Abstract: Methods and system deliver media to users of media presentation systems. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a media server communicates with a media presentation system, such as a media player for streaming video and audio, to present subscription and non-subscription media to the user of the media presentation system. Subscription media may include multi-tiered media packages and individual media offerings as selected by the user. The media may be presented in various formats, including video, a graphical display, an audio presentation, a graphical and audio presentation, URL links, and interactive windows. Information about the user, the user's subscription status, the user's media presentation system and information about the media providers and the media offered by the media providers are maintained by the media server.

Abstract: A passenger ticket, lodging, or other physical space availability may be monitored by obtaining an itinerary record or other dataset associated with a previous space allocation (a previously-booked itinerary or similar purchase, e.g.). This may include, for example, identifying a group of travel segments that corresponds to a ticket or other allocation, “fingerprinting” the allocation, and determining a schedule to periodically monitor terms associated with the allocation. During an availability-monitoring period, an up-to-date version of the itinerary record may be obtained and “fingerprinted,” for example, such fingerprints being usable to determine whether substitutions (identifying more preferable lodging or travel spaces, e.g.) have changed significantly or have already been discovered and implemented, and to take appropriate action (implementing a substitution or updating the itinerary record, e.g.) if so.

Abstract: Methods and system deliver media to users of media presentation systems. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a media server communicates with a media presentation system, such as a media player for streaming video and audio, to present subscription and non-subscription media to the user of the media presentation system. Subscription media may include multi-tiered media packages and individual media offerings as selected by the user. The media may be presented in various formats, including video, a graphical display, an audio presentation, a graphical and audio presentation, URL links, and interactive windows. Information about the user, the user's subscription status, the user's media presentation system and information about the media providers and the media offered by the media providers are maintained by the media server.

Abstract: A passenger ticket, lodging, or other physical space availability may be monitored by obtaining an itinerary record or other dataset associated with a previous space allocation (a previously-booked itinerary or similar purchase, e.g.). This may include, for example, identifying a group of travel segments that corresponds to a ticket or other allocation, “fingerprinting” the allocation, and determining a schedule to periodically monitor terms associated with the allocation. During an availability-monitoring period, an up-to-date version of the itinerary record may be obtained and “fingerprinted,” for example, such fingerprints being usable to determine whether substitutions (identifying more preferable lodging or travel spaces, e.g.) have changed significantly or have already been discovered and implemented, and to take appropriate action (implementing a substitution or updating the itinerary record, e.g.) if so.

Abstract: Methods and system deliver media to users of media presentation systems. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a media server communicates with a media presentation system, such as a media player for streaming video and audio, to present subscription and non-subscription media to the user of the media presentation system. Subscription media may include multi-tiered media packages and individual media offerings as selected by the user. The media may be presented in various formats, including video, a graphical display, an audio presentation, a graphical and audio presentation, URL links, and interactive windows. Information about the user, the user's subscription status, the user's media presentation system and information about the media providers and the media offered by the media providers are maintained by the media server.

Abstract: Methods and system deliver media to users of media presentation systems. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a media server communicates with a media presentation system, such as a media player for streaming video and audio, to present subscription and non-subscription media to the user of the media presentation system. Subscription media may include multi-tiered media packages and individual media offerings as selected by the user. The media may be presented in various formats, including video, a graphical display, an audio presentation, a graphical and audio presentation, URL links, and interactive windows. Information about the user, the user's subscription status, the user's media presentation system and information about the media providers and the media offered by the media providers are maintained by the media server.

Abstract: Methods and system deliver media to users of media presentation systems. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a media server communicates with a media presentation system, such as a media player for streaming video and audio, to present subscription and non-subscription media to the user of the media presentation system. Subscription media may include multi-tiered media packages and individual media offerings as selected by the user. The media may be presented in various formats, including video, a graphical display, an audio presentation, a graphical and audio presentation, URL links, and interactive windows. Information about the user, the user's subscription status, the user's media presentation system and information about the media providers and the media offered by the media providers are maintained by the media server.

Abstract: To dynamically schedule price checks for a previously-purchased travel ticket, an initial travel-ticket-specific price-check interval is determined by modifying a base price-check interval according to two or more price-volatility factors associated with the travel ticket. After the initial travel-ticket-specific price-check interval has passed, at least one price check is performed to determine a current price associated with the travel ticket. Periodically, at least some of the price-volatility factors are re-evaluated to obtain two or more updated price-volatility factors. Periodically, an updated price-check interval is determined based at least in part on the updated price-volatility factors and an un-updated subset of the original price-volatility factors. A subsequent price check is scheduled to occur after the updated price-check interval has passed.

Abstract: A flight-ticket price may be monitored by obtaining an itinerary record associated with a previously-booked flight itinerary, identifying a group of flight segments that corresponds to a ticket, “fingerprinting” the ticket, and determining a schedule to periodically monitor prices associated with the ticket. During at least one price-monitoring period, an up-to-date version of the itinerary record is obtained and “fingerprinted”. The “fingerprints” are used to verify that the flight ticket has not changed significantly, current pricing data is obtained, and a cost saving is determined to be currently obtainable, considering possible change penalties, by re-ticketing or re-booking the group of flight segments.

Abstract: Methods and system deliver media to users of media presentation systems. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a media server communicates with a media presentation system, such as a media player for streaming video and audio, to present subscription and non-subscription media to the user of the media presentation system. Subscription media may include multi-tiered media packages and individual media offerings as selected by the user. The media may be presented in various formats, including video, a graphical display, an audio presentation, a graphical and audio presentation, URL links, and interactive windows. Information about the user, the user's subscription status, the user's media presentation system and information about the media providers and the media offered by the media providers are maintained by the media server.

Abstract: Methods and system deliver media to users of media presentation systems. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a media server communicates with a media presentation system, such as a media player for streaming video and audio, to present subscription and non-subscription media to the user of the media presentation system. Subscription media may include multi-tiered media packages and individual media offerings as selected by the user. The media may be presented in various formats, including video, a graphical display, an audio presentation, a graphical and audio presentation, URL links, and interactive windows. Information about the user, the user's subscription status, the user's media presentation system and information about the media providers and the media offered by the media providers are maintained by the media server.