Abstract: Customer management for an establishment involves operating a server that hosts system software and interacts with various computing devices over internet and wireless network gateway connections. The server communicates with devices at the establishment and customer computing devices in real-time, providing system performance updates, text messaging communications to the customer regarding table availability and marketing information and synchronizing the information communicated within the system. A computer user interface at the establishment communicates with the server and allows an establishment host to capture and transmit customer information to the server and make of the server processing requests that can include sending text message alert notifications to a customer mobile device informing of an available table and providing marketing messages.

Abstract: A method and system for providing case update notifications is provided. Judicial court case updates are received via a judicial court case management system for a judicial court. At least one of the judicial court case updates is identified as being of interest to a user unaffiliated with the judicial court that is participating in the judicial court case. The user is automatically notified of the at least one judicial court case update.

Abstract: The present invention may enable the efficient allocation of a plurality of vehicles (300) to a plurality of passengers (100) traveling between independent origins and destinations. In one or more embodiments, the method may collect the locations of vehicles (300), and the origins and destinations of traveling parties (100). The method may generate a set of routes that it deems superior to other known sets of routes, making use of an electronic map (202), which may provide street lengths, estimated travel times, and estimated costs along streets.

Abstract: A terminal apparatus provides a highly convenient user interface. The terminal apparatus includes a designated direction detection unit and a display control unit. The designated direction detection unit detects a designated direction, which is a direction in which the terminal apparatus is directed, with respect to a reference direction as a reference of the direction of the terminal apparatus on the basis of a signal from a sensor that outputs a signal indicating the attitude of the terminal apparatus. The display control unit displays an image, in which the direction in which the object is directed with respect to the reference direction is maintained and the object is disposed at the end of a direction corresponding to the designated direction, on a display device.

Abstract: A method and system comprising: receiving travel request data; retrieving schedule data associated with the travel request data from the database, the schedule data being further associated with a scheduled travel time; retrieving availability data associated with the travel request data from the cache, the availability data being further associated with an available travel time; and sending the schedule data and the availability data via a computer network.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for efficient matching of suppliers and customers for travel-related and other types of goods and services. These methods and systems are based on an exchange or market concept, in which a computer system performs matching between different parties. Specifically, an exchange system may compare customers' requests with suppliers' content records. In certain embodiments, an exchange system sends notifications of customers' requests to suppliers based on criteria presented by the suppliers. Users' requests and/or vendors' content records may be processed using natural language parser to determine appropriate components for searches and matches. This substantially improves efficiency of the exchange system and makes it more user friendly as users and vendors may present different terms in their respective searches and entries. An exchange system may include a pattern recognition component and semantic natural language parser to perform this function.

Abstract: The present invention is related to systems and methods for providing access control to a venue or other location using a networked system. Described is a computer controlled turnstile system, comprising a turnstile, including a computer interface, and a computer system coupled to the turnstile and to user terminals. Program code is configured to receive a query from a user for a plurality of admissions to an event, wherein the query is received from a user terminal, associate the plurality of admissions with a single first token, provide a user interface via which the user can re-associate a first quantity of the plurality of admissions with a second token, store in memory information related to the re-association, at least partly in response to information obtained from the second token at a venue associated with the event, access the information and enable the turnstile to admit a number of persons that corresponds to the first quantity.

Abstract: Messages are targeted to travelers based on travel itineraries. Targeting may also be based on real-time travel status information. The targeted messages communicate their purpose and priority to respective travelers within the context of the travel itineraries. A disclosed method includes accessing a travel itinerary database including a plurality of travel itineraries. Each travel itinerary is associated with a traveler and defines itinerary segments of a corresponding travel schedule. A message is associated with a set of targeting rules used to identify a subset of itineraries in the travel itinerary database. The targeting rules may be used with real-time travel status information to identify the subset of itineraries.

Abstract: A user interface for presenting travel itineraries to a user includes an itinerary region for displaying travel itineraries and a filter region. Each travel itinerary has a corresponding value for a first travel criterion and the travel itineraries are grouped into categories based on the values of the first travel criterion. The filter region includes a plurality of cells, each of which is associated with one of the categories of travel itineraries. When a user selects a cell, the itinerary region displays only travel itineraries in the category associated with the selected cell.

