Coordination Of Plural Reservations (e.g., Plural Trip Segments; Transportation And Accommodation, Etc.) Patents (Class 705/6)
  • Publication number: 20140058772
    Abstract: The embodiments relate to systems and methods for conducting an electronic auction for available cargo capacity on a cargo carrier. In one aspect, the embodiments may monitor the cargo carrier to determine its geographic location as the cargo carrier travels towards a starting point of a route; determine a route starting distance between the geographic location of the cargo carrier and the starting point of the route; begin the electronic auction to sell the available cargo capacity prior to the cargo carrier arriving at the starting point of the route, the electronic auction selling the available cargo capacity at a current route price that corresponds to the route starting distance; and receive input indicating a purchase of the available cargo capacity at the current route price. In some embodiments, a route may be partitioned into potentially overlapping segments, and electronic auctions may be conducted for each route segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: James Moskos, Amit Monga Monga
  • Patent number: 8660867
    Abstract: A user registers with an automated transportation use and billing system. The user's geographical location/position is monitored and periodically compared with the geographical location/position of one or more public transportation systems. When a determination is made that the user's geographical location/position is the same as the geographical location/position of a public transportation system, an assumption is made that the user is making use of the public transportation system and once the user's geographical location/position data differs from the public transportation system's geographical location/position data, it is further assumed that the user is no longer making use of the public transportation system. Data indicating the users assumed use of the public transportation system, calculated as described above, is then recorded and credited to the user's account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Krivopaltsev, Ajay Tripathi, Alexander S. Ran
  • Patent number: 8645173
    Abstract: A computer based system for maximizing revenue by determining an optimal quantity of a product to be sold is disclosed. The system determines the optimal number of seats to be sold for a flight based upon the flight's capacity and forecasted costs associated with the flight. The forecasting is based upon probabilistic distribution models takes into account passenger itinerary data, passenger and market historical data, whether a passenger has flown on a previous leg of an itinerary, the ripple denied boarding effect of reaccommodating a denied passenger. The system evaluates the potential effect of double selling a unit of inventory (e.g., seats). Downstream inventory control, revenue management and reservations systems may use the optimization data to affect the operation of the airline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: US Airways, Inc.
    Inventors: James Fox, Randeep Ramamurthy, Julianne Anderson, Arthur Busse, Marcial Lapp, Daniel Muzich, Thomas Trenga
  • Publication number: 20140025410
    Abstract: A method and system for coordinating travel arrangements. A global travel utility (“GTU”) system allows travel service provider (“TSP”) systems to be connected via a communications link to a “concierge” system. The GTU system includes computer systems that execute the TSP systems and the concierge system. The concierge system provides components for assisting the traveler in creating an itinerary and for storing traveler profile information. The concierge system also includes an event notification component that receives various event notifications from the TSP systems. Upon receiving an unanticipated event notification, the concierge system automatically identifies the itineraries impacted by the event and automatically changes those itineraries as appropriate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Arthur David Churchman, Michael Joseph Duffy, Garnet William Kevin Hizzey, Jeffrey Alan Johnson, Russell Glen Moul, William Rossington Pickard, JR.
