, in-person auction. During the live, in-person auction, a bid is accepted from an online bidder in the online environment that reflects a maximum price the online bidder is willing to pay for the item. Subsequently, the system bids on behalf of the online bidder against one or more live bidders that are participating in the live, in-person auction based upon the maximum price.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for conducting a live auction that combines various features of traditional and online auctions. According to one aspect of the present invention, the live auction includes a live, in-person auction component and a real-time online bidding environment component. Bidding information associated with an item in the online bidding environment is updated to reflect a current bid associated with the item in the live, in-person auction. During the live, in-person auction, a bid is be accepted from an online bidder in the online environment that reflects the online bidder's bid price for the item. Subsequently, the system bids on behalf of the online bidder against other online bidders as well as one or more live bidders that are participating in the live, in-person. As such, the live auction enables real-time online bidding in a live, in-person auction.