Coordination Of Plural Reservations (e.g., Plural Trip Segments; Transportation And Accommodation, Etc.) Patents (Class 705/6)
  • Patent number: 9275352
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable storage medium to automate livery vehicle scheduling from airline itinerary data retrieved from cardholder spending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Justin Xavier Howe
  • Patent number: 9275074
    Abstract: The present invention is in the technical field of geolocation. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of making content in the form of electronic data available for retrieval when a device has satisfied the Retrieval Range and other Rules which govern the ability to retrieve the content. Retrieval of Content by user devices may be based on Rules communicated by an App, Admin or third party interface and shall be contained and processed by an application interface engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Tip Vyspots, LLC Vy
    Inventors: Roopit Patel, Matthew Karazin
  • Patent number: 9268759
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for interacting with an interactive form. A plurality of values for a plurality of controls of an interactive form are received at a server. The server determines a plurality of recommendation rules based upon the values for interrelated controls. Each value comprises a portion of a travel-related search query entered into one control of the interactive form by each of a plurality of users. Each recommendation rule logically connects two or more of the interrelated controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Amadeus S.A.S.
    Inventors: Charles-Antoine Robelin, Benjamin Benzine, Ingolf Tobias Rothe
  • Patent number: 9232350
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for facilitating dedicated communication between specific users relating to a travel transaction, the system including a travel resource mobile application. The mobile application may be installed on a mobile device, wherein the user of the mobile application and other users are included in a group which participates in the travel transaction, and each such user is assigned a role. The mobile application may also provide travel information and secure communication to each user of the group of users, wherein the group of users may be restricted based on the travel transaction. The mobile application may retrieve user contact information from the mobile device to facilitate communication between the group of users while masking the contact information of each user. The mobile application may also determine a location of at least one user from a group of users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Fortis Riders Acquisition Corporation
    Inventors: Nathan Foy, James Coleman
  • Patent number: 9214033
    Abstract: Provided are a computer system and methods related to a map display. A method includes but is not limited to receiving a request for the map, the map illustrating one or more locations; determining a status associated with at least one of the one or more locations on the map, the status being a function of one or more location interaction rules associated with the at least one of the one or more locations on the map; and generating a signal related to indicating on the map the status associated with the at least one of the one or more locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Invention Science Fund I, LLC
    Inventors: Edward K. Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9195867
    Abstract: A system and method monitor skier behavior. An identifier is read from a lift access product when the lift access product is in the vicinity of a lift boarding area and a scan record containing the identifier, location information of the lift boarding area and a time stamp if generated. The scan record is processed to generate a location event record that is stored within a location database. The location database is processed to determine skier behavior based upon the location event records.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Vail Resorts, Inc.
    Inventors: Sayan Chakraborty, Logan Bruns, Robert Urwiler, Tim April, Stephen Younge
  • Patent number: 9177304
    Abstract: An electronic transaction system comprising a host server, at least one transaction device; at least one service provider system; and a content management system. When a transaction device issues a client request to the host server for one or more of the electronic goods and/or services, the host server operates to generate a client response in reply to the client request. In generating the client response a service request may be issued to the at least one service provider system. Also includes a matrix recording a set of permissions and/or constraints applicable to the electronic transaction system. The content management system references the matrix in determining the content to be provided to each transaction device to ensure that the set of permissions and/or constraints are complied with. Each transaction device further receives a set of unique identifiers from the host server, each identifier representing a component of the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: TAFMO Australia PTY LTD.
    Inventors: Philip Course, Gregory Douglas McCreath
  • Patent number: 9134135
    Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: identifying an activity area with a control unit based on a user's travel meeting or exceeding a travel threshold; determining a guidance mode based on a current location within the activity area and the current location for locating a device; and setting a guidance level based on the guidance mode for presenting a navigation guidance on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: TELENAV, INC.