  • Patent number: 8635272
    Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, in response to being executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform operations including upon occurrence of a scheduled time, polling an update distribution server to determine that an update for a computer executable software application is available, the computer executable software application configured to operate on the computing device and in response to determining that the update is available, obtaining the update over the Internet from the update distribution server, and selecting whether to install the update at a first time or to defer installing the update until a second time that is later than the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures I LLC
    Inventor: Richard R. Reisman
  • Publication number: 20140019177
    Abstract: A method/apparatus/system for onboard onwards travel ticketing is provided. Onboard onwards travel ticketing is provided by determining current location of a mode of transit, determining the destination of a user, identifying purchase options relevant to the destination, and providing the purchase options to the user. The purchase options can be a subset of all purchase options, which subset can be selected according to one or several bounding rules, and can be options for further travel. The user can then select one or several of the purchase options and can transact the purchase of one or several of the purchase options with the apparatus and/or system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventor: Gavin R. Smith
  • Publication number: 20140019176
    Abstract: A travel system uses information pertaining to an initial origin and an ultimate destination of a traveler, instead of specific airports (or other travel depots) to plan and book a complete itinerary. The complete itinerary may include transportation, lodging, and/or car rentals for one or more travel legs to/from one or more destinations. In some embodiments, the travel system may import information associated with one or more appointments from the traveler's calendar to automatically plan and book the complete itinerary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Inventor: Steven Jay MANDELBAUM
  • Publication number: 20140012611
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for generating viable pattern-transfers for an itinerary-planning system. The method commences with the identification of pairs of patterns along fixed transit routes that are proximate one another. Each of the patterns include a number of stops connected by pattern segments traveled in a specific order. Pattern-transfers are identified between the stops along an inbound pattern of the pairs and the stops along an outbound pattern of the pairs. At least one of the pattern-transfers is discarded if traveling from the inbound pattern to the outbound pattern via the at least one of the pattern-transfers is unadvantageous compared to traveling from the inbound pattern to the outbound pattern via at least one other of the pattern-transfers. The undiscarded pattern-transfers are stored in storage for use by an itinerary-planning system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: TRAPEZE SOFTWARE INC.
    Inventor: Matthew David Francis
  • Publication number: 20140012610
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for itinerary planning. The method commences with processing of network segments stored in a database to generate builds in response to receiving an itinerary planning request. At least one of the builds having a cost that is lowest is selected. The cost is determined as a function of at least two factors. The at least one build is outputted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: TRAPEZE SOFTWARE INC.
    Inventor: Matthew David Francis
  • Patent number: 8622292
    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: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Jeffrey Bart Katz
    Inventor: Jeffrey Bart Katz
  • Patent number: 8621214
    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: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Securencrypt, LLC
    Inventors: Michael E. Johnson, Kenneth L. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20130346124
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for determining a group travel destination and compatible travel itinerary for a travel party to travel on a trip together. A unique identifier is created or used by each individual traveler, and each individual traveler is asked a series of hierarchical questions concerning parameters for travel in order to create a profile. Multiple traveler profiles are linked to form a set of travel party data. After further refining and polling a common destination and a common set of travel dates is selected from possible travel dates after a lookup by the system in each travelers individual calendars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: Robert A. Stern
  • Patent number: 8600787
    Abstract: A computer based system for maximizing revenue by determining an optimal quantity of a product to be sold is disclosed. The system determines the optimal number of seats to be sold for a flight based upon the flight's capacity and forecasted costs associated with the flight. The forecasting is based upon probabilistic distribution models and takes into account passenger itinerary data, passenger and market historical data, whether a passenger has flown on a previous leg of an itinerary, and the ripple denied boarding effect of reaccommodating a denied passenger. The system evaluates the potential effect of double selling a unit of inventory (e.g., seats). Downstream inventory control, revenue management and reservations systems may use the optimization data to affect the operation of the airline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: US Airways, Inc.
    Inventors: James Fox, Randeep Ramamurthy, Julianne Anderson, Arthur Busse, Marcial Lapp, Daniel Muzich, Thomas Trenga
  • Patent number: 8600805
    Abstract: A user of a personal computing device may identify multiple travel items of interest displayed for purchase by a network-based travel service. However, the user may not desire to purchase the travel items in a single purchase. Upon making a travel purchase that includes a first travel item that does not include a second travel item corresponding to the first travel item, the user may employ the network travel package service to search for second travel items corresponding to the first travel item, select from discounted travel packages including the first travel item and second travel items returned from the search, and purchase a discounted travel package. Beneficially, multiple travel items may be purchased separately while obtaining a package discount as compared to the stand-alone price of the travel items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Expedia, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn William Wallace, Barbara Perks, Michael Edward Hamm, Jada Michelle Williams, William George Long, Derek John Zumsteg, Michael Stephen Tuck-Lee, Lam Chi Ha
  • Patent number: 8600784
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods used to search for information (e.g., from multiple sources). In one example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), such systems and methods may select a subset of available relevant Internet information sources, such as suppliers and/or purchasers of goods, services, and/or commodities. In another example (which example is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive), a system and method are provided for determining when to launch an information search and for determining the set of information sources to search.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Kayak Software Corporation
    Inventors: Glen E. Ivey, Rahim Amlani
  • Patent number: 8595039
    Abstract: Multiple passenger multiple route travel queries are solved using travel planning systems that receive multiple, individual queries to produce individual solutions that meet joint travel requirements. The multiple, individual sub-queries are merged to produce joint solutions for the passenger groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Carl G. de Marcken, Justin A. Boyan
  • Patent number: 8594925
    Abstract: One embodiment accesses two or more photos taken by one or more travelers at one or more destinations and one or more points-of-interest located within the destinations; constructs one or more photo streams for each unique traveler-destination combination, wherein each one of the photo streams comprises two or more of the photos taken by the corresponding traveler at the corresponding destination; maps each one of the photos to one of the points-of-interest; constructs one or more timed paths for each unique traveler-destination combination based on the photo streams and the mapping between the photos and the points-of-interest, wherein each one of the timed paths comprises one or more of the points-of-interest located within the corresponding destination and visited by the corresponding travel; and constructs an itinerary based on a start point-of-interest, an end point-of-interest, a time constraint, and the timed paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.
