Abstract: Techniques for creating and searching a database that stores information about a plurality of individual habitable units (IHUs) are provided. An example of an IHU is a hotel room. Image data that depicts where a plurality of IHUs reside relative to each other is placed on a base image, such as a satellite/map image. The base image is associated with a mapping that maps points on the base image to spatial (e.g., geographical) coordinates. The coordinates of the IHU may be used to generate a computer-rendered view from a window of an IHU. Also, label input is received that labels each IHU reflected in the image data with certain information. Each label indicates a value of an attribute of an IHU, such as its size, price, distance from elevators, etc. A query that targets information about each IHU may be processed and results returned that are ranked based on criteria associated with the query.

Abstract: Techniques for allowing prospective hotel guests to check-in online are provided. An online check-in service sends, to a computing device of a prospective guest, an electronic notification that indicates that the prospective user can check-in online instead of having to wait in line at the hotel. A series of pages are presented to the prospective guest, such as a page to allow the prospective guest to specify room preferences and other requests, a page to allow the prospective guest to accept an upgrade offer, a page to confirm payment, and/or a page that shows a room assignment. In this way, a guest does not have to wait in a hotel lobby to be assigned a room. Also, a hotel may be notified when a confirmed guest is approaching the hotel to allow hotel staff to make any arrangements necessary to expedite the process of getting the guest to his/her room.

Abstract: Techniques for creating and searching a database that stores information about a plurality of individual habitable units (IHUs) are provided. An example of an IHU is a hotel room. Image data that depicts where a plurality of IHUs reside relative to each other is placed on a base image, such as a satellite/map image. The base image is associated with a mapping that maps points on the base image to spatial (e.g., geographical) coordinates. The coordinates of the IHU may be used to generate a computer-rendered view from a window of an IHU. Also, label input is received that labels each IHU reflected in the image data with certain information. Each label indicates a value of an attribute of an IHU, such as its size, price, distance from elevators, etc. A query that targets information about each IHU may be processed and results returned that are ranked based on criteria associated with the query.

Abstract: Techniques for creating and searching a database that stores information about a plurality of individual habitable units (IHUs) are provided. An example of an IHU is a hotel room. Image data that depicts where a plurality of IHUs reside relative to each other is placed on a base image, such as a satellite/map image. The base image is associated with a mapping that maps points on the base image to spatial (e.g., geographical) coordinates. The coordinates of the IHU may be used to generate a computer-rendered view from a window of an IHU. Also, label input is received that labels each IHU reflected in the image data with certain information. Each label indicates a value of an attribute of an IHU, such as its size, price, distance from elevators, etc. A query that targets information about each IHU may be processed and results returned that are ranked based on criteria associated with the query.

Abstract: Techniques for creating and searching a database that stores information about a plurality of individual habitable units (IHUs) are provided. An example of an IHU is a hotel room. Image data that depicts where a plurality of IHUs reside relative to each other is placed on a base image, such as a satellite/map image. The base image is associated with a mapping that maps points on the base image to spatial (e.g., geographical) coordinates. The coordinates of the IHU may be used to generate a computer-rendered view from a window of an IHU. Also, label input is received that labels each IHU reflected in the image data with certain information. Each label indicates a value of an attribute of an IHU, such as its size, price, distance from elevators, etc. A query that targets information about each IHU may be processed and results returned that are ranked based on criteria associated with the query.

Abstract: The invention can include a method or a system for determining one or more travel destinations. According to one aspect, the method includes presenting a query interface to a user, receiving a set of parameters from a user through the query interface, matching the received set of parameters with one or more travel destinations from a database of potential travel destinations, and presenting one or more travel destinations to the user. The parameters received from the user through the query interface can include, for example, a departure location, one or more desired activities for a vacation, and a maximum travel time or distance. The database includes attributes matching one or more activities to each travel destination. As such, the database can match a set of parameters received from a user with one or more travel destination. Another embodiment of the invention can include a disk, tape, or other electronic media that stores instructions to carry out the steps set forth above.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with the instant invention may allow organizations to instantiate and participate in a collaborative network (i.e., a consortium) through which they can exchange intellectual capital. A governance may be established for regulating the collaborative network. In addition, a communications portal may be provided through which the organizations can exchange skills, competencies, and resources. Organizations may be able to publish, via the portal, their respective supply of and demand for intellectual capital. Organizations may be able search for and utilize employees of other organizations, collaboratively hire new employees, and collaboratively hire former employees.

Abstract: A project role generation system includes a role generator. The role generator executes a computer-implemented method for defining one or more roles for a project. The role generator generates a skills list for a project based on a comparison between a skills taxonomy and key words from unstructured text associated with the project. The role generator further generates one or more role templates for the project based on a comparison of at least a portion of the generated skills list and one or more predefined roles, wherein each role template includes one or more skills associated with fulfilling a role.