Coordination Of Plural Reservations (e.g., Plural Trip Segments; Transportation And Accommodation, Etc.) Patents (Class 705/6)
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Publication number: 20130144668Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2011Publication date: June 6, 2013Inventors: Manish PURI, Sergej SOKOLOV, Dmitry SERGIEIEV
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Patent number: 8452624Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 12, 2009Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Amadeus S.A.S.Inventors: Thierry Dufresne, Gilles Chaumont, Cedric Dourthe
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Publication number: 20130124238Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2011Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: GOOGLE INC.Inventors: Emma Burrows, Diana Stroe
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Patent number: 8442848Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 9, 2011Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Inventor: David Myr
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Publication number: 20130103438Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2012Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: GetGoing, Inc.Inventor: GetGoing, Inc.
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Publication number: 20130103439Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2012Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: GETGOING, INC.Inventor: GETGOING, INC.
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Publication number: 20130103437Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2011Publication date: April 25, 2013Inventor: Mark J. Nelson
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Patent number: 8417646Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 2, 2010Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: SAP AGInventors: Hans Chelniak, Torsten Stolz
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Patent number: 8412546Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 16, 2012Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: The Crawford Group, Inc.Inventors: David G. Smith, Owen R. Miller, Trent Tinsley
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Publication number: 20130073325Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Inventor: Warren Ross
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Patent number: 8401881Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 11, 2011Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 8396734Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 9, 2007Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLCInventor: Von A. Mock
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Extended web enabled multi-featured business to business computer system for rental vehicle services
Patent number: 8374894Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 19, 2001Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: 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: 8370053Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 27, 2007Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Trafficcast International, Inc.Inventor: Jing Li
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Publication number: 20130030849Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2012Publication date: January 31, 2013Inventor: James Bongiorno
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Patent number: 8364508Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 15, 2011Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: The Cimarron GroupInventors: Robert Joseph Farina, Jonathan Lester Simon, Alexander L. Voltz, David Ngo
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Patent number: 8364507Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 26, 2001Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Joshua A. Norrid
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Patent number: 8362894Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 30, 2009Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: Rupal Bhavin Shah
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Patent number: 8352296Abstract: Presence information within a meeting room is detected and published to users for managing room availability and real time status. Various means such as motion detectors, card readers, log-in mechanisms associated with in-room computers, and the like, are used to detect presence information. Different status indicators are assigned to each room and published through a communication application or hosted service providing useful and real time information to users.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2008Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Puneet Taneja, Murali Venkataraman, Shiran Sathananthan, Eric Sather, Vivek Ramamoorthy, Anil Kommineni, Paul Egger
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Patent number: 8346580Abstract: Certain embodiments of a multi-input access device and method for using which allow access to an event or venue include a detector for detecting authentication data for a person and a processor for authenticating the authentication data to verify that the person is allowed to access the event. The authentication data includes at least paperless authentication data for the person. The authentication data may include a printed ticket, a magnetic strip, a bar code, a credit card, an identification card, a smart card, a radio frequency identifier, an electronic device, biometric data, a signal, and/or other authentication data. The access device may include an access gate, a turnstile, a handheld access device, a retrofit unit, and/or other access device. In an embodiment, the access device includes a verification module generating access verification data for the person.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2004Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Flash Seats, LLCInventor: Brett A. Nakfoor