    Inventors: Sihem Amer-Yahia, Munmum De Choudhury, Moran Feldman, Nadav Golbandi, Ronny Lempel, Cong Yu
  • Patent number: 8589195
    Abstract: Techniques for processing a multiple passenger, multiple route query are disclosed. The techniques include a travel planning system that searches for airline tickets in response to queries and a server that sends multiple, individual queries to the travel planning system and combines solutions received from execution of the multiple individual queries by the travel planning system, producing answers for the multiple passenger, multiple route query.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Carl G. de Marcken, Justin A. Boyan
  • Patent number: 8581693
    Abstract: A method for passenger flow is described. A boarding pass identifier of a boarding pass is electronically identified at a workstation of one or more first workstations at a first level. Boarding pass information associated with the identified boarding pass identifier is electronically retrieved at the workstation. It is determined, via one or more computers, whether the boarding pass is valid based on the retrieved boarding pass information. If the boarding pass is determined valid, a holder of the boarding pass is directed, via one or more computers, to a queue for one workstation of a plurality of second workstations at a second level based on the retrieved boarding pass information. Each workstation of the second workstations has a different queue arranged before the workstation. If the boarding pass is determined not valid, the boarding pass holder is directed away from entering the queues. A system is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: ICTS Europe Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Spencer, Gabi Vago, Danny Stern, Yochai Legum
  • Publication number: 20130297360
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: YAPTA, INC
    Inventors: Russell BARBER, Chris BOUZEK, Karim MEGHJI, Stephen MULLINS, Megan SCHNEIDER
  • Patent number: 8571903
    Abstract: An airline travel planning system is described. The system includes a server computer executing a server process including a search process to search for set of pricing solutions in accordance with at least one destination and at least one origin. The search process represents the set of pricing solutions in the form of a directed acyclic graph. The system also includes a client computer executing a client process on the set of pricing solutions. The client process has a manipulation process that manipulates the set of pricing solutions in response to user preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Carl G. DeMarcken
  • Publication number: 20130268306
    Abstract: The present invention provides a schedule arrangement system and a method for trips matching, integration and output, the schedule arrangement system includes at least one information of an itinerary displaying board displaying an itinerary; a general displaying module displaying the general; a geographic displaying module displaying geographic; and at least an interaction existing thereamong for assisting the users in completing their schedule plans. In one embodiment, the schedule arrangement system further includes a matching system. In another embodiment, the schedule arrangement system further includes an integration system of schedule arrangement and resource reservation. In still another embodiment, the schedule arrangement system further includes a personalized travel information automatic output system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: Xaduro Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Pin Tai, Shiau-Jing Ding
  • Patent number: 8554648
    Abstract: An information model for a party and property records management system includes a legal party role object for maintaining relationships between objects, such as legal party objects and revenue-object objects, within the information model. A legal party object could have several associated objects, such as an identification number object or a legal party communication object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Manatron, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennings Wayne Moore, Larry Joseph Deniston, Terry Lee Merkle, Douglas Alan Bennett, Robert James Golisek
  • Patent number: 8533012
    Abstract: A user interface for a fare summary tool is described. The user interface is for display on a monitor and includes a fare evaluation result table that displays fare rule summaries for fares in slices of an itinerary. A method for producing a rule summary is also described. The method retrieves fares and fare rules for a city pair over a specified time period and evaluates the retrieved fares against the retrieve rules to return a status corresponding to pass, fail defer. The method produces a summary of the results of evaluating the rules that indicates the status of the rules for each category of rules and displays the summary on a user output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Rodney Daughtrey
  • Patent number: 8527343