Abstract: Data from different sources and having different formats is converted to a format useable by a device to which the data is to be sent. The conversion is performed based on configuration data and can be performed by an application server configured to provide a network application service to a user terminal associated with the entity.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system provides an interactive interface for displaying results of flexible travel planning queries is described.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer program products for handling or managing delayed answers to shopping requests directed to travel content provider platforms. A query processing server of a travel reservation system receives a multi-provider shopping request from an inquiring entity, such as a travel agency, and directs it to a content provider platform, such a platform of a rental car agency. If the content provider platform responds within a given time limit, the query processing server forwards the response to the inquiring entity and updates cache data based upon the response. If the content provider platform does not respond within the given time limit, the query processing server forwards a cache-based response to the inquiring entity. If the content provider platform responds after the given time limit has exceeded, the query processing server updates the cached data to reflect to the belated response from the content provider platform.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer program product for abstracted dynamic report definition generation within an information technology infrastructure. When a request to generate a report is received, report definition associated with the requested report is identified, wherein the report definition comprises a generalized description of desired data in the report without any database-specific properties. The resources which are able to provide the desired data using report instance parameters in the report definition are then identified. Responsive to determining the resources that are able to provide the desired data, the generalized description in the report definition is translated into report content generation engine-specific implementation details and actions. The translated report content generation engine-specific implementation details and actions are executed to obtain the desired data from the resources. A report may then be generated based on the resulting output.

Abstract: Social routing can be provided by a social router system that coordinates a group of travelers from disparate locations to reach a destination at a specified time, by dynamically recommending a traveling route to each of the travelers that comports with that traveler's traveling criteria. To recommend the route, the social router generates an initial routes for each of the travelers and revises the initial routes to join two or more travelers into one route en route to the destination based on the traveling criteria of the two or more travelers. The recommended traveling route is dynamic since the social router system allows for continuous revision of the traveling route based on changes of a traveling criteria, travel progress, conditions along the route, and other factors.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods for designing certain aspects of an event venue and for communicating information regarding the event and the event venue to others. Certain embodiments provide a dynamic seat map via which an operator can assign certain characteristics to specific seats and/or seating sections. Certain embodiments generate interactive maps for users, via which information from a plurality of sources may be integrated and visually displayed. The user may specify certain criteria, and the interactive map may identify to the user seats and/or sections that match such criteria. Certain embodiments provide an interactive seat map via which users can select seats and share information.

Abstract: Techniques for making internal data from a source application available through an application programming interface (“API”). Embodiments may analyze a source application to determine a storage location and a first storage format of internal data, wherein the source application does not provide an API through which the internal data is accessible. Embodiments may then extract the internal data from the storage location, and convert the extracted data from the first storage format to a common storage format. Embodiments may then provide an API to make the converted data available.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a method and system to obtain data for fees and surcharges charged by multiple providers for multiple services based on prior interactions with the service providers, and provide an estimate for fees and surcharges to be charged by one of the service providers for one of the services based on the prior interactions with the service providers. In one embodiment, the fee data is extracted from one of electronic publishing of fees, billings for services rendered, and employee expense reports. In one embodiment, the estimated fees and surcharges include restricted access to a first subset of data to a first predetermined group.

Abstract: This publication discloses a method and system for delivering messages in a telecommunications network (1, 2, 6, 11, 12). In the method a voice-message call attempt is received (43), or a connection is formed to a potential user of a service, on the basis of a voice-message call attempt. According to the invention, as a response to the voice-message connection formed or to the call attempt, to the second part (41) of the connection is sent a text-form message, which initiates a long, logically continuous, temporally discontinuous session N, in such a way that the sender address (e.g., the A number) is converted to correspond to the session number N and the session stage J at the time, and in the message there is at least one selection query.

Abstract: Mobile device advertising chains are described herein. Presenting a primary offer, comprising a first action, is caused on a mobile computing device. The first action is caused on the mobile computing device. An end of the first action is detected. Presenting a purchase offer, comprising a purchase action, is caused on the mobile computing device after the end of the first action. Data indicating that the purchase action was completed in connection with the mobile computing device based on the purchase offer is received. A sum of the value to confer in connection with the device for accepting both the primary offer and the purchase offer is determined. The sum of the values may be used in optimizing subsequent presentations of the primary offer to other mobile devices.

Abstract: A method for automatically depositing objects for transport, including a phase of user storing transport data in a storage element, the data relating to: the user associated with the object; the total number of objects declared by the user; the destination, the route and the time of the transport; a depositing phase, including: a user applying a first electromagnetic identification tag onto an object to be transported; placing, by the user, the object to be transported on a conveyance device; reading an identification data, by first reading device, from the first electromagnetic identification tag, storing identification data read in the storage element in association with previously stored transport data; a phase of conveying the object for transport; the depositing phase including a measurement of the weight and/or dimensions of the object and/or storing, in the storage element, of the weight and/or the dimensions in association with the transport data.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes establishing a pool of potential matches for a user in a computer-implemented matching system, in which each of the potential matches meet at least one criteria of the user; determining a messaging score for each of the potential matches of the pool, the messaging score indicating a messaging aptitude of the potential match; and ranking the potential matches, where each of the potential matches is ranked based on a similarity of the messaging score of the potential match to a messaging score of the user. In one embodiment, the method may further include presenting to the user results of the ranking.