    Inventors: George Xiaohong Zhao, Ryan Robert Peterson
  • Patent number: 9121710
    Abstract: A vehicle interface system and method is provided. The system and method includes an interface for communicating with a vehicle user. A controller is in communication with the interface and configured to retrieve a calendar event and verify the calendar event based on an input from the user via the interface. Trip information is generated based on the calendar event and vehicle data. Trip information, based on the calendar event and vehicle data, is communicated to the user via the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Oleg Yurievitch Gusikhin, David Allen Kowalski, Perry Robinson MacNeille
  • Patent number: 9117223
    Abstract: In one embodiment, method that can be performed on a system, is provided to take not just a person's time and location into consideration, but also has knowledge of and takes into account their availability, their preferences, their schedule, their purpose for being at their current location, and/or their next goal or stop (not just in terms of location but also in terms of activity). One embodiment is able to take into account a real-time view of supplier inventory and deduce and make available much better-adapted offerings and support for that person's travels and endeavors. In one embodiment, having an understanding of a rate of conversion and its relation to traffic and weather patterns allows service providers to make more accurate predictions about various items, including but not limited to, conversion rates, offer types, offer upgrades, traffic etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Deem, Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Handel, Patrick Grady, Mark Orttung, Dan Kikinis
  • Patent number: 9094787
    Abstract: A method for safely and efficiently requesting transportation services through the use of mobile communications devices capable of geographic location is described. Individual and package transportation may be provided. New customers may be efficiently serviced, and the requester and transportation provider locations may be viewed in real time on the mobile devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: airsMobile Inc.
    Inventors: Olaf M. Lubeck, John H. Hall
  • Patent number: 9081806
    Abstract: Various embodiments of systems and methods of optimizing a database are described herein. Database tables are rated based on at least one of table size and table growth rate. One or more of the database tables are then selected based on the rating of the database tables. Archiving objects for the one or more selected tables are obtained. An archiving object includes one or more archiving programs and defines data related to a business object. The archiving objects are ranked based on dependencies between them. Based on the ranking of the archiving objects, an archiving schedule including an archiving order for the archiving objects is generated. The archiving schedule is then displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventors: Sumanth Hegde, Santosh Vijayan
  • Patent number: 9070108
    Abstract: Optimizing travel and time management during travel. A travel tool is provided to receive travel objectives, which may also be prioritized and set with the tool. In response to detecting a disruption of an aspect of the set travel plans, this disruption is evaluated in an effort to mitigate the effects of the disruption. The impact of the disruption is evaluated and the travel plans are re-calculated. At least one modification to the set of travel plans is provided and selected in compliance with the set objective. This selection is communicated to the travel tool. Based upon the selection, the travel plans are dynamically modified while attaining the set objectives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Echhard Erling, Matthias Graefe, Ivory W. Knipfer, Christopher R. Schneider
  • Publication number: 20150134378
    Abstract: A method for sharing actionable travel itineraries includes providing a user interface to allow the user to select from a plurality of travel services, storing a user-created actionable travel itinerary comprised of specific travel service booking information from the plurality of travel services, receiving personal information of other users, allowing users to share the actionable travel itinerary with other users, and booking the travel services for the other users by combining the information included in the actionable travel itinerary with the personal data of the other users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: JADE VAN DOREN, DOUG MORGAN
  • Patent number: 9013270
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling access by a series of users to a space and/or particular service. The method includes the following steps for each of the users: requesting access to the space and/or service by the user, issuing an access authorization or denial; opening of an access to the space or the service, if an access authorization was issued; estimating a waiting period prior to accessing the space and/or service when the opening is delayed; and issuing to the user at least one piece of information representative of the waiting period. The estimation step takes account of a number of users having already passed through the access and still waiting in the space and/or the service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Compagnie Industrielle et Financiere d'Ingenierie “Ingenico”
    Inventors: David Naccache, Christophe Dolique
  • Patent number: 9004355
    Abstract: A method and system for allowing the setting of reservations and the pre-authorization of credit to purchase a desired service for which a reservation is made. A customer accesses a reservation system that is integrated with a credit authorization system. The customer may make a reservation and substantially simultaneously become pre-authorized to pay for services to be provided at the reservation by one of any number of credit providers. Pre-authorized credit and reservation information is then supplied to the service provider in advance of services being provided, expediting the overall transaction time and allowing for a secure and cardless transaction procedure. The reservation and preauthorization information are typically stored upon the reservation system and then passed to the point-of-sale systems, but other types of input/output storage devices could be used to perform this function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Cardfree Inc