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are described for optimizing the purchase of ad impressions across multiple content providers. A first candidate value for an effective cost per target user for an advertising campaign that includes providing advertisements on at least a first website and a second website can be identified. A first cost associated with achieving the first candidate value for the effective cost per target user at the first website can be determined. A second cost associated with achieving the first candidate value for the effective cost per target user at the second website can be determined. A total advertising campaign cost can be calculated using the first cost and the second cost. The calculated total advertising campaign cost can be compared to a predetermined advertising campaign budget and a second candidate value for the effective cost per target user can be identified based on the comparing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Carl F. Hubinette
  • Publication number: 20130218615
    Abstract: Methods and systems may retrieve travel data records corresponding to travel requests; retrieve expense data records reflecting expense transactions, compare the expense data records to the travel data records, and determine a likelihood that the expense data records match the travel data records. Methods and systems may also detect possible duplicate travel path information by obtaining a set of travel paths with at least two travel paths, breaking each travel path into at least one segment comprising a single unit of travel with an origin and a destination, comparing each leg in each travel path to each leg in every other travel path to determine whether any travel paths are duplicates, and listing any segment paths that are possible duplicates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: CONCUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: CONCUR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
  • Patent number: 8504295
    Abstract: Distances between locations traveled by a carpool driver in a carpooling system may be initially estimated by calculating direct, straight line distances between each of the location points. Travel speeds may also be initially estimated using an expected maximum vehicle speed, which may a maximum speed limit. An estimated travel time may then be calculated from this data to initially designate passengers as eligible or ineligible for carpooling with a carpool driver. Cancellation requests received from participants in assigned carpools may be processed to determine whether the carpool may still be conducted. If so, the carpool may continue. If not, the system may search for alternative assignments before sending any cancellation notifications to the participants. Cancellations may be sent only if the system is not able provide a suitable alternate assignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventor: Vedran Lerenc
  • Patent number: 8504388
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and computer readable medium, for fulfilling a need for at least one perishable item, the method including reserving a plurality of perishable items with at least partially unknown attribute profiles from a supplier; receiving values for at least some of the reserved at least partially unknown attribute profiles, wherein the received values are determined by tests conducted after the reserving step; determining based on the received values which of the plurality of perishable items satisfy the need for the at least one perishable item; and if at least one of the plurality of perishable items does not satisfy the need for the at least one perishable item, unreserving the at least one perishable item of the plurality of perishable items determined not to satisfy the need for the at least one perishable item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Bioinventors & Entrepeneurs Network, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Seul, Andreas E. Gocksch
  • Patent number: 8499030
    Abstract: Software stored on a computer-readable storage medium at a user station configured for communications with a multiplicity of independently-operated data sources via a non-proprietary network instantiates a user interface function that enables a user at the user station to select one of a plurality of available network communications service providers, a communications function that establishes a communication link between the user station and a selected one of the multiplicity of independently-operated data sources using the selected one of the network communications service providers, and a data transport function that effectuates data transfers between the user station and the selected one of the data sources via the established communication link. Corresponding methods and a dedicated user station providing corresponding functions are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures I LLC
    Inventor: Richard R. Reisman
  • Patent number: 8494884