Abstract: A tailored arrival allocation system (TAAS) for determining a descent profile for an aircraft is described. TAAS includes a gateway operable for establishing communications between TAAS and aircraft, and for establishing communications between TAAS and at least one of a source of weather data, an air traffic services facility, and an airlines operations center. A processing device communicatively coupled to the gateway calculates a descent profile based on data received from a plurality of an air traffic services coordination function, an airline operations center function, data from the aircraft, and data received from a weather station that allows the aircraft to meet the required time at one or more metering fixes during the descent. Output interfaces provide data relating to the calculated descent profile to the processing device. The gateway communicates with a flight management computer for the aircraft to incorporate the calculated descent profile onto the flight management computer.

Abstract: In a distributed system, multiple nodes of a cluster update target data using a cross-domain lock. In the distributed system, data is separated into different domains, where some data elements are part of multiple domains. Multiple nodes each store a copy of the target data, which can be part of a single domain, or part of multiple domains. Where at least one element of the target data is part of two different domains, the nodes use cross-domain locks to lock both domains for at least a portion of the data update, and update the data while the lock is active. After updating the data, the nodes can release the cross-domain lock.

Abstract: A particular method includes receiving a conflict notice from a first airfield computing agent associated with a first airfield at a first aircraft computing agent associated with a first aircraft. The conflict notice indicates that the first aircraft is associated with a first conflict of the first airfield. The method also includes identifying, based on parameters associated with the first aircraft, one or more actions associated with the first aircraft to address the first conflict.

Abstract: Scheduling a given event, in one aspect, may include obtaining a set of one or more business rules, obtaining analytics, and obtaining an event specification. The event specification may include at least one content specification and two or more transmission modes. The event may be scheduled based on the event specification, the analytics and the business rules. The scheduling may be indicated by a tuple comprising event content, one or more communication modes selected from the two or more transmission modes, and timing of the scheduled event.

Abstract: A system and method for performing a transaction can allow a user to perform a multi-step process on a single web page. The system can receive an initiate-application command from a user at an application server and, in response, initiate an application for facilitating a transaction. The system can present a parameter-request panel, including a set of parameter-request fields, to the user at a client. The system can receive transaction parameters from the user via the set of parameter-request fields. In response to receiving the transaction parameters, the system can present a transaction-options panel, including a set of transaction options associated with the transaction parameters, to the user without obscuring the parameter-request panel. The system can receive from the user a transaction-option selection associated with the set of transaction options and, in response, present a transaction-completion panel to the user without obscuring the parameter-request panel or the transaction-options panel.

Abstract: A resource management system may use information regarding the bandwidth status of a downstream communication path to determine what portion of queued content should be sent in the current available bandwidth timeslot. In some embodiments, multiple versions of the same requested content may be available, and the system may select a lower-quality version to send if needed to meet a time deadline included in the original content request.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for defining ad space in a video. For example, a computer can receive an identification of a video and an advertisement space definition that includes a time stamp for the advertisement space in the video and an advertisement length. The computer can receive a request to view the video. The computer can determine an advertisement to play in the advertisement space such that the advertisement is not longer than the advertisement length included in the video's advertisement space definition. The computer can provide access to the video, and when the video reaches the time stamp, the advertisement is played in the advertisement space.

Abstract: Information of interest is graphically displayed in a manner which conveys the information to in a form which aids in comprehension of the information. Specifically, the information is preferably conveyed on the unit level through the use of the unit's floor plan in a graphical seating chart type format. A graphical icon is used to represent each room in the unit. Components of the icon indicate key considerations for every room. Additional information may also be displayed by clicking on a component of the icon.

Abstract: A Video Ticket Office provides interactive agent-assisted transportation service requests using real-time video and audio transmission with a separately-located operator center. A method may allow for changing from agent-assisted transportation service requests to automated services.

Abstract: A communication device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: an input and output unit; a communication unit; and a controller. The input and output unit is configured to receive a first instruction relating to activation of service. The communication unit is configured to communicate with a plurality of other communication devices. The controller is configured to, when the input and output unit receives the first instruction, control the communication unit to transmit to the other communication devices, first data indicating the activation of service. The controller is configured to, in a first case that the first instruction includes no identifiers of the other communication devices, control the communication unit to transmit to the other communication devices which transmits a connection request to the communication device in response to the first data, a negative response indicating non-acknowledgment of the connection request.