    Inventor: Jeffrey Bart Katz
  • Patent number: 9009167
    Abstract: A method of planning a trip which comprises receiving a plurality of profile characteristics from a user, automatically selecting a group from a plurality of travel objects according to a match with the profile characteristics where each travel object having a plurality of scheduling characteristics. The method further includes computing an arrangement of members of the group in a schedule according to the plurality of profile characteristics and receiving an update to one or more of members, the schedule, the arrangement and/or the profile characteristics. Now, the arrangement is automatically updated so that one or more of the travel objects are rescheduled according to a relationship between its scheduling characteristics and respective scheduling characteristics of other travel objects in light of the profile characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Ron Cerny
  • Publication number: 20150095073
    Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating passengers to manage airline reservations within electronic messages are disclosed. Interactive content may be determined based on airline reservation information associated with the passengers. The interactive content may include content sets for the passengers to purchase flight options such as upgrading seats, meals, entertainment, and the like within the electronic message. The interactive content may include content sets for the passengers to interact with (e.g., select) offers by merchants. Targeted offers or advertisements may be obtained from the merchants by providing passenger information. In some examples, selection of targeted offers for presentation to the passenger in the electronic messages may be made based on historical information related to the passenger (e.g., such as product preferences manifested by the passengers in the past).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventor: Shi Li
  • Publication number: 20150012313
    Abstract: Disclosed are an information processing device etc. whereby, when the genre of a plurality of locations to be visited and the period for visiting each location are provided, combinations of locations to be visited that could be respectively selected from each specified genre in the specified period can be specified. The genres of locations to be visited and the period over which visits may be made are acquired. Based on the acquired periods and positional information of the various locations to be visited belonging to each genre stored by storage means, combinations of locations to be visited that could be respectively selected from each specified genre in the specified period can be specified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Takumi Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 8930233
    Abstract: Provided is a fully automated web service with location based services generally involved in transmission of situational location dependent information to automatically located mobile receiving data processing systems. The web service communicates with a receiving data processing system in a manner by delivering information to the device when appropriate without the device requesting it at the time of delivery. There are varieties of configurations made by different user types of the web service for configuring information to be delivered, and for receiving the information. The web service maximizes anonymity of users, provides granular privacy control with a default of complete privacy, and supports user configurable privileges and features for desired web service behavior and interoperability. The web service is fully automated to eliminate human resources required to operate services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8924724
    Abstract: A document encryption and decryption system for selectively encrypting and decrypting files and any other items and method for same to protect or secure its contents by helping to prevent unauthorized individuals from viewing data in human-perceivable or readable form. The encryption system includes remote authentication to verify a user's credentials stored on a remote database hosted by a web server. The encryption system further includes remote delete to automatically delete encrypted items stored on the user's computer, handheld or portable device, smartphone, and any other computing device of any kind when it logs onto a network if the user's computer or computing device is reported lost, stolen, or otherwise compromised. Decryption keys allow selective decryption of encrypted items that are on the computer or computing device of any kind. A Windows Communication Foundation service helps with authenticating the users with the encryption key and login process stored and processed by the web server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Securencrypt, LLC
    Inventors: Michael E. Johnson, Kenneth L. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20140350979
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing trip planning and associated payment of a trip involving multiple modes of transportation (i.e., “multi-modal trip planning”). Embodiments can enable a user to plan a multi-modal journey on an electronic device, and pay for products (tolls, tickets, etc.) associated with the journey on the same electronic device, or a different electronic device. Embodiments can also allow for re-planning a journey, providing for an alternative route when current information regarding an original route suggests the alternate route would be advisable. Payment for products associated with the alternate route can be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: CUBIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kay Paetzold, Boris Karsch
  • Patent number: 8892453