    Abstract: A system is provided that enables customers to search for event tickets for purchase. A computer interacts with the user to allow the user to specify criteria for event tickets the user wishes to purchase. The system presents relevant event ticket results, and provides filters for the user to further refine those search results. The user selects an event, and then selects tickets for that event. Ticket availability is shown, with seat locations indicated directly on an interactive venue map. For purchase, the user is directed to the selling ticket provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Nextag, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew C. Payne, Michael Janes, Mark Towfiq, Rishi Garg, Lisa Pollock Mann, Afshin Shafie, Trung Dung Chi Pham, Zach Saltzberg, Maureen Kelly
  • Patent number: 8494767
    Abstract: Provided is a method and an apparatus for automatically determining practicality of a trip. A mobile device obtains at least one point of interest among a starting location and a finishing location for a trip. In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, for each point of interest, the mobile device automatically determines an indication of practicality for making the point of interest an intermediate location to be visited during the trip based on both the starting location and the finishing location for the trip. By considering both the starting location and the finishing location, the points of interest can be presented to the user in a manner that reflects how practical it is to visit the points of interest given that the user is to end up at the finishing location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventor: Calin Nicolaie Bugnariu
  • Patent number: 8489435
    Abstract: A process for storing and accessing data in databases of a computerized travel reservation system includes, for each type of information to be stored, created rules associating a set of criteria defining the trips to which the information applies, and a content representing the value of the information to be applied, the set of criteria of a rule including a pair of markets with a market of origin that is defined by the geographical zone of departure on the trip and a destination market which is defined by the geographical zone of arrival of the trip. A database stores the defined markets and a database stores the created rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Amadeus S.A.S.
    Inventors: Hugues Gabriel, Vanessa Auzanne, Alexandre Taillades
  • Patent number: 8484058
    Abstract: A ticketing management system and computer implemented method for managing ticket requests is provided including a request management system, configured to receive ticket requests and allocate tickets to purchasers, a back-end office ticketing system, configured to record ticket requests and a fulfillment center configured to receive the ticket requests from the back-end office ticketing system and deliver the tickets to the purchasers. The request management system includes a shopping module. The shopping module is configured to receive at least one primary request for an event and storing the primary request, receive at least one alternate request for an event and storing the alternative request and allocate events to a user based on the primary request and alternative request selections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Tickets.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Harward Benson, Brett Eric Michalak
  • Publication number: 20130144668
    Abstract: A global flight center (GFC) having an improved global reservation system for passenger and cargo aircrafts and allows for the consolidation of aircraft flight schedules worldwide. It operates over the Internet by giving system users the ability to reserve aircraft in real time globally. With the creation of a new (hardware and software) system, the system creates an improved marketing method and possibilities between broker agencies and aircraft owner operators. For users of this new system, the new method creates an exclusive reservation system and relationship between all agents and broker parties—to the aircraft operators. This is accomplished by means of the GFC system's resources managing recruiting or registration style process which is done through the GFC interactive application on the website.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Manish PURI, Sergej SOKOLOV, Dmitry SERGIEIEV
  • Patent number: 8452624
    Abstract: An online reservation system including a fare search engine is described. The system comprises a database of published fares, a database of rules attached to the published fares and a fare family solver to categorize the published fares into sets of predefined generic fare families on the basis of the rules attached to the published fares. The fare family solver further comprises a generic partitioning fare family database holding the attributes of each predefined generic fare family allowing to determine to which fare family the published fares belong to. The attributes of each predefined generic fare family are first set up by a fare family composer operated by an administrator of the system. The online reservation system of the invention allows returning to the end-users of online travel service providers travel solutions categorized in families of fares having various ranges of prices and levels of restrictions attached to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Amadeus S.A.S.