Abstract: A portable terminal device includes a wireless communication unit (103) which receives charging information (payment permission request information), a sub-storage unit (100) which stores electronic money information increased and decreased by the charging information (payment permission request information), and a sub-control unit (102) which performs charging processing based on the charging information (payment permission request information) received by the wireless communication unit (103).

Abstract: The method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a pre-shopping reservation tool which allows storing entire catalogs of air travels from many providers, while ensuring a high cache accuracy at limited operational costs. The system makes use of the fares knowledge to merge identical travel recommendations coming from different travel providers (airline, travel agencies) when possible, i.e. when fares are public and not negotiated for a specific travel provider. This prevents redundant prices to be stored in the system and improves its cost effectiveness. The system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention relies on several dedicated data analysis engines to optimize the cost of data pre-computations while at the same time maintaining good data accuracy.

Abstract: A method and system for reserving future purchases of goods or services or events. Electronic options are provided for desired goods or services or events. Electronic option terms and electronic option fees for the plural electronic options are dynamically and periodically adjusted in real-time. This provides optimal electronic option use and optimal electronic term and optimal electronic option fee adjustment for plural different suppliers of good or services or events provided and used with electronic options.

Abstract: A method and system for reserving future purchases of goods or services or events. Plural electronic options are provided based on a priority ordering scheme. The plurality of electronic options are not supplied or governed via a central government agency and are not supplied or governed via security laws. The plural electronic options includes a plural different electronic option terms for a plural different suppliers and a priority ordering scheme. The electronic option terms for a desired supplier are unique to the desired supplier. The electronic options include personalized electronic reservations and personalized electronic coupons. The purchased electronic option is exercised for preferred or priority access or entry to events or places or goods or services based on the priority ordering scheme.

Abstract: In general terms, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for providing a service participation acknowledgment mechanism at a transaction machine.

Abstract: A method and system for reserving future purchases of goods or services or events. Electronic options are provided for desired goods or services or events on communications network and a cloud communications network. One or more graphical buttons are used to display electronic option information. A display appearance of the one or more graphical buttons are dynamically changed based on actions completed on the electronic options. The electronic options and the one or more graphical buttons are displayed on one or more client network devices and/or one or more server network devices for one or more retail sites, a social networking sites, social couponing sites, social virtual reality sites, social virtual gaming sites, or social fantasy sports gaming sites.

Abstract: A charging service for electric vehicles is provided. The charging service may allow electric vehicles to be charged when certain conditions are met (e.g., at certain times, when certain battery charge levels are reached, when located at certain sites, etc.), without users of these electric vehicles having to charge the vehicles themselves. Other features pertaining to charging of electric vehicles are also provided, such as an application for estimating a driving range (e.g., distance and/or time) available with a current battery charge level of an electric vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for booking reservations in a booking system and synchronizing bookings among several booking systems. The system comprises at least one booking system; at least one service provider; a mediator service; a client, and at least one client terminal device that can be a mobile device and that includes a dialogue. The client uses the dialogue to enter information into the system and the mediator receives inquiries and answers from the at least one booking system, the at least one service provider, and the at least one client. The mediator transfers and adapts information between them. The method and system are particularly suited for use with mobile phone users by Small Message Service messages.

Abstract: A system and method for providing travel assistance and travel event processing. Travel events may include, for example, a cancellation associated with a travel reservation, a delay associated with a travel reservation, a timing change associated with a travel reservation, a travel reservation transaction, an environmental change potentially affecting travel, a location tracking event, and a service offer. By way of example, a travel reservation may include a reservation for an airline, railway, bus company, watercraft company, hotel or other-types of room accommodations, business events, such as, for example, a seminar, a conference, and/or a dining reservation, and/or recreational events, such as, for example, a tour, a concert, a show, a sporting event, an exploration outing, dining reservations, and/or other type of reserved recreational event.

Abstract: A resource access management system and method for managing user access to a resource having a number of resource slots. Each resource slot can be used by a user. The resource access management system is provided with a primary access configured to allow a user to access the resource, the primary access having a first entry point and a first exit point. A secondary access is also provided that is configured to allow users to access the resource. The resource access management system is configured to determine an apparent wait time based on a number of users entering the primary access and the secondary access, and a predetermined resource time associated with the resource. The resource access management system is further configured to periodically determine an actual wait time of a selected user between entering the first entry point and exiting first exit point, and can then calculate a wait time for the primary access using both the apparent wait time and the actual wait time.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for ranking and selecting travel-related search results for display to a traveler. The system may receive data identifying a preferred travel proposal from each of a plurality of travelers, and analyze the data to determine a value utility function. The value utility function may then be used to assign a relative utility to travel proposals identified in response to a search query from a traveler. Additional data relating to a pricing sensitivity of a payer may be received from an entity paying for travel, such as a corporation or other business entity. The system may analyze the pricing sensitivity data to define a price utility function that quantifies the price of each travel proposal. A composite utility function that is a weighted sum of the value and price utility functions may be used to select search results for display to the traveler.