    Abstract: An electronic ticket management system includes an event organizer for planning an event, an electronic ticket seller for distributing electronic ticket information which authenticates the right to attend the event, an information storage chip for storing the electronic ticket information, and an electronic ticket platform center for managing the distribution of the electronic ticket information. The electronic ticket platform center forms an electronic ticket information master based on event information registered by the event organizer, and relates ticket issuing information registered by the electronic ticket seller to the electronic ticket information master. The electronic ticket platform center also issues the tickets by writing the electronic ticket information into the corresponding information storage chip based on ticket issuing information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masakazu Nakamura, Hironobu Tamai, Miyuki Hori, Seiki Murakami
  • Publication number: 20140337068
    Abstract: A lowest rate on a multi-night lodging stay is achieved by obtaining lodging rate information for a first lodging location from a plurality of lodging rate sources. The information is correlated with each night of a window during which a consumer is available to travel. A block of nights within the window having the lowest lodging rate is identified. Then, a plurality of lodging reservations corresponding to the identified block are generated, wherein at least two of the lodging reservations correspond to different nights of the multi-night lodging stay and are placed through different lodging reservation systems. A block having the lowest total cost of travel can also be identified by considering the cost of other travel related expenses in conjunction with the lodging rate for the block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel A. Nelson, Ryan Williams, Ryan McCoy, Neil Valentine, Steven Dalley, Bradley P. Pace
  • Patent number: 8878686
    Abstract: A system and method for responding to an event is disclosed. A skill level requirement for a worker to respond to the event is determined using a processor. The processor selects a worker to respond to the event based on a skill level and a location of the worker with respect to the event. The processor sends a notification to the selected worker to respond to the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Christopher B. Grounds, Dennis Min
  • Patent number: 8880270
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed related to autonomous vehicle applications for selecting destinations. A control system of an autonomous vehicle can determine a status of the autonomous vehicle. The control system can determine a possible destination of the autonomous vehicle. The control system can generate and provide a hint related to the possible destination based on the status of the autonomous vehicle. The control system can receive input related to the hint. Based on the input, the control system can determine whether to navigate the autonomous vehicle to the possible destination. After determining to navigate the autonomous vehicle to the possible destination, the control system can direct the autonomous vehicle to travel to the possible destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Dave Ferguson, Jiajun Zhu, Manuel Christian Clement
  • Publication number: 20140316829
    Abstract: A system and methodology through which users can access various features and functionality relative to travel and collaborative and informational aspects thereof. This functionality is accessed through a website available to users through various devices such as tablets, PCs, laptops, smartphones and other similar devices. The system and methodology provides trip planning features such that users can upload, view and modify content associated with trips taken or planned as well as view trip information of others subject to appropriate authorization. Further, the system of the present invention may include interfaces and interoperability with social media services so that activity occurring through one of these services can be shared with other services and the services of the present invention and vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventor: William Bumbernick
  • Patent number: 8855903
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing incentives for the public to travel during time windows and routes that help alleviate traffic congestion. The systems described herein include at least two components: a computer server software system that includes various algorithms and database sub-systems; and a mobile device application. Generally, a user may enter an origin, destination, and preferred time of travel for an intended trip into the mobile device application, which transmits the information to a remote server. The server computes a route for the trip and provides the user with available incentives for traveling the route at one or more departure time windows. The user's mobile device transmits GPS data to the server, which allows the server to verify whether the user has traveled the route during the specified time window. If so, the server then provides the incentive to the user via the user's mobile device or through email.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignees: The Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona, The University of Arizona, Tech Transfer Arizona
    Inventor: Yi-Chang Chiu
  • Publication number: 20140288982
    Abstract: Methods and systems for matching real trips to schedules in a public transportation system. Inputs can be reduced to a two-dimensional sequence alignment of data indicative of a temporal series of arrival and departure timestamps. A dynamic programming solution is applied to the two-dimensional sequence alignment of the data. Then, symmetric and asymmetric cases are analyzed with respect to the two-dimensional sequence alignment of the data to thereby match real trip data to schedule data in the public transportation system based on the temporal series of the arrival and departure timestamps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Boris Chidlovskii
  • Patent number: 8843409
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method and technique for policy event management is disclosed. The method includes: receiving by a broker an electronic communication from an insurance provider of an event related to a policy of a consumer serviced by the insurance provider; responsive to receiving the notice, automatically determining whether the event meets at least one event criteria monitored by the broker; and responsive to determining that the event corresponds to at least one event criteria monitored by the broker, automatically initiating an action related to the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Webcetera, L.P.