    Inventors: Thierry Dufresne, Gilles Chaumont, Cedric Dourthe
  • Publication number: 20130124238
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting travel information. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a document; annotating detected entities in the document; generating one or more travel leg structures using the annotations, wherein generating the one or more travel leg structures includes determining that one or more annotations match a valid travel schedule; and generating an itinerary from the one or more travel leg structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Emma Burrows, Diana Stroe
  • Patent number: 8442848
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method and system for real-time automatic optimal dispatching of a plurality of taxicabs to passenger pick-up locations. The system uses optimization model to optimally dispatch taxicab vehicles in order to minimize total clients waiting time and to maximize taxicab business profitability. The optimization is performed based on the data on currently available taxicabs and their location, and based on the data on new clients orders and clients' pick-up locations, wherein the data on available taxicabs and their locations is obtained by the cell phone/GPS means from taxicab in-car devices and the data on clients' pick-up locations is obtained from clients cell phones/GPS-based devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: David Myr
  • Publication number: 20130103437
    Abstract: A method for providing airline patrons with a car service reservation system which facilitates car services and an efficient pricing system for customers on a flat fee, non-metered basis. The ground transportation service provider system allows patrons to rate the transportation service they receive upon arrival to final destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventor: Mark J. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20130103439
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that facilitates a purchase of a travel itinerary subject to date uncertainty. This system is configured to receive a plurality of selected itineraries from a buyer, wherein the plurality of selected itineraries includes a first itinerary associated with a first set of dates and a second itinerary associated with a second set of dates. Next, upon receiving an agreement from the buyer to purchase an unspecified one of the plurality of selected itineraries, the system chooses one of the plurality of itineraries for the buyer and completes the purchase of the chosen itinerary on behalf of the buyer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: GETGOING, INC.
    Inventor: GETGOING, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130103438
    Abstract: A method of completing a booking based on a plurality of travel itineraries added to a travel online shopping cart that includes processing, from a buyer, the travel itineraries and a plurality of destinations; processing, from the buyer, at least: (i) travel party information and (ii) payer information for the travel itineraries and the destinations; obtaining from the buyer, an agreement that includes: (i) buying a subset of a) the travel itineraries and b) the destinations, and (ii) a penalty for subsequently canceling the booking; selecting, by a provider, at least one destination from the destinations to obtain a selected destination; processing, from the buyer, at least one travel itinerary that corresponds to the selected destination; performing a monetary transaction to complete the booking for the selected destination; and communicating that the at least one travel itinerary and the selected destination has been purchased by the buyer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: GetGoing, Inc.
    Inventor: GetGoing, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8417646
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, methods, apparatus, systems and/or computer readable mediums are provided. According to some embodiments, a method includes generating at least one shipment request data object based at least in part on at least one outbound delivery data object; generating at least one freight unit data object based at least in part on the at least one shipment request data object; generating at least one shipment data object based at least in part on the at least one freight unit data object; generating at least one invoice data object based at least in part on the at least one shipment data object; and generating at least one customs export document based at least in part on the at least one invoice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventors: Hans Chelniak, Torsten Stolz
  • Patent number: 8412546
    Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking repair facility performance in a replacement rental vehicle context are disclosed. Various operations for adding and subtracting credits from a repair facility virtual bank account are disclosed. Adjustments to credit totals can be based on repair facility performance with regard to an individual vehicle repair or a plurality of vehicle repairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: The Crawford Group, Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Smith, Owen R. Miller, Trent Tinsley
  • Publication number: 20130073325
    Abstract: A method of event and venue planning and delivering system includes a plurality of user account and a plurality of host accounts. Each of the plurality of host account can uploads a plurality of destination into a website. Each of the plurality of user accounts completes a plurality of preference surveys during the registration process. When the user account prompts the website to generate a specific tour, a planning engine plans the specific tour which includes desired destination from the plurality of destinations. Then the specific tour is displayed to the user account through an electronic calendaring system. Once the user account chooses final selections for the specific tour, the specific tour is assigned into a finalized tour. Then the finalized tour can be purchased through an online transaction by the user account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventor: Warren Ross
  • Patent number: 8401881