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Patent number: 8346607Abstract: A learning model is built on a combination of advertiser, publisher and user data. The learning model can be applied to all advertisers in an advertising system. The learning model provides predicted conversion rates for a given advertisement (“ad”) appearing on different publisher networks. A predicted conversion rate represents the probability that a click on a given ad appearing on a given publisher will lead to a conversion. The predicted conversion rates are used to generate a multiplier. The multiplier is used to automatically adjust the advertiser's bid (e.g., maximum cost-per-click (CPC)) for the given ad prior to an auction for the ad. Adjusting the advertiser's bid equalizes a cost-per-conversion among the publishers for the ad.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2012Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Scott S. Benson, Simon Tong
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Patent number: 8340989Abstract: An Internet-enabled rental vehicle reservation management method and system are disclosed. Via the system and method, authorization limits can be assigned to the users who create and manage replacement rental vehicle reservations through the system, where these authorization limits impose financial commitment monetary limits that the users can make on replacement rental vehicle reservations over a specified period of time. In an exemplary embodiment, these authorization limits are customized on a per user basis.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2011Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 8321258Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a system for scheduling the shipment of a set of products. The shipment may be loaded into a set of vehicles and further configured to fit a set of compartments on those vehicles. The system may include attempts to fill each vehicle and the compartments of each vehicle. The system may include evaluating a set of constraints on the shipment. The constraints may include a complex logical statement.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: SAP AktiengeselleschaftInventors: Jens Gottlieb, Jochen Christoph Eckert, Thomas Engelmann, Carsten Schumm
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Patent number: 8321499Abstract: A method for controlling a user station configured for communications with a multiplicity of independently-operated data sources via a non-proprietary network includes steps for providing a user interface to enable a user at the user station to select multiple ones of the multiplicity of independently-operated data object sources to be polled; automatically polling each of the selected data object sources in order to determine availability of desired data at each of the selected data object sources; and automatically transporting desired data determined to be available from each of the selected data object sources to the user station. Software and a user station for implementing the method are also described.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2007Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Intellectual Ventures I LLCInventor: Richard R. Reisman
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Patent number: 8311859Abstract: 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 tType: GrantFiled: September 17, 2009Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Amadeus S.A.S.Inventors: Marc Patoureaux, Thierry Dufresne, David Pauchet
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Patent number: 8306864Abstract: The present invention provides a control system interface for accessing a plurality of functions relating to a flexible order transaction system.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: SAP AGInventors: Muhammad M. Alam, Ruediger Meyfarth, Sam S. Hwang
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Patent number: 8306835Abstract: A user interface displayed on a computer monitor includes fields for entering data for a multiple passenger, multiple route query, the fields including a first set of fields corresponding to travel segments of a first passenger group, a second set of fields corresponding to travel segments of a second passenger group, and a third set of fields corresponding to shared travel features between the first travel group and second travel group.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2006Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Carl G. de Marcken, Justin A. Boyan
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Patent number: 8294549Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for providing secure access control to a facility. An access control system comprises a scanner located adjacent to a venue entrance. A computer system is coupled to the scanner. The computer system is configured to receive a coded user identification data scanned from an admission ticket from a ticket bearer via the scanner, decode the coded user identification data, and transmit the decoded user identification to a terminal for display to a gate keeper so that the gate keeper can determine whether the ticket bearer is to be admitted. An optional turnstile is coupled to the computer system, wherein the computer system enables the turnstile rotation.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2007Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Ticketmaster LLCInventors: Kerry Samovar, David Goldberg, Paul LaFontaine
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Patent number: 8290606Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for controlling cancelled orders in a manufacturing environment. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for controlling cancelled orders in a manufacturing environment can be provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Ivory W. Knipfer, Matthew H. Zemke