    Inventor: Nagaraj V. Rao
  • Publication number: 20140278615
    Abstract: A misconnect management system models the movement of passengers, bags, and crew through flights and airports. In various embodiments, a misconnect management system identifies potential misconnected passengers and provides recommendations and input configured to support decision makers, such as ramp controllers and operations controller, in evaluating hold/no hold decisions for a flight. Via use of the misconnect management system and associated methods, misconnected passenger numbers may be reduced, expenses associated with missed connections may be reduced, and organizational efficiency may be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: US AIRWAYS, INC.
    Inventors: Ilhan Ince, Lourdmareddy Gumireddy, Noel Alfonso
  • Publication number: 20140278616
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system are provided for dynamically evaluating fares over multiple itineraries for a journey involving multiple modes of transit and served by one or more mass transit providers. A non-transitory computer-readable medium is also provided that includes a plurality of instructions that, when executed by at least one electronic device, at least cause the at least one network-connectable device to evaluate fares over multiple itineraries for a journey involving multiple modes of transit and served by one or more mass transit providers. An apparatus for evaluating fares over multiple itineraries for a journey, along with a method of operation of an apparatus, is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Doug STONE, Alexander TESOV
  • Publication number: 20140278614
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for generating travel recommendations and alternative travel recommendations. At least one minimum fare path having an associated value may be determined based on a travel request. At least one alternative fare path having an associated value may be determined based at least in part on the associated value of the at least one minimum fare path. At least one travel recommendation may be generated based on the at least one minimum fare path, and at least one alternative travel recommendation may be generated based on the at least one alternative fare path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: AMADEUS S.A.S.
    Inventors: Matthieu Delost, Dong-Hua Jiang, Marc Patoureaux, Thierry Dufresne
  • Patent number: 8818834
    Abstract: A system and method for automated community schedule management, including registration, management, and sharing of activity, group, and carpool information for a community is provided. The system may enable a caregiver to register participants in one or more activities. The system and method may also enable one or more activity providers to register and administer one or more activities. The system may further enable a carpool creator to create and/or manage one or more carpools to activities and/or destinations and events separate from activities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Reso Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Rob Rastovich, David Ehrlich, Mark Cashman, Suzanne Dryan Felson, Rita Jenkins
  • Publication number: 20140236646
    Abstract: An integrated computerized sales system for destination events includes a member user interface (MUI) hosted by an application service provider (ASP) and accessible to a plurality of independent service providers that are members of a convention visitor bureau (CVB) organization. Members periodically log into the MUI to review information on a request for proposal (RFP) from a potential destination event organizer. The MUI includes a tentative response booking agreement (TRBA) electronic form to be completed by a member for any services responsive to the RFP that the member is willing to make available. A projected service availability database automatically incorporates information from the TRBA and is accessible only by the CVB. The projected service availability database is reviewed by the CVB in order to prepare a response to the RFP that includes information about services from members of the CVB that is then communicated to the potential destination event organizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: iDSS (Internet Destination Sales System)
    Inventors: James L. Adamson, Peter A. Hedlund, Ajith P.U.K. Gunaratne
  • Publication number: 20140236647
    Abstract: A method for building group travel itineraries includes providing web site associated with a web server, identifying a primary organizer for building a group travel itinerary through the web site, identifying one or more co-planners for building the group travel itinerary through the web site, collecting trip parameters from the primary organizer through the web site, collecting preferences from the one or more co-planners through the web site, building a plurality of group travel itineraries based on the trip parameters and the preferences using a decision engine associated with the web site, presenting the plurality of group travel itineraries to the primary organizer and the one or more co-planners through the web site, receiving feedback from the primary organizer and the one or more co-planners on the plurality of group travel itineraries through the web site, and determining a group travel itinerary using the feedback using the decision engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventor: Howard Marc Wettan
