Abstract: A network equipped with methods for detecting and notifying entities of changes in travel information (“events”) to users. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a method for notifying entities of events comprises the steps allowing an entity to register interest in an event, and providing a means to notify entities when an event occurs, thus allowing a response to the notification. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a system for notifying entities of events comprises a source system that tracks changes in travel schedules, a publish-and-subscribe technology that publishes events as they occur, and a receiving system that detects publication of events and that may also have the capability of notifying systems incapable of detecting publication that are interested in events.

Abstract: Systems and methods for event driven baggage management are disclosed. Readers are used to detect and monitor the location of tags attached to baggage as the baggage moves from the point at which a traveler drops of the baggage at the origin of a trip to the point at which the traveler picks up the baggage at a destination location. Methods and systems that are capable of detecting when a bag has been lost or misdirected and searching for the lost or misdirected bag are also disclosed. Notification may be sent directly to a traveler or the carrier when specified baggage events occur. Additionally, systems and methods for communicating a destination of an object to a wireless earphone device worn by an object handler are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product provide and display travel information in response to a request from a user. The travel information may be obtained from many different sources, such as trip journal websites, and may comprise complete or partial travel itineraries, as well as textual, audio, or video descriptions, ratings, photographs, and other useful information related to geographic destinations, components, points of interest, transportation methods and providers, and the like. The user may select bookable and non-bookable components, or a complete or partial itinerary, that the user desires to incorporate into an itinerary. The price and availability of each selected component may be determined and displayed. An optimized schedule may be suggested for the selected components. The bookable items may be booked by transmitting information to a global distribution system. The user itinerary may then be stored for use as travel information for a future user request.

Abstract: A travel system for processing travel requests based on a user's travel destination goal such as a meeting place and time. The travel system selects a destination terminal, if one is not provided, and estimates a travel time between the destination terminal and the destination goal. An itinerary is then built interactively with the user selecting air, bus or train transportation, ground transportation, and, optionally, hotels, restaurants, and activities.

Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with certain aspects related to the invention provide product availability information to a requestor via a proxy computer. In one aspect, a proxy computer that acts on the behalf of a seller computer receives product inventory information and one or more inventory control rules provided by the seller computer. In response to an availability request provided by a user, the proxy computer may determine product availability information based on the product inventory information and the one or more inventory control rules. Further, the proxy computer may be configured to update at the product inventory information and/or one or more control rules based on a determination that the seller computer has updated the same information stored in a database.