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Patent number: 8285571Abstract: A rideshare system and associated methodology for recommending rideshares to prospective riders and drivers uses itineraries and personal affinities to make the recommendations. The rideshare system computes a cost value by comparing the search criteria submitted by a user to stored user profiles. Results of the comparison are displayed in order of highest match to lowest match, according to the cost values computed. Further, the system also adaptively updates the stored profiles according to rideshare history. Lastly, the system includes a real-time user localization unit to locate prospective riders and drivers in real time, making just in time or unplanned rideshares possible.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2009Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America (Tema)Inventors: David Demirdjian, Steven F. Kalik
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Patent number: 8285570Abstract: The invention relates to a system capable of electronically matching transportation reservations with existing, new, or potential reservations, so that the orders can be combined, the reservation shared between requesting parties, utilization and management of transportation provider inventory and costs can be optimized, and savings opportunities for customers may be provided. Costs may also be divided proportionally based on a combination of distance and/or time traveled, or other cost accrual methods per riding party, and split/billed electronically via the reservation system. The system can operate as a standalone reservation repository or in concert with one or many existing reservation providers.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2010Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Rideamigos Corp.Inventors: Evan Meyer, Jeffrey Chernick, Ben Dalton
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Patent number: 8285483Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 18, 2010Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Yahoo! Inc.Inventors: Sihem Amer-Yahia, Munmun De Choudhury, Moran Feldman, Nadav Golbandi, Ronny Lempel, Cong Yu
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Patent number: 8275641Abstract: Systems and methods for boarding passengers on flights or other transportation according to bids received from the passengers are provided. Passengers seeking to fly standby on an undersold flight can submit a bid representing the amount the passengers are willing to pay to board the flight. The airline can determine the number of seats available on the flight, and board the highest bidding passengers until the flight is full. Similarly, passengers willing to be bumped from an oversold flight can submit a bid representing the incentive the passengers are willing to accept to be bumped from the flight. The airline can determine the number of passengers that must be bumped from the flight, and bump the lowest bidding passengers (i.e., those willing to accept the least costly incentive) until a sufficient number of passengers have been bumped from the flight.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2011Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Inventor: Shaun Beheruz Sethna
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Patent number: 8275667Abstract: A method of dynamically formulating value options that maximize customer satisfaction and company profitability includes identifying a set of demand segments for a company, each demand segment having a satisfaction value. The method further includes identifying a set of demand options falling under each of the demand segments for each product offered by the company, each demand option having a preference value. Whenever a customer demands a product, the method further includes interacting with the customer in a structured manner to determine advanced and ongoing preferences of the customer for the product. The method further includes setting the preference value of each demand option based on the advanced and ongoing preferences of the customer for the product demanded by the customer. The method further includes formulating a set of value options that satisfy the customer demand.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Inventor: Sachin Goel
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Publication number: 20120239442Abstract: The invention is for auditing the value of a change for at least one non used portion of an interline ticket in a networked travel reservation system including programmed processor performing receiving a request for a change for at least a non-used portion of an interline ticket; calculating the prorated amounts for the original itinerary (Refund) and both the original and new itineraries (Exchange); authorizing the change upon the validating airline ticket's balance being equal or greater than a predefined threshold; and triggering an event upon the validating airline ticket's balance being less than a predefined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: AMADEUS S.A.SInventors: Guillaume MORTAGNE, Christophe ANGELINI, Norbert LEON
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Publication number: 20120239443Abstract: Systems and methods that process natural language travel requests are described herein. According to some embodiments, methods for processing natural language travel requests may include: (a) decoding itinerary components from a natural language travel request, (b) determining a node type for each of the itinerary components, (c) ascertaining dependencies between each of the itinerary components based upon respective node types, (d) generating an unconstrained schedule using the itinerary components and respective dependencies therebetween, and (d) allocating available inventory to each of the itinerary components according to the unconstrained schedule to fulfill the natural language travel request.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Inventors: Jonathan David Miller, Harold Roy Miller, Steven Mark Seider
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Patent number: 8271337Abstract: The present invention enables the purchase of upgrades by ascertaining and attaching a value to the certainty that the upgrade will be available and adjusting the value of the product or service for purchasers willing to pay a reduced value on the condition that the upgrade may not be available at the time of expiration. Rather than paying the certainty value, the prospective purchaser is given the opportunity to enroll in a pool for the perishable upgrade. At a certain time the perishable is released to the pool of purchasers, who are then selected to purchase the item.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2004Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: NOR1, Inc.Inventors: Arthur L. Norins, Jr., Arthur L. Norins