  • Patent number: 8805710
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a process that includes selecting accommodations during a travel reservation is described. The method includes receiving, at a software application that manages travel reservations, input that customizes configurable attributes of software travel objects representing accommodations used in transportation of passengers. The method also includes receiving criteria from a customer specifying preferences that affect a passenger's experience during travel, ranking the received criteria so that one or more criterion are preferred, selecting one or more of the accommodations using an optimization function to compare the ranked criteria to the customized configurable attributes, and outputting the selected one or more accommodations for use by the customer in selecting a first accommodation for the passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited
    Inventors: William Christopher Stirlen, Thomas Walter Heinrich Mehl
  • Patent number: 8799038
    Abstract: A dynamic taxi-sharing system and a sharing method thereof. A ride-sharing service provider carries at least one passenger from the first current location to the first travel destination through a route in an area and sends registration information to a service server. A plurality of ride-sharing requests is sent to the service server, and each of the ride-sharing requests comprises the second current location and the second travel destination. The service server divides the area into n by n blocks. A ride-matching module of the service server chooses a destination area in which the first travel destination is a center point and divides the destination area into k by k blocks. According to the registration information and the ride-sharing requests, the ride-matching module matches at least one ride-sharing traveler to the ride-sharing service provider to achieve a goal of fuel-saving and pollution-reducing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Wen-Tsuen Chen, Po-Yu Chen, Je-Wei Liu
  • Patent number: 8799184
    Abstract: A method for determining an optimal fare for a trip comprising a departure location, an arrival location, the method comprises the following steps: sending a request for the trip wherein the request comprises a departure location, an arrival location and a corresponding fare for the trip; automatically modifying the request by searching in a predetermined database to determine a set of additional requests wherein each comprises at least one of the departure location, the arrival location or one or more additional locations which may form at least a part of the requested route wherein the predetermined database comprises said additional requests and a corresponding fare for each additional request; selecting one or more additional requests to form one or more alternative requests which include at least on of the departure location or the arrival location as the request; calculating the up to date fares for each alternative request in order to determine a resulting fare for each alternative request; comparing t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Amadeus S.A.S.
    Inventors: Marc Patoureaux, Thierry Dufresne, David Pauchet
  • Publication number: 20140214462
    Abstract: Systems and methods for defining, booking and managing activities or services by a user of digital computer implemented applications and interactive displays based on time, location and theme as related to the user's local environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: ROBERT JOSEPH FARINA, Jonathan Lester Simon, Alexander L. Voltz, David Ngo
  • Patent number: 8781864
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for presenting travel information to a user are described. A code that includes predetermined travel parameters specified by the user is included in a web page. Access to the web page by a user is detected. A travel query is populated with the predetermined travel parameters and a variable parameter based on identification information associated with the user. Cached travel options that are obtained from prior queries and that satisfy the travel query are presented to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Carl De Marcken
  • Publication number: 20140180736
    Abstract: A system and method whereby an air charter brokerage service enables users with similar or matching travel plans to find each other to directly negotiate a shared flight itinerary using a web-based negotiation software application. The air charter brokerage service further enables users to directly book the shared itinerary using a web-based negotiation software application, whereby the air charter brokerage service provides a charter aircraft for the shared flight itinerary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: CoGoJets, LLC
    Inventor: Jamie Walker
  • Patent number: 8760281
    Abstract: A travel alert manager receives travel data from a plurality of data sources and identifies an alert data type from the travel data. The travel alert manager generates an alert for the alert data type based on a primary alert condition, the alert to provide a notification that the travel data will affect a travel property. The travel alert manager determines a priority of the alert and issues the alert if alerts matching the priority of the alert are authorized by system settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Duetto Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Neelav Rana, Jose Benavides, Marco Benvenuti, Anuj K. Jenveja, Craig Weissman, Patrick Bosworth