Abstract: This invention discloses a novel system and method for automated protocols between a mobile device and an electronic ticketing verification system, where proximity detection is used to automatically display the verification or to automatically control entry gates or turnstiles when the mobile device is verified has holding a valid ticket and being located in a specific location associated with the ticket.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for issuing a payment device from a remote dispensing device are provided. In an embodiment, a dispensing device receives a purchase request including a load amount, to purchase a proximity payment device. The dispensing device reads proximity payment device information from a stored pre-personalized proximity payment device, establishes a secure communications channel with a security terminal, encrypts a personalization data request, transmits it to the proximity device issuer server, and receives an encrypted personalization message. The dispensing device then decrypts the encrypted personalization message to obtain personalization data, writes the personalization data and the load amount to the pre-personalized proximity payment device, and then dispenses the personalized proximity payment device.

Abstract: There are provided systems and method for multiple service check-in through a single service center check-in. A user may utilize a user device to check-in to a service center, such as a mall, airport, or hotel, offering a plurality of services. As the user moves throughout the service center, the user device may connect to beacons, such as Bluetooth Low Energy beacons. The user device may be previously checked-in with these beacons, or may be quickly checked-in when in proximity to the beacons without the user checking-in to each beacon manually. Thus, if the user is in proximity to a service, the user device may receive advertisements, information, etc. for the service. Additionally, since the user will already be checked-in to the service, the merchant and/or service center may complete transactions for the user with the service.

Abstract: A display method including: performing (S10) a service application that is an application for at lease one of services of a specific event, using an information terminal; obtaining (S11) a plurality of event information items by the information terminal through visible light communication with a display that displays the event information items, the information terminal being held toward a screen of the display; and displaying (S12), when the event information items obtained in the obtaining (S11) include related information, the related information on a display unit of the information terminal, the related information being information related to contents of the at least one of the services.

Abstract: Computing systems and methods for facilitating automatic generation and maintenance of an online scrapbook are provided. The online scrapbook may be a repository of ticketed-event information and associated photos, comments or other mementos associated with the ticketed events. The scrapbook may include a timeline of future and past purchased-ticket events and associated links for inviting others to future events, reselling tickets to future events, sharing events with others through social networking, displaying photos of past events, or commenting on past or future events. Events for the webpage may be identified through a user account on a ticket server or by scraping a user's email account for event-related emails. The photos may be gathered from social networking sites associated with the user and sorted by event based on the time, location, or content of the photo.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing functionality of an online self-booking tool to a user who is booking travel offerings through a website of a third party provider. A travel-related search query by the user generates parallel searches in each of a website of a third party provider and a database including travel offerings having negotiated rates. The results of the parallel searches may be captured and combined in a data siphon tool. The data siphon tool may reconcile the combined search results by eliminating duplicate search results and identifying search results that are in conflict with corporate travel policies. The reconciled search results may then be formatted based on display data obtained from the third party website and displayed to the user. Search results conflicting with corporate travel policies may be deleted, or displayed with an indication of the conflict.

Abstract: A center server includes an application identification information creating unit that allocates, on the basis of communication with a mobile terminal, identification information to an application that is set in the mobile terminal 1; a QR displaying unit that receives an acquisition request for electronic information via the application 10; a ticket displaying unit that creates associated information in which identification information on electronic information is associated with the identification information on the application; and a QR displaying unit that sends, on the basis of the identification information on the application acquired by the acquisition request and the associated information, the electronic information that is associated with the identification information on the application.

Abstract: The disclosure provides systems and methods for planning and reserving spaces at gaming establishments via one or more communications networks. In various embodiments, the user uses network-capable device to provide data specifying search criteria for a desired gaming session, which may include location, time, and game type desired. The system may serve matching, similar, sponsored, or other results to the user, allowing the user to choose or exclude establishments that match location, time, game type, table stakes, or other criteria of the game. Based on the user's selections, the user may pay to make a reservation, or provide a means of payment to secure the reservation. The system generates a receipt for the user, which may be in any of several forms, including a file or image to print or an electronic receipt for display on a network-capable mobile device.