    Abstract: An Internet-enabled rental vehicle reservation management method and system are disclosed. Via the system and method, authorized purchasers can select a rental vehicle service provider from a among a plurality of competitive rental vehicle service providers via at least one graphical user interface (GUI) menu, and the authorized purchasers can further interact with the system and method to (1) automatically book a rental vehicle reservation with a selected competitive rental vehicle service provider without human intervention on the part of personnel of the selected competitive rental vehicle service provider operating the computer system and (2) manage the booked rental vehicle reservation. In an exemplary embodiment, the reservations created and managed through the system and method are replacement rental vehicles and the authorized purchasers are insurance company personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: The Crawford Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Robert Weinstock, Kimberly Ann DeVallance, Randall Allan Haselhorst, Craig Stephen Kennedy, David Gary Smith, William T. Tingle, Anita K. Klopfenstein
  • Patent number: 8396734
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for handling scheduling conflicts. The method can include a step of conveying scheduled events to a mobile communication device. Times associated with the events can be analyzed to determine potential conflicts. A set of previously established conflict resolution rules can be applied to the potential conflicts. Recommendations for resolving the potential conflicts can be generated based upon the applied rules. A notification of the potential conflicts and the generated recommendations can be presented to a user of the mobile device through an interface of the mobile communication device. The notifications and recommendations can occur a sufficient time before the potentially conflicting events occur to permit anticipatory actions to be taken to alleviate the conflicts before their occurrence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventor: Von A. Mock
  • Patent number: 8374894
    Abstract: An Internet enabled, business-to-business computerized transaction system is disclosed in its preferred embodiment for use in providing rental car services for high volume users and comprises an Internet web portal through which the high volume user may access a plurality of service providers including an integrated business computer network for at least one rental vehicle service provider. The rental vehicle services provider computer network is configured to interconnect a geographically diverse plurality of branch offices, cataloguing their available rental vehicles and schedules for same as well as handling all transactional data relating to its business. The Internet web portal provides ubiquitous connectivity and portability for a multi-level business organization who regularly places high volumes of rental purchases with its business partner and also those other service providers who may or may not have the same integrated business computer system and software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Crawford Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Robert Weinstock, Kimberly Ann DeVallance, Randall Allan Haselhorst, Craig Stephen Kennedy, David Gary Smith, William T. Tingle, Anita K. Klopfenstein
  • Patent number: 8370053
    Abstract: A method of method of assigning routes for a plurality of users allocated to different classes is provided. A first group of users is identified based on a user classification, wherein each user of the first group of users has a first user classification. A second group of users is identified based on the user classification, wherein each user of the second group of users has a second user classification. The first user classification is different from the second user classification. A disutility value is calculated for each user of the first group of users and for each user of the second group of users using a travel disutility function based on an origin and a destination of each user of the first group of users and each user of the second group of users. A bi-level problem solver is executed to optimize the disutility value based on the user classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Trafficcast International, Inc.
    Inventor: Jing Li
  • Publication number: 20130030849
    Abstract: A portable device for planning a vacation/business travel itinerary, which begins with customizable itinerary templates that utilize a stored database of destination information, including a country's regions/cities, tourist sites, and other sites of interest located therein, and a corresponding photographic library. One such template returns itineraries based upon: duration, arrival/departure cities, total number of cities to be visited, and intensity of touring. The software assists users during travel by providing cueing of itinerary segments, along with directions, and on-demand pre-recorded audio tours to enhance site tour experiences. En route detours from planned sites are supported for spontaneous additions/substitutions. Country-specific information includes city/regional maps, public transportation information, key word/phrase language translation capability, and yellow/white page phone listings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: James Bongiorno
  • Patent number: 8364507
    Abstract: A system and method for providing reservation capabilities to a reservation or property management system via a plurality of Internet web sites. Each booking party is directed to a web site containing common content and content specific to the type of booking party, such as a travel agent, wholesaler, or traveler. The system ensures the complete and accurate collection of data regarding a customer and the customer's reservation request through the use of distributed software components and association with customer profiles. Each booking party may create or modify customer profile information to be associated with reservations. The product or service provider may establish and maintain its own set of commission rates, fee amounts and discount values for each type of booking party, thereby allowing the provider to control accuracy and completeness of reservations, as well as revenue flow to the booking parties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Joshua A. Norrid
  • Patent number: 8362894
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a departure notification from a travel assistance system are disclosed. A source location, a destination location and a desired destination arrival time are received at a travel assistance system. At least one travel parameter operable to affect departure time from the source location to the destination location is received at the travel assistance system. A departure time from the source location that enables arrival at the destination location at approximately the desired destination arrival time based on the source location, the destination location, the desired destination arrival time and the at least one travel parameter is determined. A departure notification is issued from the travel assistance system to a client system. The departure notification includes the departure time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Rupal Bhavin Shah