  • Patent number: 8762185
    Abstract: A method of monitoring the expenses of a traveller during the progress of an itinerary utilises NFC for carrying out the financial transactions associated with the itinerary and updates a corporate ERP or similar financial database with the financial transactions as they occur allowing rapid allocation to cost centres. The itinerary may be laid out in terms of itinerary events, each of which may be tracked by an NFC connection with an NFC device at an expected location and date for the itinerary event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Serko Limited
    Inventors: Robert James Shaw, Darrin Grafton
  • Patent number: 8753198
    Abstract: A reservation request is received from a player of a gaming system as to a reservation time, a desired gaming terminal and a desired game. The request is processed, and if acceptable, the reservation is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited
    Inventor: David Samuel Jack
  • Patent number: 8751272
    Abstract: A service for pricing items of inventory contained in a searchable database is available for access via the Internet. Where multiple items can satisfy a consumer's request, it is typical for a service to perform an inventory search for items that match a consumer's request. When the inventory is stored in an inventory database, the inventory database is queried for the purpose of retrieving a result set which matches the consumer's request. A separate fare server database containing inventory recently known to be available, located local to the Internet server for fast and efficient access, can also be provided for performing searches related to the consumer's request. Some inventory, even though recently known to have been available, is filtered out before being stored in the fare server database and inventory is removed when outdated, no longer available or purchased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Expedia, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Seybold, Jon P. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 8744734
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing incentives for the public to travel during time windows and routes that help alleviate traffic congestion. The systems described herein include at least two components: a computer server software system that includes various algorithms and database sub-systems; and a mobile device application. Generally, a user may enter an origin, destination, and preferred time of travel for an intended trip into the mobile device application, which transmits the information to a remote server. The server computes a route for the trip and provides the user with available incentives for traveling the route at one or more departure time windows. The user's mobile device transmits GPS data to the server, which allows the server to verify whether the user has traveled the route during the specified time window. If so, the server then provides the incentive to the user via the user's mobile device or through email.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Board of Regents, University of Arizona
    Inventor: Yi-Chang Chiu
  • Publication number: 20140149157
    Abstract: Among other things, information is received from a user interacting with a user interface about a trip that is being planned from an origin to a destination, the information including a user indication of travel modes to be considered in planning the trip and the possible travel modes including at least three of bus, train, car, water, and air. Two or more alternative travel options are determined each including two or more of the modes based on the received information; and the options are presented to the user through the user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventors: Naren Shaam, Patrick Schweizer, Tim Claydon
  • Patent number: 8731981
    Abstract: A method, system and program product are disclosed for filling job orders, the method comprising: creating electronically a respective commitment reservation for each of a plurality of workers, with each respective commitment reservation comprising a commitment for the respective worker to work on a prospective job not yet created, with the prospective job having one or more job parameters; receiving electronically a job order subsequent to the creation of one of the commitment reservations, the job order specifying a job with one or more job parameters; matching the job parameters of the job in the job order to the job parameters in one or more of the commitment reservations to obtain a reservation-job match; and, securing automatically based on the results of the matching step the job in the job order to one of the workers with a commitment reservation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Frontline Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Adams, Nathan Lentz, Ralph Julius, Tom Vilbert, Roland Thompson
  • Patent number: RE45218
    Abstract: A portable terminal includes a receiver, a barcode former configured to form barcodes and a display. The barcode former forms a barcode from the data received by the receiver and the display displays the formed barcode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuaki Oshima, Kenichiro Hayashi, Sadashi Kageyama, Seiji Sakashita, Takao Isogawa, Hisashi Takayama