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Patent number: 8265967Abstract: A multiple routes for multiple passengers are produced by ordering passenger groups and for each passenger group, constructing an individual query and sending the individual query to a travel planning system. Solutions based on the individual query are received from the travel planning system and a single individual solution is selected from the response. Constraints are added to subsequent individual queries based on previously selected individual solutions and joint travel requirements or preferences.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2011Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Carl G. de Marcken, Justin A. Boyan
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Patent number: 8265966Abstract: Determining multiple routes for multiple passenger groups, includes sending to a scheduler, multiple individual queries with a bias to produce individual solutions that meet joint travel requirements, merging results from the multiple individual queries to produce joint solutions for the passenger groups and returning the joint solutions.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2011Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: Carl G. de Marcken, Justin A. Boyan
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Patent number: 8260640Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating context-based movie information. For example, a movie application on an electronic device can obtain show times of a movie from multiple movie theaters. In some embodiments, the movie application can combine one or more show times into a single time slot in order to condense the number of show times that are displayed. Furthermore, the movie application can provide slot labels corresponding to each time slot based on one or more context-sensitive factors (e.g., current time of day, current location, one or more upcoming calendar events, and the like). As a result, the movie application can provide a user with a condensed view of the most accessible show times based on current context.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: John Louch, Todd Ditchendorf
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Patent number: 8244549Abstract: A method and system for providing fractional ownership of an aircraft. The method includes operating the aircraft under an FAA certification that permits the sale of aircraft capacity. Fractional owners of the aircraft, at least one of the fractional owners may be a syndicate having multiple members. The syndicate members may be managed on behalf of the syndicate. One FAA certification that permits the sale of aircraft capacity includes FAR Part 135. Additionally, the syndicate members may be billed usage fees on behalf of the syndicate, where the usage fees are billed proportional to use of the aircraft. Available capacity of the aircraft may be resold to other fractional owners and syndicate members.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2002Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: SJS Holdings, LLCInventor: Gavin Stener
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Patent number: 8244568Abstract: A scheduling system includes a client calendar application that a meeting organizer employs to send a request for free time form to prospective participants of a future meeting via email. The client calendar application receives completed request for participant free time forms back from the prospective participants via email. The client calendar application parses the completed free time forms and determines a consensus free time when all prospective participants are free for the meeting.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2007Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Joseph G. Baron, Frank Battaglia, Jerrold Martin Heyman, Michael Leonard Nelson, Andrew Geoffrey Tonkin
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Publication number: 20120197673Abstract: Techniques executed in a computer based travel-planning-system for flight scheduling, includes receiving trip segments, determining constraints on sequences of flights between the endpoints of the trip segments, the constraints derived from properties of fares that can be used with the flights, generating itineraries from flights using the constraints, and pricing the itineraries.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2012Publication date: August 2, 2012Inventors: Carl de Marcken, Edwin Karat
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Publication number: 20120191492Abstract: A multi-city criteria correlation and cost query (MCCQ) apparatus generates potential travel destination suggestions. The MCCQ apparatus is configured with a user interface adapted to receive source and destination criteria from a user which is processed using a multi-criteria correlation processor and comparing the destination criteria to information about destinations in a city database. City data record objects and city pair objects are formed for each identified destination alternative and transmitted to an internal or third party supplier of travel cost or other pertinent travel data. City response record objects or city pair report objects are generated corresponding to the data attributes of each city data record object or city pair object and are stored in a temporary aggregation database.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2011Publication date: July 26, 2012Inventors: Farzad Diba, Malek Abdel-Fattah
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Patent number: 8223009Abstract: A mobile asset tracking system receives telemetry information from any number of mobile assets (e.g., railcars, truck trailers, intermodal cargo containers, etc.) transporting hazardous or non-hazardous materials. Location data is obtained through GPS satellite locks and is transmitted via a cellular module to a central database for processing. Business rules in the software of the system trigger proactive alert communications to subscribers through common communication protocols such as email, SMS text, and pagers. Personal Computers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA's), cell phones or other common communication devices widely available to consumers may be utilized for receipt of alerts. Subscribers may be defined as manufacturers of materials, consignees who receive materials, transporters of materials (e.g. railroads, trucking companies, etc.) and communities such as county, state and/or federal emergency management personnel.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2007Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: TRACK AmericaInventors: Tommie K. Anderson, Robert M. Schwartz
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Patent number: 8214144Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for the processing and optimization of flight plans is disclosed. Information regarding a plurality of previous flight plans is received over a digital network and is stored in at least a database. The database preferably includes aviation fuel price information, aircraft performance information, and aviation weather information as well. Upon receiving a request, a server generates at least an optimized portion of a flight plan. In one form, historical flight plan data of others is automatically used to aid in the determination of the optimized route offered to the user for review, with the resulting final flight plan being electronically filed with the FAA upon approval. In a further form, the user may arrange fuel transactions at intermediate destinations with the service provider receiving a fee in exchange for facilitating the transaction.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2011Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: FlightAware, LLCInventors: Daniel Baker, Karl Lehenbauer, David Cameron McNett, Mark L. Duell, Jr.
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Patent number: 8204810Abstract: Described is a system and method that satisfies offers from customers with quotes from suppliers in a way that increases the likelihood of achieving an acceptable match. The system of the present invention is configured to receive from a customer an offer for a product. The system queries in parallel multiple suppliers for rate quotes on the desired product. Each of the suppliers is ranked according to the lowest rate quoted by each supplier. The supplier quoting the lowest rate is selected as the winner of the offer. The system may then evaluate any other rate quotes provided by the winning provider. The system may satisfy the customer's offer with the winning provider at a higher rate (if one was provided) than the winning rate quoted, up to the customer's offer (perhaps adjusted for a reasonable profit).Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2010Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Expedia, Inc.Inventors: Barnaby Merrick Harford, Sendi Widjaja, Maja Bogdanovic, Clair Hector
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Patent number: 8199972Abstract: An unknown named territory encloses a known physical target location that is specified by a target longitude and a target latitude. An operation is performed to identify a number of rectangular-shaped terrestrial areas that each enclose both the target longitude and the target latitude. Each of the identified rectangular-shaped terrestrial areas respectively encloses a polygonal-shaped named territory. Each polygonal-shaped named territory is defined by a respective circumscribing set of contiguously positioned vectors. An operation is performed to evaluate the circumscribing sets of contiguously positioned vectors of the polygonal-shaped named territories to determine if a given polygonal-shaped named territory includes both the target longitude and the target latitude. When both the target longitude and the target latitude are found to reside within a given polygonal-shaped named territory, the identity of the given polygonal-shaped named territory is conveyed.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2009Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Icontrol, Inc.Inventor: David Lee Erickson
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Patent number: 8200515Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for managing theme park ride lines by providing an identifying device to a guest, the device configured to uniquely identify the guest, using the identifying device to ascertain an amount of time a guest spends at a predetermined location and reducing the amount of time a guest spends in a line queue for a predetermined ride by the amount of time the guest spends at the predetermined location. A system for managing theme park ride lines is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2011Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Universal City Studios LLCInventors: Keizo Natsuyama, Steven C. Blum, Justin Michael Schwartz
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Patent number: 8200514Abstract: A method and system is provided for making price-related predictions of items based on training a classifier using historical information including pricing information for the items and labels relating to the price-related information that are generated automatically from the historical information. A prediction system provides price-related predictions for airline tickets. The prediction system collects flight information for flights on a daily basis. The prediction system generates training data to train a classifier to make the price-related predictions using the flight information. After training the classifier, the prediction system then can make the price-related predictions for a trip.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2007Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Farecast, Inc.Inventors: Hugh Crean, Jay Bartot, Michael Fridgen, David Hsu